Harper Member:
CHES 14th (THE CLAW OF SUNSETS)
Alley, the new Harper Member, and Zarek head back to Trollskull Manor to rest, eat and report their findings.
Alley asks Zarek for one of his ‘Magic Birds’ and send Mirt a message with their report. This includes the following points of information that the Harpers may find useful.
- Two Zhentarim operatives where killed.
- They may have disturbed the two Carrion Crawler, or they were sent by other operatives from another faction.
- They were caring 2 ‘Magical Tattooing Needles’ – Masquerade Tattoo & Barrier Tattoo (Small).
The two Heroes of the Fieldward then head off to bed and hope for a better tomorrow.
CHES 15th (The Claw of Sunsets)
The next morning, over a well-earned hearty breakfast, Alley and Zarek finally realise that all the work had been completed and Trollskull Manor looked near perfect and back to its original glory.
Then there is a knock at the door and they find that Broxley Fairkettle has come to visit. Zarek welcomes him into the Taproom and Alley asks if he would like the Guards to come in.
Broxley Fairkettle: “No that’s is very kind but that is what they are paid for. Now I have something for you both and…”
Broxley Fairkettle stops to look about the Taproom and his little face lights up.
Broxley Fairkettle: “This is magnificent, all the original features, it is truly the grandest Taproom in the Northward. Well down us”
Broxley Fairkettle then pulls out a dark red bottle and hands it over to Alley. He explains that it may not be the fanciest of beverages but this exceptional Halfling Blackberry Mead will be perfect to toast their first night.
Alley, Zarek and Broxley Fairkettle sit down to some snacks and Ale. Zarek attempts to serve Broxley Fairkettle but he is stopped by Lif who closes the Bar Flap before the Rogue can get past. Lif pours and servers everyone and Broxley Fairkettle is overwhelmed with joy at finally meeting, if not actually seeing, Lif.
After their supping, Broxley Fairkettle then explains why he has come and produces the final Bill of Works for Trollskull Alley.
Broxley Fairkettle: “The remaining payment also includes the extra works requested and we have managed to reduce that cost somewhat. All of the Guild Member commented on what great hosts you were and they hope that you can see there thank in the work that they have done.”
Zarek is fearing this moment and he would rather be fight 2 Carrion Crawlers naked in the Waterdeep Sewers if he had a choice. 500 Gold Dragons, plus 90 Gold Dragons for the extra works, leaving the Rogue with only 2 Gold Dragons.
Broxley Fairkettle thanks the Heroes once again and Zarek insists that he come to the Grand Opening as should all the Guild Members that work on Trollskull Alley too.
Next, there is another knock at the door and they have more visitors, Renaer Neverember, Floon Blagmaar and Volo, with Volo apparently the only sober one.
Renaer Neverember takes a seat next to Zarek, Floon Blagmaar puts his head down and Volo insist that Alley show him around this exceptional establishment.
Renaer Neverember seems to sober up somewhat and reminds Zarek of his offer to be a Silent, just visiting, Partner in Trollskull Manor. Renaer Neverember pulls out a pouch with a fair-few-coins in it and a quick Rogue count is about 500 Gold Dragons by his estimation, and the Lord makes an offer of 10% of the business for his contribution.
Zarek is not certain that the offer is good enough in his limited experience of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers & Taverners Associations. He leaves the money on the table and insists that he needs to consult with Alley.
Renaer Neverember: “Of course dear boy, we all know that Alley makes the important decisions around here.”
Zarek does not take the bet and waits to be served by Lif.
Volo then returns and explains to Alley and Zarek that he has asked all the candidates to come to Trollskull Manor today, in about 10 minutes or so, for their interviews.
Zarek thinks that it too short a notice but Alley seems to thrive in these situations. cajoling individuals with her charm and oratory was her finest quality, perhaps.
As all the individuals entered, Zarek realised he had not thought that there would be other races here that he had read f, but never seen. Alley seemed to be studying them all in great detail as they entered and made a point of asking their names and introducing herself and the Rogue. She wished to have as much Insight on their potential staff as possible, you never know who they could really be.
The Bar and Cooking Staff:
BARTENDERS:
Zarek and Alley ask the individuals for their details and then Alley ask for them to make their ‘Special Drink’. The Bard tries ‘The Lif’ and thinks it spiritual.
LIF: The spirit of Lif makes an excellent bartender. His drink, ‘The Lif, is a custom drink special with some form of liquor (which varies each night) on the bottom and ale on top. It’s not entirely clear how Lif is achieving this perfect separation.
MOSP: A Blue-and-Green-Scaled Kobold. Mosp has a reptilian palette and his drinks don’t always sit quite right in mammalian mouths. He offers as an argument that if he’s the bartender, however, Trollskull Manor will attract a large Reptilian and Draconic crowd. His drink would be perfect for the type of customers that he mentioned but it is not the same for a human plate as Zarek found out when he tried it.
