This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM shield:
Investigation check, with advantage for receiving help: 10
Asking around in the Dock Ward, and greasing a few palms (5 GP in total spent!) results in a solid tip. Xanathar were seen at the docks the last 3 nights with a pair of bugbear hauling crates off of a ship at pier 17.
“Yes of course, I will ensure the money is returned to the city coffers, not leeched away by some lowlife goons. Waterdeep and her people will not be robbed of this wealth. As for help from the alliance... well lets see, we will surely have many adversaries if we seek this treasure.
The gangs I think we can handle, no worries there, just some good old fashion guards work to be done.
The devils and fiends may pose a bigger threat, anything you can provide that would help ward against them or destroy them would give us an edge.
And then there’s... the gold Dragon guarding the treasure. Unless he can be persuaded to share in our civic traditions and return the gold to the city coffers, I don’t know what we shall do! And I’ve never known a Dragon to easily part with treasure... Do you have any advice for us in dealing with them?”
Silvermane halts the ale before it reaches his lips. "Did you say a dragon? That should be impossible. Waterdeep is warded against dragons. If it is true, and it is a gold dragon, you may be able to appeal to its good nature."
He finally takes a long draw on his ale and sets it down, thoughtful. "Tell me when you are prepared to enter the vault. I may be able to join you."
Mal drifts through a few taverns on his way to Mirt's manor. He is ushered in quickly and finds that Mirt is (7) not at home. Renaer Neverember, however, is sitting in Mirt's parlor, also waiting for him. "Well, hello, Mal!" the young Lord says in surprise. "What brings you to call on Mirt this afternoon?"
"Right." Mal pauses for an unusually awkward moment, collecting his scattered thoughts about the last few days. "As I'm sure you know, my friends and I have done rather well with ourselves since we helped you in that warehouse - so much so that we may have come across a small amount of money stashed away somewhere in the city. Just a few extra gold you see, but since the renovations are coming along so nicely, we were wondering if Mirt, or perhaps even yourself, my Lord, might be able to suggest some worthwhile investments. Perhaps a charitable cause or two. Nothing extravagant, but just a little bit of well-meaning philanthropy for the poor and downtrodden of our beloved city."
"The word is," Renaer says with a sly smile, "You've already got some charitable works keeping you busy."
At Mal'spuzzled expression, he chuckles. Renaerflips his left collar up revealing a Harper pin. "We're pretty well connected. Yes, I'm sure we could come up with some worthwhile investments. I can certainly discuss things with Mirt whenever he returns. Other than that, how are things going? Will you join me for a drink?"
Never one to turn down a free drink, Mal accepts. "That would be lovely - my thanks. Things have been decently well, I suppose - been keeping our noses clean, as much as possible that is. Although, since you seem to have heard about our morning's goings on, I'm curious to know what else you may have heard. Not to be mysterious, but if I am to ever finish my song about my friends, I will need to know what other people know - no sense in going on for verse after verse about something that everyone and their mother's brother knows about."
“Warned against Dragons, eh?” muses Titus, “Maybe this Stone is wrong then... or maybe there is a giant golden dragon somewhere out there.” He gestures towards the windows, “Well I at least hope he’s more personable than the Bronze Dragon out in the harbor, didn’t much care for him.”
”Well, thank you for your guidance Silvermane, I’ll send word before we move on the treasure.”
Titus the places a tip on the bar for the disturbance he caused tavern. He stands and picks up his large iron shield, and gives a stiff salute before leaving the Yawning Portal.
"Oh, not much. We didn't have a Harper in the courtroom. By the one account we wheedled out of a clerk, a home invasion turned into a street fight. Fiends or devils may have been involved as well? We did hear about the doppelganger that attacked you all in the jail in great detail, though. Well done on that one, sir." Renaer takes a sip of his drink. "So what was it all about?"
Titus:
By the time Titus returns to the manor, Laniel, Morph, and Rethan are beginning to prepare themselves for venturing back out into the overheated city. It will be Rethan and Laniel's third time, in fact. "We've got a possible tip on some bugbears help Xanathar on pier 17," Laniel says. "If you want to come along, grab some dinner first. I'm not sure how long we'll be staking the pier out."
"Whispers and rumors, as far as I can make it out. A small cult thrown somewhere into the mix. Betrayal, revenge, intrigue. It's quite a tale, assuming anyone ever finally figures out all the players. The doppleganger attack is something that concerns me, though - do you know if there is a significant community of the creatures in Waterdeep? Seems as though they are popping up left and right, nary a rhyme or reason I can see to their doings."
