The Waning Confidence of Warlord Azrok - Dungeon of the Mad Mage, Chapter 19

 

The besieged and leaderless forces of Xanathar's Guild held out for a week against the return of the Thirteen. The one restored flameskull found and restored another, and those two restored still others. Soon all thirteen flameskulls were returned to power and directed their magics against the humans, bugbears, duergar, and gargoyles hiding within the fortress on Skull Island.

Once Xanathar's Guild had been routed and the fortress liberated, the people of Skullport celebrated, though the stern appearance of the Thirteen served as an ominous reminder who was in charge. 

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor took their leave of Skullport. They returned to their quest to seek the depths of Undermountain - to find and defeat the Mad Mage and earn their wishes. 

They followed a path back to the ruins of the dwarven city once known as Stromkulduhr. The city was bisected by a collapsed ceiling. One half the city had been occupied by the Legion of Azrok - goblins, bugbears, and hobgoblins ruled by a military warlord. The other half of the city had in recent months been taken by forces of drow. Recently, however, the drow had been driven from the city by the Mystics of Trollksull Manor.

The Mystics arrived at the checkpoint - their approach heralded by the screams of sentry mushrooms known as shriekers. The Mystics were welcomed as heroes - their actions against the drow had become famous! They were to be taken to an audience with Warlord Azrok immediately.

The Mystics were taken into what appeared to be an armed camp - hobgoblins practiced combat drills, bugbears wrestled, goblins scurried about like unruly cats under the frustrated leadership of their hobgoblin commanders. They were taken to a building and given passports. A goblin clerk bit the thick leather sheets of the passport - the impression of his teeth serving as a kind of stamp or signature. 

The characters were brought to a large house wherein sat Warlord Azrok and his retinue. Hogoblins milled about discussing strategy. Bugbear guards loomed at the doorway. An elderly hogoblin woman wearing long robes stood near Azrok, studying the room. 

Azrok himself sat hunched in his throne. He gazed at his feet. He occasionally stared at something a thousand feet away and sighed. 

CHAPTER 19

"THE WANING CONFIDENCE

OF WARLORD AZROK"

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor:

• Winterfrost 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 "Bearbite" Tok - Neutral Half-Orc Former Smuggler and Rogue, secret member of the Zhentarim.
• Kem Hearthfire - Chaotic Good Half-Orc Former Gladiator Priestess of Gond. 
• Randall - Chaotic Good Human Scout and Smuggler. The child of minor nobles slain by Manshoon - or one of his duplicates, he now leads smugglers down the River Sargauth to Skullport.
• Glom the Wretched, aka "Hu-Man Patty Johnson" - Chaotic Neutral Goblin NPC, former thief and guide to the Arcane Chambers.

DM - The group FINALLY descends to level 4. I also discover this week that my hardcover book is missing pages 65-96, which is most of Level 4 and 5. I have already submitted a ticket to WotC.

Azrok

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor were introduced to Warlord Azrok. They received hearty cheers and a round of applause from the other hobgoblin officers. The woman behind Azrok smiled and nodded. Azrok simply waved his hand dismissively, "Fine, what do they want?"

The Mystics explained that they were the season's newest contestants in Halaster's challenge and requested simply to be directed towards the nearest passage leading down into Undermountain.

Azrok paid them little attention. He showed little interest and eventually admitted he did not care. 

Lurkana 

The elderly woman interrupted, thanking the Mystics for their recent work against the drow. She asked if they would be willing to speak with her privately about a sensitive matter.

They agreed and were led to a nearby building. The woman introduced herself as Lurkana, mother of Azrok. She explained that her son had been out of sorts lately. A dagger, a very special dagger that she had made for him, had been stolen by a duergar named Skella Ironeye who then fled deeper into Undermountain. Since then, her son has been bereft of confidence. He has lost interest in the fight against the drow. Even now that the drow had been pushed back, he shows no interest in retaking the rest of Stromkulduhr. This lack of motivation is frustrating his officers and she worries that insurrection is brewing among the troops. 

She asked them for their assistance in finding and returning this dagger. They agreed. With that, she assigned two hobgoblin guards to lead the party to the edge of the city and give them directions to the checkpoint guarding the passage leading deeper into Undermountain.

The Warlord's Secret

As they exited the city of Stromkulduhr, the party found themselves alone. Tempus summoned the others, "it's remarkable that Warlord Azrok could achieve such status in hobgoblin society despite being blind. "

"Wait, he's blind?" asked Winterfrost.

"Yes. I could tell when we first met him. Though he is apparently keeping it a secret from the others. I didn't want to say anything in front of the other hobgoblins."

A collective gasp of realization spread through the group.

"That makes sense!" declared Winterfrost. "I bet the knife is magic and allows him to see."

"I'm sure the mother knows." said Etlenda, "She said she crafted the knife for him. I think you're right, Winterfrost. And that is why he has lost his confidence."

DM - I had sent a whisper to Tempus' player when they first met Azrok with the above information but I sent it to his character in Roll20 and not the player, so the player never saw it. Nobody said anything or acted on this information so as they were leaving I asked Tempus' player, "Did you see the whisper I sent?" and he was all "What whisper?" I slapped my forehead. Once I shared that info, there was a collective, "OH! Oh yeah, it all makes sense!" that passed around the group. 

Keepers of the Purple Worm

On their way to the checkpoint, the party overheard two goblins whispering and arguing in a side cavern. They had obviously found something and didn't want to be caught. 

Winterfrost became curious and led the party into the side cavern. Etlenda and Randall both voiced their objections to this distraction.

Within they found two goblins obviously hiding something behind each of their backs. The goblins, named Dribblespit and Zob, denied having found anything and refused to show their hands. The party, not wishing to harm the goblins, who as far as they knew were completely innocent, were at an impasse. 

The goblins tried to make a break for it, running past Bearbite. Bearbite knocked Zob over and Kem threw her net over him. A half a statue of a purple worm tumbled out of his hand. Dribblespit picked up the other half and ran for the exit. 

Tempus held out his hands and shouted, "Wait! Your statue is broken! I can fix it! Allow me to repair it and I will buy it from you."

Dribblespit hesitated but Zob was sold. Bearbite helped Zob out of the net. Dribblespit agreed but demanded fifty gold pieces for the statue. Tempus agreed. He said a prayer of mending and the two halves miraculously became one statue! He paid the goblins 50 gold pieces and they ran away. 

