The City watch is usually just in the way from my experience. But i wont put undo danger on anyone. IF you wish to Involve the them, i wont object. If that is the case then perhaps FC's lead is one we should follow for now? Pheral is clearly frustrated but has done her best to make it clear she will not go behind the groups back. 

CHAPTER THREE
GRALHUND VILLA
ROLL FOR PINKINESS

ASTRID: Yes, at AREA G3, a sliding wooden door bars access to the back street and has a padlock on the outside that holds it shut. It looks pickable. You can access it from the street. It's safe to assume there are streets on each side of the house. The house is large, and takes up the whole block, so commoners are walking to and fro on streets on each side of the house.

LYTHRIL: You catch sight of a passing patrol. "Aye, miss, we do." they say, "This would be the residence of Lord and Lady Galhund. Don't think the house is for sale, though. Even if it was, you just can't waltz in, miss. You'd have to check at the (Local Real Estate Office) for more information. Have a nice day."

PHERAL: You know from experience that commoners are much less plentiful at night, especially after midnight.

RUKUS METER: So far, you have not caused any attention to yourselves for your actions. Keep it up, guys. Keep it legal. =P OR, if not, keep it niiiiiceee and quiet.

I want you all to know, this is very good role-playing. I know it's easy to just muscle your way through problems, but reading you all trying to brainstorm a solution while being watched is very rewarding to me. Keep it up <3

“Pheral,” Leon says softly. “I understand your frustrations, and I’m not sure if you have ever been punished for wrong doings in this city.” He pauses to sigh. “But as someone who has been subjected to... that, it is not worth the trouble.”

“Thank you for not objecting nor going behind our backs as some would.” He looks at the group, his demeanor changed from gentle to one of determination. “I believe we should let the guard handle this, but if we can find the Galhund’s it would be worth a shot to see if they can grant us passage into this estate. I will follow behind whatever we all decide, as a team.”

Danitriel waited for the officers to be out of earshot and then added. "I can cast invisibility twice, so if we need to two of us can sneak in that way."

((((((I wont have time to post what I want with the time I have left. if were going with invisibility, it should be our two stealthiest. And we have rogues to spare..... Azrael still would prefer to do this through either the law, or through the property owners if possible. He would ask the people that Lythril spoke to if there was a way to get into contact with the Galhunds relatively swiftly. He wouldn't be completely against using the back door *giggity* after midnight if that seemed like the only plausible solution. One way or another the rogue nimble needed to be destroyed before it could cause more harm, and he was willing to go against the law. However if we go this route, he will be the WATCHMAN instead of goign in. We both know his toes will find every rock and doorstub if he tries to stealth.. and OOC: think, if we complete this quest, thats 500 X 7 people. 3500 gold between us all.))))))))

2nd rule of the sea, never betray your crew.  Pheral says to Leon. To the rest of the group she says.So, whats the Plan ? I can get us in the not so legal way if needed. Or we can follow FC's source. Or we can get the authorities more involved and see were that leads us. Anyone have any other ideas? Which way do we go ?

Let me know what you guys decide. I'll take the first person who posts and update the first thing tomorrow morning =P <3

Azrael felt the best way to handle this was the legal way. It would keep them out of trouble, and simultaneously build Rapport with the law, which could help down the line. Seeing as everyone seemed to be in discordance with what overall should be done, he would make his way to the nearest officer of the law he could find.

Hail watchman. I apologize for bothering you, but I am on urgent business, in aid of the Temple of Gond. It seems one of thier machines has malfunctioned, though through no fault of their own, I've been told. I'm sure by now you've heard about the explosion near Trollskull Manor recently?

he pauses to let the guard acknowledge or deny.

Regardless, he presses on - We've pinpointed the location of the rogue trinket that caused the fire, and deaths of many civilians, and wish to see that it does not happen again. However, we've run into a problem... The target of our search happens to be on owned property, and our group wishes not to violate the law, but the owners seem not to be home... or perhaps they are held hostage by the creature... which is another possibility. We also, however, need to bring back proof of our deed to the Temple of Gond, else we will not be rewarded for our efforts to the Temple, nor for aiding in the capture of an enemy to the city.

