The Great Codex
THE GREAT CODEX
I. Dramatis Personae
The Adventuring Party (The Six-Fingered Hand)
| Name | Status | Alignment | Affiliation | Last Known Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bain (Bain Osiris Oswald Boltblast) | Active | Unknown | The Six-Fingered Hand | Waterdeep — Undershrine (active combat, session end) | Rogue, uses stealth and fiery/explosive/elemental arrows. Primary melee weapons: Scimitar of Speed and off-hand dagger. Uses Mask of the Wild. Sometimes referred to as "Bob" (an acronym of his full name). Previously stole and attuned to the Stone of Golorr (Black Orb). Confirmed user of elemental arrows (a radiant elemental arrow destroyed the Swarm of Zombie Limbs, session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). DM ruling (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR): Uncanny Dodge is applicable to area-of-effect attacks — Bain used it to halve damage from Nix's Arms of Hadar. |
| Ergić (Ergic) | Active | Unknown | The Six-Fingered Hand | Waterdeep | Bard. Uses a Tan Bag of Tricks, Hypnotic Pattern, and Charm Person. Has the Bronze Dragon Mask. |
| Ezekiel | Active | Unknown | The Six-Fingered Hand | Waterdeep — Undershrine (active combat, session end) | Paladin of the Smith family. Uses Javelin of Lightning and Divine Smite. Has a trust fund. Now equipped with a Belt of Hill Giant Strength and a Mantle of Spell Resistance (both purchased at the Castle Ward magic shop, session of 27th Tarsakh, 1496 DR). Possesses the Portable Hole (used to store the Broken White Staff fragments, session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). |
| Nix | Active | Unknown | The Six-Fingered Hand | Waterdeep | Warlock. Uses Bone Bow, Hex, and Eldritch Blast. Joined the party following the death of Thelanor (same player). Entry into the party predates the Waterdeep arc; exact session unrecorded. |
| Rem | Active | Unknown | The Six-Fingered Hand | Waterdeep — Undershrine (active combat, session end) | Rogue/Bard. Uses Daggers of Venom, Boots of Levitation, Ring of Water Walking (lent to Skacel during session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR, returned). Connected to the Wood Elf deity Rillifane Rallathil. Recently gained "wolf's courage" from an epiphany. Expended 1× Potion of Greater Healing (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR); HP at session end: ~23/34. |
| Skacel | Active | Unknown | The Six-Fingered Hand | Waterdeep — Undershrine (active combat, session end) | Deep Gnome Cleric. Uses Spiritual Weapon (hammer), Guiding Bolt, and healing magic. Has a Ring of Warming. Currently possesses the Stone of Golorr (Black Orb). Armour corroded: AC permanently reduced by 1 (Grey Ooze attack, session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR) until armour is repaired or replaced. HP undepleted at session end. |
| Tarkus | Active | Unknown | The Six-Fingered Hand (Ally/Militia Leader) | En route to Baldur's Gate (Escorting Veylan) | Originally a PC who was killed during an encounter with a giant, then resurrected into an orc body using a soul gem with a trapped soul. Now serves as a bodyguard for the Ledger, currently escorting him to the party's pub in Baldur's Gate. |
| Thelanor | Active (Sabbatical) | Unknown | The Six-Fingered Hand | Unknown | A founding member of the party. Suffered grievous wounds during a battle with Fire Newts in an ice cave near Phandalin in 1492 DR, but survived. He grew tired of the adventuring life and took a sabbatical. |
Notable Figures (Others)
| Name | Status | Alignment | Affiliation | Last Known Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azbarajoz | Active | Evil | Cult of the Dragon | Waterdeep / Skyreach Castle / Hunting Lodge | Female elf cultist attempting to resurrect Tiamat. Associated with a Hunting Lodge used as a Cult staging point. |
| Blagothkus | Active | Neutral | Stone Giants | Skyreach Castle | Stone giant leader who wishes to unite the giant clans. Rescinded deal with Dragon Cultists after parleying with the party. Escaped with a favoured companion when he steered the castle seaward; companion's identity unrecorded. |
| Captain Helmina "Iron Lily" Rolnarth | Active | Lawful | City Watch | Waterdeep | City watch captain who allied with the party in exchange for eliminating Grells. |
