70th Spring 457CE

> It was a foggy evening in the city of Waterdeep and the Yawning Portal tavern was packed. Inside sat an unusual group of adventurers who had come far and wide on the request of the author Volothamp Geddarm. The adventurers included the tabaxi sorcerer Varric who had once been human, a tabaxi Wizard J’zargo with a knack for illusions, a dragonborn druid Morthal who had snuck in from the back door of the tavern, the human Warlock Floki who had made a pact with celestial being and Misty Mountain a tabaxi caravanist who specializes on arriving late.

> As the group was drinking and conversing, a fight broke out between a female orc wearing a suit vest and tie with rolled up sleeves and a snake tattoo on her arm and a group of individuals whose bald leader had the tattoo of an eye on his forehead. Misty Mountain downed his drink pushed his way past the growing number of spectators to get to the brawl. Floki seeing the commotion rushed outside and headed to the nearest City Watch guard post. While the other members of the party watched from their table.

> Misty Mountain attempted to grapple the female orc put she pushed him aside as she finished beating the bald man to a pulp. The group of thugs then began laying into the orc who was quickly defeated. With the change of situation Misty shouted “four on one is not a fair fight” turned his eyes towards the thugs and threw one off orc and over the crowd. With the commotion rising Varric planned to intervene but that moment a troll emerged from the well in the center of the tavern followed by a number of buzzing stirges. Durnan the barkeep yelled “troll!” and leapt over the bar, great sword in hand and began to attack the troll. In the commotion Misty had saw the thugs take their beaten up leader and flee the tavern, he turned his attention to the troll and spartan kicked him back into the well. With the troll defeated the rest of the party dealt with the stirges, one of the stirges latched onto Morthal’s arm which Varric was able to firebolt off him. The final stirge was defeated when J’Zargo spiked it into the well with a shocking grasp. J’zargo questioned Durnan about sealing the well, who informed him that it was a tourist attraction and that their are usually adventurers around to deal with problems that occasionally appear. They also learned that the orc was with the gang known as the Vipers and the other thugs were with another gang the Xanathar’s Guild.

> Floki had eventually reached the nearest guard post and informed them of the brawl which was going on at the tavern. The guards asked if he was pressing charges and if he was hurt. He told them that he was not and that he was informing them of the brawl and that he needed their assistance, an officer named Content Not Found: barry_, reluctantly followed Floki. They found none of the thugs or the orc which was involved with the fight. After asking Durnan if there was any problems or anyone pressing charges and since their was none the guard informed Floki to not waste City Watch’s time again and Floki informed the guard he expected more. A grudge was formed that night.

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> After the commotion had settled Volo beckoned the party to him so he could inform them of the reason he had called them all that day. He informed them that his friend the male model Flynt Blagmaar had gone missing a few days and he wanted the party to find him. He gave the party 10 gp each and that he would give everyone 100gp each if they saved his friend. After some questions Volo informed the group that it was not normal for him going missing, that he said he was going to the Dock Wards and that his house was in the North Ward. Although the group was confused for why Volo was going to pay so much for someone to find his friend the group set off with Morthal and Misty Mountain going to Flynt’s house and the rest of the party going to the docks.

> Misty and Morthal arrived at Flynt’s house and knocked on the door to see if anyone was home, they then got berated by a neighbor who told them they were being too loud and that Flynt had not been home for some time. The duo then went to the backyard and checked if the back door or windows were unlocked which they were not. Misty then began investigating to see if there was a key somewhere looking underneath the door mat, he did not find one but instead spotted something shiny in the nearby shrubbery which turned out to be a key. However after checking both the doors found out the key did not open either of the locks. They then went with the plan to break in, wrapping a cloth around his hand Misty attempted to quietly break the window, which he failed caused a large smash. Hearing the sound of people rushing to the scene the duo entered the house. With the sound of people outside the house they opened the front door greeting two members of the City Watch. Misty informed the officers that it sounded like there was an intruder but they had fled. The officers believed this and told them they would investigate the scene which Misty claimed was not necessary, when they found the broken window Misty informed them that it had broken by accident as it fell from being up. The watch after looking at the scene questioned then why the glass was only on one side of the window. After the watch did some further interrogating and discussion with each other, the duo confessed to their crime informing the officers they were hired to find the occupant who had gone missing. They were then arrested with the officers informing that they will sort everything out in the local guard office.

