Hypergates of the Lost Empire

Hypergates of the Lost Empire, my latest book for Overlords of Dimension-25 (a modern retro-clone of Buck Rogers XXVc RPG) and sequel to City at the Edge of the Universe is now available for sale at drivethrurpg.com for only $3.99!

The Vault of Dragons - Waterdeep Dragon Heist, Chapter 13

Winterfire said, "Okay, how's this? Lets fill up any bags we can. Tempus and I will go back to the surface and get help to move the gold."

Thus laden with bags of gold - representing barely a handful of the huge pile of gold coins before them - the pair returned to the broken bridge. They lowered the bags with rope down sixty feet to the floor below. They leaped across the gap and rejoined Renear. They told their friend what had transpired below.

The trio returned down the stairs and picked up the bags. Etlenda, Kem, and Push-ta watched from the top of the bridge as the other three made their way towards the entrance to the chamber of doors.

Suddenly six figures emerged from the entrance. They were led by a cloaked figure with a clawed mechanical hand - Manshoon! With him was the failed actor, Agorn Fuoco, and the former pirate, Vevette Blackwater. Behind them were three burly goons.

Vevette saw Push-ta standing on the bridge, smiled, and gave a little wave.

The cloaked figure withdrew his hood, revealing a sullen young man with black hair and ash-gray skin. Agorn said, "See Manshoon? I told you! They'd lead us right to the treasure!"

CHAPTER 13

"THE VAULT OF DRAGONS"

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor:

• Winterfire of House Silverspear - Chaotic Good Moon Elf Noble and Fighter. The daughter of elven diplomats, raised among dwarves.
  
• Etlenda, aka "Exile" - Neutral Good Eladrin Outlander and Paladin. Exiled from the Feywild and raised by wolves. While exploring the Feydark he crossed over into the Underdark and emerged into the Mortal World.
• Tempus Vegvisir - Lawful Good Human Trade Sheriff and Cleric of Helm. Husband and Father.
• Push-ta Tok - Neutral Half-Orc Former Smuggler and Rogue, secret member of the Zhentarim.
• Kem Hearthfire - Chaotic Good Half-Orc Former Gladiator Priestess of Gond.

This is it! The final chapter of Waterdeep Dragon Heist. 

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor must defeat the evil wizard Manshoon and his lieutenants in a final showdown for the Vault of Dragons!

The Answer is Always Fireball

Push-ta immediately grabbed the beaded necklace from around Etlenda's neck. He plucked off one of the beads and hurled it at the entrance. The bead exploded into a ball of flame, engulfing all who stood in the entrance.

DM - which led to a quick rule check of whether Counterspell could work against the fireball spell within a necklace of fireball. There were good points to be made on both sides of the debate. I decided to quickly end the debate and move on with a d20 roll. If the roll was high, I ruled in favor of the players that the Counterspell would not work. Puish-ta rolled high. I took the damage.

Tempus followed this up with a spell that wreathed Agorn and one of the goons with magical faerie fire. Agorn looked up at the glow above his head and dramatically declared, "At last! The spotlight is ON ME!"

Manshoon and his allies, burned and seared by the blast, split up into three teams. Vevette went left to engage Tempus, Winterfire, and Renaer. Agorn and one of the goons went right to get good visibility of Push-ta, Kem, and Etlenda atop the crumbling stone bridge. Manshoon went forward with the remaining two goons. He took cover behind a large nearby pillar beneath the closest bridge. 

Up on the bridge, Push-ta held the rope while Etlenda quickly rappelled down.

DM - The bridge was sixty feet up. An ordinary rope climb is half speed, no check required. You'd get 30 feet with a "dash". I allowed them to make an Athletics check vs. 15. Success allowed you to rappel down at normal movement, but a failure would get you (1d6)d10 falling damage.

Curtain Call

Agorn, light as if in a spotlight on stage, posed dramatically. With one hand on his heart and one hand outstretched upward towards the bridge, he proclaimed, "Hark! What light through yon window BREAKS!"

There was a loud cracking noise as Push-ta and Kem were caught in the effect of a shattering spell. The grit their teeth and clutched their heads as the bridge crumbled from beneath their feet. They began to fall!

DM - I had them make Dexterity Saves vs. 10 to see if they caught themselves. They both failed and were each looking at 6d10 falling damage. They spent their Inspiration points and re-rolled, this time succeeding.

They clutched precariously to the side of the bridge as the rubble fell onto Etlenda's head below. So too did the rope Push-ta held. Etlenda gathered up the rope off the ground.

Push-ta scrambled back up onto the bridge and, while still on his belly, took aim at Agorn with his crossbow. He sent a quarrel into the failed actor's neck. Agorn's eyes widened as his mouth gurgled blood. He fell to the ground, dead.

Push-ta said, "There will be no Act 2!"

Lightning Strike

Manshoon re-appeared from his hiding place only to reveal that he was surrounded by three magical duplicates! He was joined by two of his three guards.

Vevette had become surrounded by her opponents so the pirate queen spun, cartwheeled, and danced nimbly away and behind Manshoon.

Manshoon reached out with his good hand and a bolt of lightning streaked through the air, striking Winterfire, Renaer, and Tempus. Tempus reacted quickly, casting a spell of his own to catch the lightning bolt in his hands.

Meanwhile, Etlenda threw the rope up to Push-ta. Push-ta caught the rope and held it while Kem rappelled down. 

Manshoon spun around to face Etlenda. Manshoon conjured a massive glowing ethereal magical hand into existence. The giant hand became a fist and punched Etlenda. Winterfire and Renaer rushed in to engage the goons while Kem and Push-ta sent crossbow bolts at Manshoon.

The goons soon overwhelmed Winterfire. Luckily, Kem was able to say a prayer of healing and restore her.

Tempus began cast an elemental spell and exhaled magical ice breath upon Manshoon and the goons.

The Retreat

Manshoon, Vevette, and the goons retreated to cover behind the pillar, all the while attacking Etlenda with the massive magical fist. 

Push-ta created a magical cloud of fog around Manshoon, hoping to disrupt any range magical attacks. Both sides used the respite to catch their breath and recover.

Tempus, Winterfire, and Renaer prepared themselves and charged into the fog. They took the right flank around the pillar. Meanwhile, Kem and Etlenda took the left flank around the other side.

Vevette and the remaining goon tried to hold them off but fell to Tempus' icy dragon's breath. Manshoon discharged magical electricity from his hands against Tempus and made his escape towards the entrance to the dwarven vault. The giant magical hand continued to harry Etlenda. Kem did what she could to heal the eladrin holy warrior.

Winterfire conjured three magical arrows which flew directly at Manshoon. Manshoon held up his hand in an arcane ward and the magical arrows struck an invisible shield.

Manshoon made it to the hallway, all the while constantly fighting off attacks from Renaer, Tempus, and Etlenda. Many of the attacks were deflected by Manshoon's magical shield. One of Renaer's attacks pierced the magical shield. Renaer pierced Manshoon with his rapier, distracting him. The magical fist disappeared!

Manshoon broke away towards the stairway that led to his escape. He cast another spell and everyone found themselves entrapped within a magical invisible barrier that snaked back and forth, locking them into tiny cells.

Winterfire conjured three more magical arrows. They were undeterred by the invisible wall of force. They struck Manshoon with arcane accuracy. Manshoon was once again distracted and the invisible barrier fell!

Etlenda rushed forward and held aloft his longsword. Etlenda struck down Manshoon with the righteous fury of the nature god Silvanus. His eladrin face briefly took on the countenance of a mystical wolf as Etlenda dispatched the arcane crime lord.

Manshoon's body fell, cloven. There was no blood. It immediately began to decompose into snow and sand - the magical ingredients used to create a simulacrum! 

Epilogue

The enemies defeated, the Mystics of Trollskull Manor checked the bodies of their foes. When Push-ta turned over the body of Vevette, she opened her eyes and held her finger to her lips. She was gravely wounded by still alive. She smiled and beckoned him close with her finger. She whispered into his ear, "Hey there, handsome. (cough) Okay, here's the deal. I'm not in great shape right now but if you lent me a hand I could pull through. Maybe you could, you know, give me a healing potion or something and look the other way? (cough cough) I'll just stay out of your way. If you do this, I can totally make it worth your while. (cough) How about it? How about we team up? You and me?"

Push-ta looked annoyed, "Why should I trust you? You worked for Manshoon."

She smiled at that, "Yeah. But Manshoon is dead isn't he. His plan has failed and he isn't my boss any more. The Zhentarim is going to revert to the status quo. I'm going to need someone on my side. I'd rather it be you. (cough)."

Push-ta scowled at her. He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. He called out to the others, "Hey everyone, guess who is still alive!"

"What are you going to do with her?" asked Etlenda.

"I'm going to take her to the city watch, obviously." he replied.

Vevette exclaimed, "Oh, come on!"

