Guild Lords of Waterdeep

Surrounded by the grandeur and well to do that was understood to be the Horseman’s Ball, the guild lords raised their mugs of graff, glasses full with rich wine, and thick amber beer to congratulate themselves. The ball may have overshadowed by other disasters tonight, not the least of which being Tauren Tarm’s own Horseman’s Ball, but that did not sour their mirth. No, in fact it underscored their shared purpose.

“It was not that long ago my friends and colleagues,” the speaker began after finishing his drink to the previous toast. The man was distinguished, impeccable; not a hair out of place. He gleamed in the lamp light. “when some of us were unsteady as to whom to trust. Now we are positioned like kings.”

“Like Lords you mean.” Came a correction from a large brooding fellow. His long mane of blonde hair accompanied by the man’s overbearing personality reminded Mister Impeccable of a tundra barbarian.

Mister Impeccable nodded in admission. 

A woman, long and formal in her red dress confidently sauntered into the lamp light. Her beauty was like a visual poison, she was impossible to look and yet impossible to look away from. 

“The Unification is a success as is our vision for Waterdeep after Midsummer.” Said red dress, her voice was even intoxicating but her face showed an obvious distaste for the Time of Troubles. 

“What if Piergerion and his gunslingers return? ... When they return.” Asked the man with no name, his voice was fine, like warm early spring wind. He was new to the Unification and thus was prone to questions.

“Then he will answer for his crimes of treason,” came a response from a second woman - the Governess, who answered the man with no name. Her piercing blue eyes possessed a deep fire though her voice betrayed no venom, just even informed certainty. Known for her brilliance in political affairs, she as well as Mister Impeccable was the most out spoken of the Guild Lords.

Looking around at the men, woman, and two non-humans the Governess continued…

“There have been setbacks and even some strategic losses, but our vision holds true to this day. The Unification brings together many faiths, guilds, and families toward that ultimate vision. That despite what goes on up there…”

Gesturing, she points out beyond the windows of Castle Waterdeep to Mt. Waterdeep and the celestial stairway.

“… government as it SHOULD BE will survive with the guilds under its complete and total control.” 

Tales from Greengrass (Secomber)

"Before there is renewal, there must be death."

Lying under blissfully warm bed rolls Max Rinnen and Allene Macgovern watched the sun rise from atop High Hill, the northern most butte of Secomber. It was the first day of spring and the two lovers wished to bring in a new season of birth and renewal with lusty ambition.

Littering the hillside were the leavings of their clothes; villagers looking up at High Hill would see a patchwork of color interrupting the constant lush of the grassy knoll.

A muted glow materialized over the distant forests. Both quietly noted it was not the warm golden sunshine of early morning, but a bitter ashen color as if a wayward wild magic storm descended from the High Forest to mute the morning rays.

They made love again and for several blissful minutes there was nothing around them- just their sweet act.

When they opened their eyes it was like looking through stained glass, everything was various shades and tints of grey. When they opened their ears they could hear great crashing and commotion as if a great gust of wind were rearranging Secomber.

Max and Allene rose up from the privacy of their bed rolls and the sanctuary of their arms to survey the destruction being wrought upon the town below. What they saw paralyzed them in fright.

Hordes of ancient skeletons had taken to the wide streets of Secomber locked in combat with Lord’s Alliance warriors, mages, and cavalry who were anxiously trying to save people from being torn limb from limb. 

Great icy claws bit deeply into Allene’s exposed shoulder causing her to tumble face-first down the hill. Max watched helplessly as Allene toppled clumsily down High Hill and out of site. What was down there Max quickly asked himself; would she be ok? A cold snap from an icy maw closed around his leg broke not only his worried contemplations but also his leg. 

Before Max knew it he was flying helpless through the air. All the world was a spinning soup of pain.

When Allene opened her eyes she found herself  lying in a familiar area of tall grass around a popular natural spring. Behind her the screams and battle cries were much closer, but in front of her however was the most frightening white dragon Allene Macgovern had ever seen.

Protruding out of the beast’s scales and spines were bones of all kinds, it gave gave the dragon an underworldly aura of death; and where there were not random bone fragments, a find powdering of bone dust gave the dragon a chalky color as if the great dragon enjoyed rolling around in the bones of ancient ruins.

Then she remembered. Secomber is built on the ruins of an ancient kingdom. 

Crossing Sides

Red mist colored the damp morning air. Hettman looked beyond the dead city guard whose throat he just cut and quickly scanned the streets and barracks for movement that foretold his discovery. None came.

