Session 23 Summary

General Summary

We rejoined our illustrious group on their way to the Halls of Justice in the early morning to deliver the Black Viper to Savra Belebranta. Upon arrival, they encountered a young cleric who politely advised them that the temple was not yet open for public service, and inquired as to their business at the early hour. 

For absolutely no good reason whatsoever, Hawthorne and Lunchmoney took up adversarial attitudes and quickly intimated the young acolyte into fleeing for assistance. Not satisfied, Hawthorne proceeded to chase her down and lay hands on her person, eliciting a blood curdling scream that woke up everyone in the vicinity, including Savra who soon appeared to demand answers. 

While they failed to bullshit their way out of trouble, they did manage to mollify Savra to an extent with news that their mission had been successful. She ordered them to meet her in a nearby courtyard while she went back to her quarters to get dressed.

The party handed over their captive, who Savra identified as Esvele Rosznar; the daughter of a Waterdeep noble family who had apparently just assumed the original Black Viper’s identity. They also handed over the notebook they retrieved, along with the bag of women’s underclothing, but kept the rest of the items they found for themselves. Tired and heavily wounded, the party returned to the manor to rest and recharge, and identify some of their newly acquired items. 

First thing the next morning, they were awakened by a heavy banging on the Manor’s door. When it became clear that their visitors were not going to leave, Lunchmoney eventually made his way down to see who it was and discovered a group of City Watch guards led by Sergeant Saeth Cromley, and Barnibus Blastwind from the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors. 

Barnibus had come to question them about the recent events at Gralhund Villa; why the party members had been there and gotten involved; and what they knew about the Zhentarim’s activities that night. While Horus hid upstairs uncertain of how things would play out, Lunchmoney and Hawthorne once again overcomplicated a standard encounter with their unique brand of unnecessary lies and aggressive posturing. Only when threatened with incarceration did they finally provide a feasible explanation (that they learned from Renaer Neverember that Urstul Floxin was seen entering the Gralhund's Villa, and when they went to investigate they found an ongoing battle between the Gralhund House Guard and the Zhentarim) and were allowed to remain free as long as they promised to remain within the city. 

With the whole day still ahead and more chaos yet to sew, the party decided to revisit the offices of the Waterdeep Wazoo to see if they could exchange some of their newly acquired information. Business was booming at the broadsheet with news of the Bloodbath at the Gralhund Villa and the pending crackdown by the City Watch on the Black Network. The sweaty Gaxly Rudderbust proved to be useful once again after learning about the Gralhund’s connection to the Dragon Cult, and reading the Letter to Yalah , which he claimed was authored by Victoro and Ammalia Cassalanter and also implicated them as possible cultists. Gaxly also shared his doubts that the Zhentarim would be directly involved with the cult, as they are principally motivated by acquiring wealth, such as the city’s long-rumoured hidden hoard of gold. In reciprocation, Gaxly promised to leverage his network of sources across the city to help the party track down their wayward nimblewright. 

On their way home again, the party was abruptly contacted by Vajra Safahr , who asked them to visit Blackstaff Tower in the next 24 hours to discuss a new mission for Force Grey.

Report Date

07 Mar 2025