The Legion of Hope found themselves in a corridor that led to a circular room with a well in the center of it. Upon entering they were attacked by a silent Ochre Jelly. Battle ensued. Safwin the bold tried to live up to his name and make a bold flying attack but, it turned out the well was part of a gravity trap. He was pulled into the well by the powerful gravitational force. Fortunately he used his wings and flying ability to avoid half of the damage.
You were able to beat up the two jellies without any problems as Brie shrugged off the special grappling attack from one of the jellies.
In the mean time, your missing rogue Quintus, found himself in Arabel in front of his mother’s modest dwelling (still wearing his fancy tux from Shemeska’s stocked closet of formal-wear). A fond reunion of mother and son ensued. After Quintus tried to question his mother about his bracers , Jhaunadyl suggested that Quintus should visit his father. Then she apparently regretted the suggestion and clammed up. The only further information Quintus received from her on the subject was that his father’s name started with the letter E and his resided in Shadowdale. Still she did speak rather fondly of the old scoundrel (as she called him).
Time was passing so, Quintus kissed his mother on the cheek and bid her farewell. He then used the crystal ball to contact Vangerdahast who was impatiently waiting for an update from you company. Quintus was able provide the royal mage with some answers. He was quite relieved to hear that Miraclemiss had been located. However, the fact that the Ark of Souls had not been located did not please him.
A war wizard, Flabbergast, was dispatched to teleport Quintus back to Waterdeep.
As this was happening the rest of the party gathered their wits and decided to leave the dungeon. It was time for some badly needed training. Plus, they needed to try to figure out what happened to their missing companion. Due in part, to Fria’s tracking skills and the marks that Safwin had been leaving the party was able to find their way back to the entry chamber without any trouble.
They were raised up into the Yawning Portal and, over a well earned flagon of ale, began to discuss what to do next.
Eventually, Quintus arrived and joined you. He noticed a dog following him as he make the walk into the city.
You were astonished when a brash dandy, who was a drow of all things, caught Fria’s eye and came over to introduce himself. He was none other than Jarlaxle Baenre. Eventually, he waved his companion over, a loud dwarf named Athrogate.
Jarlaxle told Fria that he had information for her and could help her. He appeared sincere. Fria eventually went of with him for a private conversation.
Backtracking a little, when Quintus appeared Miraclemiss leapt up from her seat in the booth and all but demanded the crystal ball (which she kept by the way). She immediately asked to be lowered back down the well. Safwin and Quintus went down with her.
She proceded to step just out of the entry room and then invoked the crystal ball. Soon an image appeared. It was the artifact that you have been searching for, THE ARK OF SOULS!!!!!
Unfortunately, you scryed just in time to see it carried through a portal into a distant land. It was carried by four 8 or 9 foot tall skeletons and behind it an obviously powerful robed undead creature that floated along.
Some final odds and ends
*You are able to train. We will pick up certain individuals training next session as their may be story hooks that come to light.
*Flabbergast provided earrings of message to Quintus which he distributed to you.
*Miraclemiss teleported Haldir back to the Curiosities and Acquisitions shop and provided secure storage for your extra items. Haldir left half of the uncut gems there (also the giant emerald I assume)
At the end of the day, Fria informed the party that she was under the effects of a geas spell. He great uncle, the archmage of her house had cast the spell on her. However, Jarlaxle had told her that it was part of a plot from her mother Chenzira who is the matron mother of the house.
She went on to say that Jarlaxle suggested that she might be able to persuade her great uncle to remove the geas if she spoke to him directly. This means traveling to the drow city in disguise to clandestinely gain audience with the powerful mage. Jarlaxle offered Fria disguises with both magical and non-magical elements to them.
Fria then asked for her companions help on her quest. This brought the evening to a close and the camera zoomed out with the Legion of Hope deep in conversation.