Behind him Dwarinom and Benethoe stepped through the magical window entering the dark alley; assassins all ready and alert with deadly weapons in hand. It was early morning; the time of the Black Sun. Each wore soft leather armor stitched with a shadowy thread that made their concealment near seamless; small mithril plates hid under the armor protected their vital areas; while drow crafted boots erased all traces and scent of their passage.

Before the three rogues loomed Castle Waterdeep, huge and by all accounts abandoned which is why it was a perfect place for their own brand of palaver with their host.

Hettman waited for a cloud to pass before the moon then the trio each drank long potions to hasten their pace across the barrack grounds, up the castle steps, down the halls, and finally into a simple office bereft of color, style, or personality. Its only occupant was a distinguished gentleman going beyond adult and entering his elder years. The man stood as if expecting the visitors and welcomed them.

The host brought forth libations before producing a magical black cloth which he spread on a long table before them. From his pocket the host brought forth a light source; neither Hettman nor the Draigos could determine its source only that it was now a fixed light hovering in the room.

 

“You have something to show me?” asked the host in an authoritarian tone.

Together the three produced small leather bags and produced several gemstones and jewels; some of them magical, some of them worth a king’s ransom. A lich tear, a fiery yellow corundum, a brilliant emerald, and a beljuril.

Lecarre looked down at the treasure, at first he could not look away from such riches but composed himself and regarded the thieves.

“Where are the rest?”

“Late,” came a raspy female voice. From the hall came LadyTsurion a lesser noble who held important connections that Lecarre admired and employed at every chance. She produced a solitary gem- the beautiful Nkonzi Maru.

Finally from deep dark recesses of the simple office two Despana drow rogues materialized, one a battle scarred male while the other a strikingly beautiful woman. They each bowed in silent greeting, and produced two glowing moonstones of exceptional power and beauty. 

Lecarre carefully inspected each gem, jewel, and stone and silently congratulated himself, “You have my sanction, tell your master his reign begins this Greengrass.”

Tales from Greengrass (Longsaddle)

Ardanac Harpell listened to his clock tick waiting for confirmation of what they all feared, a dragon. Sitting alone in his office in the Ivy Mansion, the chief elder watched his Neverwinter clock tick off the moments while over one hundred of Longsaddle’s farmers and ranchers took shelter below.

 

Seven thunderous peals of sound vibrated over the countryside, to Ardanac it sounded right above them all. He leaped to his feet and began casting a spell, outside flashes of bright blue lightning briefly turned night into day shaking the mansion with its trail of thunder.

He descended to the Ivy Mansion’s war room. The war room, formerly a dining hall, functioned as a hub for Lord’s Alliance agents and adventurers who sought aid, refuge, and or wanted to exchange information. As he reached the war room Ardanac felt a tingle that made is hair stand on end.

Ian Chandler a healer and second to Kym Tarm commander of the Longriders, approached Ardanac with dire news. “Eriadne has just returned, barely alive but I believe the paladin got to her in time.”

“Did she say anything?”

“No,” came the reply from Nobilius, his grim features- so out of place on the paladin- did not indicate good news.

“It was like her body was dried up,” Nobilius said head heavy with remorse.

Outside the great clangor of sounds blasted again.

“Yes, that horn is right above us. Have your men ready. Healers!”

As Ardanac continued barking orders, Morgun Maerklos sat quietly his eyes rolled up showing the pale whites of his eyes. Using the touch he sent his feelings out trying to gain some information about their foe. A little advanced notice on their enemy’s capabilities allowed for changes in tactics witch is what has kept him and Kym alive this long.

The horns created interference in his mental visions but when that eventually quieted Morgun realized this dragon was different.

“This beast possesses an Aspect!”

“Dear spirits.” Came the reply and the unspoken question was clear on everyone's faces.

“The Aspect of Fate.” 

Children of the Bitch Queen

Gamera and Gurion are the offspring of Umberlee and the Duke of Stygia known as Lakhovas; Stygia is one of the Nine layers of Hell. 

In a time long before the Time of Troubles and the advent of the kingdoms of men; in a scheme to claim Stygia as her home plane Umberlee attempted to seduced the Devil Lakhovas as his Queen and then orchestrate his demise but was ultimately cast out after Lakhovas discovered she acted without the consent of Talos. 

Separated from their mother at birth in a hostile environment the infernal offspring were forced to fend for themselves; ultimately making their home in the cold black bottomless oceans of Stygia. It is here where they grew in strength to become among the biggest threats to the denizens of that plane, but their hunger for power did not stop there.

