Bob, Alec, and Erwen had retired to the Temple of Beauty to rest and recuperate while Varien and Siegfried collected his things from the Thann rowhouse. Bob ensured that a few vacant ecclesial apartments within the temple were made available for his companions. Siegfried dashed of a quick note to Open Lord Laeral Silverhand on a piece of enchanted paper. Questioning corpses at the Temple of Beauty. Will visit your office soon. The paper folded itself into a paper crane and took wing on its way to the Palace of Waterdeep. Varien removed his greaves and sat with his feet in the waters of the sacred pool, grateful for the opportunity to rest. Erwen sat next to him and conjured a school of surgeonfish, who began to nip gently at their feet, removing dirt and dead skin with precise nibbles. Siegfried caught Nero of the Garden’s eye and bade the saint follow him to the temple crypt, where he opened the portable hole and removed the bodies of the Tiefling and the Gilded Eye agents, laying them out atop the flat lids of sarcophagi. “Perhaps we should arrange for some perfume for the interior of Varien’s portable hole ,” Nero sniffed as Siegfried worked. The half-orc smiled. Bob and Alec joined Nero and Siegfried in the crypt. Siegfried turned out the corpses’ pockets. The Gilded Eye agents had amassed an amount of identifying trinkets from the cultists that allowed the party to strike off a number of names from the Hand of Nessus’s known associates list. Siegfried’s attention turned to the belongings of the Gilded Eye inquisitors. He withdrew some folded bloody papers from within the female Inquisitor’s armour. “The blood obscures the writing,” he said with a sigh of disappointment. He smiled suddenly and turned to Alec. “Alec, what do your beautiful eyes see?” Alec took the papers and unfolded a delicate set of eyeglasses, which he perched on his nose. He began to read: Against the Hand of Nessus In the name of the Guardian, I, Javen Tarmikos, high commander and Inquisitor of the Order of the Gilded Eye, do name the Hand of Nessus an abomination. A secret cult of Asmodeus loosed upon the City of Splendors, Waterdeep, the Hand of Nessus threatens the sanctity and security of the entire Sword Coast with their ill deeds and fiendish machinations. The Hand of Nessus may not operate in concert with their rivals the Ashmadai, but their aims – fiendish rulership of civilized realms along the Sword Coasts – are the same. The Hand of Nessus is known to associate with Christophe Markosian, the so-called “Devil Behind Thrones.” (refer to the Gilded Eye’s warrant on Markosian) Their crimes, too numerous to fully enumerate herein, include the kidnapping of indigent and destitute citizens in order to bind fiendish spirits within their bodies during terrible rituals, and the extortion and blackmail of members of Waterdeep’s nobility. And above all, they seek the Stone, and its Eyes, for purposes unknown. We have been informed that the cult operates from a secret hideout located within the God-Catcher, a dormant Walking Statue of Waterdeep. As the Masked Lords of Waterdeep have not seen fit to outlaw the worship of fiends within the walls of its city, the Gilded Eye must take action. The Hand of Nessus must be cut off and cleansed. The following members of the Hand of Nessus have been so marked: · Loreloth, the leader of the Hand of Nessus; · Zoleth the Drow, second in command to Loreloth; · Brevindon Margaster, fop and member of Waterdeep’s nobility; · Gysheer Omfreys; · Vaelle Lurval; · Veluithan Melshimber; · Lord Harlond Melshimber and his consort Lady Andraethra; · Arn Xalrondar; · Seffia Naelryke; · Holiver Tornrudder; · Kaeth Warloon; · Agleth the Tiefling Other persons of interest have been so marked: · Aundra Blackcloak, owner of the God-Catcher Inn, and who we suspect has provided safe refuge for this foul cult. · Renaer Neverember , estranged son of Lord Protector Dagult Neverember (refer to the Gilded Eye’s warrant on Dagult Neverember) who appears to have fallen into the Hand’s grasp. · Lord Victoro and Lady Ammalia Cassalanter , members of Waterdeep’s nobility and, our sources tell us, targets of a fiendish extortion plot. Why does the Hand of Nessus reach for Waterdeep’s richest family? Only they can tell us. “Interesting, but not surprising at all,” Siegfried said. “What about this second note?” Alec perused the sodden missive and began to read: Whereas the Hand of Nessus represents a clear and present danger to the citizens