C2 E0: The Ransacked Stand

Session 0 for Adam (Rentommen Highpike) and Will (Tovarish of the UFFR).

## What happened to the stand?

Skit took large loans out from the Zhentarim. He used the loan money to gamble on sewer rat cage fights. He owes 1000 dragons to the Zhentarim. The stand was ransacked by the Zhentarim after Skit was unable to pay back loans.

Skit then wrote to Tovarish of the UFFR asking for help, saying simply that the stand was ransacked. He made it sound like collateral damage in the Xanathar/Zhentarim gang war:

> "*Tovarish- We need your help in Waterdeep. During this terrible gang war, someone has ransacked the entire textiles stand!! The City Watch have been of no help. I am afraid. Please come. -Skit*"
>
>

While the letter was in transit, the Zhentarim came for Skit at his house. They now are holding him for ransom at a neighborhood safehouse.

## Node 0: The Shop

* Flyer for Fearless Frank's Underground Sewer Rat Cage Fight Ring (A)
* Threatening letter about "what you owe" indicating the next visit will be at his house (B)
* Shopkeeper next door remembers seeing Zhentarim thugs trashing the shop. He often sees them around the neighborhood (C)

The textile shop, usually very organized and clean, looks like a rat's nest. Bolts of cloth are scattered about, giving the air of an interior designer's fever dream. The register has been knocked over and emptied, and several bolts have been ripped by a sword.

## Node A: Fearless Frank's Underground Sewer Rat Cage Fight Ring & Knitting Emporium

* Manager of the underground sewer rat cage fight ring keeps tabs on all his big clients and knows Skit didn't show up on his usual schedule. He was going to check on Skit at his home later today (B)
* One of the imp handlers (for Big Jim) knows that the Zhentarim has a neighborhood safehouse & can give the address (C)

Fearless Frank's is behind a knitting store run by Gretilda, an elderly orc woman. She is the bouncer for the cage fight ring and also runs the knitting store. The password is "swordfish", as in "we're here to see the swordfish" or similar. A beaded curtain covers a staircase down into the ring.

When the PCs arrive, Fearless Frank (a rock gnome) is setting up for tonight's fight (demons). Handlers are summoning and practicing with their imps. A dingy underground arena is marked off with frayed rope. Benches are arrayed around for spectating. A small window indicates where bets are held during the matches.

## Node B: Skit's Flat

* Dead Zhentarim agent with instructions to bring Skit back to the safehouse for ransom (C)
* Lost wager chits for the underground sewer rat cage fight ring (A)

Skit's flat is a small one bedroom corner unit on the second floor of his shop. The living room's large windows provide a beautiful view of the street below. It is modestly appointed.

Currently it is in disarray—papers and household items scattered on the floor, a chair knocked over, and in the corner, a slouched figure (dead Zhentarim agent). A chef's knife stands upright in the floorboard.

There is a diamond worth 800gp sewn into one of the couch cushions.

## Node C: Zhentarim Safehouse

* Skit is held here! He wants to check on his house to make sure his gem is still hidden (B)
* Information that Skit has spilled on an underground sewer rat cage fight ring (A)

The Zhentarim Safehouse is a two-story building. See the battlemap. One thug will always run to raise the alarm if caught in battle. PCs are denied entrance and the door is barred if they try to break in.

The table with notes on the second floor contains a letter from Manshoon to all cells: "*Observation indicates that RN is exposed. Operation Never Hide is GO. Possible unexpected visitors. -Man."*

## Todo / Happenings

* Tovarish and Tom arrive in the city from the UFFR. It is pouring rain.
	+ Tovarish makes a healing potion along the way
	+ Tom tells Tovarish about his backstory and faking his own death
* As the characters enter the Trade Ward, they are asked by the city watch if they've seen a man
	+ Werebear wanted for murder (alive, 200gp reward)
* Investigating the shop
	+ Tovarish goes to the butcher shop next door to ask about Skit. Learns that the thugs were Zhentarim and have a black winged snake tattoo.
	+ Tom finds Fearless Frank's Flyer and an address in the Dock Ward
		- Summons a familiar rat: big teeth, "uncomfortably big rat balls"
* Go to Fearless Frank's Knitting Emporium
	+ Talk to Gretilda and buy some knitting needles. Gretilda is always hunched over knitting and is very kind
	+ PCs go down to the fighting ring and see all the imps preparing. Talk to Frank and learn that Skit was a big better and always lost
		- Imp handler overhears and points out there is a Zhentarim safehouse nearby
* PCs head to the safehouse to scope it out
	+ Tom uses his rat familiar to explore the safehouse
		- Skit catches the rat when it enters his cell and kills it
	+ Tovarish plans to Chewbacca his way in: bring Tom in as a prisoner and then try to get out.
		- Password yesterday was "swordfish". Password today is "wizard".
	+ The plan works, and then they try to simply sprint for it
		- Tovarish ducks around a corner and drops his disguise
		- Tom is having difficulty running away and rams straight into goliath: Kaavu Icestrider
		- Kaavu intimidates the remaining thugs and the group recovers at Skit's flat
	+ Skit leaves Waterdeep for the United Forlorn Field-Ranch (UFFR)
* The group departs to meet Durnan at the Yawning Portal
	+ Gained Skit's 800gp diamond, still owe 200gp to the Zhentarim to clear his name
	+ Skit suggested the Yawning Portal because that's where a lot of adventurers go to get work