The party readies themselves, and heads to the Vault to finally find Nevermber’s treasure.
The group has learned the location of the vault, however they are at odds as to the best way to proceed. After examining the notes the party recovered, Shining Brow realizes they will need a very specific item to gain entrance to the Vault. He takes some of the party treasure and heads out to purchase a gold dragon scale, which is needed as a part of the ‘key’.
Mantis, Shazuu, and Tang discuss the Stone of Golorr in the secret space below Trollskull Manor. Shazuu and Tang quickly notice that the Stone seems to be affecting Mantis mind, and the civil discussion turns into an argument. Mantis maintains that he should stay in the extradimensional space to remain hidden from ‘their enemies’, and remotely advise the party as they enter Melairkyn Vault. Shazuu and Tang distrust Mantis’ motives, since he’s acting erratically. They try to take the stone from him by force, and Mantis takes action to strop them…
When the dust clears, Tang has possession of the Stone. He asks the Stone for specific directions to the Vault, and sees a vision of a specific walled complex in the massive Waterdeep graveyard, the City of the Dead. Tang then asks specifically how to open the Vault, and learns “In beam of sun, strike mithril true upon the anvil”. Shining Brow returns with the scale, and Mantis heads out to purchase a mithril hammer. The group agrees to leave before dawn, the next morning. They spend the day preparing.
The next morning, the party makes their way through the North Ward to the City of the Dead in the faint predawn light. Tang Wu leads them directly to the entrance to Brandeth family tombs. As they enter the walled complex, a massive tree voices a warning, “Only members of the Brandeth family are allowed to enter this hallowed place!” Mantis tries to convince the tree that he is a member of the Brandath family, and fails. The rest of the party hangs back, but Shazuu attempts to run past the now moving tree. He soon realizes that more of the trees planted in the complex can move, as several of them close in on him, limbs flailing. He blasts the tree with eldritch fire, and the rest of the party bolts past their arboreal foes. The largest tree begins to bellow a warning, “Graverobbers! City Watch!”
The party runs and takes refuge in the largest crypt building. With the trees unable to enter, the group begins to explore the complex. They break into several crypts, destroying doors, urns, and tombs. Shazuu and Tang find an ancient signet ring. Eventually they begin to piece together that Dagult Neverember was married to Lady Danielle Brandeth, and the clues from the Stone of Golorr lead them to an ancient structure containing multiple rooms, several of which are both clean and in good repair. Within it, Shining Brow, Mantis, and Tygorr find the tomb of Danielle Brandeth. In this well kept chamber, they find a strange circular pattern in the floor. Mantis finds a hidden trigger, and as Tygorr recalls the rest of the group, a circular staircase opens into the floor, leading down into the darkness.
The group descends the staircase, which opens up into a square chamber. On one side of the room is a massive set of metal doors. They see a large stylized sun is set into the floor. As they approach, Mantis translates the dwarven runes on the doors. “All that lies within belongs to the Silent Keeper.” Shining Brow produces the dragon scale, places it on the sun pattern, and casts a daylight spell. Mantis strikes the scale with the mithril hammer, and the metal doors swing open. The group enters the Melairkyn Vault.
It is a huge chamber, with stone pillars extending up into the shadows. A dozen sets of metal doors ring this space, and at the far end, the group can make out a massive stone statue of a dwarf lord. The doors and statue are covered in runes, which Mantis begins to translate. Each door has a single concept that seems to be important to dwarven culture, and from the runes on the statue, the group decides they must open the one that is most important to dwarves. Without a dwarf in the party, Mantis contacts the bartenders at Trollskull Manor. The party decides to choose “Clan” as the most important. They open that door, and find a chamber covered in murals beyond, and head up a flight of stairs.
Mantis leads them up to a hallway high above the floor of the main Vault chamber. Side passages lead to decrepit bridges that cross the chamber. Suddenly, a creature drops down on Mantis from above. The group defeats the black pudding after some trial and error. Shining Brow sees a magically hidden door at the end of the corridor. Mantis identifies the magic of the door, determining it can only be opened by a dwarf. Shining Brow enchants himself to seem to be a dwarf and opens the door. Inside are several statues, and more urns filled with gold and gems. As the party argues over the morals of tomb robbing, Shining Brow begins to magically pilfer the gems in secret. Shazuu decides to smash the urns, and although there are a considerable number of coins, the group decides they cannot carry the treasure, and have no way to keep it separate from the treasure they are hunting for the city.
The party decides to cross the bridge to the far side of the vault. Although Shining Brow manages to slip across, the bridge is unsound, and collapse under the weight of Tang Wu. Only his monk training saves him from injury. The group decides to avoid the dangerous bridge, and lower a rope to assist the others in climbing up.
Shining Brow opens another door, and finds a room with an anvil in the center. As the group ponders this mystery, he finds a mystical hammer that seems to be part of the murals on the wall. The group cover their ears, and Shining Brow raises the hammer and lets the anvil ring. A wave of mystical energy seems to radiate out, but nothing happens to the group, who cannot hear the sound. The enchantment fades from the anvil, unusable for the moment.
Things to consider for next time:
-
Continue to search the Melairkyn Vault for the gold that Neverember stole
Reminders:
- Rongquan Mystere is somehow involved with the Drow
- Next Arena fight in the Xanathar’s lair is on the 6th. The players have the pass-phrae and the address if they wish to participate.