Chapter 1: A Friend in Need

"We've done what we came here to do. I'd consider our time here a success."

Floon is relieved to hear Renaer is okay and makes no attempt to hide his eagerness to get the hells out of here. He stays away from the goblins, however, as Eins ask Alastriona: "Dirge Mother, we grab our gear yes?"

The team regroups, sans Stitches, where the Gazer's corpse lies. Unexplored and unmarked sewer tunnels stretch off into the darkness, a ladder leads up to a hatch in the ceiling 15 feet up. The way you came is clear and still well-marked.

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Stitches stealthily opens the door and finds himself at the back of what looks like a small, tidy shop full of barrels of alcohol. Through a short hallway, he spies a brightly-lit room. "Peabody Family Brewery" is boldly displayed on a sign hanging by the main door. Light pours through a large window looking out onto a busy street. A stout, bespectacled halfling woman sits at a desk scribing in a ledger while a pair of wisened halfling men are seated at a table, tasting beverages in tin cups. In the other direction, the hallway ends in a stairway that leads to a closed door, behind which you hear children playing.

Nobody seems to notice you.

When he sees the halflings, Stitches blinks in surprise. He takes careful stock of the layout of the room and the street outside, quietly closes the door, and slips back into the sewers, replacing the flagstones as he goes. Once back underground, he makes his way to the entrance to meet up with the others and describes what he found, pulling the Session Ale label from a pocket and motioning with his hands.

Alastriona stares at Eins, then seems to come to an understanding. Straightening her back, she gives the goblin an authoritative nod, and stands at ease to await the result. The aasimar waits even as the others depart.

Under Alastriona's command, the Eins and Zwei return to their now-abandoned posts by the arrow slits and retrieve their rickety shortbows and frayed arrows while Drei and Vier pull nasty, rusted blades from their straw mattresses. They proudly march at Alastriona's heels.

The team reassembles and makes their way back to the surface, following the chalk markers. A warm, fresh wind greets you as you climb out of the sewer. Rather than the Dock Ward's usual smells your nose judges the Dock Ward differently after your time beneath the streets; instead of fish guts and refuse, you now notice the fragrant spices of the street food vendors and the fresh-cut timbers of the shipbuilders.

Floon's relief overcomes him, and he falls to the street, kissing its cobblestones. The goblins are less joyous, cautiously climbing out of the sewer and squinting in the midday sun. They hide in the tall folks' shadows.

Your band finds the black Haventree carriage not far away. Talulah is mired in a losing battle with a flock of gulls that seem hellbent on shitting on the carriage. She disengages and salutes as Xelia approaches. "Ah, Lady Xelia, you've returned with ... guests?" It's hard for a Tortle to blanch, but Talulah makes a pretty good impression as she sees the troupe of goblins at Alastriona's heels.

Renaer is far more welcoming, bursting from the carriage and embracing Floon, kissing him square on the lips. "We are in your debt, brave adventurers. I know that doesn't usually mean much coming from a Neverember. I am not rich like my father, but you have my friendship. If you are ever in need, don't hesitate to come to me." He shakes your hands warmly, although merely waves awkwardly at the goblins.

The ride back to the Yawning portal is a lengthy one; midday traffic through the Dock Ward's twisted streets makes the journey a tedious slog, but within the magnificent carriage it doesn't seem so bad. The unseen servants draw hot baths for anyone who wants one and serve smooth drinks in crystal glasses. The goblins make a mess of the banquet, gorging themselves. Any doubt among the goblins about their new employers is drowned in a sea gravy and buried under a mountain of meat. They spend the journey tormenting the unseen servants unless Alastriona puts a stop to it.

Once you finally return to the Yawning Portal, Durnan is none too pleased about the goblins. "We don't serve their kind here!" he bellows and points to the door.

You find Volo conversing with Obaya, and he nearly falls out of his chair when he sees Floon. "Floon my good boy! You had us so worried! What in the nine hells happened?" He turns to the team, his feathered hat in his hand. "I knew it the moment I set eyes on you that you were the right folks for the job! I've always had a keen eye for talent!"

