Waterdeep: The Second Age

Where i write my notes of our second Waterdeep game.

Preamble
Chapter 1: Scions and Newcomers

session 0 (27/12/2023)
session 1 (20/01/2024)
session 2 (03/02/2024)
session 3 (17/02/2024)
session 4 (02/03/2024)
session 5 (16/03/2024)

Chapter 2: Stranded in the Land of Shadows

session 6 (30/03/2024)
session 7 (13/04/2024)
session 8 (27/04/2024)
session 9 (25/05/2024)
session 10 (08-06-2024)
session 11 (06/07/2024)
session 12 (20/08/2024)
session 13 (17/08/2024)

Chapter 3: A New Threat Rises

session 14 (14/09/2024)
session 15 (26/10/2024)
Session 16 (09/11/2024)
session 17 (23/11/2024)
session 18 (07/12/2024)
session 19 (18/01/2025)

Chapter 4: The Revenant Hunt

session 20 (15-02-2025)
session 21 (01/03/2025)
session 22 (15/03/2024)
session 23 (26/04/2024)
session 24 (10/05/2025)

Chapter 5: Yggdrasil's plea

session 25 (07/06/2025)
session 26 (19/07/2025)
session 27 (16/08/2025)
session 28 (13/09/2025)

Preamble

Waterdeep. The City of Splendors, they call it, and with good reason. Jewel of the Sword Coast, crown of the North, a beacon of civilization amidst the untamed wilds. Picture, if you will, a city sculpted from the very cliffs that tumble down to meet the vast, shimmering expanse of the Moonsea. Streets paved with cobblestones polished smooth by a million restless boots, climbing and winding their way up the mountain's flank, adorned with buildings that would make a beholder blink with envy. Towers of alabaster and pearl pierce the clouds, their spires catching the dying rays of a Faerûnian sunset like daggers dipped in molten gold.

But hold, dear reader, for Waterdeep is no mere collection of bricks and mortar. It's a living, breathing organism, a tapestry woven from a thousand threads of ambition, fear, and hope. Within its walls, the grand and the grimy mingle like dancers in a moonlit tavern. Elven lords with moonlit hair and voices like wind chimes hobnob with dwarven merchants whose beards could braid a dragon's tail. Gnomish tinkerers hawk their whirring contraptions alongside Tiefling spice traders, their horns wreathed in plumes of exotic incense. Every street corner thrums with the cacophony of a dozen languages, every alleyway whispers with secrets both ancient and freshly minted.

And what secrets! Waterdeep, they say, is older than memory, built upon the bones of forgotten empires and haunted by the echoes of past glories. Beneath its cobblestones lies the Undermountain, a labyrinthine dungeon rumored to stretch to the very heart of the world, where unspeakable creatures lurk and forgotten magic hums like a broken lute string. Above, the watchful gaze of the Masked Lords, shrouded in their enigmatic helms, ensures a semblance of order, but even their power has limits. Rumors swirl like mist in the alleys, of noble conspiracies and whispered deals struck with fiends in smoky backrooms. Assassins with blades as thin as moonbeams ply their trade in the shadows, while flamboyant mages bend reality to their whims in gilded towers overlooking the harbor.

But fear not, dear traveler, for Waterdeep is also a city of dreams. In her bustling markets, fortunes are made and lost on a single throw of the dice. In her taverns, tales spun over tankards of ale can ignite the embers of adventure in the most jaded soul. In her temples, the faithful find solace and succor, and in her backstreet gambling dens, even the poorest wretch can chase the fickle goddess Tymora for a chance at a gilded life.

So, welcome to Waterdeep, friend. Whether you come seeking wealth, power, or simply a good story to tell by the fire, the City of Splendors has a place for you. Just remember, in this metropolis of magic and mayhem, every step is a gamble, and every shadow hides a story. Tread carefully, and keep your wits sharp, for Waterdeep has a way of claiming you, body and soul.

Now, come along, let's lose ourselves in the throng and see what wonders await...

Chapter 1: Scions and Newcomers

session 0 (27/12/2023)

ship
- not as planned
- tourist attraction
- not as planned
- fill later meeting
- boat goes out
  - fight scene and script
    - pretend combat ensues
    - Nybarg runs to the invading pirates and scares them out with the pretend weapon
    - Jezz doesn't bother witha weapon and bonk ppl hard
    - Calcine puts two of them to sleep
    - captain stops the combat
  - this was a bit too much
  - we are put to the side
  - nobles liked it anyway
  - we can either stay in our quarters of mingle with them
  - the three of us pas out after drinking
- middle of the night
  - room is hotter and more humid than it should
  - it wakes up the party
  - lighting up the fire hair to see better
  - Jezz opens the door
  - fish ppl rifling through the passenger's belongings
  - they turn towards the party
  - fight script
    - passegers are wrapped in seaweeds on their beds
    - the sahaguins yell in aquan
    - Jezz rushes in and slashes the first sahaguin
    - sahaguin priestess goes to Jezz and slashes
    - the sahaguin retaliates in a blood frenzy on Jezz
    - the sahaguin coral smasher rifles through the bodies and pulls out a coral necklace and yells at the others
    - the second sahaguin priestess rifles and finds another one
    - Nybarg transforms into his hybrid form and grappls the first priestess
    - Calcine
      - understands that they were yelling "traitors !"
      - blesses the Nybarg, Jezz and herself
    - Jezz finishes up the sahaguin
    - the first sahaguin priestess tries to get rid of the grapple on herself to no avail
    - the second priestess fails a hold person on Calcine
    - Nybarg lays on the first priestess he has grappled
    - Calcine throws her hair flame to the second priestess that tried to hold her
    - Jezz finishes of the first grappled princess and repositions to hit
    - the coral smasher attacks Jezz with the warhammer and cracks her
    - Nybarg tackles the coral smashers down the stairs to the lower deck and the realm beyond
    - Calcine heal back up Jezz a bit
    - Jezz runs after the last standing second sahaguin priestess and flurries her
    - the last sahaguin priestess fled to the porthole and jumped in the ocean

