Not only adventurers come their manor, but some have shown up after hearing the fact they are hiring other staff. Bernard and his kobold friend, Rux, have come on as the manor's chef and sous chef. Gavin Tenderpaw, a grey mousefolk has signed on as adventurer. All new prospects are given a contract which they must agree to and sign. As well as Fritz, a human warlock, with his eagle.
The Trollskull Champions Guild is on its way.
Builing A Guild
As many adventurer comes and go, most leaving not being able to qualify, a brawny dwarf, well equipped with weapons and armor, sits in the corner and watches the activity through most of the morning. Finally, when a lull occurs, the dwarf stands and approaches the group. He introduces himself as Takgal, a member of the Dungeon Sweepers Guild. What he has seen here today worries him. It would seem that this new Trollskull Champions Guild might be incurring on the already established Dungeon Sweepers Guild.
Many arguments are passed back and forth until it is tentatively agreed upon the the Trollskull Champions Guild will not accept contracts for work that occurs below ground, the territory of the Dungeon Sweepers Guild. With that, Takgal, leaves but seems wary of this new guild.
Later that day, a member of the City Watch enters the manor. The group is a little worried about what permit they will be told they need now but the man takes of his tall helmet and introduces himself. He is Hauk, a captain in the City Watch responsible for the City Of The Dead. He is newly promoted and doesn't wish to have his superiors hear of the deaths that have occurred in the cemetery grounds in the last two nights.
Something Kills In The Night
He wishes to hire the guild to investigate and take care of the problem.
He explains that for the past few nights some sort of creature stalks about the cemetery and leaves massive footprints but they are never able to find it during the day. He has halted any searches at night, since he has lost 3 men over the past two nights.
With that the group agrees to look into it, with in at least a few days. They have a lot going on.
In the meantime, Gunter is really wanting to have a gem he acquired some time ago appraised. Waterdeep is the perfect place to get this done. They travel to the South Ward and find a small but elegant establishment named Hlethvagi's Coins and Gems. Inside is a finely dressed halfling welcomes them. Gunter is excited to appraise his gem which he has been carrying around since visiting Triel. The halfling charges for the appraisal but it is worth it as the gem is of considerable value. Gunter decides to hold on to it a bit longer. The store wasn't willing to pay what he wanted.
A Coins Value
This reminds Messick of a coin he has been carrying around since his time before Triel. He brings it out and asks the halfling what he can tell him about it. The halfling looks surprised when shown the coin. He tries unsuccessfully to hide his excitement. He pulls out a jeweler's eyepiece and inspects the markings on the ancient coin.
He tells Messick, while the coin's monetary value is not much, it is a very ancient coin. It would seem that it hails from the legendary city of Daoine Gloine. It's existence has been debated whether or not it really existed. It is said to have resided past the Barrier Peaks.
There is a cartographer, Anaxi Zephries, who lives here in Waterdeep. His passion is the city of Daoine Gloine and the Barrier Peaks. In fact he had funded an expedition to the Barrier Peaks in search of the ancient city but to Anaxi's shame, no one ever returned.
As the group leaves the store, they see a large figure crossing the street and entering a storefront across the wide street. It is the same hulking half-dragon that they had seen through the portal which the evil mangy tabaxi escape back in the kobold warrens. His voice is also recognized as the one the captured kenku was mimicking.
They duck back into the coin and gem store.
An Old Adversary Is Seen
They ask the halfling if he knows of a large half-dragon who might have entered the store across the street.
The halfling nods. He knows of the half-dragon. Draak. He owns the Medusa's Glare. A statue store. He frowns and says that Draak has never struck him as the artistic type but one shouldn't speak ill of another business owner. Bad for business you know.
Returning to their manor they make preparations for going out after dark to the City Of The Dead. They arrive later at the gates of the graveyard and find the gates closed. The guards there are told to let members of the Trollskull Champions Guild into the grounds though. They open the gates and let them in.
A Tombstone Golem
Walking cautiously through the massive cemetery, they keep their eyes peeled and ears open. They start near where the captain said they found the body the previous night. Soon enough they hear rumbling and the grinding of stone on stone. Following the sound, they find themselves staring at a portion of the graveyard which is collecting up upon itself. Earth, stone and gravestones are gathering themselves together in a jumbled mess which begins to resemble a humanoid creature. When it is completed it stands a good 15-16 feet tall. Gunter and Gavin rush to meet it, but they're strikes to minimal to no damage whatsoever. It doubles over and begins to roll, crushing everyone in its wake.
Rushing back to the gates to the city, the group reassembles and passes the guards on the way out. They tell them that yup they're still on the case. They're in the process of assessing the enemy.
The next evening, they make preparations to return to the City Of The Dead again. This time they share out their various magical weapons and prepare their strategy.
Returning back to the same spot in the cemetery, they soon find the creature once again. This time the fight is hardly a battle at all. Gavin, the mousefolk, climbs atop the creature while the others wail upon the creature. Finally, Messick is able to banish the golem and quiet returns to the cemetery.
Satisfied, they return to their manor. A well deserved rest in order.
The Medusa's Glare
The next day they decide to pay a visit to the Medusa's Glare. Perhaps there is something they can learn of there which will help put together some of the odd puzzle pieces linking the demon incursion, the tabaxi necromancer and this half-dragon.
Under cover of Fritz's eagle, they are able to break into the store. Inside is a large warehouse which sits quiet and mostly empty. Not much of a store.
They move through the empty floor of the warehouse until a hail of arrows pierce more than a few of the group.
Kenku. They are on the open second floor firing down upon the group. The group takes damage until they are able to get up to where the kenku are. Fritz is able to summon several fire mephits. Soon enough the kenku are dispatched and the group moves through the warehouse looking for clues.
Soon enough someone finds a hidden door.
Inside a staircase leading down.
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