06 // Fert v Dagan, Lurue’s departure, Mavinda Yor visit, and enemy's plot revealed

After delivering Longscarf to Swiftwind, the party descends from the upstairs office to the main hall, now packed with boisterous adventurers singing songs about Dagan, a famed hero. Energized by the crowd, Chappy makes his way to the front to perform a rousing song, quickly winning over the audience. Meanwhile, Fert leaves to fetch tankards of ale while Smurk settles onto a barrel in the corner, quietly enjoying the music.

Dagan Knows

While Fert is away, Dagan approaches Smurk a nd squires about their meeting with Longscarf. He notes it’s unusual for young travelers to garner the attention of a Councilmember. Smurk reveals that he recognizes Dagan as the mercenary who accompanied the Shieldsdale procession. Surprised, Dagan presses Smurk for details about the Mae and Sayban’s whereabouts. Fert returns just in time, slamming the empty tankards into Dagan's hands and demanding they be filled—an unspoken warning to back off. Dagan retreats with the tankards, leaving the hall. Half the crowd follows him out.

An Invitation to Rest

The group is then approached by a young Harengon, who introduces herself as Lionel’s daughter. She extends an invitation from her father to stay at their home as a token of gratitude. The party accepts, and after finishing their drinks, they depart.

At Lionel’s home, they were welcomed with carrot stew and introduced to his family. Lionel shares that he had recently received a new prosthetic foot from the local artificer. As they recount their encounter with Longscarf, Lionel explains the growing tension between the Outer Force and the Inner Guard. The next morning, Lionel reveals a newspaper report claiming Longscarf’s capture was politically motivated. The reporting states that Councilmember Elijah Gimble is accusing Mayor Basil and Councilmember Chester Swiftwind of illegally detaining Longscarf as an attempt to seize power from the Mercantile District. Lionel also mentions that an Archfey had been summoned to mediate the conflict among Fey Ember’s leadership. With this new information on hand, the group sets out for the University District to meet Mavinda Yor.

Lurue’s Gone, But Chappy’s Here!

The streets were abuzz about the Lurue monument while traveling to the University. The party decides to take a detour to see what’s happen to the giant unicorn statue. Upon arrival they find out the statue is gone and massive crowd attempting to storm the platform where the statue once was. The party sees a group of Univeristy staff and priests preventing a mob from accessing the platform of the missing unicorn statue. Chappy offers to help, and with the backing of a university researcher who liked his performance at Adventure Hall, he’s welcomed onto the platform to calm the crowd. Chappy performance perfectly soothes the crowd with the rights words that reassure Lurue’s return. It was a defining moment for Chappy who earned a shit load of likes.

A Visit to the University District

The party makes it to the Univeristy hoping to learn more about the onyx shards they’ve collected and the cult’s motivations. Upon arrival, Mavinda’s daughter, Sallynya Yor, greets them. She informs the party that her father is bedridden but expecting their visit. She escorts them to his room, where Fert quickly discerns that Mavinda is poisoned. When confronted, Mavinda admits he is aware of the poisoning but has been secretly mitigating its effects to avoid alerting the culprits. This revelation shocks Syllnnya, who has been unaware of her father’s condition. Mavinda discloses his suspicion that someone within the University’s alchemy department is involved and expresses concern about trusting anyone outside Mayor Basil and Councilmember Swiftwind.

Despite his weakened state, Mavinda urged the group to ask their most pressing questions while he still has strength. Their conversation reveals the following:

1. What are the onyx shards, and why do they weaken Smurk? The shards are fragments of broken phylacteries, containers used to store the life force of liches. The cult’s collection of these shards suggests an attempt to assemble a new phylactery or harness immense power.

   
   

2. What is the relationship between the Mythal and the Mae? Why is the Mythal failing, and why is the Mae in danger?The Mythal protects the connection between the Material Plane (Dalelands and Cormanthor Forest) and the Feywild (around the Fey Glade Crossing). It is maintained through a ritual performed every 500 years by the Mae, a representative of "man and elf."

   
   

3. Do you know someone named Vorgash?Vorgash was a respected former student of the University who disappeared after leaving the institution years ago.

   
   

After answering their questions, Mavinda, now exhausted, instructs Sallynya to take the group to his study. There, they examine a chalkboard illustrating his theories about the Mythal and the cult’s plans. During their discussion, Smurk admits to revealing information about the Mae and Lady Saraphene to Dagan. Alarmed, the group realizes Dagan poses a significant threat and decides to inform the Mayor immediately.

Updating the Mayor

At the Mayor’s office, they share their findings and concerns about Dagan. The Mayor confirms that if Dagan is involved with the Zhentarim’s operations, he is a grave threat. However, he assures them that Lady Saraphene and her Keepers safeguarded the Crossing. To slow any Zhentarim plans, the Mayor vows to close the Concourse, the fastest route to the Crossing. He also informes them of two looming events: the trial in three days and the Outer Force’s return in five days. Concluding their meeting, he asks the group to help uncover the scheme threatening Fey Ember.