Synchronicity

The Rookery, Session 22 Recap

The party is again in Waterdeep to take possession of the gem that they obtained from the crypt of Halathe Brantifax--way back in session 9 (The Book of the Raven.) They have been informed that the gem cannot be destroyed, or shielded from magic detection. But, that since Tharizdun created the Gems of Tharizdun from pure elemental chaos, that they might make it difficult to detect if they were to keep it together with something with a high concentration of elemental chaos, such as an elemental. So, the party had commissioned a collar for the ember cat--Teekla--so that Teekla can wear the gem, hopefully making the gem difficult to discover by arcane means.

The commander of the Feathergale Knights--Thurl Murroska--had also returned to Waterdeep, apparently to attempt to follow the commands of Aerisi Kalenoth to obtain a map from Ildar Orsabbas, and also to find her a Gem of Tharizdun. Some of the party broke into Orsabbas's shop to try and obtain the map before Thurl could, but the magical defenses and alarms in the shop were enough that they had to flee before they found the map.

As if all that wasn't enough, the current head of House Murroska--Rosaleen--had died soon after Thurl returned to Waterdeep. Andira--using her powers as a priestess of the Raven Queen--talked with Rosaleen's spirit, learning a number of interesting things, including the fact that she had been murdered by Thurl in order gain control of House Murroskas's finances, the location in Villa Murroska where she had hidden the House Signet Ring--without which Thurl could not be recognized as a Lord of Waterdeep. And finally that Rosaleen did not want vengeance on Thurl for killing her--instead wanting him to marry and perpetuate the Murroska line.

Uktar 14, 1491 DR

When the party came down for breakfast, the innkeeper presented Seriyas with a copy of one of Waterdeep daily broadsheets--Horkle's Gossip Cauldron--saying that it was "compliments of Mist."

Horkle’s Gossip Cauldron

All the goings on of Waterdeep’s Rich and Powerful that they don’t want you to know about!

Guilty Gluttonous Guild-Masters

Surely everyone in the City of Splendors who puts in an honest day’s labor has noticed that when it comes to purchasing the staple of many tables—bread—that their coppers go much less far than they did in the past. Indeed, compared to other foodstuffs whose price rises and falls in response to the availability of that foodstuff, over the past nine years, prices for bread have never fallen, rising by 60%. When asked about this seeming discrepancy, the guild master of the Baker’s Guild, Weston Loblaw, muttered something about foreign competition and wheat prices, before scuttling into the guild hall. It is this writer’s sincere hope—although probably a forlorn one—that city officials will look into this, and take appropriate action to punish any who have been colluding to keep bread prices at unnaturally high levels.

Looting Lascivious Lords

Laeral Silverhand—the Open Lord of our fair city—has been seen by some with access to the inner chambers of power to be keeping company with the notorious money lender, Mirt, whose appetite for excess is well known. One can only wonder where the illustrious lady can find the time, when her attentions might more profitably be focussed upon restoring the people’s faith in the city government after the recent coup attempt, rather than dallying with one of the city’s most notorious ne’er do wells.

Speaking of relics from the past that don’t know when to stay dead, Laeral has appointed the reprobate Elminster as the new Lord Commander of the recently reformed Griffon Cavalry (as long time readers will know, each of these three-Laeral, Mirt, and Elminster—have been resurrected more times than we can count.) But, is it really any surprise that the new Open Lord would consolidate her grasp on power by appointing one of her long time cronies to such an important military post?

Mealy Mouthed Merchants

Yesterday we reported on an apparent break-in at Orsabba’s Fine Goods. A seemingly reliable source tells us that Orssabas declined to file a complaint with the City Watch, perhaps not surprising given the Watch’s inability to capture the intruders, or, again according to the same source, even catch sight of the cat burglars as they made their escape. Those with their finger on the pulse of the street tell us that Orssabas is willing to pay a generous reward to anyone who can identify the perpetrators. It is unknown at this time what Orssabas plans to do with this information if he obtains it.

Notably Naughty Nobles

The body of the heir apparent to house Phylund, Bantos Phylund III, as well as that of a younger son of house Margaster, Thaland, were recently returned to their families by the self styled “Lord Commander” of the Order of the Feathergale Knights, Thurl Murosska. How young Phylund and Margaster met their death has not been disclosed by the families, but I have it on good authority that Murroska was shown out the door by Phylund’s. Father, Bantos Phylund II, and the language used in Murroska’s dismissal would make even the most seasoned sailor on the Sword Coast blush with embarrassment.

The aforementioned Thurl Murosska might better be referred to as the Raven Queen’s herald. Only a day after his return to the city, the matriarch of house Murroska—the cadaverous and acerbic Rosaleen Murroska—died, apparently falling down the stairs in the middle of the night. The tongues of the nobility have been set wagging by Thurl having his grandmother lie in repose for only two days instead of the more traditional three. Rumor has it that the house Murroska—well known for keeping up appearances—is practically destitute. Rumor also has it that Thurl has already begun to invite traders who specialize in the sorts of goods valued by the upper crust, to make offers on many of the family’s most prized possessions.

The twin daughters of Stedd Moonstar—Barbra and Jenna—were arrested last night at Graylkin’s Tankard for disorderly conduct and destruction of property. This is the pair’s fifth arrest on similar charges over the past two months. Surely a record, even by the lax standards of the city’s “noble” houses.

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Seriyas and Samara disguised themselves as merchants interested in purchasing artwork, and bluffed their way into Villa Murroska. There, Samara distracted Thurl while Seriyas grabbed the signet ring from its hiding place. The pair then hustled out of the Villa, promising Thurl that they would return the day after tomorrow to purchase the paintings they had been shown.

Uktar 15, 1491 DR

The next day at noon, the party picked up Teekla's collar from LoudHeart's Fine Jewelry, then returned to the Fleeced Lamb, planning to leave Waterdeep that afternoon, before any of their shenanigans were discovered. When they entered the inn, the innkeeper told Samara that "someone who looks a lot like you" was waiting for Samara in the inn's common room.

The person waiting was Samara's twin sister Amaya, who had followed a fortune from a roadside fortune teller, saying that she should look for Teekla in Neverwinter. Arriving just after the party had beat a hasty exit from Neverwinter, Amaya was eventually able to trace the party's actions in Neverwinter, and follow them, and finally catching up with them. She shared what information she had about tracking Samara's and Amaya's mothers after their exile from their family, and also informed Samara that she would be traveling with the party. Not only to learn what the connection between Teekla and their mothers exile, but also because in Neverwinter it had cost her over 500 gold to "clean up Samaras's mess."

The party rode out of Waterdeep in the early afternoon, pushing their horses to reach Amphail a few hours after dark. There they are planning to stay the night, and in the morning seeing the Roaringhorns about purchasing a horse for Amaya.