Hart, his cape flowing behind him, glided over to an overstuffed leather chair arrayed before the fireplace and sat primly on the edge of the chair, sipping from his teacup as the smell of brimstone wafted from the hearth. Wolfram was nimbly sorting through scrolls of parchment at his ornate writing desk, and then found what he was looking for, picking up a small apparatus that had been hidden by a mound of paperwork. He too moved towards the fireplace and sat next to Hart. “Welcome,” Hart said in a deep voice. “Please be advised that this will be a billable conversation.” Siegfried nodded as he eyed the item in Wolfram’s hands – it appeared to be a sort of abacus, only with tiny skulls mounted on its counting wires instead of beads. Varien, somewhat unsure of himself, took a seat. “So, Mordai,” Siegfried said. “The long and the short of it is that my friend here represents Lady Firehair on a quest to retrieve a valuable piece of stolen property from the Sinister Seven, and he would greatly appreciate any assistance you could offer in this regard. As we both know, the gods can be cryptic rather than provide specific information.” Mordai leaned back in his chair with a slithering sound and smiled. “Well, they wouldn’t be gods if they gave the entire game away, would they?” Siegfried placed the shard of Stygian ice on the side-table between he and Varien. “Neither would Archfiends, it would seem.” Mordai chuckled as he appraised it with his glittering, golden eyes. “Well, what is it that you would like to know?” Siegfried nodded to Varien. Varien cleared his throat. “Siegfried did not inform me that you would be here today, Vell. He merely assured me that someone in this room would be able to offer me guidance on the Sinister Seven.” “Oh, the identity of the expert guest was a mystery to me as well, Varien,” Siegfried said. Mordai waved a hand dismissively. “Well, as it happened by a coincidental happenstance, I was already in Waterdeep on business and so this was very fortunate for all parties concerned,” he said. “Were you also in Neverwinter on business recently?” Varien asked. “At the same time we had trouble there?” Mordai’s smile widened. “Oh, well, my business takes me all over,” he said with an amiable shrug. “I do consider Neverwinter my home of course. I have deep roots in the community, but I do travel to Waterdeep from time to time to take care of business, so to speak, and somehow I knew our paths would cross again, I just didn’t know it would be here.” “Then I shall be specific, Mordai,” Varien said. “What do you know of Vashi? Where can they be found?” “Well, as I told Siegfried, the last time we met, a gentleman does not always kiss and tell.” “I would advise you would,” Varien said with a hint of steel in his voice. Mordai’s lip curled as he took a sip from his cup, his eyes glittering as he peered over the rim. “Ah, so we’re skipping to that part of the conversation already?” Varien held the Tiefling’s gaze. Mordai shifted in his chair slightly. “Well, I might be persuaded to speak more about Vashi, but I always come back to first principles when having a conversation such as this. And so I pose a question of my own: why do you want to know?” “Vashi has something that I desire,” Varien said. “Oh my,” Siegfried said. Mordai laughed. “I’ll bet she does,” he said with a smile. “Do tell.” “The Spark of Kossuth,” Varien said. “Do you know of it?” Mordai nodded. “Oh, so now we’re talking primordials. Now that’s very interesting. Very interesting indeed. I do take a certain interest in such things, you know, and I have heard of the Spark of Kossuth.” “Go on,” Varien said. “Why do you seek this Spark of Kossuth?” Mordai asked. “We’re playing very coy here, aren’t we Mordai?” Varien asked. “I could say the same of you,” Mordai replied. “When I say the name Levistus, do you consider yourself on that side of fate, or opposite it?” Varien asked. Mordai chuckled. “What are you asking me, Varien?” “I think you know,” Varien said. Mordai paused for a moment. “Well, this conversation is a sort of exchange, wouldn’t you say? And none of us in this room are in the habit of giving away things for free.” “Funny you should mention that,” Siegfried interjected. “Levistus has recently offered Varien here an exchange. Abandon the quest that His Lady has put him on to free a creature from his clutches, Levistus said no. Now, Varien, being of a righteous mind, is apt to describe the difference between the righteous and the wicked. To translate in more intricate terms, he would request, do you have a vested interest in prolonging the reign of Levistus within the Hells? Or would you consider yourself indifferent to Levistus’s machinations.” “All I’m asking is whether you will try to stop us and get in my way,” Varien said. “Oh, Siegfried I do enjoy the way you maneuver your line of questioning,” Mordai said, “but at the same time, Varien I do enjoy the directness with which you thrust your arguments. It is like fire and ice, though maybe that isn’t the best metaphor considering your recent experience,” the Tiefling said