Chapter Five: Return To Saragost (Neil's Thoughts)

The Barrowghast

The Drow peons we captured said their captain and two lieutenants were running things from a ship. They claimed there were nearly 100 Drow and Duergar in Saragost. The peons were not difficult.

Three officers (+ subordinates) won't be so easy. I think it's wise to assume they are experienced combatants, probably with spellcasters for support. (yeah, yeah, the thugs) And their human agents are probably watching the boat, day and night. We are out-manned. They have access to greater resources than our party possesses . . . financing, equipment, poison, magic. We are out-equipped. This will be very dangerous.

If we are outmatched, the city and everyone in it are at risk. Getting the city guard (defenders of the people) involved in this is the right thing to do. They should have some say so in events that may determine the outcome of the coming battle. Their lives are at stake too. Not involving them makes us akin to Rygohr's version of nobles. We put everyone at risk without giving them any say so or opportunity to participate. On the flip side, I agree that the fewer people in the know beforehand, the better our chance of success. Like it or not, we may have to rely on the Councilors.

We have no way to gauge their strength without engaging them. If most of us think they are more than we can handle, by all means sink the ship. They CAN NOT remain on the loose, and we can't throw our lives away against near impossible odds. Divinations are our best tool now.

My conclusions: This enemy is very dangerous, and we need to treat them as such. They need to be dealt with in some way before the army arrives. We need to work with the city guard to neutralize them in any way possible. Sinking the ship is a better option than getting slaughtered.

There are probably people here (in Saragost) on both sides more powerful than us. Let them engage each other and we can step in to swing the battle in Good's favor. Striking at the right moment can be very effective. We don’t have to attempt this alone. This isn’t about glory, ego or pride. It’s about the survival of thousands of people. We must do what’s in their best interest. Too much is at stake for us to allow our own petty desires or shortcomings to ruin things.

We aren’t invincible, but neither are they.

The Sewer Rats

Drow are combing the sewers for our secret chamber. Are these the Host? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it's better to be the hunter. Determining when and where we fight is always an advantage. Being more prepared than the enemy is a good thing. I think we should hunt this group down, but it’s a second priority. The Barrowghast will have a larger impact on the coming battle.

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