Session Preface
Fire giants. Hill giants. A Vampire. The Underdark. Another Vampire. More Fire Giants. An insane Cloud Giant. A White Dragon. The Oracle of a Giant god. A Blue Dragon. A whole family of potentially treacherous Storm Giants and their Giant ambassadors.
Yet standing before the worn, paint chipped wooden signage of the Golden Harp, a second home and frequent haven, nerves rattle in your chest like ball bearings down a stone stairwell. The electric current of buzzing excitement of finally seeing Mya again with the gut wrenching terror and near nausea of sharing with her for the first time in your gods-damned life how you actually feel about her coalesce into one indeterminable mess of second guesses and memories and possibilities. It's dizzying and disorienting, but most of all it feels as though it cannot sustain. Something must be done, one way or the other, because this standing at the doorway with words clogging the back of your throat will only suffocate you in time.
As you stand at the threshold, the door swings wide and a mix-matched group of individuals depart the tavern. Amidst the group, about half are well-dressed in fine dark purples or forest green doublets and velvet cloaks. Others look more accustomed to the South Ward in near rags and smudged with dirt and grime from a tenday ago. More still connect the spectrum in between as workers and various guild-members. Yet they all share in common a disconcerting look of vague determination and ominous hesitation, like a collective calm before the squall. As you look more closely, you observe a variety of weapons and vials at their waists. Even the rags of the beggars hide the outline of daggers and crossbows. For a moment, one of the nobly dressed individuals stops just short of you "Are you lost, boy, or just as dumb as you look? Don't just gawk about in the middle of the road." The group collectively holds its breath for a moment and the only sound is of rolling carts against cobblestone down the road. But the tension is quickly broken as another of the individuals makes a crude joke you don't quite hear. Laughter erupts from the group as it disperses into the city and into the evening.
Looking into the doorway now ajar before you, your eyes widen momentarily at the dense crowd in attendance. Never have you seen such a tightly packed audience at the Golden Harp. Even on festival days there were always one-off seats to be found. But tonight, the room is nearly bursting with individuals from the stage to the bar. Nearly all of the tables have been moved in favor of extra chairs and even still, more stand, crowding the bar opposite the stage.
The soft sound of a delicate ballad played masterfully on the flute dances around your ears. A familiar tune. One of love found, lost, and found again too late. You learned it once. The chording was awkward on the lute, but it proved a fun challenge and an impressive performance on this very stage. You remember even now the welling tears in Mya's vibrant green eyes as you played it the first time, both from the moving song and a swelling pride in her friend's so obvious talent. As the present performance crescendos, the kitchen door swings wide and you're surprised to not see the same vibrant green eyes buried behind the tray of pitchers and bowls. Instead, you recognize the server as Claira, the half-elven baker, who frequently led drinking shanties late into the evening.
As the performance finishes, there's a moment of silence before the room erupts into a standing ovation and joyous applause which fills your heart. The performer, who you now recognize as Kithri, a delightful female halfling whom often performs in the open stage nights, bows, her rosy cheeks positively glowing as she basks in the mutual enjoyment of her friends and colleagues. The modest stage lighting catches the tears forming and spilling across her bittersweet smile. She steps down from the stage, moving towards the only table left in the audience. Kithri lifts herself up onto a chair and clasps her arms around a young woman whose shoulders tremble as she wraps her arms around the halfing in response. Only as the crowd parts for a moment, are your fears confirmed as Kithri clasps Mya's shoulders, the two weeping together.
Session Summary
Upon discovering they have returned on the evening of a celebration of the now deceased Thorsten, Mya's father and owner of the Golden Harp, Hawk and Thaust do their best to console Mya, including a moving performance from each of them. Thaust performs a powerful firbolg dirge, while Hawk plays a bittersweet ballad thematically conveying a sense of hope as life moves forward amidst loss and grieving. Emmyth also meets a number of the community members while buying artwork - one an abstract depiction of Waterdeep as a forlorn face, the other an over-the-top cliche depiction of an uppity elven nobleman.
Following Hawk's performance, Mya steps onto the stage announcing to the shock of all in attendance her intent to sell the Golden Harp. As Mya explains, she believes the Harp can continue to be a home and haven for this incredible community, but the legacy is not just her family's but the community's as a whole and thus it's time for someone else to step in and preserve what makes the Golden Harp so special.
