RoT 27: "Mission to Thay"

You've been invited to Thay of all places. The Red Wizards wish to discuss the possibility of helping in the fight against the Cult of Dragon in order to punish and return the exiled Red Wizards that are helping the Cult. But can Malice's aversion to the undead be set aside long enough to negotiate a treaty?

Having successfully communicated with his patron, the Celestial Raziel, Malice Bloodmoon is ready to join the mission to Thay even if still apprehensive. Leosin informs you all that your faithful hireling Rikon Oakenhelm though, was not invited. Originally, Taru was also not to be included, but Leosin was able to convince the Thayan representative otherwise. Since Rikon is not going to Thay, he is instead dispatched to Elturel to report to Ontharr Frume and the Order of the Gauntlet . Brehana Warpip leaves a note for Chauncey regarding some decorative designs she’d like him to look into having fabricated. Malice pens a letter to McCath regarding the library located at Xonthal’s Tower and that he will need her help to catalog it all. And finally, before departing for Thay, you all inform Rian Nightshade, the Zhentarim representative, that you have chosen to neither sell nor donate Xonthal’s Tower but rather plan to keep it for your own future use.

The next morning you meet Nyh Ilmichh and she draws a teleportation circle for your 2500 mile journey to Thay. Within moments you find yourself in Nethwatch Keep in the Tharch of Lapendrar, just inside the Thayan frontier. Upon arrival you are all shown to your own extremely luxurious rooms. Later that evening you are escorted to a large dining hall where you are served the most exquisite meal you have ever eaten. Even the meals at the Palace in Waterdeep seem somewhat lesser in quality to this one.

Once you have had your fill, the doors to the chamber open and a herald announces the entrance of Eseldra Yeth, Tharchion of Lapendrar. A human vampire herself, she enters with an entourage of at least ten Red Wizards and five wights. She bids you welcome to Thay and explains why you were invited here.

“We find ourselves bound in common cause against common enemies. Those who sought to destroy us in ages past now seek to destroy you. Our thirst for vengeance is strong, as is your thirst for continued life.  

“Our enemy has become your enemy. We know their weaknesses and the ways of destroying them forever, without destroying their usefulness. You have the opportunity to discover their hiding places in your struggle against their cult allies. Together, we can remove them as a threat to us both.

 

“Our agent, Nyh Ilmichh, will return with you to your city of Waterdeep, there to serve as our liaison to your council. What you learn of the enemy, she will relay to us by means of our own. You need only find the enemy. We will deal with them, as is our custom.

 

“I am authorized by our eternal master, Szass Tam, to say these things, for I act in his name.”

You exchange pleasantries and converse over what is to be expected of both sides should the Red Wizards choose to assist in the conflict against the Cult of the Dragon. During the discussion Malice let’s slip a comment about the Maze at Xonthal’s Tower which piques the Tharchion’s interests, but Brehana quickly steers the conversation back to the topic at hand – the locating and elimination of the rogue Red Wizards that are helping the Cult. At the end of the audience, you return to your rooms and prepare for bed.

Each of you drifts into a dream that begins with a pale Red Wizard who says “We have more questions for you.” Pubert Adams somehow only barely remembers the dream and awakes having had a great night’s sleep. Brehana and Malice, however, remember a much more vivid scenario – one in which they were bound by chains and tentacles in a cauldron and questioned by while a dozen or more Red Wizards watched. Questioned about their knowledge of Severin , Rath Modar , and Azbara Jos. Questioned as to their attitudes toward Sass Tam. And any time a lie was detected or a question refused they were met with agonizing pain. Somehow Malice awakes having had a good sleep, but Brehana awakes screaming in a cold sweat, blood on her sheets though she can find no physical wounds on her body. She is exhausted having barely slept.

The next morning another huge spread of food is presented for breakfast and you have a good meal before Nyh Ilmichh enters. She conveys the Tharchion’s apologies that she cannot be present to see them off as she’s busy with matters of state, but Nyh happily says that the Red Wizards have fully agreed to assist in your cause, and she herself will be returning with you to Waterdeep to act as Thay’s ambassador and liaison. When you return to your rooms to gather your things, Brehana takes the opportunity to cast sending to inform the Ancient Silver Dragon Otaaryliakkarnos (aka “Elia”) of her torture a the hands of the Red Wizards.

Upon your return to Waterdeep, once you are again safely within your own chambers, Brehana expresses to Malice her now vivid understanding and new found hatred of the undead and a desire to deal with the Thayans once the conflict with the Cult of the Dragons is resolved!