spacehulkster
First Post
We now start the first in many adventures concerning Waterdeep. First with Dungoen #97’s First Cauldron episode “Lifes Bazaar” with some changes.
The party rounds the corner to the alley and slows their momentum while drawing weapons. They notice three figures assaulting a hooded cloaked figure on the ground. One of the attackers lifts the hood of the victims cloak and thrust him against the wall as another growls, “Stay away from the orphanage, you got that?”
Elric slinks into the darkness and lines up his crossbow, wounding one of the assailants. Pudge rushes by and engages another, also wounding him. Valen and Thalez stop at the entrance to the alley. Valen, having his bow notched with an arrow, surveys which assailant to light up. Typically, Thalez is in a quandary as whether to arm his crossbow or charge in!
The others being smaller and slower reach the alley entrance a round later. Just in time to see three humans, their faces painted half white/half black, disengaging from Pudge and yelling, “You’d do better to mind your own business half-breed.”
The ruffians run away into the misty rain as the entire party joins up with Pudge and help the young cloaked figure up.
“Thank you good sirs, my name is Ruphus, an acolyte at the Halls of Justice,” the boy says.
“Halls of Justice?” Valen questions.
Carthax responds, “That’s the Temple to Tyr.”
Valen looks back at Milo, “Now him I’ve heard of!”
“Quite right!” the boy responds. “Would you be so kind as to escort me back to the Hall? My teacher would be most pleased to know that you rescued me. I was on my way back from the Lantern Street Orphanage when I was accosted.”
Felix, invisible until now speaks, pointing up, “Hey, there’s another one up there on the roof!”
“Well done! But the cleric lives because we wish it so, not because of your misplaced bravado.” a female voice calls out. She then points a finger at Ruphus and says, “Take these words back to your temple, priest! The children are lost and no longer Tyr’s concern.” Before Valen can string his bow, she scampers off into the darkness. Felix attempts to follow her, but the rain hampers his flying and he returns back to the alley.
“She got away. Any idea who that was?” questions Felix.
“None, but she refers to some children that have gone missing from their beds at the orphanage. My teacher has been investigating this and a rash of kidnappings that have happened lately. She believes there is a connection.” responds the young priest.
“mmmm,” Vern mumbles catching glances from the party, “Plot Hook?!”
“Well, I hope so. Our purse is getting pretty light. We only have enough coin for a couple more nights.” Pudge replies.
“I should like to talk with your teacher, Ruphus. Come, we will walk to the Hall with you.” Milo says in his soft, soothing voice.
They walk Ruphus back to the Hall of Justice making idle conversation. The Hall is a grand temple and it has (and plays) a prominent place in Waterdeep. They are greeted at the entrance by another acolyte.
“Please wait in here while I go get my superior,” he instructs the group. “Brother, could you fetch some towels for these gentlemen to dry off with,” he asks the other acolyte.
A few minutes’ later Ruphus returns, with a young woman in a brown robe with golden trim and the symbol of Tyr around her neck beside him. She wears a sorrowful expression upon her face that she tries to hide as she speaks.
“Good evening,” says the woman. “Ruphus here has told me what happened tonight. We are in your debt. My name is Jenya. Please, if you have time, come with me. Ruphus, some tea if you please. I hope that is ok with you gentlemen?” She motions for them to follow her.
“Why yes that would be wonderful,” Milo answers and takes the lead, right behind Jenya.
The rest of the party take startled looks at Vern, who shuffles off to walk beside Milo. Jenya leads them to a lounge-library room of some sort with a fireplace, bookshelves and comfy chairs. Between slurping tea, the group politely gives their names to her and where they are from.
“Gentlemen, I trust you are enjoying the City of Splendors?” she asks politely.
“Everything is so cramped together, but it still is a beautiful city,” Felix points out, as he tries to dry off by the fire.
Milo steps forward and speaks for them, “Why yes priestess, we are enjoying the city. But how can we be of service to you? Ruphus mentioned the Orphanage kidnappings!”
“I’m glad you asked,” she adjusts in her chair before she continues. “Three nights ago, four children were kidnapped from the Lantern Street Orphanage. One of our temples’ duties and mine specifically, is to see to the welfare of these children. The names of the children were Deakon, Evelyn, Lucinda and Terrem. They are the most recent victims in a series of strange disappearances. The orphanage has barred windows and good locks on the doors. There are two bedchambers for the children, one room for the boys and one for the girls. And they are locked in to prevent any mischief during the night. I have been able to ask for divine help in locating them and wrote down the response for my convenience. This is the response.” She reaches down in her robe and produces a slip of paper written in Chondathan. She hands it to Milo.
“Could you copy this over in common for us priestess. Not all of us speak Chondathan,” says Milo.
“Why yes, that will be no problem. Ruphus, would you please scribe this in common for me?” She hands Ruphus the note. “Thank you.” Ruphus shuffles off at a quick pace out of the room. “I believe the first line holds an important clue. I do not know what “locks” it is referring too, but I am not a locksmith. Perhaps you could investigate the Lantern Street Orphanage and ask about the locks there.”
Vern pipes up, “Priestess, could you also compile a list of names of these other victims that have strangely disappeared. There could be a connection.”
Catching eye contact with Vern, Jenya replies, “I can have that for you in the morning.”
A short while later, Ruphus returns with two parchments and hands both to Jenya. “Here is your copy, Brother Milo. Until the morrow, gentlemen?” She escorts the group to the entrance of the Temple.
