Chapter 2: Trollskull Alley

MIRT'S CARRIAGE

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Butler leans back whilst Mirt gives them the rundown thinking. "Perhaps our first step should be to check out the Dead Phoenix so we get a bit of a better lay of the land. Can you tell us anything about it?" he asks Mirt.

BLACKSTAFF TOWER

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"Nobody is asking you to lie. Conduct your operation as you wish; you know your people better than I. But take his bait. Hopefully, he reveals some information or leads you somewhere that gives us our next clue."

"Presumably, if he goes this far, he may attempt to harvest your team. He might be old, but he is yet formidable. He carries Azuredge, a magical weapon forged by Ahghairon, Waterdeep's founder. However, he is no longer worthy of the blade. If you call the weapon's name, it will forsake him and come to any of you. We will, of course, cover the cost of any necessary resurrections."

MIRT'S CARRIAGE

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"The Dead Phoenix is run by a goliath named Hector. Lots of off-the-books gambling, a big fighting pit. They spread a rumour around that they have a secret passage to Undermountain but its a lie. Just some old catacomb that leads into the City of the Dead under the wall. He charges some coins to go in and more to come out. How original!"

BLACKSTAFF TOWER

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Alastriona sits in silence, staring at the Vajra with obvious contemplation. There is a shift of leather and chain as she sits back in the chair, regarding the woman with a look one might have for a bottle of wine that's been aged far too long.

"Very well," she says at length, and with a creak of wood she stands to her full height. "I will observe Wardragon until he attempts to bring us under the mind flayer's sway."

Alastriona opens her mouth to say more, but stops. She tilts her head and considers her next words, before saying, "This magic you use. What is it? Your lips work in ways that are different from the sounds that I hear. You are not speaking Celestial, yet I understand you as if you do."

MIRT'S CARRIAGE

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Butler chuckles slightly "Well despite the certain 'cliche' elements of their operation the gambling angle gives us an in to get a view of the lay of the land in there. I think it's time to go and loose a bit of money."

"Sounds like fun! That's our in. Any ideas how we might derail this deal though?"

After pocketing his gear, Stitches ponders Prince's request for a long moment. He holds up a single finger before barking orders in the voice of the dragonborn officer of the City Watch. "Civilar Sheshtandeliath. Stay clear of the alleys tonight. There'll be more blood on the streets before dawn. Constable!"

Then he holds up a pair of fingers. From a hidden sheath, he pulls the silvered dagger he looted from Krentz's men. He places it on the table and points to the eye motif, a sure sign of the Xanathar.

A glimpse of the more lighthearted Vajra that you saw yesterday shines through: "That's magic for you. Lets you break the rules if you can pay the price."

The lightheartedness fades, and she turns away.

"Thank you for your assistance. You may leave now."

BLACKSTAFF TOWER

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Alastriona stands, considering the non-answer. With a nod and a swirl of her chain mail skirt, she turns away from Vajra and sees herself down the twelve flights of stairs, heading for the exit and a reunion with her companions.

"Start some shit while disguised as the Xanathar's goons? Bold plan. I like it!"

Stitches claps his hands and points at Prince, then holds up one finger.

After a moment, he holds up two before grabbing a small potted plant in the corner of the carriage. He places it on the table by the silver dagger. "Rumour has it he won't work for The Xanathar," he says in Mirt's voice. He points to the plant, then to the dagger, then says "Zhentarim" in Mirt's voice. He repeats the order again: plant, dagger, Zhentarim.

He also picks up the speaking stones and examines them, turning them over in his hands and clapping his bill a few times. Then he offers not one, but both of them to the others.

Mirt snorts at hearing his own voice spoken by someone else. "Alright, sounds like a plan is coming together. I'll get out of your hair ... and feathers ... and let you get to it. Anything else you need?"

Mirt listens to any further requests and then gets on his way.

Prince bows to the old rogue and turns to his companions. "Plant, dagger, Zhentarim. Plant a Xanathar dagger on one of the Zhents. Not as much fun as a masquerade, but far less dangerous, and at least equally effective. Stitches, you are a mastermind!" Prince claps the kenku on the back. "Let's do our recon and plan out how we're going to do this."

The party returns to the manor and sees that the goblins have been busy. The goblins have strung a line of twenty rat carcasses with broken necks across the entry way to greet you as you return. Eins, Zwei, Drei, and Vier are grinning ear-to-ear with pride. This was a job they clearly enjoyed.

After everyone gathers Vatra and Xelia elect to stay behind to work with Tally to get the repairs underway. The others depart for the Dead Phoenix.

After tying up loose ends, you travel across the spotless and orderly streets of the North Ward to the Dead Phoenix. The building looks like a cyclopean stone slab with a typical Waterdhavian apartment complex built on top of it. You enter the building via a public lobby. Stairs lead up to the "Shady Acres" apartments and down into the stone to the Dead Phoenix.

The Dead Phoenix is dim and quiet at this time of day. The place is mostly lit with phosphorescent purple and green Underdark fungus, and looks like a dungeon with a bunch of tables and chairs set up. Passages lead off in different directions. There is a "Dark Lounge" for people to enjoy their drinks with only dark vision, a "Miner's Hall" with heavy wooden tables and huge granite stones to whack with pick-axes. A portcullis blocks access to another passageway that promises access to Undermountain. A stair leads deeper below ground to a "sewer patio" for those who appreciate a different kind of ambiance. A circular fighting pit is set in the center of the main room, although it has been boarded over and covered with tables and chairs up for now.

A hunched over goliath ignores you from behind the bar. There is some noise coming from the Dark Lounge, but otherwise the place is pretty dead.

"This joint is aptly named. I'll give 'em that."

Xelia sees the group off. "These bones are too old for stealthy reconnaissance. Perhaps I’ll join you once your plans are decided. Do keep your heads down, dears."

TROLLSKULL MANOR

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Alastriona smiles her approval of the goblins' work and leaves the trophies up like one might display a child's drawing. As she prepares to join the group, she also leaves the goblins in the care of Xelia; she demonstrates with a bending of a knee that the tabaxi has complete authority.

THE DEAD PHOENIX

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The aasimar follows the party into the quiet interior. From the common room, she peers down the tunnel towards the Dark Lounge to see what might be going on.

Small waterfalls cascade down the walls of this dark room into slimy pools. Two Drow are playing a game of dice and sipping wine in the dark. They look up from their game, none too pleased to be disturbed.

Butler looks round the place as they walk in before turning to Prince and saying slightly louder than normal "Hey what gives, I thought you said this place was fun?"