A wooden, hand-painted sign declares as much on the sloped front lawn. An attached lower placard reads ROOM FOR RENT.
Ma Kelley is a woman in her mid-50s. Widowed when her husband was killed in the war. She knows what the Girls know (below), and can also provide Alicia Corey’s rental application.
Men are generally not allowed through the door at any hour; if they have official credentials, she won’t make a fuss about it, but it will nevertheless startle the girls.
Bedrooms: One of the second floor Chambers is occupied by Ma Kelley. The other four are furnished for rental. Three are occupied (including Alicia’s); the fourth is currently available for rent.
They probably don’t’ know that Alicia is dead (unless it’s been a couple of days, in which case the cops have followed up).
Alicia always paid her rent promptly in cash.
She worked as a secretary, but they realize they don’t know for what firm.
She never had any guests that they can recall, but she did keep strange hours from time to time. (Ma Kelley doesn’t have any sort of curfew, so this wasn’t considered a problem or anything.)
She’d once mentioned during dinner that she had been in Cairo. The girls thought this was terribly exotic, but it didn’t seem as if Alicia wanted to talk about it. (Betty is convinced this means that she has a dark and mysterious past; probably featuring a lover who tragically died.)
ALICIA COREY’S ROOM
Furnished with care and love. A handmade quilt on the bed. (Features an arabesque design indicative of it being Egyptian in origin.)
Writing Desk: Everything is meticulously clean. Any written matter has been carefully destroyed.
Loose Floor Board: Under the bed. Alicia Khouri’s Diary is hidden inside.
ALICIA COREY’S BACKGROUND
Alicia’s real name is Alicia Khouri. She is of Egyptian descent.
Rashida Khouri, Alicia’s mother, is a Hu-manifestation of Ra and a Sister of Fatima. Alicia learned the teachings of the Sisterhood from her mother, but had not yet been indoctrinated into the inner mysteries of the coven. (She didn’t know that her mother was a Hu-manifestation of Ra.)
Gladys Roy had alerted the Sisterhood that there was Tanit activity in the Twin Cities. Alicia was sent to conduct an investigation. She had tracked the cult activity to kidnappings at Harriet Tubman’s Asylum for Colored Orphans (Node 4), but gotten no further in her investigation at the time of her death.
Investigators may suspect that Corey was directly targeted in response to her investigation, but this is not the case. Her exposure to the Tophet serum whiskey was coincidental.
ALICIA COREY’S DIARY
Flipping through this thin red volume – well-worn and weather-beaten despite containing pre-printed entries only for the year 1925 – reveals that the first half is completely blank and unused. In July of this year, however, entries in a fine and elegant script begin (mostly in a blue ink, although there are some scrabbled out in pencil and others in a black ink; all appear to be of the same hand, however).
At first glance, most of the entries appear to be concerned with sightseeing around the Twin Cities. But in aggregate an odd pattern appears: The sites she is notating as if they were tourist attractions generally… aren’t. They’re common businesses or even private residences. Mixed in among these curious entries you notice a recurring mention of the name Tanith, and also one reference to “a defacement of the eye of Ra”.
Over the past month, the entries become fixated around a single location: Harriet Tubman’s Asylum for Colored Orphans, located in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul. The exact nature of these notes is difficult to discern as they are partly written in some form of code, but they seem to catalog the comings and goings of numerous individuals, tracking their movements in some detail.
If Lost, Please Return Me to 169 Page Street West, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Hong Kong Task Force 88 was included in Free RPG Day 2016 as an introduction to Feng Shui 2. (You can still grab a PDF of it for free.) We’ve being using the scenario at conventions as part of Atlas Games’ Special Ops program. Our playtesting, however, has revealed that the scenario is running a little too long to fit comfortably into our four hour convention slots.
These notes, therefore, are designed to streamline the adventure, reorganizing its core structure largely around a 5 Node Mystery (with a twist!). You’ll need a copy of Hong Kong Task Force 88 to provide full background details and stat blocks. These notes are also likely to make more sense if you have already read the original scenario.
INTRODUCTION
A new designer drug is ravaging Hong Kong. DietRiot has exploded both uptown and downtown; it seems equally appealing (and equally available!) to both the upper classes and the lower classes. Reports on what the drug actually does are all over the place: Some describe it as a methamphetamine. Others as a hallucinogenic. It also appears to be almost supernaturally effective as a diet drug.
The authorities have decided action must be taken. A special task force – Hong Kong Task Force 88 – has been formed. You have all been selected (or volunteered) to be a member of this task force.
As you choose your characters, think about why or how your character was selected.
SCENE 1: THE DOCKS
Generally effective to have 1-2 of the PCs be the “local cops” who are meeting the others at the Docks.
Allow time for a brief discussion.
THE FIGHT: Blondie calls out some insult from the end of the dock. They turn to see him and a bunch of mooks wielding machetes.
Blondie (HKTF88, p. 10) – make sure to mention the wifebeater he wears covered in English swear words
Machete Mooks (HKTF88, p. 11) – 2 per PC
DURING THE FIGHT: At least one of the PCs should see Jian Wu watching the fight from the roof of a nearby warehouse. He has a distinctive dragon tattoo on one cheek. As soon as they notice him, he walks away from the edge of the warehouse and disappears.
SCENE 2: INVESTIGATION MONTAGE
Hard cut from the end of the fight to the precinct headquarters Task Force 88 is based out of.
CHEWED OUT BY THE CHIEF: The local police chief is screaming at them about property damage, disturbance of the peace, wielding weapons (do you know how much paperwork?!), etc. Whatever happened during the awesome fight in Scene 1, he’s pissed off about it. “GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!”
After the door slams shut behind them, the rest of the detectives at their open office desks give the PCs a round of applause. One of them whispers that the chief is actually very impressed and wants them to keep up the good work.
