Waterdeep Dragon Heist - Campaign Thread (DM: Webgambit)

Kestrell returns upstairs and looks through the pantry and the kitchen.

Investigation if needed: 1

As you enter into the kitchen you see an absolute mess. Every cabinet door is either gone or broken in some way. There's trash everywhere and rat droppings galore. The fire place looks to still be usable, but there's something in it. As you get closer you realize it's a dead rat the size of a small dog. You glance into the pantry and it's just more of the same, trash and rat droppings everywhere.

Kestrell sighs then returns to the turret peak to get a look at their surroundings.

Phaedra walks over to one of the broken pains of glass at the window, blowing  the dust off it.

"This will not do, especially if you wish to run this established as an inn".

She runs her hand over the glass, pulling her holy symbol out from under her vestments. As her eyes glow golden for a second she whispers a prayer.

OCC: Phaedra casts Mending on the broken window.

Silver just nods "Yeah, but I think it'll be more of a tavern that we just live in. So no one really staying the night. This part is really just for us." He just continues to look around for anything interesting or that appears to be of value "We might be able to hire someone to clean it..."

Kestrell, passing through as Silver mentions hiring someone to clean the manor, agrees: "Yes, we should hire a cleaning and repair crew first thing.  Let me check the turret, then let's get everyone together to discuss our next steps."

"Well it is up to you, you could do a lot with this place. How about I check it more closely for you all, make sure it was not left sort a good reason. You can come with me Silver, just incase"

Phaedra lights a stick of incense, placing it inside a censor she takes out from her backpack. She then holds her holy symbol up high, a silver star with seven points and begins to chant a prayer. Her eyes flash golden once again and light descends from the star around her body.

"Follow me Silver. Lets see if this building has any further secrets", she says as she starts to walk, humming her prayer as the censor swings from side to side, incense wafting from it.

OCC: She casts Detect Evil and Good and then walks around the house to see if she picks up on anything. The spell last for 10 min so I would think she should be able to make it around the entire building. She will then cast Detect Magic and do the same.

Noting that the door hinges need replacing, but having checked the mostly intact walls and windows of the master bedroom as Airus goes dutifully about his cleaning, Vassa looks over to see Asa staring out one of the grimmy windows down onto the street. Taping his ash grey chin thoughtfully for a moment, Vassa walks over to stand to the sorceress's side. After staring out the window quietly alongside the seemingly preoccupied tiefling for several long but not uncomfortable moments, the bard will say casually, finishing with a typically rakish grin and wink at the arcanist beside him,'

"You know what, I've never really been a big fan of heights. And to be honest, this room's probably going to be noisier than a tinkerer's daydream, what with the bathroom traffic and all. According to those plans Volo gave us, there's a pretty cool den downstairs. Right above the taproom and with balcony access to boot. I think I might take that room. Why don't you take this one, Asa? 

After all, we can't have the help living above the nobility now, can we? I mean, what would the neighbours think?"

[OOC] persuasion check if needed to convince Asa to take the room, since Vassa genuinely wants her to have it: 10

"Anyway, think about it, eh? Hey, what's that sound... Is someone chanting? We'd better go check. Hey Airus - you missed a spot."

Vassa will go back downstairs to see what's going on, leaving Airus to finish his work. Coming across the others, the curious bard asks,'

"Hey gang. No beholders in the basement, I take it? What's up?"

Noticing Phaedra's chanting and motions with her holy symbol, the half-drow pauses to watch and remains quiet as she finishes her spell or ritual. Seeing the cleric and rogue moving around the house, the bard will slip in behind in case any support is needed.

Quote from vassasunstar >>

"Anyway, think about it, eh? Hey, what's that sound... Is someone chanting? We'd better go check. Hey Airus - you missed a spot."

Vassa will go back downstairs to see what's going on, leaving Airus to finish his work. Coming across the others, the curious bard asks,'

"Hey gang. No beholders in the basement, I take it? What's up?"

Noticing Phaedra's chanting and motions with her holy symbol, the half-drow pauses to watch and remains quiet as she finishes her spell or ritual. Seeing the cleric and rogue moving around the house, the bard will slip in behind in case any support is needed.

 Passing by Vassa as Kestrell is on his way up to the turret, he responds to Vassa's question:

"Nope, nothing down there but a few casks and kegs.  I couldn't find any secret doors or passageways either.  We may want to do a more concerted search with better light though.  I'm heading up to the top to see what can be seen."

