The Lady of Shadows

The party returned to Loudwater and were feted for removing the goblin threat from the area; Curuvar the wizard was suitably impressed by their ability and the Mayor gave them audience.

It wasn't long however before they found further adventure; emboldened by the parties growing renown, a local merchant approached them for assistance with pressure from a local gang offering 'protection'. A Tiefling henchman intimidated locals into the 'racket' and the only other piece of knowledge was the gang leaders name - a mysterious individual only known as the 'Lady of Shadows'.

The party made enquiries around the town and narrowing the gangs location down, they pin-pointed it after trailing the tiefling back to an abandoned warehouse. Although run down and deserted, they found a disguised cellar entrance and descended. Avoiding some protecting traps, they found the main lair and bursting in, overpowered the bandit gang and its leader. The Lady of Shadows turned out to be a Dark Creeper, a creature of the ShadowFell.

The party found 2 clues in the lair - the first, scrawled in the dirt of a cage in one corner, read:

save us we're being sold as slaves to snakemen we're being taken to Zelbross

the second was another message scroll on the Dark Creeper, the script seemed similar to the one found in the goblin lair:

You know your part, show no restraint and cause the havoc we need. I have sent aid to the Barrow goblins, for a small matter of theirs, it will aid our plan though they have no part in it. Here I lead the Red Fangs to ever greater success, their outrages are now noted in both Waterdeep & Baldurs Gate. Send your next report soon, so that I may advise the Mistress of your progress. Red Knight