Speak With Dalakhar:
CHES 23rd (THE CLAW OF SUNSETS)
Zarek and Alley decide that there still may be time to visit Hargadon Dudley, the male Human Grave Cleric of the God Kelemvor (The Grave Cleric is a subclass that focuses on the balance between life and death, acting as a guardian of the boundary between them), and ask for his help in casting the Clerical Spell ‘Speak with Dead’ on the relevant dead witnesses, including Dalakhar, of the Fireball Attack in Trollskull Alley.
The Rogue and Bard luckily find Hargadon Dudley at the first place they begin their search, his residence in the Field Ward, the Scrap’d Rafter. Warble Bandlewagon, owner of the Scrap’d Rafter, greets the two Heroes of the Filed Ward as they go and wake Hargadon Dudley.
Alley and Zarek explain their request and offer to pay for his services, and Zarek remembered to also bring fresh Cakes from Trollskull Manor, 75 Gold Dragons for the Hospice of St. Laupsenn a Temple of Ilmater, as there is no major temple of Kelemvor in Waterdeep. Hargadon Dudley, when he hears that Iomhar was taken in the attack, offers to provide one Spell as his gift.
The three friends make their way to where the bodies of the victims were being held in a cellar morgue, Holyhands House, a Temple of all deities and it also serves an inn. They arrive at Copper Street and Zarek uses the power of his Gray Hands Token to intimidate the two young City Watch on guard to allow then entry to pay their final respects with their friend and commune with him.
Zarek: “I am here under the authority of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors and demand you allow me access to the bodies.”
One of the City Watch stands to attention looking off into the distance, while the second opens the door and salutes as they enter the cellar morgue.
Alley: “Well done Zarek that was a great performance.”
Inside the cellar morgue, the Rogue and Bard know that they need to question Dalakhar first and that may help them decide who to question second.
Hargadon Dudley begins the ritual and asks the dead body of Dalakhar the questions raised by Zarek and Alley. Hoping to avoid any misunderstandings or reluctance from the recipients of the Spell, Zarek and Alley make sure they word the questions as best they can.
Questioning Dalakhar:
Hargadon Dudley Q1: “What was it that was taken from you by the Nimblewright construct that attack you?”
Dalakhar A1: “An Artifact called the Stone of Golorr.”
Hargadon Dudley Q2: “Where did you get the Stone of Golorr from?”
Dalakhar A2: “From the lair of a Beholder known as Xanathar, in a Dungeon deep below the city.”
Hargadon Dudley Q3: “What are the Powers of the Stone of Golorr?”
Dalakhar A3: “It is the key to finding a Hoard of Dragons hidden in the city”
Hargadon Dudley Q4: “Why were you coming here to the Trollskull Manor?”
Dalakhar A4: “I came to see the adventurers who rescued Lord Neverember’s son from the Zhentarim and thought the Stone of Golorr would be safe in their hands for the time being. He was on his way to deliver it to them, planning to come back and reclaim it after he had eluded his pursuers. Then the ‘Fireball’ went off”
The final question is difficult as the Heroes need to decide who to question next, either Iomhar or one of the Zhentarim Sellswords.
Hargadon Dudley Q5: “Did you know of Iomhar, the human that was behind you in Trollskull Manor.”
Dalakhar A5: “No, I did not know of this man.”
Zarek uses his Coin of Tymora for guidance, and his Heart over his Head, and they choose Iomhar. Alley allows Zarek to make the choice and they question Iomhar.
Hargadon Dudley Q1: “What were you doing in Trollskull Manor on the day of your death?”
Iomhar A1: “I was keeping an eye on you’s two and then I saw two Zhentarim’s, following a Gnome, entering the Alley and I followed them”
Hargadon Dudley Q2: “Why were you keeping us both under surveillance?”
Iomhar A2: “We had a hooded Dwarf come asking for a Tiefling looking like you in the Scrap’d Rafter, then a Female Halfling and Human lump came asking for you by name Zarek.”
Hargadon Dudley Q3: “Do you know anything about one Urstul Floxin?”
Iomhar A3: “I just have heard the name and he is a Zhentarim a high-ranking member of Manshoon’s Zhentarim.”
Hargadon Dudley Q4: “Do you know anything about the Gnome, Dalakhar, that was killed in the Fireball attack?”
Iomhar A4: “No.”
