SC.0 Campaign Summary

With a Knights of Holy Judgment contract for a Rakshasa in hand, Hawk, Thaust, and Mya return to Waterdeep one year after their adventures in Skullport. In a confrontational reunion, they learn that Hawk's father burned down the Golden Harp for a large sum of insurance payout. They receive the deed to a dilapidated inn, Trollskull Manor, as recompense. Hawk and Thaust are surprised to meet Endriel, who had been investigating a weapon's dealer in Waterdeep and that it somehow connected to Hawk's brother and the newly inherited property.
Visiting the manor, the companions uncover a Xanathar Thieves Guild drop spot and follow the guild members back to a subterranean hide out. Here, they discover a mind flayer overseeing the operations. When they try and save the life of a captured Zhentarim, the companions are overwhelmed and forced to stand down. The mind flayer agrees to spare their lives in exchange for reconnaissance work. It demands to know who is arming the Zhentarim, taking their weapons as collateral until they return.
Over the next several days, the team spreads out across the city in search of information and old connections. Mya begins the efforts to rebuild and renovate Trollskull Manor. Thaust visits Elya and Kelnessis at The Prestige, finding bare shelves thanks to the increased security and the Arcane Watch requisitioning much of their goods for city defenses. Hawk explores Zhentarim activity in the trade ward, coming across graffiti that says, "the family cannot protect you." Endriel visits his sister, Velgwyn, and commissions a shadow-clad cloak from her.
Following the celebrations of Gods Day, a visit to the flamboyant Solveliss points the companions to seek Istrid, the Master of Trade & Coin of the Zhentarim, who operates out of the Dock Ward. The companions sneak into the warehouse, finding illicit goods and weaponry similar to the Xanathar's operation. Hawk overhears a tense conversation about a mysterious faction, the Crimson Cord, targeting Zhentarim members. Hawk confronts Istrid and the two resolve to share information if the companions can bring her proof of dealing with this new threat.
The companions investigate the Zhentarim safehouse and follow a trail of blood and rats to a mausoleum in the City of the Dead. Within the coffin, they discover a portal to the Shadowfell, an inscribed message beckoning them to join the Crimson Cord. They decide to turn back, spending a day in research and preparation. Thaust is presented with a powerful artifact in exchange for taking on a squire.
Delving into the Shadowfell, the party discover a Waterdhavian noble manor. With truesight, Thaust sees the distorted reality of the place, both opulent and dilapidated, existing in both states at once. The companions come face to face with the leader of the Crimson Cord, Nalaskur, now a powerful vampire lord. Nalaskur explains his intent to eradicate the Zhentarim and replace them as a more effective mercenary operation. In tense negotiations, they agree to cut off the Zhentarim from their arms dealer, Jarlaxle, who operates the Sea Maiden's Faire, in exchange for crucial intel about the Rakshasa they seek.
The following day, the companions investigate the Sea Maiden's Faire. They return to the Xanathar's outpost to retrieve their weapons, allowing the mind flay Nilihoor access to Hawk's mind, proving Jarlaxle is selling weapons to both sides. They then charm their way onto Jarlaxle's ship to negotiate. In the end, they come to terms in which The Crimson Cord will "steal" his remaining stock and buy it out, cutting off the Black Network while also not ruining Jarlaxle's rapport with them. When pressed, he explains that he has been exiled from Luskan, and plans to mobilize multiple factions, the Zhents and Xanathar's Guild both potentially included, to take back his home. In the Shadowfell, Nalaskur makes good on his promise. He provides an invitation to a Liar's Night Masquerade hosted by the Cassalanters. He reveals that they pull the strings of the Rakshasa from a shrine to Asmodeus beneath the villa.
With ten days to prepare for the masquerade, the companions requisition costumes, stake out the Cassalanter villa, and exchange intel with various contacts throughout Waterdeep. Hawk learns of Ellian's increased involvement in the city, newfound wealth, and political efforts to position himself as a populist mouthpiece. Endriel meets with Mirt, an established Harper, and follows a trail of covered-up disappearances, agreeing to collaborate with their Trollskull Alley neighbor, Vincent Trench in the process. Sharing intel, they uncover the underlying connection between the missing person cases - magical artifacts exchanging hands. At the Villa, they get a lay of the land, identifying multiple points of interest for discovering the rumored Asmodeous shrine hidden somewhere beneath.
After enjoying the festivities in Trollskull Manor, the companions attend the Masquerade of Liars in the Cassalanter Villa. They are surprised to see Ellian Hood in attendance, sans a mask or costume. While Hawk and Thaust observe him, trying to unravel his purpose in attending, Endriel sneaks through the manor to corroborate the rumors they learned in the last tenday. Hidden in the cellar, he finds a thrice-locked vault and a secret door leading to the shrine of Asmodeus. On the third floor, he hears strange guttural screams from somewhere above, but can't find access to the next floor. Back on the first level, the companions decide to pursue the investigation of the attic, but are interrupted by Ellian. They exchange barbed pleasantries before he departs, when he makes a point of saying he hopes they enjoy the host's final toast of the evening, a tradition known as "the last lie."