The Scrapd Rafter:
Zarek has to wait to be allowed into Waterdeep having spent these last few days in the Scrapd Rafter as most of the unregistered, non-Waterdhavians, did too but as the days went on, he suspected that it was more than just a coincidence that he was being left to wait.
Fortunately, the Tiefling was capable of sending his days, and night in particular, learning he knew trade from his mentor Iomhar ‘Bodee’ Rackham. Zarek had chosen the Rouge profession after the most important lesson he had learnt from his time in the Field Ward, do not trust people until they have shown their true self to him.
Zarek learnt the skills of a Rogue, at his time at the Scrapd Rafter and he was a fast learner and excellent student, though Iomhar preferred the practical side to his work and Zarek also loved reading about related materials. Locks, doors, architecture, town planning, crafts, laws and their enforces where all on his list of information to gather.
“You can never have too much information about your mark or their location.” Iomhar loved to say to Zarek.
“Information is as good as a key.” Was another one he liked to say. while both driniking at the Scrapd Rafter.
His mentor Iomhar ‘Bodee’ Rackham, after his last training session, gives Zarek a Spell Gem (Amber) Ring.
“I found dis on Rufus after Alley knocked him out in the ‘Darkness’ Spell, you’d do well to keep an eye on Alley.” Says Iomhar.
Zarek asks “What do you mean but that?”
“Noting, just she’s more than just a posh bird caught in the slums, keeps things close to her firm chest if you see what I mean.” Offers Iomhar.
Warble Bandlewagon hands Zarek a letter from Alley, “She said to give you this once she had left.”
The letter explains how happy she was to have met Zarek and to have been part of the cleaning up of the Field Ward. She now knows her true path and hope to see Zarek again if he chooses to stay in Waterdeep, but understands if he doesn’t wish to. The letter, left for him at the Scrapd Rafter, goes on to say that she had purchased Hero back for him and he is waiting in the stables with a tendays accommodation and feed also provided.
“I eventually got a very good deal, considering that he had been stolen and part of the Alchemist’s crimes, it seemed to make a big difference to the final price.” Alley comments cheerfully.
Zarek notices that she had not left a forwarding address.
Zarek also spends time with Warble Bandlewagon, at the Scrapd Rafter, and eventually became accepted, though his interest was in Alley.
Warble Bandlewagon decided to renovate and re-open the Dhavian Trill Music Hall and come out of retirement to perform once more.
Zarek also had to deal with unpleasant tasks as he attended the funeral of Jaxim & Dallas Delacourt that was held by Hargadon Dudley outside the walls of Waterdeep.
Hargadon Dudley have a chat after the service and Zarek remembers to bring a wonderful sweet for the Priest of Kelemvor. Hargadon Dudley, meets Zarek at the Scrapd Rafter and, explains that he will be staying in the Field Ward for now as they need him more that Waterdeep at the moment and he asks Zarek to send his best wishes to Alley and her mother.
“Strange that Dudley always mentions Alley’s Mother but not hr Father. Also, I wonder who paid for the funeral?” Thinks Zarek as he returns to his lessons.
Zarek spends a whole evening investigating the Magic Items that they had acquired and finds the abilities of them all.
“How rude, I have spent so long receiving that I had forgotten to share out spoils with Alley, though it appears the Dragon have no dominion over her.” Ponders Zarek.
Zarek takes Ivan +1 Leather Waist Coat to be Magically Cleaned by Alasha Gaige and also so he can get the lay of the land as he had not visited it yet.
Alasha Gaige is welcoming is well guarded and accompanied by a contingent of local Tent Town Thugs. These loyal followers will engage the Tiefling in an extensive pat-down, bag and body check before they are even allowed near her or the central area of the settlement. The Great Tent, Alasha’s dwelling is in Eastern area of the Field Ward, in the centre Tent Town.
Zarek decerns, through their interactions, that she is an unscrupulous Half-Elven woman in her thirties who has taken to a life of crime after being disgraced and unnamed by the noble family she was born into. Her youthful appearance is generally unremarkable except for her noticeably sickly yellow eyes and complexion. These features rest among sunken features due to jaundice. A permanent fixture of the Ward, she has become the most feared and respected woman in Eastern edges and is often referred to as ‘the Kingpin of Tent Town’.
When Zarek arrives back at the Dhavian Trill Music Hall he finds another note from Alley and a small sack of items.
Zarek checks his room, as the items were hand delivered and he locked he remembers locking the door. He finds that the window is slightly ajar and locked. The tracks he finds are of a slight man of woman.
“Alley has been here I guess, unless she sent another which makes no sense to me.” Zarek thinks to himself.
The letter wishes Zarek well once again and hope he has a safe life reading books somewhere special.
