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Session 4 - Guild Politics and Coin Counting

- Waterdeep Dragon Heist

Session 4: Guild Politics and Coin Counting

The Reality of Running a Business in the City of Splendors

When Morning Comes

The morning after our heroes’ successful negotiation with Lif brought both comfort and mystery to Trollskull Manor. While most of the party woke to the delightful smell of breakfast cooking (courtesy of their ghostly host making creative use of their travel rations), two members of their group were notably absent.

Null had spent the night in an otherworldly trance beside one of the manor’s many fireplaces, a shadowy raven perched silently at his side. The warlock’s cryptic words from the previous evening still echoed in the air: “There are fragments in me not yet bound to this world. The Queen does not speak in words — only echoes. I must listen.” Whatever communion he was experiencing with his patron would have to wait - the practical matters of tavern ownership demanded immediate attention.

Cog had been drawn away by guild business - something about lamp maintenance standards, no doubt. The gnome’s ongoing vendetta against the Zhentarim’s poor infrastructure upkeep was apparently becoming more than just a personal grudge.

This left Eostre, Silvyr, Blue, and Lyraleth to face the harsh realities of property ownership in Waterdeep.

The Breakfast of Champions

Lif’s morning hospitality was both touching and slightly presumptuous. The ghost had taken the liberty of using the party’s own food supplies to prepare a surprisingly good breakfast, complete with pulled-out chairs and fresh water arranged invitingly on the bar. His enthusiasm for serving his new “employers” was undeniable, even if his methods were a bit… unauthorised.

The ghost’s concerns about the property were made clear through his usual dust-writing communication: “MANY PROBLEMS, WE FIX?” followed by a rather daunting list of repair costs that totalled well over a thousand gold pieces.

The party was still contemplating the mathematical impossibility of their situation when Lif suddenly stuck his head through the wall, eyes wide with recognition, and hurriedly wrote “GUILD MAN” in the dust.

A knock at the door confirmed his supernatural perception.

The Fellowship of Innkeepers

Broxley Fairkettle proved to be exactly what the party had feared - a cheerful, professional representative of Waterdeep’s guild system who made extortion sound like customer service. The halfling’s magnificent mutton chops and friendly demeanor couldn’t quite mask the underlying message: pay up or face the consequences.

The party’s initial reaction was pure suspicion. Eostre in particular seemed convinced they were dealing with some sort of organized crime operation. Her military background had taught her to recognise protection rackets, and this smelled like one.

But Lif’s approval of Broxley - visible only to the party through his encouraging gestures and “NEED HELP” messages - eventually swayed their opinion. If their ghostly ally, who had presumably dealt with guild representatives for years, trusted this man, perhaps they should too.

Broxley’s explanation of the guild’s services was thorough and, unfortunately, convincing:

“Protection from… unscrupulous competitors who might cause problems. Access to reliable suppliers at fair prices. Guidance on city regulations and requirements. Support during difficult times - and believe me, there will be difficult times.”

When pressed about what kind of “problems” they were being protected from, his response was diplomatically vague: “Oh, you know - rival establishments might spread nasty rumors, suppliers might suddenly find themselves unable to deliver, City Watch might find themselves needing to inspect your premises very… thoroughly.”

The mention of Emmek Frewn - their rival down the alley who was “barely keeping his doors open” after trying to go it alone - provided a sobering example of what happened to those who refused guild membership.

After significant hesitation and negotiation, Broxley offered them a generous 40% discount for their first year if they paid in advance: 60 gold pieces instead of the usual 100. Given their limited funds and Lif’s clear support for the arrangement, the party reluctantly agreed.

Broxley’s parting words about poor Lif were particularly intriguing. When questioned by Eostre and Lyraleth, he simply said he didn’t know much and didn’t want to “tarnish an otherwise good man’s legacy for just a couple mistakes at the end.” His comment about not knowing “why he did it” suggested that even those who knew Lif personally didn’t believe the official story of his death.

Urgent Construction News

The second visitor arrived with considerably more urgency. Lif once again provided advance warning by sticking his head through the wall and writing “BUILDERS” in the dust before Jorik Ironbrace of the Carpenters’, Roofers’, and Plaisterers’ Guild knocked on their door.

The stocky dwarf’s assessment of their roof situation was delivered with the bedside manner of someone examining a terminal patient. His weathered hands traced the water damage patterns on their walls as he explained the structural compromises that years of neglect had created.

