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Session 5 - Justice and Creative Problem-Solving

- Waterdeep Dragon Heist

Session 5: Justice and Creative Problem-Solving

When Plans Don’t Survive Contact with Reality

A Quieter Morning

The morning brought a different energy to Trollskull Manor. Our companions Blue, Lyraleth, and Cog had been called away on various urgent business - Blue to handle criminal network politics, Lyraleth to manage noble family obligations, and Cog to help solve a city-wide lighting crisis that finally required his expertise.

This left Null, Eostre, and Silvyr to face the day’s challenges, which began with Lif excitedly pointing toward the door and writing his now-familiar warning: “VISITORS.”

The Order of the Gauntlet Calls

Savra Belabranta arrived exactly as her reputation suggested - professional, confident, and carrying the authority of someone who’d earned her position through deeds rather than birth. Her silver gauntlet pendant gleamed as she addressed the party directly.

“Word of your heroism in rescuing Lord Neverember has reached our ears,” she said, her gaze settling particularly on Eostre. “Such courage and dedication to justice does not go unnoticed, especially when that courage comes from one who serves the Maimed God himself.”

Eostre was immediately captivated. The Order of the Gauntlet’s mission - to seek out and destroy evil before it gains a foothold - aligned perfectly with her divine calling. While Null and Silvyr were more cautious about formal membership, they were willing to support their companion’s obvious passion.

Savra presented the trio with their first mission: investigate reports of a protection racket operating in the Field Ward. Small merchants were being intimidated by thugs calling themselves the “Iron Fists,” and they needed to gather evidence and, if possible, stop the operation entirely.

The payment of one hundred gold pieces would certainly help with their ongoing manor repairs, but more importantly, it was exactly the kind of work that felt meaningful.

Investigation Begins: Mixed Results

The party’s approach to investigating the three targeted businesses revealed just how differently each member handles social situations.

The Honest Drink - A Tactical Error

Their first stop was Tam Ironfoot’s tavern, where Null decided to try an undercover approach. His plan was to pretend to be part of the Iron Fists and intimidate information out of the dwarf barkeeper.

The intimidation worked perfectly - Null’s use of Thaumaturgy to create ominous sounds and shadows made him a truly imposing figure. Poor Tam, despite his military background and natural defiance, was thoroughly cowed.

But then Eostre tried to play “good cop,” claiming to be new to the gang and trying to impress her fellows. Her deception attempt was… less successful. Tam was left completely confused about what was happening, though he was definitely still intimidated enough to reveal that the gang leader was called “Pete” and that he was expected to have payment ready “in a couple of days.”

In perhaps the most awkward moment of the entire investigation, Eostre then gave Tam a gold piece for his “cooperation” before they hastily left. The poor dwarf was left standing there, utterly bewildered by the entire encounter.

Goldenbread Bakery - Unexpected Success

At Marta Goldenbread’s bakery, the party took a completely different approach. Silvyr, despite his typically quiet nature and admitted discomfort with city social situations, somehow managed to charm the lovely halfling baker.

Marta told the party about the Iron Fists’ threats and showed them her bandaged hand - evidence that they’d already hurt her to prove they were serious about their “accident” warnings. She also provided the party with a threatening note signed “BP” - clearly Bludgeon Pete, the leader Tam had mentioned.

The difference in her response to genuine concern versus intimidation was striking. Here was someone grateful for help, not confused and frightened.

Silverthreads Textiles - Intelligence Gathering

At Jorik Silverthreads’ shop, the party continued the straightforward approach. Jorik was angry rather than scared - he’d been in business for fifteen years and wasn’t about to let “some two-bit thugs” run him out of his own shop.

He told the party about the broken lock - a message that the gang could get in anytime they wanted - and about the surveillance they kept on his business. He even offered to watch for gang members from his upstairs window, proving that some people respond to threats with defiance rather than submission.

Through street conversations, they learned that the Iron Fists spent their time at a tavern called the Broken Hammer, giving them their next target.

Surveillance and Discovery

The party decided to stake out the shops and wait for one of the gang’s surveillance operatives to show up. Their patience was rewarded when a human with a cudgel took up position across from Jorik’s shop.

When his shift ended, they followed him - Silvyr in rat form and Null’s raven familiar providing excellent reconnaissance. They successfully traced the man back to the Broken Hammer tavern.

Silvyr’s ability to squeeze through a rat hole gave him incredible reconnaissance. He spotted three men at a table: Pete (matching Marta’s description), the man they’d followed, and a half-orc. They were discussing a concerning development - apparently, there was another group of thugs (the party!) trying to move in on their territory. They’d heard about “a couple of gross-looking elves and some broad in armour” intimidating one of their shops.