"I'll go ahead and take her in and come back with some more city watch to clean up all this mess. Sound good?"

Tempus chimed in, "Go ahead. Meanwhile, I'll notify the Blackstaff and the rest of Force Grey."

Push-ta hauled Vevette up the stairs and out of the mausoleum. It was after midnight and still snowing.

Vevette pleaded with the half-orc, "The city watch won't do anything, you know. Unless we got into a fight in the street or attacked a noble, they won't interfere."

"I know that." said Push-ta. He put her down, reached into coat, and gave her a small vial, "Drink this. You'll feel better."

Vevette could barely stand. She took the vial and considered Push-ta's motives. She removed the stopper and drank the honey-colored contents. She coughed for a moment and her wounds magically healed.

"Hey! Thanks!" 

"Yeah. Whatever. If you ever need to find me, I live in Trollskull Manor. Stay out of trouble."

She grabbed Push-ta by the head and back and gave him a long deep kiss.

She finally let go, saying, "See you around, handsome!" She gave Push-ta a little salute then turned and ran, disappearing into the snowy darkness. 

Second Epilogue

A week later, Winterfire joined the others for breakfast. She was very confused.

"Hey, its the weirdest thing! Why is my hair red? Why is there a huge chest full of gold in my room? Also why is there a strange stone next to my bed? It's got three little eyes on it."

Etlenda said, "That's the Stone of Golorr. You had it all last week. You said you were taking it to a play then disappeared for a week. 

"Huh. I don't remember any of that."

"What is the last thing you remember?" asked Etlenda, concerned.

"We were staying in the House of Inspired Hands. I kind of remember bits and pieces after that. Something about a vault?"

Tempus asked, "Do you remember Push-ta admitting to everyone that he was in the Zhentarim? How about the gold dragon?"

Winterfire's eyes grew wide, "Push-ta's in the Zhentarim?? NO! DID YOU SAY GOLD DRAGON??"

Etlenda helped Winterfire sit down, "The Stone of Golorr feeds on information. It must have erased all the information you gave to it from your mind. Sit down. We've got a lot to tell you."

- The End of Waterdeep Dragon Heist -

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor will Return in

Waterdeep - The Dungeon of the Mad Mage

But first - I'll be returning to Overlords of Dimension-25 for a few weeks to playtest my new module: Hypergates of the Lost Empire!

The Mausoleum - Waterdeep Dragon Heist, Chapter 12

Push-ta trudged through the driving snow. The streets of Waterdeep were deserted. No one dared come out in this weather. But he had a job - find a jeweler and purchase one or more expensive gemstones. 

He had walked a mile from the Yawning Portal to the Trade Ward through knee-deep snow and it was still coming down. None of the jewelers were open for business. 

This was no good. He needed those jewels. 

He looked in one of the shops. It was dark. No one was around. The door was locked. He knew the jewels were kept in a safe in the back. He looked up and down the street - absolutely deserted. He was completely alone and unobserved.

He picked the lock on the door and used a metal shim to remove the bar on the inside. He pushed open the door and quickly moved inside out of the snow. 

He silently made his way to the back room and found the safe. He crouched and went to work. Soon the safe was open and the jewels were his for the taking.

He looked around. No one saw him. 

He picked out only the jewels he needed and left behind a heavy bag filled with one thousand golden dragons - fair payment for the gem he took. He wrote a quick note on some scratch paper apologizing for any inconvenience. He closed the safe and locked the door on his way out.

CHAPTER 12

"THE MAUSOLEUM"

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor:

• Winterfire of House Silverspear - Chaotic Good Moon Elf Noble and Fighter. The daughter of elven diplomats, raised among dwarves.
  
• Etlenda, aka "Exile" - Neutral Good Eladrin Outlander and Paladin. Exiled from the Feywild and raised by wolves. While exploring the Feydark he crossed over into the Underdark and emerged into the Mortal World.
• Tempus Vegvisir - Lawful Good Human Trade Sheriff and Cleric of Helm. Husband and Father.
• Push-ta Tok - Neutral Half-Orc Former Smuggler and Rogue, secret member of the Zhentarim.
• Kem Hearthfire - Chaotic Good Half-Orc Former Gladiator Priestess of Gond.

DM- The Mystics of Trollskull Manor gain entry to the subterranean vault of dragons far beneath the city of Waterdeep. They must overcome deadly traps, devious puzzles, and a guardian dragon in order to find the embezzled hoard of Dagult Neverember, the corrupt and disgraced former Open Lord of Waterdeep in exile.

In the scene above, I was trying to set up a scenario whereby Push-ta could be a proper thief without fear of failure or consequence. Push-ta's player didn't take the bait. To my surprise, he left fair payment for the gems. I rolled my eyes and declared, "Worst thief ever!"

Old Xoblob's Shop

The rest of the Mystics of Trollskull Manor reviewed the remaining items required to open the hidden vault - an eyestalk from a beholder and a unicorn.

After some discussion about their various options - 

DM - and, frankly, some over-thinking and over-planning on behalf of the players

- the remaining team bundled up and trudged through the snow towards the Dock Ward to visit Old Xoblob's Curio Shop. The shop was closed and dark but a light was on in the third story window. Tempus sent his familiar, Edward the Bat, to tap on the window and get Xoblob's attention.

The old deep gnome Xoblob opened the window. Purple smoke poured out and evaporated in the cold air. Xoblob's eyes were bloodshot and half-closed. 

Tempus called up to him in an attempt to get his attention. The distracted Xoblob, for mysterious reasons, thought the voice was coming from his window sill. Xoblob was convinced that he was conversing with tiny invisible people standing on his window sill. Tempus managed to convince him to open the shop but Xoblob worried he wouldn't be able to safely transport the tiny invisible beings downstairs. Tempus explained that they would magically grow and become visible if he went downstairs and opened the front door.

Xoblob opened the shop. The hairless deep gnome wore plum colored robes and nine purple eyes were painted onto his cheeks. 

Etlenda and Tempus requested a favor - they wished to borrow one of the eyestalks of the giant stuffed beholder suspended in the front window. Xoblob was hesitant but persistence eventually paid off. He agreed to detach one eyestalk so long as it was returned whole.

The Unicorn

"How in the heck are we going to get a unicorn?" inquired Tempus.

"Well, its a dwarven riddle and I know dwarves pretty well. It's probably not literal. We could probably use a statue of a unicorn." replied Winterfire.

"Xoblob, do you have a unicorn statue in your shop?" asked Etlenda.

DM - asked the players to roll a d20. If they rolled low, no. If they rolled high, sure why not.

The gnome looked around confused and patted his pockets, "No, I don't think so."

"Do you know where we might get one?" pressed Etlenda.

DM - another d20.

Xoblob rubbed his bare chin, "Hmmm. Not that I know of. What were you looking for again?"

Tempus threw up his hands, "This is useless. I personally know the Blackstaff. Maybe she can summon one for us?"

Etlenda held up his finger, "Wait, I have a better idea. My contact with the Emerald Enclave is nearby. They may be able to help us."

Etlenda led the party down the street to Phaulkonmere, a great walled villa in the Southern Ward. There he was greeted by the dour druid Melannor Fellbranch. 

They asked Melannor if he could summon a unicorn. He admitted that it was beyond his power, but not beyond that of the lady of the Phaulkonmere estate - Lady Jeryth. 

Melannor led the party into the courtyard of the villa. The courtyard had been converted into an arboretum with a glass ceiling. The entire courtyard was filled with trees, plants, shrubs, vines, and vegetation from across Faerun. Birds flittered about. Small reptiles and mammals crept about in the undergrowth.

A disembodied voice spoke directly into the minds of all those present, "Greetings visitors! Melannor, who have you brought me today?"

Melannor introduced Etlenda, one of her agents in the Emerald Enclave. Etlenda, in turn, introduced his companions.  The disembodied voice introduced herself as Lady Jeryth Phaulkonmere.

Etlenda asked if Lady Jeryth could summon a unicorn that they might borrow. Lady Jeryth laughed. That power was beyond even her capability.

Etlenda then asked if maybe she could at least create a stone representation of a unicorn. She asked why they might need such an odd thing.

Etlenda explained the situation, telling her about the stolen money, the secret vault, and their quest to keep the money out of the wrong hands. Etlenda said they would make sure that the stolen money was returned to the proper authorities in the city. But the vault protecting the treasure could only be unlocked if they produced expensive gemstones, the eyestalk of a beholder, and a unicorn.

Lady Jeryth laughed, "That sounds like a dwarven riddle! Your cause seems noble and just. Yes. I will make for you a stone unicorn."

A nearby standing stone, four feet high and covered in moss and ancient carvings, began to twist and reshape. It soon took on the shape of a stylized unicorn carved in rough moss-covered stone.

"You may take this gift. I look forward to hearing of the outcome of this quest."

