LUCIUS BILE:
CHES 28th (The Claw of Sunsets – 1492 DR)
03:15 am
Lucius Bile is the last man standing in the Cellar. Avareen Windrivver, the Roguish female,has run out of the Cellar, Urstul Floxin, leader of the Yellowspire Zhentarim, is behind the locked door and Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, is possibly above on the Second Level.
Alley believes that Merf, though volatile and unpredictable, is a free agent and she thinks he would be a great addition. However, as to how much Zarek has told Merf, Alley will need to discuss that with the Tiefling Rogue personally.
Alley: “I know that Zarek and Merf were discussing things in the wine cellar for about 15-20 minutes, I am not sure how much information he thought was safe to tell Merf, a total stranger, and therefore I think it is best not to tell Merf about the prize of the Grand Game.” The Bard ponders as she keeps a close eye on Vara Silvershield.
Alley had taken the ‘Potion of Mind Reading’, which she acquired from Fala Lefaliir, to see if Merf was on the up-and-up, then she was confronted with Vara Silvershield in Trollskull Manor and so decided that it was the best time to consume it.
Merf’s thoughts were as she would have expected, Gold, Food, Drink and a good Adventure, not necessarily in that order.
Vara Silvershield on the other hand was a completely different kettle of fish. Her thoughts were not those of a Female Platinum Dragonborn, they were different and purposefully a preprogramed line of thought.
Alley: “This could be real, or a Magical effect. The question is why is Vara covering her thoughts, is it for good or evil?”
03:20 am
Lucius Bile:
Lucius Bile is wanting to leave and explains that he has nothing to do with the Zhentarim, and that he only works for coin, anyone’s coin.
Lucius Bile offers to heal Merf, by casting ‘Cure Wounds’ on the Halfling Rogue, if he lets him go. Merf agrees to the deal as he is persuaded that this would benefit everyone and they could always use his services at a discount if need be.
Merf questions Lucius Bile to sees if he is telling the truth about his relationship with the Zhentarim, Aranat and Daisy Shadowfoot, etc. Vara listens into the conversation, with Lucius Bile the Healer, and she also believes that he is telling the truth.
Vara suggests they leave before reinforcements arrive.
Merf thinks they should leave too and says that they have what they have come for and should leave.
Alley then suggests, in her reassuring teachers voice, that Vara may want to inform the City Watch. Also, seeing how they have already gone to the trouble of clearing the bulk of the Zhentarim Thugs and followers of Bane, they should finish the job and make sure that Yellowspire is free from undesirables.
Alley: “We also have someone, gagged and chained to a chair on the Second Floor. He needs to be released and that will also provide us with a credible witness to our endeavours.”
Merf: “I would rather not be around when the City Watch come, we’ve already gotten off on the wrong foot and I need to go to the Courthouse soon.”
Alley then also reminds the two new additions, that there was also Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, and her Acolyte on the Upper Floor.
Alley: “Both Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, and this Healer Lucius Bile, will be able to provide us with vital evidence. Do Not Kill Them, please.”
They both nod their heads.
Alley: “Vara Silvershield is obviously here to find the name of those that ordered the death of Harvek Stonebough, while Merf is here to… Well, I am still not too clear on that.” The Bard has to remind herself.
Lucius Bile heals Merf and is told to Heal Vara by the Halfling Rogue, but the Paladin is unsure and does not trust Lucius Bile, and so she ‘Lays Hands’ on herself and uses all of her remaining Healing abilities.
Lucius Bile then reminds Merf of their agreement and asks if he can collect his bag and contents and go.
Vara overhears the pair talking and is not too happy that Merf has made a deal. Lucius Bile must be in breach of the Laws of Waterdeep.
Vara: “I will also need to find the time and method to contact Mattrim “Threestrings” Mereg, and inform him of the current situation with the Zhentarim and this Grand Game that my partnership, or tentative alliance, with Alley and Merf has revealed. He may know more than they are willing to say to me.” The Paladin thinks to herself as she makes a mental note to remember.
Merf tells Vara that Lucius Bile has agreed to wait for them out here in the Lower floor while they enter the room beyond.
Merf: “I think he is frightened that he will be targeted and killed.”
Alley: “You should tie him up at the very least, he is not trust worthy.”
Merf disagrees, as when he spoke to Lucius Bile, he was convinced that he was scared stiff, petrified even, of him and so would not lie.
