"I...might get in trouble. Also, I might be caught. My brother here is better at getting away. Give me the details and we will show up or we will not."
"Whattaya mean!? I'm all the muscle you need!" Mal strikes a pose. "But, on the other hand, one can never be too careful, and I suppose my head is a bit tender after a long night of carousing. Sounds like a plan!"
It is mid afternoon the next day. The group has completed their fourth day of orphanage visits, this time unsupervised. A scream echoes through the alley as a pounding knock comes at the door.
"Titus, Rethan! Get the door! Morph, on me - let's find the screamer!" Mal runs towards an alley facing window and carefully opens it. Briefly tapping his dulcimer, he shimmers, and turns invisible. A quick scrape over the windowsill, and Mal quietly drops into the street. He looks both ways, looking for the source of the scream.
Upon opening the door, Rethan sees two bugbears standing at the door looking terrified. Mal sees, as do Rethan and Morph, a woman walking through the alley is pointing at them and screaming for help.
Tituswill hurry down the stairs with a look of grim worry on his face, but upon seeing the Bugbears he grins a bit and motions to them welcoming them into the manor "Ah, yes, come in my good sirs, glad you could make it. Please have a seat, we'll be right with you." He walks outside hoping to address the source of the terrified screams, hoping to defuse the situation.
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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)
“Do not worry ma’am, these men are here under our invitation. They will cause you no trouble, if they do they know that we will punish back upon them TENFOLD!” He speaks loudly enough that the bugbears can also hear. “Trollskull alley is a place of business and commerce and all who deal here must know that we will not tolerate any foul play... so as I said ma’am... they will give you no trouble, you have my word.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM shield:
Tituspersuasion check (DC 13): 18
Morphpersuasion check (DC 13, with advantage from Laniel): 13
Wow. Straight 10s!
The woman calms down as Titus reassures her. His City Guard colors help somewhat, no doubt. The woman sniffles. "Very well," she says. "I won't involve the Watch. Please see about bringing some semblance of normalcy to this neighborhood. I had heard the terrorist had been subdued but I still don't feel safe here yet." She departs promptly before Titus can say another word.
Inside, Morphconvinces the bugbears to have a seat. They look around in awe at the unfinished and empty space. "You must be nobles," says the taller of the two.
"I am afraid we cannot go back, brother. Xanathar will believe we have betrayed him," says the shorter of them.
Seeing that the woman is calmed, Mal will use the rest of his invisibility spell to make a circuit of the neighborhood, enjoying the morning air as the city springs to life once more. If possible, he will check in with a few of his friends around the neighborhood to get a feel for what they have seen and to be updated for any recent juicy news or events.
"This is terrible, I did not know you were taking such risks. Truly you have our thanks."
"Well it is a very real possibility, that if the adventure we are going to undertake, succeeds, that we may be able to hire you to work here at the manor."
"If that is something you would like, that is. You would help run the tavern down here, making sure people keep in line, servicing at the bar, maybe cooking, if you have the skills."
"But all that comes after we succeed at our adventure. We have been tasked with the recovery of some stolen government property."
"We have managed to track the location down, to an underground vault, located just below Waterdeep."
"No need to worry about Undermountain, I believe what we seek is located in separate tunnels, much closer to the surface."
"Having said that, we do expect that we may run into dangers that require a little more muscle, and that is where you two come in."
"We would like to hire you to join us for our underground adventure."
"I am Elezu,"says the shorter of the two. "I do not know what my brother has dragged us into but we have no choice but to see it through now. We will take your coin and try this out."
"And I am Zaku,"says the taller of the two. "As long as we are not hauling crates..."
"Yes," says Elezu, "You have good instincts for these things usually, brother. That is why I joined you."
"Well, I could not have made it without you. We are a good team," Zaku says with a fanged grin.
Elezusighs, but nods with a tight smile. "So, what is next for this...adventure?"
“Thankyou for coming all this way, we appreciate you taking such risks just for some extra work... ah but I guess it seems they didn’t treat you two very well over by the docks, probably for the best that you got away from that crew. I’m Titus Vorenus by the way, former guardsmen, first shield - third legion. But now I’m aspiring to be a tavern owner if we can get this place fixed up, and this job should more than cover that.
