Last we left our heroes, they were flying in over Riverband, observing the crashed airship, a dead green dragon covered in an ominous mist, and a crowded gathered in the town square. Reg asks Ryker for landing orders and it is decided that outside the city would be best. The Windwalker lands and the Derailers step out into the remains of a battle. This is where the orcs, dragon, locals, and Syrin’s airship first collided in conflict.
The Duke is unloaded by Nathan and Iris, who joins as a guard for the trek into the city. As the Derailers walk into the city they observe the destruction in the lower districts, remains of the orc incursion and the final battle. Ryker and Yevin take in the state of the city and watch for threats as Wander notices a sniffle and cough by the remains of a building.
A little human girl, no more than 3 or 4, covered in soot and holding a stuffed toy sits in the rubble. Wander approaches her, followed by Havayla, and they learn that the girl’s parents are missing; they told her to run when the dragon came and now she can’t find them. Wander is able to convince her to join them and Havayla introduces her to Aurora. The sooty little girl is placed on Aurora’s white back and the troop continues. On the way, Wander learns the girl’s name is Tilly.
About an hour after landing, the Derailers finally make it to the town square. Whispers of recognition ripple through the crowd as Dorza (in her high priestess guise) meets them and brings them forward. She whispers that there has been quite a bit of unrest and could they please explain what happened before the crowd gets aggressive. People start to notice the Duke and question why he is in chains. Havayla quietly messages the Queen for direction and receives silence. Yevin and Wander step forward onto the platform, joining a bearded and monocled fellow that seems to be in charge.
The fellow introduces himself as Turder and demands answers. “Where is the king? Why is the Duke in chains? What is to happen now?” Yevin speaks up and explains how Skulldrinker infiltrated the city, how the Duke was in league with him, and that Skulldrinker is now dead. How Hearthollow is sending aid and Silvershields are on their way. The mention of Hearthollow and their army creates worry, so Yevin invites Havayla to speak, as an advisor of the Queen.
Havayla reiterates the promise of peace with Hearthollow, the Silvershields are only coming to help. There is discussion over whether to allow them in the city or not before attention turns to the Duke. The crowd demands to hear from the man himself.
Noillif refuses to speak, but Wander magically suggests that he share with the crowd how he worked with Skulldrinker and betrayed the city. Tongue loosed, the Duke reluctantly explains the ruse of “destroying the dragon under the mountain” was simply a ruse for instead raising Carvacas. He helped Skulldrinker infiltrate and take control of the city and king, bringing the orc army into Cilandrio. Noillif adds a jab that the Derailers killed his son, which they deny, but that accusation is quickly washed over by the Duke’s pained admittance that the Derailers speak truth, he betrayed the city. Further explanation is cut short when the Duke, seething with anger at being put in the situation of speaking his blame, bites off his own tongue. Ryker moves quickly to force a potion of regeneration into the Duke’s mouth and his mouth is once again whole.
People are shocked at the Duke’s admission and worried about the implications. They demand to see the king, they want justice and leadership. The Derailers announce that they will speak with the King and seek answers for the people. Turder is quick to inform them that he is the only person they should inform of any news, he is very influential after all. It’s pretty obvious that he might have some power, but has certainly taken advantage of the situation.
As the Derailers move to leave with Dorza, they are stopped by a man who had been speaking with people in the outskirts of the crowd. Daton, a carpenter and owner of the woodmill. He works with and employs many of the lower district and is concerned that only the upper district will be involved in the rebuilding of the city. The lower districts are the workers and blood of Riverband and they need to have a voice. The Derailers promise to keep that in mind as they speak with the king. He and Tilly recognize each other and he takes charge of her. There are many children in her situation and he knows what to do.
Walking up to the Castle, the Derailers discuss their options. Obviously the King is not fit to lead, but who would replace him and how do they ensure that everyone has a say. Wander, coming from a land run by groups of elders and community vote, explains how her clans operate, how the elders manage clan business together and how the people have influence and say over what is done. She suggests representatives from each sector be brought together in a council. Ryker joins the idea and the rest of the group start to discuss potential mechanics as they come to the castle gates.
Within the castle wall, Syrin and her men stand guard over 20 or so chained orcs. She reiterates the dangerous political situation they’ve put her and themselves in; a city in disarray, a fallen airship from a foreign military that shouldn’t have even been involved, an incoming army, prisoners of war, and a spineless king. Ryker reassures her that everything will get sorted out before he, Arunak, and Nathan begin interrogating the captured orcs.
They suss out the leader and ask about Skulldrinker’s rise to power. It is explained that Skulldrinker was very “persuasive” with the different tribe leaders and convinced them to march under his leading. Further down the line, an orc shouts out in broken common, slogans of “conquest for the glory of Grumpsh! Bring down the elven gods! Down with Correlle and Moonbow! Raise up the One Eyed god of the orcs!” Connections are made as the noisy orc is silenced by a combination of his fellows and Nathan’s threatening. The orc leader emphasizes that everyone marched for their own reasons and implies that those reasons could be malleable.
Unsure of what to do with the orcs, the Derailers make their way to the king. They remember that the Knaves are still imprisoned and add that to their list of urgent tasks as they knock on the royal bedroom door. King Baldus welcomes them in, finishing off a plate of thrown together food. Apparently being threatened with death gave the young king an appetite and with no servants to take his commands, he was left to fend for himself. He is thrilled that the Derailers have returned and immediately tries to pass off responsibility to them, to which they strongly put the mantle of responsibility back on his shoulders. Wander starts to explain the council idea, which is met with great interest. Havayla asks about a library, which seemingly triggers an idea in the king’s brain and he marches out enthusiastically to show them to it.