Tempus had a purple jade statue of a worm.

Checkpoint

The party soon found a checkpoint occupied by bugbears and hobgoblins. They showed their passports and were once again welcomed as heroes. The officer in charge, a hobgoblin named Kliyuse the Skull Cleaver, bit their passports. 

As the party moved through the checkpoint, Winterfrost overheard a hobgoblin complain to another about manning a checkpoint when they should be retaking Stromkulduhr. Kliyuse commiserated and suggested that it was time for a new leader - a leader with ambition and motivation.

Winterfrost ran up to Captain Kliyuse and punched him in the face. The hobgoblin captain was knocked to the ground, surprised.

"Don't EVER speak that way about your commander! I will come back and personally kill anyone who breathes another word of such insolence!"

The goblinoids were taken aback by the display of strength from this moon elf woman wearing dwarven armor. Captain Kliyuse rubbed his chin, "I apologize. It will not happen again."

The party left the checkpoint and descended a spiraling passage.

DM -The biting the leather as a goblin signature or official stamp was something one of the players suggested. I thought it was genius and rolled with it!

The Fungal Forest

They entered into a large chamber filled with giant tree-sized mushrooms with woody stalks that rivaled any forest tree trunk, massive lichens the size of ferns, and dozens of types of other fungi. Some mushrooms glowed strange unearthly colors.

Well-trod paths snaked through the fungal growth. 

The air was filled with a dimly luminescent blue haze - an emission from the glowing mushrooms.

Tempus decided send his familiar, Edward the Bat, to fly around to get a sense of the surrounding caves.

He flew into an adjoining cave and caught sight of a man moving in the blue mist. He investigated and sawn an elderly human man wearing tattered rags living in the cave. The cave was filled with makeshift equipment for alchemy - gourds made from hollowed-out woody mushroom caps, utensils fashioned from the wood of the mushroom-trees, a flat-topped stone table in the center of the room, etc. 

The old man saw the bat and tried to catch it. Edward retreated and explored another room. 

Edward flew into a cave filled with hanging stalactites. Suddenly everything went dark - the psychic link had been broken. 

The Alchemist

The party decided to introduce themselves to the old man. He greeted them cautiously. He had the wary antisocial curtness of someone unused to polite interactions. The party learned that they could obtain a handful of potions in exchange for supplies - he did not accept "human money" as payment. 

When asked about what lay ahead in the caverns, the old man said only that he did not venture beyond the mushroom forest. To explore beyond would expose him to the nightmares. 

Tangled Ropes

The party bade farewell to the old man and continued their exploration. They entered a strange rift that cut perpendicular to their well-trod route . They chose to turn from their route and explore the rift. The rift was filled with large stalagmites.

To their surprise, two of the stalagmites came to life - each growing four long ropy tentacles and each revealing a single large central eye and a gaping mouth filled with cutting triangular teeth - Ropers!

Winterfrost and Bearbite were grabbed by one while Kem and Randall were grabbed by the other.

Winterfrost was drawn in to be devoured by the beast. Bearbite managed to free himself. So, too, did Randall managed to escape.

After a bloody battle, the Mystics of Trollskull Alley were eventually able to slay the ropers. 

Short Rest

The battle against the ropers was taxing so the party decided to take a break. Bearbite turned the ropers over onto their sides to expose their soft bellies. He cut the beasts open in search of their gizzard. He managed to remove a handful of gemstones from each roper. 

The River

The party continued their exploration of the rift until it became a small passage. The passage led to the bank of an underground river. The sluggish river was covered in a thin sheen of translucent slime. Across the river, out of sight in the far darkness, they could hear the hooting and boobling sounds similar to those made by Hlool the fish-man. 

Mad Wizard’s Retreat

The party left the river and explored the other side of the rift. They found a side-cavern filled with more glowing mushrooms. In the back of the cavern crouched a desperate-looking human woman talking to a large frog. 

"Teeha, guests! Are they real or are they illusions? Did Urgala send them?"

They introduced themselves as friends but the woman appeared to be deranged. She could no longer tell what was real and what was illusion. She pulled at her hair in frustration and cowered against the wall if anyone came to close. She dismissed the newcomers as phantoms, more nightmares come to taunt her!

The frog croaked dully.

Etlenda approached carefully. He explained that he could tell she was unwell and wished to help her. He was a paladin and could cure her of any natural illness. 

Etlenda's calm and friendly demeanor persuaded her. She agreed. Etlenda touched her head and shoulder and channeled the ancient forces of nature. 

The woman closed her eyes. When she reopened them, she was healed. She greeted her saviors with clarity and friendliness.

Her name was Darribeth Meltimer. She was a wizard in one of the parties undertaking Halaster's Challenge. She was the sole survivor. 

The party offered to take her back to Skullport. She agreed and said that she would reward them for doing so.

Return to Skullport

The party accompanied Darribeth past the hobgoblin checkpoint and back to Skullport - a two hour journey. There they gave her fifty gold coins so that she could teleport back to Waterdeep.

She thanked them and gave them a magic rope. 

Back to the Fungal Forest

It had been six hours, give or take, since the party had left Skullport, and now they were leaving again. They retraced their steps to the Fungal Forest, arriving roughly four hours since they left. 

This time they found a number of dead bodies littering the grotto. The bodies belonged to dead elves, all drow, all clutching at their bellies or drowned in a soup of bile and blood. Those that did not succumb to - whatever this was - had glossy translucent skin, slick with snot-like slime and mottled with burn marks. 

Winterfrost sneered, "Drow. They deserved to die." 

She found one barely alive, its dying gurgling breaths making thick bubbled from its bloated greasy mouth - it said, "It whispers! It whispers from the dark!" before it expired.

To be Continued...

Return of the Thirteen - Dungeon of the Mad Mage, Chapter 18

 

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor now possessed a flameskull trapped in a piece of luggage and a tincture filled with the blood of the last living magi of the Netherese. Now, in order to restore the flameskull to its full power, they had to take the flameskull to someplace called the Lost Grotto of the Netherese where the flameskulls were first created. 

They were told to seek the wisdom of a fish-man, a kuo-toa hermit who dwelled alone in a cave on the River Sargauth across from Skull Island. 

Their challenge - to cross the river without passing through the fortress on Skull Island ruled by Xanathar's Guild. There was a bounty offered for their death and they had already blown their current disguises. 