Once guests begin to clear out, Mya, Hawk, Thaust, and Emmyth are able to meet privately in the kitchen, a frequent end to the evening in Hawk and Mya's earlier years. The party shares their incredible adventures, what brought them to town, and where they will go next. Learning of Hawk's intent to leave so soon, she immediately bursts into a tirade of heroes who spend so much effort and time "planning to save the world" but aren't there for the people who need them when they need them." Hawk insightfully predicts this outburst is pointed towards Ellian rather than himself, and does his best to comfort Mya. Mya shares a letter from Ellian with Hawk which unsurprisingly reads as a series of noble excuses for why he won't be attending this evening's celebration.
Emmyth and Thaust gives Mya and Hawk a moment alone, in which they reflect on their lives, Mya's desire to leave and explore, and a vague plan in the future for her to travel to Durindale with Hawk. Mya shares a surprise with Hawk as she pulls out a songbook and creates four orbs of magical lights with her performance. This newfound ability only furthers her desire to travel and explore the world as she's learning how to be an adventurer like Hawk. When Hawk promises, "I'll come back for you." Mya responds "You're not the first boy to say that to me, Rydan, but I'd be okay with it if you were the last," kissing him on the cheek and returning to the Golden Harp regulars still present in the aftermath of the celebration.
Once out of the kitchen, Thaust approaches Mya, confiding in her that all Hawk's efforts to save the world and keep everyone safe for giants has been all for Mya and that "Hawk is totally in love with you." Mya gives a knowing smirk and interrupts Thaust by finding Hawk in conversation and kissing him in front of everyone. Laughter and cheers break out from their collective friends before the evening finally comes to a close.
Back to the task at hand, the party examines several leads for how they might travel to Gauntlgrym with all due haste. Emmyth pays another visit to Davil Strongsong, who encourages him to find Geoffrey, who works among the City Watch. Geoffrey promises a trio of griffons, assuming Emmyth can gather the necessary supplies, which proves to be easy given the vast resources of Waterdeep.
Hawk and Thaust track down their Avenger ally, Soveliss Xiloscient, who is the informant living within Waterdeep. The oft-eating and self-absorbed wood elf enjoying the evening at a tavern called the Crow's Nest indeed "has a guy" for them to get out of town quick, but is the first to admit it often comes with a blood-signed contract promising to do some under the table work for Xorone of the Libram, Arcane Watchlord of the Waterdeep Watch. He points them towards another tavern, The Elfstone, where Xorone frequents before abruptly leaving Hawk and Thaust with his open and expensive tab.
The three party members convene and share their findings, as well as a note from Kelnelis delivered to Hawk by Elya. Over breakfast, the party determines Emmyth, who studied at Candlekeep with Xorone, should pay him a visit to see if such a deal can be struck. The meeting goes as well as expected for the two past rival students. Xorone agrees to teleport Emmyth and his companions, but warns the contract will be doubly expensive for he knows Emmyth's capabilities and fully expects to get his values worth from his services. The two make an initial agreement and Emmyth returns to share these details with the party.
While Emmyth meets with Xorone, Hawk returns to the Golden Harp to hopefully see Mya again. He opens the door to see the same mysterious group of individuals who stumbled out of the Harp the evening before right before the celebration began. Mya tries to assure Hawk everything is fine, but he sees through her facade. Over lunch, Mya explains her plight. When Thorsten's sickness grew worse, she caved to pressure and allowed Xanathar's Thieves Guild members to use the Golden Harp as a meeting place since they were looking for a gathering hall that wouldn't be subject to raids nor listening ears of the Zhentarim, given the turf war the two factions have been escalating in recent months. She admits this is another reason for selling the Golden Harp, because the last time she tried to end the agreement, they simply stabbed her with a blade to make a point and continued their meeting as if nothing had happened.
Enraged, Hawk (and later Thaust upon learning of the details) plans to storm the Golden Harp to murder every last guildmember, but Mya forces a compromise in which they will gather her things and go to Neverwinter with the party, considering the Golden Harp "lost to them." Instead, Hawk concludes their best case scenario is to give the Golden Harp to his father Corvan with the agreement that Hawk could purchase it back in the future. The trio make their way to Corvan's office, where Hawk's father is unsurprisingly curt and insulting to his wayward son. Ultimately, the two make the agreement official with a handshake, though Hawk and the others can only imagine how Corvan will use this situation to his exclusive benefit and the regret of Mya especially.
With the fate of the Golden Harp uncertain but at least protected from the thieves' guild, the party of now four make their final preparations for traveling to Neverwinter and eventually, the dwarven mines of Gauntlgrym.
