"The Xanathar Guild has a refuge fairly close by, in a cellar complex under the Southern Ward. Perhaps they have the stone there?"
"Interesting. Maybe it's a wine cellar. Is there a storefront we should enter to find this cellar complex? Say, you're the leader of this whole city, do you know where I can find a Cobbler called White's?" Kestrell takes another bite of the crisp apple.
Phaedra heads out to meet with this new arrival. The cleric stands watching her, with a puzzled look.
"Isn't the theater an odd place to meet you?" she pipes in at one point.
Kestrell whispers out of the side of his mouth "You never can tell with these high-born ladies, Phaedra. They all have odd quirks and a love of the 'thee-ah-tah'."
Laeral seems rather frustrated with the questions. "Yes the theater is an unusual location, but this is an unusual situation. And no, I'm not familiar with a cobbler called Whites." Laeral stiffens when Elon steps forward staring intently at her. Then she throws her head back and bursts out laughing. As she laughs, she transforms. By the time she's facing you again, she is a he. And he is a very well dressed drow.
"Very good observation skills there Elon, but your threats need a bit of work. Where's the annoying bard at today? The party seems... quieter without him. Anyway, back to business. My name is Jarlaxle and I would still like you to acquire the stone for me. I will pay you 10,000 gold if you can retrieve it and bring it to me at the Seven Masks Theater."
"Ohh so you are acquainted with our friend Vassa? He is attending to maters at the tavern, we open soon you know. And what pray tell do you think Vassa would say if I asked him what he thought of the esteemed Jarlaxle?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
"Oh my dear Lady of Mystra, Vassa does not know me any more than you do. But I know you. I've watched you chase the very thing that I too have been chasing. While you've been chasing in the light with lots of witnesses, I have been chasing in the dark, in the shadows. And now that it appears Xanathar is in possession of the stone, I would very much like to stay in the dark. I'm trying to build my reputation with the nobility of Waterdeep, so having my forces fighting with the Xanathar would not be good. Which is why I'm asking you to retrieve the stone on my behalf."
Kestrell shakes his head in disbelief when the illusion vanishes.
"Wow, you had me fooled. Who are your forces?"
"I lead a band of Drow mercenaries called Bregan D’aerthe. We are quite capable of storming Xanathar's lair and taking what we want by force. But then the good people of Waterdeep would look at me the same way they do the Zhents right now. As troublemakers, upsetting the natural balance of the city. And I would like to avoid that."
"If this stone really is the key to a store of gold, why shouldn't we just take it for ourselves?"
Elin remains very suspicious of the man.
"My comrades would really like to have the stone" he says to get a rise out of him.
"You certainly could take it for yourselves. Use the money to fix up your manor, spread some good cheer around to the apple cart stealing urchins of the city. But you would also paint a very large target on yourselves. In addition to those currently looking for the stone, you would have everyone coming to you for hand outs once word got out. And I would expect the City and the Guilds would be first in line to attempt to bleed you dry. Keeping it really would be more trouble than it's worth"
"Rumor is they double crossed the Zhentarim; and it would have cost them their life had you all not intervened. The courts are making a show of investigating them but I expect they'll be back home within the tenday, only a few thousand gold lighter. And I of course know that they passed the stone to Fenerus."
"You see, we are already committed to finding the gold and returning it to Waterdeep. Does that mean we are going to have trouble with you and your people, what do you call yourselves again, the Dairy Brigands?"
"You see, we are already committed to finding the gold and returning it to Waterdeep. Does that mean we are going to have trouble with you and your people, what do you call yourselves again, the Dairy Brigands?"
"Mr Rangerson, returning the gold to Waterdeep is exactly what I want to do as well! So you see there's no reason for us not to work together. And if we work together, then there's no reason for me to have to explain why you really have no choice. I really do hate to be all gauche and make threats against your lives." Stopping to look each of you in the eye, the man continues in a very cold tone, "It would be better for all of us if we work together to find the stone. Once it's found, we can go our separate ways."
OOC: Everyone, DC 17 Charisma save or you find the Drow intimidating.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Charisma Save: 2
Kestrell gulps and steps behind Selinae, then addresses the intimidating stranger that knows so much about them. "I liked you better when you were a beautiful, high-born lady."
"The thing is, Mr. Car Axle, we've already kinda promised our good friend Renny that we would help him recover the gold and stone."
Kestrell shuffles his feet, nervously and uncomfortable at having to try to say no.
"The Xanathar Guild has a refuge fairly close by, in a cellar complex under the Southern Ward. Perhaps they have the stone there?"
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Phaedra heads out to meet with this new arrival. The cleric stands watching her, with a puzzled look.
"Isn't the theater an odd place to meet you?" she pipes in at one point.
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica
Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
"Interesting. Maybe it's a wine cellar. Is there a storefront we should enter to find this cellar complex? Say, you're the leader of this whole city, do you know where I can find a Cobbler called White's?" Kestrell takes another bite of the crisp apple.
Kestrell whispers out of the side of his mouth "You never can tell with these high-born ladies, Phaedra. They all have odd quirks and a love of the 'thee-ah-tah'."
"Really......?!" Elon pipes in and steps closer to the lady.
"I've lived in Waterdeep my whole life and something don't seem right with you" he says with a gruff.
"How about you be straight up with us and we won't beat you to a bloody heep"
The smell of ozone rises in the air as sparks crackle in his eyes.
