Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

"Fascinating." 

She adjusts her pince-nez.

"My most humble gratitude. Indeed. The glory of your name shall, ahem, be spread. No doubt. Would you care for some, eh, some tea?"

She opens the door wider, and waves a dismissive arm at the smoldering and splattered residue of the combat. 

"The locals will take care of the mess." 

Gliding up, Ian takes a wide bow and walks in.

With a bow, Flashen replies, "Your offer is most courteous ma'am - tea would be welcome. I am Falshen Brightblade, scion of house Margaster and," casting a bemused glance Akai's way, "ally of mighty dragon-kin." After a moment's hesitation, he adds, "Forgive my forward manner, but would you happen to be Grinda Garloth?"

“That I am, young man, that I am!” 

Ushering you through the door, Madame Garloth shows the party into a cozy little parlor, somewhat cluttered by a pile of bric-a-brac lately serving as a barricade. There is tea on the table, along with a variety of cups, mugs, and saucers - she was apparently expecting company. Along the walls are arranged a variety of nautical salvage, including anchors, hooks, ropes, old sea-chests, broken boots, rusty blades, and barnacle-encrusted statuary. Among the teacups lie trinkets such as a leather bracer decorated with snake scales, an iron miniature of a temple entombed in glass, and bits of a broken spyglass. The room is dimly lit by a wax-covered candelabra, and there is a strong smell of lavender and vanilla. 

“Do sit down. Have some tea. Warm yourselves. And tell me - just what would a passel of young fellows be after, in Mistshore at this hour of the evening? Or do you go about tussling with lowlifes for your own amusement?”

"We were intrigued as to what this particular band of thugs might want in this part of the city, and had some... territory concerns that needed addressing. Helping clean this section of town up a little is a pleasant bonus. If I may ask... why were the troubling a treasure hunter so late at night? If the thing sold catches our fancy, I think you'll find us better business partners than the Xanathars, both in the short and long term. We pay, for starters."

"Oho? Do you indeed?"

Grinda perches on a stool by the table and pours herself a cup of strong, fragrant chai, in which she dumps a scoop of chalky butter.

"And what exactly would you be in the market for?" she asks, giving her tea a stir. "Salvage from the Great Harbor? Spices from Calimshan? Counterfeit idols of elven gods? Discount baubles from distant lands, pawned off on a silly old woman by smooth-talking sailors? Or..." she shakes a few drops from her spoon and takes a sip, "artifacts of purely historical interest? Local historical interest?" 

"You seem to be thinking of something in particular," Gregor replies, "What have you found?"

The old woman strokes her chin and smiles slightly. 

"You also seem to be thinking of something in particular, young master information broker," she replies. "And I should tell you, a glimpse at my more exclusive catalog is itself valuable knowledge. Knowledge that comes with an entry fee. Unless, of course, you can put a name to exactly what it is you're looking for?" 

Gregor considers for a moment, "How much is this entry fee? And is it a one time purchase?"

"Fifty dragons," she snaps. "Fifty dragons, and for three months you get browsing privileges for my full inventory - including any items of shaky legal provenance, or unique personal interest, or that recently passed through my hands, though I cannot reveal the identity of other patrons. Also, right of first refusal on salvage and special finds. In addition, you may come to me if you have anything you want to pawn or sell, or anything you want found or retrieved, that more conventional brokers might not deal in." 

"Fifty is excessive without knowing what we're buying. Twenty five is much more reasonable."

Quote from Ringofrunes >>

"Fifty is excessive without knowing what we're buying. Twenty five is much more reasonable."

Make a Persuasion check. 

18 Persuasion

Grinda Garloth chuckles.

"My dear young man, I think you know exactly what you are buying. It is the reason you came here, it is the reason my other guests took their much less courteous and profitable approach, and it is worth much, much more than a mere fifty dragons, which by the way would be a bargain even were they only to buy my usual excellent services. But my usual services, however superlative, are but the cherry on top of the particular confection I can offer this fine evening."

She takes a sip. 

"You sure you won't have some tea?"  

Gregor smiles, "It was only polite that I try, madame. Tea would be lovely, and I will pay your price."

“Excellent!”

Grinda accepts Gregor’s coin and stashes it under a floral-pattern ottoman. 

“My full inventory and services are at your disposal, dear sirs. Now - would you like to see a list of my latest and most carefully curated offerings, or did you have any personal needs, questions, or requests?” 

The party may question Grinda freely, see a list of items for sale, or submit a request for specific rare or magical items. Depending on the rarity of the item in question, there is a percentile chance that she will have it in stock, or will be able to obtain it.

Gregor requests both a list of items currently in stock and a look at the Calimshan spices/pricing on a supply contract.

The DM rolls...17

Grinda currently offers the following for sale or trade:

Items

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/alchemy-jug 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/bag-of-holding

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/dust-of-disappearance 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/driftglobe 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/keoghtoms-ointment

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/oil-of-slipperiness

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/philter-of-love

Potions

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/potion-of-healing

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/potion-of-climbing

https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/potion-of-fire-breath

Scrolls

https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/arcane-eye 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/maximilians-earthen-grasp 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/skywrite 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/tidal-wave

There are no price tags. “Make me an offer!” she says. 

As for the spices, she says that for 10 gp per tenday she can supply you with a fine, fresh selection of the most exotic and exciting flavorings. [Effect on tavern profits as yet unknown.]

Falshen's arcana check (with advantage due to Irma's help) to help Ian know where to start: 24