"Well, I look forward to hearing your epic someday. As for doppelgangers, I know they are coveted for their abilities. You've done quite a service weeding them out of the ranks of our enemies."
As the group moves through the city, down towards the docks, Morphlooks a little troubled.
"So...Rethan...these bugbears, they are definitely doing something illegal, right? They are definitely bad, we aren't just, taking them out for their ears....are we?"
Rethan shrugs. "From my information they're from Xanathar, but I can't speak to whether the specific acts at the dock are illegal or not. We could see if we can sneak in and find out what's in the crates."
(Sorry about the delay. A crazy day. Our house is listed, though!)
Titus, Rethan, Morph, and Lanielarrive at pier 17 after darkness has fallen on Waterdeep. It is hot and muggy still, but a breeze occasionally blows welcome cool air across the Dock Ward from the bay.
Trying to look nonchalant, the quartet enjoy a drink outside a tavern as at least one of them keeps on eye on the pier. A large ship is docked there, the silhouette of a sailor sometimes emerging from below deck only to disappear below again a few minutes later.
The night wears on and the four men begin to feel weary as well as worry at the early morning work at the orphanage. Thoughts of abandoning the stakeout bubble up into suggestions to head home but the four stay seated, either due to tiredness or stubbornness. Whatever the reason, it is worth it. Sometime after midnight 6 figures approach. Four appear to be a human, half-orc, dwarf, and a halfling. The other two are bugbears, easily identifiable even in the dim light. They arrive at pier 17 and begin hushed, inaudible conversations with someone aboard the ship. They do not appear to have noticed the four watching them from across the street.
"Keep watch," Rethan says, eyes glazing over as he takes direct control of Midnight. The cat makes its way near the figures, trying to get close enough to hear what they are saying without being noticed.
(If there's crates or anything tall enough he can use them and remain out of sight, he'll probably go that route)
*would Mal know where the rest of the group have gone? If not, let's assume he will return to the Manor. If he does know, or can find out by tavern crawl or dropping in on acquaintances, then he will try to catch up with the others.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
DM shield:
Investigation check, with advantage for receiving help: 10
Asking around in the Dock Ward, and greasing a few palms (5 GP in total spent!) results in a solid tip. Xanathar were seen at the docks the last 3 nights with a pair of bugbear hauling crates off of a ship at pier 17.
(Removed the 5g from my inventory)
Once again, late in the evening, Rethan and Laniel return to the manor, where Morph has been waiting. Mal and Titus have still not yet returned.
Morph looks up from studying his training manual, as Lanial and Rethan return.
"Any luck in your hunt? Titus and Mal still haven't returned yet from wherever they ended up."
Morph closes his book, giving his full attention to his friends.
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Silvermane halts the ale before it reaches his lips. "Did you say a dragon? That should be impossible. Waterdeep is warded against dragons. If it is true, and it is a gold dragon, you may be able to appeal to its good nature."
He finally takes a long draw on his ale and sets it down, thoughtful. "Tell me when you are prepared to enter the vault. I may be able to join you."
Morph re-opens his book, going back to his study, waiting for the remaining friends to return.
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Mal drifts through a few taverns on his way to Mirt's manor. He is ushered in quickly and finds that Mirt is (7) not at home. Renaer Neverember, however, is sitting in Mirt's parlor, also waiting for him. "Well, hello, Mal!" the young Lord says in surprise. "What brings you to call on Mirt this afternoon?"
"Right." Mal pauses for an unusually awkward moment, collecting his scattered thoughts about the last few days. "As I'm sure you know, my friends and I have done rather well with ourselves since we helped you in that warehouse - so much so that we may have come across a small amount of money stashed away somewhere in the city. Just a few extra gold you see, but since the renovations are coming along so nicely, we were wondering if Mirt, or perhaps even yourself, my Lord, might be able to suggest some worthwhile investments. Perhaps a charitable cause or two. Nothing extravagant, but just a little bit of well-meaning philanthropy for the poor and downtrodden of our beloved city."
Mal:
"The word is," Renaer says with a sly smile, "You've already got some charitable works keeping you busy."
At Mal's puzzled expression, he chuckles. Renaer flips his left collar up revealing a Harper pin. "We're pretty well connected. Yes, I'm sure we could come up with some worthwhile investments. I can certainly discuss things with Mirt whenever he returns. Other than that, how are things going? Will you join me for a drink?"
Never one to turn down a free drink, Mal accepts. "That would be lovely - my thanks. Things have been decently well, I suppose - been keeping our noses clean, as much as possible that is. Although, since you seem to have heard about our morning's goings on, I'm curious to know what else you may have heard. Not to be mysterious, but if I am to ever finish my song about my friends, I will need to know what other people know - no sense in going on for verse after verse about something that everyone and their mother's brother knows about."