Inside the sack Zarek finds:
- A Silver Dog Collar (5gp) worn by Gazpacho
- The Delacourt’s Kaeth (Coffee) 1 Bag x10 Servings
- Feather Token (Feather Fall) hidden in the cloak worn by Lucas.
- Medal of the Meat Pie worn by Lucas.
Zarek is eventually given permission to leave, he collects all his possessions and leaves for Waterdeep. As the Rogue exits the City Gates, he sees the Civilar Alonzo Redhawke on the walls looking directly at him, this story has not yet ended Zarek thinks to himself and makes a mental note to check his doors and windows of a night.
Zarek now finds himself alone in the grand City of Waterdeep and realises that he was expecting to see Alley waiting for him but the is no one.
The apprentice Rogue remembers that Alley’s, or Allegory as he now knows is her full name, farther worked out of the Tower of the Order, where he serves in the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. Her mother is a devout healer, and spend her days tending to the injured and infirm in the Hospice of St. Laupsenn, a temple devoted to Ilmater.
Zarek decides to visit Alley’s mother first and begins to look for the Hospice of St. Laupsenn. Waterdeep is massive and full of sound, sights smells and movement that if all become overwhelming for Zarek.
Eventually he decides that he needs to ask for directions from the City Watch who is directing traffic. He is extremely helpful and polite, nothing like Alonzo Redhawke, which make Zarek think that he needs to judge each individual differently.
Zarek eventually makes his way to the Hospice of St. Laupsenn and speaks to Alley’s mother.
She introduces herself, “My name is Cassia, Cassia Yaeldrin, a devout healer devoted to Ilmater and I can guess that you are Zarek Brightlamp.”
“Sorry to stare but Allegory did say that you had decided to leave for Baldur’s Gate, is there a problem I can help you with?” Asks Cassia. She leads Zarek to a private room and excuses herself for a while and then returns. Zarek suspects that Cassia had cast a Spell of some sort to gage his answers.
Zarek explains what had happened to him over the last few days and omits anything unsavoury that he or Alley may, or may not have done. Cassia seems to be satisfied that Zarek has a good heart and will be what Alley has needed since her farther, a friend.
“What do you mean by since her farther?” Asks Zarek, instantly realising that Alley had not been fully truthful with him. Cassia explains Alley’s background to Zarek.
“At only 18, Allegory Yaeldrin carries burdens most would shy away from. She was born and raised in Waterdeep, growing up amid the Tower of the Order, where her father, Laucian Yaeldrin, a high elf and talented mage, served in the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. Her mother, Cassia Yaeldrin, a devout healer, spent her days tending to the injured and infirm in the Hospice of St. Laupsenn, a temple devoted to Ilmater, the god of endurance and compassion. Surrounded by knowledge, magic, and healing, Allegory’s upbringing was steeped in lore and the dual worlds of mystical power and mercy.”
“From a young age, Allegory showed a natural affinity for magic and an inquisitive mind, destined for the path of the sage. Her father saw her promise and mentored her, teaching her spells, enchantments, and the finer points of magic. Despite their strong bond, her raw power and curiosity one day led to tragedy. In a reckless attempt to practice an advanced spell, Allegory lost control, causing a magical accident that claimed her father’s life. This loss left an indelible mark on her heart, shattering her self-confidence and filling her with guilt.”
“Unable to forgive herself, Allegory buried her grief and self-loathing beneath layers of charm and wit. She found refuge in stories, spinning tales about herself so fantastical and inconsistent that no one saw the truth beneath her cheerful, charismatic facade. This tendency to weave a web of myths around her past allows her to keep people at a distance, though she occasionally slips, hinting at the deep sadness she keeps hidden.”
“Her guilt also fuels a newfound drive to help others, particularly those who suffer or endure hardship. Nevertheless, Allegory’s empathy does not extend to authority; she resents control and rigid structures, which often reminds her of the way her father’s strict mentorship ended in tragedy. She tolerates the Tower of the Order for its vast resources, but she balks at the formalities and rules, preferring to find her own path.”
“As she trains as a sage at the Tower, Allegory has learned to wield her high charisma and the subtlety of her spellcasting to charm, influence, and deceive when necessary. Flattery and her acting skills are her favoured tools, allowing her to manoeuvre through situations with minimal resistance and maximum personal freedom. Though her motives are often unclear, she is neither cruel nor malicious—only driven by the internal conflict between her wish to atone for the past and her resentment of any external control over her life.”
“In Waterdeep, those who know her call her Alley and speak of her as an enigma—a figure certain to help a stranger as to twist their expectations. Whether driven by compassion, guilt, or ambition, Allegory Yaeldrin remains a force unto herself, learning, surviving, and, slowly, finding redemption.”
Cassia offers to speak with Alley and arrange for a meeting.“Unless you wish to find and speak to her yourself young Brightlamp?” Asks Cassia.