Vara asks Alley what they are to do next and the Bard defers to Merf. Merf decides that they need to enter the adjacent chamber and Kill Urstul Floxin.
Merf knows that this man was involved in the ‘Fireball’ attack that killed Zarek’s mentor Iomhar Rackham, and this began their involvement in the Grand Game. As Urstul Floxin is the leader of this Zhentarim Outpost, he is best placed to divulge the location of the Zhentarim Lair. This is the location of one of the ‘Eyes of the Stone of Golorr’ and where the true leader of the Zhentarim, Manshoon, resides.
Vara wishes to deal with the followers of Bane as she knows that they cause great harm and misery to those who cannot defend themselves. The Paladin is also following the trail of those who instigated the death of his close friend, Harvek Stonebough.
Merf still has the ‘Bag of Holding’. Merf sticks his hand into the ‘Bag of Holding’ and pulls out ‘A Stone of Golorr’.
Zarek’s ‘Bag of Holding’ Contents: (500 lbs of weight or 64’ cubic feet of volume)
- 3 Lantanese Pistols, 12 Leather Packets of Smokepowder, 3 Leather Pouches containing Twenty Bullets
- Opaque Crimson Coral (3 x Gem 100 gp each) (MERF)
- Deep Purple Amethyst (1 x Gem 50 gp each) (MERF)
- Ivory Statuette of a Monkey (250 gp) (MERF)
- Magical Scrolls (1x Misty Step, 1x Haste)
- Enduring Spellbook
- Backpack (With all Zarek’s equipment)
- Red Tome – Gralhunds Library
- Stone of Golorr
- Stone of Golorr (Fake)
Alley quickly turns the conversation over to what should be done with Lucius Bile as she stands in front of the Halfling Rogue, and the item held in his hand. A small, glossy, greenish-gray stone that easily fits in the palm of a humanoid hand. The surface features three carved depressions or sockets meant to hold small circular/almond-shaped pieces.
Alley asks about the items discovered by Merf on the bodies of Aranat and Daisy Shadowfoot and the Halfling Rogue pulls out only the Potions and shows them to Lucius Bile.
Merf: “Any idea what these are, you’re an Apothecary are you not?”
Lucius Bile: “Let me have a closer look.”
Lucius Bile takes a look at the Potions and can only identify one of them, the ‘Potion of Mind Reading’.
3 of the remaining Potions are known to Alley, due to her having seen them before or because they are currently in her possession, and they are a ‘Potion of Climbing’, ‘Invisibility’ and ‘Animal Friendship’.
There are 3 more ‘Magical Potions’ which remain unidentified by the Adventurers.
03:25 am
The Halfling Rogue chooses to tie-up Lucius Bile and he is not very happy about it. However, he soon stops complaining when Merf pulls out his ‘Raven’s Dagger’, which he uses to cut rope that will secure him to the chair.
Merf then proposes that Vara should go in and deal with Urstul Floxin, and then he and Alley would rush-in and help to finish-off the Zhentarim Leader.
Alley quickly turns herself ‘Invisible’, with one of her last Spell available to her today, and heads over towards Vara who is standing guard by the locked door.
Vara meanwhile listens at the door and hears the faint sound of leather scuffing against the stone cobbles of the floor. Vara alerts the others of the noise inside. Urstul Floxin must still be in there, Vara determines.
Merf feels that being ‘Invisible’ would be a great advantage and so he drinks the ‘Potion of Invisibility’, that he found on the dead body of Daisy Shadowfoot, and moves over towards Vara.
Alley watches him as he goes, even though he is ‘Invisible’.
Merf offers the Paladin the Key, from the door leading from the Vestibule to the Lower Level, and the Paladin notices that there was a key already in the lock.
Vara then calls Merf over and the ‘Invisible’ Halfling Rogue silently moves to Vara’s side.
The Halfling Rogue intends to, unlock the door using the key in the lock and then attempt to remove the key from the lock and catch it on a piece of parchment as it falls. Then he would try and to pull it back under the door, as he did with the Vestibule key.
However, the task was too great for the Halfling Rogue, but he did manage to unlock the door and the key fell to the ground and possibly alerting those inside to their presence.
Vara then takes over and opens the door. However, inside the chamber was a last Zhentarim Thug standing with his Heavy Crossbow in hand, which he fires at the Paladin. The Heavy Crossbow Bolt misses the Dragonborn Paladin, and he advances to the doorway having drawn his Mace.
