DAISY SHADOWFOOT:
CHES 28th (The Claw of Sunsets – 1492 DR)
01:15 am
Zarek tells Merf Palmer all that he can, but omits things like Daisy Shadowfoot and Aranat, the Bronze Dragon Zelifarn, etc, regarding their hunt for the Treasure, 5000,000 Gold Dragons. Also, most of the factions that were involved in the Grand Game and hunting Dagult’s Enigma, as coined by those that knew what they hunted. Zarek also mentions the ‘Stone of Golorr’ to the Halfling and what its purpose is.
So rather than hope that Fala Lefaliir, at the Corellon’s Crown, had these Potions available, they decide that they should wake Rishaal the Page Turner and ask for the Dragonborn help and they wanted to request several Spells.
The general idea, after much discussion by the two Rogues, was to rest first and then return the ‘Bag of Holding’ to Daisy Shadowfoot and her shadow, Aranat. Then they would attempt to throw off suspicion from themselves by pretending that the fake ‘Stone of Golorr’ is the real one and ask Daisy Shadowfoot to return it to Laeral Silverhand. Then they hoped to have her return it to the Zhentarim, Manshoon, and then the Factions would look to them and not turn their eyes to Trollskull Manor.
The Spell ‘Non-Detection’, to mask the Stone of Golorr for scrying and presence and also ‘Detect Thoughts’ so they can use it when interrogating Krebbyg Masq’il’yr.
As Merf Palmer was a new comer and unknown to Rishaal the Page Turner, the idea was to send Zarek. However, they then realised they needed rest and recover. They chose to rest and sleep all while keeping an eye on Krebbyg Masq’il’yr, taking it in turns to do so. They intended to stay in the Cavern under Trollskull Manor.
Zarek went upstairs to consult and inform Lif the Poltergeist Head Bartender. Zarek informed Lif that they would be hiding out downstairs for 8 hours or so.
01:25 am
Lif asked about Barnibus and Zarek said to lie, and say that they had not been seen. Zarek asks once again about the Urchins and he once more says that there has not been seen since Jenks collected a basket of food and drinks.
Zarek is about to return back into the Cellar when he hears 3 loud bangs from the floor above. Acting instinctively, the Tiefling casts his Spell, ‘Message’ and contacts the Halfling Rogue and request he join him immediately.
Merf Palmer thinks it best to inform Alley of their movements and he in turn casts the Spell ‘Message’ and speaks to Alley.
Merf Palmer: “Alley, Zarek has called me up to the tap Room.”
Alley: “What, why? What has he seen and what do you want me…”
Merf Palmer looks down and shrugs his shoulders and heads back up the stairs and up into the Trollskull Taproom.
Zarek and Merf Palmer head out to the stairs up to the first floor. As Zarek has keys he opens the door, behind the bar and tries to make as little noise as possible but luck is not on his side this night as the door slams open as a gust of wind blows it open. Felling that the element of surprise has gone Zarek advances and is followed, 10’ foot or so behind by Merf Palmer.
Once by the stairs, the Tiefling Rogue gestures for the Halfling Rogue to enter via the balcony and he would open the door for him, using the Spell ‘Message’.
Zarek continues up the stairs and listens at the door. Hearing nothing to alarm him he proceeds to open the main door to their living area, which has an elaborate and complex lock created by Nim the Nimblewright.
Once inside Zarek looks about and can see and hear nothing and so he enters the Common Room of the Trollskull Manor. Once inside he closes the door and locks it behind him. Once more the Tiefling looks about and sees nothing to fear except for the door leading to the Hall and main stairs up, slightly open and enticing the viewer onwards.
Merf Palmer silently scales the front of Trollskull Manor not taking extra care not to be seen as prying eyes watch over Trollskull.
The Tiefling Rogue remembers his new addition and heads back to the Den where he opens the door onto the balcony and so allowing the Halfling Rogue into Trollskull.
All doors are closed as the two Rogues continue to the Hall where they hope to go up the stairs to the second floor and the living area. Zarek opens the door, which was ajar, and looks about the Hall for any enemies.
Merf Palmer: “Let me also look, stand aside and give me room.”
Merf Palmer squints as he peers into the dark room, wishing that he had the dark sight of the Hellspawn Zarek. However, the Halfling Rogue does spot that the carpet was uneven and ruffled. He also could see that there were 2 lone Gold Waterdeep Dragons laying on the floor, against the wall and opersite the door.
Merf Palmer uses his Spell ‘Message’ and contact Zarek.
Merf Palmer: “All clear.”