Kestrell continues up to the turret to survey the city.

[skill]Perception[skill]: 15

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

 Passing by Vassa as Kestrell is on his way up to the turret, he responds to Vassa's question:

"Nope, nothing down there but a few casks and kegs.  I couldn't find any secret doors or passageways either.  We may want to do a more concerted search with better light though.  I'm heading up to the top to see what can be seen."

Kestrell continues up to the turret to survey the city.

[skill]Perception[skill]: 15

 
"That's good to hear, Kes. Any decent vintages? And yeah, it'll be an ongoing job to properly secure this building, no doubt, to say nothing of the upgrades we could make. Can you imagine the potential here though? I mean..."

Seeing that Phaedra and Silver look to have things in hand and there's nothing immediately dangerous around, Vassa will follow Kes up to the the tower to check out the view, chatting the whole way about potential changes they could make to the building.

Having ascended the ladder, thrown open the heavy hatch and climbed into the small turret, Vassa looks out across the bustling city in the mid-morning light, taking special note of a griffon rider wheeling high in the distance and a much closer stream of birds arriving and departing from a nearby building. After watching the street traffic for a few moments, the unusually contented bard will glance at his ranger friend and say,'

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing, Kes? And to think... it's all ours for the taking, or the remaking, so to speak. Even the name of this building and alley is interesting. Trollskull... I bet there's a story there. Might have to look into that. 

I must admit that I didn't see any of this coming. I feel like we made the right choice taking this place, it's just that... I mean, the Manor obviously gives us stability and freedom in regards to how we live here in the city, but it also locks us down for any potential foes to come find us, not to mention what it'll cost in upkeep. Hopefully the former benefits outweigh the latter risks... which I think they will. What do you think?"

While they talk, Vassa will point out whatever he notices, asking his more observant friend what he makes of these things or sees that the easily distracted bard doesn't.

[OOC] Vassa will perform the help for Kes's perception check if the ranger chooses to  make one.

*Vassa needs to stay within 60' of Airus, but I assume that's not an issue? Otherwise I'll adjust my movement to ensure that he can finish cleaning the third floor.

Quote from IAmButADream >>

"Well it is up to you, you could do a lot with this place. How about I check it more closely for you all, make sure it was not left sort a good reason. You can come with me Silver, just incase"

Phaedra lights a stick of incense, placing it inside a censor she takes out from her backpack. She then holds her holy symbol up high, a silver star with seven points and begins to chant a prayer. Her eyes flash golden once again and light descends from the star around her body.

"Follow me Silver. Lets see if this building has any further secrets", she says as she starts to walk, humming her prayer as the censor swings from side to side, incense wafting from it.

OCC: She casts Detect Evil and Good and then walks around the house to see if she picks up on anything. The spell last for 10 min so I would think she should be able to make it around the entire building. She will then cast Detect Magic and do the same.

As you patrol the house twice, the only thing you detect is Lif. There doesn't appear to be anything else in the house that is magical.

Silver just smiles as he keeps his hands on his weapons in case he needs them "Yes let's see if there are anymore secrets - wonder what the story is behind this place. Seems interesting to just give it away."

Quote from vassasunstar >>

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing, Kes? And to think... it's all ours for the taking, or the remaking, so to speak. Even the name of this building and alley is interesting. Trollskull... I bet there's a story there. Might have to look into that. 

I must admit that I didn't see any of this coming. I feel like we made the right choice taking this place, it's just that... I mean, the Manor obviously gives us stability and freedom in regards to how we live here in the city, but it also locks us down for any potential foes to come find us, not to mention what it'll cost in upkeep. Hopefully the former benefits outweigh the latter risks... which I think they will. What do you think?"

While they talk, Vassa will point out whatever he notices, asking his more observant friend what he makes of these things or sees that the easily distracted bard doesn't.

[OOC] Vassa will perform the help for Kes's perception check if the ranger chooses to  make one.

 "Yes, I see it!  It's fantastic.  Even an odd beauty to it, something I never thought I'd say.  Finding something beautiful about the city, that is.  Different than the woods, but a beauty none the less."

"I also didn't see this coming.  But it is definitely the right choice.  Once we get it set up and operating it will be a nice income stream, then we can afford a guard or two or a spy to let us know if any foes come to find us."

