Yoink or Yikes

🗓 on Sunday, 19 January 2020, 19:00–23:30 GMT

📍 at Chris’ Place

🙋‍♂️ including Callum as Cighter, Dom as Stason Jatham, and Tom as Jwayne Donson

“Windows rattle as the roar of an explosion fills Trollskull Alley. Charred bodies and anguished screams fly through the air. A thick cloud of acrid smoke billows outward from the blast, which seems to have occurred right outside your door…”

The Adventurers recognise groups of people as they come into the pub: people from the surrounding buildings and shops.

Fala Lefaliir from Corellon's Crown is in the pub:

Fala Lefaliir
I was watering plants on the second floor of my shop when the explosion happened, thankfully I wasn't hurt. From the smoke I saw somebody in a cloak take something from the body of the gnome. He was burnt and kept looking behind himself as he limped away. He limped towards The Bent Nail.

Callum grabs Lif and asks him to take care of the bar whilst we go look into this, and as he does, a well-to-do woman walks into the tavern with Vincent Trench (owner of The Tiger's Eye), talking loudly:

Well-off Woman
I tell you, it was not a man. More like a puppet shaped like a man. A puppet without strings. It was on the rooftop! It hurled something into the crown below that caused the exlosion. I saw those halflings burned alive! I saw them!

Dom
Hey, I heard you talking about the puppet, and I'm worried about our tavern.

Woman
Yes, it was on the rooftop, and it glinted in the early morning light.

Dom
Kinda like me?

Dom shows his skin.

Woman
Not quite like this.

Dom
Does this happen often?

Woman
No, I've been here for quite some time and this is new.

Dom
Did you see where it went?

Woman
I think towards The Bent Nail.

Tom
What do you mean puppet-shaped?

Woman
Like the size of a man… but it walked like a puppet!

Dom checks for History and knows that there has been a history of mechanical creatures in Waterdeep's history, but nothing ever quite like this.

The Adventurers leave altogether but leave Charles behind to watch the tavern and hear about anything. As they leave they note two young HUMAN MALES outside and one of them is bawling and staring towards the bodies.

Young boy
Right after the explosion I ducked behind this rain barrel and then heard this plop and found this…

A necklace with with broken clasp and two beads.

Dom
Hey, is everything okay? Please go inside if you need any help!

Martem
My friend died in the explosion, and I just don't know.

Dom
Thats what we're trying to figure out—do you know anything?

Martem
I was hiding, but I found this necklace.

Dom
Can I have a look? Please go inside and our manager will take care of you.

Martem
I'm not sure I should give you this necklace.

Dom
I'm part of the City Watch. You can trust me.

Martem hands over the necklace to Callum and heads inside.

Dom checks and we find it's a necklace of fireballs. HOW INTRIGURING. The Adventurers study at it and it looks like there could be a place for a third bead.

As we walk towards The Bent Nail we notice a bunch of clerics and religous people looking over the dead bodies. Force Gray, The Harpers, Lords' Alliance, Order of the Gauntlet, and the Black Network.

Dom
Hey, we own the pub here and want to help get to the bottom of this. We found this.

Dom holds up the necklace.

Cleric
Are you a member of the Grey Hands? Perhaps I can cast Speak with Dead and we can speak to them.

Dom and the Cleric exchange a few words.

Dom
I want to talk to the Gnome.

Cleric
You have but one question.

The cleric casts Speak with Dead.

Dom
Mr. Gnome, really sorry for your loss. How would we best avenge you for this incident?

Dead gnome
You must recover the Stone of Golorr! I found out about you guys after you rescued Lord Neverember's son, Renaer Neverember. I thought the Stone would be safe in your hands. You must recover iiiitttttttt!!

Callum
Hi, Mr. Cleric from the Lords' Alliance.

Callum and the cleric bump chests.

Callum
Can you make this gnome talk for me?

Cleric
What do you want to ask?

Callum
Who do you think attacked you / why?

Dead gnome
I don't know who attacked me, but I wouldnt be surprised if it was the Xanathar Guild. I might have stolen the Stone from one of their dungeons in the sewers.

Charles finds a Zhentarim cleric to the side and they exchange similar words.

Charles
Kind sir, why did you steal the stone? I understand because I like to steal things as well.