> While their companions were being arrested Varric, J’zargo and Floki headed to the Docks to see if they could find any information on Flynt’s disappearance. Just before entering the Dock Ward they noticed an alleyway cordoned off by the city watch who told them to move along. In the alleyway there were a group of Vipers being arrested with the corpses of members of Xanathar’s Guild. When they arrived at the docks they noticed that only two businesses were open that late of night, a shop with purple curtains and the sign reading “Old Xoblob Shop” and the Skewered Dragon a tavern with broken windows and an anchor sitting on its collapsed roof. They also so a figure in the mist who was shouting out “eel pies for sale”.

> The group ventured towards the pie seller and Varric asked if had noticed a man of Flynt’s description the seller informed him that he did not have time for such questions as he was quite busy with paying customers. Varric looked around and the only individuals that were there were the adventurers. Floki ended up purchasing two pies which loosened the tongue of the seller who informed them that two drunk men who matched that description bought pies from him the other night and then he heard that they got mugged.

They then investigated the shop which was filled with solely purple items and a taxidermy beholder that hung from the roof. The halfling shopkeeper informed Varric that he was willing to trade information for a purple item. They then left the shop but not before J’zargo purchased a small purple statuette. The group then went to the Skewered Dragon which was filled with sailors and dock workers. While Varric bartered for a purple dish cloth, J’zargo learned that a man matching Flynt’ description was with a nobleman Ranaer and that both had been nabbed by a group of Vipers. This was confirmed when Varric traded Xoblob the purple dish cloth and that there was a Viper building past Candle Lane.

> Misty and Morthal still found themselves arrested with charges being pressed against them for breaking and entering, even after informing the Watch of there mission. However they were bailed out when a man came and paid their fines. They were greeted by the man, Jalester Silvermane who informed them he was with the Force Grey Detective Agency, he told them that for bailing them out he desired for their help as they shared similar goals. He had overheard them in the Yawning Portal about their search for Flynt and he told them of a Viper warehouse that Flynt and a nobleman named Ranaer could have been taken to. He then asked if they could find Ranaer and if they could found out any other information, and that they could find him at the Yawning Portal when it was done. The duo then headed to the warehouse.

> Varric, J’zargo and Morthal after going through a alleyway which was pitch black due to the lanterns being smashed discovered a warehouse with the Viper’s symbol on the door. They then ventured around the warehouse spying through the various windows. They were able to discover that there were about five hooded figures walking around inside. The group decided it would be best to wait for there allies to join them before attempting anything.

> The group finally reunited at the main hub of the Dock Ward and headed towards the warehouse. They formed a plan with Varric using his magic to keep a constant line of communication with J’zargo who was using his illusions to appear as Barry of the City Watch, with a safe word “tabaxi” to be used if he was in danger. As the others hid J’zargo knocked on the warehouse door, he was then let in by a hooded individual he presence did not seem to phase them. When he entered he noticed that the room had been trashed and that on the floor there was the bodies of five Vipers and three Xanathar thugs. One of the hooded individuals while pointing a pistol at J’zargo, ordered him to sit on a chair which J’zargo refused to do. This lead to him being knocked out from behind.

