A Stolen Jewel

"A Stolen Jewel" (C1.S02.4) is a one-shot in the first campaign of The Vanguard.

## Synopsis

Three new Vanguard apprentices were summoned to the library by Guild Master Izzarina.

Ween, Dimitri, and Joan murmured between each other when they happened to notice a well-dressed child sitting at the table where there had previously been an empty seat. They quickly realized that it was Izzarina, Elder of House Shadowhand. She briefly reviewed each of their dossiers and notified them of their assignment:

Friedo LaGaine is a wealthy merchant in the small town of Valcroft, situated in the valley between two mountains. His niece, Jewel, has been kidnapped, and he has hired The Vanguard to help find her (or negotiate her release?). The mountains around Valcroft are heavily forested due to the village being a waypoint and market along a trade route.
Horses are being provided and they are to leave immediately with haste.

With almost two days of riding, the three probationary members are stopped near dusk, about 1 mile from their destination. A rag-tag group of five soldiers (although the term is used loosely due to their sloppy appearance) block the road. They are the "Advance Guard" and are collecting tolls.
With almost no money, Dimitri attempts to understand why there is a toll, and Joan dismounts and notifies the group that Friedo LaGaine is waiting for them. Becoming more insistent to collect a toll, the soldiers advance on the trio. Seeing that these men are not real soldiers, Dimitri shoots one in the head with an arrow. The captain attempts to wildly slash at Joan, who parries and runs him through the chest. Ween casts a thunderwave spell, knocking the remaining three back 10' and killing one.
Scrambling to their feet, those left alive dash into the surrounding forest.

Arriving in town, they learn that Friedo LaGaine is a well-loved and generous man. The adventurers are guided to a posh establishment where the manager is happy to provide them with accommodations for being the ones sent to rescue Jewel. Soon after a messenger boy escorts them to Mr. LaGaine's mansion. They are greeted by Albian Bellring, a halfling who is a personal assistant of Mr. LaGaine. There are a few servants within the home; all appearing melancholy. Entering an office, Friedo LaGaine greets each member and reprises them of what happened. All go to inspect her room. Aside from a few occult items that would be typical indulgences of a young woman, and a scattering of disarray from a minimal struggle, there is nothing to be learned.
It is now that a message arrives; a ransom note with instructions for a trade. The location is on a plateau, high upon the mountainside (difficult terrain for a large group) and the exchange will take place in two days.

Hoping to et a jump on the kidnappers, the group leaves early and makes their way up the mountain. Along the way, they cross paths with 2 Kenku who try to trade with them, but there is a language barrier (Kenku only speak in sound effects)… none of them suspected a missing dagger and 50gp disappearing. At the plateau, everyone stealthily hid at strategic points to wait for kidnappers to arrive; they never did. Only a small heard of Azazel Goats wandered through. After 48 hours, a young messenger ran up the hill, telling the group they were to return to town as fast as possible. Upon arrival, they were berated by LaGaine for being bungling idiots. The kidnappers knew about them on the mountain. LaGaine introduces them to an elven tracker names Terazz, who says he can find the bandits.

Within the day, the bandits were found at dusk. The group approached and swiftly attacked, killing all but one who was interrogated, and proclaimed that it was the girl herself who hired the group to make it look like a kidnapping, but just wanted to escape her uncle. However, the hobgoblin leader became greedy and caged the girl, Jewel, when they arrived at camp.

Jewel pleaded to the group to help her. But, her words only sounded like the whining of a bratty teenager. She was taken back to LaGaine, who (half-heartedly) thanked the group, provided their reward, and sent a letter of acknowledgement (and complaint) to the guild.

## Guild Dispatches

The following are messages from the guild members who participated in the mission. They contain valuable information the guild can use to piece together clues.

> *No guild dispatches were found as of yet.*
>
>

1. ↑ Be aware that this is told from the player’s perspective of the adventure. Details and happenings may have been presented with some liberties taken to fill in the blanks from poor memory and scribbled notes. Other players should be asked about their views of what happened, and are also welcome to type their stories to share.