He pours a drink and offers one to their new bugbear friends as he speaks.
Look, we’ll get to the job soon enough... But First, why don’t you tell us a bit more about yourselves. How long have you been in Waterdeep, and what brought you hear in the first place? How did you get mixed up with the Zhent’s? And what skills do you two have besides hauling crates? Any experience with fighting or magic or healing, maybe cooking?”
Zakusays, "And disguises. You also forged those bills of sale rather well. I was a dragon hunter and a giant killer for our tribe. The city is...not my preferred way of life."
"One of the best trackers I've known," Elezu says.
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Morph:
"I...might get in trouble. Also, I might be caught. My brother here is better at getting away. Give me the details and we will show up or we will not."
"Ok how about this, you and your brother do your best to come visit us at our place, we can hash out the details there."
"We might even be able to offer you some long term legitimate work, if our adventure works out the way we expect."
Morph then gives the bugbear the details for Trollskull Manor, and how to get there, before the two groups loose sight of each other.
Morph stops casting as the other group rounds a corner further into the dock ward.
Turning to his friends Morph speaks.
"Ok, the taller of the two bugbears says he is interested in possibly working with us, but that he could get in trouble if he goes missing for a day."
"He says that he and the other bugbear are brothers, and that his brother is better at getting away from the others when he wants to get out."
"But he also said he and his brother don't find much welcome around Waterdeep, and so they tend to stay with their employer and co-workers."
"Lastly he said nether him or his brother have seen another bugbear in a long time, and don't know of any others living in or around Waterdeep."
"So I gave him the directions to Trollskull Manor and invited him and his brother to try and come see us."
"I told him we could hash out the details there, and that maybe we could offer them other employment after our current adventure is concluded."
"I mean, we are going to be running a tavern, some extra muscle to help run the place, could be quite useful..."
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
"Whattaya mean!? I'm all the muscle you need!" Mal strikes a pose. "But, on the other hand, one can never be too careful, and I suppose my head is a bit tender after a long night of carousing. Sounds like a plan!"
Morph laughs,
"Oh and splendid muscles they are, but wouldn't you rather someone else carried the cask's up from the cellar?"
Morph gives Mal a mischievous wink.
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
DM shield:
Escaping
Stealth(13) check: E - 15, Z - 20
Navigating the sewers
Survival(15) check: Z - 19
Arriving at Trollskull Manor
Stealth
Stealth(13) check: E - 9, Z - 20
It is mid afternoon the next day. The group has completed their fourth day of orphanage visits, this time unsupervised. A scream echoes through the alley as a pounding knock comes at the door.
"Titus, Rethan! Get the door! Morph, on me - let's find the screamer!" Mal runs towards an alley facing window and carefully opens it. Briefly tapping his dulcimer, he shimmers, and turns invisible. A quick scrape over the windowsill, and Mal quietly drops into the street. He looks both ways, looking for the source of the scream.
Perception: 20
"What this time..." Rehtan mutters as he hurries to the door to open it.
"Is this place cursed, or is it us...I'm beginning to think it might be us."
Morph readies himself near the windows, also looking outside for the trouble.
Perception check: 21
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
Upon opening the door, Rethan sees two bugbears standing at the door looking terrified. Mal sees, as do Rethan and Morph, a woman walking through the alley is pointing at them and screaming for help.
Titus will hurry down the stairs with a look of grim worry on his face, but upon seeing the Bugbears he grins a bit and motions to them welcoming them into the manor "Ah, yes, come in my good sirs, glad you could make it. Please have a seat, we'll be right with you." He walks outside hoping to address the source of the terrified screams, hoping to defuse the situation.
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)
The woman, walking her dog, is clearly agitated at the sight of the bugbears. "Call the watch!" she screams. "This neighborhood used to be safe!"
Inside the manor, out of sight from the woman, one of the bugbears sees Morph and says, "This was a mistake."
