Nimblewright Inquiry:
CHES 22nd (THE CLAW OF SUNSETS)
Alley uses her ‘Earing of Message’ to speak with Zarek without letting anyone hear their conversation regarding the Assassin that they will come to know as a Nimblewright.
Zarek and Alley continue their interrogation of the witnesses as quickly as they can before the City Watch Arrive to take over the investigation. The two heroes question several groups of witnesses, and individuals, with varying levels of useful information.
Alley tell Zarek that need to question and many witnesses as possible and gather information on what happened and who committed this atrocity. Zarek concurs and say that he needs to speak with the lady that may have seen him take the pouch from the dead Gnome.
Zarek moves over to speak with the lady, that appeared to be a Waterdhavian born of wealth and privilege, judging by her attire and general demean, and she looked anxious to speak with the horned Tiefling.
Zarek: “My Lady, I am a member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors and I need to first check to see if you are ok and unharmed.”
Jezrynne Hornraven: “I am and that must need that you aren’t a cut-purse stealing from that poor dead Gnome, but you were gathering evidence?”
Zarek: “That is correct and I now need to take a statement, what is your name and did you see anything before, during or after the explosion?”
The Lady goes on to explain that she is named Jezrynne Hornraven was leaving the Tiger’s Eye, having just hired Vincent Trench, when she witnessed the following:
Jezrynne Hornraven: “I tell you; it was not a man. More like a puppet shaped like a man. A puppet without strings. It was on the rooftop. It hurled something into the crowd below that caused the explosion. I saw those Halflings burned alive! I saw them!”
Jezrynne Hornraven doesn’t know what the “Puppet” hurled to cause the ‘Fireball’. She took her eyes off the thing during the chaos and doesn’t know where it went.
Fala Lefaliir, the owner of Corellon’s Crown, relates the following information:
Fala Lefaliir: “I was watering plants in the greenhouse on the second floor of my shop when the blast blew out some of the windows. Lucky I wasn’t injured! Through the smoke, I saw a cloaked man take something from the body of a dead Gnome, then start running away. He was headed toward the Bent Nail.”
Fala Lefaliir saw the Nimblewright fleeing east from the scene on its way out of Trollskull Alley.
Martem Trec, the 12-year-old Human Boy, said he didn’t see much beyond the ‘Fireball’ explosion, but he found something important after the blast went off which he tried to hide.
Martem Trec: “Right after the explosion, I ducked behind a rain barrel. Then I heard a ‘plop’ and found this Necklace in the barrel.”
Martem produces a ‘Necklace of Fireballs’.
Talisolvanar “Tally” Fellbranch, owner of the Bent Nail, described the assassin in full as he saw the Nimblewright run straight towards his shop.
Talisolvanar “Tally” Fellbranch: “It was a construct made of both burnished copper and pale wood. It wore a red robe and foppish red hat with a feather. But most interestingly it looked to have a long, stylized Van Dyke Mustache and beard.
Avi and Embric from the Steam and Steel, in Trollskull Alley, also provided information told to them by a customer.
Avi: “The construct he saw belongs to the City Guard and it is held in the City Armoury, in the North of the Seaward.”
Most of the other witnesses were a mixture of the following:
- Those who didn’t see anything, and merely relate their personal experience. (Heard a huge explosion, rushed into the street. Saw a friend immolated in front of their eyes and the heat of the flame on their face. All their windows blew out. Et cetera.)
- Those who saw the Nimblewright throw a bead from a ‘Necklace of Fireballs’. With young Martem Trec recovering the spent ‘Necklace of Fireballs’ from where it fell in a rain barrel.
- Those who saw the Nimblewright approach Dalakhar’s body, take something from it, and run away. The two Heroes inquire about which direction it went, the answer is Between Two Buildings and Heading East. (Variation: Some people also saw the Nimblewright leap down from the roof from which it launched its attack).
During these investigations the Urchins, Nat, Jenks and Squiddly arrive at Trollskull Alley and stay close to the Trollskull Manor.
The more relevant information was remembered by the Rogue as he knew what this automaton was, a Nimblewright. Zarek explains to Alley what the Assassin might actually be:
Zarek: “It is a Nimblewright Alley, most likely built by the Technomancers of Luskan and based on ancient Calishite designs of the Shoon Nimblewright Imperium. They had not previously been seen in Waterdeep and the Luskan Technomancers have always been reticent about sharing their secrets.”
Alley: “They look expensive, who might own such an item.”
Zarek: “Indeed Alley, as far as I can recall, from my vast knowledge on the subject may I add, they would fetch a pretty price here in Waterdeep, tens of thousands of Gold Dragons I would estimate.”
Alley: “OK, you win this one Tiefling, but we have heard the name of Luskan recently, I bet you can’t remember what or who mentioned it.”
Zarek: “Err.”
The Rogue looks about Trollskull Alley for inspiration and spots Squiddly, which jogs his memory.
Zarek: “Of course I do, it was Squiddly that mention something about the Sea Maidens Faire and how they had come from Luskan and were docked in Waterdeep.”
