The Report on Burning of Greyport
The Investigation of Greyport's Burning - Conclusions
This document contains the conclusions of the investigation, future directions, and notes on each interview that took place.
The recommended sequence of events leading up to the Burning of Greyport, based on the motives, testimonies, and likelihood is this: Ulvorne gathered the explosives within the Copper Mine, which were provided by the Erudite Arcanum, for some sort of plot against Aldhoon, however it was Elin'teerm that accompanied him. Whatever this plot was, it was not fulfilled as instead the archer, agent of some other force, found out about the explosives and waited for the other two to arrive. The explosion was then set off by this archer, based on testimony provided by Elin'teerm and the latest testimony by Ulvorne the archer was horned, it could also be possible that they were elven and feminine. Due to lack of horned beings within Andunor, it is very likely that the archer was an agent of a Surface or Interplanar organization. In these events, Greyport became a victim of the archer's patrons taking advantage of Ulvorne's scheming, through which Aldhoon and his associates were used as tools to wreck damage upon the district.
The continuation of this investigation should answer the following questions:
Who was the archer that triggered the explosion? Nerali named a couple other tieflings she was aware of: one possibly named Mabel, and the other ?with a demonic sounding name? both of which work with either Cordor or Myon, while an interview with Senrae and Ulvorne named Demos as a possible figure of interest.
Did any of the other factions or districts found out about Aldhoon's plans towards Greyport? Finding this out could reveal further motive for possible alternative scenarios of the events.
Was there a dragon sorceress present at the Ball? If so, her identity and description could be important.
Who would have a chance to learn of the explosives stacked within the Copper Mine before the Ball and be skilled enough in either stealth or sorcery to hide their approach? It is likely that the triggering of the explosion was something planned beforehand rather than an opportunistic moment.
Moreover, future investigation should consider what were the outcomes of these events and who would have anything to gain from:
Temporary chaos with minimal lasting damage to Greyport,
The break of relations between Greyport and Aldhoon,
Districts working closer together in the aftermath,
Syndicate being publicly blamed for these events.
The following section contains notes taken during each of the interviews, sorted in chronological order.
Ulvorne
Approached shortly after burning, asked for his point of view before gossip spreads. He described inviting the butler to accompany him into the tunnels. At some point near the explosives the butler tells him to stop and leaves, saying that something was wrong. He is left on his own for some time, then sees an elven figure, seems feminine, clad in shadow. The explosion is triggered. Next he remembers hearing the butler's voice in his remnants of consciousness. Then he re-awakens during his rescue.
End of notes.
Adelyn Belle'rose
Left the tower with Aldhoon, dragonkin, returned to the ship docked in West Wheel. She was joined by one of her servants, Red. Aldhoon mentioned sending in troops into the city, Adelyn claims she made offers to calm the rage. The dragon agreed to only give Greyport "a parting gift" though he would not do so if Adelyn had a house in the district. She described him as charming even at that moment. Adelyn reassured that the attack did not seem planned and Aldhoon and his butler regretted that they were attacked. Adelyn remained in West Wheel when the bombardment begun. Returned to Greyport on the same gondola as Valks after the cannons stopped firing.
Adelyn said Ulvorne first invited Aldhoon to come join him but the dragonborne refused and butler went instead. Adelyn mentioned she suspected a Myon agent, or the Syndicate.
Several threedays before the ball a tour of the tower was given: the butler Ellin, Stink, Adelyn, John Salamander, Liz (Adelyn's servant), and an unnamed drow (named started with a J, asked for private meeting with Lord Ember, official of Greyport). Stink retired, afterwards it was mentioned that Aldhoon planned to make Greyport the capital of the region. During the tour is when she first heard the plan to elevate Greyport to capital. Adelyn does not consider herself close to Greyport or Syndicate (which is involved in Greyport) so she was kept out of those plans until then.
End of notes.
Red
Ulvorne let the dragon's servant into the trap. Tel-Quessir assassin triggered trap (rumor). Stayed with Adelyn for the entire encounter. They went to one of the wheels then (She does not remember which) where the ship was docked. They did not speak about anything on the way there.
The servant (Elin) said that the outcome of the ball was a pity, they both then departed. She described Aldhoon as being very silent through all this. She recalls Adelyn saying some sort of goodbye or voicing regret about the attempt but does not recall.
Lorenzo Ortega Marquez approached them then to say his farewells but left shortly after.
She was far enough from Adelyn to be polite, close enough to attack assassins.
Left the dock when cannon fire ceased - went to Greyport.
End of notes.
Nerali
Showed up near the start of the ball, accompanied by Callum D'Amico but she showed up late. She also attended the feast at the Abyssal Castle, left soon after the Dragon Lord arrived. She attended the feast for a time, then was summoned back by John Salamander for display of the badger chess. After the display she returned back to feast by herself. She stayed there until the feast finished and stayed at the Abyssal Castle further to rest. She rested for a cycle or two.
