Deep beneath the bustling city of Waterdeep, the ancient stones echoed with the muffled sounds of a recent battle. The stench of charred metal and burnt flesh lingered in the air as the adventurers stood amidst the rubble of a recently demolished construct. A partly buried altar jutted from the debris, a silent testament to the chaos that had unfolded. In this grim setting, the wounded groans of Sgt. Teeshe pierced the stillness, her memory a fog and her shoulder marred by a deep stab wound.

Bhakris gingerly picked up ceramic shards from the floor. A wave of nausea and confusion washed over him, the remnants of the orb whispering maddening secrets into his mind. The room bore the unsettling sight of a dwarven corpse, a grim discovery made during their frenzied combat. Thalmiir surveyed the room, confirming the path ahead was clear of the perils they had faced—spiders, rats, a stomping monster, a giant hammer, and myriad traps.

Thalmiir approached the dwarven body, his heart heavy with suspicion. He knelt beside the fallen form, his hands gently probing for signs of life. “Coalsmith,” he whispered, confirming the dwarf’s identity. The cold flesh and lifeless eyes offered no hope. Gorka, moved by the sight, placed two copper coins on the dwarf’s eyes, a solemn ritual as he murmured, “Kerhan has met certainty.” Bartholemeow, in his feline guise, offered a comforting nuzzle to Gorka, his purr a balm for her sorrow.

Pebblesong performed a secondary examination, determining that Coalsmith had been dead for days, likely felled by a magical blast. The group gathered to discuss their quest—finding the Orbum. They needed proof of its destruction, and their search led them to conduct a meticulous investigation of the room. Among the debris, they discovered a larger piece of the shattered orb and several smaller fragments, yet the complete orb eluded them.

Bhakris speculated aloud, “Perhaps the orb was shattered, and its pieces taken.” Sgt. Teeshe, still groggy and annoyed, mentioned the need for an engineering crew to clear the rocks. She sat down heavily, her body craving rest. Thalmiir assessed the stability of the rubble, deciding that careful work could safely move it. Bhakris turned to Teeshe, his voice a mix of interrogation and concern. She revealed her memory loss, a betrayal by Boot, and her desire to leave.

Hat examined the remains of the magical construct, his keen eyes searching for valuable components. With a triumphant grin, he salvaged parts worth 80 gold, adding them to his collection for future tinkering. Among the wreckage, a shattered magical core caught his eye—a damaged yet potentially useful artifact.

Dabshabah peeked around the corner, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Are you done?” she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. Waer’dara offered to help dig through the rocks, brandishing a shovel with a determined grin. Bhakris continued his questioning of Teeshe, switching from intimidation to persuasion. Despite his efforts, Teeshe remained uncooperative, her desire to leave growing stronger.

Teeshe revealed she had been missing for four days and was out of rations, prompting concern from the group. They discussed Dabshabah’s presence and the safety of Waterdeep from dragons. Thalmiir and Pebblesong confirmed their location beneath the city, though the details remained unclear. The group shifted rocks, finding no more pieces of the orb. Satisfied with their proof of its destruction, Thalmiir considered the mission accomplished.

Hat expressed keen interest in the magical shards, despite Bhakris’s warnings of their memory-stealing properties. The group discussed the potential uses of the shards and the necessity of presenting them to Sterling as proof of their mission. Bhakris collected visually interesting baubles from the construct, while Hat pocketed the more valuable components. Thalmiir examined a giant hammer, deeming it heavy but potentially useful with some craftsmanship. He slung it across his shoulders, determined to take it with them.

Teeshe, still looking rough, expressed a desire to leave, and the group considered taking a long rest. Dabshabah voiced her fears about what lay ahead, but Thalmiir reassured her of their commitment to help. The group debated the jurisdictional issues of fighting dragons in Waterdeep, ultimately deciding to retrace their steps to exit the underground maze.

Dabshabah pointed out an opening in the ceiling of the cave, suggesting it might lead to the surface. Thalmiir, feeling sympathetic towards the small dragon, offered to leave her somewhere safe if she couldn’t enter the city. The group discussed their business in Waterdeep and their plans to leave soon, offering to travel with Dabshabah. She agreed to accompany them, and with Bhakris’s help, she was boosted to the cave entrance.

The group cautiously approached the tentacle pool, aware of the potential hazards. Despite their efforts to move stealthily, they triggered a methane bubble, causing a brief panic. Pressing on, they navigated through the room filled with feet, warning Teeshe to avoid getting too close. Noting an increase in the number of feet, they managed to pass through without incident.

