Blackstaff Tower:
CHES 27th (The Claw of Sunsets – 1492 DR)
12:20 pm
Zarek knew that he had to visit Vajra Safahr at Blackstaff Tower and explain himself. Why he was anywhere near Gralhund Villa, though that fact it was so close was a bonus for his story, for he fully intended to only share what he thought he could get away with.
Alley said that she would visit Fala Lefaliir at the Corellon’s Crown to replenish their ‘Potions’ and then visit Rishaal the Page-Turner at the Book Wyrm’s Treasure to acquire ‘Spell Scrolls’. Meanwhile, Zarek made ready before they both set off for Blackstaff Tower.
Alley returned and they both hailed a Handsome Cab and headed for Blackstaff Tower.
Zarek headed to see Vajra Safahr at Blackstaff Tower. He is remembered to look about to make sure he was not followed as he has not cast the Spell ‘Disguise Self’ and as a result the Rogue spots a Hawk on one of the roofs near to Blackstaff Tower. At first, he had the idea that it was a ‘Familiar’ as that was one of the creates allowed to be created by the Spell.
Zarek: “A Bat, Cat, Frog, Hawk, Lizard, Octopus, Owl, Rat, Raven, Spider or Weasel if I am not mistaken.”
Once inside Blackstaff Tower he meets again the Half-Elf friend of Alley Vanora Swiftgaze, one of the many assistants to Vajra Safahr, who proceeds to show Zarek in to a waiting area where he is asked to wait. Then after having to wait nearly 30 minutes or more, Vanora Swiftgaze returns and takes the Rogue in to see Vajra Safahr.
13:20 pm
Alley meanwhile, visits a local Tavern, the Tavern of the Flagon Dragon, and waits for the Rogue there, while Zarek is interrogated at Blackstaff Tower.
The Tavern of the Flagon Dragon is three stories high, stone Dragons at the base of the walls are all grouting fire, two Dragon Helmed Guards at the door. Caters more to the less-than-noble class. Alley feels very comfortable and requests a bill for her expenses. Very handy for visits to Blackstaff Tower Alley muses to herself as she enjoys her Tea and Biscuits.
Alley: “Zarek has deep pockets but short arms, as my father Laucian always use to say.”
Blackstaff Tower Meeting:
Zarek finally stands before Vajra Safahr and is not asked to sit. Blackstaff keeps silent and the Rogue begins to spin his tale as he explains what he was doing at Gralhund Villa.
Zarek recounts how:
Zarek: “I was just passing the area, then spotted the Zhentarim making their way to a location in the North Ward, little knowing that they would lead me to Gralhund Villa. There I followed the Zhentarim as they entered Gralhund Villa via the door on Saerdoun Street.”
Blackstaff notices he uses the reference of the street and not the room.
Zarek: “I did not enter Gralhund Villa and just watched from outside of the building. Then there was a great big explosion and I immediately knew it to be a ‘Fireball’ Spell. Now it was my duty to investigate further and so I made my way through the gardens and was able to see the incursion from there.”
Blackstaff feels that from ground level Zarek would not have seen all that he is telling me and I guess he had a ringside seat. Blackstaff was also able to decern that the Rogue no longer carried the ‘Necklace of Fireball’ which she knew Ulkoria Stonemarrow had given to the Rogue.
Zarek: “More importantly, a band of Drow, who knows where they came from, also attacked the Gralhund Villa at the same time as the Zhentarim. Then there was another ‘Fireball’ attack and several Drow were killed. Then there was also the Leader of the band of Zhentarim, Urstul Floxin, he was ordering then to attack and kill the Gralhund Staff and Guards. That goes to prove that the Gralhund were involved in the ‘Fireball’ attack in Trollskull Alley.”
Blackstaff is not too sure where these Drow did in fact come from, she would need to follow-up on that, and why they omitted from Ulkoria Stonemarrow report? Vajra Safahr realises that ‘The Gargoyle’, as she is lovely referred to, has grown found of the two Heroes of the Field Ward, that or their fine Ales at least.