Aldhoon was discussed during the feast at the Abyssal Castle - said nobody there cared about the Dragon-kin or wants to be involved (also said before what she knows of Aldhoon she heard at the Feast)
Callum was last to saw her and allowed her to stay at the castle.
The Abyssal feast was over before the assassination attempt.
An associate of the Syndicate. Likes to keep to herself, seemed disconnected from politics and events of the city, including Aldhoon and his plans.
Is aware of two other elven-blooded tieflings, both female, one possibly named Mabel, one name unknown with a demonic sounding name, both Surfacers
End of notes.
Ulvorne, Senrea, Lairilwa
Knew about Aldhoon's reputation of razing cities
He came to Ulvorne's celebration party several months ago
Senrae spoke on her conversation with Kasima and delivered a letter found on board in Myon which describes the events within Andunor, posted shortly after the Burning, which means someone from Andunor works as informant for Myon.
Ulvorne: The archer was cloaked in shadow, wearing black, holding a bow, they may have been a woman but it was hard to tell given the brief look.
His story on what happened in the tunnels changed- he did not say this time that the butler left his side.
Questions about tieflings give another name to search for: Demos
End of notes.
Stink Spellworped
Barrels were created by magic, not gunpowder. The wisps were received the same cycle as the fires in Greyport, Adelyn first then Stink, both wisps said Greetings to you (Adelyn/Stink). Lord Ulvorne is behind assassination attemp at Elin'teerm. He the one that cause Greyport to explode. Stink's message claimed he wished for Goblin Tower to explode. The barrels were arranged around the corner in the lowest level of the mines, all tucked away as if to surprise.
Elin'teerm could have fled the fight instead of pursuing the archer.
Ulvorne told of his gift to the butler at the end of the ball. Whoever the archer was most likely had to know of it ahead of time to prepare the ambush.
End of notes.
Ulvorne
Taking trip to the Copper Mine, his description of the location and where explosives barrels were match what Stink claims. Avoided questions about the reasoning behind the location, said he liked it better than the open chamber. Asked about the archer, he revised his testimony once more, this time described the archer as horned, possibly elven and feminine, clad in shadows.
End of notes.
Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 176 AR
Darruz Scumhand
The Investigation of Greyport's Burning - The Dragon's Ball
This document contains elaboration on events during the cycle that the Ball took place which relate to motives discussed in the previous document. There is also a summary of events leading up to the Burning of Greyport.
Shadowclaws Animosity Towards Elin'teerm
During the Ball, several Shadowclaws have been observed speaking with Lord Aldhoon the Dragon and appeared to be in good standing. This weakens the possibility of Shadowclaws orchestrating the Burning of Greyport by attempting to assassinate Aldhoon and/or Elin'teerm. However, during the Ball while presenting relics from districts, Kasima Shadowclaw was seen being injured while in a game against Elin'teerm. Several other Shadowclaws were seen upset by this and left the Ball not too long after. They did not seem to return to the Ball, giving possibility of re-awakened animosity and absence during the explosion. The scenario of Shadowclaws being behind the Burning of Greyport by hiring an assassin or mercenary archer is considered to be one of the least likely.
The Conflict between Laerca Avyn and Elin'teerm
According to an interview conducted with Nerali, a tiefling associate of Syndicate, she came to the Ball as company to Callum D'Amico, the Syndicate leader. Nerali said that she left shortly after Lord Aldhoon arrived in order to attend the feast at the Abyssal Castle held by the Syndicate which was happening during the Ball. She was at the feast for a time before being summoned back to watch the display of Badger Chess by John Salamander and then returned there by herself and stayed at the Abyssal Castle after the feast was over. Nerali claims that this pattern of moving between the Abyssal Castle and the Feast until finally staying at the Abyssal Castle was conducted by other members of the Syndicate as well. The explosion took place sometime after the feast was over. Many members of the Syndicate who would claim to be at the Abyssal Castle when the explosion took place can only have their alibi provided by other members or associates of the Syndicate.
Furthermore, when asked about Aldhoon, Nerali mentioned all she knew about him was what she heard during the feast, meaning that Syndicate discussed or at least mentioned the Dragon during their meeting. However, when asked on the topic again later during the interview, Nerali instead claimed that nobody cared or wanted to be involved with Aldhoon, yet some information about the Dragon was provided to her during. This could mean that their discussion on Aldhoon was brief and dismissive, or it could be a contradiction which shows that Nerali was attempting to hide something.
