Session Preface:
As the cool winter afternoon light fades into early evening over the city of Yartar, you approach a sprawling bright yellow structure surrounded by lush foliage and strange blooming flowers which could only be the aptly named Lemonbark Villa you seek. As you approach the entrance, you find the large wooden door, carved with extending and inviting branches and vines, left slightly ajar. Peering inside, the marble floored foyer appears to be in disarray, a pile of cloaks and robes and hats piled up haphazardly, candles burned down to only their wicks hang in sconces with cobwebs gathering in the gaps of a chandelier overhead. Further inside, a glass water pitcher floats in the air, moving erratically towards a spiral staircase before eventually ascending out of view.
"No, no no! I said I was looking for a picture of Yartar, not a pitcher of water you unseen dolt! And they think I'm the one who doesn't listen. Good help is so hard to find these days!" a creaking voice calls out from above. "Oh, someone's at the door? Well, did you not think to invite them in? I swear, you are more useless than a hare in a horserace. By all means, send in our guests, unless they are more of those Kraken folk asking me to join them again, I'll have no more of their tentacles or theories!"
The spiral staircase creaks once more under an unseen weight before the door is swung wide before you, inviting you further in to the peculiar and curious Lemonbark Villa.
Session Summary:
During their conversation with Kolbaz, the party learns more details as to Nalynaul's nature and heard of his visits to the wizard and others in the city he deemed as potential individuals who would teach him more arcane secrets. When this did not have the desired outcome, he began sending his doppelgängers into various organizations so as to control the city, creating a more unified and powerful Yartar so as to bring the arcane secrets to him. Kolbaz shared that the Harpers are aware of the situation, though he has not heard back from his handler as to what will happen next. In the meantime, his magics have not detected the alhoon within the city. Upon inquiring further about the Kraken Society, the party also confirms Lord Khaspere Drylund's involvement in the organization, his desire to be the next waterbaron of Yartar, as well as the identity of another member - Ser Vantes, who often gambles at Drylund's establishment. Emmyth also speaks privately with Kolbaz, securing use of the Harper teleportation circle in exchange for a piece of knowledge Kolbaz does not already possess.
Returning to the One Foot in the Boat, Hawk changed into a well-made costume to attend the Grand Dame disguised as himself, but in his father's image. Arriving at the docks, the party are forced to leave nearly all of their possessions behind, including armor, weapons, and Thaust's arcane focus shield. Once boarded, Hawk exchanges his gold for chips while Thaust plays the role of his muscle and Emmyth as a friend who surveys potential real estate purchases on his behalf. Easily finding Ser Vantes, a blue tiefling with a braided beard, the party joins him for several games of The Smiling Lady.
The fourth hand is interrupted when Pow Ming, the security detail for The Grand Dame forces Ser Vantes outside on the grounds of him potentially cheating since Pow Ming cannot read his thoughts due to the strange trifold hat he wears. During this exchange outside, Ser Vantes ends up overboard, though it is unclear whether this is by Pow Ming's direction or not. Shortly after the incident, Lord Drylund makes his way to the table where Hawk and Pow Ming discuss how her handling of the situation has drastically affected his enjoyment of the evening. In an effort to make up for this Drylund invites the party upstairs to his private office where he shares with them a fine dwarven ale of spice and cherry.
Over drinks, the party discussed Drylund's political aspirations, Hawk's supposed real estate interests, and more. When discussing the giant upheaval, Drylund grows noticeably nervous. While under the effects of a Charm Person spell, Drylund reveals the Kraken Society was indeed involved in both the death of Queen Neeri and the kidnapping of King Hekaton. As he reveals King Hekaton is kept somewhere in the Trackless Sea on a ship called the Morkoth, his nose begins bleeding and he falls face first onto his desk, dead. As the party deliberates how to handle this surprising turn of events, Ser Vantes climbs through the window unexpectedly, commenting on Slarkrethel's likely involvement and the danger that poses to the four of them.
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