Etlenda gave his sincere thanks.

Tempus and Winterfire together hefted the stone and carried it back out into the snow. 

"Where to now?" asked Kem.

"Well, we're supposed to meet back up with Push-ta at the Yawning Portal at dusk." said Etlenda.

The Yawning Portal

The Mystics reunited with Push-ta at the Yawning Portal. There they discussed their further plans.

They decided to find and enter the mausoleum that very night. Winterfire knew that her bond with the Stone of Golorr would prevent anyone from benefitting from a good night's sleep so they decided to pack as much into the day as possible.

They were concerned by the warning from the Stone that the treasure was guarded by a gold dragon and that the dragon would only relinquish the treasure to Dagult Neverember or his authorized agent.

They considered finding some way of somehow making contact with Dagult Neverember and becoming authorized agents. They reviewed what they knew about the one agent they had encountered - posthumously - the gnome Dalakhar who had died in the fireball blast on his way to their house. Dalakhar had come to them at the recommendation of Dagult's son, Renaer Neverember. Could Renaer be the key?

As it happened, Renaer was carousing in the Yawning Portal that very night. They called him over. The Mystics rescued Renaer from the hands of Zhentarim kidnappers and the wealthy playboy was happy to see them. Renaer was the one who told them about his estranged father's stolen treasure and the missing Stone of Golorr. He was friendly and gregarious. He greeted them warmly. 

They quickly arranged to move into a back room for privacy. There they told Renaer that they had located the vault and the stone. They asked him how they might become agents of his father.

Renaer was offended. He had not spoken with his father for nearly ten years and had no interest in his father's dealings. He spent as much time as he could away from his family estate because it was crawling with his father's spies. There was no way he would put any of them in contact with anyone related to his father!

DM - it also led to some spectacular logical gymnastics when the players made the case "if the treasure can only be relinquished to his father or his father's agents - then could Renaer make them one of HIS agents?" 

I, as Renaer, said, "I don't follow. I am not my father. I want nothing to do with my father. How would me making you one of MY agents make you one of my father's agents?"

Their case deflated, "Yeah, it doesn't really make any sense. Never mind."

"So, when are you going to find the treasure?" asked Renaer.

"Tonight," replied Tempus.

"Oh. Well. I'm not doing anything else tonight. Do you mind if I join you?"

The team looked at each other and considered the offer, "Yeah, sure. Why not?" 

The City of the Dead

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor, along with their friend Renaer Neverember, donned their armor and weapons, covered themselves with winter cloaks, and trudged through the night snow to the City of the Dead. 

They stopped at the closed gates of the cemetery while a guard summoned Sir Ambrose Everdawn, guardian of the City of the Dead. 

Renaer asked, "Ah, so the vault is hidden under an old mausoleum. Classic. Which mausoleum?"

Etlenda replied, "The Brandath family."

Renaer became suddenly serious and stared intently at Etlenda. The color drained from his face as his usually carefree grin became a stern grimace, "Who did you say?"

Etlenda looked at Tempus, wondering what he said wrong, "The- Brandath family?"

Tempus said, "Is something wrong?"

"Are you kidding me right now? No - are you for real because this isn't funny."

"Oh, right." murmured Winterfire, suddenly making the connection.

"What is it?" said Etlenda.

"That's my mother's family mausoleum. My mother is interred there. My jack-ass father hid the entrance to the vault where he stashed his stolen gold beneath my mother's grave."

"Oh! That makes sense." said Tempus.

Etlenda said, "Well, according to this map of famous mausoleums and graves I bought last tenday, the mausoleum should be located-"

"I - KNOW - where - my - mother's - grave - is!" said Renaer through clenched teeth. 

"Look, I'm sorry. We didn't know." said Tempus, compassionately.

"I knew, but I forgot." whispered Winterfire.

A moment later, Sir Everdawn arrived. Entrance into the City of the Dead was forbidden after sunset. Etlenda and Tempus explained their mission. The cemetery guardian made an exception for them and allowed them to enter. 

DM - Etlenda's player was so proud he remembered he purchased the map of celebrity graves way back in Chapter 7.

The Mausoleum

The City of the Dead was beautiful covered knee-deep in snow. The light of hovering driftglobes gave the place a serene glow. They approached the ancient mausoleum of the Brandath family. Massive oak trees, barren of leaves, surrounded the marble structure.

As they approached, the oak trees spun around, twisting and creaking, their bare branches making a soft shuffing sound. The oak tree near the entrance presented a wooden face.

It spoke, its voice raspy like bark, "Beware, intruders. It is after dark and only those of Brandath blood are welcome here! Begone!"

Renaer stepped forward and removed his hood to show his face, "It is okay. I apologize for the late hour. I have come to pay my respects. They are with me."

"Very well, young master Renaer. You may pass. Might I add, Your mother was a lovely person."

DM - The treant added, "Well done. You have successfully bypassed this encounter."

Renaer opened the locked entrance and the team stepped inside out of the snow. 

The mausoleum floor was decorated with the crest of the Brandath family. There were four sarcophagi. The two raised sarcophagi contained Renaer's maternal grandparents. The other two contained his mother and his aunt. He paused to consider his mother's resting place.

A set of stairs in the back led down.

"Where does that go?" asked Tempus.

"Into the catacomb. Eventually, the remains up here will be moved into a niche down there to make way for others up here. I never go down there. I don't think anyone has ever gone down there."

Etlenda nodded, "Okay, everybody form up. Ready? Let's go."

The Catacombs

Etlenda led the way down the stairs into the subterranean catacombs. As his foot landed upon the bottom step, he saw a small magical flash, like a visual "pop", followed by an explosive burst of arcane fire. 

The blast caught everyone. Etlenda and Kem helped everyone reform and regroup. Etlenda said, "Okay. Wasn't expecting that. Change of plan. Push-ta, you go first and check for any more traps."

Push-ta said, "Renaer, could you maybe join me up front? This is your family crypt."

Renaer squinted, "Its very dark. How can all of you see without torches or lanterns?" 

Tempus said, "Hold on. I can take care of that." He said a prayer and touched his palm to Renear's forehead. Renaer could suddenly see through the darkness. 

"Amazing!" Renaer joined Push-ta at the head of the column. 

They moved forward slowly down the passage. Push-ta carefully examined every flagstone and stone block as he advanced. Niches in the wall held ancient stone sarcophagi. 

The passage turned right. Ahead of them the passage was collapsed while a side passage led to the left. 

Push-ta reported the development, "Looks like a dead end ahead."

Tempus said, "I have an idea. I'll wager that collapse is an illusion."

Push-ta held up his hand to interrupt the road warden, "Hold on. Let me try something." He carefully advanced towards the collapse and nudged it with his boots. "Just as I thought. It's an illusion."

"Good thinking, Push-ta!" said Etlenda. Tempus glared at the eladrin.

The Three Keys

Beyond the illusory collapse was an ancient stairway leading down. The stairs turned back on itself over and over as it descended hundreds of feet beneath the surface. The stairs eventually led to a set of massive adamantine doors of dwarven manufacture with no hinges.

A brass plaque on the doors bore an inscription in dwarven.

Push-ta asked, "Can anyone read dwarven?"

Etlenda turned, "Winterfire?"

Winterfire replied, dryly, "Well, I was raised among dwarves in a dwarven freehold, so no. Sorry."

"What?"

"Of COURSE I can. Hold on."

The plaque read: 

THE THREE KEYS. BRING THEM FORTH

The team presented their items before the door - the eyestalk of a beholder, gems valued at 1000gp, and the statue of a unicorn.

The doors parted, sliding apart and disappearing into the walls. 

The Riddle of the Doors

They entered into a large hall with a high arched ceiling, at least 90 feet tall. Six massive pillars supported three crumbling bridges that crossed the room from left to right sixty feet above. Rubble lay on the ground. 

Twelve more adamantine doors lined the walls at ground level. Each set of doors was marked with a different dwarven pictogram:

1. Orc
2. Wealth
3. Power
4. Kin
5. Clan
6. Mead
7. Children
8. Rock
9. Beard
10. Laugh
11. Luck
12. Song

A plaque on a nearby pillar contained a poem in ancient dwarvish script:

Doors abound, doors all around.

Beyond is danger or treasure found,

Approach to answer, open to speak,

Our greatest love hides what you seek.

"Oh, easy," said Etlenda, "What do dwarves love most?"

"Clan," said Winterfire.

"What? No, Kin!" argued Etlenda. 

The rest of the team each had different opinions but eventually everyone came to agree with Etlenda - everyone but Winterfire who continued to insist the answer was "Clan".

"Let's open both doors and see who's right." said Etlenda.

Etlanda and Tempus opened the doors labeled "Kin" revealing a corridor beyond. The team entered carefully and quickly learned that the corridor also connected to the next door - "Clan".

"Hey! You were both right!" said Tempus, helpfully. 

