04 - 6/8/21 : Half the World

In-game date: 2nd of Freymond, 3521
As the party returned to Trollskull Manor to await Renaer’s arrival, they were surprised to see a lone cart parked outside of the building. The cart bore a door leading to its interior that was emblazoned with a large “L&L” logo, as well as a letter addressed to Megumi.
The letter explained that the cart was a gift from the Luck & Legend, an interplanar mercantile service for which Megumi worked as a subsidiary storekeeper. The door on the cart was in fact a magical object that could be removed and transplanted onto any structure or building that Megumi was a legal owner of. The door led into a small pocket plane that contained a storefront for Megumi to manage and sell items out of; the new Revelmoore branch of the Nine Tail Magi-Shop.
This shop contained convincing illusions of magical items for sale that became corporeal only when purchased. The letter clarified that all proceeds from the shop would be split between Luck and Legend’s overhead fees and a locked savings account under Megumi’s name.
While the party investigated Megumi’s new acquisition, a young tiefling woman named Lacky (short for ‘Lackadaisical’) made her way to visit her father, the prestigious and portly investor known far and especially wide as Fomalhaut the Financier. To her surprise, her father was already in the process of leaving alongside his guest; one Renaer Ambermantle, a childhood acquaintance of Lacky’s. The group agreed to visit Renaer’s destination together.
The party awaited within Trollskull Manor as a knock on the door was heard. Waiting outside was the company of Renaer, Fomalhaut, and Lacky, all of whom were invited inside. Fomalhaut remarked happily at the manor’s renovation, and made an offering; in exchange for him financing the building’s renovations in full, he requested that Lacky be taken on for her first investment as a full one-fifth shareholder of the tavern.
After some deliberation, the party agreed to Fomalhaut’s proposal, as did a surprised Lacky. Fomalhaut then announced his departure, leaving the four adventurers now a party of five. Renaer remained behind and stated that he wished to speak to the party, but was interrupted by the arrival of Solauvaire Oussndar, the current High Dragon (a fanciful Reveler title for the city’s Archmage) of Revelmoore and an old friend of Renaer’s.
Solauvaire greeted the party warmly and thanked them for saving his friend, and then offered a measure of advice. He warned the party that their actions had earned them a degree of attention in a city obsessed with dramatics and excitement, and that they should be aware of inevitable attempts by the factions of the city to recruit them.
During this conversation, Yilani once again insulted Violet (and, by extension, the entire feline species). Brooke was surprised to hear Violet respond in a telepathic retort that was heard by Brooke alone; Violet seemed quite alarmed that she had accidentally spoken ‘out loud’, and telepathically informed Brooke that they would ‘speak later’.
Solauvaire encouraged the party to seek out affiliation with groups matching their individual ideals, but also offered them an additional option; to join his proposed standing adventuring force that would work directly for Revelmoore itself and ferret out any threats to the city’s stability. The High Dragon asked that the party speak with a woman named Rydia Margaster in a place known as the House of Wonders if they were interested, and then left them with a parting gift of two casks of ale and a rack of wine before teleporting away.
Now alone with his adventuring companions, Renaer proved Solauvaire’s assumption by revealing that he was a member of the secretive faction of do-gooders known as The Masquerade, and that the party’s heroics impressed him enough to offer them membership were they interested. In addition, he revealed that Fomalhaut was also a longtime member of The Masquerade, a fact that Lacky was unaware of. He gave the party a passphrase to use at the city’s Lightsinger Theater, and then became the tavern’s first customer as he purchased an ale. After finishing his drink, Renaer expressed his desire to see the party again soon and departed.
The party took the break in company to introduce themselves to their new member Lacky. Lacky introduced herself in turn as an occasional lawyer that represented some of the seedier elements in Revelmoore; most recently a gnomish alchemist and poisoner as well as a member of the Black Network, named Skeemo Weirdbottle. She also hinted at some disdain for her father’s slothfulness in contrast with his previous adventuring exploits.
As they spoke, another knock at the door heralded the arrival of Fala Lefaliir, the tranquil and charming owner of Aelbwyn’s Crown. Fala showed off examples of suitable plants, including rare ‘Hidden Frills’; a translucent blossom that glowed in the presence of ghosts and spectres such as Lif.
Fala’s departure was followed by the arrival of a pink-haired man named Castor Pollux, who was distributing flyers and spreading the word of the Sea Maiden’s Faire. The Faire was explained to be a traveling entertainment show that boasted gambling, theater, and other delights put on by representatives of the Fortune’s Crossing; a settlement across the sea near the cities of Darnagal and Saltmarsh. In exchange for allowing the display of the fliers, Castor provided the party with a number of tickets that would allow free entry to the Faire’s gambling ship that included a small amount of gambling per diem.