TASK FORCE OFFICE: The Task Force has been assigned a random office in the precinct headquarters. There’s not a lot in there right now: A thin file folder with the DietRiot case file. An empty file cabinet. A desk. An empty cork tackboard.
Note: Establish the tackboard because you’ll frame up on it later.
INVESTIGATION MONTAGE: Tell the players you’re going to do an investigation montage: Each of them will choose one line of potential investigation. Likely options include:
Checking the casefile.
Trying to track down that guy with the weird tattoo they saw.
Roughing up local dealers for information.
Talking to an old friend or other local contact for information.
Analyzing samples of DietRiot in the crime lab.
Conducting drug buys to roll up the local distributors for interrogation.
Putting surveillance on known DietRiot dealers and monitoring their communications.
The actual methods they choose don’t matter except by context. Group them together in ways that make sense and present fast-paced, hard-hitting sequences that rapidly spill out the three major leads:
There is a victim of DietRiot named Fen. You can talk with her at the Lucky Cat Apothecary.
Jian Wu (“the guy with the tattoo”) can be found at the Neon 77 club.
There are a pair of well-connected street dealers named Snake Eyes & Ed who are selling out of the Bird Gardens.
Each of these point to one of the Scene 3 investigations.
SCENE 3: THE INVESTIGATIONS & THE FIGHT
There are three different leads that the PCs can pursue after the investigation montage. Generally speaking, the order in which these scenes occur doesn’t make a difference.
At some point during this sequence, Blondie’s brother shows up. He’s pissed off that the PCs killed/arrested his brother and he’s looking for revenge.
(This probably works best with Scene 3A or Scene 3B, as Scene 3C already has a fight sequence in it.)
THE FIGHT:
Blondie’s Brother (HTKF88, p. 14): He wears the same wife-beater that Blondie does, but his is covered with swear words in Chinese. And he has a pair of katanas, because everyone knows katanas are better. (To be honest, Blondie and his brother are basically tools.)
Fist (HKTF88, p. 14)
Reaper’s Boys (HKTF88, p. 15) – 2 per PC
Interrogation: If interrogated, these mooks can give up the location of Reaper’s lab (see Scene 4).
SCENE 3A: FEN & LUCKY CAT APOTHECARY
This scene is described in HKTF88, p. 12-13.
Key Clues:
Reaper’s Card
Fen’s grandmother thinks the drug blocks chi
SCENE 3B: JIAN WU @ NEON 77
Neon 77 is a glitzy club of chrome, mirrors, and trance music.
Or maybe it’s a sedate club with soft-tune jazz disco balls casting starscapes on the walls. Whatever works.
Jian Wu is framed differently in this version of the scenario:
He has a dragon tattoo on his cheek.
He’s Reaper’s Kowloon dealer for DietRiot.
He’s not happy: The money was good; now he thinks it was too good. The drugs are too cheap; there must be some hidden agenda behind all this, but he hasn’t figured out what it is.
He can point the PCs in the direction of Reaper’s lab (see Scene 4).
SCENE 3C: THE BIRD GARDEN
This scene is heavily revised for this version of the scenario.
Snake Eyes & Ed (HKTF88, p. 10) are selling DietRiot in the Bird Garden (as described HKTF88, p. 17).
Rather than an out-of-control talent manifestation, Ed casts spells to summon the fireworks foes (HKTF88, p. 18):
He summons the first one on his first turn.
On each subsequent turn, he can initiate a 5-shot action. If not interrupted, at the end of those 5-shots another fireworks creature is summoned.
In one run-through of this scenario I had Snake Eyes open up a door in the side of a tree and run through it, emerging back at Reaper’s lab. You could do that; or maybe it just turns into a chase sequence.
Key Clues:
They know the drug blocks Chi.
They can point the PCs in the direction of Reaper’s Lab (see Scene 4).
SCENE 4: REAPER’S LAB
This scene is described on HKTF88, p. 20-21.
Don’t bother including Jian Wu.
The key framing is that the PCs can observe the grungy warehouse from outside; and then only later catch a glimpse or burst into the gleaming, ultra-clean drug lab inside filled with scientists in hazmat suits watched over by goons in suits with SMGs slung over their shoulders.
THE FIGHT:
Repeat (HKTF88, p. 21)
Alora (HKTF88, p. 21)
Mittens (HKTF88, p. 21) – I gave him the ability to jump around like a cat. Pretty much entirely descriptive, but gave him some nice
Gangsters (HKTF88, p. 22) – 3 per PC
THE BIG FINALE?
In my playtests, time was generally running out at this point. The fight in Reaper’s Lab provides a great conclusion here, and you can generally wrap it up here.
Alternatively, the action can be carried into Scene 5 with these clues:
Questioning anyone in the laboratory indicates that the drug design comes from the company DruDekTel.
Searching Reaper’s unconscious/dead body finds a business card for Curt Raglan of DrukDekTel.
Looking at the documentation in the lab links the process back to DruDekTel
SCENE 5: DruDekTel HEADQUARTERS
Okay, you know that incredible long-take fight from Tony Jaa’s The Protector? The one where he fights his way up a long spiraling ramp inside an office building before finally reaching the luxurious office of the Big Boss at the top?
Yeah. We’re going to do that: DruDekTel’s HQ has that same architecture, with a big hollow center and a spiraling ramp that goes from one level to the next.
Things they can encounter on their way up:
Massage parlor.
Tea shop.
Office cubicles.
Slot machines.
Food court.
Copy machine nook.
Video conferencing room.
Drug research lab.
Have 3-5 levels. Each level has a number of mooks (use Reaper’s Boys and the Gangsters) equal to half the number of PCs.
Curt Raglan’s Office: At the top is Curt Raglan’s office.
