Kalain of the Nine Waters:
CHES 27th (The Claw of Sunsets – 1492 DR)
14:25 pm
They first read the Letter from Kalain of the Nine Waters and discuss its possible meaning and clues within.
Letter to Dalakhar from Kalain :
Dalakhar,
I had to give considerable thought to your request. But you were always kind to me even when your demonic master was not. If you are still in need of my aid, you may claim whatever sanctuary I can offer.
Kalain of the Nine Waters
It seams to all intense and purposes that Dalakhar, while looking for a place to hide, wrote to Kalain of the Nine Waters asking for sanctuary. They also gathered that she had not liking for Dagult Neverember. Finally, they estimated that Dalakhar had more than likely contacted Kalain of the Nine Waters on the day he liberated the Stone of Golorr from the Lair of Xanathar. The night soil on the boots of Dalakhar also points to that Lair being reached by, or situated in the Sewers of Waterdeep.
The Rogue and Bard then go on to debate the Red Tomb taken from the Gralhund Villa. They initially agree to take it to Hargadon Dudley, their Cleric friend working out of the Hospice of St. Laupsenn in the North Ward and where Alley’s Mother Cassia Yaeldrin is the Archpriest. Then change they change their minds and they split duties.
As they are discussing issues the Rogue and the Bard both notice that their report on the Grand Game, belonging to Jarlaxle Baenre and found on the Eyecatcher, was missing and their papers and Scrolls thrown about the library.
Zarek: “This is not good, look there at the glass on the floor Alley. The window has been broken and we have been burgled by an amateur.”
Alley: “Yet they were able to access the window easily enough, chose one to the side of the building which is unseen from the roads.”
Zarek and Alley have their suspicions and may need to come back to this as it occurred on the same day that the Old Man in the Hat visited.
Zarek decided that he need to assert his position and demand aid from Blackstaff. The Rogue headed back, once more this day, to see Vajra Safahr at Blackstaff Tower.
As he travelled there, he ran through what he would say to Vajra Safahr. The Rogue was looking to ask for Magic support, in the form of Magical Protection as in a ‘Ring of Protection’, siting that in accordance the rules of the Gray Hands he is entitled to request such items and help for fellow Gray Hand Members if appropriate and available.
Alley choses to stay back in Trollskull Manor and arranges for their Magical ‘Potions’ from Fala Lefaliir at the Corellon’s Crown and ‘Spell Scrolls’ from Rishaal the Page-Turner at the Book Wyrm’s Treasure.
Zarek: “Strange I though Alley had already gone to visit them already this morning?”
Potions: ‘Potion of Greater Healing’ (150 gp) – ‘Potion of Heroism’ (180 gp) special offer = (200 gp)
Spell Scrolls: ‘Scroll with 2nd Level Invisibility’ (65 gp) x2 = (130 gp) – ‘Scroll with 2nd Level Darkvision’ (65 gp)
TOTAL: 545 gp
Alley also remembered to make a request for some ‘Pixie Dust’ from Fala Lefaliir at the Corellon’s Crown. Knowing that it severed Zarek well as temporary fast movement and evasion movement.
Meanwhile, Zarek leaves for Blackstaff Tower with many questions in his head that he may not have looked both ways when leaving Trollskull Manor, prior to catching a Handsome Cab.
14:40 pm
Zarek is met again by Alley’s Work Friend, Vanora Swiftgaze. The Rogue notices her face twitch and spends sometime investigating it thinking that there are possible Spies, Cultists and Traitors everywhere.
Zarek: “Who am I kidding, I’m no Doctor and I trust Alley’s word. Even though she could be a doppelgänger. Pull yourself together Zarek how would it have gotten passed all the Magical security that must be protecting Blackstaff Tower?”
Zarek is let straight in to the office where Vajra Safahr is sitting at another desk, in another library. The Rogue would never get use to the changing corridors and rooms of Blackstaff Tower, great security too as there are no floor plans for this Tower, you can be sure of that.
Vajra Safahr: “Have you brought me the Stone of Golorr already, that was fast, well done?”
Zarek then proceeds to explain to Vajra Safahr that, as sitting Blackstaff, she was obligated to provide Magical assistance in the form of Magic Items awarded or leant until the mission was complete.
Zarek: “And so I would say that a ‘Ring of Protection’ is what I would need to complete my mission.”
Vajra Safahr: “Oh you would, would you young Zarek. Let me just go and get you one.”
Zarek: “You don’t have to go Vajra; you can get some one to do that for you.”
Zarek notices that Blackstaff grasps her Black Staff so tight that her knuckles turn pink.
