waterdeep dragon heist

ANSHOON YEARNS TO RULE WATER DEEP
as a tyrant, take over the Zhentarim,
and use both seats of power to plunder
and control the Sword Coast. He needs
the gold in the Vault of Dragons to pay
off Masked Lords and Zhentarim lead-
ers whose support will be instrumental
when the time comes to oust Lady Laeral Silverhand as
Open Lord. Manshoon has a long list of powerful ene-
mies, among them the Harpers, Elminster of Shadow-
dale, Halaster Blackcloak of Undermountain, and the
Blackstaff of Waterdeep. These enemies would quickly
move against Manshoon if they learned he was biding
in Waterdeep. For his evil plans to succeed, Manshoon
must operate in the shadows for the time being.

Facing Manshoon

A head-on battle with Manshoon isn't likely to go well for
the characters. That said, the wizard's greatest weak-
ness is that he has powerful enemies in Waterdeep. The
risk of exposure keeps him hidden, and the characters
can thwart him by furnishing his enemies with proof
that he's alive (::iftcr a fashion) and operating in Water-
deep. When it comes to Manshoon clones, deciding to
"let the city deal with it" is a wise course of action.
If the characters find themselves at the evil wizard's
mercy, Manshoon will gladly trade their pitiful lives for
the Stone ofGolorr and the keys to unlock the Vault of
Dragons. In exchange for helping him get the gold. he

promises the c haracters 10 percent of the trove (50,000

gp). Manshoon has no intention of honoring this agree-

ment, but it can help buy the characters some time.

If the characters manage to kill Manshoon and the

local authorities are made aware of the act, no murder

charges are filed. Rather, the characters' actions are cel-

ebrated. Laeral Silverhand summons them to the Palace

of Waterdeep to thank them officially, in he r capacity as

Open Lord. Sometime later, Vajra Safahr invites them

to BlackstafTTower to thank them for their service and

offer them membership in Force Grey.

DISRU P T ING MANSHOON'S

OPE RATION

Characters can hinde r Manshoon in the following ways.

RELEASE THE BARLGURA

1f the characters free the barlgura demon in area K15

and allow it to roam Kolat Towers, Manshoon loses

many followers to the demon's rampage.

R E PORT MANSHOON

Delivering proof that Manshoon is hiding in Waterdeep

to Laeral Silverhand, Mirt, the Harpers, Force Grey, the

Blackstaff, the Lords' Alliance, the Order of the Gaunt-

let, the City Watch, or the Watchful Order ofMagists

and Protectors triggers a far-reaching effort to oust

him Crom the city. Such proof can be obtained from any

of Manshoon's lieutenants, who can be captured and

CHAP"! ER 8 I WINTER WI ZARD RY