Waterdeep Fence:
Zarek and Alley thanked Iomhar for his help in finding a Waterdeep Fence in order to sell their Silver Bars, stolen from the Zhentarim Warehouse on Candle Lane.
As Iomhar is leaving he whispers to Zarek,
Iomhar: “I think you have a little red Pirate looking at you through the window our kid.”
Zarek looks about very surreptitiously and spots Squiddly peering in through one of the Tower windows into the Taproom. Zarek can read Squiddly’s lips and can work out that he is relaying what he can see in the Taproom, Zarek, Alley and a Half-Elf man in a black cloak. If Zarek wasn’t looking for Squiddly, he thinks it would have been very hard to have spotted the young Tiefling, he has some skill.
The Rogue decides to use his Spell ‘Message’ to send a message to Squiddly, hoping not to scare him like last time.
Zarek: “Good evening Squiddly, the night is cold and we have a warm fire and hot food, why don’t you all come in.”
Squiddly does not respond but appears to fall as he tries to hide from the Tiefling’s eyes.
Zarek moves over to the front door and opens it just as Squiddly was about to knock. The Urchins enter Trollskull Manor, bid a good evening and sit down for the final reserves of food that the two Heroes had.
The Urchins say they were in the area and just wanted to check up on them, yet Zarek felt they were there for other reasons. Zarek and Alley give each other a side-glance.
Zarek: “Maybe you can do some work around here and we can pay, just not sure what.”
Alley: “Oh there is plenty to be getting on with. Collecting firewood, cleaning, moving furniture, delivering messages, looking after Zarek’s Horse Hero and many other tasks too.
Zarek: “Are you sure?”
Alley: “Of course I am, we even have to catalogue all our books from the Filed Ward and the Magic Tomes.”
Jenks looks over excitedly and Alley nods her head.
Alley: “Of course you can help out Jenks. We will also need help organising the troops, or Guild Members coming to fix this place, Nat A job for you I think”
A small smile forms on the face of Nat but she tried to keep her stern appearance.
The Urchins thanked Zarek and Alley for the hot food and drink and make their way back to the Dock Ward where they live.
Zarek: “Well done Alley I do believe we now have our own small group of Trollskull Irregulars working for us.”
Zarek and Alley sit for a while, with the last of their wine, and go through the list to choose a Waterdeep Fence. There is still an undecided Rogue in Trollskull Alley as Zarek in not sure which Waterdeep Fence to pick. Most as not the best return and the others are in league with the Zhentarim.
Alley smiles and the two heroes of the Field Ward go off to bed with the Waterdeep Fence to be visited tomorrow.
Zarek tries once more to try and contact Lif, in their new library, but there is no response from the Ghost.
The next morning Zarek decided to first visit the Trades Ward to buy some more supplies, which is made very easy now that Zarek and Alley have a ‘Bag of Holding’, Zarek collect the fresh meat for the Pseudodragons, food and drink for themselves and a pitcher of blood for something that Zarek wanted to try.
On the way to the Harlathurl’s Fine Gems emporium, Zarek used his Spell, ‘Disguise Self’, to change his appearance to that of a local rich merchant from Baldur’s Gate.
Next, the Rogue made up his mind and choose Maelra Harlathurl, as his Waterdeep Fence of preference, and he walk back to the Northward and to the Harlathurl’s Fine Gems emporium.
Zarek reaches the shop of Waterdeep Fence, Harlathurl’s Fine Gems emporium and he sticks to his training and wanders around the property to investigate the Security, ways in and out and other Rouge requirements. The Shop front had two large display windows and two Guards at the door who appeared to be ex-adventures. All windows above the first floor had ornate bars and the back door was heavily secured by looks and possibly Magics protecting it.
Zarek returns to the front of the shop and readies himself to meet the Waterdeep Fence. However, he is uneasy and starts to convince himself to leave.
Zarek: “Abort, Abort.”
While looking at the refection of the Harlathurl’s Fine Gems emporium in the window of the other shop, Zarek could see that the human Guard was looking at him and so he turned around and headed for the shop.
Human Guard: “Come in Sir, I am sure there will be something you like inside.”
Zarek: “Thank you.”
Zarek entered the Harlathurl’s Fine Gems emporium and found that there were a few clients already inside. The Rogue also spotted the owner, and Waterdeep Fence, Maelra Harlathurl, who was standing behind a desk and attending to two Twin Sisters. The Rogue nodded at Maelra Harlathurl and she acknowledged his presence.
Maelra Harlathurl: “I will be with you in a minute sir, in the meantime do looks around I am sure there is something that will catch your eye.”
The Rogue walked around the shop listening to the conversations and checking the security inside the shop itself. The Twin Sisters were ordering a pair of necklaces and being particularly difficult. The two Males in the shop avoided contact with the disguised Tiefling.
Zarek is eventually seen and he explains how he is from Baldur’s Gate and that his name was? He had some items bequeathed to him from his farther and wanted to sell them in the best establishment in Waterdeep.
Maelra Harlathurl, in a raised voice, explains that she does not purchase items that have not been initially inspected by the Jeweller’s guild. She does know where he could take his service but, in the meantime, he was free to browse the shop.
