Waterdeep Dragon Heist

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CH. II: Trollskull Alley
  • Index
    • ChapterTwo.jpg

    The Yawning Portal:

    Enjoying the night sleeping in comfortable beds, perhaps the first time in a long time for some of you, eventually the morning arrives with the chatter of the main room and the pleasant scent of food wafting towards each of you.

    However as a few of you wake this morning, something awaits you ...

    Werner, within his bed, hears an unfamiliar voice call to him in his mind: "I am Vajra Safahr, the Blackstaff. Come to Blackstaff Tower in the Castle Ward at once. Bring your friends."

    Meanwhile down the hall, both Garret and Fosco find on their pillow a small paper bird with a message written: "Renaer tells us you are a good bet. He bought you tickets to the opera tonight at the Lightsinger Theater in the Sea Ward. If you are interested, meet Mirt at intermission. Private Box C. Formal attire is required for admittance."

    Goldy finds herself greeted by a small white cat that surprisingly speaks to her in a melodious male voice: "Interested in joining the Emerald Enclave? Come meet us at Phaulkonmere in the Southern Ward." Finishing its message the cat suddenly darts away out of the window.

    Finally, Hokk and Wrecker both find a simple note under their door that reads: "Your strength has been noted, and is sought after. Ask for Savra Belabronta downstairs."
     
  • Index
    • "The Blackstaff? He is like... really important, right?" Says Goldy who just caught the end of Werner's sentence, taking a seat at the table. "It's no fair, He never contacted me!" She says under her breath. "We shouldn't keep him waiting, then. I heard that's most beneficial to your well-being." She says half-jokingly.
     
    Fosco sees his message and thinks out loud to himself. "A good bet, am I? Can't say I 'preciate opera. Also can't say I 'preciate someone askin' if I'm interested without tellin' me what it is...I s'pose I'll be keepin' this to myself."

    He pockets the message and glances around the room, double-checking that no one was listening. He says grumpily, enunciating each syllable, "Got 'ta buy 'for-mal at-tire' too. Humph."
     
    Hokk comes down to the table holding a note and yawning. Probably not having changed or washed up since the prior night. "So about this new house?"

    Hearing Werner's comments he pauses, thinking to himself before speaking, and flicks his note on the table. "I see you got something too. There's apparently someone Savra Belabronta here that wants to see me. Think I heard she's in the Order of the Gauntlet or something. I wouldn't mind seeing what she wants before we head out if that's ok with all of ya. Seems we made quite the impression." After his comments he looks around to see if he can recognize Sevra, or if she overheard him.
     
    Sera giggles, saying "Oh it's not a new experience... It's just that mostly when someone doesn't notice me, it is because I don't want them to!" She adds "Just to clarify, that 'you' wasn't directed at you, but rather I meant it in general." She then puffs out her chest proudly, continuing "I'll have you know someone contacted me too! The Emerald Enclave told me to meet them at the Southern Ward." She then shrugs, adding "Well to be honest, I was never really interested in them but if they are interested in me, who am I to refuse?"
     
    After booze and bodily harm, Garret finds himself awakening later than normal, with the added surprise of a fancy note left on his pillow. Someone was here and didn't even say hello. Rude. As he reads the note he finds himself intrigued by the mystery but puzzled by the instructions. Opera? Formal attire? Might be a night of firsts for me.

    Garret enters the tavern proper to find some of his new friends already awake. "So, we checking out this haunted house today?" He makes a gesture to the barkeep, hoping to get some food in him. He takes a seat at the table and scratches his head. "Also, apparently I'll be attending the opera tonight. Anyone know where I can buy some fancy clothes?"
     
    Hokk listens to his other say who has requested their attention and smiles. Hearing Garret's comment, Hokk gets a puzzled look, "Any reason you want to go to the Opera?" As he scratches his head wondering that the comment seemed slightly out of place.

    "I will take care of my note and ask at the bar, maybe at least I can figure out what Savra wants then we can go to this Vajra person." with that Hokk stood up excusing himself from the table and walking over to the bar. "Hi. I was told to ask for a Savra Belabronta, do you know if she's around?"
     
    Garret shrugs his shoulders. "Someone left me an invitation on my pillow. Creepy, sure, but what can I say, I'm curious." He furrows his brow a bit. "Savra? Vajra? Sounds like our social calendar is filling up."
     
    The Yawning Portal:

    Werner recieved another mental message: "I wish to discuss a proposition regarding your future career and the safety of Waterdeep. If the Blackstaff wished to ambush, you'd already be dead."

    One of the many barmaids glanced up at Hokk's approach, then scanned the room before pointing to a table where an armored woman sat quietly, nursing a drink. "Believe that's the lass yer lookin' for. Been here awhile, jus' orderin' mead and bread."
     
    "Thank you," Hokk said as he smiled at the barmaid. As he walked over to Savra he motioned to his party who it was.

    Pulling out a chair, "Good morning miss, I got a note you requested my attention? How can we help ya?"
     
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    "An escort?" Asks Goldy, not sure of how to react. "No thank you, I'm fine with going by myself. As to what do they want with me, I can't says. I have a spell that heals but other than that, I don't know of anything that they might care for. Perhaps that alone was enough to garner their interest?"
     
    The Yawning Portal:

    The woman turned her head at Hokk's approach, "I assume you're the half-orc known as 'Hokk' yes? I was expecting another as well ... very very well for now we can begin discussion." Savra placed a silver gauntlet upon the table, "I represent the Order of the Gauntlet, and we look for recruits amongst those who have strength and know how to use it properly for Good, fighting against the evils that wish to take Waterdeep for their own." Pausing she studied Hokk, "I understand if perhaps this is not something that interests you, but I thought I would try regardless."
     