Castor departed, but the tavern was soon again brought to life by the arrival of a severe firbolg knight. Introducing herself as Ser Helera Crimsonkind of the Knights of the Rose, the knight bluntly informed the party that she had arrived to measure the character of the adventurers that had saved Renaer Ambermantle, to ensure that they would not be disruptive elements to the city. Ser Crimsonkind deemed the party questionable, but permissible, and then took her leave.
Before Reilly was able to settle down from their previous loud visitor, her nerves were further stressed by the arrival of Raeziel Ramrider only minutes later. Raeziel once again offered to buy Reilly out of her loan in exchange for a share in the tavern, which the party once again refused. Raeziel followed this up by offering membership in the Black Network for those interested; although most of the party declined this offer, Yilani eagerly accepted, and was instructed to meet with the rest of the Doom Raiders at the Balladeer’s Eclipse at a later date. Raeziel gently reminded Reilly of her debt before taking her leave.
Yilani was pestered by her compatriots for her admiration of the morally dubious Black Network, and she made her way to the door to feign yet another visitor. Much to her surprise, a balding halfling man was already approaching. Introducing himself as Emmek Frewn, the halfling made an offer to buy the tavern at an insultingly low price; 100gp, no more, and possibly less. The party had Lif scare Emmek off, and leave the halfling did; in his fright, he launched himself out of a boarded window, breaking the board into splinters before sprinting away.
The party would not know rest from the parade of visitors; within a few minutes yet another knock was heard. A more comely halfling woman greeted the party as Shen Chien, editor-in-chief of a broadsheet known as The Targe, and recognized Brooke as a fellow contributor. She expressed surprise that Brooke had already beaten her to a scoop and commended him before leaving to interview the Cassalanters, a noble family that was apparently hosting a feast for the poor at the end of the month to coincide with the end of the Fleetswake festival.
While the party recovered from their constant socialization, a loud noise was heard from upstairs. The three urchins that had won the party over the previous day were playing roughly, and Squiddly was nursing a fresh black eye that was inflicted by Jenks’ attempt at casting a ‘fireball’. Jenks explained that he had attempted to use a pool ball as a ‘spell component’ while they practiced being adventurers.
As Reilly used her magic to cure Squiddly’s injury, Yilani offered the Rat Catchers a quest; fittingly, to catch rats that she could later eat for dinner. The urchins responded with glee to be given a quest within their specialty, and leapt to action by charging right out of the tavern’s front door.
The children pushed right past Jalester Silvermane, who was visiting the party to follow-up on his promise to offer them work on behalf of the Flaming Anvil. When offered a drink, Jalester eagerly accepted; perhaps too eagerly, as he quickly knocked back a few glasses of wine and a matching number of ales. Jalester also set aside a single glass of wine, explaining that it was to celebrate the birthday of his deceased romantic partner Faerrel, who gave his life to save the Herzog (Duke) of the nearby city of Bliski from an assasination attempt.
Now several drinks in, Jalester explained that his mission involved tracking down several missing persons cases in the city’s dock ward. He lamented that he had pitifully little information, save for the signs pointing to possible cult activity, and that the last person to go missing was the rambunctious Esvele Rosznar, the daughter of the Rosznar noble family. Jalester added that a team of Flaming Anvil agents was on standby to handle the situation, but the job was offered to the party if they wished to make some money and prove their loyalty to the Buntesveldt.
The party agreed to keep their eyes and ears open. After finishing his last drink, Jalester stood and requested that the glass of wine left for Faerrel be left alone until the stroke of midnight in Faerrel’s memory, then leaving the manor far more intoxicated than he had been previously.
Yilani immediately attempted to pour out the wine following Jalester’s departure, but was stopped by both Reilly and Megumi. Yilani expressed confusion at the strange customs of those not of Khemit and lamented the wastefulness of the act, but eventually relented and allowed the wine to sit.
The party was finally left alone, and in the peaceful moment Megumi informed that she wanted to be truthful to her companions now that they were business partners. She explained that she was raising money via the Nine Tail Magi-Shop to pay off an exorbitant debt owed directly to Asmodeus, the Dark Lord of the Nine Hells himself. Megumi had offered up her soul to save the soul of her love, and was given until the end of the year 3521 to offer up 500,000 gold coins or become permanently ensnared in the Nine Hells.
The party was shocked by this revelation, especially given the astronomical amount of coin owed to one of the darkest forces in the multiverse. They all offered what aid they could in the pursuit, despite the absurdly monumental scope of the task.
As the sun began to set, Yilani found that a sending stone that she had hidden on her person began to exude warmth while she tidied up her room at the tavern. A message was sent to her telepathically;
“I have arrived. Certain I am not known. Provide an update when you are able. Will lie low and await the will of the temples.”