Vajra Safahr: “You shall address me as Blackstaff and do not presume to tell me how to proceed in my very own Tower. It is true that I turn people into amphibians, heed my warning Brightlamp, do not push my leniency with you.”
Zarek goes on to plead his case siting that the Gralhunds, and their association with this so-called Stone of Golorr, show that he was well within his rights to enter their grounds. This continues with the Rogue still attempting to withhold incriminating information regarding himself and Alley.
Zarek then pulls out his ‘Bag of Holding’ which he had stashed within his Magical Leather Armour, which had the appearance of a medium sized black sack, and retrieves the Red Tome from the Gralhunds Family Library.
Vajra Safahr tries to hide her brief look of awe at the sight of the ‘Bag of Holding’. However, the keen-eyed Rogue spots this and as a result deduces that its construction was very different to the usual items and the Rogue now knows why his Nemesis, the Rogue Halfling Daisy Shadowfoot and her Fighter friend and companion Aranat, desperately wants it back.
Zarek: “Look I have this strange Red Tome taken from the Gralhunds own personal Library. Is this not evidence enough?”
Blackstaff then reminds the Rogue that he had previously said that he did not enter Gralhund Villa, and yet…
Zarek: “Yes, but that is not what we need to concentrate on right now. What will you do with it, it is clearly Magical and may be a clue to their involvement in this saga.”
Blackstaff is clearly not impressed with Zareks behaviour, or attitude towards a superior officer, given that the hunt for the Stone of Golorr was a misnomer as Vajra Safahr now had a very good idea as to where it may reside.
However, even though Blackstaff reiterates that she requests Zarek to bring her the Stone of Golorr and the Rogue has a day to do so.
Vajra Safahr: “If it wasn’t for his association with Allegory, I would have sent him on the worst missions I had. Yet they have been effective and as long as they are both working together for me. Then they are less also likely to get themselves in any real trouble.” The Blackstaff thinks to herself.
Zarek: “I will not mention anything regarding Kalain of the Nine Waters, I am hot water as it is already.”
Blackstaff then makes it clear that their meeting was over and Zarek is ushered out of the room, just to find Ulkoria Stonemarrow outside and holding a beautifully made Shield in her hands.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow goes on to explain how she was contacted by Blackstaff to provide the Rogue with the following superior Magical assistance. Ulkoria Stonemarrow then hands over to Zarek the Shield and explains its provenance and what the Magical Item can do.
Sentinel Shield:
You have a +2 AC when using the Sentinel Shield. While holding the Sentinel Shield, you have Advantage on Initiative rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks. The Shield is emblazoned with a symbol of an open eye.
Zarek thanks Ulkoria Stonemarrow for her help, feeling that a ‘Ring of Protection’ would have been better for his cause as he now has lost the use of one hand, so to speak.
Zarek: “What to do. I can only use my Rapier in one hand to attack now, or use the Magical +1 Dagger that I have.” The Rogue concludes.
The Rogue then says that he hopes to see Ulkoria Stonemarrow tonight, even though he and Alley had an appointment with the Cassalanter Staff in the Filed Ward, if all things go according to plan.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow sees that Zarek is pre-occupied and may have other plans. No problem there as she intends to try their NEW Ale, whatever the case may be.
15:20 pm
Zarek catches another Handsome Cab, thinking that he would be saving lots of coin by using Hero his horse to travel around Waterdeep. Hero however, was probably living his best life now as he was being fed the best grain, regularly ridden about Waterdeep and all this without having to fear being attacked by wild animals.
Zarek: “Maybe I should have enquire about Kalain of the Nine Waters from Ulkoria Stonemarrow. Oh well, maybe tonight.”
The Handsome Cab takes the Rogue back to Trollskull Manor.
Zarek may have slipped up and not paid full attention to those about the streets of Waterdeep outside of Blackstaff Tower and Trollskull Manor?
As the Rogue enters the Trollskull Manor via the front door, the first thing Zarek spots is Alley by the Bar, looking down and she was talking to someone. Zarek becomes paranoid once more, slips out of the Trollskull Manor and makes his way to the Kitchen door again, situated on Trollskull Alley. The door is still locked, the Rogue uses his set of personal keys to open the door and stealthily moves towards the bar and can see that the Bard is talking to the Urchin Jenks, who is looking down at the floor sheepishly.
Zarek uses his Spell ‘Message’ to communicate with Alley and she goes on to briefly explain on how she had caught Jenks collecting food and drink, enough to feed all of the Urchins. Zarek is unclear as to why this would be a problem until the Bard points out that Jenks is alone and that was very unusual.