“See those water stains? That beam there is compromised, and those support timbers are holding on through sheer stubbornness. Lif always said he’d get it fixed ’next season,’ but… well, next season never came for poor Lif.”

The 400 gold piece estimate for proper repairs hit the party like a physical blow. They simply didn’t have that kind of money. Jorik’s solution - 200 gold pieces up front with their guild membership papers as collateral - was more manageable but still daunting.

The distant rumble of thunder provided perfect dramatic timing for his warnings about the approaching storm. As if summoned by their conversation, the weather itself seemed to be emphasising the urgency of their situation.

Lif’s reactions throughout the conversation were particularly telling. The ghost appeared sad and ashamed when the damage was discussed, as if he felt personally responsible for the manor’s deterioration. But his emphatic support for the repair work - writing “NEED ROOF” in large letters and making encouraging gestures - showed his investment in the restoration.

A Generous Ghost

After Jorik left, Lif provided perhaps the most touching moment of the session. The ghost rushed off and returned to point frantically at a loose stone near the fireplace. Behind it, the party discovered a small leather pouch containing 75 gold pieces - Lif’s personal emergency fund, saved from his earnings as a barkeeper.

His message was simple but powerful: “WAS MINE, FOR EMERGENCY” followed by “FOR ROOF” as he pushed the pouch toward them.

The gesture spoke volumes about Lif’s character and his growing attachment to the party. This wasn’t just a ghost helping strangers - this was someone who had found hope again after years of despair.

The Search for Income

With their finances still falling short of their needs, the party faced a fundamental challenge: how to earn money quickly in a city where everything seemed to cost more than expected. Lif’s practical advice, written in the dust, proved surprisingly astute:

“NEIGHBORS NEED HELP TOO” “GOOD PEOPLE PAY FAIR” “DANGER WORK = MORE GOLD”

The ghost’s understanding of Waterdeep’s economy was clearly still sharp, even in death.

A Generous Offer

Embric from Steam and Steel arrived with perfect timing, bearing both a gift and an opportunity. The friendly fire genasi’s present - a set of basic smithing tools with a note reading “For the tinker in your group - Avi” - demonstrated the kind of neighborly support that made Trollskull Alley special.

But it was his job offer that truly caught their attention. An abandoned dwarven workshop in the Trades Ward had finally been declared open for salvage, but it came with complications that had deterred other scavengers.

“Workshop owner was a paranoid sort. Lots of mechanical traps protecting his valuable stuff. Plus, word is some unsavory types have been using the place as a meeting spot.”

The promised payment - 100 gold pieces for adamantine fittings, 50 gold for tool steel, and bonuses for any magical implements - was exactly what they needed to cover their immediate expenses.

The party’s enthusiasm for the job was refreshing. Unlike some of their previous cautious deliberations, they quickly agreed to take on the challenge. Embric’s offer of a 20% discount on future smithing work sweetened the deal considerably.

The Abandoned Workshop

The journey to Ironforge Lane revealed another side of Waterdeep - the bustling Trades Ward with its constant sounds of hammering and the scent of coal smoke. The abandoned workshop stood out like a missing tooth in the otherwise active street, its broken anvil sign hanging at a dejected angle.

The party’s approach to the building showed their growing tactical awareness. Blue spotted that the front door lock had been recently picked, Eostre noticed movement in an upstairs window, and Silvyr found signs of recent foot traffic in the alley. These weren’t just bumbling adventurers anymore - they were developing real investigative skills.

Their decision to enter through the back door proved wise, though their stealth attempts had mixed results. Blue and Silvyr managed to slip inside undetected, Eostre was less graceful but avoided alerting the occupants, and Lyraleth simply walked in with the confidence of someone who belonged there.

Traps and Treasures

The workshop’s interior told the story of a master craftsman who had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The magical forge still glowed with heat, and Thorek Ironbeard’s tools remained neatly arranged despite months of abandonment.

Blue’s recognition of the fire trap protecting the adamantine fittings demonstrated his growing expertise. Though he took a small burn while disabling it, his success allowed them to begin the careful work of extracting the valuable components.

The discovery of a trapped chest on a workbench led to a comedy of errors that would have been funny if it weren’t so painful. Eostre triggered the poison needle trap but avoided the worst effects, while both Silvyr and Blue learned the hard way that sometimes it’s better to let someone else try first. The repeated triggering of the same trap was loud enough to alert their uninvited upstairs neighbors.

