Chapter 1: A Friend in Need

The crowd goes crazy! Stodgy dwarves and wild young lords alike break into spontaneous dancing on tabletops, tankards clash against each other as drunken rogues and scoundrels sing along, and you even catch a few Sun Elves unable to resist tapping their feet to your radical new music.

This is the best performance to go down in the Yawning Portal in years.

It takes a full 10 minutes for the crowd to simmer down after. As the next band gathers up its courage to follow your act, you find your way back to your seats amid a flurry of cheers.

Meloon finds his way out of the crowd and slaps Varta on the back, sending a few sparks flying out of his hair.

"By the gods, Varta! You were on fire up there! Literally! I haven't seen an act like that ... ever! Hey, sorry I can't stay for the rest of the show, got some business to take care of at the Blackstaff Tower. I'll bring you by sometime! Whaddya say?"

The crowd definitely enjoys the performance, truly a night to remember. After the crowd settles down, eventually Volo comes up to the stage.

"Truly it was a night blessed by Lliira, the goddess of music herself! Alas, there can only be one winner ... and that winner is ... erm ... what were they called again? Ehm, you know, Raspberry Berret!

The crowd errupts into cheers and the usher you up to the stage to take your prize.

Volo thrusts a small, silver trophy into Prince's hands (worth 5gp) and vigorously shakes everyone else's. He then presents the cash prize of 90 gold Dragons to Xelia (the prize pot minus the entry fee), and then basks in all the excitement.

"This prize one of many cultural projects made possible by donations from House Cassalanter!"

A polite applause spreads through the audience, with murmurs of praise.

Xelia (and anyone who is native to Waterdeep) knows that House Cassalanter is one of the oldest noble families in the city whose fortunes have risen and fallen many times. However, under the current leadership of Lord Victoro and Lady Ammalia Cassalanter, the house has transformed into the masters of banking and moneylending, and become one of the richest and most successful houses in all of Waterdeep. They are well-known for their philanthropic work within the city, including sponsoring the Battle of the Bards competition.

The event simmers down, the patrons of the taproom go back to guzzling, gossiping, and gambling. As your characters begin to enjoy a meal on the house courtesy of your newfound fans, you settle back into your second-floor vantage point. Then all the noise is eclipsed by a shout: "Ya pig! Like killin’ me mates, does ya?"

Looking down to the first floor, you see the seven-foot-tall Yagra Stonefist, manager of Black Wyrm, hit by a wild, swinging punch from Krentz, the lead singer of Beauty. The rest of Krentz's band stand behind him, ready to jump into the fray, but Yagra's band is nowhere to be seen. The half-orc cracks her knuckles, roars, and leaps at the tattooed figure — but before you can see if blood is drawn, a crowd of spectators clusters around the brawl.

What do you do?

Butler leans over the railing to get a better view as the fight kicks off, trying to see if the rest of Krentz's band try to join in or if they leave it a fair fight. Realising the crowd is completely blocking his view he rushes down stairs to try and get through the crowd

Alastriona only stared at the outstretched hand from Volo during the award ceremony, threatening an awkward moment until Volo himself just took her hand and did all the shaking.

As the brawl develops, the aasimar remains seated at the table, either for lack of understanding what significance the fight and its participants warrant, or lack of interest.

As the music died and the enraptured crowd nearly caused a riot with their cheers, Stitches plucked a single blue feather from his head and lazily tossed it into the scrum, letting fans fight over it before stalking off the stage.

He rubbed his hands with glee when Volo presented the team with the prizes. Instead of a whistle, the sound of coins clinking in a sack escaped from his beak. He quickly settled back into a comfortable seat clutching a cold ale, but his reverie was broken by the sounds of the battle below.

Pulling up his hood, Stitches tailed Butler down the stairs and ducked into a dark alcove on the ground floor, then maneuvered as close to the fray as he could without being spotted.

Butler makes headway through the crowd (and any others who decide to head down). By the time you elbow your way to the fight, you find Krentz is lying on the floor, bleeding badly through his nose, and the other five members of Beauty, all humans, are poised to tackle Yagra.

"I didn't kill anyone. Yet." growls Yagra, who is not backing down. She looks eager for the fight.

Stitches find an unoccupied alcove 15 feet from the fray, and effortlessly slips into the shadows.

Vatra thanks his friend for coming and watches him leave as Black Wyrm begins their performance. Despite the good showing Vatra is confident they had done enough to win the contest, Volvo confirms that once he takes the stage. Shaking the legendary author’s hand on the stage was a great honor. Things have really turned around since arriving in Waterdeep the Genasi thinks to himself as the ruckus commences below. Although not interested in getting involved, seeing Butler take off down the stairs causes Vatra to reluctantly stand and keep an eye on the situation.

Butler glares at Beauty's bandmates and tries his best to sound stern "This seems to be dealt with, think you should pick up your friend and find a different pub before things turn really sour"

Alastriona grabs two pewter mugs, her own and Butler's, and downs both drinks double-fisted as she walks casually down the stairs to the ground floor.

"Well if you won’t leave peaceful like then perhaps you need a bit more convincing" Butler says to Krentz as he grabs a plate off of a nearby table and whips it towards him, the plate connecting with a solid thud accross his face.

As the brawl starts in earnest, from the shadows Stitches begins belting out an old tune he picked up in a fishing village in Icewind Dale.

The metal plate rings like a gong as Butler smashes it against Krentz's bald head. Between Yagra's fist and Butler's plate, it's lights out for Krentz.

The group is stunned. Then, Stitches' music beings filling the hall from behind the crowd as Krentz's band states at their fallen leader.

Finally, one of the Xanathar's musicians, a Kara-turan by the looks of him, screams at you in his native tongue:

"Omae! …buttobasite yaru!"

In unison, they draw wooden cudgels, strike fighting poses and scream as they swarm Butler and Yagra!

The Kara-turan takes a swing at Butler but misses. The others swarm Yagra, beating her savagely. She takes the blows against her massive forearms, then steps into one of the men and uppercuts him with such force you hear bones crack.

NPC's Stats

Krentz: 0/11; AC 12; unconscious, stable
Kara-turan Throat Singer: 11/11; AC 12
Harpist: 3/11; AC 12
Piccoloist: 11/11; AC 12
Pan Flautist: 11/11; AC 12
Marimba Player: 11/11; AC 12
Yagra Stonefist: 16/32; AC 11

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