Vara can clearly see that there was a second person within the chamber and he was standing on Arcane Runes inscribed in a circle on the floor of this otherwise nearly empty chamber. Two burning Magical ‘Continual Light’ braziers stand in the corner of this chamber, the room was otherwise empty, and there was no other exit from the chamber.
Vara: “A last stand I am guessing. This man also looks like he is in no way alarmed by our attack, I do not like that.”
Alley grabs Vara’s shoulder and whispers to the Paladin.
Alley: “This is the man we seek for the murder of Harvek Stonebough.”
It was no happenstance that Alley squeezed the Dragonborn Paladin, and she did not do it out of comfort or reassurance. Alley did it so she could conclusively test that, Vara Silvershield had not cast ‘Disguise Self’ on themselves to appears as a Female Platinum Dragonborn Paladin.
Alley: “The form she projects is all muscle and armour, no Spell used here. However, there are many Magic items that could be used to hide your appearance and so I will reserve my opinion until all avenues are exhausted. If only Zarek was here to help.” The Bard ponders as she grimaces to herself.
Vara braces for the attack from the Human called Urstul Floxin. The Paladin notes that he is a male, human Illuskan, in his mid-40s, said to be a high-ranking Zhentarim Agent. He is has pale skin, black hair, and distinct, extreme burns covering the right side of his face. Urstul Floxin is a medium-sized humanoid that wears studded leather armour and carries a Hand Crossbow and Shortsword.
Urstul Floxin also fires at the Dragonborn Paladin, and he too misses Vara, who can see that Poison had been smeared onto the bolt.
Urstul Floxin then spits in disgust, grabs at his chest, and is Teleported away in a flash of magical light.
Vara: “Urstul Floxin has vanished, he has used the ‘Teleportation Circle’ to flee Yellowspire.”
Alley curses her luck knowing that they now needed to find another Zhentarim that would have access to the ‘Teleportation Circles Magic’.
From her basic knowledge of these ‘Teleportation Circles’, one draws a 10’-foot-diameter Sigil circle on the ground that opens a temporary portal to a known permanent destination circle on the same plane.
Alley: “This must lead to the Zhentarim Lair, Manshoon and one of the eyes of the ‘Stone of Golorr’.” The Bard excitingly concludes to herself.
Vara: “You have a choice, repent and see the error of your ways. Bane is a false God and will only lead you to your death. Yield I say and I will be merciful.”
Zhentarim Thug: “Never, the Lord of Darkness demands absolute submission. From you, I will take it by force.”
Vara attacks the Zhentarim Thug that she had before her and it took various swings of her Longsword. Alley helps Vara, seeing that he did not dispatch the Zhentarim Thug and so used one of her ‘Firebolt’ Spells. Then finally, the Paladin finish him off.
Vara and Merf see that the chamber with the ‘Teleportation Circle’ is empty and they head back to the Cellar.
Merf remains ‘Invisible’ while Alley and Vara elect to interrogate Lucius Bile, with Alley hoping to gather more details of the working of the ‘Teleportation Circle’, or its destination if possible.
Vara and Alley believe that the Healer, Lucius Bile, would be able to tell them what happened whilst he was in Yellowspire.
Vara hoped that he would shed light on the attack on the Shrine of Silvanus and the murder of Harvek Stonebough.
Alley was hoping that Lucius Bile would have more evidence related to the Grand Game. Aranat and Daisy Shadowfoot were both dead and the killing of Zarek Brightlamp had been avenged. Now they needed clues leading to the Zhentarim Lair.
03:30 am
The Dragonborn Paladin casts his Spell, ‘Zone of Truth’, which creates a magical zone that guards against deception in a 15’-foot-radius Sphere centred on Lucius Bile. Until the spell ends, Lucius Bile can’t speak a deliberate lie while in the radius. Vara will be able to know whether Lucius Bile succeeds, or fails on this save.
At first Lucius Bile can be seen to struggle with talking, and strains are he attempts to hold back the truth, until he himself realises that the Paladin had cast a Spell that, prevents him from lying to her.
Lucius Bile is asked several questions and he answered them all, as the Healer had seen that Merf had turned ‘Invisible’ and he was very fearful of him. The questions were also answered truthfully due to the effects of the Spell.
Lucius Bile is asked why he was at Yellowspire and he explained that he was summoned here by a Zhentarim Thug from his establishment in Castle Ward. Aranat had expected him to Heal Daisy Shadowfoot, but he was too late and her life was beyond his capabilities to recall. Lucius Bile explains how he had cast the Spell ‘Death Ward’, at great expense to Aranat and Daisy Shadowfoot, on Daisy and this would revive her from Death.
