The Lazarus Expedition: Episode 07

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==Synopsis==
After a week of resting, the party catch up to Saffron in the town of Bellwind 3 days away. When they arrive in Bellwind they discover Drakthar Planebane inside a tavern. The party discover since Drakthar's crimes were committed outside the city the local authorities won't do anything about her. The party end up murdering Drakthar in public then fleeing the town. Plax meets with the party with their supplies outside of town. The party head westward to find a new river crossing.
==Recap==
===Week of Rest===
The party & The Lazarus Expedition NPCs#Plax rest in the village for a week, following their fight with the invading bandits. The party obtain 4 camels, several of the bandit's weapons, some blankets, incense, 4 magic potions, money and 4 portable brass tripod braziers for Roy's summon familiar spell. Roy resummons Vika.
During the week Cassian speaks of the party's homeland where slavery is outlawed, an alien concept to the locals. Vasher convinces one of the slave-owning families in the village to part with their slave, which the party free right away. Vasher convinces the villages to give the freed slave one of the now vacant homes to them.
Styrmir familiarises himself with the camels. Roy spells some time trying to learn invisibility but fails.
Before leaving, Cassian asks the town elder about Drakthar Planebane, and is told they visited 3 weeks ago, before the party met her. Drakthar had also been recruiting for followers here.
===Arriving at Bellwind===
After 3 days of traveling the party arrive at the city of Bellwind.
:We are talking a walled city, multi-story buildings, large spiers throughout. A couple of big towers, almost minaret style, that reach way up, on which there are some bells. You can see them on all the gates overlooking all the entry points. The town is at a Confluence of rivers.
:There's one river that heads off to the northeast, that heads into the Badlands. There's another river that heads to the Northwest that heads up into the hills and mountains. The town is situated on the southern side of the river. From the outskirts of Bellwind you can also see the three sisters; three large volcanoes called this because they you know this big one the middle one and the little one and they're all in a little row and every now and then they spew hot lava and you can occasionally see some boiling down their sides.
The party are greeted by Saffron Shadowwalker as they enter town. Saffron has gathered a crowd of people to greet the party, having told the locals about the Waystars heroic deed in slaying the bandits. The party make their way to the inn called "The Middle Sister" but the crowd follows. 
Roy enjoys being the centre of attention and talks with the locals, sharing what he knows and learning about the local area. His is told that upriver are Sahuagin. The Sahuagin have been dealt with by the local hero, Ashwia (sp) the Riverkeeper.
===Confrontation with Drakthar Planebane===
When the party enter the inn they see Drakthar Planebane sitting at the bar. The party go into a rage and shout out. The Drakthar raises her arms and implores the crowd that she is in danger. The crowd in the tavern looks with ire at the party.
Cassian holds Vasher back, staying it isn't the time after seeing the mood around them. Roy, Vasher and Cassian try to appeal to the crowd but are very unconvincing. The crowd boos the party. Vasher loses patience and goes into a rant about the evils of the town and the land in general. Styrmir barges his way though the crowd to approach Drakthar. Cassian also tries to get though the crowd but is repelled by the crowd. Vasher casts "Command" with the word being "Confess" at Drakthar but nothing occurs. Someone throws a drink at Cassian and he throws a mug back at them, breaking their nose. The crowd becomes even more hostile towards the party. Styrmir seizes Drakthar. The half-orc innkeeper goes up to Styrmir in protest. They all agree to wait for the town guard.
===Bellwind's Law===
The town guard come and talk to the party and Drakthar outside the tavern. Drakthar says her actions took place outside the town so not in their jurisdiction. The town guard agree with Drakthar. Vasher tries to bribe the guard to help them take Drakthar out of the city so they can kill her. The guard refuses, maybe because of ethics but probably because of all the witnesses around. Vasher throws a punch at the guard. The guards call for backup.
Vasher wants to attack Drakthar, but is talked down by Roy, reminding him that justice sometimes has to wait for the right time. Vasher apologises for throwing a punch towards the guards.
Eventually more guards arrive as well as an officer. The officer hears the story from the party and Drakthar. While the officer is disguisted by Drakthar and her actions, she hasn't broken the law while inside Bellwind, and all inside Bellwind has sanctuary while inside the city walls. Drakthar is free to go. Vasher goes off with the guard officer to speak with someone in authority to try to make an appeal regarding Drakthar. 
Since there are no laws against stalking people, the party follows after Drakthar back into the inn peacefully and sit beside her at the bar. Saffron sits beside Cassian, asking for her cut from the Bandit Raid, Cassian gives her a potion and says they'll get more gold when they sell the goods they were given.
Styrmir speaks with Saffron privately about her thieving Drakthar's money so they will have to leave town sooner. Saffron then brings up the logistics behind Drakthar's operation means she has to have backers to pay for it all. Drakthar has also been actively recruiting inside Bellwind so she has to have another base. 
Drakthar eventually tires of Roy's stories and goes to her room in the inn. Cassian gets the room next door.