LILLIAN HAEKIN: Finally, the Human Zakharan Woman, Lillian Haekin has a modest command of liqueurs, but her true mastery is in teas. She mentions that she can arrange with Fala Lefaliir of Corellon’s Crown to supply the Manor with a dizzying variety of foreign teas.
Alley tried the teas, with a smaller shot of liqueur and it complement the drink utterly.
The Bartenders are all thanked and then the barmaids are welcomed to Trollskull Manor and their details taken. Zarek again is a bit unsure how best test the skills of group, then Alley goes and sits at a corner table and begins to gesture to the first candidate.
BARMAIDS:
RYBA: Ryba is a Halfling waitress that looks fit and competent enough. Alley begins to order several drinks and food and then calls for Zarek to order. The Bard then stands up and moves to another table to repeat the same process but in character of an impatient, entitled Noble.
Ryba does extremely well, remembers all the orders, deals with the difficult customer and is able to handle the pressure, of fake it really well.
Next is a young lad.
PATRIC NIVKA: Patric Nivka, a Human Illuskan lad, Alley finds out that he was kicked out of his parents’ house last week when his parents discovered he was dating a Half-Elf named Tanya Pav. He really needs a job and a place to stay. (Letting him stay in a room upstairs or giving him an advance on his pay check will help solve the latter problem.)
Patric Nivka does a terrible job, breaking a glass or two and getting most of the orders wrong.
Zarek: “Well I guess he’s out then.” The Rogue says a little too loudly. Alley scowls at him and Zarek’s attention is immediately drawn to the next candidates.
Next Zarek is intrigued, if not a little aroused, by the next group of 3 identical triplets.
ALTHAEA, ELTHAEA, ULTHAEA: These mysterious Star Elf Triplets float through the air while sitting in a perfect lotus position. Their silver hair stands upright in a halo around their heads.
Zarek questions them regarding their wage demands as his priorities become clear.
Alley rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
Zarek: “So will we be paying you one wage of all three of you, or will you be looking to be paid individually?”
Althaea, Elthaea, Ulthaea: “We have received a divinatory vision that we are needed here. We shall work for you for a period of twelve months. So, it is written. Also, tips are important.”
Zarek: “Can you serve drinks from that position?”
They not only take the orders faster but also use Telekinesis to deliver a drink to the patron.
COOKS:
The final motley crew of individuals enter with the tools of their trade in hand. They are all taken to inspect the kitchen and only the Dwarf appears to mumble to himself.
Alley: “The cooks should be left alone to see if they can be the kitchen together.” Alley smirks and giggles at her quip.
The first to present their food are Isgrigg & Dupere and Zarek is about to ask if they are to be paid etc. Alley digs him in the ribs before he can begin to ask.
ISGRIGG & DUPERE: Isgrigg & Dupere, just ordinary Humans. They left their last gig because the bar transformed into a Tinker Gnome hotspot.
Isgrigg & Dupere: “And if you’ve ever seen thirty-five Tinker Gnomes all working on the same project while drunk… well, I like my jobs to be a bit less explosive if you know what I mean.”
Their food is very modern, Alley called it, and they were old traditional recipes with a new twist. Also, most excellent food indeed.
The old Dwarf is next.
TURGATTAN THORNHAMMER: Turgattan Thornhammer a Male Dwarf Chef and former adventurer. He lost his former adventuring companions in the Serpent Hills. He lacks references, but assures the Heroes that he handled the cooking for his companions every night for three years, even when that meant boiling things best left unboiled. And if he could do that, then he can certainly handle a night’s shift in a kitchen with a well-supplied larder!
When Alley and Zarek finally taste his cooking, they may quickly conclude that his former adventuring companions were the ones to lose him.
Zarek Messages Alley while both smile and nod convincingly.
Zarek: “This is a bad hire.”
Alley: “Agreed.”
Finally, the last hire of the evening.
REYNARDO GREENLEAF: Reynardo Greenleaf a Half-Elf Mage who uses various cantrips to create truly remarkable concoctions. His dishes are marvels to behold; often with their components performing intricate dances across the intricately carved plates and platters and stranger dishware they’re delivered upon.
Zarek: “His ministrations can earn Trollskull Manor an artiste reputation, but the problem is that Reynardo “does not work to a clock.” Service is slow, and this can become a serious problem when the Manor’s popularity grows.”
Alley: “Yes and we can work on that. You must admit that his food is exceptional though”
Zarek: “Oh yes indeed, it is that. But we need to keep the cost down and our overheads…”
Alley rolls her eyes; thy both look at each other and laugh out loud.