They returned to their safe house located in the Keel Hall and rested. There the party members debated their options - a magic spell to breathe water? Visibility in the water was poor and who knew what dangers lurked beneath the surface? A magic spell to walk upon the surface of the water? Surely they would be spotted by the soldiers on the fortress walls overlooking the subterranean river. Take their chances with a new disguise? Was it worth the trouble?

After several hours of rest, the team prepared themselves for action. They approached the bluff above which Skullport overlooked the river. It was a forty foot drop to the river below. Tempus performed a magic ritual while Kem said a prayer to Gond. A few minutes later, the party stepped over the side of the bluff. They gently drifted down to the river below. 

All, that is, save Randall and Bearbite who fell. Bearbite reacted quickly, casting the same spell onto Randall and himself. His quick thinking saved them from splashing into the water. 

The party regrouped, walking upon the surface of the sluggish river as if it were solid ground, and moved quickly along the cavern wall of the massive underground chamber. They clung to shadows as best they could. 

Their leap had been seen by the soldiers in the fortress. Bullseye lanterns were lit and their beams directed around the water, searching for those from whom no splash was heard. 

The party managed to avoid the searching beams of light and crossed the River Sargauth. As they neared the cave where dwelled the fish-man hermit, they could hear songs echoing off the cavern walls.

"Hello my baby, hello my honey, Hello my ragtime, summertime gal! Send me a kiss by wire, Baby, my heart's on fire!"

CHAPTER 18

"RETURN OF THE THIRTEEN"

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor:

• Winterfrost 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 "Bearbite" Tok - Neutral Half-Orc Former Smuggler and Rogue, secret member of the Zhentarim.
• Kem Hearthfire - Chaotic Good Half-Orc Former Gladiator Priestess of Gond. 
• Randall - Chaotic Good Human Scout and Smuggler. The child of minor nobles slain by Manshoon - or one of his duplicates, he now leads smugglers down the River Sargauth to Skullport.
• Glom the Wretched, aka "Hu-Man Patty Johnson" - Chaotic Neutral Goblin NPC, former thief and guide to the Arcane Chambers.

DM - I asked the group, "Okay, what's the plan? Where do you go next?"

Tempus' player said, "I believe Nightshade said we should go ask the singing fish-man in the cave across from Skull Island where to find the Grotto of the Netherese."

I laughed, "I don't think I said ANYTHING about a SINGING fish-man, but why not? He for sure is one now!"

Hlool the Singing Fish-Man

The party stepped off the river's surface and onto the dock in front of the cave. They introduced themselves to the singing fish-man. The fish-man politely introduced himself as Hlool.

They told Hlool their story and asked him if he knew where they might find the Grotto of the Netherese. Hlool approved of their plan to overthrow Xanathar's Guild. They taunted him and did not appreciate his singing. He gave them directions to follow the nearby subterranean tributary up-stream to its source - the grotto. 

He asked them how they planned to take the flameskull to the grotto. 

"Why is that?" asked Etlenda.

"He is a flameskull. You are carrying him in a leaky suit case. Much of the tributary is completely underwater. When you are submerged, you will douse his flames and he will die."

The party looked at each other uncertainly. 

"I will tell you what," said Hlool, "Take this cloak." He took off the tattered cloak made of manta ray skin he wore. "Wrap it around the skull. It will protect it during the underwater portion of your journey."

They thanked Hlool and gave an offering to his shrine to his goddess Blipdoolpoop.

Grotto of the Netherese

Kem's miracle of water breathing protected the party as they navigated up the narrow tributary completely underwater. After about an hour they emerged into a cave that opened into a half-submerged ancient room. A sinkhole dominated the center wall of the room, from which water emerged from a spring - the source of the tributary. 

On the other side of the room was a raised dais with three statues - each representing a Netherese magi - arranged around a central pedestal the size of a skull. Two of the magi pointed their staves towards the pedestal while the third reached for the heavens.

The ceiling of the room was a darkened dome decorated with thousands of glittering illuminated gemstones, giving the appearance of the night sky.

An ancient Netherese phrase was carved into the base of the dais. 

The party spread out and explored the room while Tempus performed a magic ritual that would allow him to read the phrase.

Minutes later, Tempus was ready. He withdrew the skull from the suitcase.

The skull made a frantic break for freedom! It zipped up into the air and out of reach.

Tempus quickly cast a spell and the skull was momentarily frozen in time! It dropped into Winterfrost's waiting hands and she placed it gently on the pedestal.

DM - New spell! Momentary Stasis!

Class: Cronurgy Wizard 6th lvl

When you reach 6th level, as an action, you can magically force a Large or smaller creature you can see within 60 feet of you to make a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. Unless the saving throw is a success, the creature is encased in a field of magical energy until the end of your next turn or until the creature takes any damage. While encased in this way, the creature is incapacitated and has a speed of 0.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (a minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Tempus then said the words inscribed on the dais: "Rise, ye spirit, as guardian and counselor. Now and forever."

The skull began to glow and float above the pedestal. Its eyes flared with incandescent light. It appeared to be recharging, regenerating, becoming whole.

Suddenly the party heard an eerie song  coming from the flooded cave of the outflowing tributary. 

The Hags

The party turned to see a dark green crone covered in mussels and long stringy wet hair rising from the water. She had horrid yellow eyes and crooked teeth. She sang a song of sorrow and loss.

She said, "The Netherese drowned eons ago and so shall their legacy remain below the waves. Today, you join them."

Eight blind pot-bellied humanoids with clammy gray skin and gills emerged from the water. These were accompanied by three of the aquatic crones crouched on the backs of large crabs.

Randall and Winterfrost sprang into action! They converged on the closest hag. Winterfrost's final stroke appeared to have missed and the hag smiled in response. Suddenly, she realized that Winterfrost's attack had, in actuality, found its mark and the hag fell over dead!

DM - Dang it! The players know that three hags are bad news! They did focused damage to the one hag as quickly as possible. When Winterfrost's final attack missed, I was excited for some hag nastiness. But Tempus jumped in with a Chronal Shift and she re-rolled her attack, scoring a hit!

The room swarmed with aquatic grimlocks, giant crab, and the remaining two hags. 

DM - My players called the aquatic grimlocks "gill-locks".

