Session 24: The return to Bard's Gate and subsequent events - Part 2 Report

General Summary

Whilst Ualraig celebrated his victory outside the casino Cassandra and Davros were heading in the opposite direction. They stood surrounded by Lyre Guards as Dillard was carried out.   These guards ignored any questions or remonstrations and hoods were placed over the prisoner's heads as they were lead away in manacles. It soon became clear however, that they were not heading towards the Lyre Guard Keep and isnide had turned right out of the Fortunes Fool and passed over the Kings Bridge towards the Temple and Guild districts. Cassandra attempted to find out details as they were dragged along, managing to get some information out of a young guard and Davros tried to memorise the details of their surroundings as they travelled. Sounds, smells and surfaces gave them a vague idea of where they were. After some time they were stopped and a door opened. The odour that escaped from behind the door indicated clearly that they were heading down into the sewers. Cassandra's beautiful gown was not torn and dirty from the journey and the excitment of the earlier evenning was now all but forgotten, this was not how they hoped the evening would end. It was now about 3am but still the guards forced them on through the sewers until they reached another squeaky, heavy door and a small holding area where they were allowed to rest for a short while. Their hoods weer removed briefly and Dillard was given some healing to bring him around. Again Cassandra tried to get some information from the guard but was told to keep quiet. The guards were stern but not rough with them and it was clear that if they meant the companions harm then they had shown no sign of it so far.   Meanwhile back at the Fortunes Fool, the chanting had begun, the crowd were calling for the new Champion of Bard's Gate. Merchants and diignitiaries were crowding around Ualraig as he was tried to get back to his room. Fianlly inding a moment of peace Thayco was soon talking about Ualraig's future career in bare-knuckle boxing. He was talking travel, money and future bouts. The sky was the limit for Tahyco who obviously felt he had 'struck gold' with Ualraig.   Making his excuses and promising to see Thayco soon, Ualraig, Grouch and their new companions, Dora and Esther, managed to slip out a back door to avoid the crowds and headed towards the Temple district. It being 3am and now that they were away from the crowds, Ualraig became thirsty. They headed to the nearby Bed of Grapes tavern and knocking loudly they woke the landlord. A little convincing and bag of gold ad they got in for some late night drinks! A celebratory pub crawl was planned at this point but there was little open at 3am and eventually they all staggered back towards the Silver Serpent to put Grouch to bed. After a terse conversation with the Inn's bouncers and a small bribe it was agreed that Dora could sleep in the lounge area and Grouch 'hit the nest'. Ualraig and Esther headed to their respective temples and the night's excitement was finally over.   Meanwhile below Bard's Gate a different drama was unfolding. Cassandra, Jed and Dillard were examining their options. Imprisoned in a dank, dark cell and left alone, they devised their plans for escape. Although their belongings has been confiscated they still had their magic abilities and wits. There were 6 cells in the area and only one other cell was inhabited by a living person. A human rogue named 'Grub' was a few cells down and not particularly friendly towards the companions.   Dillard and Jed came up with an ingenious idea to power a Knock spell and blast open the door. Things went to plan at first but Grub immediately started to shout for the guards, hoping to win favour with them. The three party members moved fast and ran for the exit. Unfortunately, a young guard had been waiting away from the cells and heard the commotion, Davros used his magic to attack the guard with an unnatural fear and he ran for the corridor end as the companions attempted ther escape. Jed got ahead of the others and around a corner, a dark doorway stood ahead but light spilt in as the door opened and more guards appeared. The guard that Jed had frighened away steeled himself and attacked Cassandra and Dillard, they fought back desperatley and Cassandra felled him with the slops bucket, dragging his body into the cell to conceal it. All of their ingenuity was in vain however, the sheer nummber of armed guards overwhelmed them.   When Ualraig awoke late the next morning a roar greeted him as he stepped into the main hall of the temple of Dwerfater. A large crowd of dwarves were gathered there. Some wore tunics and tabards with a hand-drawn image of Ualraig shown, others carried banners and flags hurriedly created to celebrate Ualraig's victory.   