"My name is not one I wish to give. If someone is looking for me then saying it would be rather foolish. As with my traveling companions you may call me D or by the title you have given me. I would vote for going to the city at night but I since surface dwellers do not like the dark then let us be there before the sun is to strong." Daerthe says as she crosses her arms and looks to the others, seeming more calm now that she had better clothes and was out of the direct light of the sun.

Essie wrinkles her nose a little as she thinks. "If you're Wanderer, and you're Diplomat... does that make me 'Angel', then? How strange." Then she shakes her head a little and smiles again. "I'm called Essie, generally, though I've answered to a great many things before."

She takes a look around at her companions, letting out a quiet hum. "I don't actually know a thing about Waterdeep, other than it's a large city? So I'll defer to the others here - I can make most anything work." Clasping her hands in front of her, she glances to the others. Completely open and willing to do whatever they decide.

“Very good, very good,” says Zephyros. “I must return to the second level above to set the navigation to approach Waterdeep. You are welcome to make yourselves comfortable here on the first level. It is also generally safe to take in the view from the clouds on the outside of the tower. I’ll leave you to yourselves as I have some studying to do. There are some food supplies in the chest.” He points at a large, low chest on one wall, then continues. “We’ll rise early, just to the east of the city. You can walk the hour or so into town and take care of your business. Take as much time as you need. Then I’ll look for you an hour or two outside the North Gate as we discussed.”

Unless anyone has any other comments or questions for the cloud giant, he levitates back up to the second floor, about a hundred feet above you. You all are left to do as you wish for the evening. If anyone looks within the food chest, you find a variety of foods: cheese, bread, apples, potatoes, etc. They are all a bit larger than you are used to, but probably rather small for Zephyros. A fireplace is built into one of the other six walls, with a supply of firewood sitting in a box next to it.

The tower travels smoothly through the air. If you spend any time outside, you can gauge its gentle movement by watching the land shift below you. Slowly but surely, the mountain and city of Waterdeep loom larger to the west. As the sun sets, you see lights sparkle across the land below: just a few here and there in scattered homesteads and farms and thousands in the city beyond. As the hours go by, it may occur to you all that travel by tower is peaceful, but you may wish to find some kind of project to work on. Ten days of just sitting inside or outside a tower may be restful or cause you to become restless.

(Any discussion or actions for the evening?)

Helena would help herself to some of the food, then settle in to read her spellbook.

At first, Sphyboe examines the condition of the supply of firewoods, then she picks them up one by one and places them inside the fireplace, finally she sets them on fire using a tinderbox.

She sits down with her legs folded under her weight, then starts to break the large piece of bread into smaller chunks so that medium sized folks like herself might be able to consume the food without any kind of issues. That reminds her of the delicate supply of sausage and cheese provided by Morak, and she starts to add the items to the dried loaf of breads in order to enhance it's flavor.

After a reasonable dinner, you all find places to sleep wherever you choose to place your bedrolls. The stone floor is not particularly comfortable, but at least it feels safe. You wake with the morning light as Zephyros greets you. “Good morning, friends. We are not far from Waterdeep, the sun is peeking over the horizon, and the stairs are ready for your descent!” You exit the tower and look out to see farmland directly below that stretches west until it meets a cliff above which the city of Waterdeep stretches south and north. Mount Waterdeep rises above the southern part of the city and the sea sparkles in the morning sun beyond it all.

Unless you have any other business or conversation with Zephyros, you all make your way carefully down the cloud steps to the edge of a farm field, far from any buildings. You find your way to a road that takes you to the River Gate.

(I believe that Helena is the only one who is familiar with Waterdeep, unless Sphyboe has also been here? Will Helena share the general layout of the city with the others? If so, I can narrate some of that. Will you all stay together? The city can have as many dangers as the wilderness. Perhaps you all use the hour or two walk to the city gate to discuss your plans…)

"The city itself is set up in wards." Helena informs the others as they make the walk towards the River Gate. "The central ward is the castle ward, with the North ward, well north of that. There is the market ward, the dock ward, the South ward, and the Sea ward." She goes on to give details on the various wards, as well as the areas outside of that, Undercliff and such.

Helena also informs you that, based on your approach, you should be able to enter at the River Gate which opens to the Trades Ward where there are many kinds of businesses. The City of the Dead will be just north of the gate, a lovely park-like area with many mausoleums and tombs. Sphyboe is most likely to find the Nandar home in the North Ward, as most nobles have their estates and villas in that ward.

"I believe we should look for the Nandar representatives as a group since we're all somehow the witnesses of the mishap"

Sphyboe joins the conversation when the party finds the city gate and decides to share the information that they should scout the North Ward first since the possibility of locating the Nandar home is highest in that part of the city.

Sphyboe has been in Waterdeep to collect her monthly payment from the Harpers agents but she hadn't the opportunity to take a note of the locations, and she's going to depend on Helena's navigation and instruction.

Bramble will pull the hood of his cloak tighter around his face. The cacophony of noises in a city of this size is overwhelming. Bramble’s world shrinks around him as he becomes fearful of becoming separated from his team. His head is lowered and his focus becomes that of a pack animal following the beast in front of him. He has quite forgotten about the park-like City of the Dead in favor of staying close to those in whom he trusts.