Portraits

Reilly Springs - A young, anxious satyr artificer and inventor, who attempts to sell her inventions to interested buyers. She reluctantly accompanied the party on the quest to rescue Floon, motivated by the hope of being paid. She nervously accepted a quarter stake in Trollskull Manor. In order to pay off her debt, she has thrown her lot in restoring the old tavern in order to turn a profit.

Brooke Acropora - A charming water genasi and a skilled performer who is ‘technically’ from Revelmoore, who entered the Balladeer’s Eclipse on the fateful day of the troll attack to investigate the Black Network. Brooke moonlights as a contributor to The Targe, a broadsheets publication that seeks out the most interesting and sauciest news scoops of the day.

Megumi - A diminutive kitsune rogue and a traveling merchant, who seems to be looking for something or someone during her quest for wealth in the City of Splendors. Kind-hearted but quite avaricious, she uses her small size to her advantage as she sizes up individuals for valuables and wealth. She has recently been provided a pocket plane storefront by her parent company, Luck & Legend. She has revealed to the party that she must ritualistically offer 500,000 gold coins to Asmodeus by the end of the year, or her soul will be forfeit.

Yilani Deniz - A severe, perceptive human druid from the deserts of Khemit that possesses the power to transform into a powerful serpentine form. She has traveled to Revelmoore seeking a new life after being displaced by the war in Khemit. She has expressed great interest in joining the Black Network, and is equally eager to bring out the full potential of Trollskull Manor. While alone, she received a message via sending stone from a mysterious contact.

Lackadaisical - More commonly known as “Lacky”, this charming young tiefling woman is the daughter of the famed ex-adventurer Fomalhaut the Financier. Displeased with her father’s complacency and layabout nature, she seeks something exciting to do with her life in the wake of ‘new developments’. She moonlights as a lawyer and represents members of less-than-legal enterprises in Revelmoore, including members of the Black Network. She was recently made the fifth co-owner of Trollskull Manor thanks to her father’s investments.

---

Violet - A strange purple cat that was purchased by Brooke at the Old Xoblob Shop. For all intents and purposes, she seems to be a completely normal cat; save for the fact that her fur is a deep shade of violet. She accidentally revealed to Brooke that she is capable of speaking telepathically, and has promised to explain the fact to him later on.

---

Renaer Ambermantle - The estranged son of Dagult Ambermantle, the previous Open Lord of Revelmoore. Renaer accompanied Fomalhaut and Lacky to Trollskull Manor to thank them again for their kindness, and offered the party an invitation to join the secretive Masquerade. A skilled fighter and a man of noble standing, Renaer has expressed his fondness of the party and his desire to continue his association with them.

High Dragon Solauvaire Oussndar - The current archmage of Revelmoore, having assumed the position after his predecessor’s death four years ago. As a friend of Renaer’s, Solauvaire personally thanked the party for their aid, and gave them some advice concerning Revelmoore’s faction. He also offered them an opportunity to join an as-of-yet unformed adventuring fellowship exclusive to Revelmoore.

