🎲 The Mercenaries

Agenda

5 min read

🧭 Second Council of Waterdeep: “Lines in the Ash”

Time: Early Ches, 1490 DR
Setting: The Lords’ Palace, Waterdeep
Atmosphere: Fractured trust. Emboldened allies. Lingering fear. The council no longer debates if war is coming — but how to survive it.

⚔️ Recap of Player Achievements (Announced at Opening)

Lady Silverhand begins by formally recognising the party’s achievements:

  • Varram the White captured and currently held under guard.

  • Arauthator slain at Oyaviggaton, ending his icy reign.

  • Cult operations disrupted in the Sea of Moving Ice.

  • The fiend Maelthra unmasked, responsible for corrupting Neverwinter Hall aides.

    • Her escape has left a chilling mark — it is clear the Cult is not working alone.

“You have struck blows worthy of song — yet our enemies adapt. The next strike must be decisive… or it will be our last.”

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Player-Controlled NPCs (Updated Roleplay Goals & Secrets)

🛡️ Luke as Dagult Neverember

  • Pride bruised by the fiend’s infiltration of his staff.

  • Now demands vengeance, not caution.

  • Pushes for stricter internal security: “The Harpers failed to detect her. We need military investigators now.”

  • Secret: Maelthra knew confidential troop deployments. Dagult has not admitted how much she learned — he fears a scandal.

🦉 Nat as Althaea Moonshadow (High Harper)

  • Defensive but determined.

  • Suggests that Maelthra was planted to discredit the Harpers and Neverember.

  • Urges targeted counter-intelligence raids.

  • Secret: One of Althaea’s own agents has gone silent. She suspects they may have been turned — but hasn’t told anyone.

🛡️ Jack as Ontharr Frume

  • Inspired by Arauthator’s fall, sees momentum building.

  • Pushes for crusade against the Well of Dragons immediately.

  • Distrusts all devils, fiends, and arcane solutions.

  • Secret: Privately wonders if divine protections have weakened — he no longer senses Torm as clearly.

🌲 Aaron as Delaan Winterhound

  • Grateful Arauthator is dead — northern wilds safer.

  • However, the suffering of white dragons seen in death troubled him. Wonders if nature itself recoils from this war.

  • Wants to interrogate Varram without torture or coercion — believes he may speak still.

  • Secret: Feels a spiritual pull toward the Mere of Dead Men — something there wants to speak with him.

🗡️ Gemma as Rian Nightshade

  • Proud of party’s strength — especially in defeating a dragon.

  • Suggests Zhentarim could “handle” Varram quietly if the council votes allow it.

  • Offers “support” in tracking Maelthra — in exchange for trading rights.

  • Secret: Already knows Maelthra’s true allegiance isn’t to the Cult — she’s working for someone else, and Rian wants to find them first.

⚖️ 1. Opening Invocation and State of the Sword Coast

Led by: Lady Laeral Silverhand
Tone: Authoritative, formal, almost grim.

  • Laeral reviews the outcomes of the last council and the adventuring party’s significant victories:

    • Capture of Varram the White.

    • Death of Arauthator, the Old White Death.

    • Discovery of Maelthra, a fiend linked to the murders in Neverwinter Hall.

  • Opening Quote:

    “We have struck our first true blows against the Cult of the Dragon. But now, they begin to bleed in earnest… and beasts lash out hardest when wounded.”

  • Declares the council’s intention to move from reaction to strategy.

🧨 2. The Maelthra Incident – Infiltration, Corruption, and Fallout

Led by: Silverhand and Leosin Erlanthar
Objective: Assess internal security, identify weaknesses, and determine how to proceed with known fiendish interference.

  • Discussion Points:

    • Maelthra’s infiltration of Neverember’s aides.

    • Harper failure to detect her earlier.

    • What did she learn or pass on?

    • Is the Cult working with devils now — or is Maelthra serving another master?

  • Silverhand’s Stance:

    • Blames systemic gaps and secretive factions (not naming the Harpers… yet).

    • Suggests the need for a new security initiative (shared intelligence).

  • Leosin’s Perspective:

    • Sees this as a moment to propose a joint investigative unit.

    • Suggests Varram may know more about Maelthra’s role.

🧊 3. Draconic Rifts – Elia’s Message from the Metallic Council

Led by: Elia (Otaaryliakkarnos)
Tone: Cool, stern, disappointed.

  • Key Statement:

    “We bled alongside your champions. We demanded respect. But you hoard words as you do gold. We are not your lapdogs.”

  • Elia delivers word that the metallic dragons are divided:

    • Some want to withdraw.

    • Some want revenge on the Cult now.

    • Others demand restitution: artefacts, gold, or formal alliances.

  • Elia insists the Council formally acknowledge and respect draconic leadership in the coming war effort.

  • Potential Threat: If demands are ignored, the dragons may withhold support.

⚖️ 4. The Trial of Varram the White – What Comes Next?

Led by: Lady Silverhand and King Melandrach
Tone: Cold, divisive, ideological.

  • Options on the Table:

    • Turn Varram over to the dragons (demanded by some).

    • Interrogate him here (dangerous, but informative).

    • Execute him swiftly (Melandrach supports this).

  • Melandrach’s Position:

    • Publicly: “He is a murderer and traitor. Justice must be swift.”

    • Privately: He wants no further embarrassment for the elves — no more delays.

  • Leosin advocates for magically secured interrogation — he believes Varram still holds cult secrets not yet revealed.

🗺️ 5. Strategic Priorities – What Front Comes Next?

Led by: Delaan Winterhound
Tone: Tactical, impatient.

Delaan opens the floor to determining the party’s next sanctioned mission

📜 6. Vote of Confidence – Empowering the Party

Led by: Lady Silverhand
Goal: Formally decide how much authority the party should wield going forward.

  • Options:

    • Council Agents: Full diplomatic rights, legal immunity in all Sword Coast cities.

    • Faction Champions: Tied to one faction, gain resources but less neutrality.

    • Keep as Free Agents: Less control, but more flexibility.

  • Elia will vote against giving the party carte blanche unless dragons are included in the chain of command.

  • Silverhand leans toward full authority only if they accept oversight.

💬 7. Closing & Motions from the Floor

A final open round of statements, declarations, or motions. May include:

  • Secret messages delivered to NPCs.

  • Plot seeds for political deals.

  • Emotional appeals (especially from Elia or Neverember).

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