Alley: “Think Zarek, when was the last time you saw the Urchins individually? They are always going around together.”
Zarek questions Jenks and he says that he is unable to say anything and he didn’t want to get anyone in trouble. Even Alley fails to winkle out any more information from Jenks as to where the others were and what they were doing.
The Rogue uses his Spell ‘Message’ once more so as not to alarm Jenks.
Zarek: “What do you think we should do Alley?”
Alley: “I don’t think he is lying and Squiddly and Nat are not in trouble, maybe they are working for someone else?”
With far too many other leads to follow and greater dangers that they face, they both let Jenks go. Will this be a bad decision? only time will tell.
Just as Jenks leaves Trollskull Manor, having collected the food and drink, they both spot Volothamp Geddarm in the corner table looking very worse for wear.
Zarek: “Maybe Volo can help with further information on this Kalain of the Nine Waters.”
Alley: “That is a fantastic idea, let’s go.”
The Rogue immediately notices that Volothamp Geddarm has bloodshot eyes, looks slightly dishevelled and comes to the conclusion that he was extremely hungover.
Zarek: “Volo, we are so happy you are here, we have some questions and..”
Volothamp Geddarm: “Shhh, please keep your voice down I am feeling very delicate this day.”
Alley: “My money would be on Renaer and Floom.”
Volothamp Geddarm: “You would be correct.”
Alley, surreptitiously, cancels the drinks that they had ordered from Lif.
Zarek then, quietly, makes enquires regarding Kalain of the Nine Waters and at first Volo is very reluctant to divulge any more information apart from that Kalain of the Nine Waters was a famous Artist that worked within Waterdeep and was very successful. He then insisted that any further knowledge would just be hearsay and common gossip.
Volothamp Geddarm: “I am not one for hearsay and common gossip.”
Zarek is unsure why Volo was so reluctant until he realised that it was because it involved one of his closest friends.
Zarek: “You mean that Renaer Neverember is in some way implicated, or is it his father Dagult Neverember?”
Zarek deduces that it is both in a way, but the real reason is the infidelity of Dagult Neverember and Zarek knew that Renaer Neverember was already annoyed with him over his questions involving his father.
Zarek: “Now it all makes sense, not only has Dagult Neverember tarnished the name of Neverember, but he also committed adultery with this Kalain of the Nine Waters, no wonder Renaer dislikes his father so.”
Zarek However, manages to persuade Volothamp Geddarm to discuss Kalain of the Nine Waters further.
Volo: “I am led to believe that ‘the Nine Waters’ title is often interpreted as one of her prized landscape paintings.”
Volo confirms that Kalain of the Nine Waters still lives within Waterdeep but the cruelness of Dagult Neverember has meant she herself has paid a heavy price for their infidelity.
Volo: “They say that Kalain of the Nine Waters is now a beauty ruined by tragedy.”
Volo: “A famous Waterdhavian painter, Kalain of the Nine Waters, a Half-Elf, was commissioned to paint a portrait of Lord Dagult Neverember, then Waterdeep’s Open Lord, in 1475 DR. Her meeting with Lord Dagult Neverember marked the beginning of a torrid affair that lasted over a year.”
Alley calls Ryba over to serve some of their best wine and hands a glass to Volo.
Alley: “Hair of the Devil Dog will allow for clearer memory; I hear it is said.”
Volo accepts the wine and they all drink together.
Volo: “Kalain of the Nine Waters relationship faltered as Dagults visits to Neverwinter became more frequent and extended. It is said that he made promises to Kalain that he failed to keep, and when she raised the subject of a faithful commitment, he treated her poorly, for his true love was Neverwinter and not either Kalain or Lady Alethea Brandath Renaer’s dear departed mother. Kalain became enraged after Lord Dagult Neverember’s rejection and turned into a shunned recluse.”
Volo: “Ultimately, Lord Dagult Neverember left Kalain a little over four years ago I believe. That frightful man used his influence to ruin Kalain and divorce her from Waterdeep’s high society. She was allowed to stay in the city of Waterdeep in her old home in the Sea Ward somewhere, but her works and her reputation were destroyed, slowly and methodically. Kalain’s spirit was broken, many say that it has led to the onset of madness. Now she locks herself away, content to let time erode the last of her conscience.”
Volo looks very sad and Zarek thinks he can hear the writer say a short prayer for Kalain of the Nine Waters.