Stitches partakes of both the bath and banquet with gusto, neatly preening his cobalt feathers with his beak before sitting down to eat. When he is finished, he settles down for a nap, leaving the table lighter by one crystal glass and a few pieces of fine silverware.

In the Yawning Portal, he makes a beeline for Obaya's table, not even stopping for a drink. When he spots Volo, he throws a thumb in Floon's direction, then rubs his fingers together and makes the sound of clinking coins. Then he turns to Obaya, pulling the spellbook from his bag with a flourish and placing it reverently on the table before her.

Inside the carriage, Alastriona allows the goblins to eat their fill. However, she imposes a limit on their behavior with a stern look, and each time a goblin misbehaves, the aasimar rings the silver bell to catch their attention and give a slight shake her head, her eyes glaring hot to convey her displeasure. She forgoes the relaxing bath in order to keep the goblins in check.

Indeed, perhaps as a means to test the goblins' talent, Alastriona takes out her bowed bass lyre and plucks a few strings. She sees whether the goblins have the proclivity towards music, demonstrating the basic finger techniques and pulling the bow across the lyre. Alastriona has Eins try first, patiently working with the goblin before applying the same for Zwei, Drei, and Vier.

At their destination, Alastriona briefly tilts her head at Durnan's words, but there is no mistaking the tone. With reverence to Xelia and Prince, Alastriona unfolds the map of Waterdeep and points to the City of the Dead. She pats the bag containing the severed head and indicates that she and the goblins are going there.

The aasimar turns to the goblins. She smiles, knowing that they've already seen and heard Durnan's command, and ushers them out of The Yawning Portal. Once in the street, Alastriona begins a measured march for the graveyard district. finds a semi-private area nearby to continue the goblins' music lessons.

"I'm a little worried those goblins might turn on her." Prince says, watching Alastriona go. "I think I'll go with her, just in case. Anyone else coming?"

Prince says, watching Alastriona and her charges.

Obaya can't help but laugh as she always does when Stitches' shows such gusto at retrieving treasures. As a priestess of Waukeen and a Chultan, a harmonious interaction between business and friendship is always a good omen. However, her laughter quickly fades as she speaks solemnly.

"Stitches, this is a lovely find - your first spell book! No doubt there was a great deal of danger involved in its recovery. I wish I could procure it from you, but alas my initial funds are running dry and I am having a most distressing time liquidating my employer's cache. Who could have predicted diamonds to be so difficult to sell? Alas, the Casalanters seem to have monopolized the moneylending business in this city, and I am struggling to make in-roads. Truly, I believe sickness is descending upon this city's economy, and nothing good can come from that."

Volo interrupts quickly after that.

"I too must confess that I have but few coins to spare! The royalties due to me from the sale of my latest publication are not forthcoming! As you can see, if even a Priestess of Waukeen is having financial troubles, a simple author cannot be blamed for this malady, hmm? But never let it be said that Volo reneges on a promise. Allow me to present something much more valuable."

He holds out a scroll tube.

"The deed to a remarkable property here in Waterdeep! I acquired it in the writing of my newest work - Volo's Guide to Spirits and Spectres! We’ll need a magistrate to witness the transfer of ownership. I’ll arrange a meeting with one after you’ve inspected the estate and deemed it satisfactory!"

Stitches snatches the deed out of Volo's fingers and unrolls it in his hands. He holds it up to the dim light in the tavern, turning it at odd angles to inspect it for any irregularities, and he takes a professional interest in the waxen seal of Kylynne Silmerhelve, touching it lightly with near reverence. Satisfied of the deed's veracity, he passes it to the rest of the party.

Turning to Obaya, he smiles with his eyes and gives a shrug. Patting the spellbook gently, he speaks in her own voice. "Once my loans come through, I would be interested in purchasing it." He motions to her with his other hand to indicate the offer is still on the table, then places the book back in his satchel.

Obaya smiles, pleased with Stitches' understanding, and Volo beams as if a great worry has been lifted off of his chest. He exclaims:

"Excellent! Well, feel free to venture forth and have a look at the place. Remember to keep in mind the potential of the property, not just the current state. Are you familiar with Trollskull Alley in the North Ward?"

Volo gives you directions...