You enter a small shop in the Trades Ward named McGuffin's MacGuffins and behind the counter you see a middle aged gnome with multi-lens spectacles on. When he looks up, his eyes bulge out towards you. He greets you with a scruffy high pitched voice, "Hello and welcome to my shop."
Common
Clockwork Amulet-70gd Instrument of Scribing- 40gd Pot of Awakening-70gd Wand of Pyrotechnics-30gd Pole of Collapsing-20gd
Uncommon
Dust of Dryness-600gd Keoghtom's Ointment-600gd Wand of Secrets-500gd Bag of Holding-300gd
Chen points at the Bag of Holding, and asks the gnome what it does, and assuming that he tells me what I, OOC, expect him to, then Chen will say, "Do you think you could make something like this, but instead of a satchel, you could make a utility kilt with pockets that could work like that?
He tells you that he can make a kilt with a pocket dimension with the same ability as the Bag of Holding but the pockets will be smaller and hold half the amount. It will take a 2 tenday to make and it will cost 200gd +100gd per pocket.
"When Capt. Whitecap goes on raids, he kills without mercy and with no regard for whether a people are a threat to him. He gathers the blood of whoever his sick mind thinks is worthy, and he pours it over the ship's figurehead as a sacrifice to The ***** Queen. What do you think, Nijal? Is that enough to put him on the evil side of the logbook? If I thought we were capable of taking out the Blushing Bride and her Captain, I would have suggested it already. We aren't ready for that. But, yeah, when we are ready, I'd love to take over that boat. Maybe turn it into a force for good, if we can."
Nijal slows his pace as he walks away and looks over his shoulder, his expression has lost its previous intensity-
"He sounds like a right bastard if I've ever heard of one. I'll be looking forward to the day you say we're ready."
"Getting this place going is top priority for me. Even better if we can get a reputation as a no bias, all-business bunch and have this place be known as neutral ground. But I know I'm probably in the minority on that and probably going to get roped into working almost exclusively with whatever you fellas deem as The Good Guys.
Beyond that... Finding a good heist or three is going to be necessary I think to get this loan paid back and keep Mirt from having a nearly controlling interest. So if we can find somebody to rob blind that'll let you guys sleep at night I'm all for it."
Nijal's face lights up as he looks to Kherek almost in awe-
"Kherehk! You my friend are a genius. A neutral zone to bring differing factions in the city to sort out their business. We collect a fee for connecting, hosting, and overseeing these diplomatic exchanges. It gives the city a platform to solve things peacefully with words instead of force. Keeps violence from spilling over into the streets when these factions decide to go to war, like right now. The tricky part will be maintaining neutrality. We will have to have contacts on both sides of the law. Which means both sides of the law will not trust us. But if we can somehow manage to establish ourselves as a sort of professional mediator service of sorts it might just make Waterdeep, our tavern, and Lucian's wards all that much safer. Plus it will give us access to all the resources the different factions in this city can harness. We would be in a sort of gray area due to having to keep our contacts and connections very private, confidential even, from their adversaries who would also be part of our clientele. That is the only way we would be able to establish the reputation required to pull this off. The scum would see us as boot lickers to the authorities while the authorities would see us as accomplices to criminals. We would have to start with something big......like parleying peace between the Xanathar Guild and the Zentharim. We could ensure our own payment from each party as part of the parley and that would make it rather easy to come up with the money for the tavern. I mean we have already given them business cards. Who's to say this wasn't what we intended all along? Which it is a long shot but worst case scenario they all decide to come after us and kill us in our sleep. At least then we won't have to worry about coming up with the gold to payback Mirt!"
Nijal lets out a sharp laugh and heads towards the cellar. He seems to almost stutter every few steps with a hearty chuckle seemingly amused and mumbling to himself about the thought of skipping out on debts through their own deaths.
Chen points at the Bag of Holding, and asks the gnome what it does, and assuming that he tells me what I, OOC, expect him to, then Chen will say, "Do you think you could make something like this, but instead of a satchel, you could make a utility kilt with pockets that could work like that?
He tells you that he can make a kilt with a pocket dimension with the same ability as the Bag of Holding but the pockets will be smaller and hold half the amount. It will take a 2 tenday to make and it will cost 200gd +100gd per pocket.
Chen says, "That is definitely something I will want, eventually. But, (he looks over at the rest of the group) my gold has other claims upon it--other priorities--for the time being. As soon as those get squared away, I will return. I'm very much looking forward to doing business with you, Mr. McGuffin.
