SC.2.2 Choosing Sides

Session Preface

  The next morning, each of you wake in your respective rooms of Trollskull Manor. Early morning light wakes you, pouring in where the windows are missing curtains, the mildew and musty remains in a trash heap in the alley. With makeshift furniture, scuffed floors, and building supplies strewn about, it remains a work in progress. But after even only a few days of work by some dozen trade guilds in the city, the progress is notable and elements are starting to come together.   As you make your way downstairs, the aroma of rich coffee wafts around you. Lif, behind the bar, pours a mug for each of you from a brand new pour-over contraption. Its shiny brass frame and glass beakers shimmer in the glow of light. The grinding of beans and the hiss of steam sound in the background of your gathering thoughts. Mya sits at one of the intact bar seats while Ulric, Thaust's newest squire, sweeps plaster and sawdust in a pile with smooth, methodical motions.   "Maybe the coffee machine was not the highest priority in terms of repairs, but it sure makes the guild member's happier while they fix the place up." Mya says, resting her head on Hawk's shoulder for a moment, arm wrapped around his. She looks over the tavern, now empty of broken tables and chairs, a blank canvas of half-rotten wood that still needs ripping out.   "What do you heroes have in store for today?" she asks, "Or do you want to stay and go through tax records with me?"  

Session Summary

 

Trollskull Manor

While preparing for the day, the companions are joined by Tally, the carpenter and craftsmen who operates the Bent Nail next door. She enjoys a cup of coffee while discussing the potential decor and renovations for the tavern. They are also joined by Rashaal, a dragonborn who runs the Book Wrym's Treasure down the alley, who sought out Tally for new book shelves, introducing himself and taking a cup of coffee as well.  

Sea Maiden's Faire

The companions explore the festival's events and offerings, getting a handful of savory breakfast items and taking in the various wonders to behold offered on the dock. These include a weary frost giant, a halfing wererat, a polar bear, an allosaurus, giant fire beetles, and an owlbear. From the wererat, they learn the names of two captains — Klarr and Fergus, though "The Rat Boy" as his marketing described him, lets slip a drow name in his excitement. He also explains that Zardoz, the man in charge, stays aboard The Eyecatcher, a ship identical to the two docked that stays about a mile offshore. Thaust also takes the chance to commune with the dinosaur and owlbear, sensing that they are not abused, but are also not particularly treated particularly well by their carnival handlers.  

Xanathar's Outpost

Before pursuing a meeting with Jarlaxle, the party returns to the sewer outpost of the Xanathar Thieves Guild, where they are eventually joined by Nilihoor, the mind flayer overseeing operations. Hawk allows the mind flayer access to his mind, focusing on proof that the Zhentarim's weapons are the same as theirs and coming from the same source, Jarlaxle. Outraged at this revelation, Nilihoor considers their agreement complete, returning their equipment that had been held as collateral. He assures them that Xanathar will learn of Jarlaxle's betrayal.  

Aboard the Eyecatchter

Returning to the Sea Maiden's Faire, the party beguile their way onto The Heartbreaker and meet Klarr, its captain. Magically charming him, Hawk convinces the captain that he is using being a performer as a front to meet with Zardoz on Zhentarim business. Klarr is happy to oblige, believing himself to have made a new friend, inviting them to return later if they want to bounce on the trampoline the trapeze artists use. A jolly boat is lowered and the companions are taken to Jarlaxle's ship, The Eyecatcher.   Aboard, they are led to Zardoz's quarters. In the moments while they are unattended, Endriel rifles through the papers on his desk, discovering a ledger of recent sales. He discovers not only confirmation of sales to both the Zhentarim and Xanathar's, but also a shipment of poison purchased by Ellian Hood for the Ardeep Avengers, as well as a number of sales of the nimblewright constructs to various noble houses throughout Waterdeep. Endriel tears the page out as Zardoz enters, accompanied by two attendees.   Following introductions and Jarlaxle dropping his disguise, negotiations begin as to how they might convince Jarlaxle to stop selling weapons to the Zhentarim. He pushes back, noting that he cannot lose his rapport with them, as he will need their connections and services in the future. When asked why, he simply tells Thaust, "something was taken from me. I will get it back." Threats exchanged by both sides, leverages pressed and considered, the two sides eventually come to an agreement when Hawk offers for the Crimson Cord to buy out the Zhentarim interest in his wares.   Jarlaxle takes the idea one step forward, suggesting that if the Cord were instead, able to "steal" his goods, then it would have the intended goal of cutting the Zhentarim out of the picture, without him having to cut ties with them. He would, of course, need to be financially compensated by the Crimson Cord, which he decides to handle himself directly in negotiations, rather than through the party. Jarlaxle also states that he may well take the party up on an earlier offer of a favor. When pressed on his intent, he explains that he was exiled from Luskan and intended to use the Zhentarim and other factions to earn his place back into power and reclaim his home.   With only the details left to settle, the companions return back to the Dock Ward and make their way once more into the Shadowfell.   Along the way, the companions discuss the revelations, now knowing Jarlaxle's place in the city events and the rising tensions between the factions. Endriel realizes a previously overlooked distinction - that while the Crimson Cord have been responsible for the particularly gruesome murders that were meant to send a message, and the brewing war between the Zhents and Guild were on the rise, neither accounted for the disappearances that Istrid of the Zhentarim referenced when she asked them to look into things. And further, none of these missing persons had been reported in the broadsheets when he arrived in Waterdeep and began doing reconnaissance. With what they know now, the party contends that these disappearances must then be tied to the Rakshasa they are hunting.  

Nalaskur's Villa

  Meeting with Nalaskur in his office, the party describes their success in maneuvering to Crimson Cord's intended outcome. As promised, Nalaskur provides what he knows about the Rakshasa he seeks. First, he tosses them an invitation - a silver embossed parchment in a black envelope with the depiction of a mask, inviting him to a Liar's Night Masquerade hosted at Cassalanter Villa. He reveals that they are the ones who pull the strings of the Rakshasa's attacks in the city and do so from a shrine to Asmodeus beneath their villa. He claims that he doesn't know their full intent or purpose, but that the Cord simply act as a "clean up" operation for them. He suggests they go under the evening's disguises, and learn more for themselves.   Returning to Waterdeep with the remainder of the day having passed them by while traveling between the planes, the companions go their own way to prepare for the days ahead.