of Waterdeep; By official order of Magistrate Kylynne Silmerhelve are these agents of the Order of the Gilded Eye hereby deputized with emergency investigative and summary powers, properly overseen and subject to regular review, to identify and neutralize the threat posed by this dangerous organization. Those agents so deputized shall hold such privileges and obligations at the pleasure of the City’s magistrates and shall observe all relevant sections of the Code Legal in the course of exercising their obligations. So it is written; so shall it be ordered. Alec looked up from his reading to see Siegfried nearly apoplectic with rage. “Is that steam coming out of your ears?” Alec asked the half-orc. “You’re not allowed to do that, Javen Tarmikos!” Siegfried shouted skyward. “That’s not something you’re legally allowed to do!” Siegfried paced back and forth, muttering. He knew magistrates were charged with a wide variety of powers to dispense justice within Waterdeep’s walls, but this sort of ruling was ringing alarm bells – could a magistrate unilaterally authorize an outside force, like a mercenary company or guild, to carry out acts in the City? He continued to pace, reviewing what he knew about this particular magistrate. Kylynne Silmerhelve, a Tiefling, was indeed a member of the city’s magistrates apparently in good standing. The Silmerhelves were a noble family of Waterdeep, long enobled with an estate somewhere near Westbridge, who worshiped Helm, and were engaged in trades such as guardianship, warrior training, and pandering. He recalled a family scandal some time ago involving Volothamp Geddarm and a child born out of wedlock. Siegfried cast sending to Alphanse Wolfram. Can a Magistrate authorize the mercenary company of a foreign nation to enter Waterdeep to torture and murder citizens without oversight of the City Watch? Wolfram replied: Waterdeep has a complex library of law and custom set by precedent. A magister may pen a writ but a Masked Lord's signature makes law. The final item was the rather impressive axe that had been wielded by the male Inquisitor. Siegfried hefted the male Inquisitor’s axe appraisingly. “This weapon is obviously suited for a paladin,” he said. “ Oathtaker ,” he said as he examined the weapon. He looked and Varien and then looked at Alec. His gaze caught a nearby relief of Sune carved into the wall and his mental wheels began to turn. Varien seemed to be on the same wavelength. He took Oathtaker from Siegfried and he and Bob walked to Sune’s Glory Vault, easily gaining entry. He lay the axe down before the great voluptuous statue of Lady Firehair and knelt in supplication. Varien began to pray as he cast ceremony . O Lady Firehair, Varien prayed. I lift up the name of my friend and traveling companion, fellow Champion of Phandalin Alec Trevelyan of Kirkwall. Alec has long defended his brother Bob, myself, and other members of our company as we work to further your aims in these Realms. I beseech thee to accept Alec Trevelyan as your faithful servant. Bob cast wish and used its incredibly powerful magic to enhance the ceremony spell. O Lady Firehair , Bob joined the prayer. I seek your favour for a special anointing and dedication of my brother to your continued service as a paladin of the Church of Sune. Nero of the Garden led Alec to the altar. As Bob prayed, Varien turned to Alec. “Alec, you have been fighting by our side lo these many months against demons and fiends, and whether you know it or not you have already been fighting as a paladin of Sune. We would like to accept you and bless you as a member of our Church and,” he displayed the axe Oathtaker , “give you this axe. Do you accept?” Alec nodded, his eyes shining. “I do.” The tall statue of Sune sprung forth into a semblance of life, a sensuous aura animating her curvy figure as she gazed down at the mortals gathered before her. Her dazzling beauty was almost blinding. Sune held out a hand to Alec and with a voice like a chorus of churchbells said, Approach the Lady Firehair, Handsome Servant of Helm. Take your rest at my bosom . She knelt and pointed to her impressive upper works, winking. Alec approached and found himself cradled by the statue. Sune’s embrace was soft and warm. Alec Trevelyan , you have long served as a loyal servant of Helm, He who Watches. Will you dedicate yourself as an Honourable Chaperone to those brothers and sisters who serve Me? Alec got down on one knee. “Yes, my Lady. I shall.” So be it , the statue said. We shall no doubt benefit from your Watchful Eye, and your Steady Hands in protection of My followers and My faith. Helm has long been close to My heart, she said with a slight, suggestive smile. You may rise a Knight of Sune, a Vigilant Knight of the Ruby Rose . As Alec got to his feet, he realized he was holding a fresh, beautiful red rose. The statue of Sune bent over and laid a holy kiss on Alec’s lips, and then, with a final wink, stood back into position, her features once again hardening to shapely stone. “We shall need a Reliquary for that rose,” Varien said, pointing to the rose in Alec’s hands. Nero nodded in agreement. “Our artisans will get to work at once.” Nero turned to face Alec and caught him in an embrace. “Welcome to the Order of the Ruby Rose, Paladin Knight of Sune Alec Trevelyan,” he said warmly, giving Alec a kiss. Varien held out Oathtaker for Alec to grasp. “Use this weapon well, brother.” Varien and Bob placed ritual kisses on Alec’s cheeks as they welcomed him to Sune’s service. “I think we’ve found our new Eye of the Goddess,” Bob said to his brother, who smiled. Varien rolled his eyes. Varien re-entered the temple’s crypt and walked over to Siegfried, looking over the half-orc’s shoulder. Siegfried was copying out the Gilded Eye writings onto fresh paper. “I sure am glad I have this all documented prior to our meeting with the Open Lord later today,” he mused. “Are you about done?” Varien asked Siegfried. “Just about,” Siegfried said, running the papers through the Parchment Protect-A-Tron-3000 he’d picked up in the Ieirithyn gift shop. “I think I’m going to go investigate the Crags,” Varien said. “We have to get these papers across the desk of Open Lord Laeral Silverhand,” Siegfried said to Varien. “I see,” Varien said. “I could take them on my way, I suppose. Where is she?” “At the Palace,” Siegfried said. “You’ve been to her office, actually.” “After that it’s either the Crags, or Dragonspear Castle for me,” Varien said. “Shall I flip a gold coin?” “There’s also the immediacy of the Stone of Golorr,” Siegfried said. “Which has the power to delete from reality anything it learns about. And the Cassalanters, who are looking more and more devil-worshippy by each passing moment.” “Sure, but you said we couldn’t attack them without hard evidence,” Varien said. Siegfried held up the laminated papers. “We just might have that hard proof now, plus the information I sent to the Lady Hawkwinter.” “Might?” Varien repeated. “That doesn’t sound hard.” “That’s why we need to take it to the person who can verify its hardness,” Siegfried replied. “Right, and then after that, heads or tails?” Varien held up a coin and flipped it. It came up heads. “You get to choose then, it seems.” “While I agree the Crags and Dragonspear Castle are important, we’ve got an urgent situation in Waterdeep as well,” Siegfried said. “Right, right, where’s your decision?” Varien said. “We go to Lady Silverhand first because she’s summoned me to her office and if I say no we all get arrested again and that’s a whole hassle.” “Yeah,” Varien said, “but where after that? We’ve got the whole day ahead of us ,Siegfried.” “Well, we’ll find out as soon as we talk to her,” Siegfried said. Varien shook her head. “I knew I shouldn’t have given you executive authority to decide.” “We might also be going to Helm’s Hold to murder a bunch of people,” Siegfried said. “Tie up some loose ends, that sort of thing, depending on what the Open Lord says. We also have official dispensation to descend beneath the City of the Dead and retrieve the lost Ettin Axe of Uruth.” “Is that really more important than the Sinister Seven?” Varien asked. “The Sinister Seven, while a problem, are not actively engaged in problem-making as much as the Cassalanters and the Xanathar Guild are. That’s why I’m not prioritizing them. But it all depends on what the Open Lord says.” Siegfried turned to Nero and pointed at the bodies in the crypt. “We may yet have use for these corpses as evidence. Have your clerics cast gentle repose on them to keep them fresh.” Nero nodded. Siegfried picked up a copy of the Waterdeep Wazoo and looked at the headline: A HALF-BLOOD PRINCE? Masked Lords identify possible heir to Neverwinter’s Crown Siegfried read the article closely. The article, salacious in tone, went into the proceedings at the Lords’ Court the day prior, revealing the mention of half-orc heirs to Neverwinter and the possible implications. The article