Session 5: Aftermath and Betrayal | The Heist of Hollowspire

Session Overview

Theme: Betrayal, Paranoia, Revelation

Tone: Tense and uncertain

Primary Challenge: Social & Combat

Key Moment: Marcel's Double-Cross

Session Focus

The campaign shifts here from heist thriller to conspiracy thriller. The PCs have the Gem and are on the run. The Duke's estate is in uproar, and the Hidden Hand is mobilizing. This session solidifies the Gem as a character, reveals Marcel's betrayal, and propels the party into the larger conspiracy plot.

Scene 1: Flight to Safety

The city is alive with alarm. Bells ring from the direction of the manor. Watch patrols rush through the streets, torches blazing, shouting orders. You can hear them at checkpoints: "No one enters or leaves the city! The Duke's jewel has been stolen!"

You stick to the shadows, pressing against cold stone walls as patrols thunder past. One guard grumbles to another: "On my daughter's birthday, no less... blasted thieves."

The city is effectively under lockdown. Getting to safety requires caution.

Navigating the Lockdown

The PCs need to reach their safehouse while avoiding increased patrols.

Stealth Challenge (3 successes before 2 failures)

Skill	DC	Description
Stealth	14	Move silently through alleys
Perception	13	Spot patrol before they spot you
Deception	15	Pretend to be frightened citizen
Athletics	12	Climb to rooftops for alternate route

Failure Consequence: A patrol spots them. Can flee (more checks) or bluff ("We're just trying to get home, officer!").

Safe House Options

Thieves' Guild Safehouse: Crowsrest in the slums (if guild alliance)
Abandoned Warehouse: By the docks, previously scouted
Drunken Dragon Attic: If innkeeper can be trusted
PC-chosen location: Reward their planning!

Scene 2: The Rendezvous (Double-Cross)

Key Scene

This is the major betrayal of the campaign. Play up Marcel's charm turning to menace. The Gem should warn the PCs, establishing itself as an ally (for now).

The Meeting Location

Marcel arranged to meet shortly after the job. Options:

Ashwall Cemetery: Atmospheric, lots of cover
Drunken Dragon Cellar: Familiar but cramped
Abandoned Mill: Outside the lockdown zone

Marcel Silvertongue waits in the moonlight, flanked by two broad-shouldered figures you don't recognize. His silver cane catches the light as he twirls it. His smile is wide as ever.

"Congratulations, my friends! I had every confidence you'd succeed." He spreads his arms expansively. "You've done the impossible. The Duke's prized jewel, stolen from under a hundred noses. Magnificent!"

His smile doesn't reach his eyes.

Warning Signs

Insight DC 14: Marcel is nervous, sweating despite the cool night. His bodyguards' hands rest on weapon hilts.

Perception DC 15: Movement in the shadows - a third figure with a crossbow on an elevated position.

The Gem's Warning

The Gem's voice slithers into your mind, cold and urgent: "Do not hand me over. He will kill you the moment he has me. I can taste his intent - greed and murder."

Deliver this as a secret note to the PC carrying the Gem for added tension.

Marcel's Dialogue

Marcel makes small talk while his men position themselves:

"Show me the Gem. I must verify it's authentic before payment."
"Come now, you trust me, don't you? We're partners!"
"I've prepared your payment - more gold than you've ever seen."

When pressed or refused:

Marcel's smile flickers, then hardens. He sighs with theatrical regret.

"You've been splendid pawns, truly. It pains me that this is where our partnership must end." He snaps his fingers. His bodyguards draw steel, and you hear a crossbow bolt click into place above.

"The Gem. Now. Or we do this the unpleasant way."

Combat Encounter: Marcel's Ambush

Marcel's Betrayal

Medium-Hard Combat

Enemies:

Marcel Silvertongue - Assassin/Bard type
2 Thugs - Melee fighters
1 Sniper - On elevated position with crossbow

Environment: Tombstones/crates for cover. Shadows for hiding. Sniper on mausoleum/rafters.