with an unctuous smile, indicating the piece of Stygian ice on the tabletop. If what I’ve been led to understand by our mutual friends here Wolfram and Hart is indeed true. But, let us say that the business partner whom I represent has certain plans, certain machinations, certain goals and I am of course quite interested in determining whether those goals are compatible with what your chosen course of action might be. But if you are looking for, how shall I put this, dispensation, or perhaps colloquially, a free pass, maybe a limited franchise to operate in an area of your interest, that may come at a cost. But I like what I’m hearing right now, I will give you that for free.” “Well, then I will give you our interests for free,” Siegfried said. “There’s nothing quite like putting all your cards on the table, is there?” Mordai said. “Especially if you have a winning hand.” It was Siegfried’s turn to smile. “Varien’s companions, myself included, represent and fight for the cause of the living,” he said. “Myself, I have a vested interest the living peoples and in the protection of the cities of Waterdeep and Neverwinter and the surrounding territories. Of course, those that would conspire against those peoples for their own glorification at the risk of the common peoples and the noble peoples and the safety of their day to day lives does come into conflict with that. Directly, my good paladin here has been set upon in direct conflict with the Archfiend Levistus and the Sinister Seven, by his deity, in order to release the Phoenix. Any way your goals can be met in the pursuit of that crusade can easily be met. I’m sure a man of your ambitions has certain obstacles that may need to be persuaded or loosened within that very purview of Varien’s own obstacles. As you’ve seen, he’s a man of specific directness looking for the next place to rest his blade.” “Fascinating,” Mordai said as he crossed his legs, his shoes shimmering in the firelight. “Where would you rest Varien’s blade?” Siegfried pressed. “My, my,” Mordai said. “Let us put a blade, or a pin, in that for a moment.” He leaned forward. “I know your family’s name, Siegfried, and I am aware of their influence and interest in Waterdeep but I am curious as to your concern over Neverwinter.” Siegfried paused as visualized a chessboard representing the factions and powers of Neverwinter. He considered his next move, which had to be taken incredibly carefully. Vell’s ever-present smirk confounded him, as it seemed the Tiefling was about to burst into uproarious laughter at every turn of the conversation. On one level, it seemed, he found this conversation incredibly amusing. Siegfried knew for a fact that Vell and Neverember were associates, as a matter of public record thanks to the work of the Gilded Eye. Siegfried also knew that Vell was very wealthy, a patron of the arts in Neverwinter, but even the Order of the Gilded Eye could not successfully glean his intention. Additionally, he was aware that the recent sealing of the Chasm that had brought so much destruction to Neverwinter had been done at a great cost, and that the Lord Protector had been forced to lean heavily on the wealthy elite of Neverwinter in terms of time, treasure and magic to seal that abyss. In his appraisal of Mordai Vell, Siegfried weighed the Tiefling’s loyalty to Dagult against his reputation for loyalty to his own pocket and his own pleasures. He couldn’t decide one way or the other which side of the board to place Mordai. “Well, Mordai, as familiar as you are with my family, it may astonish you to learn that I was not born a half-elf,” Siegfried said. Mordai’s smile wavered slightly, as though he wasn’t sure if Siegfried was setting up a joke. “Indeed, I was adopted into the Thann family,” Siegfried said, taking a memory out of his head with an encode thoughts spell, placing the stringy ectoplasm into a crystal decanter that represented the memory of a six-year-old Siegfried running through a burning city of Neverwinter, the nightmare he dreamt every night of Neverwinter’s Ruining. “However, my arcane origin begins with Neverwinter; my soul linked, eternally, to that city.” Mordai’s eyes went wide as he shivered with delight. “In fact, this memory will show you that I am Neverwinter’s prisoner, its slave and its most ardent lover,” he said as he passed the decanter to Vell. Vell accepted the decanter and raised it in salute. “Bottoms up, hmm?” as he tipped it back, draining it. He closed his eyes as he lived Siegfried’s nightmare. After a time, Vell opened his golden eyes. “Rejoice, Mordai Vell.” Siegfried said with sudden seriousness. “You are one of the select few who know the true identity of Siegfried Thann.” “My, my, my,” Mordai Vell said. “If I may not be too presumptuous Siegfried, you and I are of a kind. Both our fortunes, our destinies, and perhaps our futures linked to the Jewel of the North, the City of Skilled Hands, Neverwinter.” A golden tear welled up in his eye, visible against his red flesh. Varien frowned at the sight of Vell’s golden tear. Siegfried took notice as