also noted that the adoption papers of Siegfried Thann had been signed by none other than former Open Lord Dagult Neverember, a great irony all things considered. “And what of the Lord Protector of Neverwinter?” the writer wrote. “Can a Half-Orc claim a Human realm?” The article also contained a quote from none other than Narvos Heg. “These allegations are indeed of great historical importance and merit academic consideration, and should be duly scrutinized, however these revelations do not imperil the concrete fact and reality of Lord Dagult Neverember’s claim to the crown through the bloodline of Vers Never. Though notarized into law by Waterdeep’s Lords’ Court, these words do not carry weight far beyond Waterdeep’s walls.” The article finished with “The Lord Protector could not be reached for comment.” Varien, Siegfried, Alec and Bob climbed aboard Skraper, Violance and the Arcetalos and headed towards the Palace of Waterdeep. As they flew over the city streets, Siegfried received a sending message from Mordai Vell. As it happens my business in Waterdeep is nearly concluded. You may call for me at the Jade Jug for our exchange. See you soon. Siegfried knew that the Jade Jug was one of Waterdeep’s fanciest restaurants and hotels, located in prime location at the junction of the High Road and Waterdeep Way in the Castle Ward. Siegfried cast message to Varien. Mordai Vell is still in town and wants his bottle What bottle are you on about? Varien replied. “The iron flask!” Siegfried shouted over the sound of the whipping wind and flapping wings. Varien nodded. “I don’t think we want to give that to him!” he called back. “Well that’s why you used sovereign glue to stop up the stopper, right?” Siegfried said. “Well, as a precaution, but is it a good idea to give it over to him?” Varien asked. “He’s held up his end of the bargain though!” Siegfried said. He quickly replied to Vell’s sending message. We will try to swing by. The Boy Scout has some concerns I’m sure you can address. Bob cast legend lore on the flask. He received the following information in a rhyme: An Aspect of Old Hoof and Horn, His countenance most fearful, A voice persuasive once commanded Hosts of bearded devil. A Champion of the Blood War, demon temples he didst level, Now resting, trapped and bottled in some mundane realm mortal. Bob relayed this information to his companions. Varien concentrated on his font of religious knowledge and began to put the pieces together. ““Old Hoof and Horn” is a reference to none other than Asmodeus,” Varien said. “It’s one of the many names he’s been known to go by. This line about “His countenance most fearful” reminds me of something Markosian said while we were fighting aboard the St. Asmod’s Hope. He was trying to open the flask and summon someone or something called Nxythseht. That is a terrible name indeed, referring to a famous Aspect of Asmodeus, who embodies the persuasive voice and fearsome countenance of the Lord of the Nine Hells, and who commanded a host of Bearded Devils at some point during the Blood War. He’s an avatar, a form, or aspect of Asmodeus. If this legend is to believe, this aspect is trapped within that flask. I’m not fond of going against my word, but I don’t know that we can give this flask over to Mordai Vell. He may have the best of intentions, but he is not me, and I cannot speak for him. I wouldn’t even give it to you because I can’t be sure of your intentions.” Siegfried nodded. “Yeah, no we are not going to just give this to him, knowing what we know now. Vell’s affiliated with the Ashmadai and they are out to do Asmodeus’s bidding. We can’t give this to him. I thought it was going to be something like a balor that we could quickly destroy, but with this, we’re going to have to renege on our deal and pay the consequences.” “We can say the Temple is confiscating it,” Bob said. “We are going to end up owing Mordai Vell another favour,” Siegfried said. “On the other hand, we could just murder Mordai Vell, should it come to that.” “I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but we need to have a polite conversation with him first,” Varien said. Siegfried nodded. “First the Open Lord, then Mordai Vell. Two polite conversations and then we can get to work.” Siegfried cast protection from evil and good on Bob, blocking the worst effects of the dragonward as they approached the Palace of Waterdeep. Bob felt his headache submerge beneath a soothing haze. “Ah, relief!” he said.