> After losing contact Varric began to worry, just before the group could act five hooded individual’s left the warehouse. Misty approached the men asking if they knew of any place to stay the night, one of them said to leave them alone, which Misty did once a pistol was pointed at him. He was able to notice that the individuals were Unseelie elves. He informed the party of this which Varric informed them that they were uncommon sight in Waterdeep. They then hurried into the warehouse to find J’zargo unconscious, after waking him up they began to explore the warehouse while Varric kept watch. Floki searched in a closet and heard breathing coming from inside, after asking who was in there with no response, Misty reached in a pulled out a man who matched the description of Flynt. The man turned out to be Ranaer who informed the group that he and Flynt had been kidnapped due to Ranaer being the son of the previous Open Lord of Waterdeep Dagnar Neverember who had embezzled 500,000gp from the city. Ranaer believed that they were abducted as the Viper’s believed he knew of the location of the stolen gold, but he had not spoken to his father in years. He insisted that the group go save his friend Flynt who had been taken by members of the Xanathar Guild who had raided the warehouse and from the sound of it were headed to a hideout in the sewers. Before leaving the group investigated the upstairs of the warehouse that was filled with dusty offices and a few rats. Misty decided to leave through the window. As the rest of the group were about to leave through the front door a group of City Watch were headed their way. Varric then began to insist that they leave through the back window but Ranaer told him it was all good and that he had some sway, he approached the guards and it turned out he was friends with the groups captain. The Watch told the group that they would sort out the situation at the warehouse, while Ranaer said he will stay with the guards. The group who had now been regrouped by Misty headed towards a nearby sewer grate as they continued their search for Flynt.

> The group of adventurers now ventured through the sewers following a symbol of a circle with ten bespoke lines made of yellow chalk. The group after an hour found themselves in a cross roads with three tunnels and a gazer in front of them. With the gazer bearing its teeth at them Morthal breathed a gout of flame towards the aberration. Still floating the gazer shot two beams charming Morthal and sending Floki floating up into the air. With a firebolt through the main eye Varric incinerated in a fiery explosion the gazer. Sending Floki landing onto the sewer floor. The cross roads had both a ladder going up and tunnel marked with a symbol. Varric went up the ladder and discovered that it lead to a cellar. The group then continued to follow the symbol.

> The group then found a door with the symbol on it, but also a two arrow slits which after looking Varric was able to see a sleeping goblin cuddling up to a crossbow inside one. The party began to stealthy enter the door, ducking underneath another arrow slit. They then found a room with two sleeping goblins with crossbows which the party murdered n their sleep without mercy. The party then found a coat room filled with rusty weapons and various clothing, they then dressed themselves in the clothing of the Xanathar Guild and ventured forth. They eventually came to a room with a dwarf piling up furniture against a door. Misty grabbed the dwarf covering his face and the party dragged him into the previous room. The party informed the dwarf that they were being cautious since they had found the goblin lookouts killed, the dwarf, Zen grew suspicious of the group and attempted to run away but was then attacked and restrained. He refused to provide them any information until Floki put his staff onto his eye threatening to push it through his skull unless he gave them information, after this intimidation he told them that a man with the description they were looking for was being tortured in a room close by. Misty then choked him out and Varric tied him up and put him underneath a cot. The group was disturbed by the intimidation from the old man who told them he was not really going to go through with his threat.

> The adventurers hurried along hearing the sound of a man getting tortured. They found an orc mage with his foot on a man, Flynt and using fire magic to torture him. While across the room on a raised platform there seated was a nightmarish figure wearing black robes. It had large white eyes and rubbery purple skin, with four tentacles encircling its inhuman mouth. It cradled and gently caressed what looked like a disembodied brain with legs. Misty stepped forwarded and asked if him and the others were allowed to watch the orc agreed that would be fine. Varric then inquired if he could torture Flynt, the orc agreed mentioning he was having little luck with it.