They far wall contained a fantastic mosaic fresco decorating the wall behind a set of stairs ascending to the next level. 

"I don't like it. Up seems like it should be the wrong direction," muttered Push-ta.

The Hall of Moradin

The emerged at the top of the stairs in a long hall. The right hand wall was decorated with more mosaic frescoes. The imagery told the tale of Moradin - chief god of the dwarves - creating new dwarves out of black metal and diamonds. A section of the mosaic at the far end had collapsed, exposing cracked and crumbling rock. 

Three exits on the left led to the three crumbling bridges in the large hall. 

Push-ta approached the crumbling wall and noted several large cracks large enough to wedge one's fingers into. He carefully examined the cracks and poked his fingers into one.

Suddenly a viscous black pudding-like substance poured out the crack and onto Push-ta. Push-ta reeled in horror as the amorphous black substance burned his skin with acid. The pudding poured onto the floor where it formed itself into a muddy protean mass.

Tempus sent a fiery bolt into the mass while Push-ta reactively attacked with his crossbow. Kem called down divine flame with little effect. Etlenda drew his shortbow and sent an arrows into the substance from a distance. Rennaer drew his rapier and pierced its thick hide.

Winterfire raced to Push-ta's side and attacked the black pudding - lightning arced from her fingers and splayed over the quivering mass. The lightning seemed to heal the substance, repairing tears and punctures in its thick skin.

The rest of the team continued to attack the creature as it lashed at them with ropy pseudopods. Every close attack resulted in a splash of burning acid.

Winterfire drew her sword and slashed at the mass, cutting into two. 

"That did it!" she declared.

"No! Wait!" warned Etlenda.

The two halves of the mass reformed and continued to attack - now there were TWO!

The team continued to attack with crossbow, short-bow, hammers, rapiers, and sacred flame.

The acid pseudopods hammered Winterfire and Tempus, damaging their armor with each hit. 

Winterfire fought desperately against the black stuff. She slashed her sword across it again, once more splitting it into two. NOW THERE WERE THREE! 

"Sorry!" she said.

"Dammit, Winterfire! Stop helping it!" shouted Tempus.

Winterfire was near death so she retreated from the amorphous thing. Kem said a prayer of healing to bolster her.

The constant barrage of strikes and missiles from the rest of the party was soon enough to rupture the thick skins containing the acid pudding and the things collapsed into dead piles of burning goo.

The Hammer and Anvil

The three crumbling bridges each led to an adamantine door. Each door bore a dwarvish pictogram. The first depicted a dwarvish god with large round eyes rimmed with fire. The second bore the symbol for - the meaning was ambiguous and could read "knowledge" or "secret". The third bore a divine symbol of a hammer and anvil. 

Push-ta carefully crossed the crumbling bridge to the hammer and anvil. Part of it gave way behind him but he managed to keep his footing. The door was stuck closed. Tempus made his way across the bridge, causing another section to collapse behind him. Together the pair were able to force the door open which gave an magical "Pop!" as it did so, breaking the spell that kept it closed. 

Within was a large iron anvil covered with cobwebs. The walls were adorned with mosaic murals depicting dwarven smiths at work. However, this room was no forge. Dwarvish runes were inscribed on the anvil and on the walls. Winterfire was unwilling to chance the crumbling bridge and cross over to help translate.

Kem managed to cross over the bridge to help investigate the room. She looked at the wall and concluded that this was a holy place. She noticed that the hammer wielded by the dwarves in the mural was a real hammer embedded in the wall. She withdrew the hammer.

"This HAS to be struck onto the anvil, I mean, it's GOT to!" she said.

"Okay, hold on, let us get out of the room in case its a trap," said Tempus. Tempus and Push-ta withdrew from the chamber.

She struck the hammer onto the anvil and the sound echoed through the underground chamber like the peal of a bell. Kem felt invigorated - inspired - ready to take on anything!

They left the chamber and returned across the bridge to rejoin the others.

Old Fire Eyes

Push-ta went to the first door, the old with fiery eyes. This door opened with no effort. Inside he found a metal trap door in the floor. A ten-foot statue of an intimidating dwarf stood behind the trap door - his bulging eyes wreathed in flame. He bore an axe which he held pointing downward toward the trap door. His eyes glared as if daring anyone to open the door.

Push-ta, with an abundance of caution and paranoia, used a minor magical cantrip to run rope through the pull-ring on he door, tying it into a knot. He then ran the rope around the statue's neck to act as a fulcrum. He grabbed the rope and pulled with all his might - but the door would not budge.

Push-ta got onto his hands and knees and crawled towards the trap door. He held out his hands to see if he could feel any heat from the metal. He could not. He gently touched it.

Beams of fiery radiance shot forth from the statue's eyes, burning Push-ta. The half-orc screamed in pain but told the others to stay away - he'd figure this out.

He looked for a way to turn the statue around but its base melded with the stone floor - it could not be turned. He then took off his armor and his undershirt and draped the shirt over the statue's eyes. He nervously reached out and touched the trap door again - but nothing happened. Covering the statue's eyes prevented it "seeing" his transgression.

He donned his armor and tried once more to open the door - but no amount of strength would cause it budge.

He called Tempus over the bridge. Tempus joined Push-ta and was appraised of the situation. Tempus cast a spell to open the stuck door. The metal door popped out of its recessed niche in the floor, revealing nothing but stone floor.

After checking to ensure that the stone floor wasn't another illusion, they returned across the bridge and shrugged. 

Dumathoin's Secret

The center bridge had already collapse, leaving only a fifteen foot gap that one had to leap across. Everyone in the party made the jump easily except for Rennaer - "I don't think I can make that one. How about I just wait here for you guys?"

Etlenda forced open the stuck door with another magical "pop!". Within were four suits of rusted plate armor sized for a dwarf. Each faced the center of the room. A plaque on the far wall read, in dwarvish: 

"A secret never before told will part Dumathoin's lips."

"Easy," said Etlenda, "Someone has to tell a secret. Who wants to go first."

Push-ta raised his hand, "I've got one." He stepped the center of the room, "I have a secret tattoo."

Nothing happened.

Etlenda, Tempus, and Winterfire looked at each confused. Winterfire said, "Uh. So? That's not a good secret."

Etlenda said, "Right. You've got to do better than that."

DM - I stepped in and said, "Yeah, that's weak. You need to reveal a real secret - something they don't know that will affect how they think about you."

Push-ta, a little defensive, said, "Okay! Okay! Here goes."

Push-ta took a deep breath.

"The tattoo is a black winged snake - a mark of my affiliation with the Zhentarim."

The stone floor parted, revealing descending spiral stairs. Winterfire happened to be standing on that spot and tumbled down a few flights, hitting her head. She called up, "I'm okay!"

DM - The players, who knew all this, exclaimed in fake shock and alarm, "What? Oh no! That can't be possible!"

Etlenda expressed concern as they descended the stairs, "Wait, you work for the bad guys? For Manshoon?"

"No! No!" said Push-ta, "You see, there are two factions within the Zhentarim. One wants to help us - they're good guys. Manshoon's factions are renegades - they're trying to disrupt everything. My faction is trying to stop Manshoon and his faction."

As they descended, Winterfire telepathically communicated the knowledge of Push-ta's affiliation to the Stone of Goloor.

The stairs descended at least a hundred feet deeper and emerged into a hallway to the left and right. The left hallway ended in a right turn. The right hallway ended in a left turn. They chose the left.

Barok Clanghammer

The party emerged into a massive hall with a thirty-foot high vaulted ceiling supported by columns. Shafts of magical sunlight shone through glass panels in the ceiling. 

Kem pointed out, "That can't be actual sunlight. It was not even midnight when we came down here, plus we're hundreds of feet below ground, and the floor of the bridge chamber should be directly above that ceiling. 

The walls of the chamber contained twelve ten-foot by ten-foot niches. Two of the niches on the far wall were piled with treasure - one with gold and the other with a smaller pile of gemstones.

They head a clacking noise of wood on stone. An ancient dwarf with a mane of golden hair and along golden beard appeared from behind one the columns. He was dressed in long robes and bore a tall staff. The top of the staff split into two tines, each tine coiled around the other. Each tine ended with the carving of a dragon - the two dragons appeared to be fighting each other.

Etlenda muttered, "Ah  huh."

The wizened old dwarf spoke, his voice carried through the chamber as if amplified by his own echoes, "Greetings! My name is Barok Clanghammer. Who might you be? "

Etlenda spoke on behalf of the group, "Sir. We apologize for intruding." Etlenda introduced himself and the others.

The dwarf stroked his beard and smiled, "I wasn't expecting anyone. As you can see, the place is a mess. Perhaps you should come back later, after I've tidied up a bit."

DM - I told the group they could try to reason with the dragon, lie to the dragon, or fight the dragon. If they chose reason - they had to succeed at three Persuasion skill checks before two failures. Lying required three Deception skill checks before two failures. And fighting was fighting. 