Zarek: “Then there was the 4 Gazers too that I came across when I was exiting Gralhund Villa, they were obviously working for the Xanathar Guild and they too were keeping a close eye on Gralhund Villa. It all comes back to the Gralhunds, Lord Orond Gralhund and Lady Yalah Gralhund and their infernal Nimblewright who took the life of my friend Iomhar.”
Vajra Safahr: “Strange use of the word Infernal, a derogatory name used for Tieflings such as Zarek is. I guess it lends to the mention previously of the Cult of Asmodeus, the so called Ashmadai, and their infiltration of the Nobility within Waterdeep.” Blackstaff thinks to herself.
Zarek left much out in his telling of his tale and failed to fully explain why all these factions were assaulting Gralhund Villa. That was enough to let Blackstaff hypothesise that both Alley and Zarek were involved in a matter greater than their abilities and that the most important node in this web of intrigue was this Magical Item, the ‘Stone of Golorr’.
Vajra Safahr knew that the Rogue was withholding more information regarding a powerful Magical Item and she insisted that it should be brought to her, while the 500,000 Gold Dragons were in the interest of the Open Lord, Laeral Silverhand.
Vajra Safahr, having listened to the Rogues tall tale, then demands that Zarek returns the ‘Stone of Golorr’ to her within the next 24 hours. Knowing that they already had it in their possession, Blackstaff wanted to have them followed and see where this all lead.
Vajra Safahr: “Any chance to outshine the pompous Open Lord, Silverhand, is a good day’s work in my opinion.” Blackstaff muses privately.
Vajra Safahr then proceeds to chastise the Rogue for his folly in embroiling poor innocent Allegory Yaeldrin in this mess and dangerous endeavour. She explicitly tells the Rogue that she will soon have work for the Rogue which will take up a large portion of his time.
Vajra Safahr: “I warn you Zarek Brightlamp, Allegory Yaeldrin Is like a niece to me and I will punish you servilely if anything happens to her. Do you understand? A frog or Toad, it makes no difference to me and I have been told that the Spell ‘Polymorph’ does hurt, immensely.”
Zarek: “Absolutely and may I say…”
Vajra Safahr: “No you may not, good day and well met.”
Zarek feels that Vajra Safahr does not know of the history of the Stone of Golorr, or its power, and this may give the Rogue some breathing space. Blackstaff ends the meeting briskly and practically throws the Rogue out of her office.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow is standing outside the office of Vajra Safahr and the Rogue spoke to her. Ulkoria Stonemarrow had been at Gralhund Villa carrying out the investigation for the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors in connection of the assault on Gralhund Villa and provided all the information she had regarding the Magical assault.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow goes through all her finds including confirming that Lady Yalah Gralhund had been allegedly killed by the Zhentarim, though she herself didn’t see Lady Yalah Gralhund or their physician.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow: “She was saved by that physician, praise be to Kelemvor and Mystra.”
Zarek thanks Ulkoria Stonemarrow and ask if she was free to meet and discuss the assault further with him and Alley.
Zarek: “We have a new delivery of Dawarvern Ale from Mithral Hall, as you know it is nestled beneath Fourthpeak Mountain in the Frost Hills, the iconic stronghold is historically famous as Clan Battlehammer’s rich mining capital you know.”
Ulkoria Stonemarrow does not need much persuasion and even allows for some wit from ‘The Gargoyle’.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow: “What is a coincidence though as there are reports of 2 fiery explosions, I would say from my professional experience, that they were in fact Magical ‘Fireballs’. On a completely different topic Zarek, do you still have the ‘Necklace’ from the attack on Trollskull Manor with you?”
Ulkoria Stonemarrow uncharacteristically smiles.
Zarek explains as much as he dares to Ulkoria Stonemarrow, thanks her as he always does saying it in Dwarvish.
Zarek: “I will hopefully meet you at the Trollskull later on tonight and tell Lif that the drinks are on us.”
The Rogue then leaves Blackstaff Tower and re-joins Alley at the Tavern of the Flagon Dragon.
13:45 pm
Outside Blackstaff Tower, Zarek spots the Hawk again perched on a rooftop. The Hawk fly’s down and the Rogue, who is caught in two minds if it was a friend or foe. Zarek decides that it must be a friend and stretches out his arm.