Unwelcome Guests

The confrontation with Scarred Tomak and his two bandit companions revealed the kind of opportunistic criminals that plagued abandoned properties throughout the city. Their claim to have a “legitimate salvage permit” was immediately exposed when Eostre demanded to see it.

Tomak’s fake permit was so poorly forged that even a cursory examination revealed its fraudulent nature. Eostre’s response - tearing up the fake document and burning it in the forge’s magical heat - was both dramatically satisfying and tactically provocative.

“BOYS, it’s time to teach these people a lesson!” Tomak shouted, and the battle was joined.

A Professional Resolution

The combat that followed showed how well the party was learning to work together. Blue eliminated one bandit with efficient precision, while Lyraleth used her bardic magic to devastating effect. Her vicious mockery - telling one bandit that “your father never loved him because you are a worthless slime” - was followed by a blade thrust that nearly finished him entirely. Eostre’s pursuit of the fleeing bandits showcased her halberd mastery technique, bringing down both Tomak and his remaining companion with professional efficiency. Silvyr’s healing magic kept the party fighting fit throughout the encounter, while his earlier primal savagery attack - despite getting his teeth and claws stuck in Tomak’s chainmail - showed his willingness to fight for his friends.

The brief but intense battle was over quickly, with the party emerging victorious and largely unharmed.

The Full Haul

Their thorough exploration of the workshop revealed treasures beyond their original expectations. In addition to the adamantine fittings and tool steel they’d come for, they discovered a cabinet of magical implements that Eostre had to chop open. Silvyr’s discovery of a hidden compartment containing 100 gold pieces and a note from Thorek - “If you’re reading this, something has happened to me. Use this to continue the work. - T.I.” - added both profit and mystery to their adventure.

The return journey to Steam and Steel was triumphant, with the party carrying their hard-won salvage through the streets of Waterdeep. Their success had earned them not just gold, but reputation and respect in the guild networks.

Rewards and Recognition

Embric and Avi’s reaction to their success was genuinely enthusiastic. The fire genasi’s comment about the fittings being “exactly what we needed” for a commission for House Cassalanter hinted at the kind of high-level clients their partnership might attract.

More touching was their offer to create a new sign for the tavern. The party’s choice of “Lif, Laugh, Love” as their establishment’s new name perfectly captured their growing affection for their ghostly friend and their commitment to honoring his memory.

Neighborhood Connections

The shopping expedition that ended the session proved to be more than just mundane errands. At Corellon’s Crown, the party met Fala Lefaliir, whose earthy, natural demeanor immediately reminded Eostre of Silvyr. The herbalist’s green space provided a welcome respite from the city’s stone and steel, and Eostre noticed how much more at ease Silvyr seemed there compared to his obvious discomfort with the smoky Forge District where his environmental work had taken him.

The real revelation came at The Bent Nail, where Tally Fellbranch provided more pieces to the puzzle of Lif’s mysterious past. While selling them buckets, mops, and some basic furnishings for the manor, the woodworker’s memories were stirred by their questions about the former barkeeper.

“Lif loved those orphans with everything he had,” Tally said, his voice carrying the weight of old grief. “I really couldn’t believe that Lif would steal from those orphans, but he was obviously ashamed enough to hang himself. The orphanage closed up after that.”

When pressed for more details, Tally struggled to remember but finally managed to drag a name from his memory: “Grezelda… that was Lif’s old boss, the previous owner of the Trollskull.”

The name hung in the air like a shadow. Grezelda - the mysterious figure who had run both the tavern and the orphanage before Lif’s tragic end. Yet another piece of a puzzle that seemed to grow more complex with each revelation.

Looking Forward

As this session drew to a close, the party had successfully navigated their first major challenge as business owners. They’d learned about guild politics, faced the reality of renovation costs, and proven they could earn the money needed to make their dreams reality.

But perhaps more importantly, they’d begun to uncover the deeper mysteries surrounding their new home. The tragic story of Lif and the orphans, the mysterious Grezelda, and the circumstances that led to the manor’s abandonment were becoming more than just ghost stories - they were becoming personal.

With Lif’s enthusiastic support, Lyraleth’s research expertise, and their growing network of neighborhood allies, the party was well-positioned to face whatever challenges awaited them in the City of Splendors.

The transformation of their haunted manor into “Lif, Laugh, Love” had officially begun.

Next time: Will the roof repairs proceed smoothly? What other guild representatives will come calling? And what new adventures await our heroes as they settle into their roles as Waterdeep business owners?

Party Roster