Seeing nothing and hearing no noise, the Rogue steps on the carpet and a loud crunching noise is heard. The Tiefling Rogue reacts by jumping backwards and does so ungracefully. In doing so he slams against the door frame and alerting everyone to their presence.
Zarek waits, as does Merf Palmer, for a heartbeat and they hear no one and see nothing.
Zarek: “I think I need to trust in Tymora and toss a coin for her guidance.”
Merf Palmer: “What? You can’t just trust to a coin toss to see how to proceed.”
Zarek: “Tymora’s face, we advance and face whatever is upstairs.”
Merf Palmer conjures up his, ‘Invisible’, Mage Hand Legerdemain and gestures for Zarek to move to one side as he lifts the carpet. Underneath, they discover a pale yellowish, dry, crush of organic material. The Tiefling Rogue recognises it as a foodstuff, which is cooked in boiling water and served with different sauces.
Zarek: “I know what this is and I have only ever seen it here in the Kitchen at Trollskull Manor. They must have entered that way in possibly and used it and an early Alarm for anyone entering through the halls of Trollskull Manor. Cleaver.” The Tiefling Rogue thinks as he dashes onwards.
The Tiefling Rogue dashes up the internal stairs, as their presence had already been announced, to their living area and thinking that he felt something missing and realised that Alley was not at his side. Zarek attempts to be as silent as he can, but he knows that along with the noise from the carpet, he had been to heavy footed.
Zarek reaches the second floor and immediately spots that the door to their library was also ajar, again guiding him to where they wanted him to go.
Zarek: “What’s that noise, it sounds familiar…Cards being shuffled.”
Zarek, not wanting to be caught off guard, casts his, ‘Invisible’, Mage Hand Legerdemain and slowly opens the door.
Merf had caught up and was keeping back at the top of the stairs as he was unfamiliar with the layout of Trollskull Manor so he followed Zarek’s lead as he want to make a good impression.
As the door slowly opened Zarek was able to confirm his suspicions and saw that Daisy Shadowfoot was sitting at the table in the centre of the library, on a small pile of books which allowed her to play with her deck of cards. The Tiefling rogue could see that the room had been trashed and searched, with papers, books and parchments everywhere.
Zarek: “Daisy, what an unexpected pleasure. I thought we had an appointment this afternoon?”
Daisy Shadowfoot: “We did but I thought that it would be to our benefit if we arrived earlier. Seeing how you had to fight your way through the Xanathar Guild and those Drow Spider-Kissers.”
Zarek: “Oh do not worry we are fine and still able to defend ourselves.”
Merf listens in to the conversation.
Daisy Shadowfoot: “We see that you are bleeding Zarek. Where is Alley Yaeldrin?”
Zarek looks down and his injuries and the blood covering his Armour and clothing.
Zarek: “Alley is fine thank you very much. Well now that you are here, we can discuss are transaction. I also wanted…”
Daisy Shadowfoot: “What transaction. You need to give me back that which you stole from me, then you will also give me the ‘Chime of Opening’ that was also promised by you Then we can discuss things like two consenting adults, that happen to be Rogues by trade.”
Zarek was beginning to object to Daisy Shadowfoot’s tone, especially as she had broken into their home. They had planned to give Daisy Shadowfoot the ‘Bag of Holding’ and also have the fake ‘Stone of Golorr’ be inside. Then they wanted to have Daisy Shadowfoot deliver it to Laeral Silverhand. All the while knowing that they would return it to Manshoon, and the Zhentarim, which would draw the eyes of the other Factions away from them.
Merf Palmer: “I feel that she is not acting alone and that there may be more scum in the room.”
However, Daisy Shadowfoot had always intended to visit Trollskull Manor, either while they slept as their security was very poor, or as fortune had it, after they had been involved in a skirmish. That way they would have an advantage and the two young foolish adventurers would feel safe and secure in their Trollskull Manor.
Zarek: “Listen Daisy Shadowfoot, if you can remember I had a condition to returning your item and that is what I am demanding now before we make any exchange.”
Daisy Shadowfoot: “I think you believe that can negotiate. You have what is mine and I will take that back now, hand it over and you will not get hurt. I’m not being paid and so this is personal.”
Daisy Shadowfoot stands up and walks towards the open door of the library.
Zarek acts impulsively, he begins to cast his, ‘Invisible’, Mage Hand Legerdemain and slowly realises that Daisy Shadowfoot is faster than him, much faster as if it was a skill acquired through many years of training. Daisy Shadowfoot smiles at Zarek.