Vara then asks where in Waterdeep does Lucius Bile live, and he told them that he lived and worked out of a building on Sail Street, near Mist Shore and opersite The Sailors’ Own Tavern.
Alley realises that Mist Shore, and specifically Coin Alley, is where Grinda Garloth sells here weapons from.
Vara thinks back but is not sure where Sail Street was, but had a very rough idea its general location within Waterdeep. Vara mainly spent her days in the Filed Ward, as that is where she always felt she could help people the most.
Alley then asks about the exchange between Aranat and Urstul Floxin, Amath Seccent or Avareen Windrivver. Lucius Bile tells the Bard and Paladin about how Aranat had spoken with Urstul Floxin and Amath Seccent but he did not hear too much as he was with Daisy Shadowfoot. However, he did say that Urstul Floxin was not happy that Aranat had come here and drawn attention to Yellowspire. Amath Seccent was more concerned with her task on the Upper Level and did not say much.
When asked why Lucius Bile did not bring back Daisy Shadowfoot, he explains that that would have been possible if he had reached her sooner. Aranat was not happy and was about to kill the Healer when there was a great banging on the outer door.
Lucius Bile: “I think that inadvertently, you saved my life.”
Merf: “We could change that for you right now if you wish.” Merf calls out from somewhere in the Lower Level. Lucius Bile squirms and looks about the chamber for the Halfling Rogue.
Finally, Vara Silvershield believes that everyone should be offered the chance to repent and see the light of God. In the Paladin’s case, it was Bahamut, the Lawful Good Platinum Dragon and chief deity of Metallic Dragons in Faerûn. Also known as the King of Good Dragons or Lord of the North Wind, he is the eternal rival of his evil twin sister Tiamat and Bahamut is a champion of Justice, Wisdom, and Protection.
Vara Silvershield: “I am now offering you the chance to change your selfish ways Lucius Bile. By Bahamut’s grace I extend the hand of forgiveness and point you in the direction of meaning and purpose. You can heal those around you and your reward will be their thanks and your compassion will feed you, clothe you and open you soul to the goodness that Justice brings. Think hard on your response Lucius Bile.”
Lucius Bile: “I think that you are…”
Alley: “There is no way on Faerûn’s green and pleasant lands, that this low-life, bottom feeder will say she was right and that he now sees the light.” Thinks the Bard and she wishes that she could have placed a bet on the outcome.
Lucius Bile: “I think that you are absolutely right, my life has been one of the misery of others. I have only thought about myself. But I have seen the light and I will help those that cannot help themselves.”
Alley: “I did not see that coming.”
Vara then cuts the rope used to hold Lucius Bile and the Paladin shows him to the bottom of the stairs.
Vara: “Take your bag and medical equipment to those who are in need with my blessing.”
Lucius Bile: “Thank you my brother, until we meet again.”
Lucius Bile makes his way up the stairs and out of Yellowspire, closing the doors as he goes.
Merf: “Right, we can leave now as we have everything that we need, including the Stone Alley.”
Alley: “Have you forgotten the person chain to a chair on the Upper Level, there is also the small matter of Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, and the other Acolyte too?”
Vara: “What Stone? And what about those that killed Harvek Stonebough. We had an agreement, did we not?”
Alley: “There are a lot of agreements flying around, are there not? The man responsible for your friend’s death is Urstul Floxin, and he is gone and beyond our means of following him.”
Vara: “Then our quest is not over, Alley Yaeldrin.”
Vara feels that she is being fed bits of the whole, she has a hand full of pieces of the greater whole but with no picture to compare them with. Alley Brightlamp and Merf Palmer were holding many things back from her, and so she needed to either persuade them that she is trustworthy, or begin her own investigation.
Alley explains to Vara that Urstul Floxin and his Goblins were the ones responsible for the murder of Harvek Stonebough, unfortunate collateral damage, but that he was not targeted specifically. Merf confirms that Urstul Floxin was seen by him riding away from the Square after the death of Harvek Stonebough in the Field Ward.
Vara thinks that both Alley and Merf are telling the truth, but that they were both holding something back from her. Vara decides to wait for now, and question the two further when they complete their current mission. The Paladin also considers contacting her Harper contact, Mattrim ‘Threestrings’ Mereg to gather more information on Alley, Merf and Zarek.
