The adventurers split up for the evening. Dare and Lilvari wait until nightfall to sneak to Freda’s house. Mystic and Mercarri decide to visit Sister Garaele, as she may have found out more about the strange drug Dare has taken.

Mystic and Mercarri leave for Sister Garaele’s around dinner time. The roads aren’t too busy this time of night. They do pass a human woman who looks to be in her mid-thirties. She has short black hair and is walking in the opposite direction. She’s struggling to carry several large sacks that are full with groceries. She casts a glance to Mercarri as she passes. Mercarri recognizes her from the market. She’s seen her there nearly every day. A moment goes by and there’s a loud crash. Mystic and Mercarri turn to see that the woman has fallen. The groceries are all over the ground. They watch as she gets herself up and starts to collect her things. She has a slight limp as she continues on. Mystic and Mercarri watch her for a moment, shrug then continue on towards Sister Garaele’s.

Sister Garaele’s happy to see them and excited to share what she’s found. She leads them to the south part of town, to a small building called ‘Last Rites’. Inside, a middle-aged woman with thick glasses and a white lab coat works behind a counter. She smiles when they enter and greets them. “We’ve never been formerly introduced,” she tells Mystic and Mercarri, “but of course the whole town knows you. So, I suppose you’re here to see what we found out about the nobleman and the drug.”

She takes a step to the right and nearly disappears from view. Only the top of her brown hair is visible from behind the counter. She walks around to the other side, and Mystic and Mercarri see that she’s a halfling. “I’m Isolde Allack,” she says, and “I provide all the funeral arrangements for the town. I also help with forensics.”

She leads them down some stairs. The air grows much colder to the point where they can see their breath. At the bottom is a small room made of concrete. Inside this room is a table with various things — beakers, an empty vial and a half full one. There’s red liquid inside. There’s also an envelope, folded in half. Next to the table is a gurney. On it, covered by a sheet is a body. Isolde folds down the sheet. The body, they see, belongs to the nobleman. He’s been dead for a week, and it shows. His eyes have begun to sink into his skull and a sweetly pungent aroma wafts off him.

She tells them that the man has an extreme loss of muscle mass and bone density, and she believes that this is one of the symptoms of withdrawal. The way it appears, the man was using the drug for quite some time. She notes that taking more of the drug may, for  a time, revert the symptoms and restore one’s constitution, but it’s only a theory at this point. Sister Garaele excitedly tells them what info she and Isolde have been able to gather from the tests.

She consults her notebook. “The drug seems to give the user true sight. They’ll be able to see anyone under the effects of an invisibility spell. No one will be able to hide from them and a shape shifter will always appear in their true form. Also, it appears that it effects the user’s confidence, increasing their charm and even their luck.”

Isolde tells them that they will continue to carry out tests. She nods to the envelope on the table. “We found an additional two doses in the man’s pockets,” she says.

Mystic asks about keeping the doses for Dare, in case he experiences any withdrawal symptoms, but Isolde tells her she doesn’t think that’s a good idea.

Meanwhile Lilvari and Dare sneak to Freda’s house. They keep to the outskirts of town. As they reach the path leading to Freda’s a voie calls out, “Stop where you are!”

A patrolling guard has spotted them. Dare tells him that he’s on important business for the Lord’s Alliance. The guard apologizes and leaves him to it. 

They arrive at Freda’s. She and Traubon are eating dinner. Looking for privacy, she asks Traubon to go to the market to fetch some red pepper. He reluctantly agrees. Once he’s gone, they talk about the ‘arrangement’. Dare figures he’s owed money to keep Freda’s secret.

Freda only laughs. “I’ve got no money. Not yet. All I got is a piece of paper with Hedrar’s name signed at the bottom — his last will and testament. The problem is I can only cash it in if he’s dead. Yes he’s dead, but we’re the only ones who know that. To everyone else he’s a missing person. I can’t collect on his assets until he’s been gone for 60 days, which is still…” she peers behind her to the calendar on the kitchen wall. “Another 32 days.”

She tells Dare and Lilvari something else. “I don’t have 60 days. As we speak, the Neverwinter Guard is building a case against me. Others just like you have been sent out to gather evidence. If they find something, I’ll be without my head well before 32 days from now. I believe we still need each other. See what they found out about me. That information has to disappear.”

