Blue Alley

An Adventure for 2nd Level Characters

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The adventure begins in The Dragon's Head Tavern in Waterdeep.

Heard of Blue Alley?

The adventurers are having a meal and drink one evening when they notice a man at the bar is looking at them. He is rather plump, has a walrus mustache, and wears an amber cape. When he sees they are looking at him, he smiles and walks over to speak with the party. Read the following:

"Good evening, friends! I hope you are having a pleasant time in this fine establishment. It is not to everyone’s taste, but I find I like it very much. I should introduce myself. My name is Mirt. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? Hmmm. As it happens, I’ve heard of you. I rather make it my business to know a little about all of the adventurers who pass through Waterdeep. So, I’m guessing a group such as yourselves are looking for some excitement and danger, and the chance of a little treasure. Is that right? Tell me, have you heard of Blue Alley?"

Mirt shares the following information about Blue Alley:

• Over a century ago, a secretive and reclusive mage constructed Blue Alley, a dungeon full of tricks, traps, and strange monsters.
• No one knows who the mage is.
• It is rumored that the mage secretly observes all those who enter Blue Alley, gambling with colleagues on the outcome of each venture within.
• The dungeon is very dangerous but is said to be full of fabulous treasure.
• Mirt has heard that Blue Alley holds a small sculpture called the Celestite Unicorn. He offers the party 250 gp if they secure this treasure for him.
• The entrance to Blue Alley is off Ivory Street in the Sea Ward. It is easy to locate as the cobblestones in the alley are made from glittering blue stone.

Other Patrons

The adventurers might choose to go directly to Blue Alley, but they might also talk to the other tavern patrons to gather additional information. The following people have something to share:

• Kameyo Maskholt (NE female Shou human veteran) is a human mercenary who has traveled to Waterdeep from the Moonsea region for the reading of a will. She has a bald head and wears antique armor. She has heard of Blue Alley and thinks only fools would enter such a dangerous place without a good reason.
• Oloric Thunderkin (LG male shield dwarf commoner) is a dwarven tattooist who is drinking away the pain of his recent divorce. He has a wire-brush beard and ink-stained fingers. As a Waterdeep native, he knows of Blue Alley and has heard there is a powerful magic shield therein.
• Tadberrow Wald (N male lightfoot halfling commoner) is a halfling barrister and a regular at this establishment. He wears fashionable clothes and has rakish black hair. His brother, Gilbert, is an adventurer, and told him that Blue Alley hides a great treasure behind a small, golden door.
• Melisende Shadefall (LG female Chondathan human commoner) is a human grocer from the Sea Ward, who is visiting the tavern for the first time with friends. She has heard there is a glass chest somewhere in Blue Alley that explodes into shrapnel if tampered with.

Into Blue Alley

The adventurers can get directions to Ivory Street in the Sea Ward from almost any local.

Wrap Up

This episode can only begin after the characters have escaped from Blue Alley.

Mirt Returns

Mirt finds the adventurers soon after they escape Blue Alley. He congratulates them on surviving and asks if they located the Celestite Unicorn:

• If the adventurers give Mirt the statue, he is delighted and pays them the agreed reward. He also promises “new and lucrative” opportunities in the future.
• If the adventurers did not retrieve the statue, Mirt is very disappointed. He says the adventurers are not quite so skilled as he thought, but that he may be able to find work for "people of your ability."
• If the adventurers retrieved the statue but lie to Mirt about it, they must make a successful DC 18 Charisma (Deception) check to convince him. If he decides they are lying, he demands they give him the statue, and makes some subtle threats. If the adventurers try to sell the Celestite Unicorn, they are offered 350 + 10d10 gp for it.
• If the adventurers defy Mirt openly, he tells them they have made a powerful enemy and leaves.

In any event, the adventurers are now part of Mirt’s network, and he actively works to either help or thwart their efforts while in Waterdeep.

Related Characters

• Mirt

Related Locations

• Blue Alley
• Waterdeep