A pitched battle ensued, with Randall and Winterfrost on one side of the room and Kem, Etlenda, and Bearbite on the other. Tempus maintained vigil in front of the dais while Hu-Man Patty Johnson remained in the rear of the room.

Kem said a prayer and was surrounded by flying silver hammers. Confident that the hammers woudl eradicate the gill-locks, Etlenda and Bearbite abandoned her to aid the others. However, their optimism was un-earned as she was surrounded and attacked. By the time they returned, the hammers had done their job. They both apologized to the clerk profusely.

The hags, gill-locks, and crab were ultimately defeated. 

The Flameskull Returns

Moments after the last enemy lay dead, the flameskull reached the peak of its brilliance. It flashed and rose above the statue into the air beneath the dome. It burned ten times brighter and hotter than it had before. 

The skull loudly declared, "I am returned! For too long have I wandered enfeebled! I am whole once more!"

It scanned the room and saw the party staring up at it. "Who was it that returned me to my place of birth?"

"Hi. We're the Mystics of Trollskull Manor." said Tempus.

"Your efforts will be rewarded. But first, there must be vengeance!"

The skull flared and shot upwards into the domed ceiling, disappearing into the wall with a lick of green flame.

Back to Skull Island

Having found nothing of value to scavenge from the long-abandoned grotto, the party returned down the underground tributary to Hlool's cave. They once again thanked Hlool and made plans for their return to Skullport.

The only means of entry into Skullport lay through the docks on Skull Island - the docks controlled by Xanathar's Guild. 

They decided to once again cast a spell of water walking and simply stride right up to the dock.

Their approach was monitored and their disguises long ago ruined. They were clearly the Mystics of Trollskull Manor, walking on top of the River Sargauth, approaching the docks defended by the fortress on Skull Island

The ballistae and flame projectors on top of the walls were turned towards them but they were allowed to enter past the walls and towards the docks. A greeting party of human warriors, bugbears, and giant-sized duergar were waiting for them. 

The others waited at the threshold while Bearbite strode confidently closer. Crossbow bolts loosed from the docks slipped harmlessly into the water around him.

Suddenly he heard a screech echo from one of the passages in the inner wall. From the passage emerged a great winged reptilian beast - a wyvern! Riding on the back of the wyvern was an armored demi-ogre, ten feet tall and wielding a sword of prodigious length.

Sundeth the Demi-Ogre

The demi-ogre paused to address Bearbite by his half-orc name, "Push-ta Tok! You are a fool for coming here! You are an agent of the Zhentarim and an enemy of the Guild! Xanathar sees all and today he will bear witness as I slay you and your companions and claim the bounty! This I say to you! Today you will die at the hands of Sundeth, chosen of Xanathar and commander of Skull Island!"

Bearbite winced and replied, "Boy, you're a talker, aren't you?"

Sundeth spurred his wyvern into the air. The beast flapped to gain altitude then dove at Bearbite, standing atop the water in the center of the marina. Sundeth slashed Bearbite multiple times as he flew past. The wyvern clutched onto the side of a nearby bastion while Sundeth clung to its back. The wyvern screamed its pleasure as Sundeth smiled.

Bearbite was seriously injured and began to question his choices. He turned back to his companions, "Uh, help?"

Kem Hearthfire said a prayer and pointed at Sundeth. The half-ogre's plate armor began to glow red hot. The wyvern began to twitch with discomfort. Sundeth's grin turned quickly to grimace.

Tempus then cast a spell onto Winterfrost and Etlenda. They took flight, shooting directly as Sundeth.  

Emerald Death

A bright green glow appeared from the cavern wall above the River Sargauth. It was the flameskull, as bright as a green sun! It flew over the walls of the fortress and surveyed the battle below. Its voice echoed across the entire cavern, ""Ancient days have come again! We shall never die!"

Its eyes flashed and emerald fireballs exploded around the marina, engulfing the humans, bugbears, and duergar with green fire and reducing them to smoldering ash. The sound of the explosion was was deafening.

Sundeth attacked his aerial opponents but much to the half-ogre's surprise, Winterfrost and Etlenda directed their attacks against the wyvern, killing it quickly and causing him to crash to the ground.

The flameskull saw this and spun around, glaring at the half-ogre. "No! "Leave him! He is mine. He shall be the last to die in the screaming oven that this fortress will become, after watching his men burn, feeling the flames of his reckoning growing ever warmer!" He addressed the others, "You may go now!"

Sundeth clambered to his feet but was plucked off the ground by a green energy. He shuddered in pain, immobilized.

The party escaped over the bridge to Skullport.

Over the following hours, the citizens of Skullport watched as the fortress of Skull Island burned with righteous emerald flames. 

One thing was evident - the rule of Xanathar's Guild was over. 

To be Continued...

DM - I used one of Dyson Logos' maps for the Lost Grotto of the Netherese. I removed the pillars in the room and placed the dais and statues in the upper center.

Skullport - Dungeon of the Mad Mage, Chapter 17

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor were hanging out in the Flagon and the Dragon, a tavern in Skullport, when the door opened and they heard a familiar cackle.

The Mad Mage, Halaster, had entered. Halster was accompanied by an older woman with gray dreadlocks. She had the grim unamused demeanor of someone fulfilling an old obligation. She wore dark gray robes and carried a twisted wooden staff. 

Halaster saw the party immediately, calling out to them, "Hey! Look who it is! The Mystics of Something-Something!  

The Mystics were wearing hastily donned disguises created by Kem Hearthfire - Etlenda had a drawn-on scar, Winterfrost wore a fake dwarf beard and face paint to cover her blue skin, Push-ta - foregoing the more logical use of his magical hat of disguise - wore an eyepatch. 

Halaster escorted his companion to the bar and begged her indulgence as he stopped by the table of the Mystics. Halaster was in a good mood. He bought them all a round of drinks and welcomed them to Skullport.

"Ah, Skullport. Dearest home of the desperate and lost. Yet without the Thirteen, Skullport's but a shadow of its former glory. The people do not cry out for revolution, but whimper for it into their cups and pillows. You know, this place has really gone to hell since the Hoist broke. See, folks are like a stew; if you don't stir it enough, it spoils. And this place sure is spoiled."

Halaster was momentarily distracted by a stray thought, "I wonder if that mind flayer is still running amok."

"Anyway, What was I saying? Oh right! Skullport's wonderful for blowing off steam—so I banned my students from ever visiting it. Poly'd one into a rooster once, tossed him into the river. Funny thing was, turns out roosters can't swim!" Halaster became pensive, "Oh, dearest Delanco. How I miss him."