Zarek, with tears in his eyes, asks Hargadon Dudley to ask Iomhar a final question, while also praising the Dead Rogue for his mentorship and friendship on behalf of Zarek.
Hargadon Dudley Q5: “Do you have any unfinished business you need me to attend to?”
Iomhar roll a Natural 20 and open a new branch into the never-ending universe that is the Forgotten Realms.
Iomhar A5: “YES, I do, and you and Alley are just the pair that can pull this off.”
Alley, Zarek and Dudley head back for a late-night Coco and Cherry Pie before Dudley leaves for his room at the Scrap’d Rafter. Zarek and Alley head to their own beds with their heads full of facts, names, places and unanswered questions.
Last Nimblewright:
CHES 24th (The Claw of Sunsets)
Alley and Zarek make plans for the day.
- Visit Vincent Trench, at the Tiger’s Eye, and enquire about Jezrynne Hornraven, if he himself saw anything the day of the fireball and to possibly request his services in finding either where Dalakhar was staying or the location of Urstul Floxin.
- Visit the City Armoury and investigate the final Nimblewright that they had on their list. Inquire about where and from whom they purchased it from, the cost and Zarek wanted to ask about its directives and limitations.
- Maybe follow-up on the ‘Necklace of Fireballs’.
- Visit the Sea Maidens Faire.
Alley and Zarek knock on the door of the Tiger’s Eye, and once again they are made to wait before Vincent Trench opens the door to the two adventures.
Alley and Zarek ask Vincent Trench several questions regarding the ‘Fireball’ attack and he hissed the whole thing.
Then Zarek queries Vincent Trench about Jezrynne Hornraven and the Private Detective does not reveal any information.
Vincent Trench: “Client, Detective privilege I’m afraid. The same Client, Detective privilege that I would provide to you both if you ever need my services.”
Zarek is convinced that Jezrynne Hornraven has information, from what she saw, regarding the Nimblewright and wants to follow up with that.
Zarek then requests the services of Vincent Trench in finding one Urstul Floxin, the lone survivor of the ‘Fireball’ attack and the murderer of his close friend, Iomhar.
Vincent Trench explains his fee of 50 Gold Dragons is sufficient for most investigations, but if the pair want to learn secrets relating to the major antagonists of Waterdeep, the Detective might require a service in payment. Alley and Zarek agree and pay half of the money upfront, thank Vincent Trench for his time and head North to the City Armoury.
City Armoury:
Alley and Zarek reach the City Armoury and they change tact. Zarek suggests that they are here as a party that had heard of the wonderful mechanical Sword Master and wished to see it in action.
At the Gate to the courtyard Zarek persuades the two City Guards on watch to allow them to speak with the Vigilant in charge and they are directed towards a seasoned Shield Female Dwarf whom they call Vigilant Elara Thistlehill.
Zarek makes a point to, surreptitiously, look over the Nimblewright, its Swords Skill and try to find any obvious weaknesses. The Rogue see none and can only admire is Dance-like grace and obvious Speed.
Its appearance is simple, generic facial features, but this Nimblewright has additional plates of gleaming metal positioned around its body to resemble a stylized breastplate and greaves.
Zarek uses his charm to praise the Nimblewright, of Vigilant Elara Thistlehill, and admire its Sword Skills.
Vigilant Elara Thistlehill is more than happy to talk about their new addition and she soon believes that these two, children of Nobles, were only here to chance their arm with the Nimblewright.
Vigilant Elara Thistlehill reveals that they purchased their Nimblewright from Captain Zardoz Zord from the Sea Maidens Faire, in the Dock Ward. As for the price Vigilant Elara Thistlehill says:
Vigilant Elara Thistlehill: “Too expensive for your pocket money I’m guessing.”
Alleys stays and chats with Vigilant Elara Thistlehill while Zarek, encouraged by Alley, accepts the challenge to duel with the Nimblewright.
The Nimblewright is instructed to just defend and not attack. Zarek is unable to pierce its defence and does not strike the automaton.
Vigilant Elara Thistlehill: “Try again, you nearly had it then.”
Zarek nods and attempts to strike on his second attempt. The first strike misses completely and the Nimblewright appears to snigger, then Zarek manages to touch it with his second attack using his Dagger.
Vigilant Elara Thistlehill: “Try again, but we will allow it to fight back this time. Don’t worry it won’t hurt.”