Thalmiir joked about the Waterdeep City Guard needing to do more work, and Teeshe agreed, her mood lightened by the camaraderie. They passed through the Carrion Crawler room, noting the fallen stalactite, and continued to the vine room. Thalmiir retrieved his rope and grappling hook, taking some slashing damage in the process. They moved through the room where they found Boot’s corpse, deciding to leave it undisturbed.

Navigating the mummy room and the Room of Trials, they finally reached the entrance, emerging from the sinkhole into the evening light. Captain Truffe greeted them, and Thalmiir informed him of their findings, with Teeshe confirming Boot’s death. Captain Truffe requested a catalog of hazards encountered, and Thalmiir listed them matter-of-factly.

Bhakris suggested their pay might be related to the number of hazards defeated, and Thalmiir presented monster parts as evidence. Mentioning their encounter with a small Wyrmling, they filled out a dragon encounter form. Captain Truffe inquired about any property acquired, and Bhakris volunteered information about the construct parts, while Thalmiir remained silent, adhering to Dwarven law.

Captain Truffe noticed a fancy sword on Thalmiir’s hip and inquired about it. Bhakris offered to help with paperwork, making a successful persuasion check. Captain Truffe, distracted, handed Bhakris a clipboard. As Bhakris filled out the forms, Thalmiir expressed skepticism about potential taxes, joking with the group.

Noticing some individuals taking an unusual interest in them, the group recalled their mission from Sterling and the false names given. Bartholemeow, ever vigilant, noticed one of the suspicious individuals aiming a crossbow at him. The bolt struck true, and Bartholemeow fell, critically wounded. Chaos erupted as Teeshe engaged one of the bandits, striking twice.

Thalmiir, his rage ignited, hurled a handaxe at a bandit, injuring him. Waer’dara transformed into a giant spider, moving swiftly to engage another bandit. Her venomous bite proved deadly, killing the bandit with ease. The group, now in the midst of combat, faced their adversaries with determination, the fate of Bartholemeow weighing heavily on their minds.

As the battle raged on, the adventurers fought with all their might, the session ending with the outcome uncertain, their resolve tested yet unbroken.