"So, I just wanted to stop by and let you know, you guys are doing great! You're stars, baby! Season eighty-four's goin' grand. You're a hit on all the crystal spheres - especially the Nine Hells. Devils galore are pining for your souls. Ratings could be better elsewhere, like the City of Doors, but just wait 'til the mid-season finale—it'll knock the their socks right off!"

"No, really, I'm super impressed with you so far. I really like you guys. Which is a shame really. It's going to make what I'm about to do that much harder. Sorry."

Halaster snapped his fingers.

The party found themselves transported back onto the River Sargauth. They were sitting in the gondola, approaching the fortress on Skull Island.  

CHAPTER 17

"SKULLPORT"

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor:

• Winterfrost 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 "Bearbite" Tok - Neutral Half-Orc Former Smuggler and Rogue, secret member of the Zhentarim.
• Kem Hearthfire - Chaotic Good Half-Orc Former Gladiator Priestess of Gond. 
• Randall - Chaotic Good Human Scout and Smuggler. The child of minor nobles slain by Manshoon - or one of his duplicates, he now leads smugglers down the River Sargauth to Skullport.
• Glom the Wretched, aka "Hu-Man Patty Johnson" - Chaotic Neutral Goblin NPC, former thief and guide to the Arcane Chambers.

DM - Kem Hearthfire's player was absent this week. I used some magic trickery to reset the entry to Skullport because I wanted to do it right after my debacle last week. I was now more familiar with the points of entry, its inhabitants, and its encounters.

Skull Island

What just happened? Were they transported in time? Winterfrost checked her satchel to see if she had the moonstones to deliver to Ca'al Claddani. She did not. They were all still wearing the disguises. So time itself was not reset. Weird.

The gondola approached the docks within the walls of the fortress. There were other launches and boats with smugglers moving products onto the docks. 

The gondolier poled the craft to one of the docks and the party disembarked. This time - EVERYONE GAVE THE GONDOLIER A GOLD PIECE! 

DM - No one was going to repeat that mistake. 

The Gondolier nodded and pushed his gondola away, returning up-river into the caves of Undermountain.

The party climbed some stairs and made their way towards the bridge connecting the island to Skullport. A group of armed men bearing the symbol of Xanathar's Guild approached, their swords drawn, ""Halt! The Eye sees all, and all who enter Skullport must identify themselves to the Xanathar Guild! Stand and be recognized or taste steel!"

Winterfrost turned anxiously towards Etlenda, who had taken a vow to never speak an untruth. They were worried he would honestly identify himself to the guards. The Mystics of Trollskull Manor were well known enemies of Xanathar's Guild and a bounty had been offered for their murder. 

Etlenda said, "I am known as Exile."

Winterfrost sighed with relief - few knew Etlenda's Eladrin epithet. 

Push-ta relied upon the cover he had created for the party at Lady Haventree's estate - "I am Sven."

Kem had brain jellies so she stared blankly into the distance, hour mouth slightly agape.

Randall shrugged, "I am Randall, you know me."

Glom the Wretched, a goblin thief wearing a magical circlet that made her appear to be human, stiffly extended her hand in greeting, and loudly declared, "I am hu-man Patty Johnson! I poop in holes like a hu-man!"

"Um, Yes, hello, I am Geldax Breer, a lamplighter from Waterdeep. I'm just trying to get home. I have NO idea where I am or what's going on!"

Winterfrost, a moon elf wearing a fake beard trying to pass herself as a dwarf, defiantly puffed out her chest and shouted, "I am - uh - A DWARF! Of clan - BLOODHAMMER!"

Suddenly a green glow appeared from around the corner as a floating skull, wreathed in flame with incandescent eyes, hovered into view. It moved between the party towards the guards, muttering nonsense.

The guards became nervous and parted to allow it to pass. They stared in awe as the flameskull made its way past, babbling senile gibberish. 

"Can we pass?" asked Etlenda.

"What? Oh, sure. Carry on." stammered the anxious guard captain. 

The party crossed the bridge into Skullport.

Xanathar Sends Its Love

The city on the other side was built within a massive cavern. The street level was elevated from the waters of the River Sargauth by over a dozen feet. The party could not remember how the gondola let them off directly into the city during their first visit - indeed the memory of that initial visit had become increasing hazy and unreliable.

"We need to find that wizard who could send this poor guy home," said Etlenda, referring to Geldax Breer.

"We should go back to the Flagon and the Dragon, she'd know." suggested Winterfrost.

Before they could do so, they witnessed a commotion ahead. Several duergar had arrested what appeared to be a blind beggar - a tiefling. Several onlookers watched, some in outrage and others with passive interest. The blind beggar was manacled and being man-handled by two of the duergar.

"Stand back! This man is a Zhentarim spy and a traitor! We're taking him to skull island for interrogation! He by executed for his crimes in two bells time!"

Etlenda saw the mistreatment of the pathetic blind beggar and grit his teeth, "There's injustice! This will not stand!"

The party split up. Winterfrost and Etlenda stood firm in the center of the street to intercept the duergar while Randall and Bearbite hid in a nearby alley. Their goal was to let the duergar come closer so that Randall and Bearbite could sneak behind and surround them. 

The duergar came within thirty feet. Winterfrost abandoned the plan and charged!

Etlenda sighed, "You know, like in the plan!"

The ruse abandoned, Etlenda and Bearbite joined Winterfrost. Two of the duergar grew to prodigious height. 

Three of the duergar were quickly dispatched - one was killed while two were knocked unconscious. The fourth, gravely wounded, became invisible and tried to flee. Tempus sent his bat familiar, Edward, to use his echolocation to find the invisible giant. Tempus then pointed out the duergar's location to the others. 

Winterfrost closed and attacked. The duergar fell to the ground - visible, normal sized, and unconscious.

Bosskyn Gorrb

The tiefling told his saviors that they had to hide. He said he had a safehouse they could all use. He asked them to describe where they were, based on that he gave them directions as they escorted the blind beggar up some stairs and across a network of rope bridges and catwalks to a run down abandoned building called the Keel Hall.