The party rounds the corner to the alley and slows their momentum while drawing weapons. They notice three figures assaulting a hooded cloaked figure on the ground. One of the attackers lifts the hood of the victims cloak and thrust him against the wall as another growls, “Stay away from the orphanage, you got that?”
Elric slinks into the darkness and lines up his crossbow, wounding one of the assailants. Pudge rushes by and engages another, also wounding him. Valen and Thalez stop at the entrance to the alley. Valen, having his bow notched with an arrow, surveys which assailant to light up. Typically, Thalez is in a quandary as whether to arm his crossbow or charge in!
The others being smaller and slower reach the alley entrance a round later. Just in time to see three humans, their faces painted half white/half black, disengaging from Pudge and yelling, “You’d do better to mind your own business half-breed.”
The ruffians run away into the misty rain as the entire party joins up with Pudge and help the young cloaked figure up.
“Thank you good sirs, my name is Ruphus, an acolyte at the Halls of Justice,” the boy says.
“Halls of Justice?” Valen questions.
Carthax responds, “That’s the Temple to Tyr.”
Valen looks back at Milo, “Now him I’ve heard of!”
“Quite right!” the boy responds. “Would you be so kind as to escort me back to the Hall? My teacher would be most pleased to know that you rescued me. I was on my way back from the Lantern Street Orphanage when I was accosted.”
Felix, invisible until now speaks, pointing up, “Hey, there’s another one up there on the roof!”
“Well done! But the cleric lives because we wish it so, not because of your misplaced bravado.” a female voice calls out. She then points a finger at Ruphus and says, “Take these words back to your temple, priest! The children are lost and no longer Tyr’s concern.” Before Valen can string his bow, she scampers off into the darkness. Felix attempts to follow her, but the rain hampers his flying and he returns back to the alley.
“She got away. Any idea who that was?” questions Felix.
“None, but she refers to some children that have gone missing from their beds at the orphanage. My teacher has been investigating this and a rash of kidnappings that have happened lately. She believes there is a connection.” responds the young priest.
“mmmm,” Vern mumbles catching glances from the party, “Plot Hook?!”
“Well, I hope so. Our purse is getting pretty light. We only have enough coin for a couple more nights.” Pudge replies.
“I should like to talk with your teacher, Ruphus. Come, we will walk to the Hall with you.” Milo says in his soft, soothing voice.
They walk Ruphus back to the Hall of Justice making idle conversation. The Hall is a grand temple and it has (and plays) a prominent place in Waterdeep. They are greeted at the entrance by another acolyte.
“Please wait in here while I go get my superior,” he instructs the group. “Brother, could you fetch some towels for these gentlemen to dry off with,” he asks the other acolyte.
A few minutes’ later Ruphus returns, with a young woman in a brown robe with golden trim and the symbol of Tyr around her neck beside him. She wears a sorrowful expression upon her face that she tries to hide as she speaks.
“Good evening,” says the woman. “Ruphus here has told me what happened tonight. We are in your debt. My name is Jenya. Please, if you have time, come with me. Ruphus, some tea if you please. I hope that is ok with you gentlemen?” She motions for them to follow her.
“Why yes that would be wonderful,” Milo answers and takes the lead, right behind Jenya.
The rest of the party take startled looks at Vern, who shuffles off to walk beside Milo. Jenya leads them to a lounge-library room of some sort with a fireplace, bookshelves and comfy chairs. Between slurping tea, the group politely gives their names to her and where they are from.
“Gentlemen, I trust you are enjoying the City of Splendors?” she asks politely.
“Everything is so cramped together, but it still is a beautiful city,” Felix points out, as he tries to dry off by the fire.
Milo steps forward and speaks for them, “Why yes priestess, we are enjoying the city. But how can we be of service to you? Ruphus mentioned the Orphanage kidnappings!”
“I’m glad you asked,” she adjusts in her chair before she continues. “Three nights ago, four children were kidnapped from the Lantern Street Orphanage. One of our temples’ duties and mine specifically, is to see to the welfare of these children. The names of the children were Deakon, Evelyn, Lucinda and Terrem. They are the most recent victims in a series of strange disappearances. The orphanage has barred windows and good locks on the doors. There are two bedchambers for the children, one room for the boys and one for the girls. And they are locked in to prevent any mischief during the night. I have been able to ask for divine help in locating them and wrote down the response for my convenience. This is the response.” She reaches down in her robe and produces a slip of paper written in Chondathan. She hands it to Milo.
“Could you copy this over in common for us priestess. Not all of us speak Chondathan,” says Milo.
“Why yes, that will be no problem. Ruphus, would you please scribe this in common for me?” She hands Ruphus the note. “Thank you.” Ruphus shuffles off at a quick pace out of the room. “I believe the first line holds an important clue. I do not know what “locks” it is referring too, but I am not a locksmith. Perhaps you could investigate the Lantern Street Orphanage and ask about the locks there.”
Vern pipes up, “Priestess, could you also compile a list of names of these other victims that have strangely disappeared. There could be a connection.”
Catching eye contact with Vern, Jenya replies, “I can have that for you in the morning.”
A short while later, Ruphus returns with two parchments and hands both to Jenya. “Here is your copy, Brother Milo. Until the morrow, gentlemen?” She escorts the group to the entrance of the Temple.
