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Tarsakh 30, 1493 DR

Before Lypher returned from his conversation with Eldred the rest of us overheard three dock workers at a nearby table muttering about Floon and Renaer. The patrons were certainly not fond of the two and were complaining about the nobles of Waterdeep. I fairly audibly said to the others at our table, “Elites right? Just a pain in my ass. I'm stuck on all this delivery crap all the time. You know, you can't get anywhere in this damn town.”

We continued along this line for a bit until one of the men raised their glass to us and said, “Hear, hear! Totally agree!”

Ránath proceeded to invite them to our table at which they brought their table over to ours. One of them actually recognised me from the time I worked on the corsair Dancing Delight four years ago. We sailed into Waterdeep regularly back then.

We chatted with the three for some time. They complained that the navy used to be staffed by mercenaries but were recently all replaced by citizenry. I learned that Renaer was the son of Lord Neverember. The three had also witnessed some shady people follow the two well dressed men from The Skewered Dragon and directed us to the warehouse on Candle Lane and to look for the serpent with wings on the door.

Shortly after the trio departed Lypher returned to our table and we compared information. I did notice that he seemed to be inspecting me for some reason. I felt a bit awkward. Mingnist seemed to be exceptionally focused on the anchor protruding through the ceiling and began yelling at it. I think we need to cut him off earlier in the future.

Anchors Aweigh... Up in the Ceiling

Tarsakh 30, 1493 DR

Lypher asked Xoblob if he could direct us to The Skewered Dragon. He informed us that it was more or less across the street. With that information we were able to find it quickly. My first impression of the establishment was poor. The front windows were broken and, oddly, an anchor was lodged in the roof but this was evidently our destination. There were a few patrons inside having a drink. They appeared to be primarily dock workers.

As we entered several individuals looked up but didn't pay us much attention. We found ourselves a table and the bartender came by shortly for our drink order. I noticed that two fingers on his left hand are missing. Everybody ordered something. I did not.

Ketalysen asked the bartender if he had seen anybody resembling Floon. He replied that he had not. Lypher asked about Muldoon. The bartender did not recognise the name but Lypher excused himself to chat with another patron at a nearby table. I still don't know who this Muldoon person is.

I overheard a portion of Lypher's conversation. The person, later identified as Eldred, mentioned that some Zhents had come into The Skewered Dragon asking about Muldoon. He described them as dressed in black with a winged snake tattoo.

When Lypher mentioned Floon in conversation I noticed that two men playing cards at another table perked up at the name. I wandered over and asked to join their game. They introduced themselves as Gwain and Piton and we played a few rounds. During conversation we talked about Floon. Gwain recollected that they had played cards at The Skewered Dragon with Floon and Volo a couple days prior.

The two weren't forthcoming with many details so I upped the ante. This managed to pry forth some additional information. They added that Renaer was also present after Volo had left. Floon and Renaer were drinking and were followed out of the place by two ominous looking individuals identified as Black Network. They instructed me to check out a warehouse over on Candle Lane. We played one more round and I admit that I wound up taking their money again.

After the game I returned to the group and related my discoveries. I informed everybody about what I knew of both the Black Network and the Xanathar Guild.

The next clue had been discovered.

Amidst the Purple Haze

Tarsakh 30, 1493 DR

As we departed The Yawning Portal for the Dock Ward I spotted the city guard to the east. I intentionally guided the party away from them west along Lackpurse Lane. We cut over to Belnimbra's Street but our progress was halted by a situation. The guard had cordonned off Belnimbra and there appeared to be six corpses which they were investigating. They all appeared to be battered. Three blonde haired humans were being questioned by the guard. I was prepared to find another path immediately but Lypher wanted to investigate the scene.

After Lypher was satisfied I detoured the party around the disturbance and we noticed that this area of Waterdeep was more dilapidated. Once we were more or less central to the Dock Ward we inquired with a passerby where we might find The Skewered Dragon. We were able to quickly ascertain its location so we thanked the individual and followed their directions.

We began searching along Fillet Street but stopped at a building with a stuffed beholder in the front window. The sign on the building read “Old Xoblob Shop.” An overpowering odour of lavender pervaded the area around the building and a purple cloud of smoke emanated from within. Looking through the window revealed a shop filled with purple items. Lypher insisted on looking inside due to the beholder having some sort of significance to him. Everybody decided to enter. I followed but remained at the door and held it open.