Curt Raglan (HKTF88, p. 22)
Gangsters (HKTF88, p 22) – 1 per PC
During the fight, have Raglan monologue loudly about the true purpose of DietRiot:
We will seal magic away forever by blocking chi!
You fools are putting the entire world in danger! You can’t imagine the real stakes!
The Guiding Hand will protect him. They cannot possibly win!
The testing is almost complete! As soon as it stops killing people – well, as soon as they can get the mortality rate down to a reasonable level – they’ll put it in the drinking supply!
This is a special guest post from the players in my Dragon Heist campaign, as requested by the participants in the Alexandrian Hangout Club. I’ve been running the campaign in a series of weekend intensives (generally playing Friday-Sunday), and when the Hangout Club members heard what the players had done for one of these weekends they demanded more details. I offer it here because I think it could be useful to other groups who have opened their own tavern.
A NOTE FROM EDANA’S PLAYER
We were now running a tavern and my character wanted it to feature really good food, to set it apart from the other tavern on the alley which had terrible food. I had the idea that each of the things on our menu could reflect our individual (and varied) backgrounds. I asked the other players what their characters’ favorite meals were and we made that our menu. That’s how we ended up with:
Pirate Stew – a shrimp and sausage gumbo served over rice Sun Skewers – chicken, tomato, pepper and lemon skewers with lemon potatoes and pita bread Ardeep Roast – wild boar barded with bacon, pears roasted with walnuts and bleu cheese and mashed potatoes Il Timpano – delectable pasta pie served with fresh baked bread and greens Soup du Jour – this was my inside joke about my character, who has a background of taking on new personas every couple of decades or so
The Il Timpano was something of a joke; since we are playing in weekend-long intensives I had cooked some simple meals that we could all share instead of ordering food all weekend. Beforehand I had sent out a poll for what meals people wanted, and left a write-in option. One of the players has been obsessed with Il Timpano ever since watching the episode of Binging with the Babish featuring the dish:
I think was just trolling me by writing it in. So when I asked him his characters favorite meal, of course that was it.
Since we were planning a second weekend, I secretly thought that maybe I could do a thing where I cooked our menu. It was a bit intimidating, but I’ve trying to take on cooking challenges, and this would for sure be one. I spent the month between sessions studying several versions of the recipes, picked the base recipes to follow (though there was certainly some improvisation as it went) and made my plan.
Friday dinner – Il Timpano Saturday lunch – Shrimp gumbo Saturday dinner – Kabobs and lemon potatoes Sunday dinner – Roasted boar and pears
THE MENU
THE RECIPES
For the Il Timpano the Binging with the Babish recipe was used for the timpano dough and layering, and I used his ragu recipe, too. I used storebought pasta for the inside, and our local butcher makes some excellent meatballs.
For the Shrimp Gumbo I used this recipe as the base, but for the okra I fried it in a pan for a few minutes and added it in close to the end, to try and keep it from getting slimy. I also probably used a lot less than the full pound.
For the Kabobs, I used Mediterranean-style chicken kebabs for the marinade, but I used cherry tomatoes and yellow bell peppers for the veggies. They’d have been better grilled, but oven-roasted was fine. The lemon potatoes were excellent, and I recommend the recipe.
For the Roast Boar, there wasn’t a recipe to follow, it was mostly about finding the boar and then using the right technique. I found several places online that sell wild boar, and ended up going with D’Artagnan. I ordered two of these mini roasts, wrapped them in bacon and roasted them in the oven until they reached 145 degrees. Boar is a lean meat, so the bacon keeps them juicy as they cook. For the pears, all that is needed is to cut them in half, scoop out the core, sprinkle on bleu cheese and walnut pieces and roast for about 20 minutes. I had a recipe for them that was more involved, but by the end of the weekend I was running out of steam and this simple approach returned amazing results. The mashed potatoes were also pretty basic – boiled red potatoes with cream and butter.
Special Thanks to Sarah, Peter, Heather, Chris, and Erik.
Appearance: A tousle of shoulder-length red hair. Piercing, blue-green eyes. Slim, lithe muscles beneath clothes that are stylish but practical.
Roleplaying:
A flair for diplomacy.
A love for good drink.
A share of his father’s temper and as much of his mother’s wits.
Background:
Estranged son of Dagult Neverember, former Open Lord of Waterdeep and the current Lord of Neverwinter.
Lives off the sizable inheritance left to him by his mother, Lady Alethea Brandath.
Member of the Harpers.
Renaer’s great-great-granduncle was Kulzar Brandath, a pirate.
When Samark Dhanzscul, the former Blackstaff, was assassinated by Khondar “Ten-Rings” Naomal, Renaer and several of his friends stumbled into the plot and rescued Vajra, the rightful heir of the Blackstaff. (See Blackstaff Tower.)
Brandarthall: Four-story residence in the Sea Ward. Formerly Neverember Manor, but Renaer restored its original name in his mother’s honor.
Friends have an open invitation to use the house as they please.
Madrak: White-haired halfling butler. Knew Renaer’s mother; promised her to keep an eye on Renaer. Madrak’s son Bramal and his children oversee the Brandath estates.
Gate to Varadras: Turning a stone rosebud outside the garderobe at the hallway past Renaer’s office causes the garderobe to drop out of sight and a stone staircase to rotate down from the ceiling. Shoving a metal bench over the top of the stairwell causes it to reset from the top. The stairs lead to a hidden rooftop rose garden, where there is statue of a kneeling elf maid; for as long as water is poured into the statue’s hands, a portal opens to Varadras.
Varadras: Built by Renaer’s ancestor Varad Brandath. About 100 miles due west of Beliard, near the Stone Bridge northwest of Waterdeep. Various passwords (“Kamatar,” “Palnethar,” “Dorneathr”) cause hearths and torches to flare to light.