> Varric grabbed Flynt off the ground and pinned him against the wall. J’zargo used this to creep closer to the tentacled figure. Varrick then cast sleep towards the foes causing the orc mage to fall asleep. The tentacled figure then got up dropped the brain with legs and headed towards a set of double doors. Misty believing he was coming towards the party rushed forward and tackled him to the ground. The creature struggled under Misty then using its psionic powers mind controlled him causing Misty to let go. The brain with legs then rushed towards J’Zargo and began to claw at him. Morthal rushed forward towards the tentacled figure which had picked itself up and attacked him with his staff. While Varrick and Floki flung spells at the brain. The mind controlled Misty then attacked Morthal. The tentacled figure then raised a hand and sent a psionic blast towards Morthal who had dared to strike. Morthal who had survived worst horrors then this creature was able to steel his mind, however his companions Varric and Floki were not so lucky. The two mages brains exploded blood gushing from their orifices on their head. J’Zargo struggling with the brain was eventually overcome and he was also downed. Morthal than outnumbered began to flee with both Misty and the brain chasing him and cut him down as the tentacled figure fled through the doors.

> Misty awoke to find himself standing by himself he then found the bodies of his fellow companions and an unconscious Flynt. He woke Flynt up telling him that they were getting out of there. He then tied up Floki, Varric and Morthal and lugged J’zargo over his shoulder (believing him to be the lightest of the four) and began to drag his friends through the base and then through to the sewer. Once he got to the ladder leading to the cellar he dragged them up and continued forward finding himself in a tavern that was currently closed he continued to drag his friends through the tavern opening the front door and out into the street, even when he heard movement from upstairs.

> Arriving at a city watch he had informed them that he and his party had been attacked by goblins in the sewers. They then informed him that the friends he had been dragging were dead but the one on his shoulder was still alive. One of the guards took J’Zargo to a hospital along with Flynt who had suffered serious burns, while Misty went to the morgue to say farewell to his companions.

> After a brief period of grieving Misty went to the Yawning Portal informing both Volo and Ranaer who had just arrived at the tavern. Ranaer told Misty that he would help with getting his deceased companions back on their feet asking on their details of the whereabouts of their bodies and then left telling him to meet him at the front of the Ferryman Insurance Company building the following morning. Volo then informed Misty that he had lied about having 100gp for each of the adventurers as he was still waiting on the royalties of his new book, however he did have something that he would gift to the party. This was a deed to a property known as Trollskull Manor in the North Ward, which he had purchased for his next book about ghosts. Misty accepted the deed and key and planned to sleep there that night. Before leaving Misty noticed Jalester who beckoned him, Misty informed him what he had learned, Jalester then shook his hand and informed he had done a good job and that he may be in contact with him later.

> The next day Misty woke up in the manor finding the that on the window someone had written “Final Call” in the grime that had built up. J’zargo woke up in the hospital still in recovery and was informed that he had lost an eye. Morthal, Varric and Floki awoke on granite slabs and were then ushered into a office room, there they talked to a gentlemen in a suit and tie who informed them that they had been resurrected, partly due to the influence of Raenaer. They however all still owed a debt to the company of 500gp, they all signed a contract agreeing to participate in odd jobs for the company mainly body recovery. As their only other option was manual labor in a diamond mine for 20 years.

> The party except for J’zargo who was still hospitalized began to look around their new property and neighborhood. The discovered that the manor was a three story building with a tavern on the first floor, believed to be haunted by the previous owner’s ghost. They also discovered that there were repairs that would needed to be done before it could be used as a tavern. They then explored the neighborhood of Trollskull Alley. Misty conversed with a herbalist tiefling named Fala Greenhorn who ran the Correllons Crown, who told him that the previous owner of his property had died from a heart attack at 50 years old. Misty informed her about his caravan and she said she would keep him in mind for any future goods transportation jobs. Morthal and Varric visited the Tiger’s Eye a private investigator’s office run by a tabaxi known as Vincent Trench, who Varric informed would be interested in any jobs that may need his party’s assistance. Vincent also informed him that he believed that the previous owner of their property had died from poison, since he was only 30. Floki visited the bookshop the Book Wyrm’s Treasure run by a dragonborn, Rishaal Pageturner. Floki was glad that a bookshop was close by. They also saw two other shops in the district The Bent Nail which was closed about appeared to be a shop that sold wooden objects and weapons, and the Steam and Steel which was a blacksmith run by a dwarf named Anvil Banehammer.