The next exchange shows Zarek that the Nimblewright was as fast as the Rogue but made one more attack, which did hit the Rogue but it also failed horrendously too.
Vigilant Elara Thistlehill: “You win by default I guess.”
Then from the edge of the courtyard and a door opens to reveal a very angry Civilar, Teresa Swiftblade, a retired Adventurer Female Human that shouts out:
Civilar Teresa Swiftblade: “What on Faerûn is going on here and what are those two Civilians doing in my Courtyard?”
Vigilant Elara Thistlehill: “Best you make yourselves scares lad.”
Zarek hears Civilar Teresa Swiftblade hisses something to Vigilant Elara Thistlehill in Dwarvish as she escorts the pair out.
Civilar Teresa Swiftblade: “You know better than to highlight our new equipment, we do not wanted anyone investigating us Vigilant.”
Alley explains that she was quietly asking Vigilant Elara Thistlehill questions regarding the Nimblewright and it also cost 25,000 Gold Dragons. Also, Captain Zardoz Zord is an interesting character and not to be underestimated.
Alley: “I think that we need to stop and think to see what we need to do next. Maybe go and visit the Sea Maidens Faire to clear our heads, I hear that the Popcorn is a marvellous new invention.”
On their way to the Dock Ward, Alley and Zarek go over their information, ideas and clues.
What the Heroes Know:
- Dalakhar stole the Stone of Golorr from the lair of a Beholder known as Xanathar, in a Dungeon deep below the city.
- The Stone of Golorr is the key to finding a Hoard of Dragons hidden in the City of Waterdeep.
- The item in Renaer Neverember’s cameo and stolen by the Zhentarim is another item that is being looked for?
- Captain Zardoz Zord must know who owns the Assassin Nimblewright.
- Captain Zardoz Zord is selling the Nimblewrights for a very low price, we don’t know why.
- Assassin Nimblewright was willing to kill the Zhentarim and Dalakhar, in order to acquire the Stone of Golorr.
The Sea Maidens Faire:
Alley and Zarek stand on the pier in the Dock Ward and look on in owe at the wonderful spectacular Sea Maidens Faire and Ships. Zarek turns to Alley to say let us have a good look around, when he spots that Alley already has a box of Popcorn in her hands.
The Ships, the Heartbreaker and the Hellraiser are docked across from each other at the same pier in the Dock Ward and the pier is extremely busy.
Captain Zardoz Zord’s flagship, the Eyecatcher, is anchored in Deepwater Harbor, 1 mile away from his other ships.
Zarek and Alley can see that the Eyecatcher, the Heartbreaker, and the Hellraiser are crewed by Male, Human, Captain’s Sailors and Mates. Most of the Carnival Performers and workers are Human commoners, but there are also a Dwarf, Drow and other misfits of life, trained to perform a handful of tasks, acrobatics and stunts.
According to Zarek’s nautical information, ceilings on ships this size are usually low as are the Cabins, holds, and passageways.
Zarek: “If I remember correctly, they have 8’foot-high ceilings with an average 6′ foot-high doorways connecting them.”
Alley: “Munch, Munch.”
Zarek: “Doors, unless I am mistaken are made of wood and the doors should have locks too.”
Alley: “This means that the ship’s captain has keys to all locked doors aboard his vessel.”
Zarek notes that areas Below decks are brightly lit by hanging lanterns and that the Rigging can be climbed without posing much of a challenge to someone with his Acrobatic abilities.
The Heroes can see various animals:
- An Ape
- Some Giant Orange Glowing Beetles
- A thick-skinned large horse like creature with a Horn (Rhinoceros)
- A part hunting bird, part horse, majestic creature (Hippogriff)
- A Tiger
- A Large Birdlike creature with distinctive axe-shaped beaks (Axe Beak)
- A Dinosaur (Allosaurus)
- A Pair of double-headed Dogs (Death Dogs)
- A pair of large Black Cats (Panthers)
- A Giant Vulture
- An Owlbear
Alley: “Look one of the ships smells of animals, the Heartbreaker, while the Hellraiser has items that I guess they use in their parades.”
Zarek: “I noticed that too Alley. Now what?”
Alley and Zarek look out to sea and at the Eyecatcher out in the Deepwater Harbour.
Alley: “I guess you owe it to Iomhar to really rob the shit out of that ship, show him that you have learnt all he had to offer.”