Alley goes on the remind Zarek that there had also been a witnesses that had seen a construct, similar to the Assassin, remembers seeing a similar automaton participating in the Twin Parades yesterday as part of the Temple of Gond’s procession.
Zarek then offers the information from another witness, Avi and Embric from the Steam and Steel, in Trollskull Alley, who added that they had had someone in their shop who was looking for a new sword for their son as it got broken at the City Armoury after a duel with a Nimblewright. Their son is in the City Guard and they had recently acquired the automaton.
Then suddenly, Trollskull Alley is flooded with City Guards and everyone is herded into groups.
Twenty minutes after the explosion, a City Watch Sergeant, Sergeant Saeth Cromley escorts a member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors named Barnibus Blastwind to the crime scene. Barnibus Blastwind quietly takes charge of the investigation at that point, while Sergeant Cromley directs a force of 20 City Watch Constables (Veterans) to knock on doors and question locals.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow also arrives as the designated member of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. She is on duty and continues her work without speaking to Alley or Zarek.
Before allowing the corpses to be removed and taken to local temples, Barnibus inspects the scene closely.
The City Watch arrive and take over duties while the City Guard, guard the entrances to Trollskull Alley.
Lingering smoke from the ‘Fireball’ also attracts a Griffon Cavalry Rider. As its Griffon Mount circles the neighbourhood, the Rider watches the streets and alleys for suspicious figures.
Barnibus Blastwind and Sergeant Saeth Cromley converse often, with Sergeant Saeth Cromley writing down notes into his City Watch Notebook.
Zarek feels he needs to report to Barnibus Blastwind be thinks that a fellow operative, in Sergeant Saeth Cromley, may be more sympathetic to his cause, finding the murder of Iomhar.
Barnibus Blastwind is an odd fellow, he comes across as prickly and secretive, confiding only in Saeth Cromley, a retired sergeant of the City Watch who assists in many of his investigations. Alley spots that Barnibus uses spells that help him investigate crimes and feel very weary in front of him.
Saeth Cromley, on the other hand, appears to be a likable fellow with a sharp, sarcastic wit. He works with, rather than for, Barnibus Blastwind, and he assists the Mage Sleuth in investigating unusual crimes in the City of Waterdeep. Saeth Cromley helps Barnibus Blastwind relate to the common folk the Rogue thinks to himself as Barnibus Blastwind does not look into anyone’s eyes when he questions them. Saeth Cromley may once have been a strict proponent of Watch regulations and dress codes, but it is clear that he has grown a bit lax in both matters now that he’s officially working on special investigations.
Zarek can then hear the voice of Renaer Neverember as he tries to Persuade the City Watch to allow him to enter.
Zarek decides to tell all he knows and Sergeant Saeth Cromley writes down notes as Barnibus Blastwind continues to look over the crime scene. Zarek, having shown his Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors (WOMP) seal, offers his services.
Barnibus and Sergeant Cromley refuse requests by characters to join the investigation.
Barnibus Blastwind: “That would introduce too many new variables into an already confounding equation”, replies Barnibus with a frown.
Sergeant Saeth Cromley: “Trust in the Watch”, Cromley adds dismissively.
Zarek, who seem truthful and honest presses Sergeant Saeth Cromley for further information by Persuading the Sergeant that he should at least be informed of Barnibus Blastwind’s finding and is successful into the Sergeant revealing what the Mage Sleuth had discovered so far. But he needed to know if he knew of the Gnome, or if he had seen him before.
Zarek: “I can quite honestly say that I have not meet the poor Gnome before.”
Sergeant Saeth Cromley tells the Rogue the following:
- According to the foot marks, the Gnome was running from armed pursuers, of which there were three. The third person who was chasing the Gnome isn’t among the dead.
- The Gnome and his 3 pursuers were moving toward the tavern in Trollskull Alley. Barnibus will soon come to question the staff and owners of property).
- Neither the Gnome nor his pursuers saw the blast coming.
Zarek then realises that the third assailant was not the Nimblewright, but another witness.
Zarek: “There was the witness that survived, his name is Urstul Floxin and Alley ‘Healed’ him and he is sitting right there.”
Zarek and Saeth both turn and realise that there was no one there. Zarek franticly looks about but can’t find Urstul Floxin.
Zarek then has to explain how they had found Urstul Floxin, questioned him and then Healed him. Zarek is asked to return to his establishment and they would hear from them in due course.
Zarek: “I can’t believe we let Urstul Floxin go, and after we healed him. We won’t hear the last of this and I must say we look very suspicious, especially if the Gnome, the Zhentarim and Urstul Floxin were all heading for Trollskull Manor.”
Alley: “So does that mean everyone else was an innocent?”
On the way back into Trollskull Manor, Zarek made a detour and once again produced his Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors (WOMP) seal and insisted that they let Renaer Neverember in.
Zarek: “I will take full responsibility for him.”
Rest In Peace Iomhar:
Zarek and Alley explain to Renaer Neverember of the events that occurred in Trollskull Alley, including the death of Iomhar and they all lament his death. Lif produces the last bottle of wine, the Whirling Wind Calimshan Red, and they drink to his life.
