Nazzeth, along with the two civilians who were fighting, is brought back to the Town Hall just as Lawmaster Kolpepper is on her way out. She sees them and the guards approaching, gives an audible sigh and heads back inside. Once inside she’s given the story of what happened. There’s no doubt she’s a bit upset.

After having the two civilians brought downstairs to the jail, she dismisses the guards. Instead of leaving, they ask about Nazzeth, if they should escort him to a jail cell as well.

“I’ll handle him myself. Now fuck off, will ya?”

They leave but not without grumbling. 

Once they’re gone, she asks Nazzeth what the hell’s the matter with him.

“Chief Speaker Wanderfoot just gave you props for taking care of the hag and you go and pull this shit. Not sure if you noticed, but we’re already in delicate territory.”

She explains that Chief Speaker Wanderfoot has only been elected two months ago and is already dealing with more than her fair share of bullshit. Not only is she the first halfling to be elected Chief Speaker, something that  a lot of people seem to have a problem with, but she’s also the first one to question the authority of The Order of the Guilded Eye.”

Nazzeth learns that the Holy Watcher, a man named Taman Cithreth, is in charge of the church of Helm and therefore in charge of The Order of the Guilded Eye, which are the town’s guards. 

“The Chief Speaker as well as the seven other speakers are elected to govern the town by the people. So it seems strange to Chief Speaker Wanderfoot that all the muscle belongs to the church.” 

She says that Chief Speaker Wanderfoot is trying to get the town to agree that the speakers should have control of the guard — a task that’s not an easy one, and Nazzeth isn’t helping. Getting in trouble is going to put the Chief Speaker in a bad light, but putting him in jail would make it worse. Instead, Lawmaster Kolpepper makes him pay a fine of 50 gold pieces and then has two of her men escort him back to the Venturer’s Tavern where he is to remain for the night.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party is at The Dirty Dwarf, trying to get a feel for who might have more information regarding the letter sent by Halia. Dare recognizes the Drow barmaid. From what he remembers, her name is Tana Timberia, and she has a brother named Quarion. Quarion got in trouble with the law awhile back, which is how Dare knows him. He manages to catch Tana’s attention. 

“How’s Quarion?” he asks. His question catches her off guard, and she’s a bit shaken that her brother’s name came up. Dare can tell.

“Fine,” she says. She asks if she knows him from somewhere. He just smiles a knowing smile. “I just have a few questions, and if you could answer them, it’d be very helpful.”

Meanwhile, Mystic, Mercarri and Ultorin are at the bar. Mystic notices the cubbies behind the bar. Some have parchment in them. Others do not. Looking at them a bit closer, she notices that all of them have a name scrawled underneath. All but one. It looks to be a mailing service of sorts. She and Mercarri order drinks and head towards Dare who is being led to an empty table by the barmaid.

As Dare sits, he asks Tana about any strange letters being delivered — in particular, ones from Phandalin that were delivered by a blond haired guy in his early twenties. She says she doesn’t know. “It’s possible,” she says, “but we’re always busy. It’s not my job to take the letters from anyone. Now, if you excuse me, I have orders to take care of.”

Before departing, she asks them if they’d like anything to eat. She recommends the cabbage stew. Dare and Mystic take her up on the offer. After she heads back towards the kitchen, Lilvari leaves the table and approaches the bar. She asks the bartender about the mail system here and questions similar to what Dare had asked the drow. The bartender isn’t very helpful. She heads back to the table after ordering a drink and dropping a copper piece onto the floor as a tip.

The stew arrives. Dare takes a few bites before having a coughing fit. He spits out a crumbled-up note. It says, “Meet me outside. I’m taking my break in twenty minutes. Come alone. Otherwise it might draw too  much attention.”

Dare shows the note to the others. They agree to let him go alone. Ultorin decides to communicate telepathically with Dare so he can reach out if something should happen. After about twenty minutes, Dare heads outside and rounds the Dirty Dwarf, heading towards a small back alley which is almost completely dark. Sitting on a small stoop near the rear is a cloaked figure. Dare approaches. It’s the drow, Tana.

“I do know of a blond guy from Phanadlin who delivered a letter,” she says. “It had a strange symbol on it, right?” She proceeds to draw the symbol in the air.

Dare nods.

“Well, this guy comes in, hands the letter to the bartender who stuffs it in that cubby with no name. Sure enough, about a half hour later a man walks in — a small, skinny man in a green cloak. The fatass bartender gives him the letter.”

At this point, Tana scratches at her head, and her sleeve slips up enough to reveal a strange tattoo that wraps around her wrist. It seems to go up her arm — a tattoo of a dark metal chain. “If you’re interested in where to find this guy, I can tell you. But not here, and not for free. You need the info?  I need 800 gold pieces.”