In the library, Baldus begins pulling down books, looking not for a title, but a hidden leaver. Leaver located, a secret room full of scrolls opens up. He fishes through the scrolls, coming out with a selection that he lays upon the desk in front of the team. These are the deed for the castle and proof of kingship. It would only take changing a few words to change the rule from king to council and then the Derailers could take over the government! Baldus looks up at them like an excited puppy that figured out a trick as they all look back in confused panic. Maybe not! Wander further explains the concept of the council, backed up by Ryker. The people of Riverband should be involved in choosing who is chosen for the council and Baldus should officially hand over rulership in a proper and responsible way. Baldus understands and reluctantly agrees to see the process through.
When asked what he’ll do if he’s no longer king, he reaches for a book “I want to be an adventurer like I’ve read about!” Unsure glances are shared around the team and Wander looks to Havayla before speaking up “Maybe you should go to Hearthollow first. Havayla’s brother has a school there; you could learn a thing or two first?” This idea is met with further interest and the group agrees to help him get there when the time comes. But first, apologies are in order.
Baldus leads the team down to the unguarded prison where they find the Knaves waiting patiently in their cells. As the original members that first partnered with the Knaves so many months ago, Yevin, Wander, and Arunak step forward to Ingvald, the Knavic leader. They let him know that Skulldrinker is dead and they present evidence to prove it. Baldus steps forward and gives a halting apology, taking responsibility for his part in the deception of Riverband and their imprisonment. Ingvald accepts the apology and demands to know where the Duke is. Looking past the Derailers, Ingvald sees the Duke outside the door. With a press and flex, the doors of his cell are broken off. Metal groans around the prison as the rest of the Knaves do the same. Realizing they are no match for angry Knaves on a mission, Wander steps in front of Ingvlad and defends the right of the Duke to stand judgment before the people of Riverband that he betrayed. Ingvald agrees, but requests that the Knaves carry out the sentence in repayment for their members that he slayed. Agreement made, the Knaves simply walk out of the prison. As they leave, Nathan asks why they stayed if they could have simply walked out; “Ingvald’s orders. He told us to wait for the Derailers.”
Knaves taken care of, the crew continues further into the prison to find a cell for the Duke. Along the way they meet a blue tiefling, the very same tiefling that they fought and captured at the beginning of their adventure. He tries to pull on old story strings, but they pass him by, focused on their mission. Placing the Duke in an empty cell, Wander cast Zone of Truth and they begin the questioning. Noillif explains why he worked with Skulldrinker. He wasn’t that interested in raising Carvacus, he wanted something else, something Skulldrinker helped him find; Tigorian’s tomb, Tigorian himself. He took the statue and tomb of Tigorian from the mountain and brought it to his home. Goliaths are giant kin and there is power in that lineage. He knew there were prophecies of a “chosen one” coming through his line. He didn’t want that to happen, he wanted to find and take that power for himself… and Nahtan was not his son…
The spell wears off and the Duke resumes his silence. Baldus works up the courage to step up and tell off the Duke for failing him and Riverband, before hurriedly making his way out of the prison, followed by the Derailers. As they walk back to the castle entrance, leaving the king to recover from his adventure in responsibility, the next steps are discussed. Havayla goes back to the library to study; she’s curious about the connection between Grumpsh, Tharizdun, and Moonbow. The rest of the team talks with Dorza about who would be best to approach for the council. Various names are brought up and it’s decided that Daton, Madam Diana, and Octavius might be the best people to start with. Wander sends a message to Octavius, who agrees to return to the city now that Skulldrinker is gone. To save time, the team agrees to split up (after a confusing game of telephone to let Havayla know what is going on). Arunak and Dorza will go to Madam Diana; she ran the orphanage he grew up in. Yevin and Nathan will meet Octavius, the man who saved and raised Nathan. Ryker and Wander set off to talk with Daton.
Wander and Ryker find Daton at a makeshift outdoor soup kitchen. Tilly is there, helping stir a pot, while Daton is serving and directing helpers. He sees them enter and passes off his task, greeting them warmly. Wander suggest that they speak in private and he leads them into his office. Wander explains the council concept and Daton is humbly honored. “I don’t know if I’m a good man, but I work with and employ good men.” Ryker encourages him that a man who holds his workers in high esteem is just the sort of man needed for this task. He agrees to help, already coming up with other individuals to involve, bringing the districts together. They make a plan to meet at the castle at noon the next day. Wander shares the meeting time with Arunak over the sending stones.
On the way to the orphanage, Dorza reveals more details about their family and their plans. The Crimson Eyes are not to be trifled with. Reaching the orphanage, they are greeted warmly by Madame Diana. After some explanation and convincing, She agrees to at least add her voice to the process, for the sake of the children she cares for.
Yevin and Nathan find themselves outside a locked magic shop. As Nathan makes attempts at unlocking through gesture and word, they are cornered by a little old lady demanding to know when the Silvershields would be arriving. She thinks they should be let in, not kept out. Once she feels that her opinion is understood she walks off. A little while later, she returns, gives them a look, and walks up to the locked door. With a wave of her hand, the door opens and she walks in, transforming into the stately red tiefling form of Octavius. He greets Nathan warmly as a son. Yevin gives him the quick update on their conflict with Skulldrinker and finished with an explanation of the council. Octavius reluctantly agrees to also add his voice to get the process moving, but doesn’t want to be tied down.
And that is where we left the Derailers, Yevin and Nathan in discussion with Octavius, Wander, Ryker, Arunak, and Dorza on their separate ways to meet them, and Havayla studying away in the Castle. Will Arunak share the information about his family with the crew? Will the Silvershields indeed arrive in peace? How will the first council meeting go? We’ll find out next time…