well. Certain of Vell’s physical mannerisms did not appear to line up with standard Tiefling physiology, including his anomalous gold-coloured eyes that glittered like coins in the light of the fire. “Well, that is quite a revelation, Siegfried,” Vell continued. “It’s the one thing I can never betray,” Siegfried said. “It is carved upon my bones.” “Well, my family perished almost to a man during that terrible, terrible cataclysm,” Mordai said. “I was away on business, fortunately, and I returned to take the reins of the Vell family and occupy Vellgard Manor, and to see how I could help restore Neverwinter to its former glory.” Siegfried nodded. He’d heard of Vell’s background. “Yes, my mother found herself in the same situation, though she was not able to return to Neverwinter in her lifetime,” Siegfried said. At the mention of his mother, the cinders in the fireplace burst loudly. “I must take a moment to digest this,” Vell said. “Information freely given is sometimes met with information returned. Wolfram, if you will?” Wolfram clicked two of the skulls over to one side of the abacus. Vell smiled. “Good accountants are so hard to find, wouldn’t you agree?” “Oh, not if you already know where they are!” Siegfried said, smiling at Wolfram and Hart. “A fair point!” Vell agreed. “Ah, Varien, you see, you cannot ask questions of Vell without giving up answers in return,” Siegfried said. “I see,” Varien said. “Are our secrets safe in this room, Mordai?” “Safe as houses,” Vell said. “This is the discretion offered by our friends Wolfram and Hart to all clients, is it not?” At this, Hart leaned forward as though rising from a vampiric slumber. “Yes, of course, discretion is our business.” “Literally Levistus and Sune cannot see where we are right now,” Siegfried said. “What would anybody here know about Beauty’s Temple and the rot that has arisen there?” Varien asked. “Something suspicious is going on there, I don’t trust them.” Mordai smiled lasciviously. “Let me share with you something that I have learned during my wide travels around Faerun,” the Tiefling said. “The thing about seducing a succubus is that you’re never really quite sure if you’ve pulled it off, but boy, it is a journey. Because of course with a succubus you know their game, they know their game, but to attract one of her own free will, my, my, there’s no feeling quite like it in this world or any other.” Vell looked incredibly pleased with himself. “I may have engaged in such risky business on more than one occasion, and so I caution you, because Vashi is the jealous type.” Siegfried prestidigitated a teacup just so he could drop it and have it shatter on the floor. “Mordai Vell, did you just answer Varien’s initial question? My, my!” “I’m just making polite conversation, Siegfried Thann,” Vell said with a smile. At this, one of the skulls clacked back on Wolfram’s abacus. “What’s he saying?” Varien asked Siegfried. “I don’t know if I should tell you that before you have a good night’s sleep so you can go into Beauty’s Temple sword blazing!” Siegfried replied. “Are you speaking of the High Lady?” Varien asked. “Oh, that would be kissing and telling, wouldn’t it?” Vell said smugly. “Mordai, Mordai, Mordai!” Siegfried called out. “In broad strokes, I could set you into motion,” Vell said, “but to your earlier point and question about alliances, interference and standing back, we’re going to have to see a little more on Wolfram’s abacus.” Varien frowned. Vell was clearly intimating that Vashi was present at Beauty’s Temple. “If what you have told me is true, then you will gain my trust,” Varien said. “To swiftly change the subject to something we have in common,” Siegfried said. “How well do you sleep in Neverwinter?” Vell laughed coldly. “Ah yes, my dreamthief doll is well-used. Really more of a pillow. A lady-sized pillow, if you get my meaning.” “Well, I dream of a future where the children of Neverwinter can sleep without the aid of dreamthief dolls, or pillows,” Siegfried said. “I assembled a team to chart the circumference of this magical effect.” “Did you?” Vell asked. “Yes. Unfortunately, they were all arrested on false charges. Now, a good friend, Sergeant Knox,” “I know the man,” Vell said. “He has been their jailor, but this team of mine I’ve assembled to match the circumference, the data they collect could be used to find the source of the nightmares and expunge it once and for all,” Siegfried said. “Sergeant Knox has been a friend to me and I have been a friend to Sergeant Knox. If an escape were made without implicating Sergeant Knox, this team would be able to find the source of the nightmares, and Varien and I could return to Neverwinter and perhaps remove your need for a dreamthief doll permanently. We know the effect extends as far as Helm’s Hold, but not as far as Luskan to the north or Phandalin to the south.” “Fascinating,” Vell said. “Have you ever heard of a Dread Circle?” Varien asked. “Questions, questions, questions!” Vell said raucously. “Because if you haven’t, we could share what we know,” Varien. “Well, I would be happy to hear