HotDK 24: "Carnath Roadhouse"

Eight days since Waterdeep. Still though, a caravan run by one person with a single agenda does seem to run smoother than an amalgamation of merchants loosely banded together. Other than that, it’s been pretty much the same – guard the wagons, endure scowls from the cult members, try not to get killed in you sleep by them (Malice’s “Tiny Hut” spell has helped with that of course).

You’ve dealt with Lizardfolk, groups of bandits, an Ogre, and even a Troll on this latest journey but finally, after a 10 day, you arrive Carnath Roadhouse on the northern end of The Mere of Deadmen.

On the eight day, while dealing with the second group of bandits in as many days, an old friend returns. Arynor returns, appearing from within a tree helping take out the would-be road thieves. After the fight he reveals that he’s managed to make a few contacts within the Emerald Enclave and through them they have discovered that all the treasures going north that the Cult of the Dragon has stolen seem to disappear (that is to say, everyone loses track of it) at a place called Carnath Roadhouse, which is where you’re heading. He also mentions the name Bog Luck, who runs the roadhouse and may have ties to the cult.

The Half-orc who runs the roadhouse, whom you find out by observation, is named Bog Luck is straight forward but not unfriendly. He and Ardred quite efficiently direct the wagons in and out of the main courtyard for unloading. Bog wears a short sword and a key ring on his belt. The sword scabbard is etched in dragon motifs just like the ones on the scabbards you all collected in the cult camp. As things are unloaded and sorted into their proper places by the stable boys, occasionally you notice a nod or wink from a cultist to Bog that leads to a chest being directed to the “secure room” which apparently only Bog has keys to.

But as you try to quietly discuss amongst yourselves what they next move is while observing all this, a female cultist, the one who has been eyeballing Malice since you left Waterdeep. She’s still convinced it was Malice that killed that cult member on the road between Daggerford and Waterdeep. You know, the one that Jamna actually killed when he caught her snooping in their wagons. The cult members of course don’t know who Jamna is, and she presently is no where to be seen. The cultist open challenges Malice to a fight to the death – she wants revenge and blood and she means to have it now!

Ardred and Bog take no part in the fight, and both seem to be of the opinion that everyone else stay out of it and that it’s between Malice and his accuser.