The party travelled by teleportation circle with the Red Wizard Diplomat: Nyh Illmich that was introduced to them by Elia Moonbearer.
The party was shown their rooms where they only met undead along the way. So far the only living creature being Nyh.
Shortly afterwards they were guided to the audience chamber. A nicely decorated room in the center of the castle, without any windows.
Heavily armed undead guards lined the walls, and 7 (+Nyh) Red Wizards could be found somewhat surrounding the inner circle of the room.
Here they were greeted by Tharchion (Loosely translated to Governor) Eseldra Yeth, a vampire.
“We find ourselves bound in common cause against common enemies. Those who sought to destroy us in ages past now seek to destroy you. Our thirst for vengeance is strong, as is your thirst for continued life.
“Our enemy has become your enemy. We know their weaknesses and the ways of destroying them forever, without destroying their usefulness. You have the opportunity to discover their hiding places in your struggle against their cult allies. Together, we can remove them as a threat to us both.
“Our agent, Nyh Ilmichh, will return with you to your city of Waterdeep, there to serve as our liaison to your council. What you learn of the enemy, she will relay to us by means of our own. You need only find the enemy. We will deal with them, as is our custom.
“I am authorized by our eternal master, Szass Tam, to say these things, for I act in his name.”
After reading the decree by, her Glorious and Magnificent Leader, Szass Tam, de party initialy messed up their honorifics.
But after being asked whether she should behead Nyh for instructing them poorly, or that is was the party's fault, the party (mostly) showed the requested respect.
To say that Thayians are full of themselves is an understatement though, and their superiority complex oozed out of every sentence they uttered, making it difficult for some party members to restrain themselves.
As the session in the audience chamber concluded, and a Persuasian roll was made (without knowing whether you all failed or not). You were guided back to the chambers. You would be teleported back by Nyh Illmich tomorrow and you were invited for dinner.
The party opted to explore the town outside, by invitation of Tharchion Eseldra. Seeing how some remarks had been made about the supposed treatment of its people.
Here you were shown a well secured village, undead patrolling and guarding every street corner. The mandatory blood donations from the populace were controlled, and one could also opt to offer more to spare family members.
Tharchion called here population: Free Range Citizens. Suggesting there were also other options.
Further inspection in town showed signs of significant brainwashing/propaganda (you guys described it as North-Korea vibes). They seemed ok with their situation, but also did not know better, and the west was "Savage".
A grand feast was prepared for you, where at the head of the table you saw Tharchion Eseldra and two younger looking female vampires, who you later learned to be her daughters: Camille and Yanna.
Conversation were had about customs of Thayians compared to the "Savage West/Sword Coast", they also displayed a high level of intelligence gathering, which made some of you wonder how and when they got the information they did.
In the end, unbeknownst to the party. Mordai and Vylxaris were charmed by Camille and Yanna respectively.
So the night settles and all of you return to your designated rooms... or did you? No, ofcourse not. Arivathras summons a giant temple (7th level spell) just outside the keep for you all to sleep in.
Almost having slipped up by inviting a vampire into the temple, you guys manage to enter it with just the party.. and some rats... and some bats... you know you are being watched.
Night goes by rather uneventful for most of you. But failing a saving throw and also being charmed by Camille, Mordai is questioned and also ordered to bring the symbol of Kossuth to Camille outside.
Nat 20's be damned, he succeeds, and manages to trade the token for a platter of cookies in the outside garden.
Vylxaris did eventually let in Yanna, after she asked nicely. But we assumed that H3R0 would have had none of that, and she quickly left again after briefly hugging Vylxaris.. Or was it more than a hug?
The next morning, as charms get removed by Greater Restoration, the story is brought to light and the party is ready to start a war if they have to.
They march to the castle, being an utter dick to Nyh Illmich, before realising she is either one heck of an actor, or truly knows nothing... She does plead to them to at least adress the Tarchion by her proper titles, as she will not die for the rudeness of the party.
THe party confronts the Tarchion with proper signs of respect, and manages to convince her to listen. Once again (even with semi decent rolls) to not decipher whether she is just acting or is being honest, the doubt remains.)
In the end, after repeatedly asking if it was Camille and not Yanna, she does pick up a giant Claymore from behind her throne as she marches to her child's chambers, complaining about not turning your children before they are proper adults.
After breaking down the door, using the now obviously magical claymore. You walk into a room of a proper Kossuth Fanatic, to the point of almost requiring a restraining order. Here, in her closed coffin lies Camille, sleeping.
As the Red Wizards points towards the coffin, Tarchion Eseldra promptly pushes it open after which she plants the claymore into her daughter's chest, seemingly paralyzing her before she even had much chance to explain.
The totem is retrieved from her hands, and after also handing Arivathras one of the books he was seeking from Camille's personal library, the excuse is accepted and the party is sent on its way to Waterdeep.
After arriving back into Waterdeep with Nyh Illmich, they see a couple of subtle plumes of smoke coming from various parts of town.
Riots by -the Dreamers- as some of the guards call them, as they run off to various places, battons in hand.
Taking the relatively safe road accross town, the party keeps an eye out for any people approaching them, they learned from last time.
But just moments later, being engulfed by cold energy, the city streets are turned into a frosty graveyards of dozens of people, as you are attacked by a spectral dragon, the cult wishes to finish the job.
Attacked from multiple sides, and the fighting in town increases all over, you even see a familiar ancient silver dragon, knocked from the sky as she is tackled by an equally sized white dragon.
And that is where we stopped last time ;)
Good luck :D