Waterdeep Dragon Heist - Campaign Thread (DM: Webgambit)

"No, I haven't noticed him.  Phaedra, where was the last place you detected him?  Should we try talking to him?  Ask him what he wants, that sort of thing?  I've got to say, I don't have that much experience with ghosts.               "

As you all start to congregate back in the taproom you're surprised to see the items you had stored at Renaer's house sitting just inside the doorway. Then you hear a cry of "Help us!!" and you turn to find to laborers standing in the corner with Lef floating idly in front of them.

The men cry out, "Help us!! This ghost is going to murder us!"

Quote from WebGambit >>

As you all start to congregate back in the taproom you're surprised to see the items you had stored at Renaer's house sitting just inside the doorway. Then you hear a cry of "Help us!!" and you turn to find to laborers standing in the corner with Lef floating idly in front of them.

The men cry out, "Help us!! This ghost is going to murder us!"

 
Noticing Lif's idle pose, Vassa smirks a little and says,'

"No, it's okay. Lif here only murders contracted workers who perform sub-par work or otherwise try to rip us off. You lot SHOULD be safe."

Saying that, Vassa will boldy stride over to Lif and in a display of bravado hold out a silver coin for each of the men in his smooth, grey palm, with the bard's arm protruding through the spectral body of the poltergeist to emerge from where his chest appears to be. Just before putting his hand through their ghostly housemate, Vassa will whisper to the remnant spirit,'

"I REALLY hope that you have a sense of humour, Lif. Otherwise I may regret this..."

[OOC] deception check just because the bard often can't help himself: 13

I have no idea if Lif even understands what we're saying, but i'll roll a persuasion check anyway to see if the spirit will go along with Vassa's antics: 10

Sorry, forgot that my pesuasion is +1 now due to Jack of All Trades, so the above should be 11 - HUGE difference of course. 

Quote from vassasunstar >>

Noticing Lif's idle pose, Vassa smirks a little and says,'

"No, it's okay. Lif here only murders contracted workers who perform sub-par work or otherwise try to rip us off. You lot SHOULD be safe."

Saying that, Vassa will boldy stride over to Lif and in a display of bravado hold out a silver coin for each of the men in his smooth, grey palm, with the bard's arm protruding through the spectral body of the poltergeist to emerge from where his chest appears to be. Just before putting his hand through their ghostly housemate, Vassa will whisper to the remnant spirit,'

"I REALLY hope that you have a sense of humour, Lif. Otherwise I may regret this..."

[OOC] deception check just because the bard often can't help himself: 13

I have no idea if Lif even understands what we're saying, but i'll roll a persuasion check anyway to see if the spirit will go along with Vassa's antics: 10

Sorry, forgot that my pesuasion is +1 now due to Jack of All Trades, so the above should be 11 - HUGE difference of course. 

The men, gasp when you put your hand through the specter. "You're crazy!" yells one of them as he bolts for the door. The second one snatches both coins from your hand and then follows his friend.

Lef floats after them stopping at the doorway. When he turns, he gives you a stern look and just about the time you think a fight is imminent, the ghost grabs his stomach and starts laughing. At lease he appears to be laughing, he's still not making any noise.

Quote from WebGambit >>

The men, gasp when you put your hand through the specter. "You're crazy!" yells one of them as he bolts for the door. The second one snatches both coins from your hand and then follows his friend.

Lef floats after them stopping at the doorway. When he turns, he gives you a stern look and just about the time you think a fight is imminent, the ghost grabs his stomach and starts laughing. At lease he appears to be laughing, he's still not making any noise.

 
Momentarily shocked that he remains unharmed after his admittedly reckless stunt, Vassa looks at his withdrawn hand for a moment, then over at the silently laughing Lif... and begins to laugh loudly himself. Slapping his knee after a few moments of unrestrained mirth, the widely smiling half-drow says to his housemates as he walks over to tap the box full of silver bars with one sandled foot while picking up one of the paintings,'

"Well... that could have gone much worse. Maybe the ghostly barkeep here isn't so bad after all. I like Kes's suggestion - let's try to communicate with Lif, find out what he wants and appease those desires, rather than look for selfish ways to be rid of him. 

