The Trial of Nigel Dunstan

Miscellaneous

The party attempt to free Nigel Dunstan before he is incarcerated and likely murdered.

Moonday began with the trial of Nigel Dunstan, former Chief Justice of Langdale.   His replacement, Reynald Duval, had pushed for his to be sentenced for treason and executed, but the jury argued that the punishment did not match the crime. So eventually he was sentenced to 5 years in Langdale prison – a place filled with those Nigel had convicted throughout the years.   It was announced he was to be moved to the Prison on Wineday. Through his contacts, Gar Jordan learned that Nigel was being moved to a safe house on Moonday and a decoy would be led to the Prison via the main streets on Wineday while Nigel was led down the back streets. He also learned that the transfer would be overseen by a group of Blackshields – Richard’s personal vanguard.   The party were suspicious of this, and suggested travelling to the courthouse to watch it for movement. However, they had no idea what to look for, so Loodachris contacted Charlotte to ask if she was able to Scry and gather some information for them.   She did and saw Nigel sitting in a cart – he was already on the move! Outside she could see a hooded figure on a pale, sickly looking, horse.   Loodachris took to the sky using his levitation spell and began scouring the streets for a cart and the pale horse. After a few minutes he spotted his target moving towards the hill down the cleft.   The party moved off quickly and got themselves in front of the convoy. They allowed the convoy to pass to get as much information as possible. There were 5 mounted figures, hooded in black, escorting the cart.   The party decided they would wait until the convoy reached the lower levels and attempt to knock out the blackshields using the Drow poison Gregory was carrying. They moved down the cleft and set up in position, with Loodachris conjuring some simple glasses and Gregory spiking some Three Sisters Pinot with the Drow poison.   As the group passed, Gregory began his sales pitch, offering samples to the riders. The first one passed him by with no attention, but he was able to get the attention of the second rider, who removed their hood to reveal a horned helmet.   Greg convinced all the riders to take the drink, which they did in perfect synchronicity, but they did not fall unconscious like all previous victims of the poison had.   The party followed the convoy for a short distance further, but it was clear that the riders were not going to fall unconscious. It also appeared that the convoy was heading straight for the prison. Clearly Duval had put out false information to limit the chances of a rescue attempt succeeding.   With little time remaining, the party had to act. Gregy fired a bolt dipped in drow poison at the horse pulling Nigel’s cart, knocking it unconscious and the battle began.   Throwing off their cloaks, the guards were dressed in heavy black armour adorned with skulls. The horned figure pointed at Gregory and Greg felt his heart grow painful and skip a few beats.   During the battle, one of the riders remained hooded and used powerful magics to wound most of the party at once. Once this hooded figure was slain, a raven that had been perched on its shoulder took flight. Fearing it may bring reinforcements, the party brought the raven down.   When it was clear that their opponents were very powerful, Gregory recited the oath of Mercy and summoned his spectral brothers to aid them. Three spirits burst forth from Mercy’s Blade and the horned warrior turned his entire attention towards them, attacking them with a terrible fury.   Eventually the party were able to bring low all their foes. While looting the bodies they discovered that 3/5 of the warriors were skeletons beneath their armour, and the horned and hooded warriors had no body at all.   Graak picked up the horned warrior’s jet black sword and it began speaking in his mind, telling him it was thirsty for souls. He kept this from the party.   The group decided that they would lead Nigel out of the city and use the secret passage outside the walls to get him back to the mansion.   Graak decided he would climb the wall and split apart from the group. When he reached the wall and tried to put his weapon away he found himself unable to put it down. As a wanted man, he would not be able to get back to the upper levels without climbing, so he made his way to Vinder’s.   When he arrived he found the shop boarded and shut with a sign on the front which he couldn’t read. Graak broke into the shop and found it to be empty. A few moments later Vinder emerged from the back wielding a dagger with a black blade that looked as if it were liquid.   After realising it was Graak he sheathed his blade and told Graak that Duval had closed him down for selling illegal items. He told Graak he could spend the night and he would examine the blade, and tomorrow he would take him to the upper level in the back of his cart.   The rest of the party returned to Eyio’s huse and began to celebrate. Soon they realised that Graak was late and grew worried. After a few hours they decided to go and find him. Worried he may have been arrested they visited Gar and Price first, who had not seen him all day. They directed them to the King’s House, surmising Graak was probably drinking – but he was not there.   So the party went to Vinder’s, which they found borded and shut with a note outside saying “closed by order of the Chief Justice”. Eiyo kicked down the door, only to find Vinder and Graak sat at the counter. They got caught up on Graak’s issues and decided to test out the blade. Gregory sliced his finger and dropped some blood on it, which just ran off.   Eiyo did the same and the blood was absorbed into the blade.   They also discussed Duval with Vinder, and Vinder agreed that he had to be taken care of. Vinder agreed to take up residence in the storeroom of the party’s house.   The party left Graak with Vinder, hopeful that he would be able to help, and made their way to Asa Adir, thinking he may be able to shed light on the Blackshields and Graak’s blade.   Asa told them he had never come across the Blackshields before and that the bone fragments Eiyo gave him were perfectly ordinary. He told them that assuming formless presence required very powerful magic, and that a blade with consciousness was dangerous indeed!   The party left Asa’s and travelled to the Kiss. The underbridge disctrict was quieter than usual and when they arrived in the kiss they found the pit had been filled in.   Nev said that he and a group of like-minded individuals were opposed to Duval and would gladly assist in any way they could in his removal from power.   The party then returned home.