A bald gnome adorned in plum clothing and smoking a pipe greeted everybody calling himself Xoblob. The entire store was purple. Walls, shelves, items, everything. Everybody perused the goods with particular attention to a set of bone pipes. We attempted to play them with mixed success. Lypher was specifically focused on Xoblob's face painting to the point of convincing him to apply similar artwork to his wrist. Ketalysen acquired a bar of lavender soap for one dragon. Hopefully it isn't as potent as the shop itself. Ránath picked out a pristine looking brass ring.

I was drawn to a cloth doll with pins in it. Something seemed familiar about it so I inquired about it. Xoblob had little information for me but I decided to purchase it for four dragons. I call it Benny.

Ketalysen asked Xoblob if he'd seen anybody fitting the description of Floon the night he went missing. Xoblob confirmed that he did in fact witness two unsavoury individuals jump Floon in front of his shop. One had a tattoo on their neck of a winged snake which Xoblob confirmed to be the sign of the Black Network.

Time was moving on and we still needed to find The Skewered Dragon before evening so we resumed our search.

Volo's Plea

Tarsakh 30, 1493 DR

With meals served we began to celebrate our victory over the troll and stirges. I was able to meet the stranger who assisted us in the encounter. His name was Lypher. The woman who was helping the victims also visited our table and introduced herself as Evaline. She graciously offered to heal our wounded and mended Ránath's torn clothing. She declined the offer to join our revelry because she had others who required attention.

Moments later a mustachioed man in a floppy hat arrived at our table. I'd seen him in The Yawning Portal before. He introduced himself at Volothamp Geddarm and he was requesting assistance locating his missing friend, Floon Blagmaar. Evidently they were having a night of drinks along with a man named Renaer at The Skewered Dragon after which Floon went missing. Volo surmised that he may have been kidnapped.

Volo also mentioned that he was working on a book about the spirits of Waterdeep. I was very interested in his books and inquired about how I may be able to acquire a copy. He indicated that he would give me an autographed edition.

Lypher asked Volo about somebody named Muldoon but I had no idea what he was talking about.

As we were preparing to leave for the Dock Ward a member of the city guard arrived at our room. I discretely moved into the shadows at the back. It seems that the guards had arrived to inquire about the earlier fight between Krentz and the half-orc. After a few questions he went about his business and we departed the tavern.

Trolling the Room

Tarsakh 30, 1493 DR

What emerged from the portal was a troll along with several stirges. That day was non-stop chaos. The five of us at the table along with Durnan and another person all leapt into action attempting to defend the tavern. Durnan immediately charged at the troll whilst everybody else attacked the stirges. Unfortunately a few of the stirges attacked innocent patrons and a few collapsed from the attackers' bloodlust.

I decided to take some shortbow shots at the troll since all the stirges were being attended to. Whilst dashing around behind the bar for cover I heard an angry comment from a patron whose meal I had interrupted. Way to prioritise, dude. I managed to get a few good shots on the troll as Durnan attacked with a great sword.

Part way through the battle a woman entered into the fray by healing some of the patrons who had been attacked by the stirges. At about the same time Durnan yelled out that somebody should douse the troll in oil. Fortunately I had two flasks of lamp oil in my possession and proceeded to pour one onto the troll before yelling out, “Light the sucker on fire!”

Durnan knocked the troll down with his great sword just as one of the stirges latched onto Mingnist and rendered him unconscious. The troll quickly revived itself before I ran to a nearby fireplace to grab a burning log with which to light it. It took a swing at me but was too slow and missed. I lobbed the burning log at the troll which went up in flames with a woosh. Ránath hopped onto the bar and fired an arrow at the troll which proved to be the blow that finished it off. Durnan and I destroyed the remaining stirges to bring peace back to The Yawning Portal.

Durnan provided us with complimentary drinks and meals for our assistance. What a stand-up guy. Bonnie brought the food to a private booth for us as we celebrated the victory.

Rumble at the Portal

Tarsakh 30, 1493 DR

The fight between Krentz and the half-orc had begun in earnest. There also seemed to be some sort of animated conversation between Mingnist and an elf I'd never seen before. I darted over to Mingnist but everything there seemed to be fine. A half-elf approached me and said she enjoyed my song with Threestrings which was nice of her.