Chapter 1: Scions and Newcomers

session 1 (20/01/2024)

Date is 30th Marpenoth 1519

it's liar's night
heart and stone cafe
- run by a young half elf/half tiefling named Aurora
- Jezz walks in
  - been a month since coming back to waterdeep
  - sees a familiar face
  - it's Aurora
  it's been a while ? did your mom know ?
  - Jezz moms knows
  - Jezz orders amareto in coffee
  - Jezz asks if there is deliveries
  - not anymore
  - Aurora mention his son is in the next room with "the spawn of Erodrin"
- Aurora yells
  
  Vincnt Kenedi LASTNAME (need it didn't hear it) where is the jam i ordered two tendays ago ?
  - Royston jokes about it
  - Aurora snaps back and order the both of them to get her the jams she needs for the festival
  - Aurora leaves after giving them a pouch of money for it
  - Vincent and Royston bicker about it
- Jezz steps in with her breakfast
  - desc
    - tall
    - purple skinned Tiefling
    - shoulder length hair
    - horns have piercings and are etched
    - leather pants
    - boot up to the knee
    - jacket
  - bottoms up the coffee
  you know i though i heard about a stick in the ass
  - Royston desc
    - 6ft2
    - brown hair
    - generic white man look
    - green eyes
    - clean shaved
  that's an interresting way to start a conversation
  - Royston is eating a dried mango leaning back in his chair
  - Vincent desc
    - 6ft1
    - nice red silk jacket with safran embroidery
    - red hair
    - 6 to 8 earrings
    - lots of jewelry
  - Vincent is eating a scone and looking angrily at Royston
  Jezzy it's been a long time
  - talks about their moms
  - Royston makes a joke
  - Vincent warns him about it
  - Jezz overheard about jam
  - Vincent complains about needing to run around with Royston
  - Jezz don't understand what kept them from doing it
    - Royston porposes to hire someone to do it
    - the rest says no
    - Jezz asks why they need it
    - Vincent points that it's Liars Night and they need it for the family stall
  - Vincent asks Jezz to help him wrangle Royston
    
    Jezz you know i moved past my handsome chiseled phase after like 13 ?
    - Royston looks happy about the comment
    Roy shutup !
center street
- small makeshift booth
- Nybarg is selling
  - desc
    - dark grey skin scarred
    - tusk chipped
    - lots of barcelets
    - metal clasps
  - trying to haggle on stuff he mayde
    - 2 for 5sp
    - the elf buys it
    is that a wood pecker ?
    - she asks for a bag
    - Nybarg pack it in a box
  - Nybarg points to Calcine selling jelly
  - Calcine corrects that it's Jam not Jelly
  - customer asks if Nybarg has a shop for more
    - where we are now is lucky
    - usually more in a smaller market
- Duck is looking around
  - disgusted from the sight of the faux hunters (butchers)
  - they did not hunt the meat
  - desc
    - 3ft tall
    - harrengon
    - green cloak
    - dagger with a red gem
    - very big feet
    - contemplating if he can eat the oranges
      - likes the oranges Calcine sells
      - closer to feywild ones
- Calcine is stressing about selling her jams
  - sells 2 jars to a customer after tasting
- the group of three arrives
- Royston got attracted to the market in their hunt for jams
- Nybarg advertises the stuff sold in the stall (crafts and jams)
- Jezz sees Nybarg and Calcine
- Vincent comes to the stall
- Vincent buys the rest (all 92 of it and the crates)
- Vincent metions that Calcine might be able to meet someone for more trades
- Vicent is very flirty to no avail
- the whole group needs to relocate the stuff
road to the Market
- Nybarg, Calcine and a bear Royston carry stuff
- Vincent, Duck and Jezz open the way
- need to be there in 1h30
  - ETA 1h
  - 30 minutes of leeway
- a parade of children are here
  - Jezz uses her scary mask
  - the kids make way for us
- assaulted by a group of ~~bandits~~ kids
  - we trade candy for our lives
- the party chooses to take waterdeep way
  - less packed but longer
  - lose 10 minutes
- broken scafolding on the way
  - too long to remove it
  - going back in another street
- drunk people
  - Nybarg mounts on bear Royston and roars
  - people move out of the way
at the Market
- the jams are delivered
- Aurora tastes them
  
  did you make them ?
  - Aurora likes them and she will talk later with Calcine about them
- rent was made !
- everyone enjoys the party
  - Duck talks to Aurora
    - tries to redeem Vincent to his mother
    - Aurora sees through
    - Duck mentions that Vincent might be too flirty
    - Aurora thinks he isn't improper
    probably picked it up from that spawn of Erodrin
    - Duck note it on a piece of paper and walks away
  - Nybarg placed back his stall
    - he sells 2 more
    - people thought he ment gold ands not silver
    - profit was 10x to 5gp
  - Royston
    - fails to seduce the one NPC
  - Jezz
    - tries to use the oportinity too and fails
    - drops a beer on her
    - the NPC gets out of the Market
- people in blue robe come in
  - chanting in a language no one understand
  - some of the stab themselves and explode into monsters killing people around with blue shard shrapnel
  - fighting script
    - Jezz runs after the closest one and lays into it
    - Aurora grabs a bread peel
      - snaps it in half
      this will do
      - goes ham on the blue robed individuals
      - Duck blinds two of them with color spray
      - Royston rolls his 6th crit of the session and finishes the one Jezz attacked
      - Nybarg slams down on one of the blinded ones and kills him
      - Calcine blesses Nybarg, Duck and Vincent who feel their blood pulse in their temples
      - one of the attacks Nybarg
      - one of the tries to flee Aurora but dies trying
      - Jezz ends another one
      - Aurora
        
