New Beginnings

Taking stock of their position, the Party settled to a few days organising their new base of operations. With help from Trader Brasshorn, the Party worked to secure the entrances to the complex whilst altering the internal arrangements of the rooms, moulding them to something more fitting to their new use.

Janus & Khaan decided to remain and secure the base, whilst other members continued the search in the city following the fragmentary leads they had garnered so far. Zan-kyri also decided to remain and pursue arcane research, something Waterdeep provided in good measure.

After some days, Trader Brasshorn interrupted the Party's progress, requesting a meeting to discuss a sensitive proposition which could be to their mutual advantage. Randalla Brasshorn had rented a private room in her local tavern and the Party arrived to find her in the company of a Halfling; she introduced him, vouching for his character, as Neebin a sorceror from the Nelanther Ilses.

After settling with drinks, the Party waited for Randalla to make her proposal. She opened by expressing her thanks for their recent actions, confronting evil doers that plagued both her trade caravan and her city, Waterdeep. Randalla offered them a proposal, though she said little about its details until they gave an oath to keep secret the information she would disclose, saying only they would have ample opportunity to continue facing evil down and liberating the spoils for any ends they deemed appropriate. The party discussed this briefly and decided to agree to the oath, so long as their actions wouldn't threaten the city populace; Randalla agreed and stated that such an event would only occur if the populace turned to evil en masse.

With their oath she continued and explained she was a member of a small band called the Harpers; a group dedicated to opposing evil and its plans against the Realms. Though they opposed any evil they found and the forces behind it, they have since the Time of Troubles focused their attentions more to the spreading influence of the Zhentarim. Displaced from their original Moonsea bases, this mercenary trader  group had turned towards the Sword Coast and planned to disrupt its normal life and achieve total domination of its lands.

Randalla explained the Harpers were a small group with agents scattered along the Sword Coast, who used bands of independant adventurers to swell their ranks and pursue mutual goals; one of these agents had already marked the Party's past actions and advised her of their ability in combating evil.

Randalla advised the Party that the Harpers were aware that several Zhentarim agents had infiltrated the Sword Coast and though some of their actions have been quite open, there were bound to be many more they had carefully hidden. She advised them that the information they had gained from the assassin guild aimed towards Lady Luvia Bloodmire, an alchemist of middling ability who till recently had not aroused any suspicions.

In recent weeks however the Lady had become noticeably more reclusive, Randalla's people had also noticed some odd alterations to the mansion grounds, new strange guards and an air of neglect settling over the estate; coupled with the servants obvious nervousness - becoming near outright fear in past days - this all pointed to a need for further investigation and Randalla suggested the Party visit the mansion to scout.

Randalla warned that being located in the Sea Ward, City Guard patrols would be more frequent and more alert. She provided them with some equipment to assist the mission, the party asked for a wagon and some wine to act as cover should a Guard patrol stop them, which would lend an air of legitimacy to their trip.