Varad was one of the last students of Khelben “Blackstaff” Arunsun, and later friends with him and also Pikar Salibuck (Madrak’s father, Osco’s great-grandfather).
See Chapter 9 of Blackstaff Tower for additional details.
Black Tears: Founded shortly after Vajra became Blackstaff, the Black Tears were meant to “follow in the Blackstaff’s wake” just as the Tears of Selune follow in the wake of the moon.
Members: Lord Torlyn Wands, Osco Salibuck, Eiruk Weskur, Harug Shieldsunder, Laraelra Harsard, Meloon Wardragon, Parlek Lateriff, and Renaer.
Roarke House: Meeting place of the Black Tears, in honor of the memory of Vharem Kuthcutter and Faxhal Xoram, friends of the Black Tears’ who fell in battle defending Vajra and the city. They are interred in sarcophagi bearing the crescent moon and star in catacombs beneath Roarke House, near the location where Faxhal died. Roarke House is decorated heavily with moons and star, as Volam Roarke was a devout worshiper of Selune (he also financed the restoration of the House of the Moon after the Spellplague). The Roarkes lost their fortune and the Brandaths acquired their properties around 1440 DR. Renaer also owns a neighboring warehouse and the Gildenfires festhall on the opposite side of the warehouse.
Rook’s Hold: The Rook was a thief of some repute in the 14th Roarke House connects to his hideout, which was located in the subterranean crypts after which Skulls Street was named. The Black Tears have resecured it.
Stats: Iluskan Swashbuckler (DH p. 216)
Chaotic Good
Languages: Common
VAJRA SAFAHR, THE BLACKSTAFF
Appearance: A surprisingly young woman, with an unruly tumble of black hair above piercing green eyes. She prefers practical clothes of a blackish-purplish hue, with a long coat covered in elven-inked designs.
Roleplaying:
Eyes narrow when she’s impatient.
Drums her fingers on the shaft of her staff.
Makes snap judgments about whether or not she can trust someone.
Background:
Born in Tethyr to the paladin Tamik al Tamik al Safahr and Parama yr Manshaka.
Grew up in Sheshyr House in Tethyr with several older siblings.
Came to Waterdeep and briefly joined the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors before becoming the apprentice of Samarck Dhanzscul, the former Blackstaff, in 1476 DR. They later became lovers.
In 1479 DR, Samarck was assassinated by Khondar and Centiv Naomal. Vajra became the Blackstaff’s heir, but was not yet fully prepared to assume the Blackstaff’ mantle and was captured by Khondar.
Vajra was rescued by Renaer Neverember, Laraelra Harsard, and their friends, who also helped her reach Blackstaff Tower so that she could fully integrate the personalities of the former Blackstaffs. (See Blackstaff’s Tower for details.)
She made Laraelra Harsard the new Blackstaff’s Heir.
Key Info:
Controls Force Grey, a corps of elite adventurers who work with Waterdeeps’ Guard and Watch to deal with situations that require their expertise.
Stats: DH, p. 217
LARAELRA “ELRA” HARSARD
Appearance: Sharp, strong cheekbones along with long black hair frame a pale face. She dresses practically, usually wearing a heavy woolen cloak covering an oiled leather tunic, pants, and sealskin boots.
Roleplaying:
Assumes that anyone not belonging to the working class is a fool or a villain or both until proven otherwise. Often sniffs dismissively at their assertions, although she’s gotten better at controlling her hot tongue.
Tries to blow away errant black hairs that fall in front of her face.
Believes Renaer is too foolhardy and trusting. She will try to protect him from his own mistakes.
Sighs heavily if anyone confuses her name with Laeral Silverhand and tells them to use her nickname.
Background:
Daughter of Malaerigo Harsard, the guildmaster of the Cellarers’ & Plumbers’ Guild. Their relationship became strained as a result of Malaerigo’s dislike for Laraelra’s sorcery and Laraelra’s advocacy for workers’ rights in the guild (particularly when it came to tackling anti-dwarf racism in the ranks).
In 1479 DR, she hired Meloon Wardragon to help her protect a dwarven team of cellarers repairing a damaged sewer tunnel. They heard the tortured cries of a woman in pain. Investigating, they discovered that the cellar they were hearing the cries coming from belonged to Renaer Neverember. (In reality, it had been secretly rented out by Renaer’s father.)
She and Meloon confronted Renaer, who joined them in investigating the tortured womans’ cries and rescued Vajra Safahr, the Blackstaff’s Heir who had been kidnapped by Khondar. They, along with several of Renaer’s other friends, helped rescue Vajra and get her to Blackstaff Tower, where she assumed her rightful place as the new Blackstaff.
Vajra made Laraelra Harsard her apprentice and named her the new Blackstaff’s Heir. (See Blackstaff Tower for details.)
She briefly dated Renaer around 1482 DR. They both recognize that this was a huge mistake.
Key Info:
Her friends call her Elra.
Knows the sewers and other passages beneath the city like the back of her hand.
The Blackstaff’s Heir. She can wield a Blackstaff and channel Vajra’s power through it.
Vajra’s right-hand woman in running Force Grey.
Member of the Black Tears.
Stats: Swashbuckler (DH p. 216)
OSCO SALIBUCK
Appearance: A halfling with curly, chestnut-brown hair and long sideburns. He wears silver rings in his left ear and nostril.
Roleplaying:
A charming, boyish grin.
A finely developed palate for fine wines and liquers.
Background:
Grandson of Madrak Salibuck (Renaer’s butler) and son of Ellial Salibuck. One of his aunts is named Delalar. Not to be confused with Osco Salibuck the Elder, who was his ancestor (and a former associate of Khelben “Blackstuf” Arunsun).