| Durnan | Active | Unknown | Yawning Portal (Owner) | Waterdeep (Yawning Portal) | Wants to overthrow the corrupt Council of Waterdeep. Employs the party but demands a 30% cut. Has pledged to identify an informant route into Xanathar's inner circle following the giant ambush on the party. |
| Grinda Garloth | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown (Drow operative) | Last seen: Waterdeep | Drow agent acting on behalf of Thorvin Twinbeard. Commissioned the party to assassinate Salvi Herish of the Yokiri Band of Mercenaries. Has not resurfaced in campaign records since the commission was completed. |
| Hanksy | Active | Unknown | Zhentarim (Defected to Party) | Waterdeep (Pickled Pike) | Young thug recruited by Bain from Jenkson Mull's warehouse. Sent to spy at the Pickled Pike. |
| Harvin Docks | Active | Unknown | City Customs | Waterdeep (Dock Ward) | Customs official forced into the party's network to track shipments. |
| Hulda and Wigluf | Active (Wigluf Corrupted?) | Neutral | Stone Giants | Skyreach Castle / Waterdeep | Two stone giants who were charmed by Ergić and helped distract mages. Wigluf may have resurfaced in Waterdeep as the shadow-corrupted "Wigloth." |
| Justin Rassk | Deceased | Unknown | Courier | Field Ward (Waterdeep) | Scared-faced courier executed by Bain. Bore the Stone of Golorr. |
| Mrrym | Unknown | Unknown (Anti-Tiamat) | Independent | Candlekeep (Beneath) | A dragon dwelling under Candlekeep known to oppose Tiamat's followers. Identified in 1493 DR as a potential intelligence source on the missing Storm Giants. The party has not yet made contact. |
| Mr. West / Jenkson Mull | Deceased | Evil | Zhentarim / Faerun Mafia | Waterdeep | Zhentarim financier and launderer. Assassinated by the party after he attempted to intimidate them into working for him, sparking gang warfare opportunities. |
| Orinax / Barack Clanghammer | Active | Good | Independent | Vault of Dragons (Waterdeep) | Adult Gold Dragon masquerading as a dwarf. Paid off by the party to remain neutral in the Dragon Cult conflict. |
| The Phandalin Druid | Unknown | Neutral | Independent | Last seen: Phandalin region | Unnamed dragon-tracking specialist recruited after the Venomfang gambit. Advised the party on the Chromatic nature of the Ice Dragon. Accompanied them to Phandalin. |
| The Dwarven Cartographer | Unknown | Neutral | Independent | Last seen: Phandalin region | Unnamed dwarf rescued and healed at the party's own expense. Possessed maps of the passages to Icespire Peak. |
| Crab | Active | Good (Aligned) | Orphan Spy Network | Old Corner Orphanage, Dock Ward | Named urchin and the Orphan Network's most reliable field operative. Successfully located Mr. West at the Broken Flagon and received a 10GP bonus from Ergič. Considered the network's star agent. |
| Hanksy | Active (Peripheral) | Neutral | Formerly Zhentarim / Now Party Asset | Pickled Pike Tavern, Dock Ward | Young Zhentarim dock worker recruited under considerable duress by Bain during the Jenks & Mull warehouse infiltration. Subsequently redirected to intelligence-gathering at the Pickled Pike tavern. Not formally part of the orphan network but operates under Ergič's broader shadow apparatus. |
| The Old Corner Orphanage Manager | Active | Good | Orphan Spy Network | Old Corner Orphanage, Dock Ward | Unnamed administrator of the orphanage. Agreed to Ergič's proposal to put the children to work as city informants. A pragmatist of considerable moral flexibility. |
| Salvi Herish | Deceased | Unknown | Yokiri Band of Mercenaries | Waterdeep (Estate) | A drow mercenary renowned as a skilled archer. A significant donor to the Old Corner Orphanage prior to her death. Assassinated by Rem during a party infiltration commissioned by Grinda Garloth. Rem stole a Sword of Life Stealing from her estate during the operation. |
| Syanwrath | Active | Evil | Cult of the Dragon | Waterdeep / Skyreach Castle | Tall blue dragonborn cultist. |
| Thorvin Twinbeard | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | The principal behind the Salvi Herish assassination commission, communicated via his agent Grinda Garloth. Alignment and faction unknown. Has not resurfaced in any session since the commission was fulfilled. |
| Vaerilmor Floshin | Unknown | Good | Independent | Elvenport | Elven elder who served as the party's contact for the Elvenport Crypt commission. The degree to which he was satisfied with the outcome — specifically, the party departing with a live vampire rather than a destroyed one — is not recorded. |
