Session 21 Summary

General Summary

We resumed at Trollskull manor with the party having just returned from their encounter at the Gralhund Villa. Without a clear lead on either the nimblewright or the Stone of Golorr, they decided to do a bit of shopping in Trollskull Alley. Interested in acquiring new weapons and armour, they visited ‘Steam and Steel’, where the Fire Genasi proprietor, Embric , sold Hawthorne a new longsword. After inquiring about the options for new and better armour, they found the prices even higher than the shop’s temperature.

Returning to the manor, they found a familiar face sitting at the bar. Savra Belebranta of the Order of the Gauntlet had come looking for them with details on a new mission. She explained that a notorious thief called the Black Viper, long thought dead, had apparently returned to Waterdeep. The thief had already broken into a dozen or so noble estates and made off with treasured possessions. But the viper was also rumoured to have discovered a number of family secrets and has been blackmailing their victims with this information.

Savra asked the party to find out more about this individual and the only lead she could offer was that a local broadsheet, the Waterdeep Wazoo, had published an article about the Viper, and had also recently published a few scandalous exposés about noble families. Savra asked the party to approach the publisher; one Gaxly Rudderbust, and learn what he knows about the Viper.

In an uncharacteristic display of discretion, the party actually managed to extract the information they needed from the personable Gaxly without having to resort to threats or intimidation. After initially lying, Horus persuaded, if not charmed, the man into sharing that he converses with the Viper via raven, but that as part of his due diligence, he’d hired someone to track the raven as well. It was seen landing at a townhouse on Thunderstaff Way in the Sea Ward.

The party visited the building to scout it out, but decided to consult with Savra before taking further action. After several unsuccessful and somewhat painful attempts to send her a raven, the party took a long rest and headed over to the Halls of Justice in the morning. When they shared what they’d learned from Gaxly, Savra asked the party to track down and try to apprehend the Viper on her behalf. Should the elusive thief escape, they are to collect any items and documents they find and return with them. To aid in their mission, Savra offered the party a magical wand that they can keep if their mission is successful.

The party then returned to the manor to rest up, make plans and wait for nightfall.

Report Date

31 Jan 2025