"When Capt. Whitecap goes on raids, he kills without mercy and with no regard for whether a people are a threat to him. He gathers the blood of whoever his sick mind thinks is worthy, and he pours it over the ship's figurehead as a sacrifice to The ***** Queen. What do you think, Nijal? Is that enough to put him on the evil side of the logbook? If I thought we were capable of taking out the Blushing Bride and her Captain, I would have suggested it already. We aren't ready for that. But, yeah, when we are ready, I'd love to take over that boat. Maybe turn it into a force for good, if we can."
Nijal slows his pace as he walks away and looks over his shoulder, his expression has lost its previous intensity-
"He sounds like a right bastard if I've ever heard of one. I'll be looking forward to the day you say we're ready."
"Getting this place going is top priority for me. Even better if we can get a reputation as a no bias, all-business bunch and have this place be known as neutral ground. But I know I'm probably in the minority on that and probably going to get roped into working almost exclusively with whatever you fellas deem as The Good Guys.
Beyond that... Finding a good heist or three is going to be necessary I think to get this loan paid back and keep Mirt from having a nearly controlling interest. So if we can find somebody to rob blind that'll let you guys sleep at night I'm all for it."
Nijal's face lights up as he looks to Kherek almost in awe-
"Kherehk! You my friend are a genius. A neutral zone to bring differing factions in the city to sort out their business. We collect a fee for connecting, hosting, and overseeing these diplomatic exchanges. It gives the city a platform to solve things peacefully with words instead of force. Keeps violence from spilling over into the streets when these factions decide to go to war, like right now. The tricky part will be maintaining neutrality. We will have to have contacts on both sides of the law. Which means both sides of the law will not trust us. But if we can somehow manage to establish ourselves as a sort of professional mediator service of sorts it might just make Waterdeep, our tavern, and Lucian's wards all that much safer. Plus it will give us access to all the resources the different factions in this city can harness. We would be in a sort of gray area due to having to keep our contacts and connections very private, confidential even, from their adversaries who would also be part of our clientele. That is the only way we would be able to establish the reputation required to pull this off. The scum would see us as boot lickers to the authorities while the authorities would see us as accomplices to criminals. We would have to start with something big......like parleying peace between the Xanathar Guild and the Zentharim. We could ensure our own payment from each party as part of the parley and that would make it rather easy to come up with the money for the tavern. I mean we have already given them business cards. Who's to say this wasn't what we intended all along? Which it is a long shot but worst case scenario they all decide to come after us and kill us in our sleep. At least then we won't have to worry about coming up with the gold to payback Mirt!"
Nijal lets out a sharp laugh and heads towards the cellar. He seems to almost stutter every few steps with a hearty chuckle seemingly amused and mumbling to himself about the thought of skipping out on debts through their own deaths.
Wouldn't that put us in violation of the law by aiding criminals throughout the city? How would we convince the Law enforcement agencies that what we are doing is more beneficial than hurtful?
Don't get me wrong... I think having safe open forums among warring factions is a great idea, I just don't know what would stop the po po from raiding the place and arresting everyone inside the first time we have a villans conference.
Would it be better to just get established as a bar before we dip our feet into diplomacy?
This festival celebrates the sea, maritime trade, and the gods of the sea, navigation, and weather. It spans the last tenday of Ches, and includes a series of boat races, the Shipwrights’ Ball at the Shipwrights’ House, and guild-sponsored galas at the Copper Cup festhall. According to custom, the winners of the various competitions don’t keep their trophies and earnings, but deliver them to the priests of Umberlee at the Queenspire, her temple on the beach by the east entrance to the Great Harbor, at the conclusion of the festival.
The last two days of Fleetswake are the occasion of the Fair Seas Festival. During this time, there is much feasting on seafood, the harbor is strewn with flower petals, and City Guards go from tavern to tavern collecting offerings for Umberlee. Collection boxes also appear at large festival gatherings. Upon sunset of the final day, the collected coin is placed in chests and dumped into the deepest part of the harbor.
This festival has existed in a number of forms since the first trade-meets occurred here more than two millennia ago, and an uncountable amount of wealth remains sunken in what has long been known as Umberlee’s Cache. The area is closely watched by merfolk guardians, whose standing orders are to kill anyone attempting to disturb it. Rumors abound that the chests have magical protections; one story tells of thieves who stole some of the collection years ago and tried to leave the city under false pretenses, only to see a squall spring up as soon as their ship left the harbor. A huge wave shaped like a hand swept the thieves overboard, but spared the ship and its crew.
