The party continues to delve into the secrets of the Vault to finally find Nevermber’s treasure.
The party continues to search the Melairkyn Vault for Neverember’s embezzeled hoard. Still in the guise of a dwarf, Shining Brow places his palm on the great adamantine bound doors at the end of the bridge, annd they open at his touch. Mantis translates more dwarven runes, “A secret never told wil part Dumathoin’s lips”, and on the ground is a stone carving of the dwarf god. Shining Brow whispers a secret about some stolen gems, and a spiral staircase opensin the center of the room. It decends into darkness.
Mantis leads the way down, and the stairs open into a massive vaulted chamber, with ornate ceilings covered with beautiful frescos of dwarves interracting with their gods. The hall is filled with alcoves, and in the very back two of them are occupied. One has a chest, overflowing with gems. The other alcove contains a huge mound of gold. As they enter the chamber, out of the shadows steps an ancient dwarf, who tells them to “Come back later. I’m in no state to receive guests.” He claims to be named Barrack Clanghammer. He was placed here by the Open Lord Dagault Neverember, and charged with guarding this treasure.
The group tries unsuccessfully to blufff their way past, as the dwarf warns of powerful dangerous magics. Finally, after several minutes of talking, the group reveals that the gold was stolen from the city by Neverember, who is no longer the Open Lord. The considers this new information, and comes to a decision: he will release the gold if they can prove their story. Mantis magically contacts the Blackstaff and after a few brief exchanges, she agrees to meet them at the tomb.
The party retreats the way that they came with the intent of reaching the surface, and guiding the Blackstaff into the Vault. As they reach the main chanber, they realize that they have been followed. The Cassalanters have also found the vault. Victoro leads a pack of cultists, imps, a bearded devil, and his chamberlain. “Kill them!”, he sneers.
Mantis, unsurprised, drops a fireball in their midst, and ducks back under cover. Quickly, Victoro dominates Shazuu, turns him agains the group, and battle is joined for real. Tang holds off Shazuu as he fights the spell. The party deals with the cultists, and the demon wades into combat. Under the overwhelming onslaught of devils, cultists, and the strenght of Shazuu they are forced into a retreat, until Ty whips out a wand, and binds Shazuu in place. Cultsts begin to fall, and finally Mantis’ countercharm breaks Victoro’s hold on Shazuu’s mind. Shazuu, enraged, charges Lord Cassalanter, and knocks him to the ground. Together, with Shining Brow, they finish him off…and the vault falls silent.
After a short rest to catch their breath, Shining Brow sends his familiar, Jim, to the surface to retrieve Vajra, the Blackstaff. After a glace over the carnage in the room, she steps forward and burns the body of Victoro, claiming that it would lead to questions. The party leads her back to the Vault, where she confirms their story: Neverember is no longer Open Lord, and the massive treasure that he guards does belong to the city. She slips into another, sharper, gutteral tounge, and they speak or a few mort moments. Shining Brow understands the conversation in Draconic, and learns the ‘dwarf’ is no dwarf, but instead is gold dragon, named Anaurax. He has been guarding the treasure, and Neverember’s request, and was rewarded for this duty with the magical staff that he holds. While he doesn’t undersand much of the subtext, Shining Brow does take away this: The staff is somehow linked to the protection of the city, and the Blackstaff demands that it must not leave the bounds of Waterdeep. Anaurax agrees to this, if they can keep him stocked with food, he will stay here in the Vault, and mind the staff.
The group spends a half an hour loading all the gold into the portable hole. Then, the Blackstaff teleports the group to Castle Waterdeep, and quickly gains an audience with The Open Lord. At the Blackstaff’s urging, Mantis steps forward and tells the tale of the groups efforts to recover the gold. At the conclusion of his tale he dramatically draws out the portable hole, reaches inside, and turns it inside out… dumping it’s contents all over the throne room.
As a reward, the group are named “Heroes of Waterdeep”. Lady Laeral Silverhand announces in front of the full court that the city will turn over a 50,000gp reward to the party. She, and her retinue, will also patronise Trollskull Manor later that week on “Golden Night”, which will bring prestige to the establishment.
Rewards:
- Harpers +2 Renown
- Grey Hands +2 Renown
- 50,000gp reward