Waterdeep: Camel Heist (2020)

Scupper, Gundren seems to be struggling to focus.  He doesn't respond to your words or look at you.

C'mon Mr Scups, let him be for now. We can talk business later.

After Gundren has had his fill of water and food, Vaz will get out his rope and see if he can make some kind of sling or back rigging to put the dwarf in (attached to Dekhan) to travel back to Soodi, who is hopefully outside.

Survival: 15

Have we got all the loot?

Varinth, you are able to find water and some edible foods in the temple room, and Gundren accepts them happily.  A sling won't work, but you're able to find a piece of wood that will serve as a crutch, and with that and leaning on you for support, Gundren will be able to travel.  Thank you again, Master Varinth.  You are a good soul, a good soul.  I... tell me, have you any news of Sildar Hallwinter?  And what of my brothers?  The Spider boasted that he had killed them, but I didn't believe him.  Was I wrong?

Is there anything else you would like to do before attempting to leave the Wave Echo Cave.  Where are you headed when you do get out?

OOC: I've forgotten, anyone remember what happened to the brothers? Memory of a sieve me. Should have been taking notes.

Sildar waits for your safe arrival in Phandelver, Mister Gundren. As for your brothers.. Vaz looks around at the others wide eyed, having obviously forgotten a great portion of the last couple of days.

(sildar took them to phandelin after we rescued them from cragmore.

Anyone remember their names?)

"Brothers?" Strix scratches his head. "Mind Strix... How many, Rockseeker? Names? Mebbe members..."

Ah yes! Sildar took them back with him to Philly! I remember that.. totally remember...

Okay let's do one last scratch about then get the hells outta here.

Investigation: 25

Varinth will look about the temple room to see if anything valuable (coin or information wise) has been left and check there is no secret doors or compartments.

(I was asking Rockseeker. In case it's not him.)

(Ahh gotchya)

Dekhan lays a hand on the dwarf’s shoulder easy now, you’re among friends. Healing light surrounds the hand as Dekhan heals Gundren for 5 hp It’s true the drow is dead and now we’ll take you back to you brethren. Can you walk?

Incantis steps forward, seeing Gundren Rockseer for the first time. "Gundren. It's good to finally meet the source of my recent adventures. Sildar is well, and safe. Your brothers..." Incantis looks at his party members. "Are we sure they're both safe and found? I don't remember that."

Behind "Gundren"'s back so the Dwarf can't see, Strix holds 2 fingers up, then does a double thumbs up, mouthing "Nundro, Tharden" towards the Warlock.

Dekhan, Gundren seems a little steadier on his feet after your healing, but still exhausted and in need of time and opportunity to recover.  He smiles gratefully at you through his beard, and his smile becomes warmer as he learns his brothers and Sildar are alive.  Bless you, bless you all.  Ah, if this is a dream, it's a bloody good one.  Now, get me to Phandalin and my family, and I'll show you some dwarven gratitude and no mistake.

Varinth, you notice the potion and scroll that Incantis is holding, but nothing more in this room.  Whatever wealth was hidden has already been collected by Nezznar and was with him, or in his sack.  

Together, you head through the cave, south, direct towards the entrance. Though there are a few rooms and areas that you have not yet explored, you leave those for the future, or for someone else.  The wave of sound passes through the cave as you approach the exit, and Gundren laughs.  For a while, I thought that sound was the sound of my fortune.  Now it just makes me think of Nezznar and his knives.  I wonder if I'll ever be able to return to this place.  Bah.  It doesn't matter, my brothers know this place too.  We'll see what can be made of it.  

Reaching the entrance, you climb back up to the surface level, and assist Gundren in doing the same.  You leave the cave, and for the first time in - how many days? - you see the sky.  It's dark, lit with stars, cloudless and with the faintest signs that dawn is not far off. 

Varinth, Soodi approaches silently from behind before you can notice her.  She circles you, one complete circle, before she comes to a halt in front of you, moves her face in front of your face, and looks at you.  Make a WIS saving throw.

Wisdom: 0

Varinth, you feel a little light-headed, but just for a moment.  It passes, and Soodi snorts and wanders off to investigate the smelly dwarf instead.

Right...Phandalin...food...a fire...fellowship. Let's put this place behind us for now.

What's the roll to remember this location as we head back? Maybe map it?

Scupper, you reckon you can remember where this place is, probably well enough to draw a rudimentary map at some point.  Come to think of it, doesn't someone in the group already have a map that shows this place?  Maybe you could 'borrow' it?

It's a day or two to Phandalin, but Gundren rests easily on Soodi's back, and you make good time and without incident.  You reach the town in the middle of the day.  Where would you like to head first?

A quick walk about town and then to the tavern.

As you would expect from your status as heroes of the town, many people come out to greet you.  You enter from the east, passing by ruins of the manor, under which the Redbrands made their base.  You pass by tavern where Grista the dwarf served the Redbrands for many weeks; she notices you and gives a curt nod, then continues to carry a keg of beer through the front door.  Before you reach the town square, Scupper darts off to the south on some business of his own. 

The inn is right there next to you, and in the doorway stands the innkeeper, Tolben Stonehill, his eyes wide at the sight of you.  Tharden, Nundro, Sildar - look who's here!  The three appear at the doorway, and are greeted by the sight of Gundren Rockseeker, seated atop Soodi, grinning broadly at the sight of them.

I believe you were missing a dwarf? Vaz says with a big grin

As the hugs and greetings ensue, Varinth will subtly inch his way to the bar, hoping to entice everyone into where he can smell the fermentation (and if he's honest with himself, he's sure he can hear it). His mouth is so dry.

When he makes it inside he will order a round for everyone (two for himself as he knows he will down the first one) and enquire about two things;

1. Baccy. Who sells it? He wants to take his fancy pipe out for a spin.

2. Soodi. Is there someone he can pay to give her the star treatment? Food, a scrub down etc?

The round is provided - ale or wine for all, on the house or on the Rockseeker brothers' tab, you're not sure which and you do overhear the innkeeper and one brother arguing over something related, but in a friendly way.

Tobacco is rare in the world and not sold in Phandalin - you might try a larger city like Neverwinter or Waterdeep.

If you ask Toblen, he will suggest Barthen's two young helpers, who've been known to care for horses and though unlikely to know about camels, can at least be trusted to follow instructions.  If you wish, he will send for them and they will take Soodi away for a day of pampering, presuming she allows it.

The whole party gathers in the inn around a large table.  Unlike the time you returned from the Redbrands' hideout, Toblen does not allow a crowd to gather, as he is keen to allow the Rockseekers and you some time to talk and share your stories.  You sit together, the five of your, the three dwarfs, and Sildar Hallwinter.  The brothers both have their arms around Gundren's shoulders and are grinning widely still.  Sildar asks:  Tell me, what happened after we parted?  Aside from the obvious, what did you find in the Lost Mine?