It is evening by the time Vasher arrives at town hall, but the town council has left for the day. Vasher decides to wait overnight outside the town hall so he is first in line. 
In the middle of the night Cassian loudly breaks into Drakthar's room. Drakthar casts Fear on Cassian, who then flees out of the inn into the city streets.
===Town Hall Meeting===
In the morning Cassian returns to the tavern and is asked by the innkeeper to pay 2 gold for the broken door and find a new inn to stay in. Cassian gets the money from Roy and pays the innkeeper before heading outside.
Vasher, still at the town hall, is first in line to go inside when they open for business for the day. He finds 3 people are sitting on the on thrones on a raised daises, being 3 of the city's 50 senators. Vasher's goal is to find one of the judges who will be sympathetic to his cause. Vasher allows some people to go ahead of him in order to understand how the procedure works and to gauge the temperament of the judges.
Vasher takes his turn to speak and talks about the evils of Drakthar and urges the court to have her removed from the town. Vasher promises to take care of Drakthar once they are removed. Vasher, as a Paladin, offers to swear allegiance to the city senate in exchange for this. The senators find anyone willing to change their oath so easily can't be trusted to keep their new oath. Also they will not remove someone from the city for Vasher to murder. Vasher takes his leave, finding no sympathy from any of the three senators.
Outside the townhall Vasher meets with Cassian. Vasher tells Cassian after they save King Arnold that he will lead a crusade to Arcadia. Cassian points out how easy it was to break into Drakthar's room, and the two make place to kill Drakthar tonight.
===Confrontation with Drakthar===
In the tavern, Roy, Styrmir and Drakthar are at the same table. Roy is approached by a group of fans who ask him about his mission, and reveal they are aware of his mission to get the scroll of resurrection. A bard asks Roy if he can join the party. Roy accepts, unable to say no, accepts the bard into the group.
The party then argue with Drakthar over who is in the right. Drakthar speaks of their childhood and how they lost their family when she was 5, and how she was born with one bad arm, and only by praying to Ponos was she given the tentacle arm. Drakthar claims the party is predicted against her because of her appearances, and pretends she didn't tell the party that she turned the children into demons.
:Drakthar: What all of us need to do is bring back the glory of humanity, bring back the powers of humanity, bring back Drexl. The greatest mage to ever live. The one who saved us from our doom during the war of creation the one who sided with Malkis, father of all humanity, in order to preserve our species against...
Styrmir interrupts Drakthar, saying that Drexl was a lich who wished to end the world. Drakthar disagrees with the idea of just ending the world, and just wants to end suffering.
Vasher and Cassian return to the tavern and hear Drakthar speaking and are enraged. Cassian draws his sword and goes to attack Drakthar.
:Combat: Party vs Drakthar
Round 1: Cassian attacks Drakthar with his sword. Styrmir casts guiding bolt at Drakthar. Drakthar casts Evard's Black Tentacles and backs away. Cassian hits the retreating Drakthar. Drakthar tries to hit Styrmir with her tentacle but misses. The Evard's Black Tentacles knock out Roy. Vasher heals Roy for 11 HP with Lay on Hands. Vasher then casts Compelled Duel on Drakthar. 
Round 2: Cassian is restrained by the Evard's Black Tentacles. Cassian throws an axe at Drakthar, knocking her out.
:Combat Ends
The party go and end the unconscious Drakthar's life. Roy firebolts Drakthar. Vasher stabs Drakthar. Cassian gets the killing blow on Drakthar. The party flee out the back door. Roy casts expeditious retreat on himself and casts Longstrider on the party. The party reach their mounts and flee to the western exit of town before the gate guards are on alert. 
===Leaving Bellwind===
The party are outside Bellwind without their cart of supplies and on the wrong side of the river to their objective. Cassian has a 2 person tent on him.
The party spy a medium-sized boat in the middle of the Great River. Styrmir shouts out towards the boat with thaumaturgy. The boat doesn't stop since Styrmir admits the party aren't allowed in the city. The party travel away from Bellwind westward.
The party encounter a caravan on their way to Bellwind. The caravan tells Vasher the next town to the west, Scalesvale, is 5 days away. The party buy some days of food from the merchant. Styrmir pays the merchant some gold to pass on a message to Plax who the party left behind.
The party make camp while Vasher doubles back to spy on the entrance to Bellwind. The next day Vasher sees Plax leave the town with the wagon and camels. Plax tells Vasher the guards confiscated some supplies to pay for the damages the party caused. Plax explains he was also kicked out of town, and there are wanted posters of the party inside Bellwind; they can never return.
Vasher and Plax meet up with the rest of the party. The next best spot to cross the river is at Scalesvale. The party agree and follow Plax's lead.
The party travel for 5 uneventful days and arrive at Scalesvale. On their trip the party decide they need to change their team name from "Waystars". 
==Experience==
No experience this episode.
Category:The Lazarus Expedition Episodes
Category:Save Or Die Episodes
Category:The Lazarus Expedition