However, she does not move as yet and the sound of a door opening can be heard from behind Zarek and Merf. Suddenly, Daisy Shadowfoot’s partner in crime, Aranat, comes crashing through the hall and straight towards Zarek.
Merf can see him clearly and wonders if they have bitten off more than they could chew. The towering human, wearing an armoured breast plate and carrying multiple weapons, did not have any of them draw.
Aranat, in turn, sees Merf crouching by the top of the stairs and dismisses the small humanoid and a mere inconvenience.
Aranat: “This upstart orphan Fiend needs to be taught a lesson this time around and as I can’t kill him, I will hurt him.” The Human Fighter reminds himself.
Aranat (Thieves Chant): “”A half-pint scissor is working the risers.”
Daisy Shadowfoot is happy that the Tiefling Rogue was not able to cast his Spell in time at her and believes that Alley was not near. Aranat grabs Zarek, pinning his arms by his side with him still holding onto his weapons.
Aranat: “Stop struggling devil spawn, it will all go smoothly if you just stop resisting.”
Aranat then headbutts the Tiefling Rogue for good measure.
The dexterous Rogue Tiefling was able to avoid the full effects of the butt though he did cut him above the eye. This was the opportunity that Zarek needed and he reacts in kind with his ‘Hellish Rebuke’ Tiefling ability, which the Rogue finds amusing given the abuse he has received from the Tiefling hating Fighter.
Zarek: “Not only did that not hurt, but I think you may have embarrassed yourself in front of everyone.”
Aranat; “Aaaggg, you wait and see what is going to happen. I hope that you do keep struggling Thief-ling.”
Aranat is momentarily surrounded by green flames and he takes fire damage from its effects. Aranat grits his teeth and smiles at Zarek.
Zarek: “Oh no I have given him a reason to not go easy. Where are you Merf when I need you the most?”
Aranat has a strong grip on Zarek and Move into the library with the Rogue still in his arms.
Daisy Shadowfoot wastes no time and begins to search the held Rogue Tiefling. Knowing that he would not let it out of his sight and she know just how easy it could be to hide on your person. Daisy Shadowfoot finds it and seems to calm down somewhat.
Daisy Shadowfoot then closes the door and stands behind it hoping that she had the strength to hold it shut against the Halfling Rogue.
Merf now bursts into action, though he does not know who these intruders are. He believes that they are from one of the Factions in the Grand Game and they should be stopped, permanently as those that aren’t tend to always come back.
The Male Halfling Rogue dashes to the door and shoves at it with all his weight. In spite of this, the door stays shut and Daisy Shadowfoot was able to keep it shut.
Daisy Shadowfoot: “Don’t continue attempting to enter Rogue, and Zarek here will live. I take only that which is mine, do not anger Aranat any more than you already have.”
Aranat then changes places with Daisy Shadowfoot and leans his considerable weight, also given that he is holding Zarek, against the door and thinking that the wee-man-thief will not be able to get past him.
Daisy Shadowfoot: “This could have gone smoothly Zarek but you tried to double cross me and I will not have my reputation tarnished, no matter how good looking they are.”
Zarek feels that he now has to engage and recover the ‘Stone of Golorr’, especially given the lives that had been lost in acquiring it.
Zarek: “If only we had reached the Zhentarim Warehouse, in Candle Lane in the Dock Ward, a bit earlier we would have missed meeting Daisy and Aranat. How cruel fate can be.” The young Tiefling ponders.
Daisy Shadowfoot moves to the windows, which she opens and begins to climb out.
Daisy Shadowfoot: “Things could have been fun Zarek but this will be a lesson you will not soon forget. Still no hard feeling and I will be taking whatever you had hidden in the ‘Bag of Holding’ as compensation for my pain and suffering.”
Aranat; “To your pain and suffering if I catch you following us devil child. Know when you are beaten as coins are not worth dying for.”
Daisy Shadowfoot deftly climbs out of the window and disappears up. Again, it is obvious that she was able to negotiate the climb like Boris, the Tieflings favoured Spider Familiar.
Aranat continues to grapple with Zarek and, for a second time, he is able to prevent the Rogue from escaping his mighty thews.
Now it was the turn of the Halfling Merf and he had no idea that he would now need to pit his strength against Aranat’s bulk and the weight of Zarek too.
The Halfling Rogue, Merf, was unable to burst through the door but miraculously has was able to force the door open enough that he managed to squeeze through the gap. Halfling size sometimes is a benefit. Once inside Merf can see that Daisy Shadowfoot was no longer in the library and Aranat had Zarek grappled up against the door. The window was open and he knew where the female Halfling Rogue had disappeared to.