Tactics:

Marcel opens with Charm Person or Vicious Mockery
Thugs engage in melee, trying to flank
Sniper targets whoever has the Gem
Marcel fights dirty - poison blade, pocket sand, whatever works

The Gem's Assistance

If the PCs are overwhelmed (both below half HP), the Gem intervenes:

The Gem pulses with blinding crimson light. Marcel screams, clutching his head as blood streams from his nose. His next attack goes wild, striking his own thug.

"I will not be caged again," the Gem hisses. "Fight!"

Effect: Marcel is stunned for 1 round, takes 2d6 psychic damage.

Marcel "Silvertongue" Grayhand

Medium humanoid (half-elf), neutral evil

Armor Class: 15 (leather armor + Dex)

Hit Points: 45 (7d8 + 14)

Speed: 30 ft.

STR 11 (+0)

DEX 16 (+3)

CON 14 (+2)

INT 13 (+1)

WIS 11 (+0)

CHA 17 (+3)

Skills: Deception +7, Persuasion +5, Sleight of Hand +5, Stealth +5

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 10

Sneak Attack (1/turn)

+2d6 damage when has advantage or ally within 5 ft.

Spellcasting (Cha, DC 13)

Cantrips: Vicious Mockery, Minor Illusion
1st (3 slots): Charm Person, Disguise Self, Dissonant Whispers

Actions

Poisoned Rapier. +5 to hit, 1d8+3 piercing plus 2d6 poison (DC 13 Con save for half)

Hidden Dagger. +5 to hit, 1d4+3 piercing (can be thrown)

Reactions

Uncanny Dodge. Halve damage from one attack he can see.

Marcel's Fate

Determine based on combat outcome:

Captured: He'll bargain for his life with information (see below)
Killed: Search body for clues (letter from Voss?)
Escaped: Recurring antagonist, may join cabal out of revenge

Marcel's Confession (if captured)

Blood streaming from a split lip, Marcel laughs bitterly. "You think I'm the big fish? Ha! There are powers in this city far above me." He coughs. "The Hidden Hand... they wanted the Gem. I was just... just the middleman. They'll come for it. They'll come for you."

Information he can provide:

The Hidden Hand is real - a secret cabal of nobles and priests
Lord Voss is a leader (if PCs didn't already know)
They meet in the catacombs beneath the Temple of the Veiled Lady
They want the Gem for some kind of ritual
"They promised me power. Protection. I'm a fool."

Scene 3: Regroup and Revelation

After dealing with Marcel, the PCs need to relocate and assess their situation. This is a roleplay-heavy scene where the Gem reveals more of itself.

Safe for the moment in a new hiding spot, you finally have time to catch your breath. The Gem of Vhal'Zar rests on a table between you, its crimson depths swirling with inner light. It seems... pleased.

"Well done," its voice echoes in your minds. "Your employer was weak-minded and treacherous. I touched his thoughts from the moment you brought me close - he intended betrayal from the start."

Conversing with the Gem

The Gem willingly converses now, seeing the PCs as useful allies. Its personality:

Cunning: Always has an angle
Flattering: "You're far more capable than those fools who guarded me"
Evasive: Answers questions partially, always with its own spin
Self-interested: "Our goals align... for now"

Questions the PCs Might Ask

Question	Gem's Answer
"What are you?"	"I am... old. A repository of power and memory. Some called me the Eye of Zhal'Zar. I prefer to think of myself as a survivor."
"What do you want?"	"Freedom. To be taken far from here. Eventually... to reunite with my other half." (Hint: there's another artifact)
"Who is the Hidden Hand?"	"Those who imprisoned me before. Their descendants. They gather in secret, pretending piety while plotting in darkness. They crave my power."
"Why should we trust you?"	"You shouldn't. Trust is for fools. But our interests align - I wish to survive, you wish to survive. Together, we are stronger."
"What are your powers?"	"I see... I sense... I can protect those who carry me. Would you like a demonstration?" (It creates a minor illusion or warns of approaching danger)
"Can we sell you?"	The Gem's voice turns cold. "Do not consider it. Those you would sell me to are the very cabal that hunts us. And I would... take measures... to prevent such a fate."