In 1479 DR he snuck in the magical mansion of Varadras (see Renaer Neverember’s character background) and was discovered there by Renaer and his companions raiding the wine cellars. He joined them in returning Vajra Safahr to Blackstaff Tower and seeing her securely ensconced as the Blackstaff. (See Blackstaff Tower for more details.)
He was invited to become a founding member of the Black Tears.
Osco has been employed for several years as the Chief of Household Security for the Roaringhorn family. (Note: This family is engaged with the Great Game, although their efforts are currently far astray. See the Cassalanter’s Report on the Grand Game for details.) Be became close friends with Zelraun Roaringhorn after preventing his death as the result of an undead curse dating back seven generations. Lately he’s had his hands full trying to keep up with the escapades of Harchan Roaringhorn, the young heir.
Zelraun Roaringhorn (LN male Chondathan human archmage) is seventy-four years old, but has taken enough potions of longevity in his life that he still looks like he’s in his forties. Zelraun’s brother, Tylandar (LN male Chondathan human noble), is the younger brother at nearly seventy-years old, but actually looks his age.
Key Info:
Member of the Black Tears.
Stats: Spy (MM p. 349)
Brave: Advantage on saving throws vs. being frightened.
Halfling Nimbleness: Move through the space of any creature that is a size larger than your own.
Lucky: When rolling 1 on 1d20, reroll the result (once only).
Small size
Speed 25 ft.
Languages: Common, Halfling
Has a dagger named Osco’s Luck. (A simple stone dagger with a red, cabochon-cut jasper stone in its pommel. Its name is engraved in Trade Common on the blade.)
LORD TORLYN WANDS
Appearance: Mahogony hair with a fully beard. He wears silk shirts unbuttoned to reveal the top tufts of his hairy chest. His stomach has just a little middle-aged padding about it. He has surrendered to the fashions of the court, but insists on wearing practical, waterproofed boots.
Roleplaying:
An avid book collector, eager to discuss the most recent titles he’s acquired and those he’s looking to acquire.
A booming voice, full of mirth.
Although a happily married man, he still flirts shamelessly with men and women alike.
Backdrop:
Married Natasha Phullbrinter in 1483 DR. His sister is Nhaeran Wands. He became the head of the Wands family in 1479 DR after his cousin, Hurnal Wands, was killed during the Khondar affair that led to Vajra becoming Blackstaff. (See Blackstaff Tower for details.)
He’s been friends with Renaer Neverember since childhood. His father was a dear friend of Lady Alethea Brandath before her death.
Although initially reluctant to join the Black Tears, he secretly supported them for several years and helped Renaer fund their activities. Later, he officially became a Black Tear during the Codswallop Affair (although his participation is still largely one of support rather than active duty).
Key Info:
Member of the Black Tears.
List of Rare Books: Lord Torlyn has either recently acquired or is currently seeking.
The Salt of the Abyss by Ableworth Dirkley, being a collection of poems inspired by various demonic incursions on the material plane.
I Remember Him by Piergeiron, a copy that was once owned by Renaer (who lost it in a bet).
Eladrin Friezes of the 11th Century as Collected by Lord Wendell of Cormyr
The Day of Fire by Tussaud
Essays on the Nature of Love by Lord Fulgin Athara
The three volumes titled Truth, Beauty, and Love by Alyssa of Athkatla
The Celestial Tower and Tower of the Infernal by Alyssa of Neverwinter
Arienthil’s Journeys in the Moonshae Isles
Stats: Noble (MM p. 348)
EIRUK WESKUR
Appearance: A handsome hawknose juts out from between hollow cheeks. He has tightly curled black hair and wears black robes stitched with arcane patterns of silver thread.
Roleplaying:
Holds his elbows out and up from his body, forming a kind of platform with his hands from which he gestures.
An uncanny knack for spotting what people are seeking to hide or deny.
Steadfastly loyal to those who have earned his friendship.
Background:
Joined the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors in 1473 DR.
He became friends with Vajra Safahr during the brief period during which she was a member of the Watchful Order and before she was apprenticed to Samarck the Blackstaff.
During the period in which Khondar was using the Watchful Order to hunt Vajra, Eiruk realized that Khondar had someone impersonating the Blackstaff. He defected to Vajra’s cause and assisted Renaer and his companions in escorting her to the Blackstaff’s Tower. (See Blackstaff’s Tower for details.)
His mother’s name was Ainla.
Key Info:
Founding member of the Black Tears, backup heir to the Blackstaff (after Laraelra), and current Maester of the Journeymen in the Watchful Order.
Loves Vajra, but knows she only returns it as a dear friendship and has come to terms with that.
Knows that Bowgentra Summertaen, Lady Master of the Watchful Order, has acquired a nimblewright.
Stats: Mage (MM p. 347)
HARUG SHIELDSUNDER
Appearance: Harug is old. His face is craggy even for a dwarf’s. His features look like melted candlewax roughly hewn with a sharp stone.
Roleplaying:
The most cantankerous dwarf in the city.
His shoulders are sagged with a weary weight (although he can still shake it off when he puts his mind to it).
If you demonstrate your solidarity with the dwarves, he still stand fast by your side through any trouble.
“Sewyrm shit” is one of his favorite curses.
Background:
Harug was a tunnel worker for the Cellarers’ & Plumbers’ Guild.
In that work he became friends with Laraelra, who was the daughter of the guildmaster (Malaerigo) but also a steadfast advocate for workers’ rights in the guild (particularly when it came to tackling anti-dwarf racism in the ranks).
In 1479 DR, he became a founding member of the Black Tears and helped retrofit the basements of Roarke House.
Harug is now the Dwarf Master of the guild; a position created in order to guarantee the rights of dwarf workers.
His nephew, Dorn Strongcroft, was also a member of the guild. He was killed in a collapse in 1486 DR.