Merf dashes to the window and glances about, not able to concentrate on finding Daisy Shadowfoot and so he had to make a choice, up or down? Merf choses to climb down to the alleyway below and check for signs of the female Halfling Rogue. Merf sees nothing that stands out in the dim night with his poor vision at night and has to make a choice to look or chase by guessing.
Merf: “No wait, what am I doing? I can use the Raven’s Dagger and Fly after Daisy.”
Meanwhile, back in the library, Aranat has waited enough to allow Daisy Shadowfoot to escape and he then releases Zarek, opens the door and makes his way to the corridor from where he was hiding. Zarek can hear the noise of movement as he moves out of his line of sight.
Zarek was now mad and intent of not only recovering the ‘Stone of Golorr’ but also severely punishing Daisy Shadowfoot and especially Aranat,
Zarek: “If you are kind and have mercy, they just come back less fearful of you and anticipating quarter with every encounter. No more I say, let Alexander Brightlamp and Iomhar Rackham be my witnesses”
Zarek sprints through the Hall and along the corridor. There, he finds the window open and a Rope tied and dangling out of said window. The Tiefling Rogue looks out of the open window and can see Aranat, climbing down the rope and the Fighter is 4’ to 5’ feet from the ground. Nestling under the eaves of Trollskull Manor, Zarek can also see 2 horses, saddled and hitched to one of the Manors own horse poles.
Zarek: “The brazen cheek of these two is extraordinary.” Zarek angrily thinks as he pulls out his ‘Wand of Magic Missiles’.
Zarek: “No more restraint, I need to stop Aranat and then we desperately need to recover the ‘Stone of Golorr’ Where are you Alley when we need you the most.” The Tiefling Rogue mumbles.
Zarek aims the Wand and unleashes nine bolts of energy at the Fighter Aranat. He takes damage as the bolts sear his flesh but he does not cry out in pain. Zarek shivers to think what kind of an upbringing would harden a person so much.
Aranat looks up at the Tiefling Rogue as he lands on the ground and Zarek can see he starts to reach for one of the javelins strapped to his back, but then he hears the horses neighing and whinnying and the anger leaves his face. Instead, he runs his finger along his neck as he looks at Zarek.
That triggers Zarek and he leaps out of the window. As he is plummeting down, he suddenly slows and floats down to the ground.
Zarek: “Thank you Lucas for your Feather Token, just what I needed.” The Rogue thanks ‘The Roach’ quietly to himself.
Aranat looks confused, shocked, and ultimately happy to have the Rogue within his grasp.
Daisy Shadowfoot remains hidden, as she crouches under the roof of the top floor of Trollskull Manor, fearing that she needed to keep an eye out for the hot-headed Halfling Rogue as he was bound to spoil the apple cart.
Merf is last to act and as he concentrates on the ‘Raven’s Dagger’, he calls forth it power to provide flight and the Halfling can ‘Fly’ and ‘Hover’ like a bird. As this was the first-time experiencing flight, Merf was a little weary at first and flew a bit erratically.
Merf flew up to the roof at the second floor and upon not seeing Daisy Shadowfoot, he continued up and over the top roof of Trollskull Manor. Still no sign of Daisy Shadowfoot. Merf then flew around Trollskull Tower and he could see Zarek, standing near Aranat and the 2 saddled Horses.
Aranat stares at Zarek as he draws out a Potion bottle, a deep red liquid that shimmer as the Fighter drinks it, from his pouch and then moves towards the Tiefling Rogue, Longsword drawn and held in both hand for maximum injury.
Zarek: “The Brute is healing himself and so we start again from the beginning. Tymora chose attack and so I continue.” The Tiefling mutters through clenched fangs.
Aranat swing his Longsword at Zarek and the Rogue can clearly see that he does not intend to hold back or soften his blow. The Longsword slashes the unprotected flesh under Zarek’s arm and draws blood and a cry from the Tiefling Rogue.
Then scurrying out and over the roof, Daisy Shadowfoot heads to the edge of the roof, lowers her attached rope and rappels down to the ground and by the side of Aranat.
Daisy Shadowfoot: “Desist in this folly Zarek, I do not wish you hurt and I have what I came for and more by the way you are both chasing us. And so, I claim it as my prize, as you did my property. See you soon Zarek and send my love to Alley Yaeldrin.”
Zarek then realised that Daisy Shadowfoot kept using Alley’s full name to show she had done her research.
