Session 13: The Rothehills Report

General Summary

With Zardoz's Nimblewright sales ledger - a list of potential leads - in hand, the party attempts to glean some insight on their own. Their lack of knowledge about Waterdhavian nobility leaves them stymied, however. So they decide to enlist the aid of their friend Renaer Neverember. Renear expresses some surprise at the names on the list - insisting that Nimblewrights typically cost roughly a quarter million gold dragons and claiming the purchase of one would be prohibitively expensive to many represented on the ledger. The party pointedly asks about the Rothehills - the description of their Nimblewright matching the description of the one they seek. He indicates they are a minor house, though Lady Rothehill is very ambitious and has tried to elevate the family's social position before. It is agreed that De will seek an audience with the Rothehills, posing as a potential buyer looking for a testimonial, and Renaer offers her a dress which formerly belonged to his mother as his way of helping.   Upon arrival at the Rothehill estate, the party realizes it is due east of Trollskull Manor, which coincides the direction the mysterious figure fled on the morning of the fireball attack. De attempts to gain entry, with Wiley posing as a bodyguard. Her attempt ultimately fails, as the guard did not seem particularly convinced of her story, and upon returning from the house proper indicated the Rothehills were indisposed. As she's walking away from the gate, De spots a couple shadowy figures observing the manor from a nearby rooftop, and Marsali once again utilizes her squirrel form to investigate.   De and Wiley decided to put on a ruse of De having lost an earring, and return to the gate where De then accuses the guard of stealing a "diamond the size of her thumb" which the guard fervently denies. On the rooftop, Marsali observes the figures take notice of the encounter, and decide to send a message to "Urstul" using a black flying snake as a messenger. Just as the encounter at the gate is escalating, Lars turns up, "missing" earring in hand. The situation is defused and Lars' gains entry under the pretense of being a Nimblewright repairman sent by Zardoz. De and Wiley head back to the Pint, while Marsali maintains her watch.   Lars is led to a plush parlor where he observes the display of wealth and fidgets with things best not fidgeted with. Lars' audience with Lady Yalah is very short. She claims she knows nothing of Nimblewrights and has him escorted from the estate promptly, but not before he pockets a valuable little trinket. Upon his exit, Marsali observes him pick up a tail, as one of the rooftop observers peels off and begins slinking through the shadows. Marsali joins Lars to update him of the fluid situation, and they detour away from the Pint to head toward The Yawning Portal. Using the expert technique of walking quickly in a straight line, it doesn't take them long to lose their tail. Knowing all is surely well, they decide to carry on and get drinks.   Night falls as they near the Portal and the pair are jumped in a dark alleyway, Lars acquiring a shiny new dagger - conveniently placed in his chest. The pair escape thanks to clutch use of Hold Person. Thinking better of drinks, they run back to the Prestigious Pint, collapsing upon their arrival. Discussion leads to realization that the rooftop observers were Zhentarim agents, and questions about the Zhentarim's connection with the Rothehills arise. It is decided they'll interrogate Davil Starsong about the Zhentarim involvement the next day.   Upon arrival at the Yawning Portal, the bartender informs them that Davil, and reportedly Zhentarim all over the city, have been rounded up and arrested; likely a result of the investigation into the explosion outside the Prestigious Pint. Regrouping, the party decided to head to the Sea Maidens' Faire where De will speak with Zardoz. Despite Lady Yalah's claims of ignorance, Captain Zord assures De that he did sell a Nimblewright to Lord and Lady Rothehill, suggesting that nobles are often secretive and distrustful of strangers. Over a cup of tea, Zardoz asks De questions of her past and her interest in purchasing a Nimblewright, deflecting questions about his own past before bidding her farewell.