Session 59: We Need to Talk About Cameron Report

General Summary

Runt Thundermount and Andryn Stormpeak receive a paper bird from Cameron Overholt that he's going into Cassalanter Villa because the cultist he was following invisibly entered via the servant's entrance.   Runt and Andryn go to meet Cameron and find him heading back towards them with a Waterdeep City Watch sergeant. He's acting strangely and tells them Lord Victoro Cassalanter and Lady Ammalia Cassalanter are entirely trustworthy. They should focus on finding the couple's children because they were just attacked which is why the guard is with him. They need to work with the City Watch to find the 500,000 gp. The guard tells them in his investigation he's heard rumors of cultists of Asmodeus in the Northward at an abandoned windmill.   Runt is immediately suspicious. He confides with Andryn that he thinks Cameron has been charmed, but Andryn is more concerned that the Cassalanter children are in danger from this poison they found in the cultist's hideout. Cameron tells them that the Cassalanters are having a birthday party for their children tomorrow. Around 200-300 people are invited, including common people from the poorer wards.   The party and the cop head toward the windmill. In the windmill they find other City Watch investigating inside. It looks like homeless people have been squatting here. As the party looks around the City Watch sergeant morphs into a doppleganger. His form changes quickly, taunting them, showing them the forms he's taken: Lillian Haekin, their bar manager, their neighbors, and his main form: Willifort Crowley, the Cassalanter's butler. The other City Watch reveal they are bearded devils. A fight ensues.   After the fight the party finds the devils and cultists slaughtered the people squatting in the windmill. They find evidence that the cultists have been working out of this windmill. They find evidence that a cultist performed a ritual here. They see a notes indicating the ritual involved finding something associated with Dagult Neverember, a map pointing "Brandath Crypt" in the City of the Dead and a letter to Lord Cassalanter updating him on the progress.   The party heads to The Yawning Portal going over their options. They wonder who to bring into this final push: Doom Raiders, Renaer Neverember, or Mirt. They muse over giving one of their allies an Eye as they search for the last piece of the Stone of Golorr. They now know the Cassalanters have been lying to them, but they are honestly scared for their children's souls. They also wonder if Renaer is on the up and up. They wonder about his story of not knowing what his father was up to. They remember that his mother was a Brandath and died of an illness when he was a child.   In the Yawning Portal they see Ziraj and Yagra Stonefist. Ziraj says Skeemo Weirdbottle has gone to ground since betraying them to Manshoon. They tell them they want to break into the Cassalanter Villa to find out what the Cassalanters are up to. Ziraj is a little less than enthused because he doesn't know how this will help Davil Starsong who is still imprisoned by Manshoon.   The party finally realizes they need someone who may know the land of Waterdeep. They head to speak to Mellannor Fellbranch, Andryn's contact at the Emerald Enclave to see if they can speak with Jeryth Phaulkon the disembodied voice and magical spirit in the garden at Phaulkonmere Manor. Andyrn explains about the cult of Asmodeus and their current predicament. Jeryth says Andryn has not been the most conscientious member of the Enclave. But she can give her a boon if Andryn commits to ridding the city of an abomination below. The party agrees but must make other preparations. They head to Trollskull Alley to buy scrolls from Rishaal. They try to make contact with Mirt but he's not at home.

They head back to Phaulkonmere Manor. Jeryth wishes them luck on their journey as she casts Windwalk on the party so they are able to turn into clouds for 8 hours. As they leave Jeryth casts Foresight on Andryn and informs her that Andryn's quarry after The Grand Game is none other than the Xanathar.