Kelnelis' Note to Hawk
I meant to share this with you when you purchased the bow, but forgot amidst the rest of your party's business.
The rosewood bow you purchased... Thorns for Roses was the name shared with me...
I did not make it. I did not enchant it. In fact, I know not where its magic comes from.
It seems ...unique. Almost personal in a way. It was sold to me very reluctantly by a young woman in quick need of coin.
None of this should effect your use of the bow, but I thought it pertinent for you to be aware nonetheless. May it serve you well on your journeys... And do keep my nephew safe as best you can. He needs someone watching his back, whether he admits it or not.
Hawk's Visit to the Hawkwinter Villa
You arrive near sundown, remembering how beautiful the north ward can be when beams of red and yellow reflect off of the majestic windows and gaudy homes of the wealthy elite. And few mansions are as fine as the Hawkwinter villa. Gazing through the dining room window, your mother and sister sit next to one another at one end of the table. Your father sits at the other, paperwork of some kind fanned out in front of his plate as he chews over the numbers and his roasted lamb as well. In a separate window on the floor above, Enes works, frantically writing at a desk that's been in your house since before you were born.
Between your parents hangs a recent addition - a massive and impressive chandelier over the middle of the wood table. It captures the sunset glow of near evening and splashes it across the room, painting your sweet twin in a golden hue. She looks much as you remember her, though perhaps weary. As she reaches for her fork, her hand knocks a glass of water, spilling across the table linen. From outside, you can almost hear the immediate sharp remark from your father and the quiet motion as your mother silently, dutifully reaches across the table to mitigate the spill. Emilia begins to sob, unsure of what exactly she's done wrong. Your mother tenderly reaches, brushing your sister's bangs behind her ear, kisses her head, and draw her attention back to her dinner. This seems to console Emilia, who gradually quiets, but doesn't begin eating again. As her attention shifts, the sunset glow from the chandelier catches her eye and she looks out the window.
After a elongated moment, Emilia’s wandering gaze is startled by your father abruptly standing up, collecting his documents and wordlessly exiting the dining hall. He shortly reappears in the window above in conversation with your older, perfect brother.
As your mother stands to collect herself, a new maidservant enters the room, gathering your father’s half-eaten meal. Your mother helps Emilia to her feet as well, guiding her to the sitting room where she can look into the garden in hopes of spotting fireflies in the dusk light evening.
Emmyth's Tasks in Waterdeep
Emmyth spends his morning in Waterdeep meeting with Davil Strongsong, Master of Operations and Negotiations of the Zhentarim, who is greatly appreciative and asks Emmyth to see to making sure this fire giant threat is contained. "If you can things back to a sense of normalcy, it wont be a moment too soon" he remarks, as he fears a territory war is about to break out with the Xanathar's guild and the zhents and doesn't want to fight a war on two fronts.
He also drafted and dropped off a letter for Kobrostos,
Dearest Kobrostos,
I hope this letter finds you well. As fate would have it, I have found myself back in Waterdeep for a brief time. The moment I arrived, I couldn't think of anything but you. I hope you are doing well and matters are progressing as expected. I fear I don't have much time in the city as I am under enormous pressure due to my current assignment. However, I would love to see your face since it's been, gosh, years since I could see you. Meet me in the market square midnight tonight. Wear that cowl I bought you so long ago, I hope your father didn't toss it once he found out about us. It will be like a romantic rendezvous, you know, like the ones in the stories. I miss you.
With the kindest of heart,
Emmyth
Kobrostos does indeed meet Emmyth at the market at midnight, but is not wearing the cowl as suggested. Instead, Kobrostos shares with Emmyth that his father still lives and for business alliances, has wed Kobrostos to a kind and sweet woman named Ildaera Thann, whose family also operates a series of vineyards.
The two discuss their families, with Kobrostos revealing Zelphar's marriage to Elyssa and their child Wylym being born in recent years. Emmyth also learns of his brother Ruvyn's increasingly dangerous trade deals often transporting goods to and from Chult.
Before he departs, Kobrostos turns his cloak inside out, revealing the beautiful material of the cowl sewn into the interior. "This way, I always have you close. But if the last ten years has taught me anything, we are not like the characters in those stories. We may have our moments, these midnight rendezvous, but those stories were never for us. Be well, Emmyth. I do hope to see you again." Kobrostos kisses Emmyth on the cheek, a tear sticking to Emmyth's face, and departs into the still busy Waterdeep night.
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