The sky was clear and the temperature fair as Team Ramrod climbed the piss-soaked ladder and made their way back towards the High Road. They decided to let Mercarri navigate, which proved a good idea. They reached the High Road in about four-hours time without issue.

About an hour, though, they did come upon an ‘issue’. Several guards surrounded a covered wagon along the side of the road.  As the party neared, they realized that they’ve seen that wagon before — or at least, one that looked identical. The morning of the funeral, a wagon like this was stopped in front of the Townmaster’s Hall. There was a window on the back side outfitted with bars — a prison wagon, it seemed. That gave the party an idea of who might have been inside.

They asked the guards what had happened. The captain, Captain Meadows, explained that they were called out here to investigate a murder. Four Neverwinter Guards and the female prisoner were all killed. Though the names of the victims weren’t known at the present time, the description of the female prisoner — a dwarf with long, curly red hair — matched that of Grista Corg, the owner of The Sleeping Giant Tavern in Phandalin.

Lilvari told Captain Meadows this information, which he wrote down quickly. She and the rest of the party knew that Grista was to be brought to Neverwinter to be charged with poisoning twelve villagers, including Townmaster Harbin Wester, though they still had their doubts she was really the one responsible. The captain thanked them for the info and bid them good day. Before departing, Lilvari asked is she could have one of the arrows that peppered the outside of the wagon. The captain obliged.

The next several hours were relatively quiet as they continued North, but just as they were about to make camp, a procession of a dozen or so wagons could be seen in the distance, headed in their direction. Curiousity got the better of them. Camp was going to wait.

The wagons were all brightly painted in a rainbow of colors, and the one in front displayed the name, “Witchlight Carnival” on the side. Two drow held the reigns of this wagon. One made a card magically appear in his hands. He flicked it to the party as the wagon passed. Ultorin picked it up. It said “Witchlight Carnival — Next Stop: Leilon, 2nd – 10th of Kythorn”. 

“I hope to see you and your friends there!” The stouter, more finely dressed of the two drow said. The procession continued while Team Ramrod stood by and watched. Pictures were painted on the side of each colorful wagon, giving them a taste of what acts were in the carnival: Large snails wearing saddles and being ridden by pixies, a mermaid in a giant glass bowl, a bearded woman (Dare let out some cat calls as this one passed).

Then a purple wagon passed, and from within came the most beautiful voice they’d ever heard. It was a female’s voice, and it was soothing, melodic — so much so that a lot of the party suddenly felt heavy and tired. They watched the procession continue almost in a stupor. Several more wagons passed, as did some of the workers who walked alongside. Butterfly wings were strapped to their backs. They weren’t all human. There were several elves and halflings. One of the workers was even a bugbear. He was wearing blue overalls and a jack o’ lantern on his head. He danced a jig and waved as he passed.

If that wasn’t strange enough, what they saw next was: Next in line was a twelve-foot tall, walking tree. The party stared up at it in amazement. Above the swaying branches swirled an emerald cloud that dropped sycamore seeds. As the seeds floated down, Droop pulled out his glass jar and tried to catch one. Instead he tripped and fell on his face. Ultorin and Lilvari fared better. They were each able to catch one.

Once the entire carnival had passed them by and the singing could no longer be heard, the party started to feel more like themselves again. They set up camp and ate their rations while the sun sunk below the horizon.

During Ultorin and Mercarri’s watch, a fire came to life not more than fifty yards from their campsite. Ultorin, using his Eagle-Eye goggles  tried to determine if it was a threat. He saw what looked to be a father and daughter eating a meal near their own campfire. He and Mercarri discussed what to do. She thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have the father and daughter join them, as this wasn’t the safest area to be alone.

So Ultorin and Mercarri headed over and persuaded them to come along. The father’s name was Barna, the daugher’s name was Elamere. It turns out that they were glad for the company. Back at the party’s campfire, Barna told them that he and his daughter are coming from Helmshold.

“We’re not sure where we’re going to go,” Barna told them, “but we have to go somewhere. We got kicked out of our home.” 

The party learned that The Order of the Guilded Eye protects the town from trouble, but they don’t always act in the town’s best interest. Instead they look out for themselves. Case in point: The reason Barna and his daughter are out of a home, he thinks, is because not too long ago, a house belonging to one of the Order’s families burned down. Less than a week later, Barna’s landlord, Jaston Selgraves, told him that he and Elamere had to move out.

Lilvari mentioned Phanadlin and how there are quite a few empty houses. Maybe they could talk to Sildar Hallwinter and move in. Nazzeth lightened the mood by casting illusions for Elamere. It was nice to see the weight melt from the father’s face as his daughter laughed and tried to grab them. Barna and his daughter went to sleep near the fire with full stomachs and feeling safe. The party saw them off the next morning. Lilvari even provided them with some extra rations.

Team Ramrod reached the outskirts of town two days later, on the first of Kythorn. The town of Helmshold looked impressive. It was surrounded by a large stone and timber wall. The houses within peaked above the wall, their second and sometimes third stories visible. Towering above them all was Helms Cathedral. 

The weather was rainy and muggy, and they were happy that there’d be no more nights spent sleeping on the ground for awhile. Farms dotted the landscape as they neared the walled in town. A bit out from the road, and still a mile or two from town, they saw an old cottage in disrepair. They also saw the sign above it that said, “Shoppe of Magic Items”. It was something they couldn’t refuse.

They headed in, all except Dare who kept watch outside. The owner was an old human woman, and the store was indeed full of magic items — very expensive magic items. As they looked about, the old woman sat behind the counter, stroking a very old looking purple, cloth doll. She had a very sad look on her face.

The party discussed the prices for awhile and how they probably couldn’t afford anything here. Eventually, the old woman spoke up. “I couldn’t help but overhear,” she said. “And looking at you, I’m thinking I may have a way we can make an exchange of some sort.” The old woman, Katherine, tearfully explained how her granddaughter went to work for a local farmer after he got angry over a magic item that didn’t perform as intended. The deal was that the granddaughter, Alice, would work for him for two months to pay off the amount of the item. But it’s been more than a year. Katherine said that the farmer and his wife brainwashed Alice, and now Alice thinks she belongs to them.

“If you can get her back for me,” I’ll let you take any four items you want — for free.”

The party agrees to check it out after first stopping at Helmshold. Just before arriving at the gate, Droop turns himself into a halfing. The party then goes onward. The guards still stiffen, seeing Dare, Lilvari and Nazzeth. As Sildar had told them, The Order of the Guilded Eye aren’t welcoming of half-orcs or Tieflings. Lilvari was sure that the same went for Dragonborne folk as well.

Dare flashed his Signet Ring of the Lord’s Alliance. The guards let them through but reminded them that they’re be keeping an eye on them. Nazzeth responded in kind using telepathy. “We’ll be keeping our eyes on you as well.”

The guards were too surprised to react as the party headed into the town of Helmshold.