The blind man led them through a concealed entrance. The interior once held a fest hall with long tables and benches. Black winged snakes hung lazily in the stout rafters. The tiefling introduced himself as Bosskyn Gorrb. Bosskyn said that he was a former "Caravan Guard", long ago blinded and now retired. He greeted each member of the party, shaking their hands and touching their faces. He recognized the name Push-ta Tok and the two shared a secret handshake, confirming to each other their affiliation with the Zhentarim. 

Etlenda said, "Wait, they weren't lying? You ARE a Zhentarim spy?"

Bosskyn ignored Etlenda but instead focused on Push-ta. Bosskyn told him that he desperately needed his help. He had discovered a means of restoring the power of the Thirteen and eventually removing the Xanathar's Guild from power. But he could not do it alone - he needed Push-ta's help!

The team was interested and wanted to know more.

Bosskyn said that the former rulers of Skullport were the Thirteen - powerful flameskull mages. He said that, over a decade ago, something happened that enfeebled the Thirteen. They became senile and useless. Xanathar's Guild took advantage of the power vacuum and took over the town. 

However, he had recently learned that Nightshade the apothecary knew the recipe of a potion that would restore the mental faculties of a flameskull. If they could capture a flameskull and bring it to her, she could restore it to power. Once one is restored, it could reinvigorate the others. Eventually all thirteen would be restored and they would overthrow Xanathar's Guild. 

Their mission, then, was to find and capture a flameskull and take it to Nightshade, who ran a shop called Nightshade's Caress. 

The team agreed to take on this mission but first they had to take Geldax Breer to a wizard.

The Poisoned Quill

The team found their way to a shop in the middle level called the Poisoned Quill. The shop belonged to an aged woman wearing gray robes named Tasselgryn "Tas" Velldarn - Halaster's companion at the Flagon and the Dragon. She possessed a printing press and her shop was decorated with various fliers and bills, some recent ones included recruitment fliers for the Legion of Azrok. She was also a notary who could bear witness to transfer of titles and property.

Tas was taciturn and dour. She had little patience for distractions and customers were a distraction. 

They asked her about magic teleportation. She sighed and pointed to a menu of services: 

• Identify spell 10gp
• Mind blank spell 150gp
• Sending 5gp
• Spell scroll of Sending 25gp
• Teleportation 50gp

They asked where the teleportation led. She shrugged, "I don't know. An orphanage or an attic or a dock or something. It's one way and they never come back. I honestly have no idea. I'm fairly certain it works though."

They asked Geldax if he was willing to take the risk. 

"Oh yes! Anything is better than this place!"

So the Mystics of Trollskull Manor ponied up the gold. Tas pulled back a rug to reveal a concealed teleportation circle. She performed the ritual and Geldax disappeared in a brilliant blue aura.

Capture the Flameskull

They exited the Poisoned Quill and Push-ta said, "Okay, how do we find a flameskull?"

"Wander around town until we find one, I guess," said Etlenda.

"Wait! There's one!" shouted Winterfrost, pointing at a flameskull floating into view sixty feet away, muttering incoherent gibberish.

DM - I was planning on rolling 1d20 every so often as they wandered around town. If I rolled a 1 or a 20, they'd find a flameskull. Turns out I rolled a 1 on the very first roll!

They gave chase. The flameskull turned to flee. 

Winterfrost shouted after the flameskull, repeating something she heard the other one say earlier on Skull Island.

DM - I had Winterfrost make a Persuasion skill check. She rolled a natural 20 for a 24. I had to reward the quick thinking and the good roll.

The flameskull stopped and turned. It looked at her inquisitively.

Bearbite shouted at the flameskull, somewhat annoyingly, "GET INTO THE BAG!"

DM - Bearbite made an Intimidation check, rolling 12.

Randall ran up and threw a bag onto the skull, capturing it. 

"Quick! To the apothecary!"

Randall ran down the boardwalk as fast as he could, carrying a struggling flameskull in a bag. The others followed behind him. Bystanders hurriedly got out of the way of the rushing group.

Just outside the Nightshade's Caress, the flameskull escaped the bag. Randall re-captured it before it could escape. He threw open the door to the Nightshade's Caress and ran inside, panting.

DM - That was a fun and very cinematic little caper. I had a bunch of random commoners strewn around on the boardwalk to act as minor obstacles and flavor.

Nightshade's Caress

Randall slammed the door behind him to prevent the flameskull from escaping again. 

He turned around and saw before him a withered crone covered in bandages, wearing a long robe. Her eyes burned with magical fire. Her wrinkled lips withdrawn to reveal long yellow teeth. Her stringy hair blown by magical energies. She reached forth with a desiccated claw-like hand.

"WHO DARES INTRUDE UPON MY DEMENSE? And also, welcome to the Nightshade's Caress, what may I do for you?"

DM - I had a lot of fun playing Nightshade as this ancient undead monster who runs a quaint little apothecary shop tending plants and bonsai. The players thought she was hilarious.

Randall backed against the wall in fear. The door opened and he was soon joined by the others. 

They said that they had learned that Nightshade may possess a means of restoring the flameskull to its former power. 

She confirmed that she did possess such a formula. However, she lacked two key ingredients - the blood of a Netherese mixed with arachnid venom. As it happens, a man of Netherese descent was recently captured by giant spiders who dwell within the Tanor'thal Refuge - an abandoned structure built by the drow in the shape of a giant hideous spider. You can find it above Dalagor's Fortress in Eastern Upper Skullport. 

"Go, now! You have less than two hours! I will watch over your flameskull while you are gone. And have a nice day!"

DM - The quest in the Companion was poorly laid out. It had a summary of the quest on page 47-48, and I was going off that. What I didn't know, and it wasn't mentioned in the summary, was that more detail was available in the specific sections on the Keel Hall, Nightshade's Caress, and Tanor'thal Refuge.

The summary says:

She is aware of the ritual that can restore the Thirteen to their former glory, as well as the most important component: Netherese blood mixed with arachnid venom.

So that's what I told the players. I really wish the summary would have just included all the relevant parts from the later specific sections so I'd know I should have said:

"For this ritual I require the blood of a victim not yet dead, cloudy with spider venom. Go forth and go fast, for those beasts have little patience."

This led to some minor confusion later on, but not too bad.

As it was, nobody bothered to stop and wonder - "how did she know a man of Netherese descent was captured by giant spiders and is still alive??"

Tanor'thal Refuge

Randall paid a local a platinum piece to lead them to Tanor'tal Refuge. They arrived and found a building in the shape of a giant spider clinging to the stone ceiling. A nearby tall building connected to the back of the spider's abdomen. 