Session Notes
  • The party is deep beneath Waterdeep, having recently demolished a strange construct in a room with rubble and a partly buried altar.
  • They found Sgt. Teeshe, who was groggy, annoyed, and suffering from memory loss. She has a deep stab wound in her shoulder.
  • Bhakris picked up some ceramic pieces that affected his mind.
  • The room contains the corpse of a dwarf, noticed during the combat encounter.
  • Thalmiir confirmed they had cleared the path of dangers, including a spider, rats, a stomping monster, a giant hammer, and a room with traps.
  • Thalmiir examined the dwarven corpse, suspecting it to be Coalsmith, and performed a medicine check, confirming the dwarf was dead.
  • Gorka, upon seeing the corpse, placed two copper coins on the dwarf’s eyes and said, “Kerhan has met certainty.”
  • Bartholemeow comforted Gorka.
  • Pebblesong performed a second check on the corpse, determining Coalsmith had been dead for days and was likely killed by a magical blast.
  • The party discussed the urn and the need to bring back proof of its destruction.
  • They conducted a group investigation check to find more pieces of the orb, discovering one larger piece and several smaller ones, but not the entire orb.
  • Bhakris speculated that the orb might have been shattered and pieces taken away.
  • Sgt. Teeshe mentioned needing an engineering crew to move the rocks and sat down to rest.
  • Thalmiir assessed the stability of the rocks, determining careful work could safely move them.
  • Bhakris questioned Teeshe about the events, and she revealed she had memory loss after being betrayed by Boot.
  • Thalmiir confirmed Boot was found in a spider cocoon, minus a finger.
  • Teeshe drank a healing potion and the party continued to clear the rubble.
  • Bartholemeow provided digging songs to motivate the group.
  • Hat examined the remains of the magical construct, aiming to salvage the most valuable components.
  • Hat rolled an Arcana check with advantage, resulting in finding 80 gold worth of magical components for future use.
  • The adventurers find a shattered magical core, which, despite its damage, may be useful for future projects.
  • Dabshabah peeks around the corner and asks if the group is done, offering to stay as long as needed.
  • Waer’dara expresses a willingness to help dig through rocks, mentioning she has a shovel.
  • Bhakris continues to interrogate Teeshee, initially using intimidation but then switching to persuasion.
  • Bhakris rolls poorly on his persuasion check, and Teeshee is uncooperative, expressing a desire to leave.
  • Teeshee reveals she has been missing for four days and is out of rations, prompting concern from the group.
  • The group discusses the presence of a small dragon, Dabshabah, and the safety of Waterdeep from dragons.
  • Thalmiir and Pebblesong confirm they are likely still under Waterdeep, though exact details are unclear.
  • The group shifts rocks but finds no more pieces of the Orbum.
  • Thalmiir is satisfied with the proof of the Orbum’s destruction and considers the mission accomplished.
  • Hat expresses interest in the magical shards of the Orbum, despite warnings from Bhakris about their memory-stealing properties.
  • The group discusses the potential uses of the shards and the need to show them to Sterling as proof of their mission.
  • Bhakris collects visually interesting baubles from the construct, while Hat takes the more valuable magical components.
  • Thalmiir examines a giant hammer, finding it heavy but potentially useful with some craftsmanship.
  • The group decides to take the hammer with them, with Thalmiir carrying it across his shoulders.
  • Teeshee, still looking rough, expresses a desire to leave, and the group considers taking a long rest.
  • Dabshabah tries to stall the group, fearing what happens next, but Thalmiir reassures her of their commitment to help.
  • The group debates the jurisdictional issues of fighting dragons in Waterdeep.
  • The group decides to retrace their steps to exit, considering but ultimately dismissing the idea of moving rocks to find a shorter path.
  • Dabshabah points out an opening in the ceiling of the cave where she entered, suggesting it might lead to the surface.
  • Thalmiir, feeling sympathetic towards Dabshabah, offers to leave her somewhere safe if she can’t enter the city.
  • The group discusses their business in the city and plans to leave soon, offering to travel with Dabshabah.
  • Dabshabah agrees to travel with them and asks to be assisted to the cave entrance.
  • Thalmiir prepares to help Dabshabah climb, but Bhakris ends up giving her a boost.
  • The group approaches the tentacle pool, with warnings about potential hazards.
  • They attempt to move stealthily but fail, causing a methane bubble to emerge from the pool.
  • They continue to the room full of feet, warning Teeshe to avoid getting too close.
  • The group notices more feet than before, but they manage to pass through without incident.
  • Thalmiir jokes about the Waterdeep City Guard needing to do more work, and Teeshe agrees.
  • They pass through the Carrion Crawler room, noting the fallen stalactite.
  • The group encounters the vine room, where Thalmiir retrieves his rope and grappling hook, taking some slashing damage.
  • They pass through the room where they found Boot’s corpse, deciding to leave it there.
  • The group navigates the mummy room and the Room of Trials, eventually reaching the entrance.
  • They emerge from the sinkhole in the evening, greeted by Captain Truffe.
  • Thalmiir informs Captain Truffe about finding Teeshe and Boot, with Teeshe confirming Boot’s death.
  • Captain Truffe asks for a catalog of hazards encountered, and Thalmiir lists them matter-of-factly.
  • Bhakris suggests that their pay might be related to the number of hazards defeated.
  • Thalmiir presents monster parts as evidence, and Captain Truffe takes note.
  • The group mentions encountering a small Wyrmling, leading to the filling out of a dragon encounter form.
  • Captain Truffe asks about any property acquired, and Bhakris volunteers information about construct parts.
  • Thalmiir, adhering to Dwarven law, volunteers nothing, while Bhakris continues to list items.
  • Captain Truffe notices a fancy sword on Thalmiir’s hip and inquires about it.
  • Bhakris is instructed to adjust his character sheet, reducing his “Forgetting” stat to 0/1.
  • Bhakris offers to help Captain Truffe with paperwork, making a successful persuasion check.
  • Captain Truffe, distracted and working on paperwork, hands Bhakris a clipboard to fill out.
  • Bhakris and the group discuss their previous interaction with Captain Truffe and bluffing their way through.
  • Bhakris begins filling out the forms, listing his injuries as things found during their mission.
  • Thalmiir expresses skepticism about the form, joking about potential taxes.
  • The group notices some individuals taking an unusual interest in them.
  • These individuals are not children but seem to be adventurers or ruffians trying to blend in.
  • The group recalls they got their current job from Sterling, who gave them false names to use.
  • Bartholemeow notices one of the suspicious individuals has a crossbow aimed at him.
  • Bartholemeow is hit by a critical crossbow shot, reducing him to zero health.
  • The game is paused to manage the encounter and initiative rolls.
  • Teeshee, an NPC, engages in combat with one of the bandits, successfully hitting them twice.
  • Thalmiir rages and throws a handaxe at a bandit, hitting and injuring him.
  • Waer’dara transforms into a giant spider and moves to engage a bandit.
  • Waer’dara successfully bites a bandit, dealing significant poison damage and killing him.
  • The group discusses the need for a long rest or leveling up due to the difficulty of the encounter.
  • The session ends with the group in the middle of combat, having taken out several bandits but with Bartholemeow down.