As a reward for rescuing Floon, Volo gives adventurers the deed to a building in the North Ward that looks out onto a wide cul-de-sac hemmed in by old residences and shops. The property used to be a tavern with a residence on the upper Doors. The tavern has been closed for years.
Who You Going to Call? Contractors! –
Ches, 2nd month of the year
The party continues on from their meeting at the Yawning Portal. Floon tells them if he is ever needed, he can be found right next door at Mother Solinka’s House of Pleasures. Neverember assures them that he will see them again.
Before visiting the manor house, they proceed to a money changer to exchange the trade bars for Harbor Moons (a 50 gp coin used in Waterdeep), then head to the North Ward. It seems to be a much nicer part of the city. Eventually, they make their way to Troll Skull Alley, which seems to be a nice, mid-scale neighborhood filled with businesses and homes.
On their way, the group passes well-kept, upper-middle class buildings, and arrive at Troll Skull Manor, which is a grand four story building in bad repair. They force the door, and find a rundown taproom and kitchen. It’s going to need extensive repairs. At the end of the bar is a portrait, still in good shape, of several people standing in front of the bar (two halfling waiters, a large human with a cudgel, and an elf wearing an apron). They discover an empty basement filled with water, which appears to have been a wine cellar. One feature in particular stands out. Human, halfling, and elf children are depicted in a fresco on one wall, with looks of terror on their faces. A tiefling child has its face broken off. The smell of sewage comes from broken pipes in the ceiling.
On their way, the group passes well-kept, upper-middle class buildings, and arrive at Troll Skull Manor, which is a grand four story building in bad repair. They force the door, and find a rundown taproom and kitchen. It’s going to need extensive repairs. At the end of the bar is a portrait, still in good shape, of several people standing in front of the bar (two halfling waiters, a large human with a cudgel, and an elf wearing an apron). They discover an empty basement filled with water, which appears to have been a wine cellar. One feature in particular stands out. Human, halfling, and elf children are depicted in a fresco on one wall, with looks of terror on their faces. A tiefling child has its face broken off. The smell of sewage comes from broken pipes in the ceiling.
Outside on Sarduen Road, they find the outdoor staircase leading to the second floor, and attempt to force the second floor door. Their activities draw the attention of one of the locals who introduces himself as Taly Felbridge, a carpenter who works down the street. He can assist in finding workers to fix things up. After a brief discussion, Taly helps inspect the house, and sums up some of the repair costs to get the manor back to a fully functional business. Mantis does the math, takes into account several other costs, and figures it will cost around 1000 gp to bring this place back to full working order. Maintenance and daily expenses will probably be 50 gp to 60 gp per ten day to run it, which includes staffing and repairs.
The party argues about taking the deed to Troll Skull Manor. Just then, a drinking glass slides off the bar, with no one near it. The party immediately signs the deed, and decides to spend the night. They are awakened during the night by ghostly sounds from the common room, but an investigation turns up nothing. Shazuu sleeps on the common room for the night, and wakes to find the chairs placed around the table he on which he slept. There is a mug of hot vinegary wine next to him.
A dung sweeper arrives in the AM, and the building is cleared of garbage in a day.
Shining Brow investigates the neighborhood. He finds Corellian’s Crown, a shop across the street which sells potions, herbs, and plants. They have potions of healing, animal friendship, water breathing, and several others others currently in stock. Shining Brow purchase lavender oil, a small shovel, a clipping of catnip, and sand.
The party goes about our business for the day, shopping and setting up repairs. At night, Shazuu sleeps in the common room. A mug flies across the room and smashes next to him. The basement door slams, but no one is there. He investigates the basement. The fresco of children looks different, like they are in new positions. Shazuu returns to sleep, and dreams of a child with razor sharp teeth crawling across bones. He wakes, exhausted.
Ranear Neverember pays a visit in the afternoon. He agrees to pay for half of the roof, then invites them all to a performance at the Lightsinger Theater in the Sea Ward that evening. Neverember has a private box, and mentions that then are friends that he’d like for them to meet.
A carriage arrives at Troll Skull Manor before dusk and takes them directly to the theatre. The marquee just reads “A Saga: The Fall of Tiamat”, After asking around, they discover that the performance is to be an Opera, sung in dwarven, elvish, and giant describing the Dragon Queen’s fall at the Well of Dragons. They learn that tonite is the premier of this performance. Eventually they are shown to a private box.There, they find Neverember and a huge fat man with a hat. He is introduced as Mirt the money lender.The groups seated, and Shining Brow sees that Mirt wears a Harper pin.Mirt wishes to hear of their recent exploitsand they explain the story so far. The whole conversation has the feel of a job interview. The performance begins, supported by magical illusions and effects.
At intermission, Mirt asks if they would help him and his organization, the Harpers. Mantis takes a gift of a Harper pin, and it’s decided that they wiill use Ranear as an intermediary to communicate with Mirt. The party watches the rest of the opera, then goes for drinks with Neverember. the night quickly becomes a blur as they get well and truly sloshed.