Dare and Lilvari leave Freda’s and head to the Townmaster’s Hall to make the report. Stuck to the door is a notice that reads, “Gnoll Ears: 35gp a pair. Inquire within.” Sildar ushers Dare over to his desk to make his report. Dare lies, telling Sildar that there wasn’t any information to be gathered in Wurstward. No one had recognized Freda from her picture.

Sildar writes this all out in the report, seals it in an envelope and gives it to Sir Adelard Chase, who is at the moment dealing with an irate farmer regarding Gnolls. Sir Chase excuses himself long enough to take the report. Dare watches him as he pulls a key from his pocket, uses it to unlock his desk drawer and puts the report inside. Sir Adelard Chase locks the drawer and puts the key back into his pocket.

After finishing up with Sildar, Dare asks Sir Adelard Chase about the Gnolls.

“Nasty beasts,” Sir Adelard replies. He tells Dare that Gnolls have been attacking travelers heading south to Leilon. The hope is that the Gnoll’s number can be culled so that they don’t grow into a real threat. Before leaving, Dare asks about the case against Freda. He’s told that once the information is gathered, it will be delivered to Neverwinter where the courts will decide if there’s enough evidence to convict. If so, Freda will be brought to Neverwinter for a trial. Dare offers his services in escorting the messenger to Neverwinter. Sir Adelard thanks him, telling him that maybe he’ll take Dare up on his offer.

They next meet Mercarri and Mystic at Stonehill Inn, where they tell each other the information they’ve found. Stonehill Inn is nearly void of customers, but there is still a lot of activity. The owner Toblen Stonehill and his wife and son along with several waitresses are busy decorating for tomorrow’s party. Elsa, the barmaid, tells Lilvari that she hopes this party can bring customers back. Otherwise she’ll have to find another job — maybe even at The Sleeping Giant.

After dinner, they head back towards Tresendar Manor but make a stop along the way. Lilvari, followed by Dare, Mystic and Mercarri go in the Sleeping Giant Tavern. It’s not too busy this time of night, but there are still a lot more customers than at the Stonehill Inn. They see three waitresses running back and forth, bringing food and drinks to their tables. One of which is the black haired woman from earlier, the one who had fallen while carrying the groceries. She sees them and tries to smile. “Have a seat,” she says, “I’ll get to you in a minute.”

“I think we’ll sit at the bar,” Lilvari says. All four of the approach the bar, which is being manned by Grista, and take a seat. Grista’s busy with several customers, but when she sees who’s approaching, she stops. “What the hell do you want?” 

Her question sets the tone for the rest of the conversation. She’s accused of having something to do with the rats that ran amuck in Stonehill Inn. She accuses them of literally killing her business, that it’s because of them that she had no customers. “It’s not my fault that The Redbrands weren’t the nicest folk. They were paying customers. My food is better than Toblens, my prices are more modest. I deserve all these people that are here now.”

Dare asks that they be served her finest meal. Grista obliges. They get there food. As soon as Grista walks away, Dare and Lilvari both start shouting about there being rat droppings in their meals. Some of the customers look back at them, disgusted. Grista hurries over and takes their plates. “Get out!” She points to the door. 

While she’s distracted by Dare and Lilvari’s antics, Mystic reaches into her pants and yanks out a pubic hair. Before anyone can see, she delicately stirs it into the mashed potatoes. “Is this a pube?” She reaches in and pulls it out. There’s sounds of shock. Grista kicks them all out. Before leaving, Dare dumps a mug of ale over her head. 

About ten minutes after returning home, there’s a knock at the door. Lilvari and Mercarri answer it. Two Neverwinter guardsmen are standing there. They ask for Dare, citing something about a reported disturbance at The Sleeping Giant. They just need to ask him some questions. Lilvari tells them that he’s in the shitter, which is true. When they say they’ll wait, Lilvari adds that Dare’s planning on shaving his balls after. Whether that is true or not, only Dare can say. Upon hearing this new information, though, the guards look at each other. “It’s not that big a deal,” they tell Lilvari. “Just have him swing by the townmaster’s hall so we can finish our report. Tomorrow’s fine.” They offer a nod. Lilvari slams the door in their face.

The Party

The day started out with Lillian Wester coming up the path to Tresendar Manor, a bag of gold in hand. “This,” she tells Lilvari as she hands it over, “is from my grandfather. He says its for one of the horses.” Lilvari spends the next few hours giving Lillian riding lessons. 

