Twitch scampered up to the dwarf and rubbed their head against his leg.....ignoring the gold....

Lussa nods to the dwarf, "greetings, kind sir.  I am Lussvanta Ungo, formerly of the Eastern Underdark, now of Trollskull Manor, but please, call me Lussa.  And you are?"

"I am Barok Clanghammer," the dwarf says. "It's lovely to meet you Lussa of Trollskull." He doesn't see Twitch at first and jumps as they put their head on his knee. "Hello there little one. What are you here for?"

Twitch as you rub up against him, you get this calm feeling from him, almost grandfatherly. You also notice that he smells clean for someone who works down in this vault.

Lussa smiles and bows, "well met also, Barok Clanghammer."  She introduces the rest of the group.  "We were thrust into the middle of a mystery and it has led us here."  Looking around at the others, "I think each of us has their own purpose.  Personally, I seek to learn of more of the wards that are rumored to keep dragons away from the city, or any other lore that will eventually help me drive away the blue dragon that took over my ancestral home."

Twitch purred a little then pointed at Meep, " I go where Meep goes."

Barok's eyes widen at the mention of Lussa's tale of the blue dragon. His eyes go to the dragonstaff for a moment. "I'm so sorry to hear that about your home. If you want to know about the dragonward that protects Waterdeep, you're in the right place. Ahghairon's dragonward was crafted by the first Open Lord Ahghairon. He created the mythal in the twelfth century after some residents got scared when a famous warrior rode over the city with her dragon mount. Any creature with dragon blood who steps foot in the city has the urge to leave."

Barok rolls his eyes at this fact and continues," It's centered around the tower but there are some places in Waterdeep where it's left effective. Over the years, dragonborn, half-dragons and even kobolds have taken residence in the city. There are dragons allowed in Waterdeep. Any dragons who touch this staff I'm holding is immune to the wards. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't know what the process was for him to crafting the mythal. The one who might know that is the Open Lord of Waterdeep.

Barok scratches the top of Twitch's head before turning to Meep. "And what mystery brings you here?"

Delmalis hesitates by the door for a long moment, "Maybe on the way back." He hurries up to catch up with others, watching the interactions with the strange dwarf he looks around curiously, wondering why it seems to be just this single dwarf watching all this treasure.

Perception: 14

Meep is just in awe at the sheer amount of treasure around him, but his interest is piqued by the staff and Barok mentioning its properties.

"Me? I'm in it for the power." Realizing how that sounds out loud, he quickly corrects himself. "I mean, I need to get stronger if I'm going to find and save my brother, held captive by the grey dwarves these last few years. The dwarves dealt with the Xanax- the Xanad- the Xanathar, and his agents have been trying to get their paws on this treasure, so we wanted to find it first and keep it safe, I think."

"And I thought there might be something good to eat crawling in the corners." 

"You know. Same old, ancient stuff, wealth beyond our wildest imaginations. perilous dangers," Sybil replies with a short shrug, "You hear it once or twice, you heard them all," 

Quote from Ismenow >>

Delmalis hesitates by the door for a long moment, "Maybe on the way back." He hurries up to catch up with others, watching the interactions with the strange dwarf he looks around curiously, wondering why it seems to be just this single dwarf watching all this treasure.

Perception: 14

Demalis, the Perception check of 14 tells you that the gold mound is the gold that you and your companions have been seeking. However, the moment you lock eyes with this dwarf, your heart begins to race and you suddenly become angry. There's more:

 Barok nods at Sybil. "There are some ancient treasures down here among this gold pile my dear, but this gold is quite recent. It belongs to the former Open Lord."

He chuckles at Meep. 'I try to keep this place clean, but the occasional insects and rat swarm finds its way down here. There is nothing wrong with wanting power to save someone, especially if you're dealing with Xanathar."

Barok's face perks up at the mention of the Xanathar wanting this gold. "You say Xanathar wants this gold? No doubt anyone would want to take this treasure, but if he wants it that spells trouble. What about you? Are you seeking to take this treasure?"

Meep stops and thinks. "You mean Neverember, right? Didn't he get ousted? Either way, the treasure does no good to anyone down here, I'd imagine. We could put some of it to good use, we have a bag full of orphans that need feeding, and our ghost bartender could use a more reliable wait staff. But I suppose we make enough coin by doing odd jobs around town, saving nobles and defending drow and defeating driders and the like. We're becoming a bit of a big deal topside, if you don't mind my bragging a bit. Volo likes us, at least."

Barok listens to you Meep and nods. "That is indeed a noble goal. Nevermember was ousted and technically this gold was embezzled from the city ...I imagine you would do a lot of good with this gold."

"He would," Roland says. "As a noble son and longtime resident of Waterdeep, I can vouch for these people. It would help their tavern, but it would also help them do a lot of good. There are different organizations and heroes in Waterdeep, but these people are also invested in their community. They take care of local children, they've helped at local events. In a way, the gold would be going back to Waterdeep."

Meep, give me a Persuasion Check with advantage.

Delmalis's eyes go wide staring at the figure standing in front of them and he takes a step back involuntarily, holding himself ready to run, "Uh... Greetings sir. I admit we could use some of the gold, and perhaps even some of those other treasures you mentioned, but I also think the city would like some of it back as well. Unless you've laid claim to it, I have no interest in fighting a dragon for its hoard."

Barok smiles at Demalis' remark about a dragon. "I suppose they would. I have not claimed this horde, though I do claim the gems and this staff I'm holding."

He stops for a moment and sighs. "I sense something is wrong in you, a hunger if you will."

Demalis, roll a Persuasion check with advantage.

Meep's Persuasion: 19 

Demalis, you won't need that check.

Barok nods and he points to the gold. "Take the gold. I'm sure you'll do something noble with it. Again, I only ask that you leave the gems and this staff. There are other treasures in the pile as well."

There are 500,000 gold pieces in the horde, which I'll say can fit in the bag of holding you've got but it's going to max it out.

Meep looks up at Barok, reading the room and gathering that there's more to this dwarf than meets the eye. "Thank you, Barok. If you ever need a place to stay above ground, or if you just fancy a drink and a meal, come by Trollskull Manor, you eat and drink there for free, for life. And you can meet the orphans!" 

Barok nods. "I may just do that."

Delmalis hesitates a moment, "I've actually had very little appetite lately. As for your terms, I've no objection, but one request. Keep the staff, but keep it in the city? I'd hate for something to happen and a less benevolent dragon to get its hands on it and attack the city."

(What are the other items in the hoard?)