Regardless, since security here doesn't seem to be an immediate issue, I'm going to hang this wonderful rendition of our fair home city in the den, then go trade in this lot of silver for gold, before swinging by the Portal to let Durnan know that we've got new digs. I plan to have a couple of drinks there and maybe tie up a loose end or three, then come back here to finish cleaning my room... or rather, to have Airus finish cleaning my room.

Would anyone care to join me for a stroll?"

"How about we just enjoy some of our Inn's ale? So who here knows how to run a business, I have some experience from watching the brothel owner growing up but that's about it." Silver just sighs as he watches what goes on and finds himself wander to pour drinks for everyone as he lifts up an empty glass to Lif "Care for some as well? Don't know if ghosts can drink, but figured since your a resident here also I'd ask. Maybe you can tell us your story and we'll tell you ours?"

He just turns to his companions waiting for their response.

[OOC]

Persuasion on Lif: 11

Quote from Hambergler >>

"How about we just enjoy some of our Inn's ale? So who here knows how to run a business, I have some experience from watching the brothel owner growing up but that's about it." Silver just sighs as he watches what goes on and finds himself wander to pour drinks for everyone as he lifts up an empty glass to Lif "Care for some as well? Don't know if ghosts can drink, but figured since your a resident here also I'd ask. Maybe you can tell us your story and we'll tell you ours?"

He just turns to his companions waiting for their response.

[OOC]

Persuasion on Lif: 19

 
"Sounds great, Silver. I still plan to head out for a bit later, but I suppose that it's relatively early yet. I'll take a glass of red if we have any... preferably without the rat droppings if it's all the same. How about a tune as we toast our recent turn of good fortune?"

Vassa will pull out his viol and begin playing while he sings a verse from an old classic that he learned in Amn, given a minor twist to suit their current circumstances,'

Silver manages to find a few unbroken glasses behind the bar and heads to the basement. As he fills the glasses with wine from different casks and barrels he soon learns that everything they have has long since turned to vinegar.

Phaedra sniffs the vinegar wine she was offered, setting it down with a good hearted smile.

"Cheers, though if you wish to run an inn, we need better wine. I had better than this drop in a rundown inn in Baldurs Gate, and it's reputation is not as splendid was Waterdeeps.

It was a... nice little song Vassa. I myself wish to give thanks to Mystra for leading me to Waterdeep and guiding me to your group. I can feel that we will make a difference to this fair city, working together.

If the offer is still open I will come with you on your trip Vassa. I have only just arrived in Waterdeep and it would do me good to explore with someone who has a better knowledge of the city.

As for our friend Lif, I think you already have your answer Silver. I do not have much experience with ghosts, while I could make him flee for a while he would come back and I am afraid that would only anger him. He seems friendly, and could be a possible way to make this place different from other inns if he wishes to help. He definitely like a good joke."

Kestrell sees Phaedra sniff the wine, and he follows suit.  Getting a strong vinegar smell, he will also put it down.

"Yes, let's go get a proper drink and discuss."

"And for what it's worth, Vassa, I enjoyed your tune also."  Kestrell hums along, and then says softly..."My father was a gambling man.  Down in Waterdeep."

Phaeda scratches her slightly pointed ear.

"So you are from Waterdeep as well Kestrell?

While we are still seated, did anyone wish to tell me of your" she motions to the group, "exploits in Waterdeep. Not many people are gifted an inn, rundown or not. Or do we need real wine for that tale ?"

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

Kestrell sees Phaedra sniff the wine, and he follows suit.  Getting a strong vinegar smell, he will also put it down.

"Yes, let's go get a proper drink and discuss."