From time to time the pair would planes travel to the Realms where they would claim the offerings of gold and magic; a means to appease the hellish dragon turtles as not to provoke their wrath. They would not kill the mortals, but allow their evil legacy to spread through the ages. 

Gamera, the larger of the two, its shell is a dull brown color with tips of white on its back and bony spine; Gurion’s carapace is a deep green-blue color with silver highlights across its rocky ridges. Both coloration of their heads, tail, and legs are slightly paler than their shell color.

In general dragon turtles claim vast territories in the open seas, encompassing regions often in excess of hundreds of square miles. However these two offspring of the Bitch Queen are terrible beyond recounting having a territory that extends across the planes. 

The Great Journey

Salamander Wars-Thay's Time of Trouble

Aznar Thrul wasn’t sure if it was the divine influence of Kossuth or simply a result of no other options remaining that lead the Tharchion MariAgneh to support his plan that day.  The Salamander War had inflicted great losses upon the people of Priador.  It was during times like these that it was hardest for the priest to ask others for faith, to look into the eyes of those burned by the Salamander’s flames and ask them to believe that to defeat their former allies, they would have to fight them with even more fire.   

When the Tharchion spoke in favor of the priest’s plan Aznar realized that in speaking up, he had offered himself up for blame had his plan failed.  Aznar also realized then whatMari Agneh seemed not to know, should his plan prove as successful as it has, Aznar would receive all the credit. 

The FireSky battle of Priador was ending and Aznar and his Kossuth summoned elementals had defeated the Salamanders here that should create the blueprint for victory throughout Thay.  As Aznar surveyed the damage their battle had wrought, he called for his underling Breckinridge.  When the acolyte arrived at Aznar’s command tent, the priest dispensed with formalities and began questioning his underling regarding the five volunteers who had arrived, once victory was assured.

“You are certain that these youths come from families that support Tharchion Agneh?” Aznar asked Breckinridge who was already nodding in the affirmative.  Aznar smiled, a reaction rarely seen by anyone and disquieting to the young acolyte.  “Breckinridge, your days of fighting the Salamanders are over, are you ready to provide our faith even more support for the troubles surely to come in the near future?”  While the young acolyte was pleased to hear his fight with the Salamanders was ending, he wasn’t experienced enough to appreciate all of Aznar’s maneuverings.  “You will be responsible for these five, they are to learn what they can hear, but in two weeks time you will prepare them for a journey to Waterdeep.  I am certain we can provide them with valuable training there.”  As Breckinridge left the command tent, the deep voice of Aznar’s flame elemental rumbled in Ignan tones, “Your flame burns brightly in both battle and politics.”  Aznar looked at his elemental companion and replied, “Tharchion Agneh will expect those families to support her when she turns against me, it is best I control their passions, without making a threat.”

 

The Five Students from Thay:

Kloss: Barbarian/Fighter

Bial: Newly converted priest

Scorsos: Newly converted priest

Herinois: Female Monk

Zeranon: Ninja/Rogue type

Tales From Greengrass (Heroes Garden)

Lucia Avengar was a scarf dancer, quick-change artist, and singer in the Gypsy-Lord’s choir and tonight the lantern-light was hers; this performance would burn brighter than all the lanterns lit on the High Road. 

She had looked forward to this night since she first found out she would be performing at the Horseman’s Ball for Tauren Tarm. 

Hours of practicing, dancing, the pain in her feet, and choreographing of her performance, with just the right inflection to incite his lust during the crowing ceremony- it all came down to tonight tonight tonight. 

The dancer was fond of her costumes, jewelry and of course magical items, especially ones she could use in her acts and dance routines as it gave her the illusion of the Art when in fact many of her items were baubles and cantrips. Props veiled in fairy fire, continual flame, or some other minor illusion; all except for the precious Nkonzi Maru, a magical gemstone set into a necklace of exquisite beauty and usefulness. 

The Nkonzi Maru belonged to her father Staenor before his hunt back in a time that seemed long ago before the godsfall.

"Keep this safe and it will keep you safe until I return," he said to Lucia before leaving with Hod Dunwood a collector of small renown.  

Staenor never returned of course. 

Thinking of her father and sitting along in her tent in the Heroes Garden Lucia Avengar absently brushed her lustrous raven hair in front of a large mirror. The mirror, one of her favorite magical items, dimly illuminated her beautiful features. Her eyes came into focus when movement suddenly caught her attention- a from the reflection in the mirror. 

A Black Sun thief holding Nkonzi Maru! 

Grabbing a dirk she quickly turned and tried to call out but all she could manage was a short wet cough. 

