Session 3 Report- 2022/09/23

General Summary

As the party goes down the lift, Telchar begins assessing the risk level of their descent. Is someone going to try and jump the party at the bottom? He begin telepathically talking with an individual they come to find out is a common pickpocket named Stockade, much to her surprise!

Stockade (Gnome Pickpocket)
You learn that Stockade got her name by frequenting the Shadow for her income (pick pocketing) and often finds herself in well… the Stockade. This is such a common occurrence that the guard doesn't even really pay attention or care about her.
You also learn:

• 5GP to get her out of the Stockade
• 10GP/Day as an escort through Downshadow
• She will fight, but only if you share a % of the loot (% to be determined)
• Those from "up top" (Waterdeep) are known as "Sunshiners" to the people in Downshadow
• "Almost anything can be solved with Gold, but sometimes even gold won't do and you need to solve it with the sword"

The party makes a deal with Stockade:

• Telchar will pay for her to get out of the clink
• Stockade will tell the party why the Bartender upstairs is such a grump
• Stockade will show the party around Downshadow

Downshadow Tour

• She shares that the Barkeep used to be a jolly, fun man but his wife left him and he murdered her lover. He was never the same since.
• Makeshift market with wooden poled tents with dark fabric. Most of the vendors are quite transient. They deal in "things you generally aren't allowed to buy elsewhere".
• There is a small mining operation. Stockade doesn't bring you in there, but she says she has been in there and it's pretty boring. She isn't sure how long they will mine for but it could be a good place to eventually expand Downshadow
• There is a run of "homes" along a long thing hallway. Stockade shows you where hers is (about halfway up the line). It is a meager tent with a stool, a rug, and a small cooking fire with a pot over it.
• There is no formal place for food or drink in Downshadow. Folks use the Knight 'N Shadow for this purpose, or they make deals with individuals in Downshadow with food.
• There are entrances into the Undermountain from Downshadow, which leads to other places including the city of Skullport (3rd Level Undermountain). Stockade does not go often because it is dangerous to get there, but she fondly remembers having great food and drink in Skullport.
• There is no "government" in Downshadow (and Stockade finds the idea kind of quaint since it's a "Sunshiner" thing). However there are multiple "organizations" that make things run in the city

Organizations in Downshadow Include:
• The Plague of Rats
• Xanathar's Guild
• The Zhentarim
• The The Red Sashes. Upon further questioning she mentions that this organization is run by "The One"
• The Flaming Skulls





Durnan's Contact

Just as the party is getting impatient and not sure what to do next, a hand pulls Stockade into her Tent as the party is coming back past it. He chides the Gnome to try and keep quiet and not draw anymore attention to herself or the party. The shadowy figure demands his 200GP so that they can complete the transaction. After Farlen hands over the cash, he removes his hood and reveals what he looks like (but not his name):



He shares the following with the party:
• Black Dragon is in the Forge of Fury, at the Bottom of the Mountain
• There is more than one entrance to the Mountain

Information on Kundrukar

Durgeddin was a master smith who forged blades of surpassing quality and power. Centuries ago, his home was sacked by orcs. Durgeddin led the remnants of his clan to the mountains north of the town of Blasingdell and established a small, secret stronghold somewhere in the trackless wilderness, known at Khundrukar.
From his hidden redoubt, he waged a decades-long vendetta against all orc-kind, until his enemies discovered his fortress and attacked it after a long siege. Durgeddin and his followers perished, and much wealth was carried away by the conquering hordes. But it’s said that the deepest and best-hidden vaults and armories escaped the looting, and that some of Durgeddin’s extraordinary blades still wait in the darkness for a hand bold enough to claim one. The name "Khundrukar" is no longer used, it it simply known as "The Forge of Fury"


- Khundrukar Leaflet


He turned to Camzel and offered her a quest, should she choose to accept it. He mentions that


"Someone from the Plague of Rats would be useful in this situation".