        pulls out a horn and blows into it
        
        attacks two others
        
        save everyone you can
      - Vincent tries to hold one of them for interrogation but they resist
      - Duck casts chromatic orb and kills one
      - Royston iceknifes a group of them
      - Nybarg transforms and runs to more of them
      - Calcine casts burning hands
      - one casts acid arrow on Calcine
      - Jezz misses the one in front
      - Aurora starts escorting people out
      - Vincent tries a crown of madness
      - Duck misses a ray of frost
      - Royston punches one
      - one casts a fog cloud
      - one hits Jezz
      - Nybarg rushes down the one in contact with Royston
      - Calcine burning hand again and takes one down but takes the rest of acid arrow
      - one casts witchbolt on Calcine, it connects and breaks the bless concentration
      - Jezz activates armor of agathys
      - Vincent dissonent whispers one that runs into the fog cloud
      - one hits Jezz and thet get hurt by armor of agathys in retaliation
      - Duck chromatic orbs the one concentrating on the witchbold on Calcine
      - one hits Royston
      - Royston wildshapes into a bear and retaliates killin him
      - Nybarg pounces on one killing him and goes on the next one
      - Calcine put the one concentrating on witchbolt to sleep
      - Jezz runs after one hiding and knocks them unconscious
      - Vince tries a dissonant whisper
      - Duck barely places a trap under the legs of the unconscious one
      - bear Royston claws one
      - Nybarg takes one more down
        
        their blood smells weird
      - Calcine heals herself
      - Jezz attacks one and makes him stand down
        
        Jezz impeeds him from swalowing a capsule
      - Vincent fails a dissonent whisper
      - Duck realises that the beartrap could be placed on top instead of under and eats a tomato
      - Royston finishes the last conscious one, leaving the asleep one and the incapacitated one
  - Nybarg starts feeling a pull from the sky

Chapter 1: Scions and Newcomers

session 2 (03/02/2024)

Date is 30th Marpenoth 1519

at the Market
- Nybarg starts feeling the pull from the moon
  - Nybarg still has a bit of control and asks Calcine if she has the chains
  - Calcine pulls out the chains
  - Vincent banes him Nybarg
  - Jezz tries to place a basket on Nybarg's head
  - Nybarg tries to bite Nybarg
  - Calcine casts calm emotion
- Duck asks for details about the trasnformation
  - Nybarg points that he needs to be restrained and brought home
- Vincent picks up some of the terrorists shards
- Calcine hogties Nybarg even more
- Royston transforms into a bear and Nybarg is loaded up on it
- Duck goes to the last cultist and slit their throat
road to Calcine's and Nybarg's home
- Jezz removcs the bag on Nybarg's head
- the party pass through the least crowded streets
at Calcine's and Nybarg's
- Calcine opens up the trapdoor to the basement
  - a deep ladder going do
  it is deep and silent as we need that
  - desc
    - down in it there is a second set of manacles tied to the walls and floor tightly
    - in from of it there is a nearly empty wine aging cabinet
  - Nybarg is attached to it and falls in a slumber taking exhaustion
- Vincent feels the shard move in the bag
  - Jezz asks why Vincent brought the shard home
  - Vincent wants to investigate the shard for information
  - Duck is sold on the idea
  - Duck tries to investigate the shard
    - not from the material plane nor the feywild
    - not sure about the exact origin
    - Duck doesn't wish to keep studying it
  - Jezz proposes to asks Force Grey for more info
- Calcine comes back up from the basement with a half drinked bottle of wine Date is 1st Uktar 1519
Duck stays behind and asks questions to Nybarg > Do you have a different name or persona when you transform ? - not really - Nybarg mentions Calcine mentions Calcine attempted a ritual - not enough for his case - ritual was usually performed by stronger casters - Duck asks if he can try something - Nybarg agrees - Duck cuts open his palm and presents it - Duck asks if Nybarg has the urge to attack him - Nybarg doesn't feel it anymore as the moon waned > you are quite a fascinating monster - Duck goes and gets a breakfast
Roystone goes to his night quarry
Jezz, Vincent and Calcine go drinking
- concequences
- Jezz
  
  You wake up in the communal lodge of an esoteric order. The room is full of burned out candles. There is a pen in your hand and a note, but the handwriting isn’t yours. It is a letter to you from a long-dead friend or relative detailing fond memories or talking about how well or poorly you are doing carrying on the family legacy.
  - in north waterdeep
  - hangover is not too strong but there was some poison in it
- Calcine
  
  You wake up in a sumptuous bed in a beautiful hotel. Along with the room service breakfast of caviar and sparkling wine comes the bill. Pay 2d10 gp or find a way out.
  - Calcine pays up
  - Calcine takes home part of it and arrives home 1h after Nybarg woke up
- Royston
  
  You wake up in jail, pending charges for a serious crime (Treason, sedition, grand larceny, etc.). You didn’t do it.
  - give his full name: Royston McLaren Cornwallis Sanderson
  - guards arrive
  - they heard a report that Royston was with the terrorist
  - Roystone has one person he can call to vouch for him
  - Roystone tries to get the blue Tiefling but doesn't know the name
  - Roystone also gives on the side the names of Vincent Aressius and Jezz'abel Sat'ann
  - Royston sends the paper bird to Vincent in the end
    - the guards know who Vincent is
    this got more complicated...
    - they need to talk to the captain
- Vincent
  
  You wake up in your bed. You are 2d6 gp poorer. Within the hour, 300 freshly baked pastries are delivered.
  - not from Aurora's bakery
  - Vincent recieves the summon as a witness for Royston under the charges of terrorism
  - Vincent gets a sending
    
    get your house in the jail, get your frienda and check with your mother
    - Vincent groans and winces
    - Vincent goes to "Calcine and her roommate"'s home
Calcine's home
- breakfast is made with stuff brought home
- Calcine shows the sheets brought home
- Vincent and Jezz join Duck, Nybarg and Calcine
  - Vincent announce that we have to go to jail as witnesses to bail Royston
  - Vincent hands the paper bird to Jezz
    