Is there any way you can help us? And still allow us to be rewarded for our effort in aiding in the maintaining of the city's peace?

(((Persuasion if needed: 21)))

Editing

(**** YEAH Also ignore the 'editing' on it, cause I aint risking losing that nat 20)

Nice job Azrael.

CHAPTER THREE
GRALHUND VILLA
I AM THE LAW

Kablamo! Looks like the law takes over. Nice roll! And then some. 

The City Watch listens to your report with much seriousness and concern. Within a very short amount of time, not only do City Watch investigators arrive, they actually let you come with them inside - and yes, the investigators came with a search warrant, they didn't just barge onto the estate. =P

What you find is deeply troubling.

Lord Galhund is found unconcious, Lady Gralhund is in shock, and their half-orc bodyguard is hurt very severly. There are dead bodies everywhere - Zhentariam and Gralhund security. According to a terrified Lady Gralhund, the Gralhunds had been held hostage for more than a week by agents of the Black Network. Most of the Zhents were killed during a bloody revolt led by Lord Gralhund himself. As you all look around, Urstil Floxin is nowhere to be seen. And the worst part, it looks like the Nimblewright has gotten away. The device is no longer detecting it. According to the Gralhunds, the construct was delivered to Gralhund Villa weeks earlier. The family took it in, not realizing it was a "Zhentarim spy", according to them. Lady Gralhund reported that it stole her necklace of fireballs.

This is the information given by the Gralhunds and what you see visually. The information above may or may not be true. One thing is certain - the Nimblewright is gone, and so is Urstil Floxin and, with him, most likely, the Stone of Galor. The City Watch and the Investigators thank you for your time, but DO NOT let you look around the house or ask questions - for now the Villa is a huge crime scene and the fuzz have much work to do.

The next day's newspaper, The Waterdeep Times, dub the “Gralhund Villa Bloodbath" and explains how the City Watch is cracking down on the Black Network. Even members of the Zhentarim who have no known criminal ties are rounded up and interrogated, it seems. The broadsheets jump on the bandwagon by portraying the Black Network in the most unflattering light, thus dealing a crippling blow to the faction’s already questionable reputation. Luckily, or with Azrael's persuasion, you were not mentioned in the article.

You hear scratching at the door that same morning, a flying snake has dropped off a message:

"I would like to know more about what happened at Gralhund Villa. If you can spare the time, meet me at Ahghairon’s Statue in the City of the Dead this afternoon. You’ll be paid generously for your time and trouble. — Istrid Horn"

Well, this smells like a trap. Does anyone know who this Istrid Horn is ? Pheral is not from Waterdeep and doesn't spend much time here. 

From this point, since investigating the Villa is no long an option, you can:

- See what this Istrid wants.
- Continue to look for the rogue Nimblewright using the detector
- Work on your faction duties
- Anything else you guys want.

Astrid to Pheral & Danitriel: "I suggest we seek out our Harper network, and see what we can find out about this 'Istrid Horn' chap."

Good suggestion Astrid. Ill be back in a bit. Pheral gets her gear and heads out of the Manor and to The yawning portal, looking for Threestring.

"Talking to our faction friends sounds like a good idea. Either the Lutists or the Gauntleterers might know something." Lyhtril waits for her friends, glad to have a less ambiguous goal. She polishes her hammer with loving care while waiting.

Azrael was less concerned with the nimbleright now that the law knew what it was looking for, it would have a much harder time moving about freely. So Azrael would take this timew to kill two birds with one stone. After, of course, helping his fellow acolytes get the Shrine to Bahamut down to the cellar, as they happened to be having some trouble with that when the group returned. After he finishes with that, and helping them setup their beds and such, he would head to the order of the Gauntlet to do his faction quest, letting Lythril handle asking the order about what they know, and so he would stop hogging the spotlight, he wasn't doing it intentionally, he swears!