"And for what it's worth, Vassa, I enjoyed your tune also."  Kestrell hums along, and then says softly..."My father was a gambling man.  Down in Waterdeep."

 
Vassa winks by way of thanks at Kestrell and is impressed that the woodsman knows the base tune of the song. Nodding a polite 'no thanks' to Silver as the bard pushes the acrid smelling wine away, Vassa smiles at Phaedra as he gets up, saying,'

"Your company would be an absolute delight, Phaedra. In fact, as our new home clearly still needs a lot of work yet, including fundamental repairs and thorough cleaning, stocking with clean bedding, food, beverages, furniture and the like, might I suggest that we don't all move in right away.

Most of us could spend the night at the inn, leaving one or two here to watch the place if anyone would like to volunteer? Whoever stays can watch over the building and our paintings, though I daresay that it will be a cold and comfortless night for the most part. Then the rest of us could set out early to see about organising cleaning, repairs and a restock?

And over a glass of Durnan's finest, it would be my pleasure to recount for you our adventures so far, dear Phaedra. Shall we?"

Vassa will split the silver bars for transport amongst those who are coming with him, then moves to the door, which he will open with a flourish for Phaedra, Kes and anyone else who wants to head to the Portal. 

Quote from IAmButADream >>

...

"So you are from Waterdeep as well Kestrell?...

 "Me?  No, I'm from quite a ways north of here. A small town.  Too be honest, I am kind of intimidated by Waterdeep, it's size, the large crowds, all of the commotion.  I just came here to find the cobbler Whites, and get a nice pair of five inch leather boots."

"Vassa, yes, I can spend the night here and keep watch.  Should probably have two of us though.  And certainly not before a belt or two of the strong stuff and regaling Phaedra with our tales, hopefully not too tall.

The group of adventurers left their new home and headed south, taking about half an hour to get back to the Yawning Portal. Upon entering they looked both for a empty table and for anyone they knew and in short order were able to locate the former but not the later.

Once seated a twenty something human girl with reddish hair comes up to the table, "I'm Bonnie and I'll be taking care of you this evening. What can I get you all started off with? Are you looking to go down the portal this evening?"

Phaeda gives the girl a quizzical look as she takes her seat, looking around the establishment.

"Go down the portal? What kind of drink is that?"

Silver just sniffs the glass and puts it back "I'll join you and yeah I think your right."

He just listens as Kestrell tells his stories and when his companions depart he follows. He just smiles looking at Bonnie as she asks for their orders "How about some nice rose wine if ya got it." he just smiles looking at whoever is seated with him "I'm down for a trip, but that's also up to my friends. Do ya fancy a trip?"

Kestrell grins, then says "Yeah, let's do it!  What is it?"

Quote from IAmButADream >>

Phaeda gives the girl a quizzical look as she takes her seat, looking around the establishment.

"Go down the portal? What kind of drink is that?"

Bonnie laughs, "I'm sorry for the confusion." Pointing to the 40-foot-diameter open well in the middle of the room she continued, "That is the 'Yawning Portal' that the tavern is named after. It descends 140 feet to the first level of Undermountain, the sprawling dungeon under Waterdeep. This is the most common entrance/exit to the Undermountain. Again, sorry for the miscommunication. What can I get everyone to drink?"

"Whiskey and lime for me please.  You just let anyone go down there?  Why do people go down there?  For sport, I guess.  What can we expect if we do go down the portal?"

"Durnan will try to talk most out of going down, but if you really want to go he'll let you. For 1 gp. That's per person and everyone goes down one at a time. The return trip also costs a piece of gold, sent up in a bucket in advance. As for what's down there, just about everything. Bandits, Bugbears, Goblins, Drow," her eyes flick over to Vassa and Silver and she quickly continues, " trolls, carrion crawlers, hobgoblins...  And that just the first few levels. But there's a lot of treasure so people keep going down. I don't understand it myself."