The rest of the day is uneventful, and around dinner time Dare, Lilvari, Mystic, Mercarri and Droop head to Stonehill Inn for the party. The place looks amazing. Banners and streamers hang from the rafters. The tables are decorated and covered with bright white table clothes. There’s a band, plenty of food and drinks. The only thing missing are the guests. Besides the serving staff and a few stragglers, the place is empty. At one table, Lillian sees Lilvari and waves. Harbin is sitting across from her. Sildar is there too. He approaches Lilvari. 

“Not much of a party, is it?” he says.

He’s right. For the next twenty minutes or so, it’s just them. Then the door to the inn opens, and an unexpected guest comes inside. It’s Grista. Her eyes go from Toblen to the Dare and company and then back to Toblen. “I’ve thought long and hard about it,” she says as she approaches him. “I wasn’t going to come at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this rivalry we have is bad business. I’d like to start over.” 

She offers a hand to Toblen. After a moment he takes it in his.

“I agree,” he says.

Not long after, guests start to arrive —  first in ones and twos and then in droves. Within an hour the party is in full swing. Music is playing and everyone is having a merry time. Droop impresses some local children with a stuffed monkey doll that he’s tinkered with. He pushes a little button and it springs to life — dancing along to the music. A short time later, a white-bearded man enters. He’s got a bird on his shoulder. It’s Reidoth. He immediately finds Lilvari.

“Thanks for the invite. I’ve been meaning to come back to Phandalin for awhile.” He talks to the adventurers for awhile then excuses himself. He heads over to other guests.

Elmar Barthen is nearby, sitting at a large table. Next to him is an elderly woman and a young man with elven features and dark hair. The woman is dressed in a fine purple dress while the man is wearing a green cloak. Each of them has a pile of dice before them. In the middle of the table is a scattering of silver pieces.

Elmar asks Dare if he and his friends have ever played Baldur’s Bones. When Dare says they haven’t, Elmar offers to teach them. Dare, Lilvari and Mercarri sit to play. Mystic who’s feeling a bit tipsy decides to dance instead.

The elven man with the green cloak wins the first round. As they start the second, there’s a loud ‘BANG’. Dare, Lilvari and Mercarri all instinctively duck. Behind them, they see Harbin has popped the cork on a bottle of champagne. “Sorry!” he says. “I didn’t mean to startle everyone. I just thought it was time for a toast.” He pours champagne into a bunch of glasses sitting on the bar behind him. The wait staff hands them out. Once everyone has their drink, Harbin proposes a toast.

“I drink to our heroes. They haven’t always been the most couth. The other night would be a prime example, right Mercarri? Mystic? But, they’ve always come through. They are more than heroes, they are friends. Let us drink to their health. Let us drink to Phandalin.”

Everyone raises their glass and drinks. Dare, Lilvari and Mercarri have just started another round of Baldur’s Bones when there’s the sound of glass breaking followed by a young girl’s screams. Everyone turns to the source. It’s Lillian. Her grandfather is on the ground, his face purple, his eyes wide as he claws at his neck. Lillian’s on her knees beside him.

“Help him!” she screams. “Somebody help him!” Her eyes search the room frantically and land on Lilvari, Dare and Mercarri. Before they can act, Sister Garaele runs towards Harbin. Just as she reaches him there are more screams and the sounds of breaking glass and thudding bodies. Toblen Stonehill’s wife Trelena, Freda, Daran Edermath and others — maybe a dozen or more. They’re all on the ground, clawing at their throats while their family and friends look on in horror.

Sister Garaele looks back to Dare, Lilvari and Mercarri. She’s kneeling next to Harbin who is no longer moving. Her fingers are to his neck. She shakes her head grimly. He’s gone.

It’s a scene of chaos. Everyone is not just stunned but devastated. The Neverwinter Guards shortly arrive. They come in in waves. “No one leaves until we find out what happened,” one of them says. “Get Sir Adelard here now!”

Several guards depart.

Dare scans the room for Grista. He doesn’t remember seeing her leave, but she’s nowhere to be found. He tells the lead guard who nods in understanding. “Bran,” he says.

Sir?” comes the response. A younger man with blond hair steps over.

“Head to The Sleeping Giant. Bring Grista back here.”

“Yes sir.” The man, Bran, leaves at once.

What had started as a fun celebration has descended into a nightmare.