Chapter 1: The Recap and Morning Deliberations
The session opened with the party, known as the Iron Hearted Syndicate, gathering in their newly acquired tavern, the Iron Questicles, in Waterdeep’s Trollskull Alley. The group—consisting of Ileana the elf druid, Stasis the monk, Jinx the halfling, Proxus the druid, Eldarian the elf, Deadeye the gunslinger, and the absent Dangle the artificer—reviewed their previous adventures via an AI-generated summary posted in their guild plans.
They had defeated Kenku foes, secured guild affiliations, paid dues, and begun renovations with help from guilds like the Watchful Order of Magists and Protectors, the Bentonhurst Distillers and Brewers Guild, and the Snow Beetle Halflings for mead supplies. A ghostly bartender named Lif managed their finances in a magically protected safe. They had also encountered Broxley from the Fellowship of Innkeepers, who provided guild contacts and warned of penalties for non-compliance.
Recent events included a visit to the Emerald Enclave, where they learned of scarecrows terrorizing Undercliff farms, and receiving an invitation to an opera at the Lightsinger Theater in the Sea Ward. Debates arose about splitting the party: some wanted to handle the scarecrows immediately, while Ileana was excited about the opera. They discussed creating hirelings or secondary characters but ultimately decided to stick together. Bedrooms, a garden, and a workshop had been arranged in the tavern.
Jinx retrieved the opera invitation letter, which bore a symbol of a harp and moon. Ileana recognized it as the Harpers’ emblem from her history knowledge (rolling a 19 on a history check) and urged the group to attend, noting the Harpers’ good reputation.
Chapter 2: Planning and Preparation
The party debated priorities. Lif estimated a 20-30 minute walk to Undercliff, and it was around 1 PM. They considered scouting the scarecrows during the day but noted reports of nocturnal activity. Dangle opted to stay behind for “science” work, warning Deadeye not to shoot allies accidentally.
They decided to attend the opera first, then handle the scarecrows at night. To prepare formal attire, Dangle used mending on bedsheets and ripped book pages (rolling a 16 on arcana). Ileana and Proxus enhanced outfits with druidcraft, adding floral and leafy designs (Ileana rolling a 22 on nature, Proxus an 18). The results were makeshift suits and a gown for Ileana made from storybook pages.
By 4 PM, they headed out, stopping at the north gate to question dwarven guards about the scarecrows. The guards described nocturnal attacks on cows and sheep, sometimes skinning them, at a farm with a big field and two houses just outside Waterdeep. Ileana curtsied in her dress, twirling to show the book pages, amusing the guards.
Chapter 3: The Opera and the Harpers
Arriving at the Lightsinger Theater, the party felt underdressed among snooty patrons. The opera, “The Fall of Tiamat and the Return of Elturel,” featured a giant singer narrating heroes’ tales, emphasizing a handsome leader named Malek Stryker who slew Tiamat alone with his sword, the Twicer of Frost.
At intermission, they met Mert in private box C. Ileana introduced the group, showing the Harper symbol. Mert, intrigued by their actions (like Stasis’s peacekeeping on the docks), offered Harper membership upon completing a task: locate a talking mare named Maxine pulling a dray, learn if she identified Zhentarim operatives, and determine their whereabouts. Maxine was last in the Trades Ward bazaars, with a long face as her distinguishing feature. They had four days, meeting back at Mert’s Sea Ward residence.
The party questioned Mert about the Harpers’ goals—working from shadows to keep evildoers from power, sometimes through elimination but aiming for good. They could access potions, scrolls, and bardic aid. All took Harper pins, pledging via the task. Mert shared opera lore, noting the story’s inaccuracies.
They left during the resumption, spotting a dragonborn with green flame on stage singing a farewell.
Chapter 4: Nighttime Hunt for Scarecrows
Returning briefly to the tavern, they skipped checking on Dangle and headed to Undercliff around 10 PM. Ileana wildshaped into a wolf to sniff blood (smelling it north), sending her fox Fig to scout. Eldarian summoned a hawk familiar, spotting dead cattle and sheep in a penned field at a farm with two abandoned houses.
Proxus cast speak with animals (using a spell slot) on a cow named Melissa, learning of pumpkin-headed scarecrows slashing animals nightly. The party set up ambush positions: some hiding, others meditating or resting. Those resting rolled constitution saves at disadvantage; failures meant surprise in combat.
Jinx spotted three scarecrows jumping the fence (perception 16). Combat ensued:
Deadeye shot one (10 damage), but it frightened him.
Jinx used sorcerous burst (cold, 5 damage).
Stasis crit with quarterstaff (25 damage), finishing with an unarmed strike through the pumpkin head.
Ilyana crit with watery sphere (30 damage), shattering another’s head.
Eldarian finished the last with unarmed strikes and druidcraft fire.
The scarecrows reformed from hay bales. Second round:
Ileana was slashed (15 damage, paralyzed from fear).
Party attacked; Eldarian burned the hay with druidcraft, preventing reformation.
Melissa confirmed no more scarecrows. They suggested the Emerald Enclave help with unattended livestock, then returned home around 2-3 AM.
Chapter 5: Morning at the Tavern
Dangle greeted them excitedly about his “magical science” project, not ready to show. The party rested: Ileana snuggled with Fig like a Barbie doll, Eldarian meditated floating above his bed.
Morning brought a dwarf customer. Lif provided meat, potatoes, and bread from recent supplies. Ileana made potato soup with druidcraft herbs, including oregano (survival 9). The dwarf, allergic, collapsed. Medicine and nature checks (Eldarian 20 medicine, Ileana/Proxus 23/20 nature) saved him with spirits and herbs.
The dwarf, a friend of Stasis, paid three gold pieces (total now three). They decided to visit the Emerald Enclave for the scarecrow reward, then find Maxine.
Chapter 6: The Quest for Maxine
En route to the Emerald Enclave in the Southern Ward, they accidentally found Maxine in the Caravan Court (perception 23). Showing Harper pins, they whispered the task. Maxine revealed giving a ride to a sun elf and half-orc bodyguard (Yagra) from an intersection to the Yawning Portal, overhearing plans to hire spies against Xanathar Guild hideouts.
Maxine galloped away. The party noted the Zhents’ location, planning to report to Mert after the Enclave. Dangle emphasized science needing materials.
The session ended as they approached the Emerald Enclave near Slop and Coach Streets.