    OH FFS !
  - Duck is reluctant to go to the jail
    - Jezz and Vincent try to bribe Duck into coming
    - Jezz presents it as a clown show
    - Duck is in
  - Nybarg and Calcine are coming too
    - Vincent will pay for lunch
    - Vincent will arrange a meeting with his mom, Aurora, for a jam selling deal
- fill fashion banter part
Castle prison
- Vincent presents the paper bird
- Royston is in manacles waving at the party
- guard captain arrives
  - captain says that Royston came back to the crime scene looking for a blue tiefling girl
  - when asked what he was doing here Royston threw a beer at the guard
  - reenacting his part of the combat
    - jumping on the table
    - growling as like bear
    - but kept his pants on
    - was arrested as terrorist
  - Vincent's mother already gave a statement
  - captain mentions that Duck killed the last living suspect
  - captain mentions that the party took something from the scene
    - there could be a trade for Royston's freedom for the shard
    - Vincent suggests that Duck's gives the shard
      - Duck says he owns it after it was given to him
      - Vincent mentions that Royston could be endebted to Duck
      - Duck asks Royston who confirms that as bros he'd do anything
      - Duck hands over the shard
- after a few minutes some guards come back with a chest
  - as a thanks for protecting the people and giving the shard
  - they know about Nybarg
    - they were asked to ignore it as a thanks
  - in the chest there are 6 bags of 100gp
- the party needs to leave a body sample as spell components for scrying and the like
- the guards know that the group was religiously motivated
  - standard doomsday cult
  - but this time some of their plans worked
  - not focused on a central deity
  - preaching about "The Sundering"
    - they think the spellplague never ended
  - trying to bring out the ultimate end of it
  - they have pamphlet
    
    what if you knew the truth ?
on the way to Aurora's
- fill bloodbook discussion
- Nybarg feels a ruffle in his pockets
  - nothing is missing
  - there is a note
    
    What are you doing ? Transforming like that in public. Meet us at the sewer entrance behind the Yawning portal in two nights. If you don't we will solve it for you.
  - Nybarg crumples it back in his pocket
- Vincent gives 45 pies in his house to Nybarg
Heart and Stone
- very busy morning
- Vincent joins her mother for the rush of work
  - tell his mother that someone is here to apologize
  is that you ?
  - it is Royston
  - Aurora asks why he fled the crimescene
  - mention that we had a werewolf situation
  you could have sent a message, this is what triggered your father.
  - Vincent is trying his best but Royston is hard to handle
  - Aurora heard about what Royston did
  - Aurora heard about Vincent buying 300 pastries from another shop
  - Vincent mentions that Calcine is here
    - Aurora wanted to talk to Calcine about that
    - Aurora also sold the sculptures from Nybarg
    - Vincent calls both to the kitchen
- Aurora talk
  - she sold the sculptures for 5gp each
  - a tyotal of 10 for 50gp
  - Nybarg aks about selling in the shop here
  I was planning on asking you that
  - Aurora turns to Calcine
  - Aurora said that Vincent could and should have paid more for the quality of it
  - Aurora gives Calcine 50gp
  - Aurora wishes to continue buying jams
    - about 300 per month
    - Calcine could do that in a few days
    - an agreement is struck
  - Aurora asks what Duck wants to eat
    - just straight raw carrots
    - carrots are from Vincent's uncle Arsen
  - Aurora asks Roystone to get rid of the prison smell
    - Aurora thanks him for looking after Vincent for once
    - Vincent protests that his father contacted him because of last night
    he was just stern
    - Vincent badmouths his father and Duck doesn't believe him
- lunch is served

Chapter 1: Scions and Newcomers

session 3 (17/02/2024)

Date is 1st Uktar 1519

Hearth and Stone
- small talk
  - Calcine thanks Vincent about keeping his promise about the Jams
  - it was but courtesy
  - Vincent asks about Blaze and Flint in the Bloodbook
  - they are Calcine's parents
  - Calcine aopoligized for not keepin up with Jezz
  - weather and winter talk
- Jezz asks about the cult to Vincent
  - Vincent wants to nip it in the bud
  - Nybarg mentions the note he got given
  - people know he transforms
  - he has to be there tomorrow
- moms are scary, Aurora punch baking break
- Vincent has 3 sisters
  - 1 older twin
  - 2 youger
- Calcine is considering to get some more spices
  - Vincent starts to think about where
  - Aurora gives a card with a recommendation
  - Quilvara's Oddities and Apothecary
  - Vincent complains about adress managment in Waterdeep
- Jezz asks about the gang situation in the city
  - big gangs are very quiet still
  - small gangs pop here and there
  - small gangs stopped being punched by Jezz
  - the codlane crew came back together
- Aurora asked if Nybarg ate enough
to the Apothecary
- Calcine asked Vincent's help as he has his way with words
- Calcine gave Vincent her pouch to pay
- the owner is the Blue Tiefling
  - she asks if we know Jezz and Royston
  - Vincent apologizes in their stead
  - Roystone flees the shop
- Calcine is looking for spices
  - Quilvara has Heward's Spice Pouch
  - Calcine is interested
  - Calcine and Vincent give the card from Aurora
  - Quilvara gives a reduction
- Duck buys a spell scroll
- Quilvara asks if Nybarg is here too
  - she was happy about the statue
  - Calcine go get Nybarg
  - Nybarg goes and talks to Quilvara
  - Quilvara asks if it could be possible to make a really large size one
    - plague doctor
    - creepy
    - bird
  - Nybarg has if she has a reference of her commission
  - Quilvara will bring it to him tomorrow
Jezz blows her money on a fashion shopping spree on the way out
Vincent takes out a cig
- Calcine asks for one
- Calcine puts some orange peels in it for flavor
Vincent swings by Aurora
- everything is fine
- Aurora gives filled flatbreads for the night
Nybarg goes to the Rathill to get started on materials for the sculpture
Calcine invites the group for a night of drinking
on the way back shows the shop of Papa Petrichor
- earth genasi
- sells
  - booze
  - cigs
  - good stuff
- Jezz asks about the thing that got high
  - a ritual drug to contact people
  - like going to a medium by yourself
  - Jezz buys the weirdling tea
at Calcine's
- 11 bottles of wine are left
- Vincent had a 12th one he picked up last time
  - it's the last sweet wine
- 3 are opened (8 left)
- enjoying the night
- drunk people outside home are rowdy
  - the party gets out to meet them
  - Nybarg grabs one a places him back
  - Calcine calms emotion
  - Vincent tries to shoo them to the nearest tavern
  - one of them is insistent to Jezz
    - he doesn't stop
    - Jezz punches him in the mouth
    - the rest of them leaves
- the flatbread is burning because left in the oven during the encounter

