Session 21 Recap

Grovald, Haelyn & Lavinya all indicated that priests of various denominations have been acting strange. Per Grovald, General Zitheruun operates in part through the church of Moradin. So, the party went to investigate, starting with the temple of Bahamut. Amyria was found there praying. She promised to speak with the clergy of Bahamut & root out any trouble. She also suggested that the Moradin temples might be a better place to look. Off to the Moradin temple in Nine Bells (the one undergoing reconstruction)…

The whole place was busy with construction workers. Megan Swiftblade of the Freeriders kept a close eye on the heroes when they entered. The temple had hired her adventuring company as security. She didn’t seem very eager to do anything though when some of the workers got riled up. Clan Flameforge made up a significant number of workers. And they didn’t like the Brindol group’s presence. Eventually, she worked her way over to calm the workers & throw the trouble makers out. The adventurers were stubborn though. It took a high priest of Moradin to finally break up the gathering in the foyer. Ancestor Karros walked the heroes out & chatted with them briefly.

The construction work was ordered by Ancestor Durkik, the highest ranking priest of Moradin in Overlook (and probably the entire vale). A great deal of time & money was put in play to refurbish the old temple in Nine Bells (run down part of town). Many of the clergy were on site to assist. Loans had been taken out for financing, and contributions were made by many prominent clans in town. But Karros, a high ranking priest himself, was unclear on the purpose of it all. While Karros would never speak against Durkik, he was… concerned with the high priest’s recent behavior.

The Stone Anvil was the party’s next stop. This massive temple was virtually a fortress, built of solid stone and towering over all other buildings in the upscale part of town. Inside, the place was… less than spotless. The floors hadn’t been swept in days. Candle wax coated various altars and racks. There were dozens of parishioners in the main sanctuary attending the daily service. There were scant few people elsewhere in the temple though. Brother Freyd was hustling along with an armful of candles and incense when the adventurers stopped him. He indicated he was quite busy, but Durkik was around here somewhere. “Walk around for a few minutes. You’re bound to come across him.” So, the party did.

They looked in a few alcoves and lesser sanctuaries, no one. The kitchen was empty. The mess hall was empty. The supply closets were disorganized. The clergy’s quarters were vacant. But Durkik did show up, with 6 city guards. “You are nosing around private areas of the temple. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Captain, please escort these ladies and gentlemen to the front door.” But the adventurers would have none of that. They insisted that Durkik answer some questions before they would leave. “Captain, throw them out of my temple.” The captain was obviously uncomfortable with the situation, but asked the party to leave. Durkik headed for the front door, and urged the captain to send for reinforcements. The group continued asking questions, refusing to leave, and Durkik continued towards the front door refusing to answer them.

By the time Durkik reached the front door, another 20 city guards had arrived. People looked nervous, but intent to do their duty. Once the trespassers were outside, Durkik disappeared back into the temple. The captain was much nicer about things and answered questions as best he could. He had seen and spoken to Durkik on several occasions, but did not know the man. While Durkik’s behavior was a bit unfriendly today, he was the senior priest of the temple & completely within his rights to throw anyone out. The captain had removed thieves and beggars before, but never anyone as prestigious as the heroes.

Preferring the city officials on their side, the party paid a visit to the council of elders. They were very supportive of the adventurers’ efforts to protect the city from threats, both external & internal. They were however bound to handle problems in a moral & legal manner. “We can do little without proof of treason or wrong doing. Captain Aerun, please investigate Ancestor Durkik, discretely.” This public statement wasn’t true to all of their hearts though. Council woman Mountainhome met privately with the group afterwards. She agreed that more drastic measures were needed, but wouldn’t commit to anything. “If our enemies have infiltrated various clergy, they have most certainly also infiltrated the city guard and other groups. I trust few.”

The council woman agreed to assist with questioning Durkik, no torture or killings. Ancestor Karros also assisted. Durkik was called to the old temple for his review & consultation. The adventurers abducted him in route. They soon discovered that dopplegangers had replaced Durkik. Quai’thalas (an Oni / Ogre Mage) had hired a lot of thugs and assassins around town. Quai’thalas works for General Zitheruun. The real Durkik is being interrogated at the Oni’s hideout, in a local warehouse. General Zitheruun has been present for most of the questioning.

The dopplegangers were turned over to the council woman. The situation was explained, and the heroes set off for the warehouse.

Quai’thalas fought to the death with his men. The thugs and assassins were easy. The Oni not so much. A second Oni (smaller) and two strange dwarves filled out his ranks. The party eventually bested them all. Durkik was located in a cell under the warehouse. Traps were disabled, and the dwarf was freed. Teregor healed him up and a long conversation ensued…