[OOC] Kestrell looking again, this is the advantage from Vassa's help.  Use the higher of this and the 15 from post#814: 25

From the top of the turret the two of you find that there's only one window, facing west. Through it though, you both can see quite a ways. The two of you point out interesting buildings here and there and then Kestrell looks just slightly to the north and gasps. From this vantage with the sun starting to set, he can see the top of the House of Wonder. Nearly 3/4 of a mile away, the most splendid temple dedicated to Mystra in the world. After Kestrell points it out to Vassa the two just stand for a moment and stare at the setting sun shining off it.

"Vassa, take a look at that."

"Incredible."

"Do you know what it is?"

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

"Vassa, take a look at that."

"Incredible."

"Do you know what it is?"

 
Vassa doesn't make out what Kestrell is pointing at initially, partly due to the glare of the setting sun and partly due to his curiosity with the folk wandering the streets below, but the silver haired bard's purple eyes eventually lift to find what Kes is pointing out and a low *whistle* escpapes his lips as he takes in the beauty of the sight. Finally he responds with an unironic note of wonder in his voice,'

"Yeah, Kes. That's Mystra's temple here in Waterdeep. The biggest in all of Faerun apparently. Sure is something, eh? Pretty sure that's the seat of authority for our new friend Phaedra's church. Well, discounting the Lady of Mysteries herself that is. Not too sure where the big lady of magic herself hangs out though.

Pretty nice spot up here, isn't it? I can see why Silver picked this room... he must be a real fan of sunrises and sunsets! Me personally, I'm going to turn that den into one sweet pad. Dart board, [insert equivalent for pool table here], snack bar, the whole shebang. 

Well, should we go and have our little pow-wow together? It seems the day's got away from us somewhat. I wonder if Raener's crew delivered our goods? I'm also wondering if Lif's more active at night?"

[OOC] religion check to see how much Vassa knows about Mystra and her church: 13

*Sheesh, turns out Vassa's a real Mystra fan after all, lol.

Quote from vassasunstar >>

"Yeah, Kes. That's Mystra's temple here in Waterdeep. The biggest in all of Faerun apparently. Sure is something, eh? Pretty sure that's the seat of authority for our new friend Phaedra's church. Well, discounting the Lady of Mysteries herself that is. Not too sure where the big lady of magic herself hangs out though.

Pretty nice spot up here, isn't it? I can see why Silver picked this room... he must be a real fan of sunrises and sunsets! Me personally, I'm going to turn that den into one sweet pad. Dart board, [insert equivalent for pool table here], snack bar, the whole shebang. 

Well, should we go and have our little pow-wow together? It seems the day's got away from us somewhat. I wonder if Raener's crew delivered our goods? I'm also wondering if Lif's more active at night?"

 "Fascinating.  It sure is a nice spot, and that sounds like a good plan for the den.  I'll be content with a cozy little room, and a tavern downstairs that I can order bacon wrapped delicacies from.  Let''s start looking for a cook right away!

Yes, let's get the gang together."

After Phaedra has finished her extensive double check of the building she turns to Silver,

"Well the good news is that aside from the large rat problem in the basement, the only critter, elemental, fey, fiend, or undead that inhabits the house is the one we already meet. The bad news..."

The priestess pauses as she blow out her incense and packs away her censor, emptying the ash outside first.

"I can not detect any magic, hidden or otherwise in the house either. It's just an inn."

Quote from KestrellKestrell >>

 "Fascinating.  It sure is a nice spot, and that sounds like a good plan for the den.  I'll be content with a cozy little room, and a tavern downstairs that I can order bacon wrapped delicacies from.  Let''s start looking for a cook right away!

Yes, let's get the gang together."

 
"Mmm, bacon sounds good, Kes. Might have to pop out soon to grab some for a breakfast fry up. What better way to celebrate what will be our first morning together as joint home owners and soon-to-be business partners."

Calling out to Asa who he assumes is still on the third floor and Aenio and Locky who he can still hear talking and arguing about their top floor rooms, Vassa descends the stairs to find Silver and Phaedra. Overhearing the priestess' final remark about a lack of magic in the building, the tall dusky bard smiles and says,'

"Well, that's jolly good to hear, Phaedra. Personally, I'd rather not have any magical suprises or mysteries arising in the very place where I plan to rest my head at nights.

Of course there's still the matter of our phantasmal squatter to consider, but at least we're aware of his existance, spectral though that existance may be. By the way, has anyone seen Lif about? He left a charming 'please get the hell out of my house' message for Asa and I earlier, but I haven't seen him since."