It seemed that news of his victory had traveled fast. A good portion of the dwarves living in Bard's Gate were gathered in the hall and the temple guards were having trouble keeping order. Ualraig forced his way outside through the good-natured but excited and rather inebriated crowd and they followed him out. He headed towards the Underhill district with the crowd around him, babies were thrust towards him for a blessing and many a dwarven lady blushed deeply in his presence. Dwarven merchants offered him goods in exchange for sponsorship and Ualraig realised that this side of his triumph was not something he had anticipated! He made his way past the stunned guards outside one of the tunnels into the Underhill district and it seemed news of his arrival had travelled fast. He saw many dwarves carrying hastily made pennants and flags with his name or image on and in the central plaza a platform was being bult by industrious dwarves. Within a few minutes a large, portly dwarf was seen moving hurriedly towards him, straightening his expensive-looking clothes and heavy gold chain. He extended a sweaty-palmed hand towards Ualrig and announced himself as the mayor of the district. A huge crowd had now gathered around the two dwarves and the guards of the district struggled to maintain order. A ceremnoy had been arranged to celebrate Ualraig's victory and naturaly, he was the guest of honour at the event.   Meanwhile, the rest of the companions were waking with various degrees of hangover. All made their way towards the Temple of Dwarfater and quickly learned where Ualraig had headed. They gradually trailed intl the Underhill District. Initially meeting with resistance, one the local dwarves and Underhill guards knew of their link to Ualraig Crimsonblade, Champion of Bard's Gate they were ushered inti tge district. In the time since Ualraig had arrived there, more and more banner and signs had been put uo celebrating his victory. Esther even spotted a few children playing with small dolls and she was sure that these toys resembled Ualraig.   The companions fough their way through the gathered throng looking for Ualraig and found themselves ushered onto the stage as Ualraig's faithful friends. There were many speeches by dignitaries and much rapturous applause from the large crowd over the next few hours before the companions could get off the stage. The made their way to a small cafe and awaited Ualraig, the poor dwarven woman proprietor of the cafe completely unaware of who they were until Ualraig arrived surrounded by guards.   Zalatha has asked you all to go through the portal and eliminate an 'inconvenience'. Someone on the other side of the portal has learned how to use it and could threaten the safety of Bard's Gate if they made their way through with minions and cronies. Zalatha has given the party 10 days to prepare but she has warned that her 'employers' would be very disappointed if the party turned the offer down and that you would all be seen as enemies if you refuse to do it. She has been authorised to offer you 1000 GP each and all the spoils you find if you return with the head of the enemy as evidence.
  Its not just the Mayor, it would also include various plump, well-dressed Dwarven dignitaries, each one will drink a toast to Ualrig's health. By main course he will have downed at least 10 glasses of dwarven ale. During and after dinner they will regale Ualraig with various, hugely embellished tales of their adventurers when they were younger and try to convince him to sponsor various schemes and businesses. He will also undoubtedly receive several marriage proposals.
All sounds very good. He will definitely promise to think about looking into investing in the future. He's not currently looking for a wife as he doesn't think it's fair to marry right now as his extremely dangerous mission is incomplete (and if he fails he'd prefer his family name to go with him as he wouldn't want to burden anyone else with the task). He will however float the idea that when his mission is complete he plans on retaking the Mithral Mines, rebuilding the Crimson Hold and restoring it to its former glory. But as there are only 7 surviving clansmen (all of whom are still very young) he will need willing and able-bodied Dwarves to form a clan with. Obviously any clan that offers assistance will forever have a strong and favourable relationship with the Crimson Hold so if they would all be willing to put the word out he would be grateful.
In that case, several of the dwarven merchants, rather inebriated as they are, will offer to either come with Ualrig right now or offer him cash to help rebuild the hold (you get the feeling some kind of business franchising may be involved at some point afterwards though). Several of the dwarven ladies will offer to 'wait for Ualrig'.
He'll try to settle them down a bit and tell them he'll let them know when he is ready to start rebuilding. And blushing he'll thank the ladies in the most awkward way possible. And try to let the party carry on without him, excusing himself as he needs to return to the temple. Long day ahead of him.
It will take a good 30 minutes to get out of the Mayor's house and will require a promise to come again. Many will shake his hand on the way out and possibly mention any single daughters. Ualrig will be invited to several exclusive soirees and the ladies will not take 'no' for answer. On finally escaping and getting back to his room and having washed the lipstick from his ruddy cheeks, Ualrig will find some fragrant smelling, silken ladies underwear in his pocket.