A9 - Izzy's Left Hand Would Do

We exit a service ramp out of the sewers into the streets of Waterdeep spotting almost 2 dozen Kenku running off. Or rather, trotting off. Their feathered arms flapping as if these bird-creatures are trying to take flight. But more important, Izzy spies one bird carrying what we seek…the Stone of Gollorr. And at Izzy’s mumbled spell, the bird disintegrates in a buff of feathers; the stone tumbling in air. Grabbed by another Kenku running with the pack. Seconds later, like a blur with cat reflexes, Ignatio sprints ahead of us reaching the pack and delivering Chilling-Touch to the stone-carrier. Staggered but still alive, the Kenku ‘caws’ in defiance as it trots out of reach. Only to grow new feathers as a crossbow bolt impales its back. The stone tinkles as it bounces in the street beside the fallen Kenku, only to be scooped up by another bird.

A7 - We've no Time for Manners; Nefarious Actions are Required

It was a late night as we handed over the map to Urstul as requested. Let him figure out our modifications to the map. Hopefully give us time to find the stone first. And what better place to start than the map-highlighted-home of Grenda Garloff in the dock ward.

Morning rise to ask others about Grenda. “That wizard? Her house sits on stilts hanging over the water at the docks. She is a collector of strange artifacts; a treasure hunter.” Destination established, we take time to shop. Adrik’s guild link providing discounts to those shopping for magic weapons.

As described, the wizard’s house hangs over the water at the end of a long pier. A ship having crashed into the dock a year ago now proves shelter for the impoverished. Kids in ratty cloths play along its cracked deck. Men in tattered rags meander about the dock. A strong breeze directs their stench toward us as we approach. While echoing the pounding of a dwarf at Grenda’s door; 4 ruffins at his side.

NOSKA

MERROW

Ignatio ignores them as he presses forward toward the door. “Who invited a damn cat to the docks? Turn around; this is none of your business.” And that’s when we see the dwarf misses his left arm, now replaced with a heavy crossbow. Weapons raised at Ignatio. Which launches Kluh into attack mode, killing one minion. A look of shock on the others (i.e. Intimidate check), but they hold their ground. Especially when the dwarf fires his crossbow at the hulk. Which draws 2 of the bandits to attack Kluh while the other attacks Ignatio. And that’s when a fishman (Merrow) jumps upon the dock behind Adrik and stabs with his harpoon.

A6 - Shit Sandwich and One to Eat It Too

Adrik hammered the last board repair to the ceiling beams the possessed humans tried to dismantle, “Better than new and ready for rent. Although we might want to keep this 2^nd floor room empty till our prisoner is gone.” The dwarf, Ott Steeltoe, being kept in the secret cell above on the 3^rd floor between Mirandis’ room and the conference table room. Izzy insistent no needs for guards, “Presence of guards would imply there is a secret room. I’ll take first watch roaming the floors. I suggest the rest of you get sleep or at least relax.”

Which means Adrik is down at his forge firing more metal as he crafts a breastplate on order. Thus, he is the first to see (sewer smell really) the goblins sneaking around the back.

A5 - Guild Work to Fill the Time

The city guard locked down the Gralhund estate and began interviews. The 2 nobles agreed with the characters version of events on what took place.

Nacho and Izzy noticed that the Gralhunds did not mention the Cassalanters sending the characters to help as was assumed by the lady.

Izzy investigated the house and found no forced entry.  This was strange as how did the Zhents get in?

2 days later the private investigator hired by Durzog brought Urstul (the burned face man from the estate) into the bar.  He informed the party they had 1 hour to ask questions and then to send him on his way as he is a dangerous man.

Urstul was obviously under the suggestion spell. He answered that he did not cast the fireball and was caught in its blast as he was chasing the gnome. He had been staying at Gralhund's estate but when he returned wounded they betrayed him and locked him up. He had seen the automaton in the estate for a long time. The Zhents were already in the estate as they thought they had a deal with the Gralhunds. He does not know who made the teleportation circle as the Gralhunds are not magic users.

The Lord's alliance launched a crack down on the Zhents with Khul being recruited to help in raids and general attacks on the Zhents.

Mirandis was asked to check on Meloon (Nacho's contact from the beginning) at The Yawning Portal as he was acting strangely. Nacho joined and followed Meloon as he cruelly cut down a Zhent agent with a magic axe. After a few more days Mirandis and Nacho determined that Meloon is combating a sentient axe that wants to enforce the law and this is draining him of his normal jovial nature.

The party went to Zord's ships to find why the automaton sensor was alerting them. Zord explained that he has 2 automatons on board doing mundane chores.

Later Bragen Daerthe asked the party to keep a kidnapped Xanathar guild member (a dwarf that claims he cares for Syglar the fish) for a few days as they try to arrange a swap of prisoners.

