Session 21: "Return to Morn" (10-13 Flamerule, DR 1372)

• The session began with the party leaving the homestead and heading on horseback towards Dagger Falls.

• The doppelgangers, Twelve and One, spent the journey talking with each other. It emerged the doppelgangers have the ability to read minds.

• Rania asked Twelve whether doppelgangers can read the minds of everyone. Twelve, confirmed that, yes, but some minds were more open than others.

• On the steps of the city, the doppelgangers changed back to their previous, "comfortable" forms - presumably the forms that they had grown up as, as children. Due to the party being armed, the guards at the gatehouse were suspicious and asked for our names. Rania presented the guard with the passport provided by Lord Morn.

• The guard continued to look suspiciously at Twelve and One and wanted to know their names. The party told the guards that Twelve and One were defectors, and they were being returned to Lord Morn.

• Rio asked the guard whether Lord Morn had sent word. Kelnor said that it was imperative that we speak with Lord Morn. The whole party were eventually let through and headed towards Lord Morn’s keep. It was decided not to restrain Twelve and One prior to meeting Lord Morn.

• At Lord Morn’s keep, the party were taken by courtiers to the throne room, where Lord Morn, Sir Haemish and Sir Norton were waiting.

• Lord Morn welcomed the party back. Haemish had kept him updated with our progress.

• Rania handed the chalice to Lord Morn. Lord Morn was pleased we had been successful and went on to inspect the chalice.

• The party asked Morn if he knew why the Zhentarim wanted the chalice. Morn said he did not know. He had intelligence that the Zhentarim wanted it, and he only wanted it because the Zhentarim did.

• More was spoken about the chalice, its ability to create water - perhaps it could be used as a clean water supply for the city.

• Kelnor said that JIerdaan had tried to convince the party that he needed it, saying there was a threat to the west, and the water from the chalice was needed to cross the desert.

• Norton was not convinced there was a threat to the west.

• Gaerfinas mentioned to Morn that Tilverton in the south was linked to the threat. What happened at Tilverton?

• Morn said Tilverton had been destroyed, likely by the Zhentarim, and he was seeking word from there. Refugees from Tilverton had arrived in Dagger Falls.

• Haemish said he would study the chalice to see if it had other properties, much like the black rock.

• The discussions turned to the shapeshifters. Rania said Twelve had been a Zhentarim, agent but not by choice. He had shown nothing but loyalty to us and had earned our trust.

• Twelve described to Morn how the Zhentarim used the doppelgangers, controlled by Giadine, to cause problems. Morn asked the doppelgangers to turn back into their grey forms.

• Rio mentioned to Morn that it seemed like the doppelgangers can read minds and detect each other’s presence.

• Morn asked Twelve what he was thinking now. Twelve said Morn was thinking about tying them up in the dungeon.

• Morn saw the value of keeping them to identify other Zhentarim. Morn asked Twelve whether it was possible to block his mindreading.

• Twelve said he could only read the minds of people that were close. Rania told Morn that he could keep the shapeshifters away when discussing sensitive plans.

• Discussions then turned to reimbursement for recovering the chalice. The following rewards were given: (1) Kelnor: Dust of Sneezing and Choking. Ring of Warmth; (2) Rio: Bag of Holding; (3) Rania: Weapon + 1; (4) Artus: Spell Scroll Level 2; (5) Gaerfinas: Admantine Scale Mail

• The party said goodbye to Kellan, Twelve and One-of-Twelve, who retired with the guards to the private apartments in Morn's Keep.

• Morn reminded us that we were employed by him. To keep our passports, we would need to carry out further tasks set by him.

• Rio mentioned the evil shrine – maybe it was something to do with the shapeshifters. Morn said he would send out someone to investigate.

• Morn gave some intelligence updates. Rubyem is a Zhentarim agent, is insane and imprisoned. Haemish consults with her occasionally to see if there is anything she knows about the black rock and other items.

• Haemish has found out that the black rock is getting softer over time. He still has no idea how the magic items where formed by the black rock, as it is tough to manipulate.

• Yessica had been giving updates. However, there has been no word from Deepcut for a while.

• The party were given several options for their next quest: Tilverton, Deepcut, Tashendale in the East (are the Zhentarim occupying?), or the Moathose in the North East, which has been overrun by bandits. The party decided to go to Deepcut.

• Finally, Haemish spoke of the astronomical alignment. He was not sure what it could portend. Gaerfinas showed him the clockwork orrery, found back in the abandoned fortress. Haemish took the clockwork orrery away to study.

• The party followed the river to Deepcut.