Drinking Buddies

Lantern light outside burned heavy with fire. Galoban considered the ale in front of him then hoisted the stein to his bearded lips and drank deeply of the warm brew. *Burp* Across a table full of empty cups and steins was D’Ceryx who likewise sat deliberating his own drink.

“There is a chill in the air,” Said D’Ceryx matter of factly, looking at the roaring hearth of the Horselord’s new Cathedral then mustering the courage to imbibe his own drink.

All around the two friends, teams of craftsmen and laborers were applying finishing to the temple and stable yard just in time for Greengrass. With the addition of Brother Rhone to the workforce the temple’s reinforced stone walls and commons will indeed be complete in time for the crowning of the Samular Tet but also for the Horseman's Ball.

“Aye my friend, ‘tis the curse of the north',” Galoban said signifying a break into song but D’Ceryx cut him off in mid note.

 

“You mean the curse of Frostburn.” D’ceryx said dryly.

At the name of that feared and greatest dragon of the north everyone within earshot stopped and regarded the two drinking pals with shock and alarm.

“Nevermind,” said Galoban in his best ‘nothing to see here’ voice. 

“Aye, you there- good job.” He said pointing, flashing a wide smile to a craftsman, Intier the Indigo by name, who beamed at the open acknowledgement. 

“Keep your voice down my friend," Galoban scolded his friend then took up a cup to toast Intier the Indigo from across the room. Intier the Indigo was having a great day. 

"With Greengrass on the morrow everyone is on high alert especially for that beast. Time is short and everyone knows it; Midsummer is coming," he finished. 

“Do you think your lord will mind my golems serving as defense for the Heroes Garden? It is a good a place as any.” the Gondite said to the bard.

“Nay, but to be sure I’d have you post them along the north wall in sight of the garden for it is not my Lord that raises my concern but his followers that could get spooked.” Galoban said at length motioning to Rhyltha Welewy- a Halfling animal handler then taking up a biscuit from a nearby table Galoban mimicked a dragon scooping up a person and swallowing it whole.

The laughter that followed worked like magic at easing tension in the common room.

Downtime Session Journal Entry

Tauren has a great many projects started, and quite a few irons in the fire. He will be using downtime to finish these projects and loose ends up. The following is a summary of what should be finished in the days leading up to Greengrass.

Samular Crowns of Ascension  The crowns you all already know about. James, after figuring the prices, 10% seemed too low. 19,540 gp is 20%, and that seems more like it to me as far as paying for the craftsmanship.

Dragonhide full platemail +3   I will pay Kraven Moorehead for labor and the finishing materials for this armor and it's matching light shield. This armror is crafted from the ancient linnorm we fought and killed in the crag of Neverwinter. My cost is 7,500 gp. When we pick up play I will have switched over to this armor.

Upgrades to Rusher    Martin Luckjoy will continue his work on Rusher's Horseshoes of Speed and Airwalk, allowing Rusher to airwalk at will, instead x many times a day. My cost for this is 44,000 gp. I know, right?

The Horseman's Cathedral   My new temple is located in the middle of Heroes Garden, close enough to the large pond that you can see it's reflection in the surface. It is made of reinforced double thick stone walls intended to withstand the impact of dragons. Most of it is one story, with a vaulted 15 foot ceiling. At the rear of the large cathedral ( it seats 500 for service, but up to double that number can take refuge in it during times of trouble) a bell tower is adjoined to the cathedral, built with the same reinforcements. However, instead of the typical bells you might expect to find, there is instead a huge horn the size of a man, made of the finest brass by the master crafters of the Crommor noble family. If James will allow I would also like to have one of the net-hurling catapults we used built on top of the bell tower, attached to its stonework. Downtime costs put my cathedral at 5,880 gp, plus 2,000 gp for the horn (thats what I paid for a grand enchanted harp in Neverwinter), and ,say, 1000 gp for the built in catapult, and a team of followers trained in it's use.

The Temple Of Samular Ascension   This is the former temple of Mystra. This project is a renovation, bringing in art and symbology to represent our Pantheon, as opposed to venerating any one of us over another specifically. Give that I built a new temple for about 6,000 gp, I guessed half that should cover repairs and refurbishing. I kind of had a hard time remembering the lay out and how much space the temple took, so I just went with that estimate and deducted 3,000 gp from the party sheet.

All the expenditures above total to 79,880 gp, which I have covered in bank notes (large amounts of coin deposited earlier). In addition, I hope to host the Horseman's Ball at my new temple. I shall spend 6000 gp for food and drink for the party, and another 1000 gp for new gowns and formal attire for myself, Briar, and clergy and important followers.