Tarsahk 1–10: Waukeentide
This festival has long gathered a number of older holidays under one name, stretching those celebrations into a holiday season that lasts a tenday. Among the rituals in homage to the goddess of wealth and trade are these:
Caravance (Tarsahk 1). This gift-giving holiday commemorates the traditional arrival of the first caravans of the season into the city. Many parents hide gifts for their offspring in their homes, telling the children that they were left by Old Carvas — a mythical peddler who arrived with the first caravan to reach Waterdeep, his wagon loaded down with toys for children to enjoy.
Goldenight (Tarsahk 5). This festival celebrates coin and gold, with many businesses staying open all night, offering midnight sales and other promotions. Some celebrants and customers decorate themselves with gold dust and wear coins as jewelry.
Guildsmeet (Tarsahk 7). On this holiday, guild members gather in their halls for the announcement of new policies and a celebration of business concluded for the year. These gatherings culminate in a gala festival and dance sponsored by several guilds, which lasts from dusk till dawn and overruns the Market, the Cynosure, the Field of Triumph, and all areas in between.
Leiruin (Tarsahk 10). In times long past, Waukeen caught Leira, the goddess of illusions and deception, attempting to cheat her in a deal, and buried her under a mountain of molten gold as punishment. A commemoration of that event, Leiruin is the day for guild members to pay their annual dues and for guildmasters to meet with the Lords of Waterdeep and renew their charters for another year.
The veil between this world and the faerie realm of the Feywild is thought to be weak on this day. Though this phenomenon provokes caution in rural areas (with folk avoiding woodlands, putting offerings of food on doorsteps, and the like), it is an occasion of much drinking, singing, and dancing in Waterdeep. The wealthy host elaborate masked balls, while poorer folk don costumes of their own make and travel door to door, gaining brief entry into the celebrations in exchange for performing a song or a short play. All adopt the guises of fey beings and the supposed rulers of the Feywild, such as Queen Titania, Oberon, and Hyrsam, the Prince of Fools. Those inclined to remain sullen in the face of such frivolity had best stay home, for celebrants do their utmost to evoke a smile from those they meet.
(does our group have anyone with aquatic vehicle proficiency? It might be good for us to enter the boat race to get our name out there. Of course we'd also need to find a sponsor. Though I'd wager Mirt might be interested in doing that part. Even if we can't enter the race and have a realistic chance at winning, maybe we can have our presence known at one of the other events)
(EDIT: also, if Waukeentide doesn't include a section with Kherek in an Old Carvas costume driving a wagon and delivering and/or taking gifts I will be SORELY disappointed.)
Even if If we aren't able to enter the the boat race we should open up a foodstall with Nancy at the event. They are relatively inexpensive to rent usually and it would be a good opportunity show off her cooking talents and the Lif Your Spirits bar.
Especially since it's cold outside and she makes an excellent soup
Gently playing his Violin, Lucian would bring up as and idle conversation piece to Kherek...
"I always wondered why nobles would open up their homes to complete masked strangers on Fey Day. It seems like it would be the perfect opportunity to case the home before a heist..."
(does our group have anyone with aquatic vehicle proficiency? It might be good for us to enter the boat race to get our name out there. Of course we'd also need to find a sponsor. Though I'd wager Mirt might be interested in doing that part. Even if we can't enter the race and have a realistic chance at winning, maybe we can have our presence known at one of the other events)
Chen is proficient with water vehicles, but his Int and Str scores are terrible. So, as long as the check is Wis or Dex based, he will be good. However, the party will be hard-pressed to convince him to go on the water during the Umberlee festival. Chen is skered of Umberlee.
Would Chen be willing to describe what Captain Whitecap looked like? Using minor illusion like a Sketchpad used in criminal cases, Lucian would like to slowly work with Chen until he can perfectly duplicate Whitecap's face with the illusion.
Lucian explains that if someone is out to get Chen, Lucian would like to know what he looked like.
In the days leading up to the opening of Lif Your Spirits, Kherek gets a bunch of posters made up and plasters them all over Waterdeep. (I didn't include a date because we can figure that specific out later)
When he's done with that and finds the time, Kherek will want to visit Ryshal to see what he has available, and perhaps see if he can tell Kherek anything more about WOMP.
Using minor illusion like a Sketchpad used in criminal cases, Lucian would like to slowly work with Chen until he can perfectly duplicate Whitecap's face with the illusion.