Based on these findings, any members of Syndicate who fit the descriptions of the archer should be considered suspects with the motive of attempting to assassinate Aldhoon or Elin'teerm due to the history of conflict and bloodshed between Laerca Avyn and Elin'teerm. An alternative scenario based on this conflict, in which Elin'teerm is responsible for the explosion to put the blame on Syndicate is discussed in the following section after the summary of events.
The Explosion
According to Adelyn Belle'rose, after the ball was concluded, this was also after the feast at the Abyssal Castle was over, Ulvorne asked Lord Aldhoon to accompany him to the Copper Mines to be presented with a gift. Aldhoon declined and instead Elin'teerm was sent with him.
According to witnesses who heard Elin'teerm discuss the event after the explosion, he claimed that Ulvorne invited him to see his hoard, which included a large quantity of explosives he meant to offer as a gift to Aldhoon.
According to Stink Spellworped who has seen these explosives before and after the explosion, they were brought in there few tri-cycles before the Ball and arranged within one of the tight mining tunnels of the Copper Mines and around a corner, instead of a large, open area within the mine. Stink further claimed that when Ulvorne was pressed on this, he claimed the reason was to not harm the Tower should an explosion be triggered.
According to Ulvorne and Senrae these explosives were gifted to them by the Erudite Arcanum as some sort of a reward. Stink Spellworped, who had the remains of the explosives analyzed, also supported that the explosives were created by magic rather than mundane means.
According to Ulvorne in a testimony provided shortly after the Burning, once he and Elin'teerm entered the mines, he led the dragon-blooded through the mine towards the tunnel where the explosives were kept. Ulvorne then claimed that Elin'teerm told him to stop near the explosives and continued deeper by himself, claiming that something was wrong. Left at the explosives by himself, Ulvorne was able to glimpse a figure of an elven, possibly feminine archer, clad in shadows, at the opposite end of the tunnel before the explosion was triggered. In his unconsciousness, Ulvorne claimed to hear Elin'teerm speak to him before the darkness took him. He would be later found and recovered by a group during the burning.
However in a second interview, Ulvorne changed his testimony, this time denying that Elin'teerm left him by himself in the tunnel and instead that the dragon-kin stayed by him the whole time. Again, he describes the archer as elven, possibly feminine, and clad in shadows.
During a third interview, while giving the investigating team a tour of the mines, Ulvorne revised his testimony once more, adding to the description of the archer that they had horns as well.
According to Elin'teerm in his description of the events shortly after the explosion, he was lead into the tunnels by Ulvorne until they came to the explosives. There, a figure of a horned archer appeared at the end of the tunnel and triggered the explosion. Elin'teerm was unharmed whie Ulvorne was claimed by the blaze. Elin'teerm then returned to the Ball to deliver his news. It should be noted that at this time, as Elin'teerm returned to the Ball, at least one witness claims to have heard a feminine, enchanted voice, and picked up on the presence of another dragon-kin near the stage. However, they remained unseen and investigation was unable to confirm the presence or description of this dragon sorceress.
Based on these findings the following conclusions have been reached: Ulvorne most likely attempted to use the explosives in some sort of plot, perhaps hoping that their magical origins would make them effective against Aldhoon or Elin'teerm, though the motive behind this is unknown. It is also unknown if the Erudite Arcanum were willing participants in this plot or truly supplied Ulvorne with explosives for a different reason. There is no evidence that Ulvorne and the archer worked together, it is likely that although Ulvorne had a plot in mind, it was a different party that set off the explosives and against his wishes. It should be noted that no remains of the archer were found after the explosion and they did not seem to be pursued by Elin'teerm, it is possible that the archer used a portal lens after triggering the explosion.
Furthermore, the reliability of Ulvorne's testimony is questionable due to the numerous changes and contradictions between testimonies. If Ulvorne's original testimony is to be believed then the archer is described as an elven, feminine figure clad in shadows, if the last testimony is to be believed then the figure also had horns. Elin'teerm's statement describes the archer only as being feminine and possessing horns, there was no mention of elven heritage. The suspect then is either elven, feminine, and clad in shadows, or feminine and possessing horns. The elven description is much broader and could describe agents of any faction within the Underdark. The horned description is what spawned accusations of Nerali as a suspect, however those who know Nerali would realize that she does not have horns. It is possible that Elin'teerm heard of Nerali being associated with Syndicate, staged the explosion, and gave a description he thought would match her, without realizing she does not have horns. This would explain why he did not pursue the archer and the mentions of a hidden dragon sorceress present at that time near him. If Elin'teerm spoke the truth and Ulvorne really did see a horned figure as well, then the culprit could only have been an agent of faction upon the Surface or a different plane, unless another horned figure would be found within Underdark without an alibi.