The Rogue and Bard thank Volo for his help and promise not to mention any of their conversation to Renaer. They leave Ryba serving Volo more food and drink on the house and decide that, having several hours to wait before the Cassalanter Staff leave the Cassalanter Villa, they would visit Warble Bandlewagon at the Scrap’d Rafter Tavern in the Field Ward and finalise their plans for the prize-winning ticket sting.
16:20 pm
Once more they hail a Handsome Cab and make their way towards the Filed Ward and accessing the route which the Dary would use in the evening. That way Zarek could jump onto the same Dray as the Cassalanter Staff and then they would all meet Alley and her Prize-Winning Tickets.
The Rogue was able to remember that Dray’s usually travelled Northwards along the main streets of Waterdeep. This meant that the most likely route from Cassalanter Villa is North along Diamond Street, Sea Ward, to Waterdeep’s famous Heroes’ Garden and then east along Skulls Street, Sea Ward, to the gate leading into the Field Ward under the Upper Towers.
Alley: “What a shame that we are not able to appreciate the Heroes’ Garden, you would really enjoy it Zarek.”
Zarek: “How about we both go after this little adventure Alley, my treat.”
Heroes’ Garden: Waterdeep’s only public park outside the ‘City of the Dead’ is a large, lush area of grass, trees, and ponds once covered by the sprawling school of Wizardry known as the Tower of Yintros. A number of statues decorate the area, including large marble statues to the Open Lords Baeron and Lhestyn (in her guise as the Masked Lady). It is often the scene of Adventurers retelling tales of their exploits to others and attendant local children. The City Watch and the local citizenry tend to the park, which means they keep the park free of debris and prevent would-be heroes from carving their names into the trees.
They both laugh as they make their way to the Field Ward.
The Handsome Cab drops the two Heroes of the Filed Ward off at the gates and leaves.
16:45 pm
Cab Driver: “I don’t go north of the wall this time of night.”
Alley and Zarek walk to the Scrap’d Rafter Tavern, reminiscing as they walked along and then finally met with Warble Bandlewagon inside of the Tavern.
Zarek proceeds to explain why they had sent a ‘Paper Bird’, their last one and something that they really need to replenish, requesting a private room, food and drink. Warble Bandlewagon took it all in his stride and assured the pair that everything was in hand and it would be a pleasure to work with the Tiefling and his old apprentice Bard.
Zarek: “Maybe you can also provide tickets to the ‘Dhavian Trill, I hear you have nearly finished the renovations and that you are opening very soon.”
Zarek reluctantly pays Warble Bandlewagon out of his hard-earned money. 1 Gold Dragon each for the participants including themselves and 2 Gold Dragons for the room hire and staff. They thank Warble Bandlewagon again and Zarek and Alley make their way back to central Waterdeep.
They were both not in any form of disguise and may have forgotten to pay attention to those about again.
The Rogue and Bard then head straight for Cassalanter Villa and hope that the have the Staff leave earlier than usual.
17:35 pm
Once in the Sea Ward and having been dropped by the Handsome Cab, the Rogue and Bard sneak a peek at the Cassalanter Villa. This time they both look about at any potential Faction Spies also keeping tabs on Lord and Lady Cassalanter. The Guards were still at the front gates and they could also spot a further few inside the Gardens patrolling.
The Rogue and Bard have no choice but to hang around until they can spot the Cassalanter Staff leaving for the night and this was to be some 3 and a half hours from now.
21:00 pm
On the stroke of nine o’clock in the evening the Cassalanter Staff began to exit via the main gates of Cassalanter Villa.
Zarek: “Alley look over there, that group is head off towards the north travelling Dray, let us get a closer look before we make our way north to the Heroes’ Garden in Skulls Street, there I can board the Dray as a servant and join them in entering the Filed Ward. That is where you will be with the winning tickets.”
Alley ponders her luck as she looks over the Cassalanter Staff. She can see that though House Cassalanter projects an image of refinement, generosity, and noble dignity, much of the household’s unseen labour is carried upon the backs of servants drawn from Waterdeep’s poorer district, especially the overcrowded misery of the Field Ward, a place she came to know too well.
She can see that most are ordinary people trying to survive, but if Zarek was to be believed, a few know darker truths and some among them may even be true Cultists of Asmodeus.
However, I would not say this to Zarek but I believe the rest merely work for wealthy nobles whose secrets are more terrible than they understand.
Zarek and Alley can see that the group is made-up of 7 humanoids, of which 2 are females and 5 are males:
- Human Male (Damaran): A lean, weathered man in his early forties with tired brown eyes, rough hands, and short black hair beginning to grey at the temples. He wears heavy riding coats and sturdy boots stained by mud and horse oil. It appears that he works in the Stables and must be a Groom or Stable Hand.