Alley proposes that they finish what they have started and deal with Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, and her follower.
Alley: “We also need to rescue the man on the Upper Level, do you not think so Vara. I mean, that is in your oath of Devotion as you mentioned.”
Merf: “Yeah, several times.”
Vara: “Indeed, those that are oppressed and under the yoke of thugs like the Zhentarim, must be defended.”
Merf, still ‘Invisible’ from the ‘Potion of invisibility’ that he took, is persuaded to head-up first and survey the area. Alley would follow close behind and Vara would be the rear guard. This would also make sure her poor sneaking skills would not be needed.
Merf sneaks ahead first, then 10’-15’ feet behind is Alley, making sure she is out of the range of a Spell attack and 20’-25’ feet behind her is Vara.
Merf moves so silently, that he is able to stalk pass the Acolyte of Bane that is standing guard at the top of the spiral stairs, slip past Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, and Shaun Chien and all whist completing a circuit of the Upper Lever as the Halfling Rogue looked for any other dangers.
Finding no one else, Merf returns to the stairs and looks for Alley to tell her of what he had found.
Shockingly Alley sees Merf and she approaches. Merf signals to Alley that there we 2 enemies, and that he was going to attack the Acolyte of Bane.
Merf does not realise that Alley was able to see him, even though he was ‘Invisible’.
Merf moves back in front of the Acolyte of Bane, and close to Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, which meant that they were both within range of his ‘Thunderwave’. This he used and was able to kill the Acolyte of Bane outright, as he also sent him flying up in the air only to crash with a sickening crunch, and caught Amath Seccent, the Priestess of Bane, but only injured her. Merf then dashed over to Amath Seccent and stood right in front of her.
Alley: “Do not kill Amath Seccent, we need her alive Merf!”
Vara joins Merf and Alley as the Halfling Rogue appears to kill Amath Seccent with his ‘Raven’s Dagger’, having already run her through with his Rapier. This was all playful fun from Merf as he did in fact, knock Amath Seccent out cold.
Amath Seccent is not searched, but the Silver Disc about her neck is visible and grabbed by the Halfling Rogue, who then tie her.
The Silver Disc is marked with runes on either side of a small central blue gemstone and with the initials “DK” written in Espruaran Runes on either side of a small, central Blue Gemstone.
Vara releases Shaun Chien, as she smashes the shackles restraining him and removes his gag.
Shaun Chien: “Please do not kill me, I have done nothing wrong.”
Vara has to calm Shaun Chien down and persuade him that they are on the side of Good, and that they are not members of the Zhentarim Faction.
Shaun Chien thanks Vara and explains how he was abducted by Amath Sercent’s Acolytes the night before while walking to his home in the Trades Ward. He publishes The Targe, a broadsheet that offers up vitriolic rants on all manner of local topics, including politics. The building is located near the intersection of the High Road and River Street, hidden down a tight alleyway off Book Street.
Shaun Chien goes on to explain how during the ceremony, which he was saved from, Amath Sercent and her Acolytes held candles and formed a circle around me as I was gagged and blindfolded. I was shackled to the floor and Amath Sercent attempted to break my will and integrity. I refused to be subservient to Bane, while Amath Sercent carried out her ritual to “turn” me over to Bane.
Alley begins to search the Upper Level hoping to find any clue that would reveal the location of Manshoon and his Zhentarim Lair. Vara and Merf join in whilst Shaun Chien, the broadsheet publisher of The Targe, looks on.
Merf is first to discover something of interest, then Vara, Alley next, and then Vara once more.
- Merf finds a Burned Scroll Tube containing four blank sheets of paper, that are actually 4 ‘Paper Birds’.
- Vara, having shaken the chest that she checked before she opens it, finds a now ’Cracked Driftglobe’ that emits a flickering light but otherwise appears to function normally.
- Alley finds a ‘Potion bottle’. The Potion’s red liquid glimmers when agitated, but it also had clear liquid floating at the top of Potion bottle and it has cloudy white impurities drifting in it.
- Finally, Vara checks a pile of crates and finds a lost pouch among the dry food contained within. Inside the pouch she discovers a ‘Mystery Key’, that has a question mark worked into the head of this key.
Alley: “We need to interrogate Amath Sercent as she is now our only source of information, given that everyone else has fled or been killed.” The Bard states while looking directly at Merf.
Vara; “My Spell is still running in the Cellar and we should take Amath Sercent there now.”
03:50 am