Chapter 1: Scions and Newcomers

session 4 (02/03/2024)

Royston walks out because he has a date (player out for the session)

Date is 2nd Uktar 1519

day stuff
- work stuff
  - Calcine preps the Jams for Aurora
  - Nybarg does some metal bending
  - Jezz brews some stuff
  - none of the do well on it sadly
  - tired from the adrenaline crash of the past days
- Duck is not feeling well
  - REDACTED
- Vincent goes buy a hand crossbow and a 100 bolts
- Vincent and Jezz do some strret performance
  - Jezz does terrible with her instruments
  - Vincent accompanies it well acapella
  - people think it is on purpose and they get 17gp
Waterdeep seems to be under martial law today
- everyoneis watched carefullly
- need to be careful about what is done
- 3 to 4 GTA stars in the city if there is a crime
Calcine gives some orange pastries to Nybarg and Vincent
evening comes
- Nybarg smells the track to the rendez-vous
- the party follows him
- behind the yawning portal
  - sewer entrace with a very peculiar smell
  - it feels like the right one for tonight
- Jezz creates a mask for the odours
- it feels like the rats are watching us
- the party advances into the sewers
  - the tunnels are well kept and lit up
  - Calcine does the fire hair for some light
    - Vincent recognises the cantrip Produce Flame
    - Vincent was surprised by it
    - Jezz is curious about it
    - Duck asks why it feels weird for tieflings to feel weird about it when they don't have cloven hoof
      - tiefling traits discussion
      - one of Vincent sisters has cloven hooves
      - Vincent has 6 fingers
  - Nybarg follows the scent
    - rats are going there too
    - the rest of the party follows behind still in that conversation
  - after a pipe it leads to an open area
    - desc
      - signs of life can be heard
        
        conversations
        
        noises
        
        etc
      - looks like a central gathering hub
        
        were-creatures
        
        changelings
        
        all seen with their aspects
      - looks like a robust morning market
      - smells like the rathills to the party
    - a wererat comes to the party
      
      glad you took notice of what we said d'ja, with d'ja
      - Nybarg came here with us just in case
      - the letter was addressed to Nybarg and not the rest of us
      - we are not their kind
      - the wererats don't like our presence here
      - need to talk to their leaders
      - Jezz answers with a who the fuck are you
        
        the wererats repeat that they need to talk to their leader
      - Duck asks if their fur are soft
        
        gets ignored
      - the wererat is name Kriter
      - Kriter runs of to seek someone
    - a werewolf come up
      - desc
        
        older
        
        very large
        
        white wolf
        
        shamanistic robes
        
        this is a problem...
      - Nybarg apologizes for bringing everyone
      - the werewolf mentions that Nybarg smells feral
      - the werewolf asks if Nybarg can control it
        
        it is not the case
      - the werewolf asks if the party is his pack
        
        at least Calcine
        
        not sure about the rest yet
      - the werewolf asks if Nybarg would die for them and vice-versa
        
        philosophical discussion
      - the werewolf asks the rest of the party if they care for Nybarg
        
        Vincent would help Nybarg
        
        Nybarg helped people dear to Vincent
        
        he would like to repay in kind
        
        Duck would help Nybarg
        
        don't hurt him or i will hurt you
        
        Jezz asks for more details before commiting but then says yes
        
        Calcine obviously stands with Nybarg
        
        don't do more than the menacing to Nybarg or else
        
        but you also carry the hope for a progress in the last 5 years
      - the werewolf snaps fingers
        
        5 chalices are brought up
        
        a trial in the mental realm
        
        the party can join Nybarg to help him
        
        the party drinks the liquid
        
        it burns
        
        feels like we are pulled into the sensations of the beast within Nybarg
        
        it subsides
        
        awaking
        
        it's dark for all but Nybarg
        
        he is in the basement of the waterdeep home ?
        