Key Info:
Friends with Laraelra Harsard.
Founding member of the Black Tears.
Stats: Commoner Dwarf (MM p. 345)
DwarvenResistance: Advantage vs. poison saving throws. Resistance to poison damage.
Stonecunning: Add double proficiency bonus to Intelligence (history) checks related to the origin of stonework.
Speed 25 ft.
Darkvision 60 ft.
Languages: Common, Dwarvish
PARLEK LATERIFF
Appearance: Older man with a close-cropped gray beard, wearing spectacles near the end of his long nose.
Roleplaying:
Adjusts his spectacles.
Will frame his conversation by either referring to obscure tomes or by revealing a canny understanding of Waterdeep’s street-lore – the separation of what’s being gossiped on the street from why it’s being gossiped about.
Likes to show off a cantrip he has that sorts “like with like” (useful for components or spilled jewelry supplies); he learned it from Laraelra and think it’s incredibly clever.
Background:
Sage, smith, and sorcerer.
Makes replica and counterfeit jewelry for nobles.
Lives up on Mountainside.
Key Info:
Founding member of the Black Tears.
List of Rare Books: Parlek has either recently acquired or is currently seeking.
Arturo’s Moonsea Atlas
Arienthil’s Journeys in the Moonshae Isles
Grimoire of the Dukes of Fey
Duke Nary’s History of 14th Century Teshendale (primarily detailing the fall of Teshendale to Zhentarim slavers out of Zhentil Keep)
The Idylls of Menzoberranzan by Krenaste Baenre (largely believed to be a forgery)
Eldarin Friezes of the 11th Century as Collected by Lord Wendell of Cormyr
Onymatical Analyses of Clockworks by Belgos Glannath
Memories of Kara-Tur
Stats: Mage (MM p. 347)
Advantage on History checks.
MELOON WARDRAGON
Appearance: Meloon was once a northern barbarian in all his glory – tousled blond locks, glistening muscles. Now closer to forty than thirty, he cuts his hair short and has a beard that tends more toward scruff than not. Strapped to his side is a battleaxe forged from silver, electrum, and steel, with a handle wrapped in blue dragon hide, and a star sapphire set into its pommel.
Over his heart he has a tattoo of the family crest of the Wardragons of Loudwater: A serpentine dragon wrapping vertically around a sword resting point down on a green field.
Roleplaying Notes:
Endlessly optimistic, regardless of how dire things appear.
Has the wily cunning of a veteran of many battles.
Is drawn to young adventurers, seeing himself as a younger man in their exploits.
Squints with one eye.
Background:
Grew up in Loudwater, a thriving community home to humans and half-elves.
He used to play on the Flying Fish Bridge in Loudwater: Ancient wards on the bridge cause trout trying to swim under the bridge to instead fly over the top of it. It was a local custom to catch one of the fish and then throw it back into the river for good luck.
His father used to say, “Never trust a man who’s not got a little stuff on his boots. If a man is worried about where he’s stepping, he’s not working hard enough.
In 1479 DR, he was a mercenary hired by Laraelra Harsard to help rescue Harug Shieldsunder and several other tunnel workers from a collapsed sewer tunnel under Waterdeep. They heard the tortured cries of a woman in pain. Investigating, they discovered that the cellar they were hearing the cries coming from belonged to Renaer Neverember. (In reality, it had been secretly rented out by Renaer’s father.)
He and Laraelra confronted Renaer, who joined them in investigating the tortured womans’ cries and rescued Vajra Safahr, the Blackstaff’s Heir who had been kidnapped by Khondar. They, along with several of Renaer’s other friends, helped rescue Vajra and get her to Blackstaff Tower, where she assumed her rightful place as the new Blackstaff. (See Blackstaff Tower for details.)
As a founding member of the Black Tears and, later, a member of Force Grey, Meloon spent years adventuring in the service of Waterdeep.
Three weeks ago, he accompanied a fledgling band of adventurers on an expedition into Undermountain. While resting, the band was ambushed by a Xanatharian troupe. Meloon was overcome by an intellect devourer and became a slave to Nihiloor and Xanathar.
Key Info:
Currently infested with an intellect devourer controlled by Nihiloor, a mind flayer working for Xanathar. (It requires a wish spell to restore Meloon’s brain.)
His magical axe, Azuredge, wants a new wielder due to the intellect devourer and Meloon must engage in a contest of wills each morning (see Dragon Heist, p. 36).
Keeps a room at the Yawning Portal.
Founding member of the Black Tears.
Member of Force Grey who reports directly to Vajra.
Stats: Dragon Heist, p. 210
FLOON BLAGMAAR
Appearance: Dazzlingly handsome. Flowing locks of red hair pour down over his shoulders. Blue-green eyes that swim with the depths of the Sea of Swords. A square jaw framing an enchanting smile.
Roleplaying:
More beauty than brains, he expects to be well-liked by everyone he meets.
A dazzling smile.
Flirts shamelessly with attractive men and women (but desists if they show no interest).
Background:
Used to work as an escort in festhalls, but is currently unemployed.
Several months ago, he came upon a married noble engaging in some indiscreet behavior, and now lives off the generous bribe he is being paid to keep quiet.
Key Info:
Friends with both Renaer and Volo.
Very well connected, with friends all over the city.
Appearance: Half-elf with short brown hair in a simple bowl-cut. Large blue eyes. Wears a leather vest with small tools in its many pockets.
Roleplaying:
Strong handshake.
Very sarcastic.
Rubs the tops of his ears as a nervous habit.
Background:
Owner and chief artisan of the Bent Nail, located at the eastern end of Trollskull Alley (DH p. 32).
Brother to Mellannor Fellbranch, the groundskeeper of the Phaulkonmere and representative of the Emerald Enclave (DH p. 35).