Then the coin was tossed again and an unexpected twist of fate meant that Merf Palmer had entered the Grand Game and made both enemies and allies all in the same evening.
And so, thinking that it was imperative to kill Daisy Shadowfoot in order to retrieve the ‘Bag of Holding’ and Zarek’s possessions. Merf Palmer was unaware that the key to Dagult Neverember’s Enigma was in the very ‘Bag of Holding’ recovered by Daisy Shadowfoot.
Merf ha a plan and that plan is to fly down and grapple Daisy Shadowfoot. Once grappled, he would ‘Fly’ up into the sky and drop her to her death, if all goes to plan.
Merf is fast and nimble and manages to hold onto and ‘Fly off with, Daisy Shadowfoot after a great effort. Straight up he flew with her and upon reaching 85’ feet, he let go of the Female Halfling Rogue.
Daisy Shadowfoot drops the 85’ feet to her apparent death and she hit the ground with a sickening sound of cracking bones.
Aranat is incensed and cries out in anger and rage.
The Human Fighter then rushes over to Daisy Shadowfoot and kneels over her. Daisy Shadowfoot gets up, looking a lot worse for wear but alive.
Then Aranat takes his anger out on the Rogue Tiefling as he attacks and strike twice at Zarek with his full fury and anger at the harm caused to Daisy Shadowfoot.
Zarek falls to the ground and lays their motionless and dead.
Daisy Shadowfoot: “Enough of this foolishness, there is no profit in killing each other. Save your friend Lightfoot and we shall be on our way. Is what we have worth dying for?”
Daisy Shadowfoot takes a long look at Merf Palmer and she can see the look that she has experienced far too many times in her life, and she intends to keep her life.
Daisy Shadowfoot: “So be it.”
Daisy Shadowfoot pulls a small black sphere which measures 3/4 of an inch in diameter, out of thin air, a performer to the bitter end, and throws it towards Zarek.
Merf calls out thinking that she aimed to further destroy the body of Zarek. However, instead there appears a transparent Sphere around the Tiefling Rogue.
The bead explodes in a 10′-foot-radius Sphere on impact and it is destroyed. In its place, a sphere of transparent force then encloses the area where Zarek lays, trapped inside this sphere.
Zarek: “What id that light I can see ahead, it looks like a Tavern and I can see two familiar faces. Alexander Brightlamp and Iomhar Rackham happily drinking together. I must go and join them I have so much to tell them.”
The dark pool of blood under Zarek slowly gets bigger.
Daisy Shadowfoot: “Again I ask you boy, leave us be and you can save your friend. Otherwise, he will truly die and you will not be able to save him. Chose, only I can release him from his entrapment.”
Merf believes, that Daisy Shadowfoot is barely alive and that if he does hit her, she will die this night.
Merf Palmer: “But what of Zarek Brightlamp, do I trust this Daisy Shadowfoot, or will I take matters into my own hands?” The Rogue has no hesitation and flies down to Zarek thinking that he could aim his comrade. But when he goes to try and touch Zarek he is blocked by the sphere of transparent force.
Merf then is clear as to his action and ‘Flies’ up into the air and fires at Daisy Shadowfoot. His hunch was correct and he kills Daisy Shadowfoot outright.
Aranat looks extremely worried now, ignores the ‘Flying’ Halfling and rushes to pick up, the now dead, Daisy Shadowfoot. Once he had her, and with no one left to hinder him on the street, he jumped on one of the Horses with at Daisy Shadowfoot in his arms. The brutish Fighter also took the reins of the second Horse as well. Then all then galloped away at great speed.
Merf then attempted to follow the fleeing Fighter and Dead Rogue. Flying up and out towards Saerdoun Street, the main road north of Trollskull Manor.
Also, the very location of the Drow who was hiding and keeping a watch on the North and North-East entrances to Trollskull Alley.
Merf did his best to move and did not bother to conceal his movements as he flew towards Saerdoun Street. Then, as he did not see the horses, he flew a little higher but even though the street lamps were on the roofs, alleyways and other obstacles made it incredibly difficult to flow the fleeing murderers.
Merf could check for tracks, ask witnesses what they saw and he was bound to find them eventually, but what about Zarek, could he still be saved and brought back? No to mention telling Alley.
Merf Palmer; “Brandobaris give me the courage to tell her what happened and the guile to not reveal what happened here. She may get the wrong idea and after all I didn’t kill Zarek, did I?” The worried Halfling Rogue says as he questions himself.
Merf Palmer: “Are future could have been so bright together, 500,000 Dragons brighter that is.”
01:30 am