Meetings and Rescues (Waterdeep: Dragon Heist Playthrough)

Scene 1: Liar's Night at Gralhund Villa

      The days are growing shorter in the City of Splendors. The pleasant weather up until a few weeks ago has become as fickle as my bard friend Spear Worldshaker on one of his notorious nights out. The only constants these days are the drizzle and the wind, which turn even our paved Waterdavian boulevards into the worst enemy of many a nice pair of leather boots.           

      If by any chance you find yourself a victim of a timespell gone wrong or have just returned from the Feywild and do not know what day today is, rest assured. Anyone in the street will point out the boulevards crowded with masked faces and houses decorated with fancifully carved lantern pumpkins, and declare it to be  Marpenoth the 30th (1492DR), Liar's Night, when all lies and mischief are allowed on this tributary day to Leira and Mask.  

      Today of all fall days, it does not look like the citizens of our fair city are particularly concerned with the turn of the weather, though they do comment on it frequently when faced with new acquaintances. For everyone wears bright colorful clothing, having taken out their best pair of breeches -or ladies, skirts- put on one of the cheap masks you can find on any of the stalls in the markets and headed out into the night, braving the wind, while "enspirited" by a bottle or two of save-for-special-occasions plum wine.        

      On this night, commoners can pretend to be nobles and nobles affect that they are worldly and not-at-all the snobs that everyone else thinks them to be. Therefore, many of the opulent mansions and villas in the Sea and North Ward throw "soirees" where everyone can poke their head in, taste a sourberry jam filled cheese roll and a flute of elverquisst, admire the modern furnishings and then politely make their way out once they realize everyone invited there addresses them with their nose magically extending itself all the way to the Castle. (This makes for awkward conversations, as you will feel there are entirely too many invisible pointy noses poking you.) 

      The heroes of this little story have different reasons for finding themselves tonight at Gralhund Villa in the North Ward. The dwarf cleric of Waukeen, Silvo, is looking for new opportunities towards expanding his clientele. He is quite unsatisfied with his daily job at Olmhazan's and has been not-so-quietly dabbling in riskier exploits as of late, such as money-lending. Boddynoch, the rock gnome rogue is mostly curious as to which lords and ladies could be despoiled of some of their accoutrements. Bran, human cleric of Savras, is keeping an eye out for suspicious characters, as it seems that old habits die hard for a former City Watchman. Standing-out among the crowd is Myta, an Eladrin elf maiden, her fine features accentuated by her bejeweled diadem. In one corner, surprisingly deftly socializing with the elite is Ruz, warlock human.  

      The half-moon does not seem to shine her face tonight on our party initially, as they stand-out like fish on sand amidst the elite of Waterdeep. They do however have the time to carefully commit the guests to memory, although seeing as many of the guests are masked, it would be difficult if not impossible to recognize one in Waterdeep on a different day, but those perceptive enough notice that a few of the guests have some sort of affiliation, carefully hiding a flying snake tattoo behind long sleeves or artfully coiffed hair. 

      At long last, opportunity presents itself when out of the den - which had been earlier reconnoitered by the diligent rogue - the manor pet, a majestic red-tailed hawk, makes a wild dash towards the exit. The voice of the younger Gralhund boy, Greth, timidly makes its way out of the study in the wake of the flying bird: "Papa, Reddsie is out again... Sorry..." Lady Gralhund, impeccably dressed in a black tailored dress with gold-thread accents high-lighting her lithe form lowers the stem of her golden mask in surprise at this display. Her husband seems much more flustered and shouts to the room "Someone catch that bird!"

      The hawk swiftly makes its way towards the open high doors which open out into the gardens. The guests reactions are fairly typical, as they all attempt to get out of any perceived danger. Myta remains unfazed sipping elven wine and does not attempt to catch the bird as she comments: "Birds don't belong in cages and it's really the Gralhunds own fault that their hawk escaped". Boddynoch is too short and much too interested in the richly decked nobles whose attention has been captured by this event and deftly plucks two jewels from a ballgown. Bran attempts to command the bird, but the hawk seems to shrug off his order, while Silvo dextrously removes a table cloth and attempts to improvise a net with even less success. On the other side of the room, Ruz manages to stop the bird from dashing out into the darkened skies at the last minute by creating the illusionery cry of a larger predator right outside the doors. This temporarily confuses the hawk, it changes its trajectory and makes towards the window at the back of the room. 

      Lady Yahla Gralhund dodges out of the way of the marauding hawk and steps towards the fireplace, her face pale and piercing eyes causing Orond, her husband, to flinch. "I am sorry, dear... You must admit this seemed a bit improbable at the time..." he mutters. 

