Session 1 - Summer Solstice

General Summary

Waterdeep, the city of splendors, a city where dreams are said to come true. Unfortunately, a seedy underbelly plagues Waterdeep. A war between different factions brews under the city's surface. One that threatens not only the safety of Waterdeep, but Faerun itself.
But first, we should meet two of our heroes. Milk, a halfling monk is a Waterdavian native. Born in Waterdeep some time ago, Milk now lives outside the town - living a life of Solitude. Tolka, a drow bard, traveled the land throughout the years. She has a propensity for being on the wrong side of the law. Learning during her life that she must survive by whatever means necessary. These two have found themselves in Waterdeep during the annual Summer Solstice festival, a celebration of the end of spring and arrival of Summer.

Waterdeep marketplace

Milk had set up a stall within the market, a place to sell meat from the animals he has hunted in the wilds. Tolka meanwhile was planning on performing for the attendance to this illustrious festival. But, she found herself in trouble quickly. Caught having stolen some coin from nobles. Tolka managed to talk her way out of being arrested. Once free, Tolka resumed her bardic duties in the market place.
This was short lived however as a hooded and heavily bandaged 'halfling' was driving the customers away with his loud, obnoxious selling of candied apples. Milk, having had enough of this, confronted the halfling. During their exchange, it was discovered this halfling was really a goblin in disguise. Soon after, those whom had actually bought and consumed the candied apples transformed into creatures of wood and tree.
Combat ensued with the two heroes battled these transformed creatures. After the chaos died down, the city guard arrived to investigate. After clearing their name and explaining the situation the heroes were let go. They were then confronted by Volothamp Geddarm, or Volo for short. Volo is a famous author within Waterdeep, having written the city guide and popular book; Volo's Guide to Monsters. He asked the heroes to meet him at the tavern, the Yawning Portal to discuss a potential job.

The Yawning Portal

Later that night, the heroes arrived at the Yawning Portal. There they bore witness to a fight between a female half orc and five men, one of which bears a tattoo of an eye on his head. The heroes chose not to intervene, instead watching the fight from the sidelines. The barkeep and proprietor of the Yawning Portal, Durnan, stepped in and kicked out the troublesome brawlers.
Soon after Volo arrived. He told the heroes that one of his dear friends, Floon Blagmaar, has gone missing. He told the party that they had been drinking at a tavern in the Dock Ward named The Skewerd Dragon. He advised the heroes to conduct an investigation in Dock Ward and to interview some of the locals for information. As a reward, Volo gave each hero ten dragons each, with the promise that he will pay ten times the amount for the completed task. He also warned the heroes that the Dock Ward is rife with seedy individuals, particularly the Xanathar Guild and Zhentarim.

Dock Ward

Travelling to the Dock Ward, the duo discover the City Watch arresting some Zhentarim gang members. Dead bodies laying in the street, an aftermath of a skirmish between the Xanathar Guild and Zhentarim gangs.
Pressing on, they discover an odd shop of knick knacks and trinkets, Old Xoblob's shop. Going inside, they are able to gain information that he saw Floon struggling with two men, possibly Zhentarim agents. Before leaving, Xoblob sells the heroes some odd trinkets. Tolka got a block of Adamantine mined from Citadel Adbar in the north of Faerun. Milk recieves a mysterious dagger.
Continuing forward, the two arrive at the Skewerd Dragon. There they talk to a bar maiden who tells them that Floon had been drinking heavily with Volo a few nights ago. After Volo left, one of Floon's friends, Raenear Neverember arrived. Raenear is the son of the former openlord of Waterdeep, Dagult Neverember. After they left, the two were accosted by members of the Zhentarim and taken away.
With this information, the heroes made their way to the Zhentarim warehouse in the Dock Ward. They managed to get in undetected, there they found a number of Kenku and some dead bodies. Fighting the Kenku, they were able to subdue and interrogate one, discovering they were members of the Xanthar guild. Afterwards, they find Raenear tied up in a storage closet. Raenear informs the party that himself and Floon had been kidnapped by the Zhentarim due to an artifact called the Stone of Golorr. A Stone that is rumoured to lead to the horde of smuggled gold that his father, Dagult, had apparently hidden. The Zhentarim were attacked by the Xanathar Guild who took Floon, mistaking him for Raenear.
With this information, the duo decided it was best to rest for the night, before trekking down the sewers to find Floon.

Rewards Granted

10 GP Each

Missions/Quests Completed

Find information on Floon's whereabouts

Character(s) interacted with

Volo Durnan Xoblob Raenear

Report Date

07 Apr 2019

Primary Location

Waterdeep

Secondary Location

The Yawning Portal