The party entered the building - a former slave market of the drow. The room had high ceilings, a set of stairs in the corner led to a catwalk connecting to the hatch in the ceiling. The walls were covered in thick webs. Large nests could be seen in the corners.

The party was soon attacked by several giant spiders as well as humanoid spiders known as ettercaps. 

After a fierce battle, all of the spiders and ettercaps, save one, had been dispatched. One ettercap managed to flee into the hatch in the ceiling.

The Last Magi of the Netherese 

After searching the spider nests, finding only small trinkets and amulets bearing the symbol of house Tanor'thal, and cutting venom sacks out of the dead spiders, the team climbed the stairs into the giant stone spider.

The stone spider was abandoned but covered in thick sheets of webs. They found the ettercap hiding within but left it alone. They moved to the chamber in the head of the spider and found a man cocooned within spider silk. He was dehydrated, emaciated, and barely alive. His name was Gonderth Nethran.

The party carried him out of the giant stone spider and outside. They brought him back to Nightshade's Caress. 

Once inside, Nightshade took him into a back room where she kept a large heavy chair with restraints. 

"So the last descendant of the magi of the ancient Netherese still lives. Your ancestors sought to curse me, banish me! But soon you will die - AND DESPITE THEIR BEST EFFORTS I YET LIVE!"

She sensed the look of concern on the party behind her, so she amended her statement, "that is, you will die of natural causes, of course. Now for the bloodletting."

"The WHAT?" said Gonderth, "I thought you were saving me!"

"Oh do not worry, little mortal. I do not need ALL your blood! Just some of it."

"Yeah," apologized Etlenda, "We kind of really need this, thanks. Don't worry. We'll get that poison out of you and restore you to health real soon."

"Now leave me! I need to be alone to perform the blood ritual! If you will please wait in the lobby, I will be with you shortly."

Etlenda hesitated.

"Oh, I won't HARM him, paladin! You can have him and your precious potion soon enough."

The party reluctantly retreated to allow the undead apothecary to complete her ritual. 

An hour later she emerged with a a stoppered tincture. "To restore the Thirteen, you must remind the flameskulls of their purpose, of their creators—but the Netherese magi are all dead, their kin reduced to bone and dust. All but one. And his blood is now yours to use. Take the blood and the skull to the Grotto of the Netherese. To find it, seek out the wisdom of the fish-man who dwells in the cave on the far side of the River Sargauth, across from Skull Island."

To be Continued...

The Path of Wailing Torment - Dungeon of the Mad Mage, Chapter 16

The drow prisoner begged to be allowed to face the Test of Lolth. He a survivor, he would only face execution for his failure. His only path at redemption lay in the test of his dark demon-goddess. If he passed, he could return to his people. If he failed, he would be transformed into an abomination.

The party agreed. They cut him loose and allowed him to leap within the abyssal circle. 

He disappeared in a gout of sulphureous flame.

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor stood around, waiting, ready for anything to return from the "Test". 

When nothing happened for ten minutes, they shrugged and gave up waiting. "Did he pass or fail?" Nobody knew. 

The party formed up and faced the natural tunnel to the south. A cool wind issued forth, carrying the sound of distant echoing screams. They pressed forward into the tunnel.

The freed human prisoner, Geldax Breer, called out in the darkness, "What's happening? I can't see anything?"

Tempus said, "Just hang on to Push-ta's belt. We can see just fine."

"The orcine fellow? Is that safe? I think he has brain jellies!"

"It's just temporary. Don't worry. We'll protect you."

As they advanced deeper into the tunnel, the sound of wailing became louder. It was constant, seeming to always be rising, like a chorus of a hundred demons.

The tunnel wound around like a serpent. They came upon a cavern. There they saw, in the darkness, a chimeric thing - with the torso of a drow and the body of a giant spider! It looked mad, clutching its head in agony, driven mad by the constant wailing. It was clearly agitated and aggressive, "Make it stop!" it cried in elvish, "Make it stop!"

CHAPTER 16

"THE PATH OF WAILING TORMENT"

The Mystics of Trollskull Manor:

• Winterfrost 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 "Bearbite" Tok - Neutral Half-Orc Former Smuggler and Rogue, secret member of the Zhentarim.
• Kem Hearthfire - Chaotic Good Half-Orc Former Gladiator Priestess of Gond. 
• Randall - Chaotic Good Human Scout and Smuggler. The child of minor nobles slain by Manshoon - or one of his duplicates, he now leads smugglers down the River Sargauth to Skullport.
• Glom the Wretched, aka "Hu-Man Patty Johnson" - Chaotic Neutral Goblin NPC, former thief and guide to the Arcane Chambers.

DM - Push-ta's player was absent this week. I was also not as prepared for Skullport as I thought I was.

The Drider

The monstrosity begged for help, but whenever anyone began to approach, he would lunge menacingly, short swords bared, "Stay back! I won't let you through! I WON'T LET ANYONE THROUGH!"

Lacking magical spells of silence or anything else, The party tried to dart past as quickly as possible. Randall and Kem Hearthfire ran past and down the passage on the other side. Winterfrost moved forward to block the way in case the drider attacked. The drider threw himself at Etlenda and his spirit wolf, slashing! The wolf was struck and disappeared, leaving its rider and barding behind to fall to the ground.  

Geldax Breer, Hu-man Patty Johnson and Push-ta were trapped, unable to move past the dangerously unstable drider. Geldax called out, "Hello? Is there fighting? What's happening?"

"Stay back there! We'll protect you!"

The drider frothed, "MAKE IT STOP!!"

Randall returned to aid his newfound companions. Randall, Tempus, Etlenda, and Winterfrost engaged the spider-thing as it madly spun around, attacking at random! 

The party did its best to show mercy towards the drider, attacking with the flat of their blades and shoving with their hammers instead of wild swings. Eventually the drider was smashed into the wall and fell to the floor, unconscious. 

The party quickly made its way past. Geldax called out in the darkness, "Did we win?"

The Writing on the Wall

The party finally made it to the Sargauth river - a sluggish underground river with pitch black water. They passage opened into a cave with a shore covered in gravel. The walls and ceiling were covered in spider webs. 

An inscription carved on the wall read:

If Skullport’s where ye wish to be,

With the Sargauth’s flow go ye.