     As the hawk reaches the window sill, the half-orc bodyguard of Lady Gralhund takes aim with his crossbow and releases a net which arrests the hawk's movement, causing it to drop from the air and twist its wings in a vain attempt to escape. Silvo, sensing his clerical services might be of use, rushes outside to tend to the wounded bird, and a few seconds later, the netted bird is brought in and swiftly remanded to its cage in the study. Unsurprisingly, the two Gralhund boys had earlier decided it was past their bedtime and retired upstairs. Many of the guests had also retreated into the gardens, not wishing to stand in the way of the brave rescue attempts - or of a flying hawk. 

     Lord Gralhund approaches the party that played a part in the capture of the unfortunate bird.
     "I am grateful for your assistance today." His head turns towards his wife leaning regally against the fireplace and in his excitement, and the blessings of Liar's Night, shows remarkable candour asking "Darling, could I have 50 dragons for our heroes here?" Lady Gralhound sighs and gives a short nod and Orond makes a swift gesture towards the half-orc that had netted the bird. While the dragons are being fetched, Silvo makes a half-baked attempt to inquire of Lord Orond regarding future business opportunities while Ruz chases the more modest goal of making an offer for their services at anytime in the future. The pouch of coin is brought and the Lord, with a telling smile, agrees that he should be fortunate to meet them again shortly, as competent adventurers in Waterdeep are after all so scarce.   

    The party is swiftly ushered out of the villa and into the festive streets of the North Ward, where they swiftly decide they would like to get to know each other better by having a drink at the Yawning Portal, one of the City of Splendors many attractions and taverns. 

Scene 2: Pub Trolling at the Yawning Portal

     The Yawning Portal is at any time crowded with Waterdavians as well as with the many travelers that make their way to the city, and on this night, it is unequivocally buzzing with people. The bartenders all have tired but wide grins as the tips keep on coming as customers keep ordering, and it takes a while for the five "heroes" to get their tankards of ale and wedge their way in a relatively quieter corner of the room (right at the edge of the abyss that looms in the center of the tavern, linking Waterdeep to Undermountain). The table they sit around would normally be brightly lit by a burning candle, if the candle weren't mostly obscured by the piles of plates cleared of food. There are chicken and boar bones that have found their way underneath the table, along with other crumbs of food and from an overturned tankard, dregs of stale ale are drizzling on the table and floor. 

     Silvo and Boddynoch resume their bickering about loans and interest rates, while Myta and Ruz, the two newcomers to the city are informed by the former Watchmen of the recent conflicts between the Zhentarim and Xanathar's Guild. Moments later, a shout eclipses the tavern's constant noise "Ya pig! Like killin' my mates, does ya?" Everyone turns towards the enraged seven-foot-tall half-orc that is hitting a male human whose shaved head is covered with eye shaped tattoos. The party's line-of-sight is quickly cut off by a crowd gathering around the brawling orc and thugs, placing bets on who will be the winner and edging on with course shouts the fighting parties. Silvo and Boddynoch are too busy bickering to pay the fight any mind, but the other three try to make their way through the crowd to see the fight. However, the business of weaving your way through a crowd seemed to be made entirely of elbows is no easy feat and only Ruz manages to get a premium seat to the action. He manages to spot Yagra. The half-orc's powerful punches connect with Krentz jaw, leaving him barely conscious (Ruz picks out their names from the crowds' shouts) while Krentz four colleagues tackle Yagra to stop her from felling him. Money is already changing hands as the few that had bet on the humans realize their folly. 

     Suddenly, from the area around the portal cries of alarm ring out. Silvo and Boddynoch have first-row seats to the terrifying spectacle. A green monster with warty skin and a tangled nest of wiry hair, surrounded by bat-like looking small flying creatures is climbing its way out of the portal. The troll bares its yellow teeth and howls right in their faces and its horrid stench assails Silvo and Boddynoch, causing them to gag and be momentarily incapacitated as the bat-like creatures dive towards them and affix themselves to their skin. Silvo collapses due to sudden blood loss (and a pinch of over-excitement), leaving Boddynoch alone in close-quarters with the abominations. 

     The swiftness with which the patrons on the ground floor barrel towards the exit is nothing short of exceptional. Myta and Ruz head to the upper floors to get a better view of the floor, while Bran casts spells from behind the bar. The second and third floor are still filled with patrons, some of which are clutching the tableware in their hands, breathtakingly following the fight, while others cower underneath the tables. A group of five stands out from the crowd as they continue their conversation unperturbed by the fight downstairs. Ruz only has a moment to scope them out and notice a snake tattoo on one of them before he turns and shoots an eldritch blast at one of the stirges feasting on his fallen companion, Silvo. Mith Myta using her longbow, Ruz firing eldritch blasts and Bran invoking sacred flames to help Boddynoch, the blood-suckers threatening the lives of Silvo and Boddynoch are quickly dispatched.

