Otaaryliakkarnos has, once again, kindly transported us to Waterdeep on her broad back. When we arrived, she returned the Glasstaff to Jorad, as a gift from Taz. We quickly went before the Council of Waterdeep to announce the results of our negotiations. Once again, their admiration for our abilities was unanimous. King Melandrach didn’t like the concession of his apology, but he knew he didn’t have the cards, and he had to accept the deal.
We told Ulder Ravenguard that Protanther the Gold would come to Baldur’s Gate, and informed Dagult Neverember that Otaaryliakkarnos the Silver would help the Lords’ Alliance in Neverwinter. Tazmikella the Copper would join Lady Laeral Silverhand assisting the Lords’ Alliance in Waterdeep, and Nymmurh the Bronze would work with Ontharr Frume and the Order of the Gauntlet. Ileuthra the Brass would remain in the Silver Marches, working with Taern Hornblade in Silverymoon. With this settled, we left the council chambers.
Rian Nightshade, Neverember’s tiefling assistant, caught up with us down the corridor, but quickly explained she wanted to talk to our Fellowship, privately, on behalf of The Zhentarim. For promised rewards, she wanted us to capture Xonthal’s Tower, some four hundred miles east of Waterdeep, and hand it over to the Black Network. Jorad was interested, and I knew this would certainly raise us within the Zhentarim’s ranks, so we told her we’d think about it, and continued down the hall.
Making our way to our guest apartments, we were approached by a quartet of agents: one from the Harpers, one from King Melandrach’s elves, one from Neverember of Neverwinter, and one representing Taern Hornblade of Silverymoon. They confided with our Fellowship that an envoy from the Red Wizards of Thay, a woman named Ilmichh, has come to the Council of Waterdeep seeking and offering mutual aid. They desire the destruction of an exiled splinter group of Red Wizards, who are known to be working with the Dragon Cult. Azbara Jos, who died at our hands aboard Skyreach Castle, was one of the splinter group. Rath Modar, who escaped the same fate, is another. For the Dragon Cult to lose the services of these rogue Red Wizards would be a great misfortune for them, so I was immediately sold on the plan, praise Beshaba. The other cunts agreed, though Jorad still preferred taking Xonthal’s Tower as the more lucrative option.
We were brought to a room where Leosin Erlanthar and the Thayan emissary, Nyh Ilmichh, awaited us. Leosin gave us some advice: in Thay, remember to address people of importance by their title, not their name; and show off with necromantic magic, whenever possible. Erlanthar also handed us all sealed warrants, official documents stating that we are acting with the authority of the Lords’ Alliance and The Lords of Waterdeep. Jorad will probably want to make a few extra copies of these, as a matter of due diligence.
Leosin assured us that everything the Thayan emissary promised had been vetted by spellcraft, so we proceeded. The Red Wizardess, Nyh Ilmichh, true to her word, teleported us in an instant, some two thousand miles east, to Nethwatch Keep on the southwestern end of the Plateau of Thay, in the tharch of Lapendrar, ruled by Tharchion Eseldra Yeth. Suddenly, we found ourselves in luxurious, private apartments, staffed by efficient, undead servants.
We were quickly ushered to an audience chamber where Tharchion Yeth and ten Red Wizard colleagues waited, attended by five undead servants. The Tharchioness gave a brief speech about our ‘common enemy’, but the formalities soon relaxed, and the evening turned into a rather pleasant little mixer. The Tharchioness and I got along like old girlfriends, and the food and wine was outstanding.
Beshaba willing, my indulgence in rich sweets and fine drink won’t disturb my slumber, klaatu barada nicto amen.