Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Incantis pores through the documents, his eyes enriching from pale lavender to a deep violet as page after page reveals more intrigue. As he begins to get a sense for the scope of Nezznar's discretion and care in the carrying out of his plans, the warlock flips back through the letters, looking for dates to get a sense for how long the Black Spider has been in the Wave Echo Cave. He also looks for any notes on the Rockseeker(s), as well as what might lie further east.

Investigation: 19

When he's done, Incantis searches the sack.

Zhudala, meanwhile, pops out of invisibility, grabs the key and the staff, and begins making her way back toward Incantis.

Strix follows the tracks and listens at the door

perception : 18

Zhudala grabs the staff and key easily enough.

Unfortunately, you can't really get a sense for how Nezznar wrote - time is always a bit unclear, and he doesn't use any dating system that you can understand.  Perhaps he's been here a few weeks, but you can't say anything more than that.

The sack has a decent weight to it, and contains some money and a few items of interest.  You find 190 electrum pieces, 130 gold pieces, 15 platinum pieces, nine small gemstones each worth 10 gold pieces, and a dwarven ale mug made of hammered electrum which you reckon is worth around 100 gold pieces if you can find a buyer.  You also find a potion bottle containing an orange liquid that glows faintly, and also a spell scroll which you find yourself unable to read.

Strix, you put your keen ear to the door and hear; nothing at all

Still rubbing one eye and puffing on his traitorous pipe, Varinth goes to the door.

You open it, he says to Strix I'll cinder blast anything that looks of ill intent.

Vaz get himself into his best Wizardy Pose.

Dekhan stares a moment longer at the dwarves god asking silently for his guidance and protection for the party. He then heads over to Vaz and Strix laying a hand on his wounds and healing himself for 10 points as he goes. Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. He draws Talon ands stands ready with his friends.

Dekhan, you do feel a sense of calm and strength, though it's not clear if it comes from the statue, the god it depicts, or from somewhere else.

You stand ready by the door.

Strix tries the door and opens it if it opens.....

Strix, you push and pull on the door, but it doesn't open.  It appears to be locked.

A glint of light glimmers in the air as Zhudala holds the key up to Strix. Incantis shoulders the pack, readying himself behind his companions.

Strix takes the key gingerly and tries it in the lock

The key turns.  The door opens.  Light enters the room.  You enter.

It stinks.  There's very little in the room; a pile of rags in one corner, a bucket in another.  Someone has been here a long time, with no way to wash or clean up after themselves.  Strix, fist into the room, you smell fear, and hopelessness - but not death, not yet at least.

The pile of rags moves slowly, a face turning towards you.  A familiar face to Scupper and Varinth, dwarven, gaunt and pale, blinking in the sudden brightness and unable to make out more than your silhouettes.  You... you're not... who are you?

Is that Gundren?! We jest came by te see if ye was still meeting us in Phandalin.

Varinth forgoes his Wizardly pose and quickly gets out some rations and tends to the dwarf.

Anyone have water? I only have wine..

It's okay Gundren. It's us. Sorry we took so long. There was a skull.

I... I...,  Gundren, yes.  I... you!  I remember you.  You took the cart.  I... where is he?  Where is the spider?  Gundren is weak but manages to go from confusion to hope to terror in a heartbeat, and he tries to squint into the light to see behind you.  You must be careful, he is always nearby...

He's dead Gundren. He's dead. We killed him. And all his lackeys. You're safe now.

Varinth will tend to him best he can but move out of the way for Dekhan and his healing hands.

Gundren Rockseeker struggles to rise, but fails.  He looks exhausted, furious at his own weakness, and amazed to see you all.  Dead?  Oh.  I...  something seems to snap in him.  Dead?  Is he now?  Where's the body then?  I want to spit on it.  This time he's able to make it to his feet, and with Varinth's help he makes it to the door and manages to see, in the flickering torchlight of the temple room, the body of the Black Spider.  As he sees the body, the sudden surge of strength seems to leave him and he teeters on the brink of collapse again.  

Young man, he says, turning and looking at Varinth through teary eyes.  You have saved me, lad.  I wouldn't have lasted much longer with that bastard and his games.  I... don't really know what to say. 

"have learned, when that way, best not speak" Strix advises.

Strix, the dwarf looks over at you, trying to get you in focus.  M... Malstrix, is it not?  He does now slump to the floor, exhausted, and looks up at you.  It is... very good to meet you, young man.

And I've learned:

When hired to escort a cart of goods, and ye wind up rescuing the owner, and his secret magic mine, and his town...coin speak a thousand words.

Or maybe something magical from yer forge, now that I tink on it...

You've got yerself a prize property here. I wonder jest how many factions in this world woudn't love te get they hands on it for the'selves.