waterdeep dragon heist

Three crates are stacked against the south wall. Each

contains a twenty-day supply of edible rations.

• Set into the north wall is a sturdy oak door with iron
  fittings and a built-in lock.
  Locked Door. The door to area 05 is locked. The lock
  can be picked by a character who uses th ieves' tools
  and makes a successful DC 20 Dexterity check. The
  door can also be forced open with a successful DC 25
  Strength (Athletics) check.

5. TELEPORTATTON CIRCLE
   Arcane runes are inscribed in a circle on the floor of this
   otherwise empty chamber. The circle is a permanent
   teleportation circle (see the teleportation circle spell de-
   scription in the Player's Handbook).

OL D TOWER: SPRING

The party's elusive quarry, a kenku, has taken refuge

in an old tower. By the time the characters reach the en-

trance to the tower, the kenku has taken a hostage and

fled to the upper level.

STREET URCHINS

Just prior to the kenku's arrival, three children entered

the derelict tower on a dare. If this encounter occurs

on or around Trolltide, the children are wearing troll

masks. These noncombatants are named Nat.Jenks,

and Squiddly (see "The Three Urchins," page 63).

The kenku has kidnapped Squiddly and taken him

upstairs (area 03). The characters encounter Nat and

Jenks in area 02; they beg the characters to save their

young tiefling friend.

CONFRONTING THE KEN KU

The kenku clutches the Stone ofGolorr in one clawed

hand and Squiddly the tiefiing in the other. When cor-

nered, the creature mimics the sound of a screaming

child- its way of threatening to harm the boy unless the

characters leave at once. The kenku doesn't respond to

verbal threats or attempts at persuasion, but it can be

bribed with coin, gemstones, or shiny baubles. It gives

up both the stone and the boy in return for 100 gp worth

of treasure.

If the characters and the kenku reach an impasse,

Squiddly kicks the kenku in the shin, causing it to re-

lease him, and hides under some old furniture. This act

initiates combat as the kenku draws its sword.

If he has a clear path to the stairs, Squiddly runs

down them and rejoins his friends. The three children

flee the tower together, disappearing into a nearby alley.

GAZER ATTACK
When the characters finally obtain t he Stone of Golorr,
three gazers (see appendix B) enter area 03 through the
arrow slits and attack. They try to incapacitate which-
ever character has the stone and use their telekinetic
rays to steal it. If successful, the gazers take the stone to
a nearby alley.

C HAPTER 4 J DRAGON SEASON

NEXT ENCOUNTER

Whether the Stone of Golorr leaves the tower in the

possession of the characters or the gazers, proceed with

encounter 1, "Alley."

OLD TOWER: SUMME R

The old tower, formerly owned by a wizard, was re-

cently bought by Esvele Rosznar, a young noblewoman

with a fascinating alter ego (see "The Black Viper" in

appendix B).

HOUSE ROSZNAR GUARDS

Esvele has brought four guards with her to the tower.

They wear the livery of House Rosznar and stand guard

in area 01.

BOUGHT AND PAID FOR

Through her network of spies, Esvele learned about

Lord Neverember's friendship with the tower's previous

owner. Not long thereafter, she found the entrance to the

Vault of Dragons beneath the tower. Unfortunately for

her, she doesn't know what keys are needed to enter it or

what lies within. When the characters arrive, Esvele is

in area 02, meeting with the following three guild repre-

sentatives (commoners):

• Sembra Vashir (LN female Calishite human), of the
  Carpenters', Roofers', and Plaisterers' Guild


• Pynt Oomtrowl (CG female rock gnome), of the
  Cellarers' and Plumbers' Guild


• Jarbokken Frostbeard (LG male shield dwarf), of
  the Guild of Stonecutters, Masons, Potters, and
  Tile-makers
  This meeting is a formality. As the new owner, Esvele
  is required by law to bring the building up to code. S he
  is gathering cost estimates from the guilds involved
  but has no intention of proceeding with repairs. The
  arrival of the characters provides her with a welcome
  distraction.
  Characters will have a tough time convincing Esvele
  that they have come for any reason other than to break
  into the Vault of Dragons. Esvele is wi!Ling to bring them
  on as business partners, allowing them access to the
  vault (preferably when there aren't guild representatives
  around) in exchange for an equal share of whatever
  treasure it might contain. She and the characters have
  each other over a barrel. She can't have them arrested
  for burglary without the authorities discovering the vault
  and seizing the tower. And they can't afford to deny the
  noblewoman what she wants, lest she divulge the vault's
  location to the authorities in exchange for a reward.
  Esvele offers to help the characters obtain the keys
  needed to unlock the Vault of D ragons and insists on ac-
  companying them during their first foray into the vault,
  claiming all the while that she's capable of looking after
  herself. However this business with the party unfolds,
  she tries to conceal her secret identity from the charac-
  ters for as long as possible.
  Esvele doesn't use a key to lock and unlock the door to
  area 05. She uses thieves' tools instead.