Dead gnome
It was important that the Stone not get into the wrong hands. The Stone of Golorr is the key to finding a hoard of dragons (gold coins) hidden in the city!

Charles perks up at the mention of a hoard of dragons.

Tom
Hello, Tony Tone, otherwise known as Tone Deaf Tony. How's it going?

Tony Tone
TONY TONEEEEEEEEEE

The cleric, without further instruction, begins the casting ritual.

Tom
Mr. Gnome, who are your people?

Dead gnome
My name is Dalakhar… I work independently; however, I was working for the Open Lord of Waterdeep, Dagult Nevermember.

Tom
How do you want to be buried?

Dalakhar
Whatever suits the city—hey! That's more than one que…

It's now late evening and the Adventurers split.

Dom goes to the book shop with the necklace and links up with Rishaal the Page-Turner.

Dom
I've got this necklace I know about it but want to learn more. Do you know anything about this Stone of Golorr?

Rishaal the Page-Turner
I don't know anything about this Stone.

Dom
Any idea where I can find out more?

Rishaal the Page-Turner
No, I don't, sorry. However… curious… this necklace usually has three beads on it…

Dom
Right, thank you, that makes sense. Do you have any blueprints of the sewers or anything?

Rishaal the Page-Turner
Only about how they were built. No blueprints or anything like that. Maybe the Plumbers' Guild would know more.

Dom
Thanks.

Dom does his work for the evening: pracising his magic in the alley.

Meanwhile, Callum finds Jalester Silvermane of the Lords' Alliance in The Yawning Portal.

Callum
Jalester, did you hear about the explosion today?

Jalester Silvermane
Yes. I dispatched a few people to the event. Were you involved? Where you there?

Callum
The explosion was just outside my manor. Luckily the manor was unscathed; however, we found a fireball necklace. I presently don't have it with me but we have a lead on a mechanical creature that could have set the explosion.

Jalester Silvermane
Interesting. We've had issues with the mechanical beings from the Day of Wonder Parade in the past. Check with the Temple of Gond. The Day of Wonders Parade is sponsored by their temple. They might be able to identity the mechanical creature or point you in the right direction.

Callum
We'll investigate further. Do you know anything of the Stone of Golorr or have some schematics of the sewers? We believe that the creature may have escaped that way.

Jalester Silvermane
Sorry, no to both. Best to talk to the Plumbers' Guild with regards to the sewers.

Meanwhile, Tom the halfing goes downtown to the opera. He can hear the fat lady singing, but not for the last time, as it's intermission. Tom gets a drink and starts to look for a man called Mirt. Tom heads towards Private Box C and finds a guard blocking the door, who immediately opens the private, locked door. Inside Tom finds Mirt.

Mirt
Good evening! How are you?

Tom
The pleasure is all mine. My name is Tom.

Mirt
Perhaps you could play something for us while we wait for the main spectacle to resume.

Tom begins to play a melody on his lute. Mirt is lovin' it.

Mirt
I'd like to welcome you into The Harpers. We fight in secret for justice and freedom in this city. … But listen, one of the drays in this city is pulled by a talking mare named Maxeene. Locate her and find out if she knows anything about the Xanathar Guild operations around the city, and if she does, where they are.

Tom
Where exactly does she pull her cart? What part of town?

Mirt
Usually around The Yawning Portal, but anywhere about the city really.

Tom
Your every wish is my command, Lord Mirt.

Tom accepts the mission with a flourish.

Mirt
Thank you. We appreicate your patronage. Please stay for the second act.

Second act goes without any mishaps; although, the fat lady does sing for the final time of the evening.

Tom
It was a pleasure, Sir Mirt. I will be in contact.

Mirt
Pleasure was all mine. Please stay in contact and watch out for more paper birds.

The Adventurers sleep.

Next Day

The Adventurers share the stories and knowledge they learnt last night.

Tom tells them about Mirt and the other Harpers and about his first mission with the talking horse. He believes they are going to be helpful allies.

The Adventurers discusses activities and agrees to go find the talking horse and then the Plumbers' Guild.

As our group nears The Yawning Portal they don't find the mare.

Tom asks their pal, Durnan, who mentions that she comes by once or twice a day, but he hasn't seen her in an hour.