If pirate booty is what ye crave,

Fight the surge to the captain’s grave.

"Do we want to find the captain's grave?" asked Tempus enthusiastically.

"Maybe." agreed Kem, tentatively.

"No!" interjected Etlenda, "We're going to Skullport. Winterfrost, don't you have a mission there?"

"Yes, but pirate booty!" said Winterfrost.

"Pirate booty is a distraction! It's a drain on resources! But let's have a vote."

The party voted.

"Skullport it is! Winterfrost, throw the thing in the water."

The Mad Mage Returns

Winterfrost tossed the holy symbol of Lolth, taken from the high priestess of the drow, into the River Sargauth.

Nothing happened.

"What's supposed to happen?" asked Etlenda.

"I don't know. Let me try something." Winterfrost tossed the scarab bearing the symbol of House Auvryndar into the water.

Nothing happened.

They waited. Nothing.

After about an hour, the party realized they either had the wrong holy symbol or they were duped by the Mad Mage. They gathered up their things and turned back into the -

- they heard the sound of an approaching gondola being poled down river. The gondolier was a robed figure. Standing at the prow was the Mad Mage - Halaster!

Once the boat was close enough, it became clear that the gondolier was the animated skeleton of a demonic tiefling.

"Sorry I'm late! "Well done, well done! I never believed in you, and you made it through anyway! Well done, indeed! You threw the thing of whats-her-name into the river, just like I asked! You have earned your reward!"

He reached into his robe and withdrew a handful of dice. He threw them into the air. They froze in mid-flight. 

"Twenty-six! An even number! Very auspicious! That means you win a - just a second - " He searched through his wizard robe covered in moving eyeballs, reaching into pockets, "no, no, that's not it, hold on."

He finally withdrew a feather, displaying it between his thumb and finger, "There it is! Take this!"

Etlenda took the feather. It magically transformed into a coin or token embossed with the image of a feather.

"What is it?" inquired Etlenda.

"Your prize! Where are you headed next?"

"We're going to Skullport. Can we use your boat?"

Halaster shrugged, "Sure! Why not. I've got other things to do anyway. Okee-dokee then, I'll be off. Have fun! I hope you don't die! And by that I hope you totally die! Later losers!" Halaster stepped off the boat and sank into the river, disappearing from view.

Down River

The gondola floated downstream with the current, directed by its skeletal pilot. 

The party passed a landing where, until recently several drow rafts had apparently been kept. Now only one raft remained next to the drag marks in the sandy gravel. 

About two hundred feet later, the river widened as they passed another landing outside an ornately carved stone door flanked by dwarven statues. The party resisted the temptation to explore and kept floating on.

A few hundred feet more, they passed another landing on the far side of the river. Several glowing and translucent pirates were digging in the dirt. As the gondola passed, the ghostly apparitions stood and waved in an attempt to flag down the passing party. Once again, they ignored the distraction and carried on.

Sniper Ambush

The river turned around a bend and passed beneath two ledges, eight feet above the water. As they drew near, crossbow bolts rained down into the river from drow crouched near the ledge. Hu-man Patty Johnson was struck by an crossbow bolt and fell down into the boat. Tempus grabbed her covered her body with his as he said a prayer to keep her alive. Etlenda used his body as a shield to protect Geldax Breer. 

Kem Hearthfire said a prayer and a spiritual hammer of Gond appeared above the ledge to harry the drow. 

Winterfrost magically summoned her drow pistol and fired a shot at the leader of the drow. The loud report echoed throughout the river.

The leader stood up and shouted at Winterfrost, "Where did you get that weapon? You did not earn that weapon! You don't even know how to use it! You sully it with your infidel hands!"

Winterfrost shouted back, "Come take it!" and fired another round. 

Etlenda shouted at his elven friend, "Winterfrost, just take cover! There's no need to attack these jokers! We'll be out of range in a minute! You're just wasting ammo and putting yourself in danger!"

Winterfrost stood in the boat and fired another round!

The party took several poisoned arrows as they floated past. They eventually disappeared around another bend. 

Skullport

The gondola floated for a while more before entering a vast cave. Looming before them was a subterranean fortress - a walled castle guarded by bugbears armed with ballista and weapons that threw streams of liquid alchemist's fire.

Their arrival was closely observed. 

"This place has really gone downhill since Xanathar's Guild took over," grumbled Randall.

The gondolier poled the craft under a bridge to a sandy beach to the right. Before them was an entire city built underground! The buildings of the city were several stories tall. The lower stories seemed decrepit and dark while the upper stories were well lit and lively. Walkways and rope bridges connected the upper levels.

"Okay, I hate this place," said Etlenda, "Winterfrost, lets do your thing and get out. What are we looking for?"

"Someplace called the Flagon and the Dragon." said the elf.

"I know the place," said Randall, "Follow me."

They left the boat. No one offered any coin to the skeletal pilot. The gondola sank into the water.

A patrol of bugbears was approaching in the distance.

Kem Hearthfire cleared her throat and said, "Everyone come here for a minute, lets duck into this alley."

She took out her disguise kit and applied fake moustaches, wigs, scars, and false noses and ears. "There we go. Now we look less like the wanted enemies of Xanathar's Guild."

The Flagon and the Dragon

The party entered the tavern and found a half-drow woman tending bar. She greeted them warmly, "Hello, Newcomers! What's your poison?"

Winterfrost asked for Cal’al Claddani, explaining that he had a gift for them from the bard named Threestrings, a regular in the Yawning Portal.

The woman identified herself as Cal'al and acknowledged her friendship with Threestrings. Winterfrost gave to her the pouch she had promised to deliver. Within the pouch was 50 gold pieces and three moonstones. Winterfrost asked Cal'al if she was a friend of Lady Haventree - Harper code to identify fellow Harpers. Cal'al replied that she knew of her but not very well, an indication that she was unaware of the code and therefore not a Harper.

The thanked Winterfrost for the gift rewarded the party with a round of free drinks. 

To Be Continued...

DM - Honestly, I had to end early because I was unprepared for the complexity of Skullport. I had read over the basics, but once the party started going through the town, I felt overwhelmed and did a poor job communicating the layout of the place. So I asked for more time to familiarize myself with the details - Who does what? Who knows what? What activities to do? What are the quests? Meanwhile, Etlenda's player is DYING to leave this place and move forward to level 4 of the Undermountain.