     In the meantime, Durnan, the legendary adventurer and owner of the Yawning Portal, draws his greatsword, springs over the bar and confronts the monster himself. Some blows land true, but the monster is keeping its ground, and some of its wounds close almost as soon as they are made, but thanks to Yagra smashing a bottle of whisky on the troll and setting it on fire, in about twenty seconds, the troll is but a pile of flesh on the ground. Durnan picks it up and throws it back in the abyss whence it came from. 

     As Myta and Ruz start to make their way downstairs after the commotion has ended, they are stopped by a figure in curious attire. He has a frilled collar, yellow vest, floppy hat and a long white scarf - slightly worse for wear due to its losing a fight against some red liquid. He is stroking his mustache, which seems to have gotten a bit depressed during the fight, as well as adjusting a big book he carries under one arm. 
     "You be adventurers, am I right? I could use your help. My name is Volothamp Geddarm, chronicler, wizard, and celebrity, at your service. I trust you..." He is abruptly stopped in his monologue by Silvo, who had been brought back to consciousness moments earlier. 
     "Volo, the famous author! How many copies did your recent book sell? 3,000? Could we talk about some business opportunities? How much are you selling each for?..."

      Volo preens and shows them the book he was keeping on his person: "Volo's Guide to Waterdeep" and says:
      "Perhaps you've read my masterpiece, the connoisseurs and ultimate tool for any newcomers to the fairest city on the Sword Coast? ... But I am forgetting myself! I need your help. Perhaps you've noticed the violence in our fair city these past tendays. I haven't seen so much blood since my last visit to Baldur's Gate! But now I fear I have misplaced a friend amid this odious malevolence. 
     My friend's name is Floon Blagmaar. He's got more beauty than brains, and I worry he took a bad way home a couple of nights ago and was kidnapped - or worse. I can offer you ten dragons apiece now, and I can give you each ten times that when you find Floon. May I prevail upon you in my hour of need?"
     
      The party quickly questions Volo regarding his handsome friend, and finds out that he had been drinking together with Floon in the Skewered Dragon, in the Dock Ward two nights ago, after which his friend seems to have disappeared. The Skewered Dragon is a locale Floon frequents at times, although he is as often, if not more often, found at the Jade Jug Inn or Mother Tathlorn's House of Pleasure and Healing, two establishments he frequents thanks to the patronage of many wealthy ladies who prefer his company and are willing to pay for his services. Volo and Floon had gotten quite drunk on the night in question and Volo only has a vague recollection of leaving before Floon. He feels quite distressed at the possibility of having left his friend in danger in Dock Ward, although he cannot imagine why anyone would wish Floon any harm as he is genuinely well liked and known, and carries no money on him at any time. The ten dragons and promise of one hundred more prove to be enough of an incentive for the five companions to swiftly leave the Yawning Portal and investigate. 

Photo by Henry Hustava on Unsplash

Scene 3: Arrests at Midnight

      The party flags a dray on its way down Snail Street and around midnight find themselves in Fillet Lane. The Dock Wards are still crowded past midnight on this specific holiday and even more urchins and suspicious looking characters make their way through the crowds than usual. Fillet Lane however is surprisingly empty and the party wonders as to the reason, until they turn a corner and see the City Watch cordoning off a section, passers-by gawking at the half-dozen corpses strewn across the muddy street. Watch officers have disarmed and arrested three blood-drenched humans and are in the midst of questioning witnesses before dragging the suspects back to the Section for a more thorough investigation. The officers don't accommodate the questions of the group of five adventurers, although one of them seems to know Bran so he whispers to him, unheard by his fellow watchmen: "Bloody Zhentarim and Xanathar's Guild 'gain, looks it. Buggers me why their killin' ciprocat'n'gly but in Selune's name, I wish they'd get it ova with; less'o'a mess t' clean up. I'll getta the bottom soon enough, mark ye. Now get ye on, can't be seen gossipin' with ye like this."

      As the group makes its way further away from the main streets, densely packed tenements leave most of the neighborhood in shadow. Most of the streetlamps have had their glass smashed and their candles stolen, and the smells of salt air and excrement fill the humid autumnal air. Facing each other at a crossroads are the Skewering Dragon, with its ill-kept facade, and the Xoblob Shop, lit up by purple smoke and still open for business.