Stats: Commoner (MM p. 345)
Chaotic Good
Racial Traits: Advantage vs. charmed. Immune to magical sleep. Darkvision to 60 ft.
Languages: Common, Elvish.
EMBRIC
Appearance: Flaming red skin with fiery red hair that writhes under extreme emotion. Eyes flare red when angry.
Roleplaying:
Prone to extreme mood swings.
Hair does a twirling dance (often intermingling with Avi’s) when drunk.
Voice sounds like crackling flames.
A faint scent of brimstone when he burps.
Background:
Married to Avi. Co-owner of Steam and Steel, located at the eastern end of Trollskull Alley (DH p. 32). Tends the forge and is an expert weaponsmith.
Belongs to the Most Careful Order of Skilled Smiths and Metalforgers.
Claims descent from the efreet of Calimshan.
Stats: Bandit Captain (MM p. 344)
Neutral Good
Racial Traits: Cast produce flame at will (Constitution spellcasting ability, +4 bonus to hit with spells). Darkvision 60 ft. Resistance to fire.
Languages: Common, Primordial
AVI
Appearance: Blue skin with beads of moisture twinkling upon it, with large, blue-black eyes. Smells of fresh rain. His blue hair floats freely, swaying and waving as if underwater. Wears miniature, animate waterfall (holy symbol of Eldath).
Roleplaying:
Big, beaming smile.
Rests his hand gently on Embric’s arm to help him control his emotions.
When drunk, speaks like a whale.
Background:
Married to Embric. Co-owner of Steam and Steel, located at the eastern end of Trollskull Alley (DH p. 32). Uses his magic to quench hot steel.
Belongs to the Splendid Order of Armorers, Locksmiths, and Finesmiths.
Worships Eldath, god of peace.
Stats: Priest (MM p. 348)
Neutral Good
Racial Traits: At will, control 5 ft. cube of water or freeze water for 1 hour. Swim 30 ft. Breathe air and water. Resistance to acid.
Languages: Common, Primordial
FALA LEFALIIR
Appearance: Wood elf with long, braided, coppery hair. A sprig of mistletoe woven into their hair above the right ear.
Roleplaying:
If referred to as “he” or “she,” politely asks to be addressed as “they.”
Offers up various herbal remedies to any problems (physical, social, etc.) people may be suffering from.
Background:
Owns Corellon’s Crown, across Trollskull Alley from Trollskull Manor (DH p. 32).
Member of the Guild of Apothecaries and Physicians.
Friends with Ziraj, a Zhentarim who saved their life. (He visits Fala from time to time and Fala has set aside a room for him on the second floor of the Corellon’s Crown. See faction mission, DH p. 38.)
Stats: Druid (MM p. 346)
Chaotic Good
Racial Traits: Advantage vs. charmed. Immune to magical sleep. Speed 35 ft. Darkvision 60 ft.
Languages: Common, Druidic, Elvish
VINCENT TRENCH
Appearance: Dresses in a sharp suit and smokes a slim pipe. Black hair with a streak of silver that hangs foppishly over his brow.
Roleplaying:
Speaks concisely.
Arches an eyebrow inquisitively.
Puffs on his pipe thoughtfully.
Background:
Private eye who runs the Tiger’s Eye, located towards the western end of Trollskull Alley (DH p. 32).
Actually a rakshasa named Valantajar; uses disguise self before speaking to visitors or emerging into public (DC 18 on Intelligence (Investigation) check to detect). The spells lasts for 1 hour, so he notably excuses himself at such intervals.
Investigations: 50 gp sufficient for most investigations, but if it’s a significant task (investigating major factions, for example), Trench might require a service in payment, such as slaying enemies that are hunting it, posting advertisements for its business in their tavern, or keeping tabs on someone he’s been hired to spy on.
Stats: Rakshasa (MM p. 257)
RISHAAL THE PAGE-TURNER
Appearance: Gold dragonborn. Pince-nez glasses at the end of his snout.
Roleplaying:
Bookish, but with a deep, gravelly voice.
Taps fingers of his hands together nervously.
Small curls of smoke emerge from his nostrils when happy.
Background:
Owns the Book Wyrm’s Treasure at the western end of Trollskull Alley (DH p. 33).
Knew Lif, the former owner of Trollskull Manor, and arranged for the sale of his modest library after he passed.
Stats: Mage (MM p. 347)
Neutral
Racial Traits: Exhale 15-ft. cone of fire once per rest (2d6 fire damage; DC 10 Dexterity save for half damage). Resistance to fire.
Languages: Common, Draconic, Dwarvish, Elvish
HAMMOND KRADDOC
Appearance: A rather portly gentleman dressed in a fine silk doublet with a fashionable dress coat of displacer beast fur. He has a thin moustache that angles down sharply, only to gently curl back up by the slightest of degrees.
Always accompanied by Jinny (NG female tiefling commoner) who wears spectacles and silently records notes and conversations in a small book as Hammond speaks.
Roleplaying Notes:
Sniffs at a perfumed handkerchief.
Doesn’t like adventurers, but does like their coin.
Warms up considerably (dropping most of his effete affectations) if engaged knowledgably by a fellow aficionado of wine and liqueurs.
Background:
He was once the owner of the Elysium Fields, a vineyard south of Waterdeep. The Elysium Fields were destroyed when a group of adventurers ended up fighting a black dragon in the middle of them. Even if he could have rebuilt, the dragon’s acidic breath had permanently altered the Ph balance of the soil.
He came to Waterdeep and joined the Vintners’, Distillers’, and Brewers’ Guild, using his vast knowledge of viticulture and personal connections to “improve the general fare of consumption in the city of splendors.”
Gave Lord Dagult large bribes to cover up a scandal involving contaminated liquor in the Dock Ward (see Lord Dagult’s Papers).