“Warned against Dragons, eh?” muses Titus, “Maybe this Stone is wrong then... or maybe there is a giant golden dragon somewhere out there.” He gestures towards the windows, “Well I at least hope he’s more personable than the Bronze Dragon out in the harbor, didn’t much care for him.”
”Well, thank you for your guidance Silvermane, I’ll send word before we move on the treasure.”
Titus the places a tip on the bar for the disturbance he caused tavern. He stands and picks up his large iron shield, and gives a stiff salute before leaving the Yawning Portal.
Vercinius Thrax: Lizardfolk Cleric - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
L’Ouverture Zinn: Kobold Sorcerer - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Titus Vorenus: Dragonborn Paladin - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Nemean Goldenmane: Tabaxi Fighter - Lost Mine of Phandelver (Retired)
"Pier 17," Rethan says in response to Morph's question. "Xanathar bugbears have been there moving crates the last few nights."
Mal:
"Oh, not much. We didn't have a Harper in the courtroom. By the one account we wheedled out of a clerk, a home invasion turned into a street fight. Fiends or devils may have been involved as well? We did hear about the doppelganger that attacked you all in the jail in great detail, though. Well done on that one, sir." Renaer takes a sip of his drink. "So what was it all about?"
Titus:
By the time Titus returns to the manor, Laniel, Morph, and Rethan are beginning to prepare themselves for venturing back out into the overheated city. It will be Rethan and Laniel's third time, in fact. "We've got a possible tip on some bugbears help Xanathar on pier 17," Laniel says. "If you want to come along, grab some dinner first. I'm not sure how long we'll be staking the pier out."
"Whispers and rumors, as far as I can make it out. A small cult thrown somewhere into the mix. Betrayal, revenge, intrigue. It's quite a tale, assuming anyone ever finally figures out all the players. The doppleganger attack is something that concerns me, though - do you know if there is a significant community of the creatures in Waterdeep? Seems as though they are popping up left and right, nary a rhyme or reason I can see to their doings."
Mal:
"Well, I look forward to hearing your epic someday. As for doppelgangers, I know they are coveted for their abilities. You've done quite a service weeding them out of the ranks of our enemies."
Titus quickly shoves some food into his mouth, drinks deeply from his water pouch, and dons his armor again before venturing out with his companions.
Vercinius Thrax: Lizardfolk Cleric - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
L’Ouverture Zinn: Kobold Sorcerer - Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
Titus Vorenus: Dragonborn Paladin - Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
Nemean Goldenmane: Tabaxi Fighter - Lost Mine of Phandelver (Retired)
As the group moves through the city, down towards the docks, Morph looks a little troubled.
"So...Rethan...these bugbears, they are definitely doing something illegal, right? They are definitely bad, we aren't just, taking them out for their ears....are we?"
("Are we the bad guys?")
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Rethan shrugs. "From my information they're from Xanathar, but I can't speak to whether the specific acts at the dock are illegal or not. We could see if we can sneak in and find out what's in the crates."
(Sorry about the delay. A crazy day. Our house is listed, though!)
Titus, Rethan, Morph, and Laniel arrive at pier 17 after darkness has fallen on Waterdeep. It is hot and muggy still, but a breeze occasionally blows welcome cool air across the Dock Ward from the bay.
Trying to look nonchalant, the quartet enjoy a drink outside a tavern as at least one of them keeps on eye on the pier. A large ship is docked there, the silhouette of a sailor sometimes emerging from below deck only to disappear below again a few minutes later.
The night wears on and the four men begin to feel weary as well as worry at the early morning work at the orphanage. Thoughts of abandoning the stakeout bubble up into suggestions to head home but the four stay seated, either due to tiredness or stubbornness. Whatever the reason, it is worth it. Sometime after midnight 6 figures approach. Four appear to be a human, half-orc, dwarf, and a halfling. The other two are bugbears, easily identifiable even in the dim light. They arrive at pier 17 and begin hushed, inaudible conversations with someone aboard the ship. They do not appear to have noticed the four watching them from across the street.
"Keep watch," Rethan says, eyes glazing over as he takes direct control of Midnight. The cat makes its way near the figures, trying to get close enough to hear what they are saying without being noticed.
(If there's crates or anything tall enough he can use them and remain out of sight, he'll probably go that route)
*would Mal know where the rest of the group have gone? If not, let's assume he will return to the Manor. If he does know, or can find out by tavern crawl or dropping in on acquaintances, then he will try to catch up with the others.