Fomalhaut the Financier - A retired adventurer turned investor and advisor, and an influential citizen of Revelmoore. Fomalhaut accompanied his daughter Lacky and his friend to Trollskull Manor, where he paid off the party’s renovation fees in exchange for taking on Lacky as a fifth shareholder. It was revealed that, like Renaer, he is a member of The Masquerade.

Raeziel Ramrider - A duergar rogue and loan shark, who loaned Reilly a sum of money at an exorbitant interest rate. Despite Reilly’s position, Raeziel greeted her warmly and tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a share in Trollskull Manor’s potential profits. She expressed delight at the party knocking the Xanathar Guild down a peg, apparently quite happy to see her family’s allies suffer. She has offered the party a place in the Black Network, which Yilani has accepted.

Lif - A poltergeist and the former proprietor of Trollskull Manor. He was murdered forty years ago by the manor’s former owner out of jealousy for a girl he once loved. His spirit has remained in the manor, where he scared off intruders. After the party assured him that they wished to restore and reopen the tavern, Lif calmed himself and even aided in cleaning the place up. He takes delight in helping the party spook off unsavory elements such as Emmek Frewn.

Nat - A mute human girl and the ‘fighter’ of the Rat Catchers, an ‘adventuring party’ made up of three homeless urchins. Nat cannot speak, and communicates through an invented sign language made up of broken Thieves’ Cant symbols and gestures.

Jenks - A human boy and the ‘wizard’ of the Rat Catchers. Jenks carries around a stuffed owlbear ‘familiar’ and keeps a bag of ‘spell components’ on his person, and is fiercely protective of his ‘spellbook’. He accidentally gave Squiddly a black eye when he attempted to cast the spell ‘Melf’s Magic Fireball’, using a thrown pool ball as a ‘spell component’.

Squiddly - A tiefling boy and the ‘rogue’ of the Rat Catchers, as well as their fearless leader. Squiddly bravely leads his companions out of trouble as often as he leads them into it. Squiddly wears a fake eyepatch, which doesn’t help his aim with his bow.

Fala Lefaliir - A serene wood elven individual and the owner of Aelbwyn’s Crown, a multifaceted store that functioned as a florist, apothecary, and greenhouse. They offered a number of peculiar and rare plants for the purpose of decorating Trollskul Manor. They are a proud member of the Circle of the Old Faith, and borrowed some of their plants from the faction’s headquarters of Phaulkonmere. Fala’s demeanor and complimentary words continue to fluster Reilly.

Jalester Silvermane - An agent of the Flaming Anvil, a mobile task force that operates on the behalf of the governments of the Buntesveldt. Jalester offered the party in tracking down the cause behind a rash of kidnappings in Revelmoore’s dock ward. He is battling alcoholism out of grief for his lover Faerrel’s passing during an attempted assassination against the ruler of Bliski.

Ser Helera Crimsonkind - A firbolg knight of the Knights of the Rose, a traditional knightly order that operates out of Revelmoore. Helera bluntly informed the party that she was investigating them to ensure that they would not be disruptive elements in the city; though she had her doubts, she deemed the party permissible and returned to the order’s headquarters.

Castor Pollux - A pink-haired human that works for the Sea Maiden’s Faire, a traveling entertainment show from the town of Fortune’s Crossing across the sea from Revelmoore. In exchange for the party displaying flyers for the Faire in Trollskull Manor, Castor provided them with per diem tickets to the Faire’s gambling ship, the Dead Man’s Hand.

Shan Chien - The halfling editor-in-chief for The Targe, one of Revelmoore’s more popular Broadsheets. Bemoaning the lack of a Grand Game in the city ever since Open Lord Ambermantle was deposed, she made her way to Trollskull Manor to investigate rumors of a haunting, only to be surprised that fellow contributor Brooke had already beaten her to it.

Emmek Frewn - A balding halfling man that lost the auction for Trollskull Manor to Piece of the Puzzle. He made the party an insultingly low offer to buy the tavern out. When refused, he insulted the party’s hospitality, and was scared into fleeing through a boarded window by Lif.