Chen is willing, and wants to be helpful, but he's got a 6 Int. He's not going to be much help with explaining what needs to be changed. Lucian's illusionary sketches would be met with "No, that's not him," followed by some unhelpful suggestion about what should be changed to make it better.
He tells you that he can make a kilt with a pocket dimension with the same ability as the Bag of Holding but the pockets will be smaller and hold half the amount. It will take a 2 tenday to make and it will cost 200gd +100gd per pocket.
It would be 100gd and take a tenday.
Nijal slows his pace as he walks away and looks over his shoulder, his expression has lost its previous intensity-
"He sounds like a right bastard if I've ever heard of one. I'll be looking forward to the day you say we're ready."
Nijal's face lights up as he looks to Kherek almost in awe-
"Kherehk! You my friend are a genius. A neutral zone to bring differing factions in the city to sort out their business. We collect a fee for connecting, hosting, and overseeing these diplomatic exchanges. It gives the city a platform to solve things peacefully with words instead of force. Keeps violence from spilling over into the streets when these factions decide to go to war, like right now. The tricky part will be maintaining neutrality. We will have to have contacts on both sides of the law. Which means both sides of the law will not trust us. But if we can somehow manage to establish ourselves as a sort of professional mediator service of sorts it might just make Waterdeep, our tavern, and Lucian's wards all that much safer. Plus it will give us access to all the resources the different factions in this city can harness. We would be in a sort of gray area due to having to keep our contacts and connections very private, confidential even, from their adversaries who would also be part of our clientele. That is the only way we would be able to establish the reputation required to pull this off. The scum would see us as boot lickers to the authorities while the authorities would see us as accomplices to criminals. We would have to start with something big......like parleying peace between the Xanathar Guild and the Zentharim. We could ensure our own payment from each party as part of the parley and that would make it rather easy to come up with the money for the tavern. I mean we have already given them business cards. Who's to say this wasn't what we intended all along? Which it is a long shot but worst case scenario they all decide to come after us and kill us in our sleep. At least then we won't have to worry about coming up with the gold to payback Mirt!"
Nijal lets out a sharp laugh and heads towards the cellar. He seems to almost stutter every few steps with a hearty chuckle seemingly amused and mumbling to himself about the thought of skipping out on debts through their own deaths.
Chen says, "That is definitely something I will want, eventually. But, (he looks over at the rest of the group) my gold has other claims upon it--other priorities--for the time being. As soon as those get squared away, I will return. I'm very much looking forward to doing business with you, Mr. McGuffin.
Wouldn't that put us in violation of the law by aiding criminals throughout the city? How would we convince the Law enforcement agencies that what we are doing is more beneficial than hurtful?
Don't get me wrong... I think having safe open forums among warring factions is a great idea, I just don't know what would stop the po po from raiding the place and arresting everyone inside the first time we have a villans conference.
Would it be better to just get established as a bar before we dip our feet into diplomacy?
Depends on who you consider to be the law, I guess. I can't say as I've figured that one out yet.
The Waterdeep City Watch and the Lord's Alliance. The Waterdeep City Guard is the Military.
Kherek sort of nods politely as he cleans some tankards
Information for the coming Festivals:
Ches 21–30: Fleetswake
This festival celebrates the sea, maritime trade, and the gods of the sea, navigation, and weather. It spans the last tenday of Ches, and includes a series of boat races, the Shipwrights’ Ball at the Shipwrights’ House, and guild-sponsored galas at the Copper Cup festhall. According to custom, the winners of the various competitions don’t keep their trophies and earnings, but deliver them to the priests of Umberlee at the Queenspire, her temple on the beach by the east entrance to the Great Harbor, at the conclusion of the festival.
The last two days of Fleetswake are the occasion of the Fair Seas Festival. During this time, there is much feasting on seafood, the harbor is strewn with flower petals, and City Guards go from tavern to tavern collecting offerings for Umberlee. Collection boxes also appear at large festival gatherings. Upon sunset of the final day, the collected coin is placed in chests and dumped into the deepest part of the harbor.
This festival has existed in a number of forms since the first trade-meets occurred here more than two millennia ago, and an uncountable amount of wealth remains sunken in what has long been known as Umberlee’s Cache. The area is closely watched by merfolk guardians, whose standing orders are to kill anyone attempting to disturb it. Rumors abound that the chests have magical protections; one story tells of thieves who stole some of the collection years ago and tried to leave the city under false pretenses, only to see a squall spring up as soon as their ship left the harbor. A huge wave shaped like a hand swept the thieves overboard, but spared the ship and its crew.