    Hokk watched as Savra explained, nodding in agreement every so often, "yes I am, and someone else in my group maybe?"

    Hokk watches as Savra sized him up and made her final statement. "I believe you to be correct in your pause that it does not fully interest me as of the moment." His hand moves to grip his necklace unknowingly, "I am only starting to learn about Waterdeep and it's allegiances, in the past I have found myself dealing with extra hardships for one reason or another. In dealing with them you have to work the system to your advantage, all not being the best choice for the city."

    As Hokk sits back in his chair sizing up Savra, "I do hope that we do not find each other on the opposite sides of battle, or at least if we do, Tempus may judge the loser fought valiantly. If my time in this city finds me aligning more with it than against it I may be in touch, or if the Order needs an extra hand I can always be persuaded."

    With his final comments he gets up, pushing in his chair, "Until we meet again" and with a nod wanders back to his group.

    As he rests back into his seat he gets closer and says a little quieter so outside tables can't hear as easily, "It seems the Order of the Gauntlet may be looking for extra hands. I told them I was unsure of their offer at the moment because being an extension of a governing body is not always the good side to be on. However if they need us they can always make us an offer. I believe she may have asked for Wrecker as well, once he comes down we can head to the Blackstaff?"
     
    Garret's eyes go a little wide. "The Blackstaff wants to see us too?" He stuffs his mouth with some unknown meat and follows with a bite of bread. "Yes, we should probably prioritize that, I don't like making enemies of entire armies of mages."
     
    Upon hearing Hokk's summary of his conversation, Fosco quickly and quietly leaves the table to approach Savra. He looks shiftily around the bar from under his deep hood. He speaks hurriedly yet in a hushed tone. "Yer the one with the Order of the Gauntlet?"

    On receiving assent, he rushes forward before Savra can add her piece. "I'm fixin' to join the Order. If you'll 'ave me, that is. I may look shady but I've got the 'eart."

    Fosco sees her opening her mouth, and assuming she's about to tell him their requirements or otherwise discourage him, he rambles on. "Listen, I've got a bad past. Done some things your Order might not—no, definitely wouldn't approve. But I've never committed a crime within Waterdeep, no, and no I'm not on the run!" His eyes glare at Savra just anticipating her accusation. "I ain't runnin' from the law, I'm just tryin' to do some good. Some kinda redemption I guess."
     
    Wrecker lumbers down the stairs. "One named Savra wished to meet me?" he pronounces as he reaches the ground floor of the tavern.
     
    The Yawning Portal:

    Savra nodded at Hokk's reply, returning to her drink and bread as she waited for the other to arrive, turning with an eyebrow raised at Fosco's approach. Hearing her name called she motioned to Wrecker to join her table.

    Replying to Fosco, "You do not seem to be one I was told about, but I appreciate the interest. This is not something to be joined lightly and discarded at the end of the day. We expect dedication of our members and for them to be steadfast against evil, regardless of its form." The woman sipped at her mead, "Tell me, do you worship Helm, Torm, or Tyr?"
     
    Fosco nods in response to Savra. "Aye, I do. In a way. I grew up in an orphanage dedicated ta Helm. 'T Was more of a habit than a belief though. I pay my respects when I pass a temple. I could 'andle some more commitment if need be."
     
    The Yawning Portal:

    Shifting her attention to Wrecker for the moment, she gestured to the silver gauntlet still upon the table. "You must be ... Nox Solemender, also known as 'Wrecker', yes? I represent the Order of the Gauntlet, and we look for recruits amongst those who have strength and know how to use it properly for Good, fighting against the evils that wish to take Waterdeep for their own. I spoke to 'Hokk' earlier and he did not seem interested at the time, I understand if you are not either."

    Turning back to Fosco she nodded, "I see. We do not demand piety to them among our numbers, however as their commandments and decrees shape our organization, we desire members who are willing to follow such things, and understand them."
     
    Fosco lets the hint of a smile pass his lips. It's almost as if he feels somewhat...relieved, in a way. "Aye. I can do that."

    He looks at Savra inquisitively. "Is that it, then? No membership rich'als? I'd be 'appy to get some, ah, orders." Fosco seems to stumble around the word "orders."
     
    "I am. As to my interest? I am not really one for Good or Evil. It is those who act for the Self, and those who act for the Collective. I want to learn more of your philosophy. Where your lines of 'Good' and 'Evil' lie. That will have to come later, however, as I have a haunted mansion to unhaunt."
     
    The Yawning Portal:

    Shaking her head slightly, "There is a joining ritual of sorts, before you'd be given any sorts of orders. When you are ready, travel to the Halls of Justice in the Castle Ward, also known as the Temple of Tyr. Ask for my name and I can be your Witness."

    Taking a measured sip of her mead she continued, raising an eyebrow to Wrecker's comment of a haunted mansion, "Our lines are written by the three gods Helm, Torm and Tyr. If you wish to learn of them, travel to the same temple as I just told this one. Currently our main concern is all the violence amongst the gangs recently ... they have mostly kept to attacking each other, but it's only a matter of time until innocents are caught in their scuffles and Waterdeep begins to bleed. However there's only so many of us, thus," Savra gestured to the pair, "our attempts of recruitment. We will not force membership, for forcing someone against their will is its own evil. If I can answer any other questions before I depart?"
     
    Wrecker shakes his head. "Expect me at the temple soon." He lifts his hammer from the table and wanders off to find his companions from yesterday.
     
    Fosco dips his head at Savra. "Understood. I'll 'ave a pass at the halls soon."

    As he departs back toward the party, Fosco gives a look at Wrecker. He mutters sideways "Don't wanna talk about it," before they reach the rest.
     
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