------

Returning from his quest only partially successful, failing where it truly mattered.

------

By now it was late, and Azrael was tired, but he made his way over to the Yawning Portal, seeking out his friend Jalaster. If not found, Az would simply leave, since he could get free food and drink at the manor. Otherwise...

Hail Jalester! My gosh, Have I a tale for you... He would tell him how He's joined the order to smite evil, but apologizes for turning down Jalesters offer from before. Giving Jalester a big hug. He then tells Jalester of his new residence in Trollskull Manor, and about how overall dilapidated it is. Azrael eventually gets around to telling him about the attack near his new home, and how they tracked it to the Villa, and what information he found there, including about how the Nimblewright had gotten away.. adding in... Speaking of.. Please inform your faction of this Nimblewright, and to keep an eye out for it. It looks like....he said, describing it as best he could And if you do subdue it, let me have a piece of it, or else we will not be rewarded for all our efforts. OH! yes, Jalester... I was hoping that you could work with me, in tandem. Both of our factions ultimately seek to remove those who would harm the city though through different means. I was wondering if you could use your network to help me find an...  Azrael had to think, as he had trouble recalling the name... A man called...Urstil..  Floxin? I believe was his name. I cannot describe what he looks like, but it is very important that my friends and I find him, I will give you 150 gold should you find any information on this for me.. it's urgent, as me seeking to find the Nimblewright caused us to lose the man in question, and I wish to correct that. 

Lastly, my friend, two things:

1. If you ever need my help, I will come, so long as I have not already obligated myself at the time you ask. And two, DO you know anything about a person called... Istrid Horn?

After he got whatever information/promises he could, he returned to the manor, and requested food and drink from the friendly half-elf ghost, with X and Y specifications. He would remain here ,eating and drinking for a time.

MEANWHILE AT THE YAWNING TAVERN

Azrael and Jelaster are having a conversation at the Tavern. It cost you 150g, but Jelaster was able to give you this information: Urstul Floxin is a Zhent assassin that works for a man named Manshoon. There are rumors that the Gralhunds were providing shelter for the Black Network in exchange for a share of the massive dragon horde the Stone Of Galor leads to. Turns out the Gralhunds wanted the dragon horde from themselves, and a fight broke out in the manor, with Lady Gralhund taking the Stone - that's where you guys came in. Urstul escaped and tried to get the Stone back from Lady Gralhund, but the Nimblewright took off with it. Jelaster recommends to try and stay on the tail of that rogue Nimblewright, since finding Urstul in a huge city will prove to be very difficult - but what's important is that the automaton has the Stone.

He's never heard of a woman named Istrid, but would ask around.

BACK AT TROLLSKULL MANOR

While Azrael is away, and before anyone else leaves - there's another knock at the door. Its Raenar Neverember.

"Given my own recent brush with the Zhentarim, I decided to pay you a visit at your home. When the Lords of Waterdeep ousted my father, I thought his long, dark shadow was finally gone for good. The truth is, I want nothing to do with him. But his spies hound me. One of them, a gnome named Dalakhar, had been watching me for months. Then, about two weeks ago, the spy was suddenly nowhere to be seen. My father didn’t trust many people, but he trusted that gnome. I spoke to a few of Dalakhar’s friends. Apparently, he was on a special mission to retrieve the Stone of Galorr and was afraid that the Zhentarim and the Xanathar Guild were close to catching him. When he heard about my kidnapping, he wanted more information about the adventurers who had rescued me. You all. I think Dalakhar was planning to pay you to deliver the Stone of Galorr to my father in Neverwinter. But, now the Stone is gone, and I think you all know of Dalakhar's fate." He says, hinting at Leon finding his burnt, dead body thanks to the necklace of fireballs the rogue Nimblewright threw."

"I'm used to dealing wif these types." FC says after reading the snakes message. "An' we can put the gold towards the manor! I'll go see what this snake wants. May be able to get more information out of her than she will from me." FC heads out to meet Istrid.