“Do not worry ma’am, these men are here under our invitation. They will cause you no trouble, if they do they know that we will punish back upon them TENFOLD!” He speaks loudly enough that the bugbears can also hear. “Trollskull alley is a place of business and commerce and all who deal here must know that we will not tolerate any foul play... so as I said ma’am... they will give you no trouble, you have my word.”
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)
Morph gives an encouraging smile to the two bugbears,
"Nonsense! Don't let some intolerant and prejudiced woman get you down."
"We won't let any of them make trouble for you, at least not without a fight."
"Of course, you will have to behave as well, you do right, and we will have your backs."
"But for now, let's stay indoors and talk. Thank you both for coming, it means a great deal to us."
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
DM shield:
Titus persuasion check (DC 13): 18
Morph persuasion check (DC 13, with advantage from Laniel): 13
Wow. Straight 10s!
The woman calms down as Titus reassures her. His City Guard colors help somewhat, no doubt. The woman sniffles. "Very well," she says. "I won't involve the Watch. Please see about bringing some semblance of normalcy to this neighborhood. I had heard the terrorist had been subdued but I still don't feel safe here yet." She departs promptly before Titus can say another word.
Inside, Morph convinces the bugbears to have a seat. They look around in awe at the unfinished and empty space. "You must be nobles," says the taller of the two.
"I am afraid we cannot go back, brother. Xanathar will believe we have betrayed him," says the shorter of them.
"Maybe we have," says the larger.
Seeing that the woman is calmed, Mal will use the rest of his invisibility spell to make a circuit of the neighborhood, enjoying the morning air as the city springs to life once more. If possible, he will check in with a few of his friends around the neighborhood to get a feel for what they have seen and to be updated for any recent juicy news or events.
“Is it a betrayal to take on extra paying work when you have the chance?” Rethan asks.
"This is terrible, I did not know you were taking such risks. Truly you have our thanks."
"Well it is a very real possibility, that if the adventure we are going to undertake, succeeds, that we may be able to hire you to work here at the manor."
"If that is something you would like, that is. You would help run the tavern down here, making sure people keep in line, servicing at the bar, maybe cooking, if you have the skills."
"But all that comes after we succeed at our adventure. We have been tasked with the recovery of some stolen government property."
"We have managed to track the location down, to an underground vault, located just below Waterdeep."
"No need to worry about Undermountain, I believe what we seek is located in separate tunnels, much closer to the surface."
"Having said that, we do expect that we may run into dangers that require a little more muscle, and that is where you two come in."
"We would like to hire you to join us for our underground adventure."
David Gearlock | Human | Artificer | Revenge Heist
Knox | Warforged | Cleric | Shadowthorn's Out of the Abyss
"I am Elezu," says the shorter of the two. "I do not know what my brother has dragged us into but we have no choice but to see it through now. We will take your coin and try this out."
"And I am Zaku," says the taller of the two. "As long as we are not hauling crates..."
"Yes," says Elezu, "You have good instincts for these things usually, brother. That is why I joined you."
"Well, I could not have made it without you. We are a good team," Zaku says with a fanged grin.
Elezu sighs, but nods with a tight smile. "So, what is next for this...adventure?"
“Thank you for coming all this way, we appreciate you taking such risks just for some extra work... ah but I guess it seems they didn’t treat you two very well over by the docks, probably for the best that you got away from that crew. I’m Titus Vorenus by the way, former guardsmen, first shield - third legion. But now I’m aspiring to be a tavern owner if we can get this place fixed up, and this job should more than cover that.
He pours a drink and offers one to their new bugbear friends as he speaks.
Look, we’ll get to the job soon enough... But First, why don’t you tell us a bit more about yourselves. How long have you been in Waterdeep, and what brought you hear in the first place? How did you get mixed up with the Zhent’s? And what skills do you two have besides hauling crates? Any experience with fighting or magic or healing, maybe cooking?”
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)
(You meant the Xanathar guild.)
Elezu grins mischievously. "I am good with locks."
Zaku says, "And disguises. You also forged those bills of sale rather well. I was a dragon hunter and a giant killer for our tribe. The city is...not my preferred way of life."
"One of the best trackers I've known," Elezu says.