        initiative
        
        Nybarg
        
        calls in Calcine
        
        transform in hybrid from
        
        smells 5 other entities in the room
        
        one is Calcine
        
        Calcine
        
        pitch black room
        
        connects to Nybarg with a Crimson Bond
        
        starts walking towards Nybarg to find and reasure him
        
        is stopped and attacked
        
        didn't reach him
        
        Nybarg
        
        hears Calcine getting hurt
        
        tries to find Calcine
        
        sees she is fine
        
        starts to wake up Vincent
        
        turns to the wererats
        
        asks to not hurt the party
        
        the wererats asks Nybarg to prove himself of being worthy of being a pack leader
        
        Duck
        
        is still in the dark
        
        feels people on almost all sides of himself
        
        pulls out his dagger
        
        create a safe space with rope trick
        
        Jezz
        
        still in the dark
        
        feels boxed in but still might be a way to move
        
        casts armor of Agathys on herself
        
        closes her eyes and try to hear more than see
        
        breathing of Nybarg
        
        nervous energy of Duck
        
        crackeling of Calcines hair
        
        Calcine
        
        the bond was broken with the attacks
        
        lights up her hair again
        
        now everyone can see
        
        casts a shield of fait on Nybarg
        
        Earnest Wererat
        
        attacks Nybarg
        
        you smell wild, learn from us, control it
        
        Vincent
        
        approaches the Earnest Wererat
        
        unsetteling words it
        
        casts spray of card
        
        you mess with one wolf, you mess with the whole pack
        
        Jackalwere
        
        steps forward
        
        you prove yourself worthy
        
        attacks Nybarg
        
        Nybarg
        
        bloats the Earnest Wererat
        
        full nelson grapples him
        
        commands Jezz to attack it
        
        the Earnest Wererat is dead
        
        Weretiger
        
        shifts back into his human form
        
        there are more ways for your blood to do things for you, you are not subbject to this beastial form
        
        attacks Nybarg
        
        Duck chills in the rope trick
        
        Jezz
        
        swings at the Jackalwere
        
        takes it down
        
        rely on your friends, focus as a pact, know this is not a curse but a blessing
        
        flurry of blows on the weretiger
        
        it's not on you, trust your friends, trust your allies, learn to feed the pact
        
        Calcine
        
        realises it is the basement where Nybarg is kept
        
        tries to sleep the other wererat
        
        Vincent
        
        unsettling words on the weretiger
        
        hold person on the weretiger
        
        you do well with your strengths bard, i tip my hat to you
        
        Nybarg
        
        lays on the now paralised Weretiger
        
        has Vincent act with a dissonent whisper
        
        Weretiger saves the hold spell
        
        Duck
        
        pokes out of the rope trick
        
        casts magic missle at the weretiger
        
        Jezz lays hard on the weretiger
        
        Calcine
        
        gives Nybarg her silver dagger
        
        I think mom would like it to be put to use onces and hopefully, and not against you
        
        Nybarg first hesistate
        
        trust me
        
        Nybarg takes it
        
        Vincent
        
        talks the weretiger down
        
        the were people after a monologue pull the dream vision out
        
        Rabbit you knew when to hide
        
        Bard you know when to talk
        
        Cleric you knew when to support
        
        Warrior you knew how to fight
        
        Nybarg you surpassed you instinct
        
        the cups had blood of the pure blood in them

Chapter 1: Scions and Newcomers

session 5 (16/03/2024)

date is 2nd Uktar 119DR

werebeast hideout
- elder Lycan speaks
  - asks how Nybarg feels
  - Nybarg needs a moment to focus (player is out)
  - asks if the rest of the party is ok
    - Royston says yes
    - Calcine says she has even more control over her powers
      - manipulates a blob of blood easily above her hand
      - the werewolf warns her very intently about showing blood powers around
      - looking at him he is old
        
        like 600 years old
        
        talks from a place of a lot of experience
        
        a tip given as someone close to Nybarg
- Nybarg is feeling the new found control
- Royston asks for effects from the First Wolf blood that was drinked
  - no adverse effect
  - maybe a boon was left
    - everyone gained a feat at the end of last session
- elder Lycan asks the party to not talk about what happened here
  - worried about werecreatures being scapegoats for what happened
  - Vincent asks if they saw what happened in the market
    - they have many eyes on the city
    - the terrorist attack was against the city
    - Vincent asks if they saw where the terrorists fled
    - the elder doesn't want to be involved with that
    - the elder goes to consult some other smaller were-kin
    - they might be somewhere between where the fish and the docks meat
- Calcine asks if she can contact him if she needs couceling for hemocraft
  - he can't
  - warns Calcine again about showing her powers
- wererats escort the party back out near the Yawnig Portal
surface near the Yawning Portal
- it is lively
- party is considering what to do tonight
  - Royston wants to bar crawl
  - Calcine not up to it
  - Vincent wonders if Vrok is still open
    - it is not
- passing in fromn of the Yawning Portal
  - a kobold hails the party
    - he is handing flyers for the next event
  - he knows Jezz
    - (37 on the ex table)
    - from her mother Lucy ?
      - Jezz was fighting about someone with her mother
    - he asks her to take the flyer
  - the flyer is to an aftershow made by bards
    - they are the Twin Horns
    - Vincent and Jezz know them
    - their parents used to know them
- the party thinks of going to the event
  - Jezz loks at the paper closer
    - weird markings on the paper
      - Jezz doesn't recognises the hidden bar from it
      - there might be more from this invitation
    - Royston and Duck look at it too
      - nothing weirder is seen
towards the event in Selûne's Smile
- Jezz still feels iron in her mouth
  - Calcine proposes her an orange
    
    where do you even get them ? are they even in season ?
  - Calcine starts eating anotherone
  - she has a producter at home
  - Jezz takes the orange
- the set list is weird
at Selûne's Smile
- door is closed
- there are Symbols on the door
  - looking like musical notes
  - Vincent starts moving down the street
    - Vincent recognises the music symbols
    - the timing in that music is guidance to a place
      
      doors down, 1 street up
    - the real place is the Soaring Pegasus
    - between sail street and dock street
      
      where the fish meets the docks
Soaring Pegasus
- empty but open
- party enters
  - no one is seen inside
  - Vincent says a code word but no one answers
  - Vincent sees a glint somewhere in the room
    - REDACTED
    - Vincent goes in and picks it up
      - it's a coin
      - Vincent asks the party to search for more
        