They talk to the crowd and find out she has a delivery near The Hawk Man.

Streets are bustling but no sign of the horse.

Tom (to a near by horse)
Have you seen Maxeene?

Horse
Neigh!!!!!!

Tom heads inside the tavern and asks if Maxeene has been by and is told she is due in a few minutes.

We hear clip clops and a cart pulls close by with no driver.

Tom hails down Maxeene!

Tom
Hello Maxeene.

Maxeene
Hello…

Tom
We have a mutual friend named Mirt who said you might have information available for me.

Maxeene
A lot of people know Mirt. How do you know Mirt?

Tom
I am a Harper.

Maxeene is apprehensive to talk.

Tom
Why the long face?

Maxeene
I'm not just going to give it to you straight from the horses mouth.

Tom rolls for Persuasion → 21

Maxeene
Two days ago I was giving a ride to two people (sun elf and a half ork body guard) and dropped them off at The Yawning Portal. They were talking about hiring spies to root out Xanathar Guild hideouts in the city. These people hangout at The Yawning Portal regularly. The ork gets into fights regularrly, but hte sun elf is a peaceful dude.

Based off the description we know they are talking about Charles' Zhentarim connection and Yagra Stonefirst (Lady who got into a fight at the start).

Tom
If you are ever in town make sure that you visit our tavern.

Maxeene gallops off.

The Adventurers slowly head back towards The Yawning Portal, but first, they bump into some sewage works.

Dom
Excuse me plumbers, we misplaced some of our belonging in the sewers. Could you help us find it?

Wario
Mate, have you seen the sewers? It's huge. What do you mean?!

Dom
Did you hear about the explosion? We lost some belongings in the explosion and we're trying to find out which way it went.

Wario
Tymora bless me… We'll talk to our supervisors and send somebody towards you tonight or this evening!

The Adventurers head towards The Yawning Portal. They enter and Charles points towards the Sun Elf.

Charles
Davil Starsong, we heard some talk about from a hairy friend of ours. Apparently you are looking to hire some people to look into the Xanathar Guild hideouts.

Davil Starsong
They've amassed some weapsons and their power in the city is getting too large.

Charles
Lets say we are interested in finding some of their hideouts and help out.

Davil Starsong
I'll have further instruction for you soon.

The Adventurers head back towards Trollskull Alley.

Waiting for the plumber.

Towards evening / nightime, one of the plumbers arrives, who opens the lock on the manhole cover and notes that it's usually tighter then it was to unlock it just now.

Dom
We're looking for a necklace that one of the children lost in the explosion. He lost his mother.

Dom rolls for Persuasion → 19

Wario
Whereabouts is it?

Dom
We saw it drop down here and it slid down here towards you. Are there any maps so we can split up?

Wario
No maps. I'd really prefer if you stayed with me and followed me around.

Dom
I think it might be worth mentioning that there were a lot of opportunists that appeared to steal things that fell down the sewers.

Wario
There doesn't appear to be any traffic that has gone through here as of late I'm afraid.

The Adventurers roll for Perception to check the area but we don't find any activity as of late.

Dom
Are only people part of the guild allowed down here?

Wario
Of course, we're meant to be the only people down here. Although the loose grate above is a bit concerning.

The Adventurers head south through the city in the Sewers without finding anything. The plumber is starting to lose faith that we managed to follow this necklace through grates all this way.

Wario
I tell you what. I'm not working tomorrow. Give me some collatoral, and we can trade for my key for a bit.

Dom
Thanks! Please come to our tavern any time and we can provide free drinks and food.

Wario
Fine, here's the key. I'll be at your tavern at the crack of dawn day after tomorrow.

The plumber leaves.

The Adventurers look around the sewers looking for the markings of the Xanathar Guild. After an hour of walking through the tunnels the Adventurers come to a three way intercetion. A ladder leads up towards the street via a manhole. A familiar chalk symbol is written on a wall nearby, the Xanathar Guild symbol. We walk into a floating eyeball, a Gazer, and hear clicking sounds nearby.

