Prelude: The Silver Strung Harp

Cyclops of Karasvale 10/4/20, Ninthday the 9th of Eleint 1492dr

General Summary

We join a pair of our heroes as they journey homeward from another victory. The mighty Skorg, Son of Vadrian, and the stalwart Berta Amberrock returned to Waterdeep, weary yet triumphant over the orc band that had invaded the Hall of Whirling Blades. Freeing the temple of Haela Brightaxe had put them in the good graces of the dwarven Goddess of Battle and Her fierce bloodmaidens. It was not without a price, however, as Skorg had sacrificed his left hand in the effort.
As they made their way into the City of Splendors, headed to report their success to the clergy of the dwarven community, they were beset by a trio of ruffians wielding crossbows and maces. Spitting insults about Skorg’s half orc ancestry, two of them engaged our heroes in melee combat while the third loosed bolts at them from hiding. Skorg beat his opponent back with a punishing headbutt from his ogre made crown before slicing at the bully with his sword. Berta easily handled her opponent with her mighty dwarven hammer, enchanted to return to her hand when thrown. As the pair turned to deal with their final foe, the crossbow wielding goon transformed into Bryseis Asmodaiya, the tiefling academic and their adventuring companion, stammering apologies. The confused heroes were also greeted by sardonic applause from the floor, where the fallen “ruffian” had been replaced by none other than Fiego Laurentis de Gryphon, the dashing half elf noble and another of their adventuring companions. Waving sheepishly from an alley was the third goon, now transformed into the intrepid bounty hunter, Karash, and his faithful wolf Fidorash.
As their confusion warred with their outrage, the pair of warriors was met by a green mist that coalesced into the form of an older human woman, noble in mien and dress. Unbeknownst to Skorg and Berta, their three compatriots had been approached by a representative of House Majarra, famous for their silver strung harps, with a request to put their friends to a test. A common initiation into the employ of the Noble Houses of Waterdeep, they were to attack their friends under the guise of common hoods in order to provoke a show of strength. The plan initially met with some objection, mainly from Bryseis, but after Fiego gave in to the temptation to create more spectacle he convinced the other two.
Explaining this to the bewildered warriors was the Head of House Majarra herself, the Lady Sirshella Majarra, famed songstress and ravishing beauty at any age. It took a moment for the battle fervor to leave them but with a little cajoling from Fiego, their calmer natures prevailed. At Lady Majarra’s invitation they took the waiting carriages to the Silverharp House, the villa of House Majarra. The Silverharp Estate was a grand villa across the street from the de Gryphon villa, and a favorite haunt of Fiego’s. He was close to Tharmuth Majarra, Lady Sirshella’s nephew, and his band of popinjays. The Silverharp’s most iconic features were the harps that adorned the walls, enchanted to play a soft lilt at night.
Lady Sirshella met with them in House Majarra’s library of music and revealed to our heroes the reason she put them to such a test. The Noble Families of Waterdeep had of course heard of the so called King in the Mountain, who seemed to be organizing the orc war bands in the region under his control, but they knew no more than that. This worried many of the Families, Majarra included. The threat to the farmfolk of the surrounding communities was not one that Waterdeep could take lightly as they formed the basis of the City’s economy and survival.
For that purpose Lady Sirshella decided to take a hand in curtailing the rise of the King in the Mountain. Having heard of the exploits of Skorg, the Grey Wall, she thought to ascertain whether he could be a champion of Waterdeep and her test seemed to assure her of that. She implored the heroes to travel south to Daggerford, investigate the status of a farm holding that had come under attack, as well as drum up some support for a campaign against the orc King.
After some discussion, the group decided that they would take her up on her quest. They would take two days, the time required to build a prosthetic that would allow Skorg to wield his greatsword, to provision for the journey and then they would set off on their quest to wrest the King of the Mountain from his throne.

Report Date

07 Oct 2020