Episode I: Origins - Act V "Loose Ends"

Scene I - 14th of Olarune (just past midnight)

Their previous encounter with the assassins still fresh in their minds, the companions approached the battle with caution and dilligence, which paid off quickly. After a brief-yet-deadly melee, both of their foes were dead or dying. They stabilized one to question later, and proceeded to break into Talovar's office. Inside, they found several items of note:

*The cypher that Fergus wanted, which they confirmed was United Trade Coalition property.

*Correspondence from one Kato Orendel, a dwarf who Morgan identified as a wealthy businessman who controlled most of the metalworking trade in western Karrnath. In the first letter, dating back to Sypheros 997 YK, Kato alluded to the arrival of UTC in Rekkenmark, and suggested that they would need to be 'convinced to leave'. Evidence that Talovar and Kato were business partners was established in this letter, and Kato also mentioned having other associates who he seemed to respect. Near the end, Kato also told Talovar that he had something else he wished to tell him, but only in person. He looked forward to doing so at the 'Zarantyr conference'.

The second letter was much shorter, and dated near the end of Zarantyr. Kato seemed somewhat angry that Talovar was 'not interested in their current venture', and that Talovar hadn't told him personally. The letter also contained a veiled threat towards Talovar if he were to act on 'certain information garnered at the Zarantyr conference.' Both letters bore a seal with a crown and a ring in the center of it, which Morgan immediately recognized as the seal of the Aurum. He explained to the others that the Aurum was a loose confederation of extremely wealthy entrepreneurs interested in ancient relics and history. Born and largely based in the Mror Holds, the Aurum was more a fraternity than a chain of command, though some sort of chain of command apparently existed.

After brief speculation, the four adventurers came to some solid conclusions about the exact sequence of events. They agreed that Talovar and Kato (plus Kato's 'associates') had conspired to eliminate the United Trade Coalition's presence in Rekkenmark by violent force, using some sort of outside agency (which the assassins must have belonged to). Kato had learned some sort of senstive information pertaining to the UTC which he didn't want to discuss even in correspondence. He spoke with Talovar about it in the Zarantyr conference, and shortly after Talovar pulled out of the deal in a way that caused Kato to threaten him. On the night of the raid, Talovar must have sent some of his own men to intercept the cypher which was now in his office. Gerard suggested that perhaps the cypher and whatever documents it had been keyed to were the subject of interest at the Zarantyr conference. This seemed logical in context of the letters.

*The third item was a correspondence from Ermana Kessler, and it was pretty damning of Talovar. The companions knew they had their evidence for Sigo at this point. This letter mentioned by name an agent of the Emerald Claw who would be attending Talovar's gala - Alorais. It didn't ring a bell. It also mentioned that most of the undead soldiers had been sent to the 'Greywood Ridge' facility.

They went back outside and woke the surviving assassin to inquire about his employers, but he apparently had some poison in an alchemical tooth, and he used it to kill himself rather than betray his organization(s). The companions found the place where the assassins had first entered the castle (an arrow slit that had been magically widened). They climbed down the wall, walked right into Mandar Rath to get their horses, and were soon riding away.

Scene II - 15th of Olarune (evening)

The next evening, they were traveling across a bridge at dusk, just before they were planning to camp for the evening, when they were ambushed. The scarred man in full plate who had been asking all of the questions about Xen'Drik crawled out from under the bridge, greatsword in hand, as the companions reached the other side. Crossbowmen stood out from the foliage ahead and started firing, and a light-footed, gangly man with a shortbow began moving from tree to tree on the other side of the creek, firing arrows. The fight was draining and deadly - Morgan and Gerard both lay dying by the time all enemies were down, but they were revived by Esan and Ganitari before their souls could pass on Dolurrh.

The scarred man in fullplate was also revived after Morgan found a letter in his pocket, also from Ermana Kessler. It indicated that Ermana knew Talovar was dead, and that someone associated with the Silver Flame had done it. She ordered him to 'intercept and kill the agent if at all possible'. It also mentioned something about mercenaries being hired to cover an evacuation - she referred to the mercenaries as 'sisters'. So they were naturally interested in conversing with him. He supplied his full name when he was woken - Alorais ir'Vognir. Morgan recognized the Vognirs as a prominent Karrnathi noble family residing in Atur. At first, Alorais tried to bribe them for his freedom, but after they made it clear that they were not interested, he instead offered to 'completely sell Ermana out'. They learned a few things from Alorais:

*Ermana was interested in going to Xen'Drik, to retrieve something that had recently been discovered. He does not know what, exactly.

*The raids on Aundairian villages were just cover for what Ermana was really trying to do - capture the retired archaeologist Paetric Kendig without arousing suspicions. Kendig was sponsored by the Morgrave University in Sharn, and he went to Xen'Drik several times.

*Ermana Kessler was evacuating the sea cave complex west of their location. He gave an exact location of the complex, and confirmed that it had been the base of operation for the raids in Aundair.

They bound Alorais and the other surviving Claw soldier and took them along to Rekkenmark.

Aftermath - Olarune 17th-19th

Sigo was very happy about the results of their mission, and gave them the rest of their reward without any reservations. He also arranged for them to receive bounties for the captured Emerald Claw soldiers, but didn't want them to linger in Rekkenmark long. They were ushered to a covered wagon and taken to Korth, a trip that took a day and a half. When they arrived in Korth, they were taken aboard an airship (the Cloud Destiny) without any awkward questions asked. That night, Gerard was dropped off in Flamekeep, while Esan and Morgan continued to Sharn, where they would go their separate ways.