The Gem's True Agenda

The Gem is helpful now, but it has its own goals. It wants to reach a ritual site to "complete itself" or gain full power. It's not lying about wanting to escape the cabal, but it's not revealing everything either. This will become important in Sessions 8-9.

Deciding Next Steps

Let the players discuss their options. Possible courses:

Flee Hollowspire

The Gem encourages this. But: city gates are locked down, and the cabal has reach beyond the city.

Gem: "Yes, take me far from here. There are ruins in the marshlands where I can finally be... safe."

Fight the Cabal

Take the fight to the Hidden Hand. Risky but could end the threat permanently.

Gem: "Bold. Foolish perhaps. But if you topple them, they cannot pursue us. I will help."

Investigate More

Learn more about the Gem, the cabal, find allies. Leads to Session 6.

Gem: "Knowledge is useful. There is a scholar who studied me once... if he still lives."

Destroy the Gem

End the problem permanently. The Gem will strongly resist this!

Gem's voice turns harsh: "Do not even THINK such things. You have no idea what you would unleash. I am the prison, not the prisoner!" (Partial lie - it IS the prisoner)

Scene 4: Consequences and Faction Reactions

Depending on earlier player choices, various factions respond to the heist.

The Duke's Response

By morning, town criers announce a massive bounty: 5,000 gold pieces for the capture of the "masked thieves who defiled the Duke's hospitality." Your descriptions - vague but uncomfortably close - are posted at every gate.

Consequences:

Bounty hunters will be introduced in Session 6
PCs must be more careful about showing their faces
The Duke is humiliated and vengeful

City Watch Response

Captain Arden is under pressure to solve the crime. She:

Rousts the underworld, making life hard for thieves' guild
May investigate Lord Voss if PCs left evidence at the manor
Could be turned into an ally if PCs approach her with proof of the cabal

Thieves' Guild Reaction

Depends on relationship established:

Allied: Impressed but concerned about the heat. May offer continued shelter but want distance.
Neutral: Marcel's failure might mean a new power vacuum. Guild might approach PCs.
Hostile: May try to sell PCs out for the bounty.

Allied NPCs in Danger

If PCs had allies help them:

Selise in Custody

If Selise helped, she's been arrested for questioning. The Duke's men are "interrogating" staff.

PCs might hear about this from contacts
Rescue mission possible (side quest)
Or she's released in a few days, traumatized but okay

Gideon's Shop Raided

Watch searched the Night Market. Gideon is in hiding.

His gadgets are temporarily unavailable
He blames the PCs for the heat
Can be reconciled with gold or a favor

Weeping Lady Warning

A resistance contact finds the PCs with an urgent message:

"The city is being turned upside down. It's not just the Watch - there are others, moving in shadows, asking questions about you. Powerful people. You've stirred something dark. Be careful who you trust."

Session Conclusion

Key Takeaways for Players

The Gem is alive and has its own agenda (helpful for now)
Marcel was a pawn of the Hidden Hand
A secret cabal of nobles/priests wants the Gem
Lord Voss (Duke's advisor) is a cabal leader
They've gone from thieves to key players in a shadow war

Setting Up Session 6

End with one of these hooks:

Research Lead: The Gem mentions a scholar who studied it - gives direction for investigation
Cabal Movement: They hear of robed figures gathering at the old temple
Ally in Danger: Someone they care about has been taken
Bounty Hunter: A figure has been asking about them at taverns

The night wears on toward dawn. Outside your hiding place, Hollowspire stirs with the chaos you've unleashed. Guards patrol with renewed vigor. Somewhere, the Hidden Hand plots in the shadows.

The Gem pulses warmly in your possession - ally, burden, or both, you're bound to it now.

You've gone from common thieves to the most wanted criminals in the city - and somehow, to the only ones who can stop a conspiracy centuries in the making.

What will you do next?

Experience & Rewards

Session Rewards

Base XP: 400 XP per character
Bonus XP: +100 XP for surviving Marcel's ambush
Bonus XP: +50 XP for extracting information
Story Reward: Gem of Vhal'Zar is now an active NPC ally
Loot from Marcel: Poisoned rapier, 50 gp, forged documents