Deals in the Dark: Episode 05

### YouTube VOD

***Deals in the Dark* Episode 5** was streamed on Arcadum's Twitch channel on November 15, 2019, and premiered on Arcadum's YouTube channel on January 7, 2020.

## Summary

Torl apologizes for being unable to be of more help to the party. Rivitah has made his way upstairs with the book to rest and deal with his PTSD. After a short rest, the rest of the party return to the manor of Haxtal Vale. There, they notice that people seem to be leaving. The party tries unsuccessfully to be stealthy as they approach the back window to the study. Pressed for time, Letty boosts the party to the 2nd story window of the study one by one, then climbs in after them.

Letty will begin to steal various odds and ends in the study. Neve is able to find some tomes and sees a locked tome titled "Abaddon's Call." She also sees a vase with a strange bubbling liquid. She is able to identify it as a mighty aphrodisiac called the Lover's Chain. She takes a vial of it and slides the vase out of sight. Neve also notices a heavy lockbox. Using her thieves' tools, she proceeds to unlock the box.

Meanwhile, Madd Morc starts to throw chairs out the window that they came in through, yelling out "don't worry, we're helping them move." Neve takes 4 gold ingots worth 1000 gold each, and then sees an ornate smoking pipe with a box of rare tobacco by it. She calls Letty over, and he takes the pipe and tobacco. Argh'xl provides him with matches, and upon taking a drag from the pipe he gets high enough to start floating to the ceiling. Startled, Neve grabs his legs and is pulled up with him. They begin floating to the window, and Turr Khei, Madd Morc, and finally Argh'xl grab onto each other. After floating around the city briefly, they land in front of the Black Jackal.

Letty and Derick take a hit from the pipe, and they float off into the sky chanting "TOPS! TOPS!" Madd Morc asks Torl for an ale and then turns in for the night. Neve requests an apple, and Turr Khei asks Hoto to drink with him. Argh'xl requests a grog. After providing it, Torl pulls a small box out from under he bar. Within is a penchant of ownership for a ship. Torl confesses his wish to go with her to the sea. Argh'xl confirms with him that he wants to do so, then accepts him. He smiles, then hands ownership of the Black Jackal to Agent Olive. Torl then leaves the tavern with Argh'xl towards the docks, unsure of what the future holds. Hoto tells Turr Khei about how he lost his honor by failing to fulfill his contract to protect a merchant.  He informs Turr Khei about the assailant's location, and then the party heads upstairs to turn in for the night.

The next day, Rivitah and the rest of the party find that Argh'xl has left the party with Torl. Neve shows Mr. Knuckles the book from last night. Rivitah asks about last night, and then hears a strange voice on the way out of the tavern. They enter a dilapidated manor where they see guards all over the place.

Eventually they enter a room through an ornate door, and see the Half-father Don Vilt Valione sitting on a throne. The guards take custody of the party's weapons, then they approach him. Neve hands the book to him, and the party receives 1000 gold each. Neve asks him for information, and he tells her he might have a lead if she does the next job.

He says they'll need a guide and introduces Seren to the party. He informs them that Seren's Fey Sight will be useful to them. The job is to find someone in the sewers and bring them back to Valione. Madd Morc dares Turr Khei to lick Valione. Though he is quite convincing, Turr Khei sees that licking Valione would result in his death. Disappointed, Madd Morc disowns Turr Khei. Valione informs the party that they need to sneak past the guards or obtain credentials to access the sewers. Once there, Seren will be able to find the Veil and see the target. He then sends them out, and Mr. Knuckles brings them to a tavern called the Broken Crown.

Once there, Seren introduces herself to the party. Madd Morc arm wrestles Barthalamew Downey, the owner of the tavern. Rivitah is approached by Kallus Ska El, a Sharkai warrior, who asks him what's wrong. Rivitah asks if he hears voices, and Kallus replies he does and that it's normal for their kind. As Kallus sits, he says that it is his duty to assist those who have been given a vision by Aladine, the lord of all Sharkai. He offers to drink with Rivitah and counsel him.

Seren talks with Neve and Turr Khei, who is down in the dumps after being disowned. Neve then talks to Madd Morc, who gives Turr Khei a chance to regain his honor by beating Barthalamew. Though he loses in the end, he is redeemed because he himself tried. Mr. Knuckles comes back down and tells them details of the mission.

Their target is Darreth, a scarred, blond, egotistical human who likes to hang around where the fey Veil is weak. After learning of the dangers of going beyond the Veil, Mr. Knuckles suggests the party try entering the sewers through the noble district. As he pushes them out the tavern, Kallus hands Rivitah an amulet of Aladine.

## Featured Characters

### Main Characters

* Rivitah
* Neve
* Madd Morc
* Turr Khei
* Argh'xl Roz

### New

* Don Vilt Valione
* Seren
* Barthalemew Downey
* Kallus Ska El

### Returning

* Torl
* Letty the Lender
* Hoto

### Mentioned

* Aladine
* Darreth