An Audience with Silverhand
15 Kythorn 1492
The Open Lord meets you discretely outside the receiving room in the late afternoon.
“Waterdeep is under attack though few know it and those who do won’t admit to it. I’m sorry to pull you again from your watch, monk, but I am running out of capable allies.
“The streets have been accosted by gibbering mouthers. The Xanathar Guild that we recently hoped to crush has been throwing thugs into our streets and adversaries to our enemies. I have the Griffons and the City Guard on constant watch to protect our citizens and have sent the resources we have to stem this tide. Tell me, what do you know of Undermountain?”
Pessius volunteers some information about the Mad Mage, Halaster, who is rumored to live in the vast warrens underneath Waterdeep. Zanalor knows of Skullport and the unsavory elements of the Xanathar Guild that claimed most of that town for their own, with rumors of entrances into the deeper reaches of Undermountain. Froderick knows of Skullport from the injured that poured into his care on a daily basis. Nuitt practices his kata.
Lareal proceeds to pass along a short history lesson, though pressed for time. Waterdeep is a city that is built on layers of history. There was once an ancient elven captial that – through powerful magic – was pulled out of time and space. Centuries later dwarves built a mighty keep over top of those ruins, even while ambitous mages tried to delve into the weave that the elves had mangled. Lareal suggests that, if her worst fears are true, Waterdeep willneed to revist this past soon enough.
The undermountain is not underdark. There have been connections made, but in truth undermountain is a secure keep of the worst sort, with every entrance and every action under the constant watch of powerful magic. Lareal sketches a picture of a lattice of entrances throughout Waterdeep. The Yawning Portal, Castle Waterdeep. The Blue Mermaid tavern, the Sea Knight tavern, the Blushing nymph festhall all had avenues into undermountain where the less savory sorts could traverse. The Citadel of the Bloody Hand was an ancient bastion on Mount Waterdeep with the falling stair into that demense. Lareal has sealed and guard them all and our forces are pushing down the yawning portal but at best we are holding shut a failing door. “But for now, I need you where I have no one left.”
Skullport is now her greatest threat and she has few left to send. She says she has sent those who might know it best through, but has not heard from them in too long.
Zanalor asks a pointed question, having recently been roughly handled by Silverhand and Waterdeep. Why should we help you? Lareal regards him cooly but with a quick mind undulled by her many years. “Because your daughter is in this city. Many you love are here. I have no claim to your service, but why would you not?”
Zanalor and the party quickly consider. Zanalor secures a pledge from Lareal that his family can be brought to the Castle and entrusted to Lareal’s personal guard. You agree to a short ocean voyage in the morning after a supply run to Xoblob’s and some frolicking at night in Galiana’s bed. Eww.
NUITT DREAM SPOILER?
At night, Nuitt dreams. You old friends came to find you. Just as you cluster together to teleport back to Waterdeep, a flash catches the corner of your vision. Some flare to the south in Barovia. Some energy streaming skyward. You dream of this over and over again. Your meditation is restless.
Random notes: At Xoblob’s, he’s been happy that his competition seems to be going out of business. When asked if he can recommend other stores for sundries, he laughs and came up with a cool rap.
“Xoblob ain’t no mercantile slob You want crap then go see Cornontherob! Though I hear is store suffered quite a job At the hands of very tasteful mob!” That’s right. I’ve been practicing waterdeep street rapz. Word.
Zanalor and Pessius sold some items and Zanalor bought his new amulet of non-detection and Pessius blew a load on the Ring of Shooting Stars. You put a bunch of gold in the bank except for what you spend at Brews Cruise.