Session 9 - The Defense of Tall Trees

The party led their platoon into the fray, holding the line long enough for allied platoons to flank the enemy.
Enemy rear soldiers attempted to reinforce but were blocked by a wall of flame, giving respite and allowing friendly troops to decimate the boxed‑in horde.
As the fire died, a shadowy dome advanced, releasing demons and giants. Four prisms of light appeared above allied platoons, refracting into the dome — the shadow shrieked and dissolved, revealing an array of evil lords.
A Drow priestess and two Driders appeared within the party’s ranks, but were repelled with a lightning strike call‑for‑aid.
The trap left the party with enough troops to reinforce allies and focus on the revealed horrors. Enemy forces broke and fled; few escaped.

Captured: Beholder, 2 Red Wizards of Thay, 1 demon, 1 sorcerer, 1 Berbalang.
Escaped: 1 Berbalang (to Astral Plane), a Drow priestess with Draegoloths, black dragon and rider.
Defeated but not destroyed: Lich Lord Wulgreth — body destroyed, spirit banished temporarily to another Plane; will reform at phylactery after delay.

Caerilcarn: Two members of the Council of Wood slain; Adran survived, tending wounded.
Waterdeep: Captain Rulathon killed; Grath Fayvor gravely injured (lost a leg).
Blackstaff: Nearly assassinated, saved by Lord Trilluach.
Dashhir: Wounded defending Lord Paladinson, earned commendation.
Troops: ~4 dozen soldiers lost.
Despite losses, the battle was considered a major victory given the scale of enemy forces.

Loot gathered to compensate families of fallen soldiers.
Party may purchase basic items (healing potions, scrolls, rings) at nominal cost.
Garrick’s friend Huthgar secured contract to sell spoils via the party’s new Waterdeep business.
Current name: The Mighty Five Trading Consortium (tentative).
Proposal: Repurpose Captain Thrane’s warehouse into an open market — indoor booths, statues commemorating battles, sketch artist for “hero captures.”
Business currently earning ~30 gp/day; Dashhir and Huthgar manage operations (taking 50%).

Prisoners being questioned in Two Trees.
Lich Lord Wulgreth’s spirit banished; reform delayed by weeks.
Human prisoners revealed Red Wizards in Anauroch are forcing slaves to dig for an ancient artifact.
Lich controlled another item promised to allies in exchange for aid.
Drow prisoners remain tight‑lipped; their priestess’s death enraged them.
A ring found on the priestess is of particular interest to the Council.

Question prisoners (Red Wizards, sorcerer, demon, beholder, Berbalang).
Investigate the ring recovered from the Drow priestess.
Research Netheril artifacts and Eye of Goram connections in Tall Trees’ ancient library.
Coordinate with Caerilcarn leaders for defense and intelligence.
Monitor Rath Modar’s movements — anticipate he may exploit chaos to pursue the Eye.