Etlenda, bolstered by his companions, explained their quest - honestly and openly - and asked the "dwarf" - for although the disguise wasn't fooling anyone Etlenda played along - if he had seen a dragon named Aurinax with whom they had come to speak.

DM - Open and honest and respectful. Make a Persuasion check. Since the other's are helping, Etlenda made the check with Advantage. 24 on the first roll!

Barok said he was a good friend of Aurinax and explained that the dragon was bound by oath to defend the treasure against anyone who would come to take it. He warned Etlenda and the others against attempting to steal the treasure for such duplicitous action would displease Aurinax greatly. Barok explained that the dragon would only relinquish the treasure to the Open Lord Dagult Neverember or those sent by Dagult Neverember. The oath was sealed with a powerful gift and the dragon was bound by that oath.

Etlenda, with Kem's assistance, made a persuasive legal case that the gold was stolen from the city of Waterdeep - it never belonged to Dagult Neverember and therefore never had the authority to ask the dragon Aurinax to guard it. 

DM - Good logicla point. Make another Persuasion check with Advantage. 22 on the second roll!

The dwarf rubbed his long beard thoughtfully. He countered that, by that same logic, they had no authority to take the gold themselves.

They explained to the dwarf that they wished only to return the gold to the ruling council of Waterdeep - where it  belonged. There it would be lawfully returned to the city's treasury. This was a fact on which the dragon and the dwarf could rely for Etlenda was incapable of telling a lie.

DM - Another good tactic. Make another Persuasion check with Advantage. 22 on the third roll!

Aurinax Revealed

The dwarf laughed. He stepped back and raised his hands. He became engulfed in pillar of golden light and transformed into a massive golden-scaled dragon.

"Behold mortals! The ruse is broken. I am in fact Aurinax the dragon! You have convinced me that my pact with Dagult Neverember was based on false pretenses. My obligation is nullified. You may take the golden portion of the treasure. But leave the gems to me as recompense for my decade of inconvenience. Likewise, I will retain the Dragonstaff of Ahghairon. Dagult was a fool to bargain with it. Now it is mine. You may take the gold - but you must return it to the Lords of Waterdeep as you promised."

A Hoard of Trouble

The team looked upon a massive heap of gold and wondered how they would transport it back to the surface. 

"I've got an idea," said Tempus, "I recently borrowed a magical Helm of Teleportation from the Blackstaff. Let me use it to teleport to her and ask for her help."

"Good thinking!" said Etlenda.

Tempus concentrated on teleporting - the helmet disappeared but Tempus remained.

"Was- was that supposed to happen?" asked Etlenda, confused.

Tempus rubbed his head, "Uh. No?"

Aurinax said, "Oh, didn't you know? This entire vault is magically warded against scrying magic or teleportation magic. The ward probably disrupted the helmet's teleportation."

"Dammit," cursed Tempus, "It was a one-shot item."

"Sorry," said the dragon apologetically.

DM - I laughed and laughed. it was kind of mean of me. But the helmet was a free item on loan as part of his faction reward. He always knew that it would teleport home if it were used. I couldn't resist the joke. 

Winterfire said, "Okay, how's this? Lets fill up any bags we can. Tempus and I will go back to the surface and get help to move the gold."

Thus laden with bags of gold - representing barely a handful of the huge pile of gold coins before them - the pair returned to the broken bridge. They lowered the bags with rope down sixty feet to the floor below. They leaped across the gap and rejoined Renear. They told their friend what had transpired below.

The trio returned down the stairs and picked up the bags. Etlenda, Kem, and Push-ta watched from the top of the bridge as the other three made their way towards the entrance to the chamber of doors.

Suddenly six figures emerged from the entrance. They were led by a cloaked figure with a clawed mechanical hand - Manshoon! With him was the failed actor, Agorn Fuoco, and the former pirate, Vevette Blackwater. Behind them were three burly goons.

Vevette saw Push-ta standing on the bridge, smiled, and gave a little wave.

The cloaked figure withdrew his hood, revealing a sullen young man with black hair and ash-gray skin. Agorn said, "See Manshoon? I told you! They'd lead us right to the treasure!"

To be Continued...

The House of Tyranny - Waterdeep Dragon Heist, Chapter 11

Amath Sercent stood before the blazing fireplace, resplendent in the red and black robes of a priestess of Bane. She raised her hands and lifted her face towards the ceiling. Her four acolytes followed suit. 

The five of them stood in a circle around a middle-aged man. The man was manacled at his wrists and ankles and was chained to the floor on his hands and knees - forced to bow in supplication to the dark god of tyranny and destruction. 

The priestess and her acolytes began their chant. The man on the floor, a newspaper editor named Shan Chien, sobbed and pleaded, "No more! Please! I beg of you! No more!"

One of the acolytes noticed a tiny owl perched in one of the arrow-slits overlooking the darkened street outside. The acolyte pointed her finger at the owl and a burst of crimson radiance flared into existence, enveloping the owl with accursed flame. 

CHAPTER 11

"THE HOUSE OF TYRANNY"

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor:

• Winterfire of House Silverspear - Chaotic Good Moon Elf Noble and Fighter. The daughter of elven diplomats, raised among dwarves.
  
• Etlenda, aka "Exile" - Neutral Good Eladrin Outlander and Paladin. Exiled from the Feywild and raised by wolves. While exploring the Feydark he crossed over into the Underdark and emerged into the Mortal World.
• Tempus Vegvisir - Lawful Good Human Trade Sheriff and Cleric of Helm. Husband and Father.
• Push-ta Tok - Neutral Half-Orc Former Smuggler and Rogue, secret member of the Zhentarim.
• Kem Hearthfire - Chaotic Good Half-Orc Former Gladiator Priestess of Gond.

DM- The Mystics of Trollskull Manor storm the ancient tower known as Yellowspire in to stop a dark cult from performing an evil ritual. In so doing they retrieve the Stone of Golorr. This week was pretty fun. The Yellowspire fight was challenging and interesting and roleplaying the Stone of Golorr is a hoot!  

Yellowspire

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor stood outside in the snow-covered street. Some more flakes began to fall. The sun had recently set behind the blanket of white sky. The darkness had that diffuse glow of a wintry landscape at night. 

Before them stood the ancient edifice of Yellowspire, a forty foot tall tower, once the home of a lesser wizard. It was supposed to be abandoned yet warm light shined through the arrow slit windows on the second floor and smoke billowed from the haphazard chimney. 

Winterfrost - who now insisted on being called Winterfire after drinking a magic potion to change her hair color bright red, sent her tiny familiar, T'owl, up to the arrow slit to look inside. She closed her eyes so that she could share the owl's sight.

She saw a room littered with ruined furniture, broken decades ago. A middle-aged man was manacled at his wrists and ankles and chained to the floor, forced to kneel on his hands and knees. He was surrounded by five women - four dressed as religious acolytes and one a priestess. Several black black winged snakes were coiled among the rafters of the ceiling.

One of the acolytes noticed her owl. She pointed at the bird and a small burst of holy flame appeared. The owl barely escaped. She recalled T'owl and told the others what she saw. 

Tempus said, "I've heard enough. We're going in!"

Charge

Tempus ran up to the door but turned to call to Push'ta, "Push'ta, get up here and pick this door!"

Push'ta ran up with his lockpicks ready, but hesitated, "Uh, there's no lock."

Tempus cursed and took a step back. He took a deep breath and prepared to kick the door in.

Winterfrost walked up casually and gently opened the door, "It's not locked."

Tempus and Push'ta exchanged an embarrassed glance. Tempus shrugged. 

Winterfrost ran inside towards the spiral stairs leading up. Etlenda magically appeared in front of her in a puff of silver mist. The pair charged up the stairs together, followed by Tempus and Push'ta.

Kem entered more carefully, guarding the rear.

Grand Mal

The Mystics burst into the room and spread out.  Winterfrost grasped one of the acolytes with a shocking grip spell. Kem said a prayer and a spiritual hammer appeared near one acolyte, smashing her from behind. Kem followed up with her own hammer, knocking the acolyte to the ground.

The priestess snarled, "These infidels have disturbed the holy work of Bane! Kill them my sisters!" 

The acolytes said prayers of their own. One said a prayer of sanctuary over the priestess. Another said a prayer of healing for downed companion, returning her to consciousness. The fourth attacked Etlenda with little effect. 

Meanwhile the flying snakes harried the intruders, attacking before disappearing into the rafters.

The priestess made intricate hand movements and said a prayer. Suddenly the area around her swarmed with ghostly apparitions - spiritual warriors of Bane, the god of Tyranny and Warfare.