     Silvo, Myta and Ruz make their way inside the purple shop, eyeballing the realistic fixture in the window that looks like a big eye with ten protruding eye-stalks. A cloud of lavender scented purple smoke assails them as they step in but quickly clears away to reveal the walls painted in purple, the knicknacks on shelves died a deep violet, the hairless old gnome sitting cross-legged on a stool higher than the counter in front of it, wearing plum-colored robes and smoking a pipe out of which purple smoke paints eye-stalks in the air.

     The gnome lowers the pipe and greets them:
     "Hail and well met! Come browse the shelves of the most curious curiosity shop in the world!" he says in a surprisingly deep voice that tapers off towards the end into a quick jumble of words as he seems to get more excited. 

     Ruz and Silvo quickly proceed to purchase a cape, a pipe and a blazer, all in purple, from the gnome. He usually does not carry clothing, but as it is a special night... Myta wonders why the focus on the color purple and Xoblob - yes, he has the same name as the shop - explains the nobility of the color purple, his careful clientele segmentation and branding, as well as his deep hatred for the appropriation and blatant disregard of patenting that the whole of Waterdeep shows on Lliira's night, when everything is covered in wretched pink. 

     Silvo loudly admires the gnome's clear understanding of business targeting. After some persuading (and flattery), Silvo talks the gnome into revealing what he saw happen two night ago outside his shop: five men wearing black leather armor had attacked Floon and his friend, a well-dressed fellow of similar appearance, and dragged them off. One of them had a black tattoo of a winged snake on his neck. 

     Having acquired all the information the gnome had or was willing to offer, Silvo follows his two companions in making his way out of the shop, while telling Xoblob the gnome: "I look forward to visiting your wonderful shop again to discuss business opportunities...".

     Meanwhile, Boddynoch and Bran had made their way inside the ruin-like Skewered Dragon. Its front-facing windows are smashed and a ship's anchor is lodged in the roof. At the bar, a black-clad seaman carrying with him the stench of salt, unwashed clothes and dried fish is conversing with the bartender, a skeletal-looking man with dark eyes and thick eyebrows. The men are originally not favorable towards "snitchin'", but 5 dragons quickly loosen their tongues, and four more regulars join them in recounting what they know regarding Floon's disappearance. Floon had been seen drinking with Volo. After Volo's departure, a spoiled, rich noble that looks remarkably like Floon joined him and the two drank and played a few rounds of card games before leaving around midnight. Five men followed them out. "Ye ein't herd dis fro' me" threaten the men while brandishing a curved dagger and then they reveal that the five men seen leaving after Floon and his friend are known snakes frequenting a warehouse on Candle Lane. "Look fo' a snake sign on th' door." says one of the regulars. 

      As time is of the essence and Boddynoch knows his way around the Dock Ward, the party makes his way through the dark streets towards Candle Lane, a stinky gloomy narrow alley, pitch-black dark except for the farther-most corner where a candle flickers. They carefully check each house in the Lane until reaching the bright light, clearly a continual flame cast on the streetlamp, but it is only at the end of the ally, directly across from the lamp that they see the symbol described to them on the door of a house: a flying snake, mark of the Zhentarim. 

     Ruz and Bran stay back, preferring to keep a watch on the house first. The gnome pretends to draw the Zhentarim inside out by loudly clanging on the gate and proclaiming "We know you have Floon. Bring him out now!" There is movement inside the warehouse but no one emerges and the gnome and dwarf, their heels on fire as dawn is swiftly approaching and a full-day work is ahead of them, barge through the open gates, finagle open the locked door to the warehouse and banter their way in through the door. Four arrows assail them immediately and Silvo is instantly knocked-out, while Boddynoch runs away screaming. Myta had been close behind and she attempts to provide cover so that the bird-like creatures inside the warehouse do not outright kill Silvo, but she cannot drag his body out of the warehouse. 

    Shortly after Ruz, Bran and a sheepish Boddynoch join Myta, the kenku inside barricade the door behind which the characters were fighting and retreating, so she has no choice but to smash her way through the shutters of a nearby window and enter the warehouse from a different angle. Outnumbered, the kenku eventually cry for surrender and retreat, only to be caught outside by the City Watch. Silvo is stable but still unconscious so the party cannot attempt to flee. Ruz had however by a stroke of luck found  Floon's mysterious companion, Renaer Neverember gagged and stuffed inside a storage closet, although he had not had enough time to ask him anything more.  

   They are taken to the nearest station in the city wall towers and questioned until the early hours of the morning. Without food, water or sleep, adrenaline having worn off and exhausted, around dawn, the party is greeted outside by Renaer:
   "Thank you for rescuing me..."     

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"Waterdeep - Dragon Heist" is property of Wizards of the Coast, and the above story follows the outline of the released adventure, as well as quotes dialogues in the book.