what you think you know about Dread Circles,” Vell said. Siegfried proceeded to do so, including the faces of the Red Wizards in Tholl Sla-Houk. “There’s even a rogue agent impersonating a Harper,” he said, showing Vell Sister Gaerale’s face. “Of course, no contract was ever signed between myself and my team, and all the glory of this idea could all be yours,” Siegfried said. “I have no interest in taking credit for the destruction of this plague. I merely want it ended.” Mordai smiled. “How tempting, how tempting indeed.” There was a clacking sound of the abacus. “I’ll give you one more piece of insider trading,” Siegfried said. “Helm’s Hold’s stock is about to drop further in the eyes of Dagult Neverember. Arrests have been made this night around activities that are placing Helm’s Hold in direct conflict with the Lord Protector. I’m sure Dagult’s little birds will inform him before official word reaches Neverwinter of the Gilded Eye’s activities. But the Lord Protector will not be pleased when word of this gets out.” “Interesting,” Vell said. Siegfried snuck a glance at the abacus. The balance had tipped in Siegfried and Varien’s favour. “Fair is fair,” Vell said. “So, let us talk a little more about the Sinister Seven, shall we? After all, Vashi is but one, and apparently you have met an Aspect of Levistus, but what else are you interested in knowing?” Varien smiled. “The question itself is problematic, Mordai, because how can you know what you want if you don’t know what it is? What I do want, I have an ally to please, and my ally seeks the destruction of all seven. Any information you can provide me with in that regard would be helpful.” “Well there, you’ve clarified things for me a great deal,” Vell said as he slurped his tea. “So, let me just confirm a few things for you. We’ll talk Vashi for a second here. Though she is the jealous type, she is not one to stay faithful, believe me, and you have possibly heard that she is the consort of Lorcan but also pursued obscene dalliances with Belaphoss.” “That’s right,” Varien said. “Lorcan is an interesting fellow,” Vell said. “A cambion of some repute. And I will tell you because it may interest you to know, that Lorcan is a collector of warlocks.” “Okay,” Varien said. “Yes, Varien, weren’t you recently ambushed by some infernally-funded types on your way to the glassblowers?” “I wouldn’t want to presume if they were infernal or not,” Varien said. “Well you did chase them halfway to hell,” Siegfried said. “Well, one of them, anyway, and when I got there she was screaming in agony,” Varien said. “Speaking as a representative of an underwriter of certain contracts, failure is not often met with approval, I daresay,” Vell said. “Hmm,” Varien said. “Now, Lorcan fancies himself a patron not of the arts, but the Dark Arts, if you get my meaning,” Vell continued. “He has, as I said, collected warlocks like some would collect trophies or other baubles.” “To clarify, is this to collect persons to bind them to his debt, or collect like one would purchase a chain of restaurants?” Vell leaned forward, his eyes glittering. “Yes,” he replied. “Very astute. And I mean, Belaphoss you’ve heard of?” “He’s a demon, isn’t he?” Vell said, squirming uncomfortably. “Yes, yuck.” “I assume he’s a very selfish lover,” Siegfried said. “The very fact that Vashi might have taught a demon how to love is a high crime and misdemeanour, or it would be if I were in charge,” Vell said. “But as we’ve said, Vashi is close by.” “And Belaphoss is not a member of the Sinister Seven?” Siegfried asked. “Decidedly not,” Vell said. “Now, there is another member of the Sinister Seven who resides somewhat close by. You are familiar with the geography surrounding Neverwinter are you not?” “Yes!” Siegfried said. “To the northeast of Neverwinter lie the Crags, the foremost peak of which used to be Mount Hotenow, the agent of Neverwinter’s destruction in 1451DR,” Mordai Vell said. “Its slopes have since become somewhat diminished. However, one of the members of the Sinister Seven, Yancazi, who had, shall we say, delusions of grandeur, found he could not pick a side, when it came to whom should he serve. He sought power, and was thus rewarded or punished, depending on your point of view, becoming a hideous mockery of that which he so desired. And so there is a secret place in the Crags known as the Warlock’s Crypt, where Yancazi has been shall we say detained, oftentimes punished, as being chained to the Prime Material Plane can be seen as punishment if one seeks the deepest depths of the Abyss or the darkest powers of the Nine Hells. I may be convinced to point out the location on a map.” “You’ve spoken of your heritage,” Varien said. “Siegfried, do you want to tell him about that brother of yours?” “Pardon me?” Vell said. “Varien, you are putting quite a lot on the table!” Siegfried said. “I have nothing to hide!” Varien said. “Well, I certainly do!” Siegfried replied. “One does not give up such precious information so freely.” Wolfram was closely watching both Siegfried and Varien, a hand on the abacus wire.