The spiritual warriors clashed against Push'ta, seriously wounding him. Push'ta took aim with his crossbow but the sanctuary forced his aim away. He took a breath and overcame the aversion of the miracle of sanctuary, sending a crossbow into the priestess. The crossbow caused her to lose her concentration and interrupt her chant. She screamed and the spiritual warriors disappeared.

DM- Spirit Guardians are NO JOKE! Push'ta took 20 points of damage and was in bad shape. If he hadn't spent his Inspiration to re-roll that Wisdom save to overcome Sanctuary, had he not hit the priestess, and had she not failed her Concentration check, it would have been bad news for the party. He was MVP for the night!

Etlenda slew one of the acolytes with a strike that rang with a clap of thunder. Winterfire followed up with a magical stream of acid that burned away another acolyte. Winterfire then sent her familiar, T'owl, out the arrow slit so that he could fly up and enter the chimney. In so doing she hoped to surprise the priestess from behind. 

Tempus called forth spiritual flame upon his adversaries while his familiar, Edward the Bat, exhaled icy white dragon breath upon the flying snakes. 

The priestess regained her composure and summoned forth another swarm of spiritual guardians.

This time, without the Sanctuary to protect her, Push'ta easily took aim and shot her with another crossbow bolt. This time, the priestess fell dead. The remaining acolytes were soon dispatched and the room was secured.

DM - Push'ta was once again MVP for the second time in as many rounds.

They freed the bound man. His name was Shan Chien. He was the editor of a broadsheet and was critical of the Zhentarim. He had been captured the night before by the acolytes and brought here. The priestess made it clear that he was to be subjected to a painful ritual that would break his will so that he would stop writing stories critical of the Zhentarim. He also revealed that someone named Manshoon was supposed to arrive soon. He said the only Manshoon he knew was the historical founder of the Zhentarim who had died over a hundred year ago.

Push'ta searched the priestess' body and found a smooth stone about the size of a yam. Along the side of the stone were three beady eyes surrounded by wrinkled lids. The eyes blinked and looked at him. A voice in his head whispered, "Feed me." He grimaced and put the stone in a bag.  

Manshoon Appears

The team moved quickly to avoid the imminent arrival of Manshoon. Winterfire had earlier noticed the presence of scaffolding outside the arrow slit windows on the rear of the tower. Everyone squeezed through the slits and moved onto the scaffolding, carefully making their way down the ladders and away from the tower. 

Tempus and Winterfire, however, stayed near the outside of the tower so they could observe the interior through the eyes of their familiars hiding in the rafters. Push-ta maintained a position on the roof of the entrance foyer, watching for any entry through the front door.

A few moments later a cloaked figure emerged into the upstairs chamber through the spiral stairs. Curiously, Push-ta had seen no one enter through the front door. 

The figure spoke in a thin raspy voice, "Amath, I have arrived. Do you have the stone?"

The figure stopped as it surveyed the scene - the dead body of Amath, slain with a crossbow bolt, four dead acolytes, and three frozen flying snakes. "I see." 

The figure crossed the room, stepping over the acolytes. He reached out with a strange mechanical hand and searched Amath's body. It came away empty.

"I was too late." The figure stood up and examined the rest of the room. "This is not the work of Xanathar's Guild. Nor does this appear to be the handiwork of agents of Neverember. This can only be those fools - the so-called Mystics of Trollskull Manor. They will pay for their insolent interference."

The robed figure spun on its heel and fled the room down the stairs. Wintefire's familiar, T'owl, followed from a distance. Push-ta saw no one leave the tower. T'owl flew down into the cellar where it found a table and some cards. There was a closed door in one corner of the cellar. A keyhole on the door indicated a level of security not present elsewhere in the tower. Unable to open the door, Winterfire recalled T'owl.

Winterfire, Tempus, and Push-ta rejoined the others at a nearby station of the City Watch, where Etlenda was reporting the abduction and ensuring the safety of Mister Chien. 

The Stone of Golorr

The party regrouped and planned their next move. It was roughly 9 bells at night. Fearing retribution from Manshoon, they chose not to return home. Instead, Kem requested asylum at the House of Inspired Hands. Despite the late hour, Valetta, the dragonborn priestess of Gond, was happy to assist the group. Kem Hearthfire had recently proven herself invaluable to the Temple of Gond so Valetta was happy to provide sanctuary.

DM - Kem had earned that favor in her recent down-time. Since her Charisma limited her to only one favor at a time, she was happy to be able to cash it in.

That night the party slept in the spartan guest quarters. Winterfire spent her hours meditating with the Stone of Golorr. 

The next morning, the team ate breakfast with the other priests of Gond. They even assisted in testing a new invention - a device worn around the neck with small arms controlled by one's eyes that allowed one to use a knife and fork without using their hands.

DM - I love silly improvised fluff.

After breakfast, the group retired to a meditation cell. Winterfire produced the stone. Push-ta prepared to fight Wintefire should she succumb to mind control or a curse.

The Stone of Golorr spoke to her telepathically, "I require knowledge. Feed me."

Winterfire replied, "Well, that may be a problem. I don't know very much."

The stone sighed, "Ugh. Indeed. You are an idiot. You are useless to me. Read a book or something."

DM - Thus did I roleplay the Stone of Golorr as a grumpy but needy presence that fed on knowledge. He talked like Bat-Dad. Deep secrets of the universe were hearty meals that sated the stone. Mundane trivia and daily facts were tiny candy-like morsels. 

He was fun to roleplay. I would say stuff like, "Winterfire! Winterfire! Read a book for crying out loud! I'm starving!"or "I measure the passage of time in the birth and death of stars. I am eternal. Tell me more about this 'Babysitter's Club' series of novels."

The stone was especially keen on actually getting to see the play from two nights previous. "Winterfire! Winterfire! Take me to the play! I never actually got to see it and I feel cheated!"

Upon her communion with the stone, Winterfire learned several facts:

1. Dagult Neverember sequestered his embezzled treasure in a dwarven vault beneath the City of the Dead. 
2. The entrance into the vault lies within the Brandath family mausoleum.
3. The vault is guarded by a dragon with scales of gold. His name is Aurinax.
4. The dragon wields the Dragonstaff of Ahghairon - his payment for guarding the treasure.
5. The dragon was instructed to guard the treasure until such time as Dagult Neverember or his authorized agents.
6. The entrance to the vault is sealed and can only be opened with three keys. The keys change every tenday. The three current keys that will open the vault are:

• The eyestalk of a beholder
• Gems worth at least 1,000 gp
• a Unicorn

The team considered the list of items before them.

Etlenda said, "I know where we can get the eyestalk."

Push-ta said, "I can get the gems if you all pitch in."

Winterfire said, "The unicorn is tough, but I know the dwarven mindset that created these keys and I have an idea."

To Be Continued

Mistshore - Waterdeep Dragon Heist, Chapter 10

Agorn Fuoco sat waiting for the play to begin. This was his tenth viewing of the performance of Blood Wedding and he was as excited tonight as he was opening night - if not more so for by now he knew the play by heart and he anticipated what was to come. 

His companion, the priestess Amath Sercent, was less enthused. She continued to look around, "I don't see her! She's late! That washed up pirate wench was supposed to deliver the stone tonight!"

"Shh! She'll be here! Don't worry! Just enjoy the production!"

Amath rolled her eyes. She had no interest in the theater. "Why do you like this stupid play so much?"

"Blood Wedding? What's NOT to love? Its a a play about love, jealousy, and death. In the story, a young woman is brought to a castle by a count, only to fall in love with his younger brother, a man of faith. Her betrayal eats away at the jealous count. He murders his brother on his wedding day and pursues the bride, who hurls herself off the castle battlements in despair. The count is cursed by the gods and transformed into a creature of darkness, damned to live in his castle and feed on blood."

Recounting the plot out loud suddenly gave Agorn an idea.

"What? What's that look for?" said Amath through narrowed eyes.

"I just thought of a solution to my problem at home, a solution to what has been holding me back!  A bold act that will sever my ties to my so-called old family and will cement my position within my new family in the Zhentarim! An audatious act that will surely impress Manshoon! It's in the play, you see? It gave me the idea! By the Gods what a masterpiece, like - on so many levels! Yes. Yes, I think I know what I must do."

"Whatever. Shut up. There she is! She looks like she's in a hurry. Ugh, what is she wearing? Here she comes. She'll make the drop and we'll leave. I told my coach driver to be ready."

"We're not staying for the performance?" asked Agorn, dejectedly.

"No! Of course not! Especially if that nautical hussy is being followed. She'll give you the stone and we'll go. Now get ready. Here she comes!" 

CHAPTER 10

"MISTSHORE"

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor:

• Winterfrost of House Silverspear - Neutral Good Moon Elf Noble and Fighter. The daughter of elven diplomats, raised among dwarves.
  