They’d been made.

The Broken Hammer Confrontation

Armed with this intelligence, the party decided on a dramatic intimidation approach. Null would use Thaumaturgy to create supernatural effects - flaring flames, opening doors, ominous whispers - while Eostre stormed in with her Light spell creating a divine glow and Silvyr transformed into a wolf.

The plan started perfectly. The Iron Fists were genuinely terrified by their supernatural display. But then, at the crucial moment, Eostre fumbled her intimidation attempt.

Hammer, the half-orc thug, stood up to challenge her. Eostre tried to use Command to make him grovel, but with incredible willpower, he resisted the spell and actually pushed her, telling her to get out if she knew what was good for her.

The tavern patrons fled, and the owner pulled a crossbow on the party, blaming them for scaring away his customers. Null managed to salvage the situation with excellent persuasion, convincing the owner they were the good guys on a mission to stop these criminals. The owner retreated upstairs, taking his crossbow with him.

But then three City Watch members arrived, alerted by fleeing patrons. The party’s relief at seeing law enforcement quickly turned to dismay when the watchmen sided with Pete, claiming he was doing “good community service” by “protecting” those shops.

A good Insight check revealed the horrible truth - two of the watchmen were corrupt, actively supporting the protection racket. The third seemed confused, unaware of his colleagues’ corruption.

Outnumbered six to three, the party made the tactical decision to withdraw. It felt like complete failure.

Partial Success and New Intelligence

The party returned to the Temple of Tyr to report to Savra, their evidence in hand: Marta’s threatening note, witness statements from both her and Jorik, and confirmation that Tam was definitely being extorted.

Savra was disappointed but acknowledged that gathering solid evidence was the primary objective. She offered partial payment and invited the party to join a raid planned for “collection day” in a couple of days, when they would arrest both the gang and the corrupt watchmen.

But Null had a brilliant idea.

The Paper Bird Gambit

Back at Trollskull Manor, after a short rest, Null remembered the magical Paper Bird messenger he’d acquired from the Zhentarim hideout. He sent a message to “Bludgeon Pete” and followed it to track down the gang leader’s location.

The paper bird led the party to an abandoned general store in the Dock Ward - a building even more derelict than Trollskull Manor had been. When the bird couldn’t get inside, Silvyr once again transformed into a rat and conducted reconnaissance.

Pete was alone, counting money in the back room - presumably protection money from his victims.

Direct Action

Null and Eostre successfully infiltrated the building. When the Paper Bird finally reached Pete and he realized he had company, he tried to intimidate them with threats about his corrupt watchmen coming to rescue him.

After some failed negotiations, Null got impatient and started combat with an Eldritch Blast. Pete proved to be a capable fighter, nearly taking Null down with his scimitar, but Eostre’s Divine Smite dealt devastating damage and Silvyr’s Primal Savagery helped wear him down.

Eostre eventually grappled the gang leader into submission, and Null applied restraints he’d brought along for exactly this purpose.

Proper Justice

But the party faced a problem - how could they turn Pete over to authorities when they knew some of the City Watch was corrupt?

The group remembered Captain Staget, the honest officer who’d found them in the Zhentarim hideout. Silvyr and Null tracked him down while Eostre guarded their prisoner.

Captain Staget accepted their credentials as Order of the Gauntlet agents and the evidence they’d gathered - including Pete’s ledgers showing 60 gold pieces in protection money. Pete was officially arrested, and the protection racket was ended.

Victory Through Persistence

What had seemed like complete failure at the Broken Hammer became ultimate success through creative problem-solving and persistence. The party had not only gathered the evidence Savra wanted, but they’d personally apprehended the gang leader and ensured he faced proper justice.

Null added Pete’s fake “Field Ward Security Services” badge to his growing collection of trophies, joining the kenku feather from their first adventure. Silvyr’s wild shape abilities had proven invaluable for reconnaissance, and Eostre’s divine calling had found its perfect expression in the Order of the Gauntlet’s mission.

The Field Ward merchants were safe, a criminal organization was dismantled, and corrupt City Watch members had been identified for future action. Most importantly, the party had learned that sometimes the most direct approach isn’t the best approach, but creative thinking and determination can turn apparent defeat into meaningful victory.

As they returned to Trollskull Manor, they knew Lif would be excited to hear about their successful mission. Their first real work as agents of justice had proven that they could make a real difference in the City of Splendors.

Next time: How do the party’s absent companions react to the Order of the Gauntlet success? What other opportunities await them in Waterdeep? And will Null ever manage to light that mysterious candle?

Party Roster

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