That night 6 bugbears attacked.  Kluh was taking a beating but was able to stand with the assistance of several cure wounds spells from Mirandis. The party prevailed.

The next night 4 humans were acting strange right before they went to bed. Nacho caught them disassembling the ceiling right below the room where the dwarf was being held. A fight began, but to the party's horror once the human dropped a brain with legs (Intellect devourers) popped out and began mentally attacking the party. Both Nacho and Kluh were stunned and taken out of the fight. Fortunately, Izzy and Mirandis were able to stop them from devouring either Nacho or Kluh's brain.

The party rested up dreading what the next night would bring.

A4 - Tracking the Puppets

The early morning explosion rocked The Spirit’s Inn tavern; few patrons were up to be pelted by shards of window glass. The owners fortunate to be behind the bar stocking the shelves. Except for Ignacio still in bed…sleeping off too much catnip [Denny was sick and thus absent]. Then there was Kluh up in his 1^st floor room, cut by the glass. All gathered their senses to rush outside where they found the immediate area littered with bodies. Other merchants entering the street wondering what happened.

Four Halfling bodies near the front-door, a lone gnome, 2 dark-cloaked figures just behind the gnome, 2 more figures opposite the gnome. And a yapping dog standing over a fallen elder woman just outside the scorched fireball pattern.

Izzy already knelling beside the rock-gnome who seemed to be at the fireball center. Dried waste on his boots, worn cloak now tattered, obviously hadn’t changed for awhile. No-one noticing the dark elf lifting the pouch and stuffing it into her waistband (after removing one of the gems for herself). That’s when she began casting Detect Magic and walking the fireball area.

A3 - Guild Work

Adrik tried to convince the guild, “I’m just relocating my blacksmith shop. Not a new one. 50 gold starting fees?! That’s outrageous! Whatda mean the monthly dues are 10gp?!” Argue all he wanted, the guild had him by the balls. He’d chosen to attach his shop on the backside of their newly acquired tavern…”The Spirits In” tavern. And the guild recognized the tavern located in the richer part of town, which means higher taxes and dues. Besides, the already established blacksmith shop (Steam & Steel) around the corner demanded “competition tariff”. Adventuring wasn’t just a side job, it was becoming THE means of paying the mounting bills.

At least his attached forge created opportunities, “You can order what ‘ales’ you at the inside bar while you wait for me to hone your blades and repair your armor.” A nice little 2-for-1 arrangement that was actually drawing customers to both businesses. Which is probably why the local competition tried to sabotage them.

A2 - Signing up with Guilds

Good session last night.

Here is a quick summary for the players absent

The party inspected their recently acquired tavern "The Trollskull manor".  All of the furniture and dinnerware were still present.

The party also discovered that a Poltergeist was living on the stage with a lute.

In time they discovered it was the restless spirit of Jbrandi that was satisfied when he could entertain patrons by playing on his lute.

They used this as their draw for customers.  A loan from the local neighborhood chamber of commerce and the tavern was up and running.

They renamed the tavern but I can't remember what they called it.

Durzog (Darrick) was recruited by the Emerald Enclave and sent on a mission to stop some scarecrows killing livestock.  They found there were 3 scarecrows and were able to kill them with Izzy being the star of the fight with her spells being able to ignore the damage resistance the scarecrows have to physical weapons.

Ignacio (Denny) was recruited by the Harpers and sent to the opera to meet his contact.  The opera was about the war with Tiamet with an extremely emotional scene about the death of the heroic Gnome Jbrandi.   Kluh was very emotional about this scene for the rest of the night.

The Harpers sent Ignacio to find a talking horse who was spying on the Zhentarim.   He learned that the sun elf that the half-orc Yarga was guarding was a Zhentarim that was seeking out Xanathar hideouts.

Kluh (Angela) was recruited by the Lords Alliance and sent on a mission to guard some deep gnomes that were cleaning up the waste and garbage on the street.  Starting in the dock ward they noticed 3 garish ships that are supposedly a carnival in the harbor.  The party also noticed the familiar drow watching their actions.

After a few days of guarding the street cleaners they were attacked by 2 Carrion crawlers.   A lengthy fight led to a win by the party with both Kluh and Durzog being poisoned. 

A rival tavern opened in the neighborhood.  It is owned by Emmek Frewn.

Izzy (Carl) discovered the Emmek planned to hire 4 halflings to sabotage your tavern as he was wanting to buy it but was tricked by Volo and lost his opportunity.

Izzy planned to add a laxative to Emmek's water supply and  while doing this was confronted by the 2 drow watching her.   The drow recruited Izzy into Bragen Dae'rthe which had her take a handkerchief from a noble and hand it to a tiefling child.  She was successful in this.