• Etlenda, aka "Exile" - Neutral Good Eladrin Outlander and Paladin. Exiled from the Feywild and raised by wolves. While exploring the Feydark he crossed over into the Underdark and emerged into the Mortal World.
• Tempus Vegvisir - Lawful Good Human Trade Sheriff and Cleric of Helm. Husband and Father.
• Push-ta Tok - Neutral Half-Orc Former Smuggler and Rogue.
• Kem Hearthfire - Chaotic Good Half-Orc Former Gladiator Priestess of Gond.

DM- The Mystics of Trollskull Manor head down to Mistshore in search of Agorn Fuoco. They did well but I made a common DM mistake - I'll post the explanation of my mistake and my apology to my players after the write-up.

Meanwhile...

After the events at the theater, the Mystics of Trollskull Manor returned to their home to rest. 

Push-ta summoned forth a flying snake and sent a message to Davil Starsong asking for more information about Agorn Fuoco - the man to whom Vevette handed the stone. Push-ta received a response the next morning. The message read:

Agorn dreamed of becoming a famous bard but he had no success so he decided to devote himself to the Zhentarim, quickly advancing through the ranks thanks to his puppy like devotion to Manshoon.

Meanwhile, jealous of Etlenda's ability to change his appearance, Winterfrost stopped off at Fala Lefalir's apothecary shop to purchase some magical hair-color potions. She immediately drank one to change her white hair to red.

Mistshore

The team assembled and trudged through the fresh snow towards Mistshore on the other side of Waterdeep. They arrived at the dilapidated neighborhood around mid-morning. Mistshore was a slum that had suffered a large fire a year previous. Much of the neighborhood still lay in charred ruins. The remaining structures were built from partially disassembled ships and boats turned upside down with tarp-like roofs and walls made from canvas sails. The wretchedly poor inhabitants huddled around small fires. Burly toughs leaned against walls on several corners.

The way ahead of them was blocked by a two-horse hire-coach. The coach driver sat impatiently in the driver's seat, rubbing her hands to keep warm.

Push-ta told the others to wait behind the coach. He would scout ahead. He passed his hand over his face and his appearance changed to that of a human, a full foot shorter than his normal 7 foot height but still strikingly tall. Tempus summoned forth his magical bat, Edward, and instructed his familiar to ride on Push-ta's shoulder. In that way, Push-ta could remain in contact with the rest of the team as he explored ahead.

Push-ta took a long route around some nearby structures to get in front of the coach. He walked through the snow-covered neighborhood, listening carefully to conversations and closely observing the attitude of the local toughs.

As he navigated the twisting gaps between the makeshift hovels he overhead a small group of locals mention something about Grinda - that her crazy invention was nearing completion and that she was looking to hire pilots to help her find the treasure. This information piqued Push-ta's interest. 

He also saw a heavily damaged ship. On board the deck were nearly a dozen surly looking mercenaries. He recognized the name - Kraken's Folly. It was the home of a group of freelance mercenaries which the Zhentarim sometimes employed. 

At the end of the alley, located at the end of an old pier, was a rickety workshop. A sign hung outside - Grinda Garloth - Alchemist and Inventor. 

He returned to the others with this information. 

The Coach Driver

The team moved around the waiting coach. Etlenda and Tempus engaged the driver in idle conversation. They learned that her name was Rowan Evenwood. She ran a coach-for-hire out of the Castle Ward. She said she was unavailable as her current fare paid her extra to wait for his return - though she was beginning to be impatient as it was very cold. 

When asked about the fare she said she picked him up at a walled villa in the Castle Ward, brought him here, and that he went off "that way" indicating a direction towards the Kraken's Folly. She also said that she had picked him and a woman up the night before at the theater. She took them back to the walled villa in the Castle Ward and asked her to come back today for this job. 

Rowan gave Tempus her calling card, saying, "If you ever need to hire me, send a messenger to this address with the day and whether you need me first light, mid-morning, high sun, mid-afternoon, etc. I'll be there."

Grinda Garloth

The Mystics of Trollskull Alley deduced that Agorn was meeting with this "Grinda" person to use the Stone of Golorr to help search for "the Treasure". They ventured into the  narrow winding alleys of Mistshore and located Grinda's shop. They heard children throwing snowballs at each other on the ice of the frozen bay beneath the pier. 

They knocked on the door and a woman called out, "Are you here about the advertisement?"

They said yes and soon the door was opened. A woman in her late fifties grinned at them appreciatively. She had unkempt hair, wore goggles atop her head, and a thick leather apron. Her hands were stained with oil and grease and grime. "Welcome! Welcome! Come in! I suppose you'll want to see the machine then!"

Grinda Garloth led them past her messy sleeping room containing a work bench and an unmade bed and into an adjoining workshop. Within the workshop was a large shape covered by a tarpaulin. Grinda paused to build suspense before pulling away the tarpaulin with a flourish. "This- is my apparatus!"

It was a large metal machine with a cylindrical body big enough for two people to sit within. It was supported by six heavy metal legs like crab legs. Two manipulators were folded up beneath the front. Several thick port-holes allowed visibility from within as well as a periscope. 

DM- My players groaned. An Apparatus of Kwalish? AGAIN? They had one in Ghosts of Saltmarsh and didn't really like it. But that was mostly because they all already had the ability to breathe underwater except for the dwarf. He alone got stuck in the Apparatus and it is not designed to be operated by only one person.

Grinda explained that she designed it to scour the bottom of the bay for treasure. She had previously experimented with smaller devices but ran into problems when a large intelligent shark named Obliteros. So she designed this larger armored vehicle. Now she just needed two pilots to test the vehicle - so she had posted the advertisements in the broadsheets. 

She also explained that she didn't have much to offer by way of payment. She had sought funding for her work from the House of Inspired Hands. They denied her the grant she sought because she refused to turn over the finished device to the Temple of Gond. 

Suddenly Grinda recognized Kem. Kem was an acolyte of Gond and a volunteer at the House of Inspired Hands. Grinda became suspicious, accusing Kem of being a spy sent to steal her work!

Kem assured her this was not the case. 

Although Tempus considered the offer. He asked Grinda how she would deal with the bronze dragon that lived in the bay.

"There's a bronze dragon in the bay?" was her reply.

"Yes. His name is Zelifarn," said Tempus.

"How do you know this?"

"I've met him, " was Tempus' confident reply.

"You've met him - at the bottom of the bay. I suppose you did this using magic potions or some such."

"Of course."

"But don't you see?" said Grinda, enthusiastically, "My device is mechanical. It does not rely on magic. Any regular person can pilot my device to the bottom of the ocean. No magic is necessary! It is my dream to create many such machines! Perhaps machines to replace the horse on the roads - or fly from country to country like the giant roc! This is my dream!"

Tempus considered the offer to test the device but was reminded of their mission. 

"Right, of course. Grinda, do you know someone named Agorn Fuoco?"

Grinda rolled her eyes, "Yes. He's a real piece of work that one! Left his poor mother to become an actor or something useless. Never comes back to visit the poor dear. That would be his mother, Marta.  She lives a few houses down." Grinda pointed in the direction of the hovels attached to the base of the hulk of the Kraken's Folly.

"Thanks. We're going to have to say no to your job for now, but we might come back."

"Don't wait too long! I have other applicants, you know!"

A Bit of Matricide

The team made haste to the hovel of Marta Fuoco. The entrance was little more than a dirty curtain. They entered and found a well-dressed man smothering an old woman with a pillow. He picked up his pillow to check if she was still breathing. She wasn't. He smiled, "It is done. I am free!"

Winterfrost leaped across the room, kicking the man away from the old woman and shoving him against the far wall. He was outraged, "How dare you? Don't you know who I am? I'm Agorn Fuoco! ACTOR!"

Tempus ran to the aid of the woman, saying a prayer to spare the dying. 

Push-ta and Kem ran around the outside of the hovel to cover the rear exit. Etlanda covered the main entrance. 

Agorn Fuoco stood up straight, dramatically proclaiming, "You leave me no choice! I will teach you a lesson using the power of - ACTING!" He clutched his heart with his right hand, and thrust forth his left hand into the air. He bellowed, "To BE! Or NOT to be! THAT is the question!" The thunderous wave of his voice pushed against Tempus and Winterfrost with powerful force!

Push-ta countered with a magical shocking grasp attack. 

Tempus said a prayer and a sonorous bell pealed around Agorn. He clutched his head in pain. 

Kem smashed her hammer against the bard's head. "Not the face!" he protested. Kem followed up with a prayer of healing for the old woman. She began to cough and breathe.

Agorn regained his regal composure and pointed his finger towards the entrance, behind Tempus and Winterfrost and Etlenda. He dramatically declared, "Hark! What light through yon window BREAKS!" and the air shattered, splintering wood and causing Winterfrost to feel as if her bones were cracking. 

The team ganged up on the bard, smashing him with hammers and clubs and the flats of their swords. He threw up his hands in surrender, "Okay! Okay! You have bested me! The curtain falls on act one. But surely, I will be saved by deus ex machina in act two!"