Renaer Neverember then drops another explosive piece of news. That he had arranged to meet with Dalakhar at Trollskull Manor. The Gnome had sent him an urgent message requesting the meeting and Renaer chose Trollskull Manor as the location.
He went on to explain that Dalakhar was an agent working for his father.
Renaer then tells the two Heroes how his father had assigned Dalakhar to keep an eye on him. He would skulk around and Renaer would see him everywhere. Then suddenly, a couple of Tendays ago, though, he abruptly disappeared and Renaer doesn’t know where he’s been.
Alley: “That is a line of inquiry that we can follow up on.”
Finally, he makes it clear that he doesn’t know what Dalakhar wanted and that his message simply said that he was carrying something valuable for my father, Lord Dagult Neverember, was unable to deliver it, and was hoping that I could help.
Alley: “Then the Zhentarim, Urstul Floxin and this Nimblewright were all following Dalakhar to steal whatever it was he was caring.”
Renaer Neverember: “When the Lords of Waterdeep ousted my father, I thought his long, dark shadow was finally gone for good. The truth is, I want nothing to do with him. But his spies hound me. One of them, a Gnome named Dalakhar, had been watching me for months. Then, about two Tendays ago, the spy was suddenly nowhere to be seen. My father didn’t trust many people, but he trusted that Gnome.”
Renaer Neverember: “I have spoken to a few who knew of Dalakhar. Apparently, he was on a special mission to retrieve an item which would lead to my father’s stolen Gold Dragons and he was afraid that the Zhentarim and the Xanathar Guild were close to catching him. When he heard about my kidnapping, he wanted more information about the adventurers who had rescued me. I think now that Dalakhar was planning to pay you to deliver the Item to my father in Neverwinter.”
Ulkoria Stonemarrow then visits Trollskull Manor, once Renaer Neverember had left.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow accepts the Ale brought to her by Lif and spends some time with the Two Heroes. She confirms that the explosion was caused by a ‘Fireball’, most likely from the ‘Necklace of Fireballs’ recovered by the boy, Martem Trec, which the Assassin dropped when the clasp broke.
Alley and Zarek tell Ulkoria Stonemarrow of their findings, shocking the Rogue and Bard with more stunning information off the record, and that she has seen a construct similar to the one described by them.
Ulkoria Stonemarrow: “Bowgentra Summertaen, Lady Master of the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, is known to have recently come into possession of one of these constructs. It is currently at the Tower of the Order, the Street of Bells, In the Castleward.”
Ulkoria Stonemarrow leaves the Trollskull Manor and thanks the Fieldward Heroes for their hospitality.
Alley goes through the protocol for the care of the victims.
Alley: “The dead will be taken to a City Watch station in the North Ward and kept in the cellar morgue there. Clerics from local temples are brought in to cast ‘Gentle Repose’ spells on the corpses, to preserve them while the investigation is ongoing. You could can petition your faction representative, from the Gray Hands Faction, to hire a Cleric to cast ‘Speak with Dead’ on one or more of the fatalities. Or we can request or pay a Cleric ourselves by making a donation of at least 75 Gold Dragons to the Cleric’s Temple for each casting of the spell ‘Speak with Dead’. We will need to provide a list of questions we want answered.”
Finally, the last thing to happen that evening was a visit by Sergeant Saeth Cromley and Barnibus Blastwind as they interview the staff and tie-up loose ends.
Barnibus Blastwind: “I have established that the construct was looking for something and the Gnome was the poor unfortunate soul who was in possession of said item.”
Zarek: “Very interesting.”
Sergeant Saeth Cromley and Barnibus Blastwind thank Zarek, Alley and the Staff of Trollskull Alley and they leave. Then at the door Barnibus Blastwind turns and says:
Barnibus Blastwind: “Oh, one last thing.”
Alley: “Just the one?”
Barnibus Blastwind: “Did you, or did you see anyone take anything from the body of the Dead Gnome? If not, then that is why the Gnome has no coin purse or pouch, very odd, very odd indeed.”
Sergeant Saeth Cromley and Barnibus Blastwind exit Trollskull Manor and leave Alley and Zarek with many unanswered questions.
Alley: “We will need to make arrangements for Iomhar for when they release his body. We may also want to check the Rogues lodgings too.”
Zarek: “I will leave that to you Alley for I need to plan how to find this Nimblewright, and its owner, and make sure they pay for Iomhar death. They will all pay.”
Alley: “We also have the name of the Gnome, Dalakhar, and we can attempt to find his lodging too. There may be clues as to who did this.”
Zarek: “we know who did this the Zhentarim and Xanatharian Guild.”
Alley: “I feel that you may be right Zarek, but the Nimblewright feel different somehow. Why kill everyone and risk getting caught and having the City Watch on your trail?”
Zarek: “First we follow-up on the locations of the Automatons that we have so far discovered, who knows home many of these Mechanoids exist. We check the City Armoury, The Temple of Gond and finally, the Tower of the Order and the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. How ironic that the Order that we work for may be behind this heinous crime.”