Can we leave yet … can we leave yet … gods, how long have we been here fills his thoughts.

The road to the River Gate takes you all up the cliff side. There are a few other travelers and wagons approaching at the same time as your party. Several guards keep watch at the gate, eyeing each person, wagon, and group for anything suspicious. Once within the gates, you are immediately surrounded by even more people and noise and carts and wagons. Children run past in small groups, dogs bark, and caged chickens on wagons cluck and crow.

Helena notices Bramble’s discomfort after just a few minutes’ walk along River Street and decides to lead the group toward the City of the Dead. You all can get to both the headquarters of Helena’s order and then on to the North Ward taking this quieter path rather than the very busy High Road. She turns the group north up Salabar Street. It’s a little quieter here, but there are still a number of folks making their way to and from various shops and guildhalls and taverns. It is easier for Daerthe to stay in the shadows along this north-south street, rather than River Street that seemed to point right to the morning sun.

The street opens up to a market being held in a dirt-packed plaza with various wares being sold out of caravan owners’ wagons. Helena shares that this area is known as the Court of the White Bull, named for the birth of an albino calf on the site long ago. Since then it was the scene of a great spell battle that still leaves its mark on the place. Due to the occasional flare ups of wild magic, no one has dared to build upon the location.

After crossing the market, it doesn’t take long to get to the outside wall of the City of the Dead and follow it to a gate into the park. It is immediately quieter here. The paths wind amongst the open grassy lawn and trees. Buildings are scattered throughout: tombs for various groups such as sages, fallen warriors, lords, sailors, merchants, travelers, etc. Now that the noise of the city has abated a little, you can hear the sounds of birds singing. Having come in through the gate on the south end of the park, Helena leads you to a gate on the west wall. She explains that her order headquarters are a mere five-minute walk from here.

(I hope it is okay that I kind of piloted Helena as your guide and made some decisions for you all. If there is anything you wanted to do along the way to this point, feel free to speak up. Also, you will want to decide whether to go with Helena to her order or wait for her here in the park. By the way, I am using this map of Waterdeep. The link goes to an interactive map of the city.)

"I can either meet you all back here, or I can give you directions to somewhere else." Helena says with a glance to the others. "You are free to accompany me, though you will likely need to just wait for me there, away from the park here and in the busy city itself."

Daerthe will slownear the markets in an attempt to find a place to sell her gems, keeping a look out for the tiefling and others she had met back during their stay in the keep. If she sees no sign of them she will continue on with the group.

Sphyboe intends to meet Helena and everyone else at the location pointed out by Helena. She will take the High Road or a less crowded road if suggested by 'D' in order to accompany Daerthe till both of them reach the destination. Then she finds herself in the northwestern corner of the market and she will ask a shopkeeper about the quickest route to the Sea Ward. Finally, she takes the Sutherlane, then the Rough Road so that she may find the Moonstar Villa where she might find some of the fellow Harpers. She murmurs one of the codes of the Harpers believing that someone may recognize her:

"For freedom to flourish, all must be in balance: the powers of realms, the reaches of the cities and the wilderlands into each other, and the influence of one being over another."

(@Karmoli, thanks for sharing the link to the map, I find it useful.)

Bramble sees the park as a port in a storm and his eyes light up when he hears the birds calling to each other.

”I would very much like to remain here, but I don’t want to forsake you all should I be able to provide aid. I really need to get over my anxiety of being in a big city. And being surrounded with those whom I trust is the best way for me to do it.”

Bramble takes in a large deep cleansing breath, somewhat shakily, then releases it smoothly and finishes with a smile on his face.

”Lead on.” he says with renewed strength.

Sphyboe decides to abandon the quest of searching for Harper agents in the Moonstar Alley, and re-join the main party at the Tower of the Order. She will wear her violet scarf publicly in order to make sure that the other agents may recognize her at the first sight.

Intelligence: Investigation 19

Sphyboe will locate the house of the Nandar Representatives in order to inform them of the current situation of the Nightstone. She will break the news of the unfortunate death of Lady Nandar, besides she will describe the event of the Zhentarim raid and the involvement of the 'Quorum' to restore the peace and order of the settlement. Finally, she will deliver the letter from the Nightstone Guards that's been delicately penned by Alara to prove the authenticity of her words, then she will hand over the Spear with the letter 'N' engraved on it's surface.

"Please, show the guards these items if you wish to enter the village, the spear belongs to them and they will know that we've successfully executed our duty."

If she finds a fellow Harpers Agent, she will send the message of the Zhentarim agents' sighting in the village and she suggests that they should record the names 'Xolkin' and 'Kella' as potential criminals while providing the agent with a pair of rough sketches of the culprits. She will demand from the higher authority an insignia and the full monthly payment even though she has failed to save Lady Nandar, otherwise she will resign and start a greater upheaval than the current one.

Finally, she will join everyone at the outside of the city where the party might find the tower of Zephyros, and she wishes to complete the quest offered by Morak.