"Thanks. I hope I won't get skewered as badly again. Damned redbrands."
" I only have a little power left to me today hopefully it will be enough to keep you on your feet. "
"master Drakr, I am absolutely grateful. When we get, the next tankard of ale is on me."
" Now that's a deal I like! " I say smiling. " let's checkout what's behind this hidden door at the bottom of the stairs. "
"Are we going to descend the stairs before we have looked through this level thoroughly?
Anders follows Jelly down, his axe held before him.
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The walls of this bedchamber are covered with drapes of scarlet cloth. The furnishings include a small writing desk with matching chair, a comfortable looking bed, and a wooden chest at the foot of the bed.
Sitting at the desk is a short, dark-bearded human male in robes, studying a tome. He wears a princely mantle of ermine. A beautiful glass staff leans against his chair, within easy reach.
You have a surprise round.
"Make a dash for that staff!
1st-level evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each
dart hits a creature of your choice that you can see
within range. A dart deals 1d4 + 1 force damage to its
target. The darts all strike simultaneously, and you can
direct them to hit one creature or several.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a
spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the spell creates one
more dart for each slot level above 1st.
Amber casts a spell, directing all three darts to hit the wizard.
" Yes sir! "
I rush in trying to grab the staff before the wizard can.
Sahil moves to another area in the room and shoots.
.
.
Drakr drops the staff and dives on Glass Staff trying to stabilize the man.
" Damn it he might know where Gundren is! "
I tie Glass Stalfs hands and feet and lift him onto the bed. Then I tie him to the bed.
" Alright, I think he'll live why don't we search this room while we wait for him to wake up? "
Amber explores the Glass Staff and hopes to figure out how to unlock its powers.
"It is probably worth the hassle to gag him as well."
" Good idea. "
I gag Glass staff.
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He will eventually come to.
The glass staff is actually a staff of defense.
Various papers and notes are stacked neatly on the desk, mostly consisting of his written orders to apothecaries and alchemists in nearby settlements for more materials for his workshop. You also find a letter that reads:
Lord Albrek,
My spies in Neverwinter tell me that strangers are due to arrive in Phandalin. They could be working for the dwarves. Capture them if you can, kill them if you must, but don't allow them to upset our plans. See that any dwarven maps in their possession are delivered to me with haste. I'm counting on you, Iarno. Don't disappoint me.
(Signed with a drawing of a black spider)
At the foot of Iarno's bed is a sturdy, unlocked wooden chest holdin gthe best pickings of the Redbrand's loot over the last two months. It contains 180 sp, 130 gp, and a silk pouch containing give carnelians (10 gp each), two peridots (15 gp each), and one pearl (100 gp). It also contains a scroll of charm person and a scroll of fireball.
Split the gold up, and we can sell those gems.
" Lord Albrek? What is this guy, some kind of noble gone wrong? "
When he wakes up I start to question him. " You've been in contact with the Black Spider! " I say standing over him. " Who and where is he? Where is he holding my cousin, Gundren Rockseeker?! "
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Iarno spits and then snarls, I see the guests have arrived. Tell me what unpleasant business has occurred to my fine gentlemen. He pauses for a moment, Ah, the Black Spider. That drow most likely has your cousin in the Wave Echo Cave. Before you ask, I do not know the location of the cave, but the bugbears most likely do perhaps you should ask them. They are somewhere about the hideout. Now, as a member of the Lords' Alliance, I wold like to parlay with you.
"Not at all, happy to hand him to the Lord's Alliance."
" As long as he faces some kind of justice for what he has done, that's fine. "
Let's tie his hands and tow rope him behind us. I do not like leavin' him here.
Agreed.
Anders heads back the way they came and approaches the other door. He listens at the door.
" Sorry Lord Albrek, but we can't have you casting spells on us. " I say as I gag him again. Then I take the rope and leads him out.
" Anybody pick locks? " I whisper.
If not, let's just put a shoulder to it.
"No tools, otherwise I would give it a go," Sahil responds, "Now funds are better, something to get when we are back."