        Royston snags some fresh crisp fries
        
        Vincent asks insistently Duck to help
        
        Duck negotiates for a favor
      - Royston uses his Lute
        
        it sounds weirdly flat
        
        like the walls don't reverberate like they should
      - Duck smells ozone and ash
        
        like 2 days ago in the Market
        
        Duck points it out to the rest
        
        the rest of the party has issues smelling it
- Duck goes down towards the basement
  - party follows
  - Duck looks very driven
    - like he is following a very string smell
  - Duck points a bootleger's door to Jezz
    - with the help of Nybarg and Calcine Jezz manages to open it
    - not enough dust for how stuck it was
  - party goes down the hole
    - every one jumps but Vincent who does it delicatly
    - Vincent feels cold when going down slowly and slightly more gravity
down the hole
- the hole above is not anymore
  - Vincent, Jezz and Duck see something close the door
- Duck has trouble seeing
  - REDACTED
- Calcine's hair doesn't light as much as it should
  - light up like twice less
- the atmosphere is very oppressive
- Duck is panicking a lot
  - slithering sounds can be her
    
    we need to get out of here ! we are stuck in the shadowfell !
  - Calcine casts Calm emotions
  - Duck calms down
  - Jezz looks around
    - it looks like a copy of the normal stuff
    - all the wood and stone is now bone and obsidian
    - Jezz locates the mirror of the hole
      - 20ft up
      - Jezz create a makshift pile
      - Jezz climbs through it
      - Jezz ends back in the starting location
  - Vincent asks Duck where and how you escape planar magic
    - Duck rambles about it a bit
    - if you don't have the object linked to the portal it is a one way ticket
- blue cristals and shattered obsidian start lighting up the area
  - it smells like sulphur
  - cristals are the same kind used on the attack
  - everywhere starts growling
  - all but the eyes on every one are muted and grey
- going out the door
  - Jezz looks out
    - sees the guardians of Waterdeep stand in Obsidian statues of tyranny
    - Jezz doesn't recognises the place
    - it was what Jezz saw "that night" in a dream
  - everyone feels cold
  - this is not the Waterdeep that the party recognises
  - everything is obsidian and bone
  - Jezz point out something to Calcine
    - we should be able to see the castle from here
    - there is a spire of obsidian wrapped in a blue glowing veiny gem instead
    - flying overhead there is a massive dragon
      - 200 to 300 ft of wingspan
      - obsidian scales
    - Duck recognises the dragon
      - Duck looks very scared
      - starts stuttering a word startin with N
    - the dragon flies a bit closer
      - one of Calcine's memory is being pulled away
      - Calcine's barely resists it and keeps it
  - what should be Castle Waterdeep is a dragon's nest

Chapter 2: Stranded in the Land of Shadows

session 6 (30/03/2024)

Gloomreach day of arrival
Shadowfell echo of Waterdeep
- grotesque carricature of Waterdeep
- no light
- skeleton dudes
- it oozes dispair
- it's fucking silent hill
there are shadar-kai
- "people" here are psychos
- they do anything they can to feel emotions
- otherwise they disappear
other prople here are called shadowborn
- less infused by the plane
- they aren't as much at risk of disappearing
some people here still have color in their eyes
- visitors from other planes ?
it is easy to get lost here
- roads seem to move
- Nybarg tries to smell the road back home
  - it smells of dust and decay
    - like when someone is been away for a while
    - abandonned smell
  - not able to smell a route
party is in the equivalent of the Dockwards
Jez interrogates a bystander
- slamming that person on the wall
- Jez wants to know who is very good at magic here
- appart from the dragon
  
  Maybe one of the Unkind
- the ones who enforce the raven queen
- they are a bunch of ravens
- more could be known near the castle
  - the dragon is weirder now
  - he goes through phases
  - god of death and undeath for dragonkind
    - Kronapsus: god of death
    - He Who Shall Not Be Named: god of undeath
- Jez stops holding him to the wall
- bystander points out to Calcine she should extinguishes her hair
  - it is super bright to denizen of the Shadowfell
  - even if it doesn't give Calcine light, she becomes a lighthouse and a blinding beacon
  - if needed the party can buy shade lantern or seeing googles
- lately more people arrived
  - few days ago a mass influx
    - people at a festival arrived not knowing what happened
  - cultists are regulars here
    - coming and going
    - he doesn't know how they do it
    - the cultists travel to the Barrens
      - no one knows what they are doing there
      - not even the Unkind
      - doesn't seem to be an issue to the cultists
      - everyone else passes with boats to avoid the region
party goes and tries to find a tavern
- large building
  - ruckus noise inside
    - 2 well armored flying through a window
    - not pulling punshes
    - they both seems to enjoy it
    - on cut the tip of the finger of the other
    - they stop and go back inside to drink together
  - a lot of species here
    - mundanes and not
    - waiters are shadowfell quicklings
    - some pets
      - only take shape when looking at them
      - otherwise looks like a small ball of arm of hadar
      - inside of the "mouth" is a big nope
  - a goth cantina
  - people enjoy the place as an oasis
- Roystone tries to be crazy for a while
  - Jez and Vincent stop him
  - for now
  - he still is talking to random people in the bar
  - asks the 2 fighters what is a good souvenir from here
  - they show daggers made in the Shadowfell
  - Roystone asks if he can have one
    - he has to win a 5 fniger fillet
    - Roystone is allowed to cast magic to help himself
    - best of 3
      - Roystone wins it by a land slide
      - the shadarkai stabs himself on purpose ?
    - Roystone get the knife
- Jez buys food and drinks for everyone here
  - a lot of mushrooms and cave aged cheeses
  - thick ale
  - all is bland and muted
- Vincent goes over to Calcine
  - she is not feeling good
  - Vincent hand a cigarette to calm her
    - Vincent called her "darling"
  - she is burning hot
    - tried to raise her temperature to fight the cold feeling the plane gives
    - the place is cold
    - the places makes her feel cold
    - not working so far
  - proposes to go towards the bar to get info with her
    - to go ask for information
    - maybe trade work for a way out
    - Calcine sticks with Vincent giving her a task to focus on now
- at the bar
  - bartender
    - female elve shadowborn
    - not shader-kai
    - Khala
  - Vincent mentions the cultists going in and out of the Barren
    - asks information about them
    - people here don't trust them
    - rumors say they are not from here
      - obvious from the smell (smells like hell)
      - no one knows what they are doing here
    - cultists just are here
      - don't interract a lot
      - come here from time to time to buy stuff
      - sometimes have scuffles with the Unkind
      - most of them are "alright"
      - keep the undead here in check
  - Vincent asks them if they recruit in exchange for a way out
    - bartender realises we didn't plan to come here
    - some sorcerer are powerful enough but are dicks
    - unkind are not feeling well now
      - Vincent asks if it is because of the dragon god state
      - the bartender feels unsure about what she can say
      - Vincent tries to reassure her to the party's intentions
      - rumors that the Ravenqueen has abandonned the place
        