There was no way I was going to get involved in something like this fight so I instead joined the half-elf at a nearby table where we ordered food from Bonnie. I learned that her name was Ketalysen and that this was her first day in Waterdeep. It wasn't exactly the warmest of welcomes here in The Yawning Portal.

Before long Durnan broke up the fight and somehow a small fire was started at a table near the fracas. It looked like the half-orc was a pretty clear victor since Krentz and his buddies staggered out of the inn. Two other people came over to our table who were evidently friends with Ketalysen. The elf I'd seen before introduced himself as Ránath and another half-elf called herself Elora. They both were also new to Waterdeep today. They had arrived with a caravan destined for tomorrow's Greengrass Festival.

Our lovely conversation was rudely interrupted by the corpse of a halfling landing on our table.

The Portal Yawns Deep

Tarsakh 30, 1493 DR

Mingnist and I travelled to The Yawning Portal in short order. I took my usual back alley route although I think it may have unsettled Mingnist.

Once there Mingnist found himself a table with some dwarves whilst I delivered the brandy to Durnan and the bottle to Krentz. I received a water and five copper pieces for my deliveries. One of the coins had some odd markings on it. Everybody seemed grateful for their items. During this time I noticed that a group of halflings were preparing to descend into the portal.

With the work obligations taken care of I wandered over to Threestrings who was just preparing to play his lute. I asked to join in for a song and we played that song about the Young Maztican Citizen's Association. People seemed to enjoy that.

Just after our song a disturbance started on the opposite side of the room. Krentz and a few others were antagonising a half-orc.

Return to Waterdeep

Tarsakh 30, 1493 DR

It was mid-morning and the north gate of Waterdeep was once again before me. Mingnist's eyes were darting about taking in the scale and splendor of the large city before him. I suppose I did the same that day five years ago when our ship sailed into the harbour here. I just smiled and led him through the gate.

The guards directed Mingnist to the sign at the gate summarising the laws of the city and I encouraged him to pay it mind. He accompanied me whilst I delivered the mushroom wine to The House of Good Spirits which is most of the way through Waterdeep. Along the way he mentioned that he is destined for The Most Careful Order of Skilled Smiths and Metal Forgers. Surprisingly I knew where that was and was able to help him find it. Good fortune was with him, I suppose.

The guild was pleased to see me with the mushroom wine. I think it's fair to say they were mostly pleased to see the wine. At any rate, I was immediately tasked with taking some brandy over to The Yawning Portal. Any chance to hear Threestrings is fine with me. Mingnist continued to accompany me on his whirlwind tour of Waterdeep.

As we were departing I encountered an “old friend” with a delivery of a bottle to a man named Krentz at The Yawning Portal. I was heading there anyway, so why not?

Off to The Yawning Portal!

A New Caravan

Tarsakh 22, 1493 DR

Mingnist, Poppy and I arrived at the High Road with no difficulty. Soon after turning south we espied a small caravan stopped at the side of the road, apparently having something to eat. Mingnist recognised them as dwarves. I was greeted with mouths agape. I take it these dwarves had never encountered a Tabaxi before but I bore that no mind.

One of the dwarves, Dilur, informed us they were headed south as far as Thornhold and invited us to travel with them. Mingnist seemed to get on with them quite well and discussed something about a dwarven excavation site. I'm not sure what that was all about. They seemed to keep their distance from me but everything was congenial.

Along the way I overheard Dilur mention The Yawning Portal to Mingnist. That was a bit of a surprise to hear. The two discussed some sort of arrangement but I wasn't particularly interested after the mention of the inn in Waterdeep.

Our travels proceeded peacfully to Thornhold where we parted ways with the dwarves.

Amongst the Gnomes

Tarsakh 20, 1493 DR

After a tenday I arrived in Gnomengarde. The gnomes I met welcomed me cautiously but they seemed friendly enough. King Gnerkli greeted me warmly although King Korboz seemed a bit distracted when I was introduced to them. Fortunately there were no issues with our transaction and I had the case of mushroom wine I was tasked to retrieve.

I was surprised to be asked by the kings to accompany a gnome named Mingnist from Gnomengarde to Waterdeep. He seemed to be a bit surprised to see a Tabaxi but I'm accustomed to that reaction. Otherwise he looked to make a pleasant travelling companion.

The gnomes graciously provided me with lunch before Mingnist and I departed for Waterdeep. The Kings did warn us about the threat of orcs in the Sword Mountains.

My first visit to a gnome village was most enjoyable.