Begin Combat

Callum: Swings warhammer for 7 points of damage
Dom: Points his finger (fire bolt) for 3 points of damage
Tom: Shoots crossbow and misses pinging off the wall
Gazer: Shoots a frost ray causing 7 points of frost damage

Callum: Swings his warhammer again for 8 points of damage
Dom: SHOOTS another firebolt to hit the back of the sewer
Tom: Shoots his crowbow for 10 points of damage
Gazer: Gazing ray towards Tom. Tom is charmed till next turn.
: Arrows come out of the LHS corrador shooting towards Callum 3 points of damage. Dom gets hit with 5 points of damage.

Callum: Dom take a step closer to me! Swings his war axe for 2 points of damage.
Dom: Takes a step closer to Callum. And takes his rapier out.
Tom: Misses.
Gazer: Telekinetic Ray towards Dom. Dom manages to get by it.
Kenku × 2: Misses their first shot but hits Dom for 6 points of damage.

Callum: Swings his axe and misses the Gazer.
Dom: Swings his rapier at the Gazer. 6 points of piercing damage, Booming Blade is applied.
: The Gazer is killed.
Tom: Casts sleep on the Kenku. One Kenku falls alsepe the other is awake.
Kenku × 2: One at the back steps over the sleeping Kenku and shoots at Dom, missing.

Callum: Walks towards the Kenku nearing the symbol on the sewers.
Dom: Hey man. Chill out. 3 points of damage and slowed till next turn. Ray of frost.
Tom: Gives Callum inspiration.
Kenku × 2: Sleeping Kenku wakes and stands up. The other Kenku shoots at Dom and misses.

Callum: Steps towards the now awaken Kenku and swings his axe to hit for 5.
Dom: Steps forward and stabs with his rapier for 10 points of damage.
: The Kenku immediately dies.
Tom: Mate all your friends are dead just give up. Wisdom saving throw. Vicious Mockery
Kenku: Shoots at Callum for 7 points of damage.

Callum: Steps forward 5 feet and swings at the last Kenku. For 2 points of damage.
Dom: Don't die on me yet. 5 points of healing for CLOH.
Tom: It's saying something that you make the sewers stink. 4 points of physic damage and disadvantage.
Kenku: Shoots at Cighter but misses.

Callum: Swings his axe enraged for 2 points of damage.
Dom: Hey I got this. Tries to stab with his rapier but misses.
Tom: Mate there is 3 of us and one of you. Look at your mates face he was crying that is going to be you. The Kenku ignores.

Then the Kenku looks around, seemingly snaps out of it, looks terrified and runs away. The Adventurers follows him snaking through tunnels, holes and narrow passages. We find ourselves in the round room from the earlier sessions. The Kenku is bleeding out and keeps chanting The Xanathar sends his regards!

Callum crushes his skull in.

We walk through the area heading back up towards the inn that Roscoe manages.

Tom
Have you seen any hideouts around here?

Roscoe
Not really… I mean, apart from where you just came from…

Dom
We just crushed one of their skulls in by the way.

The Adventurers head back into the hideout area and head towards the alter again. We don't find anything of interest. It looks like it's been used recently but no clues or anything.

The Adventurers split and head home.

Tom Heads to the Opera

Tom
Mirt can we talk here?

Mirt
These are my friends talk freely.

Tom
I went and talked to your friend with the long face.

Mirt
I hope there was no horsing around

Tom
None of the kind. She told me she took some friends of yours for a lift and they spoke about how they were looking at recruitng people to find ZeniTtha hideouts. I know a friend that knows the Sun Elf and spoke with him who confirmed they were looking for people to do that work. My group popped into the sweers and found one of their hideouts and fought some Kenku but couldn't find any further clues.

Mirt
Interesting. Knowing the Xanathar Guild are also trying to find us will help the Harpers alot. I've left a small sum with Durnan which you can pickup at any time.

Tom
Thank you. Have you ever heard of the Stone of Golorr?

Mirt
No I haven't.

Tom
Hmm I presume you have haerd fo the attack at our tavern. We spoke with one of the dead and he mentioned this stone at the Xanathar Guild are after. We believe that was the whole point of the attack. Apparently this stone leads to a hoarde of dragons hidden in the city.

Mirt
Interesting. That will be helpful thank you for letting me know.

Tom heads towards The Yawning Portal and picks up his gold. A tidy 40g.

Dom Practices

Does his usual pew-pew magic practice with Rishaal the Page-Turner sorta-onlooking until late in the evening.