Dare looks at her, stunned. “What else do I get for that 800 gold pieces?” 

She seems confused, at least until he gives her a wink. “Nothing,” she scowls. “Just the information.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure. Meet me at a place called Fishbarrel tomorrow at midnight. It’s in the southern part of town. It’s not a very nice place, so bring your friends… for protection.”

Eventually, he gets the hint that the money was only for the information and nothing else. He heads back inside and tells the others what went down. A short time later, Lilvari and Ultorin head back to The Venturer’s Tavern. Dare, Mystic and Mercarri decide to stick around and close the place down. They buy drinks not just for them but for the other patrons as well.

Back at The Venturers’ Tavern, Lilvari enters to find two guards sitting at one of the tables. These aren’t The Order of the Guilded Eye but the ones dressed in leathers that she’s seen at the Town Hall — The Chief Speaker’s personal guards. Other than them, there’s very little in the way of customers. Lilvari orders some bacon at the bar and brings it back upstairs to Droop. On her way back to their rooms, Ultorin and Lilvari see Nazzeth coming their way. Nazzeth tells them about the fight and what happened after. Then, he sneaks part way down the stairs. While he doesn’t try to leave the tavern,  he does spend about an hour tormenting the guards with startling visions and mind tricks. By the end of the night, they start to mention taking much needed time off from work. The rest of the party returns some time later, a bit drunk but no worse for wear.

The next morning, Team Ramrod wakes to the sound of churchbells. This morning is the funeral of The Holy Watcher Javen Tarmikos. Dare wants to head over to see what the big deal is. Most of the party goes with him. Lilvari decides to look into the Church of Mystra. The feelings she got in the pit of her stomach when one of the Sisters of Silver Fire looked at her has been bugging her. Upon entering, she notices that the temple is nearly empty. She attributes that fact to the funeral, which is supposed to be attended by most of the town. The people who are inside are sitting near or around several stone rings that are set up every so many dozen feet. These stone rings are about a foot high, twelve feet in diameter and resemble fire pits. Inside some of them burns flames of pure white. Looking at them, she notices with interest that there’s no fuel  — no wood, no coals… just empty space below the flames. The people sitting close to the fire are either praying or crying or asking Mystra for forgiveness. Lilvari just sits on the edge of one ring and observes.

Two members of the church are near the back, chanting at an unlit stone ring. In a matter of minutes, it too becomes alight with the same white fire. Lilvari looks to another nearby ring, one that is lit and is surprised to see what looks like a face inside, staring at her. She recognizes who it is. Within the white flame is Ibis — the one person she hates more than anyone else in the world. Only Ibis’s upper body is visible. With two ghostly hands, she beckons Lilvari closer. Interestingly, the look on Ibis’s face is one of sorrow… and regret, not anger, envy and hate like Lilvar was used to seeing. Lilvari heads closer. Before shes can get there, she hears her patron’s voice shrieking in her head. “Leave this place! Leave it now.” 

Lilvari does. Immediately.

Meanwhile, Nazzeth heads over to the library which sits far off to the side of Helm’s Cathedral, like so many other buildings. Within the grounds are an orphanage, a shop selling magical items and services, the library and Helms Cathedral itself. The gardens surrounding the area are emaculate with their fountains, ponds and numerous fruit trees and benches.

It takes some time (and some assistance from the clergy working at the library), but Nazzeth is able to find a tome that speaks of hags in great detail. From the book he learns more about the Heartstone. A hag must use a heartstone to shift to the ethereal plane, but the stone doesn’t have the power to do the transportation itself. Nazzeth also finds that by touching a Heartstone, one can be cured of all diseases. He immediately thinks of Dare and his addiction.

He heads back to the Cathedral, where Dare and the others are sitting out front. The funeral is just concluding inside, and throngs of people are starting to emerge. Lilvari can be seen heading towards the group from the direction of The Church of Mystra. Nazzeth has Dare hold the Heartstone, but nothing happens. 

After, they head to the nearby store of magic items. A large firbolg is standing behind the counter. There’s not much in the way of magical items and what items exist are pricey. Dare ends up buying a healing potion. Lilvari comes across a sign that details spell services that are offered. One happens to be Greater Restoration, which costs 450 gold pieces. She asks the firbolg if the spell can heal Dare’s affliction. After she describes what his afflictions are, the firbolg nods. 

Dare pays the money and the spell is cast. An undescribable warmth fills Dare’s body and when it fades, he feels stronger. It looks like it worked. He’s no longer addicted to The Sight.

The party spends some time around Helmshold, getting armor and weapons as well as finding if there’s anyone in town who will buy the gems they’ve  gathered during previous adventures. It’s nice to be in a town with so much to do. Regardless, midnight can’t get here soon enough. Fishbarrel (and hopefully information leading to Halia’s downfall) awaits.