The Hawk then proceeds to pass-on a message to him, spoke in common, from Tessele Swiftwater the Ex-Adventure Rogue and current owner of the Dripping Dagger Inn. However, the voice is not that of Tessele Swiftwater and Zarek deduces it must be a female Druid by the voice and nature of the Spell.
Zarek: “The ‘Animal Messenger’ Spell a Druid, Bard or Ranger Spell. To hell with it where is Alley when you get a question right?”
The Hawk reverts to its animal persona and flies off eastwards. Zarek returns to the Tavern of the Flagon Dragon opposite Blackstaff Tower, picks Alley up and they both decide to head straight to the Dripping Dagger Inn on the other side of Waterdeep. They continue on-wards in a hired Handsome Cab and make good time.
14:00 pm
Zarek remembers to survey the area around the Inn of the Dripping Dagger,as the last time they were here a band of Xanathar Guild Members were waiting for visitors to Dalakhar’s room at the Inn.
Alley and Zarek have not cast their ‘Disguise Self’ Spell and so appear as they are. The Bard looks about subtlety and sees nothing of interest or anyone paying untoward attention to them both. Luckily, the Rogue had better luck and spots a Human, Male, dressed in black Leather Armour and carrying a Mace.
As the many Waterdhavians of the city looked as they went about their business, it was easy to spot this observer as his gaze lingered too long. The onlooker then ducked back into the Alleyway as they approached the Inn of the Dripping Dagger.
Upon reaching the Inn of the Dripping Dagger,from Blackstaff Tower, the Rogue and Bard find they need to exchange coin for a message sent to Dalakhar the Gnome.
Alley looks about for any unwanted attention as they reach the Inn of the Dripping Dagger. Seeing that Zarek does the same. Alley fails to see anything of note but Zarek spots, Outside of the Inn of the Dripping Dagger, a male human paying little too much attention to the pair as they passed the alleyway in which he was loitering. The pair continue into the Inn of the Dripping Dagger.
Inside the Dripping Dagger Inn, Tessele Swiftwater is pleased to see the two Adventurers and after the pleasantries she offers the letter for Dalakhar to the Rogue. He can see that, before Tessele Swiftwater hands it over that, it is hand-written and in a female hand.
Tessele Swiftwater asks for more money, 10 gp, than they had originally agreed on, 1 gp, and seeing that Zarek is willing to pay more, asks for 15 gp.
Alley sees that Tessele Swiftwater is attempting to teach the Rogue a simple lesson, to barging hard and trust no one.
Alley: “Normally Zarek does not like to part with Dragon’s so easily. He counts his money in the mirror so he doesn’t short change himself, he is that careful with money.”
The Rogue finally cottons on to what Tessele Swiftwater, the Rogue of renowned, was doing and decided that two can play at that game. The Rogue make a point of counting the Gold Dragons and then he theatrically hands over the Gold Dragons to Tessele Swiftwater. However, the Rogue of nimble fingers manages to palm 5 of the Gold Dragons and keep them back from Tessele Swiftwater. The Rogue feeling that she would be impressed with his skills smiles, wishes Tessele Swiftwater a good day.
Zarek: “A copper to the Lady returns tenfold in gold.”
Alley reminds the Rogue of the unwanted spectator outside and Zarek talks once more to Tessele Swiftwater. The Rogue explains that he wishes to leave via another exit as he feels they were followed.
Tessele Swiftwater raises an eyebrow and the Rogue feels that yet again they have both been underestimated due to their age and that Tessele Swiftwater may think they exaggerate to seem older and more interesting than they may look.
Tessele Swiftwater points out the side door off the Inn of the Dripping Dagger.
The Rogue and Bard thank Tessele Swiftwater once more and leave the Inn of the Dripping Dagger. They avoid the interested human male who the Rogue had spotted earlier.
14:15 pm
The Rogue and Bard decide to make their way back to Trollskull Manor, as they had plenty of time to kill before they follow the Cassalanter Staff to the Field Ward. The pair enter Trollskull Manor via the kitchen door, which they find had been locked due to the recent intrusions, and seeing nothing to alarm them in the Taproom head up to their Library to decide their next plan of action.
14:25 pm