Zarek and Alley have the Trollskull’s Grand Opening planed for Ches 19th, the Spring Equinox/Fey Day. That is only 4 days away from now.
That evening before Zarek goes to bed he is contacted by Vajra Safahr and told to come to the Black Tower first thing in the morning to discuss their admittance to her order.
Ches 16th (The Claw of Sunsets)
The following morning Alley begrudgingly agrees to accompany the Rogue, even though she herself was now a member of the Harpers.
Zarek: “I aided you in your task for the Harpers and so…”
Alley: “that is one Gold Dragon you owe me Zarek. We agreed not to mention the names of our benefactors, it’s supposed to be secret.”
The Heroes reach Blackstaff Tower.
This tower made of black, smooth stone, with no windows or doors, sits three stories tall on Swords Street in the Castle Ward. A 20-foot wall surrounds the tower, with a main gate and a smaller entrance for apprentices. Alley explains in her best lecturer’s voice that people chosen by the Blackstaff can open the door with their palm, while some Magical items also grant entrance through the outer wall. The tower itself is protected from Scrying Magic and Teleportation Magic — under most circumstances the tower is only accessible if the Blackstaff allowed it.
Once past the gate they are met by another member of the tower and they find that the tower is much larger inside than it looks from the outside. Magical in nature, Alley explains that rooms switch around either by the magic of the tower itself or with secret keywords.
They are led to a room and there they meet ‘The Blackstaff’ herself, Vajra Safahr.
On the way to Blackstaff Tower Alley tell Zarek all she knows of Vajra Safahr and she seems very bitchy, for want of a better word.
The name Blackstaff was first held by Khelben “Blackstaff” Arunsun, but after his death in 1374, the name has since evolved into a title given to Waterdeep’s High Wizard. The seventh and current Blackstaff is the young Vajra Safahr.
Vajra Safahr gained the title after her lover, the previous Blackstaff Samark Dhanzscul, was murdered in 1479 DR. A rival Wizard planned to steal the Blackstaff’s power by murdering Samark Dhanzscul and incapacitating his heir, Vajra Safahr, but the young Tethyrian woman was saved by heroic Waterdhavians, among them Meloon Wardragon and others from the Yawning Portal.
Alley: “If you need more gossip on Vajra Safahr you just need to ask at the Yawning Portal.”
She’s been Blackstaff for more than a decade now, but she’s still getting used to her responsibility.
How Vajra’s young age and tumultuous start as a Blackstaff has affected her is unknown to the two Heroes, but it wouldn’t be surprising if she was a novice in need to support. She is stern, authoritative and demanding with strangers, but Alley jests that she is slightly overwhelmed and insecure under the surface.
Alley: “My Mother says she is constantly striving to grow in power and knowledge, but not for her own gain, but so she’ll someday feel worthy of the esteemed title she bears.”
Alley and Zarek are lead to Vajra Safahr’s chamber by another member of the Blackstaff Faction.
Vajra Safahr introduces herself and quickly gets down to business.
Gray Hand Not Force Grey:
Vajra Safahr explains how the Gray Hands are a private security force beholden to the Blackstaff and, in severe cases, the Open Lord of Waterdeep. It’s not quite secret police, they aren’t secret, for one thing, but their job description is similar: they handle missions either too delicate or too dangerous for the City Watch.
Alley touches her ‘Magic Earing’ and send Zarek a ‘Message’.
Alley: “Gray Hands are the grunts, while Force Grey is the elite.”
Vajra Safahr looks at Alley, as if she knew she had cast a Spell. Of course, she does, we are in her domain and she is the Blackstaff.
Zarek: “It’s as if Alley wants to be caught, all very Chaotic if you ask me Zarek thinks to himself.”
Vajra Safahr: “Pay and Benefits. So, what do you get out of joining the Gray Hands I can hear you thinking?”
Zarek: “She can do that too I guess.”
Vajra Safahr: “Well, there’s the nifty benefits mentioned in the campaign book: get-out-of-jail-free-cards, borrowing Magical Items, and timely help from Force Grey operatives in desperate situations. Our faction missions offer some rewards as well, albeit only some of them, and the reward is never Gold and Platinum.”
Zarek: “I wasn’t thinking about money.”
Vajra Safahr: “Oh I know. There is, however, tradition for steady pay with the Gray Hands. The gig pays 100 Gold Dragons per month, on the premise that you are available for call 30 hours each tenday. That’s not too shabby don’t you think Zarek?”
Alley: “But not something that’ll make kings out of paupers either.”
Vajra Safahr asks if they are wanting to join and aid Waterdeep and Alley cheerfully explains that she has chosen a different path and thanks her for her offer.
Zarek quickly accepts in the hope of stopping the two ladies for all-out war. Barbs are thrown and Alley end by reminding Vajra Safahr that Zarek is also given a Gay Hands Token when he joins. With her feather ruffled, Vajra Safahr hands over the item that she had to hand anyway it seems. Later on, that day Zarek find the Token to have the following abilities.
