Session 27: "Alarud's Pub", 21 Sypheros 998YK

General Summary

The session began with the party members having just found each other after escaping Harken's Magical Wares. After taking a moment to regroup, they decided to head to Alarud's Pub on the west side of the city. They walked through the quiet residential street until they found the building that the old wizard described to them.

Alarud's Pub

The quaint pub sits at the end of a quiet city street. An Aundarian flag hangs in the window, but there is no other outward sign that this cheery bar is the building that you are looking for.

Erisna knocked and announced that the party would like to enter. The door was opened by a large man wearing a pair of overalls and a belt containing tools and cleaning supplies. He invited the party inside.

The pub is rather small. As you enter the room you are almost seated at the bar, with the seating area off to your left. A door to the right of the bar is labeled as "Employees Only". The only employee you see at the moment is a man that is playfully singing to himself as he sweeps the floor near the bar.

The man is Anton, the barkeep's assistant. He was a man with mental disabilities, but was very friendly and hospitable to the party as they tried to figure out what happened to Ambrose Alarud, the owner of the pub. Glittergem drank some stale beer that made her incredibly sick, and was able to convince Anton to take her to the bathroom in the attached quarters.
The gnome artificer was able to sneak around the barkeep's quarters and found that Ambrose may have discovered some important information. The man's room had been ransacked, and a conspiracy board above his desk looked as if it had been tampered with. Glittergem studied the board for clues, and identified linkages to Tira's Rest and the Tower of Judgement that had not been tampered with.
Returning downstairs, the party offered to help Anton find Ambrose and ensure that the kindly man was taken care of.

Ambush

While on their way to Tira's Rest, the party was flagged down by a pale dwarven veteran asking for alms. Glittergem offered him 2 galifar, and he struck up a conversation- holding her hand uncomfortably in the process. Erisna slowly realized that something was wrong, as another person stood behind Rare (masquerading as "Adam") and placed a blade to her back.
An arrow struck out from a building nearby and struck Glittergem in the shoulder as the thugs threatened to kill them if they didn't drop their coinpurses and walk away. The party decided to fight rather than part with their valuables. Under-armed and unarmored, Glittergem was pulled into a chokehold by the burly dwarf as both Rare and Erisna fought off the hidden archer and the roguish would-be assassin.
As the dwarf choked Glittergem into unconsciousness, Rare froze her attacker in a response to the knife in her back and killed the thief instantly. The archer, seeing that they were outmatched, called the retreat. The two remaining members of the Sharn Dragons decided to care for their fallen friend rather than give chase.

Tira's Rest

A beautiful mosaic walkway leads to a large white alabaster building with blue stained glass windows. Well dressed people can be seen walking into the building, many with attendants and excessive amounts of luggage. A woman with a beaming smile can be seen greeting each guest individually and ushering them inside.

Tira's Rest was once The Griffon's Roost, and is the luxury hotel in Thaliost. Being granted access to the rooms here are no mean feat, and newcomers are bound to attract attention. The greeter saw the party, shabby in their street clothes and bloody from the ambush, and tried to convince them to go to the Gold Dragon Inn instead. Glittergem, pulling out her coin purse, cleared up the issue quickly. Though still apprehensive about bringing the three women inside, the greeter brought them to a service entrance and gave them the opportunity to freshen themselves up before heading into the main lobby.
At the reception desk, a khoravar maître d' informed Gem that Keth had made a double reservation for the two of them. Erisna and Rare decided to share a room for 100 galifar, and were offered a complimentary visit to the Healer's Guildhall for their patronage. The tickets they received sparked a sense of familiarity, but the heroes were still rattled from the ambush and dismissed the notion.

Loot

Rare stole a dagger off her attacker. It's beautifully crafted, likely gifted to a soldier for their service in the Last War. It is unclear if the weapon has any innate magical properties at this time.
Rare and Erisna both received complimentary tickets to the Healer's Guildhall for their stay at Tira's Rest. They have elected to use their tickets immediately to relax from six months' worth of adventuring.

Loose Threads

Room Service. What connection does the hotel have with the current intrigue in the city? Is the party safe while they stay there?
Droaam-ward Bound. Keth intends to return to Droaam, starting off in the morning. Does the party have anything to say to the half-orc before he leaves?
R & R? Erisna and Rare have a free opportunity to partake in the spa services at the Healer's Guildhall in Thaliost. This location is also somehow connected with the conspiracy in this city.
Bernard ir'Laisha. Behind the scenes, the commander of the Knights of Thrane in Thaliost has requested the services of a "fixer" named Bernard to look into the powerful adventurers that have come to Thaliost and attacking the city guard with magic.

Report Date

09 Jul 2021