Previously... On Waterdeep DragonHeist…
5 Strangers walked into a bar:
Elmond Greenwood – An Elven Monk whose backstory I can’t remember after two years and 3 sessions but has way too high stats for a level 1(Tom) -
Bandumir Shadowgrog (“just call me Grog”) – Dwarven Fighter who made a bit of a name for himself in the Arena (Sarge) – He and Yagra Stonefist dated previously and their current relationship is Strained but amicable.
Namfoodle “one shoe” Murnig – a Gnome Rogue who I also can’t remember the backstory for (Luke if he comes back) – He had a friendship with “Threestrings” of the many bards who perform and frequent the Portal.
Munderic Browntrousers – A Badly optimised Halfling wizard who holds the rank of Junior Shoveller within the Esteemed Order of Honoured Dunnykin. Working in the Sewers one day he was taught magic by a talking Rat who may or may not have been a powerful mage poly-morphed and definitely was not called Splinter. (Mike) - He was acquainted with Durnan the owner of the Yawning portal due to his previous work helping clean out the taverns cesspit.
Milo Milo – Half-orc Barbarian who until recently worked as a member of the city watch. He was asked to leave his post after an unfortunate incident involving an argumentative trader and a cabbage (possibly plural)Heretofore known afterwards as “The Cabbage incident”. He is very fond of his club “Betty”. (Ade) - He is fond of Bonnie, one of the barmaids at the Yawning portal who always gets his Goats leg jusssst right.
All responding to an invitation from the “famous” Volothamp Geddarm. After the typical impromptu bar fight and the latest band of idiots going down the portal on a dare who are quickly chased back up by a wayward troll (that the group help despatch in return for free drinks) Volo approaches and offers the party 100GP each (after a 10gp down payment) to look for and find his friend Floon Blagmaar who vanished after a late night on the lash with Volo.
Last seen at the Skewered Dragon the group head to the dock Ward. A curious shop lists a sighting with a well dressed man of similar appearance that evening. Arriving at said tavern after a fistfight and boardgame with a mostly drunken dwarf (Trev) he and the regulars remember Volo leaving and Floon meeting up with Reneer Neverember. The son of the former Open Lord of Waterdeep Dagault and almost the spitting image of Floon. They left around midnight and were followed out by 5 men. The 5 haven’t been back since but are known to work at a warehouse nearby.
Heading to the warehouse it seems empty from outside however they decide to get Mund to flash his credentials as an official Dunnykin guild member and claim he is there to inspect the drains. They are met by a strange bird man who can only repeat back what he has heard. During said annoying conversation they luckily spot another kenku about to shoot them from a window and a fight ensues. Several kenku are killed before the rest surrender. Questioning them is pretty fruitless but it does sound like someone was bought here and held and a thorough search of the place reveals hidden room (containing fine paintings of Luskan, Neverwinter, Silverymoon and Baldurs gate worth 75gp each in a crate as well as a second containing 15 10lb bars of silver each worth 50gp along), several bodies some carrying the winged serpent mark of the Zhentarim while others the spiked circle of the Xanathar guild as well as Reneer himself hiding in a store room.
Grateful for their rescue he explains him and Floon have a friendship that started based on their remarkable similarity and, thanks to Floons intoxication, he was escorting him home when they were ambushed and captured by members of the Zhentarim who were asking him about a vast amount of Gold Dragons (local name for Gold Coins) his father supposedly embezzled while Open Lord and something called “the Stone of Golorr” which was said to provide access to said treasure. Apparently it had been stolen from the Zhents recently and they were questioning Reneer thinking his father might have been involved (if was Reneer had no idea he was barely on speaking terms with his father). During one such question the warehouse was invaded by members of the Xanathar guild who killed the Xhentarim jailers. In the confusion Reneer managed to escape and hide in the cupboard where they found him but they had taken away Floon leaving the Kenku to watch for any stragglers returning late. Reneer was worried they had mistaken Floon for him and was eager to help with his rescue.
At this point, responding to reports of a disturbance, the City watch burst in. initially holding everyone back their leader, Captain Hyustus Staget (a well respected Watch Captain in the Dock ward) recognises Milo and allows them to explain their story. He takes the Kenku into custody and turns a blind eye to the two crates the group are trying in vain to hide then lets them go with a warning to “keep the blood off the streets”. Before they go Milo asks if he’s allowed to be a watch office again yet. Staget tells him no and when asked why responds “you know why” (“The Cabbages”).
Asking around and some hints from the watchmen lead the group to believe the Zanathar might have a lair in the sewers somewhere but are unsure how to find it. Mund decides to pay his father (a much more esteemed Dunnykin) for advice. His father reminds him of all those yellow markers they used to see in the sewers which were the Xanathar guilds own way of directing traffic.
Taking this back to the group who after some questioning have been told of a manhole cover that see’s more use than average they follow the markings to an underground lair. Fighting their way as quietly as they can through several goblins and duergar they come across a large room where a nightmare with tentacles for a mouth stroking what seems to be a pet brain with legs sits. Before him is an half-orc Mage in charge of this base known as Grum’shar.
Fortunately for the party the Flayer and his pet don’t seem intent on fighting instead leaving via some sort of teleporter while Grum’shar covered him. Eventually overpowering Grum’shar they find Floon battered both otherwise safe. He had indeed been mistaken for Reneer (their true target) but they had, fortunately for Floon, realised their mistake before the Flayer could “interrogate” him.
And that is where it was left…
I’ll write up a short piece to bring you forward story wise slightly to a more natural point to resume. Loot wise in this area you would have found:
• Grum’shar’s spell book with the spells Burning hands, Disguise self. False life, shield, unseen servant and Witch Bolt.
• Two potions of healing
• 16gp, 82sp 250cp.
Oh and you’ll all be level 2 when we start. Anyone making new characters go straight there.