        Ravenqueen is one of the things that keep the dragon "in check"
        
        mainly rumors
    - bartender offers a job here
      - Vincent refuses
      - Calcine asks if she can help in the kitchen to take her mind of for a while
        
        Calcine can go in the back ask Mako the cook
  - Vincent buys 2 rooms for the night
  - it is currently about midday
    - there are clocktowers outside to check time
      - not always on balance when there is a quake
      - Vincent asks if there is a time parity with material plane
        
        she doesn't know
        
        hard to know from the Shadowfell
      - to help visitors mainly
    - shadowfolk don't need it and are open 24/7
  - Vincent messages the info back to Nybarg
    - Nybarg is first confused
    - info is still passed well
    - multiple options
      - hell smelling ppl
      - Vistani
      - Unkind
- Calcine goes to the kitchen
  - open kitchen
  - Nybarg watches over to
  - Markos
    - male Shadowborn Orc
    - big boi
    - very chill
    - likes his job a lot
  - Markos is impressed with her performance
  - Calcine learned Markos mushrooms stew
  - in exchange offers some Orangette
- Jez and Roystone in the bar
  - Jez is busy with a gay panic over the Shadar-kais
    - table of ex was safe today
  - Nybarg asks Jez if she wants help with a ice breaker
    - Jez is embarrased as hell
- Nybarg goes to the shadar-kai table
  - 1 male
    - name is Vale
    - looking 30
    - broken glass wrapped fists
  - 2 female
    - older
      - name is Breña
      - larger
      - double bladed weapon
    - younger
      - name is Tryn
      - bladed whip
- Nybarg asks them were they got the dagger
  - chipped the obsidian from the mountain
- Nybarg offers and arm-wrestle
  - caltrops are placed on the table
  - Nybarg shows the fire hand (crimson rite)
  - Nybarg goes hybrid
  - Shadar-kai picks a caltrop
    - hurs himself
    - starts raging
  - shadar-kai is winning at first
  - Nybarg counter attacks with his curse of bloated agony
  - Vincent cheers on the side (bardic inspiration)
  - Nybarg finsishes winning
  - shadar-kai enjoys the pain
- Calcine brings Shadar-kai and Nybarg some food
  - chef snacks
  - spiced up the mushroom soup with the spice pouch
  - Shadar-Kai feels the difference in taste :D
- Nybarg considers a piecing as a memento
  - Vincent is against having some himself
    
    Calcine, remind me to not get some
    - also Vincent wants his horns untouched
  - Duck makes a comment about handlebars
    - the Tieflings reacted hard
    - it is a sensitive subject in Faerûn
  - one of the female shadar-kai takes a professional piercing kit out
  - Jez wants a piercing
    - belly button piercing
    - obsidian one
    - Jez takes the operation like a champ
    - shadar-kai gives a goodberry to help fight infections
- the party and the shadar-kai enjoy bonding over a meal together
  - Vincent gets a bonus Orangette
  - Nybarg asks some questions about the cult
  - after some drinks
    - reiterate the information already given
    - they believe too that the Ravenqueen is distant
    - they heard the rumors also from friends in other Shadowfell cities
    - the influx of creatures in not only from the Prime Material Plane
    - death seems to have traffic jam
      - souls are no sent to the Fugue Plane
      - lingering in the Shadowfell
    - 2 hypothesis
      - Raven Queen has stepped away
      - Dark Ones might be involved
        
        dark evil:tm:
    - some people are still alive when coming down here
      - they get converted after a while
      - note to self: do not accept the fatality of the Shadowfell
    - Barrens are further than it looks
      - like a shadow they can strech for an inch or a hundred feet
    - tip for Calcine
      - don't cast a shadow or it will come to life
      - consider taking a shadow lantern for non darkvision people in the party
- Vincent goes to bed
  - Vincent is not alone in the room after 20 minutes
    - takes his hand crossbow
      
      I give you 6 seconds before i shoot
    - a kenku reveals themselves
      
      oh nonono, please no shoot
    - kenku asks if Vincent is from the main realm and where in it
      
      Waterdeep, and apparently this place is the reflection of it
    - kenku picks a book from Vincent
      
      what's this ?
      - Vincent's private journal
    - Vincent agrees to answer if the kenku answers questions
      - name is Quickquick
    - Quickquick reflexively tries to steal
    - Vincent shows him the flute to distract him
      
      you help me get back ? I'm from there.
      - Quickquick is from Baldur's Gate in the Prime Material Plane
    - Vincent asks Quickquick if he knows the Vistani
      - he knows them
      - when they show up it is heard from easttown first
    - Vincent asks about the cultists
      - Quickquick knows them
      - they cause a lot of trouble in easttown apparently
    - Vincent takes a closer look at Quickquick
      - REDACTED
- Calcines goes to bed
  - pats Jez on the should when she leaves
    
    good luck
  - casts guidance and doesn't turn back
- Jez goes on the offensive for Tryn
  - it goes better than expected
    
    just me ?
  - rest of the party leaves
  - Jezz spends a night with Tryn but also Breña and Vale