Zarek Brightlamp Vs The Alchemist:
Everyone, including Zarek Brightlamp, looks shocked to see everyone else.
Questions are asked to Ivan and he denies everything. He now says that Rufus was the Alchemist and that he was forced to work for him under the constant threat of death.
Ivan looks at Zarek, “You have seen him at work, he is a clod blooded killer.”
Iomhar explains that he had no idea that Ivan was involved and that he only worked on the information for money side of thing.
“In fact, I offer the information in those Scroll Cases that he is carrying.” Iomhar points out.
Zarek searches Ivan and finds that the Scroll Cases are full, overflowing, with Traveller Dust. The base ingredient of Chimera.
“This can’t be all just your personal stash, can it Ivan?” Zarek questions the Sage.
Iomhar explains that he used Ivan’s own Scroll Cases with the Symbol of Candlekeep on them and again reiterates that he had no idea what was inside the Scroll Cases.
Zarek believes him and thanks Iomhar for his help in dealing with the Zhentarim Assassin that had been following both Alley and Zarek.
Iomhar point out that the Zhentarim are not to be messed with.
“Proper Villain’s that’ll rob and kill ya grand ma, straight up.” Warns the Half-Elf.
“If you ever think of coming into the business, look mis-up and I’ll get you into the can of coke and chicken mob.” Offers Iomhar.
Zarek Brightlamp and Iomhar are in mid-conversation when Mellow-Man Mark dashes out from the doorway and straight at the two.
Alley was making sure that Oli and Lucas were properly tide-up and also was surprised by the sudden entrance of the Addict.
Then there was also another sound of movement from the south and Rufus was also now miraculously getting up and picking up his Mace.
Ivan takes the opportunity to step back and try to cast ‘Acid Splash’ at Zarek but misses.
“I thought you had killed him Alley, poor shot.” Offer Zarek as he turns to face Mark the Mellow-man.
Mark ingests Chimera and enters into battle with Zarek. Zarek stands ready with both his Daggers drawn and choosing to use Melee Weapons instead of Magic. Meanwhile, Rufus moves in to engage with Iomhar. Alley waits to see which of her 2 new associates she will need to help. Both are dispatched of quickly and all the heroes have a second to catch their breath.
As Zarek fights with Mellow-Man Mark, he realises that Ivan has back off.
Suddenly the area surrounding Zarek, Ivan, Iomhar and the Chimera Gang members is thrown into ‘Darkness’.
Iomhar does the same with Mellow-Man Mark who had been knocked out by Zarek’s One-Two Dagger combination.
Zarek Brightlamp attempts to hit out at Mellow-Man Mark but just slashes at thin air. Zarek can also feel the Club wielded by Mellow-Man Mark whoosh pass by his head.
The next thing that happens shocks Zarek, he feels someone grab his arm and then hears Alley’s voice.
“Hold on and come with me.” Alley says as she picks Zarek up and carries him out of the Magical Darkness.
Zarek thanks Alley and she turns to rush back into the ‘Darkness’.
“I need to help Iomhar if I can, he is completely blinded in there.” The young girl states as she dashes off.
“But you can’t see anything either in that Magical Darkness Alley. Wait, where is Ivan.” Zarek asks himself.
Zarek spots Ivan disappearing around the corner and down the corridor out of the Chimera laboratory.
“He’s mine, I won’t let him get away.” Zarek calls out as he catches-up with Ivan. Another smack with the pommel of his trusty Dagger sends Ivan to the last place he will get a decent sleep. Zarek returns with Ivan and places him with all the other Chimer Gang members.
Alley checks the condition of Rufus and then ties him up. “Rufus still lives and Zarek, that means we have all of the Chimera Gang.” Says Alley.
Alley helps Iomhar to place all of the unconscious Chimera Gang members all together. The Alley joins Zarek in the search of the adjacent library chamber.
A small library carved into the wall opposite the entrance is lined with bookshelves from floor to ceiling.
The books in this library recount a history of the Waterdeep, and Various Arcane Rites and Rituals. Zarek’s Investigation reveals the Ivan, the Alchemist and Wizard used these books often and was much disorganized. The value of these books will vary. Again, Zarek’s Arcana knowledge let him find another ‘Wizard’s Spellbook’ among the shelves; Leather and worn, adorned with the image of a monstrous Chimera in Gold Leaf on the cover worth 10 gp. All of the books are written in or translated into Common.
Zarek and Alley decide to contact Caspar and Melchior to see if they can get a message to the City Watch outside of the Field Watch and that they would hand over the Alchemist, his laboratory, a large stash of Chimera (valued at 500 gp), gang members and proof of their trade.
As they wait for the City Watch to arrive Zarek searches the body of Ivan and finds Ivan’s Spell Book, Ivan’s Leather Waistcoat, 25gp Dragons and 4 Diamonds (??gp) in a plain pouch. Still, Zarek did notice that his finger was red and sore, as if he had a Ring which had been removed from it very recently.
“Alley or Iomhar I wonder which?” Zarek thinks to himself.
Next thing Zarek knows, there are several City Watch and a couple of City Guards all lead by a Dwarven Senior Civilar.
“I am Senior Civilar Darrak Ashlord, who can tell me what has been going on here and be quick about it.” Says the Dwarf.
Zarek Brightlamp , with the aid of Alley and the backing of Caspar, who had obviously made it out of the Fieldward and managed to bring a reliable City Watch member, explain all that they think Senior Civilar Darrak Ashlord needed to know. This included Ivan’s journal and letter, both with his hand writing and also the letter they received. It took some Persuasion to explain how the letters were signed as Bodee.
That is when they both noticed that Iomhar had made a speedy and silent exit, Stage Left.
Zarek and Alley leave the Half-Elf out of their statements, which surprises Zarek as he thought Alley was a straight up Citizen, but there is a streak in her that is unpredictable.
Zarek and Alley are let go and the return to the Scrap’d Rafter Tavern where they thank Warble Bandlewagon for all his help and thank their soon to be chosen Gods that he is one of the good guys.
Warble Bandlewagon is pleased that Alley, and the purple other one, are fine and he decides to reopen the Dhavian Trill Music Hall now that they had cleaned the place out.
“If there is ever anything I can do please ask. You have a discount Zarek.” He says as they all laugh together.
They are all watched over by Kemper Copperfury from her dice table.
Over the next day people, or more accurately Waterdhavians and people of importance, were allowed to leave the Fieldward if they proved residence in Waterdeep.
Alley Yaledrin and Zarek Brightlamp bid farewell and Alley tell Zarek to look her up once he enters Waterdeep.
“Alley never told me where she lived.” Thinks Zarek to himself.
Zarek spots Alley embracing an older woman dressed in white robes.