- Durnan's Contact


He explains that the Ogre, The Great Ulfe, wronged some friends of his and he would pay well for evidence of the Ogre being gone. The last part of the transaction involves showing the party where the portal to travel to the Forge of Fury is. He escorts the party to the tent in question and takes his leave.




Shakla

Stockade introduces herself and the party to the person inside. Inside of the tent, you find a Half-Orc who introduces herself as Shakla.


Shakla

She is very nice and welcoming, but warns the party that she will kill them if they try anything. Through conversation, she let's the party know the following information:
• The front gate of the Forge on the Western side up the trail is heavily guarded; there are ~20 Orcs who live there.
• She recommends to try and get into the Forge at night, as the watch will not be as heavy.
• She is aware of stairs on the eastern side of the Forge, but she doesn't know where they go.
• She grew up in the Forge, and she does not like The Great Ulfe. "He is a jerk and wanted to marry me".
• She paid a man in Red Robes 500GP to come through the portal about 2 months ago to come to Downshadow.
• She loves it in Downshadow, but does miss her family some. However she has no interest in going back to the Forge and risking not being able to come back to Downshadow.

Telchar offers to bring a letter from her to her mother. Shakla is very excited by this prospect, leaves, and brings back a letter:

Mom,
I want you to know that I am safe and have found a new home that is much better than living with The Great Ulfe. If it is possible, then find a man in Blasingdell in Red Robes. He may be able to send you through the portal to Downshadow so that we can be together again.


PS- Don't take any crap from Great Ulfe; He's a jerk!


Love, Shakla



While Shakla is gone, Telchar writes and gives Shakla a Recipe for BBQ Rat. She is thrilled and promises to make the best rat he's ever had! Telchar pays Stockade 10GP and Shakla 10GP for their services and time. Farlen offers Shakla a tour of Waterdeep and potentially a "position" if she is interested.




Portal

The party looks for how to use the Portal. Farlen inspects the portal and uses his magic to clean out a depression covered in Moss and Mold. Sure enough, there is a hole the exact shape of the Glyph Key from Durnan! The party steps through the Gate one by one to begin this new adventure…




The Stone Tooth

As the gate slowly quiets down and turns back into just an archway, the party finds itself in a brooding pine forests and deep vales. From where you stand now, you catch sight of a tall, steep hill that rises to a prominent bare knob of rock—The Stone Tooth. A thin spire of smoke rises from some unseen point high on the hill’s slopes, and you can make out a steep, narrow road or track that runs back and forth across the face of the mountainside.






The Plan

After some deliberation, the party decides to:
• Have Camzel take the lead to scope out the Front Door fortifications
• Move over to the area with the smoke and see what may be causing it.

The party slowly moves up the switchback trail to the front door. Camzel skillfully uses her Cloak of Many Fashions to blend in with the rock face, where she observes 2 Orcs who are not paying a lot of attention to their duties.
The party considers attacking, but a returning Orc raiding party (Min. 3 Orcs) forces their hand and causes them to retreat into hiding into the Forest near the trail. The party narrowing escapes due to some clever hiding from Farlen the Wood Elf as well as Camzels Cloak of Many Fashions (got inspiration for helping to hide Telchar).
The party then ventures over to the Smoke, which they confirm is a large Chimney (10 feet wide) and is definitely a cooking fire. This Chimney is at least 60 feet deep, and seems like it could be climbed down if one is careful.
As the night begins to set in, the party decides to take a short rest while night fully falls and think about what they should do next.
Until next time…

Campaign

Clarksville D&D

Protagonists

Baklor Darkspear

Telchar

Lawful Neutral Hill Dwarf (Acolyte)
Cleric 4

39 / 39 HP

STR
13

DEX
8

CON
17

INT
12

WIS
15

CHA
10

Report Date

24 Sep 2022

Primary Location

Downshadow

Secondary Location

The Stone Tooth

This content was homebrewed by DM Baklor. Thank you to my players for making it awesome! All Rights Reserved.