Maelra Harlathurl returned to her desk and after a short while said,
Maelra Harlathurl: “I do have some particular pieces you may like; they are in the back let me call Akemi to tend the shop.”
Maelra Harlathurl calls out and another woman comes from the back of the shop and Zarek joins Maelra Harlathurl in the back room.
Zarek, in the guise of a Merchant from Baldur’s Gate, is able to convince Maelra Harlathurl that he is trustworthy and came via a recommendation. Zarek shows his wares and they are eventually, after much persuasion, able to come to a deal.
2 Diamonds, Ornate Ivory Box, Silver Dog Collar (Gazpacho), Filed Ward Dragons, Alley’s Savings and the Silver Bars:
TOTAL VALUE = 852 Dragons
Zarek, not wanting to spend more time that needed with the Waterdeep Fence, made his excuses and left for Trollskull Manor. The Rogue is vigilant and makes a note of all the people around Harlathurl’s Fine Gems emporium and them moved away, stopping after sometime and checking to see if he was being followed. No one had.
Zarek arrives back at Trollskull Manor and puts the food and drink away.
There is a knock at the door after a while and Hargadon Dudley, the male Human Grave Cleric from the Field Ward, accompanied by 3 members of the City Watch. 2 young recruits and an older Lieutenant.
Dudley explains how he was there to collect the body which they had reported. Zarek and Dudley exchanged pleasantries and the body was recovered and taken away.
Hargadon Dudley: “All done, if there is anything else I could help you with just ask.” Said the Cleric to Zarek.
Zarek: “No nothing important. We are however having a Grand Opening and would love it if you came.”
Hargadon Dudley: “Will I am quite busy so I am not too sure if…”
Zarek: “We will have a dedicated pastry Chef onsite.”
Hargadon Dudley: “In that case count me in.”
Alley comes down from the library, says hello to Hargadon Dudley and the body recovery group leave with the remains.
Zarek and Alley sit down for some food and they are again interrupted by a knock at the door. Alley answers and it turn out to be a messenger from the Cellarers’ and Plumbers’ Guild. The young girl leaves the message and Alley hands the girl 2 Nibs for her troubles.
Alley opens the message and reads out the contents. The Cellarers’ and Plumbers’ Guild are inquiring about the 2 corridors/tunnel, the 1st in the Ale Cellar and the 2nd in the Wine Cellar.
The Cellarers’ and Plumbers’ Guild have found a distant record of the tunnel leading to the sewers, which had been sealed many years back when the sewers were renovated. However, the second space was only an alcove and they have no records of works being carried out by themselves.
Zarek: “The brick wall, of course it’s so obvious.”
Alley: “Are you thinking for checking it now Zarek.”
Zarek: “Yes indeed and I had almost forgot about the blood, two Griffins with one arbalest.”
The next thing Zarek and Alley do is to head for the Trapdoor to the Ale Cellar and the Rogue climbs down the 50’ of Silk Rope and pours the blood onto the stone floor. Zarek waits around looking at the blood for 15 to 20 minutes but nothing happens, while Alley remains in the Taproom above, the blood remains where it was poured.
Zarek: “I don’t understand it.”
Alley then reminds Zarek to check the bricked-up wall in more detail.
Alley: “Don’t forget you heard the sound of bottles before and it could mean there is something down there, be careful.”
Zarek rolls his eye.
The Rogue climbs back down into the Cellar and Alley joins him this time and stays by the rope. The Rogue then takes out his Magical Purple Candle stub and illuminates the Cellar enough for him to carry out a more detailed search.
The Rogue immediately spots that the mortar holding the bricks together is damp and loose.
Alley: “Let me help, I can examine the wall while you check the place for other signs of life.”
Alley moves into the Wine Cellar as Zarek begins his search of the floor.
Taking a closer look over the wall, the Rogue also now spots tiny boot marks on the floor and the Tiefling is baffled as to what this could be.
Zarek: “Look Alley, tiny boot prints all about the floor.”
Alley: “Yes, I have found a small reses in the wall a tunnel through I think.”
Zarek: “Stand to one side and I will take a look with my Darkvision.”
Alley: “But I can… Ah OK.”
The Tiefling looks through the hole in the bottom of the wall and can see that the wall itself is only one course think and that beyond appeared to be a dead-end corridor, of the same architecture as the Cellars, but that had been excavated and there was a rough hued tunnel descending downwards and beyond the Tieflings Darkvision.
Zarek thinks it best to remove some of the bricks in order to get a better look at the areas beyond. After removing enough bricks to allow the Rogue and Bard to enter the corridor end and look down the hued tunnel descending downwards. However, Zarek is faced with a truly chilling sight as his slips through the hole in the wall.
The Rogue Hero find a small Skeleton here, clearly that of a young child, shackled to the wall with a rusty chain.
Zarek: “A dead chained child, who could have done something so dark as this?”
Alley: “Someone I would rather not meet Zarek.” A cold wind rises from the descending tunnel and the foul smell of rotting vegetation, or other organic material, and dampness.