Episode 40 - Decapitation Strike

Previously on All Drow, All the time, having completed all the dwarven clan’s tasks to secure permission to open the Back Roads for the party, the shadows from the Trade Gonjola peeled from the ceiling. Cloaked drow descended like falling knives, sliding down the clan banners and slicing them apart with their daggers as they dropped. The drow were executing a decapitation strike.

After a harrowing fight, Wynter, in polar bear form, vivisected the last drow ninja. A search of the drow bodies uncovered the following items:

• Cloak of the Bat

• Short Sword of Slaying

• Pins of House Gullion on the drow assassin's clothing

The dwarven banners of the clans hang torn but defiant. Upon awaking the clan leaders from the dark elves' poison, Mayor Torin Stonetooth, groggy but resolute, rose from the stone floor and said, “By Kildo Hammerhand’s beard, the Backroad shall be opened.”

Mayor Torin handed the party a scroll, a decree that will open the Backroad Gates. He then said, his voice low and urgent, “Go now. Go with Hammerhand’s blessing. Restore the sun from the drow’s foul sorcery. And if you can break the siege on Hammerhand… well, we’d be much obliged.”

After a full night's rest and a level-up to 9th level, the party resupplied and made for the Back Road. However, the party heard a loud dwarven voice.

“Hold. All of ye.”

From behind came a dwarven captain with a waxed mustache and goatee, a polished breastplate, and a smirk, with heavily armored dwarven guards flanking him.

He announced, “I am Captain Vargan Copperlip of the Greater Thurian League Defense Cohort. Nick Beardless, by order of the Merchant Council and Clan Greybeard’s magistrates, you are hereby placed under arrest. You stand accused of seditious acts and known association with the Grey Dwarf,  Dhoram Blackshale, currently detained for dissemination of treasonous histories and inciting unrest.”

The captain stepped back, folding his arms with smug satisfaction, and the dozen dwarven guards moved in—not cruelly, but with the rigid certainty of dwarves following orders they’ve been told are righteous.

The smarmy captain stepped forward, his voice dripping with false sympathy. “Terrible business, really. Hate to see a young duergar fall in with the wrong sort. But rules are rules, lad.  You are most welcome to be on your way or attend the Trial of Nick Beardless of the Duergar.”