Intimidation 13
Elon Andrael- High Elf sorcerer- Waterdeep Dragon Heist
Tomac- goliath barbarian- Yet Another Storm Kings Thunder
Laeral seems rather frustrated with the questions. "Yes the theater is an unusual location, but this is an unusual situation. And no, I'm not familiar with a cobbler called Whites." Laeral stiffens when Elon steps forward staring intently at her. Then she throws her head back and bursts out laughing. As she laughs, she transforms. By the time she's facing you again, she is a he. And he is a very well dressed drow.
"Very good observation skills there Elon, but your threats need a bit of work. Where's the annoying bard at today? The party seems... quieter without him. Anyway, back to business. My name is Jarlaxle and I would still like you to acquire the stone for me. I will pay you 10,000 gold if you can retrieve it and bring it to me at the Seven Masks Theater."
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Silver just remains quiet as he listens to the interactions going on.
Campaigns:
Wildemount: The Felderwin Irregulars (2020) - Balassar Silverstone - Dragonborn Fighter (Rune Knight) Lv. 5 | Rise of TIamat - Aiwin Aralana - Wood Elf Fighter/Ranger (Arcane Archer/Gloom Stalker) Lv. 9
Selinae came out from inside with Phaedra, hearing the tail end of the conversation, " Oh, for Tymoras sake, another one?", she muttered to herself.
"Ohh so you are acquainted with our friend Vassa? He is attending to maters at the tavern, we open soon you know. And what pray tell do you think Vassa would say if I asked him what he thought of the esteemed Jarlaxle?"
Yevna Galanodel - Wood Elf | Level 8 | Druid/Circle of Spores 6 - Ranger 2 - Ravnica
Nyx - Satyr | Level 9 | Rouge/Swashbuckler 5 - Bard/Collage of Lore 4 - Lost Mine of Phandelver/Storm King's Thunder
"Oh my dear Lady of Mystra, Vassa does not know me any more than you do. But I know you. I've watched you chase the very thing that I too have been chasing. While you've been chasing in the light with lots of witnesses, I have been chasing in the dark, in the shadows. And now that it appears Xanathar is in possession of the stone, I would very much like to stay in the dark. I'm trying to build my reputation with the nobility of Waterdeep, so having my forces fighting with the Xanathar would not be good. Which is why I'm asking you to retrieve the stone on my behalf."
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Kestrell shakes his head in disbelief when the illusion vanishes.
"Wow, you had me fooled. Who are your forces?"
"If this stone really is the key to a store of gold, why shouldn't we just take it for ourselves?"
Elin remains very suspicious of the man.
"My comrades would really like to have the stone" he says to get a rise out of him.
Elon Andrael- High Elf sorcerer- Waterdeep Dragon Heist
Tomac- goliath barbarian- Yet Another Storm Kings Thunder
"I lead a band of Drow mercenaries called Bregan D’aerthe. We are quite capable of storming Xanathar's lair and taking what we want by force. But then the good people of Waterdeep would look at me the same way they do the Zhents right now. As troublemakers, upsetting the natural balance of the city. And I would like to avoid that."
"You certainly could take it for yourselves. Use the money to fix up your manor, spread some good cheer around to the apple cart stealing urchins of the city. But you would also paint a very large target on yourselves. In addition to those currently looking for the stone, you would have everyone coming to you for hand outs once word got out. And I would expect the City and the Guilds would be first in line to attempt to bleed you dry. Keeping it really would be more trouble than it's worth"
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
"What do you know about the Greyhounds? We were going to talk to the Lady after this."
"Rumor is they double crossed the Zhentarim; and it would have cost them their life had you all not intervened. The courts are making a show of investigating them but I expect they'll be back home within the tenday, only a few thousand gold lighter. And I of course know that they passed the stone to Fenerus."
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
" Back home with or without their children?", Selinae growled.
"I would assume with. But please realize this is conjecture on my part based on what I've seen of how `justice` works for nobles in Waterdeep."
Taking a deep breath, the Drow looks around the party. "So, what do you say? Want to earn 10,000 gold by helping me?"
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
" No.", said Selinae succinctly.
" But I don't speak for the others."
"You see, we are already committed to finding the gold and returning it to Waterdeep. Does that mean we are going to have trouble with you and your people, what do you call yourselves again, the Dairy Brigands?"
Jarlaxle raises an eyebrow and is about to speak when Kestrell starts to talk.
"Mr Rangerson, returning the gold to Waterdeep is exactly what I want to do as well! So you see there's no reason for us not to work together. And if we work together, then there's no reason for me to have to explain why you really have no choice. I really do hate to be all gauche and make threats against your lives." Stopping to look each of you in the eye, the man continues in a very cold tone, "It would be better for all of us if we work together to find the stone. Once it's found, we can go our separate ways."
OOC: Everyone, DC 17 Charisma save or you find the Drow intimidating.
Campaigns:
DM - Waterdeep Dragon Heist PbP
Charisma Save: 2
Kestrell gulps and steps behind Selinae, then addresses the intimidating stranger that knows so much about them. "I liked you better when you were a beautiful, high-born lady."
"The thing is, Mr. Car Axle, we've already kinda promised our good friend Renny that we would help him recover the gold and stone."
Kestrell shuffles his feet, nervously and uncomfortable at having to try to say no.