Tarsahk 1–10: Waukeentide
This festival has long gathered a number of older holidays under one name, stretching those celebrations into a holiday season that lasts a tenday. Among the rituals in homage to the goddess of wealth and trade are these:
Caravance (Tarsahk 1). This gift-giving holiday commemorates the traditional arrival of the first caravans of the season into the city. Many parents hide gifts for their offspring in their homes, telling the children that they were left by Old Carvas — a mythical peddler who arrived with the first caravan to reach Waterdeep, his wagon loaded down with toys for children to enjoy.
Goldenight (Tarsahk 5). This festival celebrates coin and gold, with many businesses staying open all night, offering midnight sales and other promotions. Some celebrants and customers decorate themselves with gold dust and wear coins as jewelry.
Guildsmeet (Tarsahk 7). On this holiday, guild members gather in their halls for the announcement of new policies and a celebration of business concluded for the year. These gatherings culminate in a gala festival and dance sponsored by several guilds, which lasts from dusk till dawn and overruns the Market, the Cynosure, the Field of Triumph, and all areas in between.
Leiruin (Tarsahk 10). In times long past, Waukeen caught Leira, the goddess of illusions and deception, attempting to cheat her in a deal, and buried her under a mountain of molten gold as punishment. A commemoration of that event, Leiruin is the day for guild members to pay their annual dues and for guildmasters to meet with the Lords of Waterdeep and renew their charters for another year.
Ches 19: Fey Day
The veil between this world and the faerie realm of the Feywild is thought to be weak on this day. Though this phenomenon provokes caution in rural areas (with folk avoiding woodlands, putting offerings of food on doorsteps, and the like), it is an occasion of much drinking, singing, and dancing in Waterdeep. The wealthy host elaborate masked balls, while poorer folk don costumes of their own make and travel door to door, gaining brief entry into the celebrations in exchange for performing a song or a short play. All adopt the guises of fey beings and the supposed rulers of the Feywild, such as Queen Titania, Oberon, and Hyrsam, the Prince of Fools. Those inclined to remain sullen in the face of such frivolity had best stay home, for celebrants do their utmost to evoke a smile from those they meet.
I overlooked this one previously
(does our group have anyone with aquatic vehicle proficiency? It might be good for us to enter the boat race to get our name out there. Of course we'd also need to find a sponsor. Though I'd wager Mirt might be interested in doing that part. Even if we can't enter the race and have a realistic chance at winning, maybe we can have our presence known at one of the other events)
(EDIT: also, if Waukeentide doesn't include a section with Kherek in an Old Carvas costume driving a wagon and delivering and/or taking gifts I will be SORELY disappointed.)
Even if If we aren't able to enter the the boat race we should open up a foodstall with Nancy at the event. They are relatively inexpensive to rent usually and it would be a good opportunity show off her cooking talents and the Lif Your Spirits bar.
Especially since it's cold outside and she makes an excellent soup
Gently playing his Violin, Lucian would bring up as and idle conversation piece to Kherek...
"I always wondered why nobles would open up their homes to complete masked strangers on Fey Day. It seems like it would be the perfect opportunity to case the home before a heist..."
Chen is proficient with water vehicles, but his Int and Str scores are terrible. So, as long as the check is Wis or Dex based, he will be good. However, the party will be hard-pressed to convince him to go on the water during the Umberlee festival. Chen is skered of Umberlee.
Jim
Would Chen be willing to describe what Captain Whitecap looked like? Using minor illusion like a Sketchpad used in criminal cases, Lucian would like to slowly work with Chen until he can perfectly duplicate Whitecap's face with the illusion.
Lucian explains that if someone is out to get Chen, Lucian would like to know what he looked like.
In the days leading up to the opening of Lif Your Spirits, Kherek gets a bunch of posters made up and plasters them all over Waterdeep. (I didn't include a date because we can figure that specific out later)
When he's done with that and finds the time, Kherek will want to visit Ryshal to see what he has available, and perhaps see if he can tell Kherek anything more about WOMP.
At some point Kherek also will commission a sign for the place
Yes (however, OOC, I don't know the answer)
Chen is willing, and wants to be helpful, but he's got a 6 Int. He's not going to be much help with explaining what needs to be changed. Lucian's illusionary sketches would be met with "No, that's not him," followed by some unhelpful suggestion about what should be changed to make it better.
Gotcha