Gray Hand Token:
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement and approval by the Blackstaff)
The Gray Hand token is a brooch, resembling a human hand, fingers together and palm out. While attuned to the Token, you have Advantage on Charisma checks made to interact with Civic Officials of Waterdeep (including Lords, Magistrates, And Watch and Guard Officers). If the token is more than 5’ feet away from you for more than l minute, it Magically vanishes and reappears on your person.
Dragonward Strike. As a bonus action, you call upon Aghairon’s Dragonward to bolster your next attack or the next spell you cast. In you choose to bolster an attack, the next melee weapon attack you make before the end of your turn has advantage and deals bonus force damage equal to your character level on a successful hit. If you choose to bolster a spell, the next spell you cast before the end of your turn is cast as if you had used a spell slot one level higher to cast it. Once you use this ability, you must finish a long rest before you can use it again.
Vajra Safahr aid then returns and asks to speak with the Blackstaff urgently. Vajra Safahr and the Aid step outside the door and begin to talk. Alley tells Zarek to listen in and he is reluctant at first but then remembers that Alley kept saying they are always testing you in the Gray hands.
Zarek listens and hear Vajra Safahr explain that she could send the Griffin Cavalry to speak with Hlam but she will ask Zarek and that upstart Allegory to carry out the task instead. Also, they will need to manage Hlam too, that will be an interesting challenge indeed. Vajra Safahr returns to the Heroes.
Vajra Safahr: “I have a nagging feeling that there’s evil brewing in Waterdeep. Evil beyond the petty violence of street thugs warring in the streets. I want you, both of you, to seek out Hlam, a Monk who lives in a cave on the side of Mount Waterdeep. Ask him what he’s heard about threats to the city, but try not to annoy him or overstay your welcome.”
Zarek bows to Vajra Safahr and Alley curtsies, ironically. The pair have been tasked to reach the top of mount Waterdeep and they quickly retrieve their Backpacks, Equipment and some refreshments and head up Mount Waterdeep.
Mount Waterdeep only reaches about 1,500’ feet above sea level, but the trail to Hlam’s cave is steep and winding. While it doesn’t require any climbing ability, the 5-mile mountain trail is considered difficult terrain, making the trek a three-hour journey all told.
Alley: “It says in my guide that the trek is best divided into three stages, one for each 1 ½ mile travelled (one hour at a medium leisurely pace).”
Zarek: “What else does it say Alley?”
Alley reads the following out to the Rogue:
Mount Waterdeep was the name of the mountain on and around which the city of Waterdeep was built. It is a rough, rocky mountain and stood some 1,500’ (457.2 meters) above the sea level, to the west of the city. Beneath the mountain is the notorious Undermountain. The whole of Mount Waterdeep was considered to be in the Castle Ward.
There was a ballad that spoke an ancient city sunk into the sea and the gods raised a head stone for it to mark the grave. That was Mount Waterdeep.
The Rogue and Bard continue on finding that they were not as fit as they imagined and the walk was really taking it out of them. So much so that they began to look for a good place to rest for an hour or so as they were both Exhausted.
After 1 ½ miles of travel, the Rogue realises that the mountainside here looks very loose and unsettled, there’s a very real threat of a rockfall or rockslide.
Soon after, the rockslide happens. Boulders, smaller rocks and gravel come tumbling down from a hundred feet up the mountainside. Alley and Zarek jump and dodge as they try to evade the rockslide.
Zarek began to look ahead as he ran and could make out something or someone far off in the distance above them. The Rogue saw a humanoid figure standing on the path a hundred feet up the mountainside, where the rockslide started, wearing a colourful uniform.
Zarek: “I think I saw someone a head, off in the distance.”
Alley: “Can you be more specific Zarek?”
Zarek: “I think it was a Magic user to have caused the Rockslide.”
The pair continue up Mount Waterdeep having stopped to rest, eat and regroup.
After 3 miles of travel, the adventurers find an old stone bridge crossing a mountain river. The Rogue, as he should be, is suspicious and decides to investigate the area up to the bridge. His check reveals scattered droppings from a large animal in the area. Remembering his love of Nature, and fantastical beasts, the Tiefling recognizes the droppings as Manticore scat. The Rogue continues to look about and can see that the bridge leads over a gorge and the river runs 30’ feet beneath the bridge. Beyond that the path continues through a small valley in the mountainside and there are 4 or so caves that the Rogue can see either side of the valley. Zarek returns to Alleys hiding spot.
Zarek: “The beast must live in one of those caves and intends to attack, with Tail Spikes, Claws and Teeth, when we try to cross.”
Alley: “What do you think we should do next?”