- Human Female (Illuskan): A broad-shouldered and stern-faced woman, she has pale freckled skin, iron-grey eyes and thick auburn hair braided tightly behind her head. Burn scars mark her forearms from years spent over cook fires. She obviously works as a Cook at Cassalanter Villa.
- Human Male (Chondathan): Thin and anxious. This male human has prematurely white hair, narrow shoulders, and ink-stained fingers. His spectacles constantly slide down his nose when he becomes nervous. They guess it to be a Household Clerk or Ledger Keeper of some sort.
- Tiefling Male: Crimson-skinned with black swept-back horns and sharp gold-flecked eyes, this male Tiefling dresses with unusual elegance for a servant and include even wearing expensive silk gloves. Has all the appearances of a House Steward.
- Tiefling Female: Ash-grey skin, delicate curved horns, silver-white hair and pale eyes without visible pupils. She moves quietly and keeps her expression carefully neutral around strangers. Her work like cloths mean she must be a Cleaner or a Laundry Attendant.
- Half-Elf Male: A handsome Half-Elf with olive skin, dark brown hair tied neatly behind his head and thoughtful green eyes. He dresses modestly but carries himself with quiet refinement. Carries Papers, Scroll and children’s books of leaning. By the look of the books, he carries, he has to be a Tutor and or Secretary.
- Lightfoot Halfling Male: A round-faced Halfling with curly sandy-brown hair, cheerful green eyes and permanently soot-smudged clothes. He smells faintly of lamp oil and pipe smoke. No doubt that he worked as a Lampkeeper or some sort of Maintenance Servant.
Zarek: “Which of any of them is a Cultist of Asmodeus I would. With our luck lately, it is going to be all of them.”
Alley: “As you said earlier, we should disguise ourselves to avoid detection and do not forget that it only lasts one hour and we will need to cast it more than once. I have chosen to appear as an attractive, Female Half-Elf this time as it worked very well in the Map House.”
Zarek: “I have chosen to look like the Female Tiefling in the group of Cassalanter Staff. Ash-grey skin, delicate curved horns, silver-white hair, and pale eyes without visible pupils.”
Alley: “OK, you do know this is a mission and not a singles night at the Tavern, right?”
The Rogue does not replied and Alley appears to be slightly envious for some reason.
Once they had hailed a Handsome Cab, made their way to the Upper Tower Gates and paid for their ride, Zarek and Alley cast their Spell ‘Disguise Self’ and split-up. Alley heading for the Gates into the Filed Ward to wait there with Magical Tickets in hand and Zarek dashed off to hop onto the Dary several stops prior to the last stop at the Upper Tower Gates.
Zarek heads upstairs and sits behind all of the seven Cassalanter Staff and he is able to get a closer look at them as he passed and also sat and listened into their conversations. Nothing suspicious as they were all mainly complaining about their work, as we all tend to do.
Once they had all alighted from the Dray and thanked the Driver, using his name, they all walked under the Upper Tower and straight into the path of Alley in Disguise.
Zarek had chosen to call himself Margen Darn this evening for his Tiefling character and taken on the guise of a Head Butler.
Alley chose the name of Arannis Winterflower.
Arannis Winterflower: “Roll-up, Roll-up, Roll-up. I have 3 last tickets for an evening’s entertainment for food, drink and song. Free and with up to 6 other guests invited.”
Zarek had thought that the Bard would need to entice or persuade but Tymora was watching over then this night as the Human, Male, Clerk dashed over and purchased a ticket with great excitement.
Female Cook: “Don’t waste your hard-earned money on those scams Darvin, it’s a waste of money.”
Clerk: “I feel lucky Selvi and it’s for a good cause, look.”
Arannis Winterflower: “indeed it is, all proceeds go to the renovation of the Filed Ward, so you win even if you do get the prize. However, I also have a good feeling for you. Anyone else?”
Zarek goes and buys the last 2 tickets.
Clerk: “I’ve won, look.”
Arannis Winterflower: “We have a winner; you will all eat like Kings and Queens this evening and have food to take to your families. All thanks to the ‘Heroes of the Filed Ward fund’.”
Margen Darn: “It appears that I also have been fortunate and won a Prize too.”
Arannis Winterflower: “indeed you have. Now all you need is some friends. You do have some of those do you not?”
Unclear why Alley was being so mean, Zarek just accepted that she was upset for some reason.
Margen Darn: “None that I would wish to share too much time with.”
The Tiefling Male smirked and they were all lead off in the direction of the unfortunately name Stench Alley and to the Scrap’d Rafter Tavern.
21:20 pm