Following the explosion, Elin'teerm left the party with Lord Aldhoon, accompanied by Adelyn Belle'rose and her slave girl Red. According to an interview with Adelyn, the group made their way to West Wheel where Aldhoon had their ship docked. Aldhoon made mention of sadness at the events and plans of landing his troops upon Greyport to raze the district and perhaps the city. Adelyn claims that this was avoided by her pleas, to which Aldhoon offered to leave without violence if she had residence within Greyport. She informed him that she did not, so Aldhoon decided to leave Greyport with a parting gift. Adelyn claims she remained in West Wheel as the ship sailed away and watched them open fire. She returned to Greyport after the bombardment and made mention of taking the same gondola as Valks Shadowclaw. Much of this is disputed by her slave girl, Red, who claims she did not hear Aldhoon speak at all and instead it was his butler who did the talking. Red also makes mention of Lorenzo Ortega Marquez arriving to say his farewells to Aldhoon, though he left before the dragon departed. However, Red said that she was maintaining a polite distance away from the group, it is possible that the exchange between Adelyn and Aldhoon was whispered and she did not hear.
Day 25, Month 9 (Eleint), 176 AR
Darruz Scumhand
The Investigation of Greyport's Burning - Motives
This document contains several accounts and events of note leading up to Lord Aldhoon the Dragon's ball which were taken as possible motives for sabotaging the meeting between Lord Ulvorne and Elin'teerm
Shadowclaws Animosity Towards Elin'teerm
An informant overheard a group of Shadowclaw kobolds speaking in the Hub about anger towards Elin'teerm for a drow claiming kinship towards dragons while possessing "warm blood," furthermore one of the kobolds claimed that this issue "will be taken care of."
No news of assassination attempts or sabotage by Shadowclaws came before the Ball. It is in my opinion that the sentiment described within this account was held by a small faction within Shadowclaws and was most likely kept in check by others. More elaboration upon this is supplied in the following document regarding the events of the ball.
The Conflict between Laerca Avyn and Elin'teerm
According to several informants, a fight took place between Laerca Avyn, believed to be associated with the Syndicate, and Elin'teerm which resulted in Laerca's temporary demise sometime prior to Month 5 of 176 AR. Furthermore, a note by Laerca Avyn was recovered, dated to 2/6/176 AR. This note was titled SYCOPHANTS and read "Who cares about this GRAND BALL. These ABOMINATIONS will give you NOTHING. One of them ASSAULTED ME just for obstructing their view. I destroyed that board, and I was doing you a FAVOR. If you want coin, do something useful with your time. Entertaining a HOUSE OF DEGENERATES will only get you CHAINS. Enjoy being a SLAVE. You will host their GRAND BALLS for ETERNITY."
The destruction of a board refers to vandalization of an advertisement for Lord Aldhoon's Ball. Further inquiry into this conflict brought several accounts of Elin'teerm apologizing and no more public display of conflict, however it is likely that this animosity persisted while being hidden. This history between Laerca and Elin'teerm supplies motive towards two scenarios: Syndicate sabotaging the meeting between Ulvorne and Elin'teerm, or Elin'teerm staging the assassination attempt in order to weaken or target the Syndicate. Further elaboration upon these scenarios is supplied in the following document regarding the events of the ball.
District Rivals
During interview with Adelyn Belle?rose she described hearing Lord Aldhoon mention plans towards setting up a trade partnership with Greyport and to help elevate the district to become a new capital of the region. The earliest mention of this claims has been pointed to come from a tour of the Goblin Tower several threedays before the Ball took place. In attendance at this tourt was Ellin'teerm, Stink, Adelyn, John Salamander, Liz (Adelyn's servant), and an unnamed drow whose name started with "J". After Stink retired the aforementioned plans were discussed, however Adelyn claimed to be left out of further knowledge of these plans, or hearing them prior to this point, because of not being involved closely with Greyport.
Further inquiry into these claims found that the officials of Greyport, Ulvorne, Senrae, and Lair, claimed that they were not made aware of such plans until after the Burning. The Greyport officials agreed to launch their own investigation to speak with John Salamander and find the identity of this unknown drow in order to try and collaborate or dispute Adelyn?s claim. However, if such investigation was concluded, its results were not shared before the disappearance of Ulvorne and Senrae?s departure. Further questions should be directed to Lair.
If these claims are true and one of the other districts, or organizations of power within Andunor, found out about this agreement they could have a reason to attempt a sabotage of relations between Greyport and Lord Aldhoon in order to break the treaty negotiations. However, currently we cannot confirm that information on this treaty is correct or that it was spread further than Lord Aldhoon's inner circle, as such the possibility of another district being responsible for the Burning is considered one of the weakest and is not considered further until more information can be uncovered.
Surface Opportunists
Powers upon the Surface, Myon and Cordor specifically, have motive towards disrupting and sabotaging events within Andunor for the simple fact that it would harm our city.
Day 22, Month 9 (Eleint), 176 AR
Darruz Scumhand