Key Info:
Representative of the Vintners’, Distillers’, and Brewers’ Guild.
His guild offers a wide range of plans for a new establishment’s base selection of liquor and beer (ranging from 50 gp for a few very common selections all the way to 1,000 gp or more for a truly exotic selection).
Stats: N male Illuskan human commoner (MM p. 345)
BROXLEY FAIRKETTLE
Appearance: A laid-back halfing with mutton chops and bushy eyebrows.
Roleplaying Notes:
Strongly urges membership in the Fellowship of Innkeepers’ to “avoid further harassment.”
Relates everything back to the lamentable burdens of being a father of nine.
Scratches his cheek thoughtfully.
Background:
Broxley came to Waterdeep as a refugee when he was just a wee young hin. His father and mother had fled Secomber when it was overrun by the Urshani hobgoblins in the 1470’s.
Broxley started as a scuttle-boy for the local taverns. He eventually worked his way up through the kitchens until he finally came to own a tavern of his own, the Barefoot Boards (which is scaled for and caters almost exclusively to halflings).
Broxley often supported other tavern owners in the area (many of whom he had worked with or for over the years), and he was elected as the new North Ward representative of the Fellowship of Innkeepers’ a few years back.
Key Info:
North Ward representative of the Fellowship of Innkeepers’. (Inns and taverns are few and far between in the North Ward, so he makes frequent visits.)
Has long believed Trollskull Manor to be haunted.
Stats: LG male strongheart halfling commoner (MM p. 345)
ULKORIA STONEMARROW
Appearance: A female dwarf whose face has been frozen in a terrible, almost horrifying rictus.
Never seen without her shield guardian (MM p. 271) nearby.
Roleplaying Notes:
A permanent scowl inflicted by some unknown cause.
But incredibly friendly and personable; like everyone’s favorite grandmother.
Occasionally gets a distant look in her eyes, waggles her fingers, and will murmur something like, “That’s better.” under her breath. (It’s unclear if she’s pulling people’s legs with this routine.)
Background:
Nicknamed the “Gargoyle” due to the horrible scowl frozen on her face. Frightens children and adults alike.
No one knows where she lives, but it’s believed to be underground, possibly a cellar or a dungeon under one of the city’s oldest estates. (She uses teleport spells to enter and leave her home.)
Once owned Trollskull Manor. She sold it to a family of shield dwarves who fell on hard times and sold it to a woman who made it into an orphanage. The woman, Arissa Mirthkettle, turned out to be a hag who was cooking and eating the children. It was then abandoned for many years before being acquired by a half-elf named Lif. Lif, for his part, was killed in a terrible accident when one of the support beams on his ale casks broke and collapsed on top of him.
Key Info:
Used to own Trollskull Manor. Hopes the new owners make something good of it.
Charges 300 gp for castings of glyphs of warding.
Stats: NG female shield dwarf archmage (MM p. 342)
MATTRIM “THREESTRINGS” MEREG
Appearance: Lanky brown hair hangs down around a face more plain than handsome. He wears gaudy clothes of purple and green, and carries a badly scarred lute that only has three strings left to its name.
Roleplaying Notes:
Talks about how difficult it is to play [insert song name] on just three strings!
A goofy, lop-sided smile.
Breaks into song (and it really is quite good).
Background:
Plays a lute that only has three strings remaining.
Hides his true musical skills to maintain a low profile.
Key Info:
A Harper spy who uses his busking gigs to cover his intelligence-gathering operations.
Works with Cal’al Claddani, a half-drow Harper agent who works in the Flagon and the Dragon in Skullport.
Knows about a Harper hideout called Dalagor’s Fortress, overseen by a dragonborn mage named Felrax, in the uppermost level of Skullport.
Has befriended Bonnie the Doppelganger and wants to help her and her gang settle into the city.
Stats: LG male Illluskan human bard (DH p. 195)
JALESTER SILVERMANE
Appearance: A middle-aged man with thinning brown hair. Wears a loose doublet and pants of dark silver-grey. A lean, gaunt strength.
Roleplaying Notes:
Lonely (after the death of his boyfriend) and looking for love.
Background:
Hails from Cormyr, where he was a member of the Steel Shadows mercenary company.
Left the Dales with several members of the company, including his boyfriend, Faerrel Dunblade, and came to Waterdeep.
Faerral and Jalester befriended Elminster, who brought them to the attention of Laeral Silverhand.
Faerral Dunblade, was killed in a street fight last year.
Key Info:
Captain of the City Watch.
Secret agent of the Lords’ Alliance who reports directly to Open Lord Laeral Silverhand.
Charged with spying on adventurers to determine whether they can aid or will imperil the city.
Can get the location of Xanathar’s Lair from Laeral Silverhand.
Stats: DH p. 205
YAGRA STONEFIST
Appearance: Seven-foot-tall half-orc with purplish-gray skin, a tousled mop of black hair, and shapely tusks to either side of her mouth. She wears well-kept leather armor and has a simple sword strapped to her side. She wears a large pendant of red jade, seared with the winged-serpent sigil of the Zhentarim.
Roleplaying Notes:
Likes challenging adventurers to arm wrestle.
Cracks her knuckles.
Incredibly hostile towards slavers and Xanatharians.
Background:
Yagra was rescued from slavers by the Doom Raiders. She and Ziraj the Hunter dated briefly, but it didn’t really work out. By the time they broke up, however, the Doom Raiders had joined the Black Network and moved to Waterdeep to take over the local Zhentarim.
Key Info:
Zhentarim mercenary working for the Doom Raiders.
Intermittently works as Davil Starsong’s bodyguard.
Knows a “back door” into Xanathar’s Lair.
Stats: N female half-orc thug (MM p. 390)
1/long rest, when reduced to 0 hit points, drops to 1 hit point instead.
