Session 06 – Shadows and Allegiances

Date: 8/13/2022 DM: Lauren

Previous Session

Summary

The adventurers continued their campaign of chaos and curiosity across the Sword Coast, tying up loose ends from the Cragmaw Castle battle and planting seeds for new adventures. Though little treasure was gained, much was learned.

The session opened with the group exploring the aftermath of their siege at Cragmaw Castle. In the wreckage, they finally recovered the coveted map to Wave Echo Cave. Along the way, they discovered and liberated a captive Owlbear — setting it free to roam the forests once more, an omen of wild luck.

Their travels next led them to the Old Owl Well, where they encountered **Hamun Kost**, a flamboyant necromancer whose command of the undead seems mostly directed toward maintaining an endless rave of skeletons. Kost sought knowledge of the ruin's builders, believing that the banshee Agatha might know more.

Seeking answers, the party traveled to meet Agatha, who demanded tribute in the form of beautiful gifts before sharing her wisdom. In exchange, they learned that Glasstaff, leader of the Redbrands, is actually **Iarno Albrek**, a former Order of the Gauntlet associate of Sildar Hallwinter.

Returning to Phandalin, the heroes descended into the Redbrand Hideout once again to confront Albrek. After a skirmish with his remaining loyalists, they subdued him and persuaded him to surrender alive. With this revelation, Sildar Hallwinter's faith in his order was shaken, and new alliances began to form.

For their actions and demonstrated loyalty, Shade was invited to join the Zhentarim, earning the codename **Fang**. Meanwhile, Therezal was inducted into the Order of the Gauntlet at the rank of **Chevall**, recognizing her valor and conviction.

The party now stands on the brink of greater purpose, their fates increasingly intertwined with the factions shaping the Sword Coast.

Notable Characters

Shade – Tiefling bard, newly christened *Fang* of the Zhentarim
Thurmin – Cleric whose moral compass spins like a broken lodestone
Brudur – Reliable muscle with a growing reputation
Cosima – Back in stride, sharp and sardonic as ever
Therezal – Half-orc guide and newly appointed Chevall of the Order of the Gauntlet
Dick Smashington & Battle Brisket – Still present, somehow
Sildar Hallwinter – Shaken by the fall of a friend and ally
Glasstaff (Iarno Albrek) – Exposed and captured
Hamun Kost – Necromancer of questionable focus
Agatha – Banshee oracle and purveyor of secret knowledge

Locations Visited

Cragmaw Castle – Where the party finished their cleanup and found the map
Old Owl Well – The necromancer's rave of the undead
Agatha's Lair – Source of forbidden truths
Tresendar Manor / Redbrand Hideout – Final confrontation with Glasstaff

Factions Involved

Zhentarim – Shade inducted as member (codename: Fang)
Order of the Gauntlet – Therezal inducted as Chevall
Redbrands – Defeated with capture of leader Glasstaff

Enemies Defeated

Glasstaff and his remaining Redbrands
Undead guardians near Old Owl Well

Faction Developments

Shade joins the Zhentarim
Therezal joins the Order of the Gauntlet
Sildar Hallwinter questions his loyalty to the Order

Experience

Cosima – 1569 Shade – 1802 Brudur – 1802 Thurmin – 1569 Therazall – 915 Dick Smashington – 575 Battle Brisket – 575

Therazall advances to Level 3.

The Wave Echo Cave now beckons, though the party may need to prepare — or reach Level 4 — before venturing inside.

Session 06 – Shadows and Allegiances

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