Everyone stood still, confused, for a moment. There was silence.

Agorn said again, louder, "I said- SURELY - I WILL BE SAVED BY DEUS EX MACHINA IN ACT TWO!" 

Again, silence.

Agorn shouted, "THAT'S YOUR BLOODY CUE YOU MORONS!"

The team heard the sound of tromping boots through the snow as several groups of surly bruisers appeared from the shadows, drawing swords and crossbows as they moved towards the hovel.

Enter Thugs

The approaching thugs had the hovel surrounded - some sent crossbow bolts at Etlenda at the entrance, forcing him to hide behind his shield. Other thugs circled around the hovel towards the rear entrance. Kem moved to intercept while Push-ta harried them with his own crossbow. 

At that moment, Tempus heard a loud crack and a splash of water followed by the sound of children screaming. He looked out the back and saw that one of the children playing on the ice had broken through and was drowning. 

"Are you kidding me right now?" he said, exasperatedly, as he moved past Kem and climbed down the piling at the corner of the dock to reach the ice.

The road warden moved carefully across the ice and got down on his belly to reach out and grab the drowning boy. He pulled the boy out and dragged him towards the shore where the boy's two friends waited.

Meanwhile, the fight around the hovel had garnered the attention of the mercenaries on the nearby Kraken's Folly. They called out, mockingly, "Oy! Pay us and we'll help you fight!"

The thugs sneered, "Fuck off! We don't need your bloody help!"

Push-ta called up to them, "Hey! I'll pay a dragon for each one of these creeps you kill for us!"

"Yer on!" The mercenaries began peppering the thugs with crossbow bolts. 

Tempus sent his bat, Edward, to fly above and behind the thugs by the rear entrance. To everyone's surprise, the bat exhaled a fan of deadly cold white dragon's breath on the thugs. 

Push-ta killed one of the thugs with his own crossbow. One of the mercenaries shot a bolt into the floor next to Push-ta. Push-ta called up, "Hey! Attack them, not us!"

"Fuck you! You took my kill! You owe me a dragon!"

"The hell I do!" shouted Push-ta.

"Then the way I figure it. If you got all these dragons to pay us for killing these fellas. How about I just kill you and take all those dragons?"

The other mercenaries paused to consider this. 

Push-ta grimaced at the thought. Luckily, he was saved when Edward the bat exhaled another blast of cold dragon breath, killing the last of the thugs.

Fireball

Meanwhile, at the front entrance, Etlenda was holding the line behind his shield as Winterfrost bound and gagged Agorn. 

Etlenda said, "They're moving in. I could use some help up here."

Winterfrost moved next to Etlenda. The tips of crossbow bolts stuck through the thin wooden walls. Winterfrost pulled a necklace out of her pocket. It was a necklace with two red beads that she had taken from the rain barrel after the attack on the street in front of their house.

She kissed the beads and threw them into the street.

The beads exploded in a great burst of flame, killing all the advancing thugs. 

The mercenaries on the deck of the Kraken's Folly instinctively ducked for cover. When it was clear, they rose slowly and began to applaud and cheer. 

The snow was now melted. The pier and several of the makeshift hovels nearby were on fire. People were running in terror. 

Winterfrost stared in awe at the destruction she had wrought.

Etlenda sheathed his sword and put down his shield, "Don't just stand there. You did this! Put the fire out!"

Winterfrost shook herself back to reality, "Oh, right, the hovels."

Clean-up

Winterfrost and Etlenda set about stomping out the fire. Edward the bat blew cold blasts to douse the flames. Winterfrost rescued a destitute couple who were trapped in their burning hovel. Feeling bad for the situation she put them in, she offered them paying jobs as housekeepers at Trollskull Manor.

DM- I unfortunately used the NPCs in the hovel to start a debate with the player - a thing that I acknowledged as a mistake immediately after the game - see below.

Down on the ice, Tempus made a pitch to the children to watch over and help protect Marta Fuoco. The children, being children, showed little interest in the work.

"Street urchins. Would you like to take care of an old lady for me? She's bed-ridden and can't leave her ramshackle hovel in the slums."

The children replied incredulously, "Uh, no? We want to be adventurers like you!" (clacking wooden swords)

Tempus countered, "Well, sure. Well, this is your chance to BE an adventurer like me!"

"Really? Awesome! Do we get to be your squire?"

Tempus said, "Sort of! Okay, to be an adventurer, you have to do the right thing, do what an adventurer would do. And what would an adventurer do?"

The kids replied in unison, "Take all the gold and leave and never come back!"

Etlenda shouted from up on the pier, "They're not wrong!"

A second child said, "Yeah, isn't that what you're about to do?"

The third child said, "Hey, yeah! Why don't YOU stay and take care of the old lady?"

Tempus, loosening his collar, awkwardly cleared his throat and coughed.

DM- again, I used the NPCs to debate with the player - another mistake which I talk about below.

The team brought the bound and gagged Agorn Fuoco back to the waiting coach. They told Rowan that they wanted to hire her to take Agorn to the nearest city watch station, then later to take them home.

On their way to a city watch station in the Castle Ward, they ungagged and interrogated Agorn. Agorn told them that he served Manshoon - the founder of the Zhentarim reborn! Manshoon had plans for taking over the Zhentarim in Waterdeep, and eventually all of Waterdeep. He said he didn't know where the stone was, currently. 

Agorn refused to answer any questions about his accomplices. However, Rowan said that she had done regular work for Agorn and his companion - a woman named Amath Sercent. Amath was the one who lived in the walled villa and typically hired the coach. Rowan said that she often took Amath from her walled villa to an old tower called Yellowspire. 

The team dropped Agorn off at the city watch station. The watch officers asked, "Okay? Who's this guy?"

They explained his crime and how they caught him in the act of trying to kill his mother.

After a short debate about evidence and accusation, the watch took Fuoco into custody.

DM- Again, I must have been in a mood because I inappropriately used the NPC to debate the player's actions. See below.

With that, the Mystics of Trollskull Manor returned home to plan their next move.

To Be Continued...

My DM Mistake

First things first - I do not consider this a big deal or anything. It's just something I noticed I was doing so I want to acknowledge that I realized I did it and I'll try to adjust in the future.

I was punishing my players for success and unnecessarily overcomplicating simple plans.

• Tempus was just trying to get some kids to watch after an old lady in the neighborhood who obviously needed help.
• Winterfrost was just trying to compensate some poor people for the damage his character had done to their ramshackle home and maybe make their life a little better.
• All ya'll were just trying to deliver a bad guy to the proper authorities.

In each instance, I took a simple plan and tried to overcomplicate it with what, in my mind I guess, were mitigating factors that made the action seem implausible.

That was bad-DM'ing and what I SHOULD have done was "Okay, the kids promise to watch the old lady.", "You're offering us a job and willing to pay for damages? Thank you milady!", "We'll see this scumbag gets what he deserves!" and moved on.

I don't know why. 

That's not true, I can think of several possible reasons.

Maybe it was because my personal biases see big social problems like poverty and crime as inherently complicated societal issues that are unsolvable by simple solutions so I reacted to simple solutions with knee-jerk implausibility.  

Maybe because I'm seeing everything through the viewpoint of the NPCs so my brain is used to thinking what THEY'RE thinking, which is  often more complicated and nuanced than what the players are thinking because the players don't have all the info.  

Maybe I was just in kind of a weird mood that night. I don't know. 

But this is D&D and the players and their characters are the stars of the story and they should be rewarded for decisive action with decisive results, not push-back from the DM - complex social issues be damned! 

I'm not saying my push-back was WRONG, mind you -

• those kids just want to run around and play swords - they absolutely would NOT want to spend their day watching after an old lady instead of playing, even if they were paid. I mean, come on, they're like 10 year old kids!
• the poor couple whose house was nearly burned down probably either lack the ability or have no desire to work for rich people in the North Ward - there could be a million reasons why they're poor, ranging from personal history or choices to complex and indirect societal factors - and they might have every reason to be suspicious of this stranger putting out a fire then offering them a job - from their point of view that would be random and frightening
• You can't just drop a prisoner off at the city watch and say "This guy committed a crime!" with zero evidence. Usually, in this kind of setting, you make an accusation against the person and present your case to the magistrate. You might say "He's a witch!". The watch first evaluates, "is this a plausible accusation?" If so, they'll throw the accused in a cell, interrogate and torture them (torture's probably off the table in Waterdeep), then they'll have a trial in which the accuser makes their case using logic, evidence, witnesses, etc. Simply saying "I saw him do it" might not hold up. You need someone NOT making the accusation serve as a witness. 

I'm saying I shouldn't have pushed back DURING THE GAME. It absolutely ruined any sense of accomplishment and damaged the flow and pacing of the game.

And for doing that, I apologize and I'll try not to do it in the future.