| The Vampire of Teu'tel'alu | Controlled (Party Asset) | Evil | Party (Compelled) | Last known: Baldur's Gate area | An ancient vampire encountered in the Crypt of Teu'tel'alu. Bound to the will of whoever holds the Silver Sword of Binding. History with the party extends from their very first major commission. This same creature (or one of its spawn) later escaped during the Phandalin arc, when the Dragonborn commander stole the silver sword from Thelanor's possession, and is believed to have subsequently been engineered into a Dracolich by the party at Skyreach Castle. |
| Veylan "The Ledger" Duskryn | Active (Revived) | Unknown | Zhentarim (Defected) | En route to Baldur's Gate (Escorted by Tarkus) | Zhentarim fixer and bookkeeper. Extracted by the party, died in an explosion, and was revived by Skacel. Has info on the "Nightshade" operation. "The Ledger" is primarily his moniker, despite the party also obtaining a physical ledger. |
| Xanathar | Active | Evil | Xanathar's Guild | Waterdeep (Undermountain/Sewers) | Powerful beholder controlling the underworld. Hunting the party for the Stone of Golorr. Confirmed hostile: dispatched two necrotic-corrupted giants to ambush the party in Warrior's Way; both were defeated. |
| Kobold Sewer Workers | Active | Neutral | City of Waterdeep (Contractors) | Waterdeep Sewers | Kobolds employed by the city to maintain the sewer network. Have filed repeated unanswered reports about zombie limb manifestations. Guided the party to the edge of the necrotic zone but refused to enter the Undershrine. (Previous entry incorrectly listed as Lizardfolk — corrected per session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR transcript.) |
Zhentarim Operatives & Contractors
| Name | Status | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brog the Cointour Star | Active | Debt Collector | Half-orc. Collects Zhentarim debts using public intimidation. |
| Doc Rylo Rask | Active | Necromancer / Researcher | Researches soul crystals; tied to the infernal engineers behind Operation Nightshade. |
| Gareth Ken | Active | Dock Enforcer | Half-elf. Controls dockside Zhentarim operations; intimidates customs officials and clears forged manifests. |
| Kassira Velstone | Active | Noble Spy | Operates a blackmail ring under the cover of Waterdeep nobility. |
| Marnock Bristlebarrow | Active | Fence | Dwarven fence who repossesses magical items on behalf of the Zhentarim. |
| Marley Stormvane | Unknown — Missing | Quartermaster | Last known role: Zhentarim logistics. May have defected to Xanathar's Guild. |
| RAT | Active (Contractor) | Info Broker / Drug Dealer | Triad contact. Operates in the Field Ward. Provides intelligence and narcotics for the Zhentarim. |
| Tenseric Dane | Active (Contractor) | Pirate Smuggler | Luskan ship captain contracted to transport Zhentarim goods, including Nightshade components. |
| The Widow | Active | Fixer | Identity unknown. Uses shadow magic; known for ritualistic kills. |
| Thorn Hallowbey | Active | Illusionist / Interrogator | Operates from a floating safehouse. Handles intelligence extraction for the Zhentarim. |
| "Silver Veil" | Unknown | Noble Financier | Alias only. Identified in Mr. West's Black Book as a noble backer of his Zhentarim operations. True identity not yet established. |
II. The Atlas
Waterdeep
The main city setting, divided into several distinct wards and underground complexes.
Castle Ward
Black Ridge & Co. Mercantile Trust
- Type: Business Front
- Details: The business front for Mr. West's Zhentarim operations. Infiltrated by the party; 6,200 gp in bonds and three soul crystals were recovered from a basement safe.
Dock Ward
Jenkson Mull's Warehouse
- Type: Smuggling Hub
- Details: Generic-looking warehouse used for Zhentarim smuggling. Heavily guarded; investigated by Rem in disguise, who learned about the "Nightshade" shipment.
The Pickled Pike
- Type: Tavern
- Details: A local pub where the thug Hanksy was sent by the party to gather intel.
Field Ward
Slum Streets
- Type: Slum
- Details: Area where Justin Rassk was executed by Bain and the Stone of Golorr was found. Also known territory of the Eluskan Brotherhood.
The Rat Den Tavern
- Type: Tavern / Criminal Gathering Point
- Details: A rough establishment frequented by Zhentarim thugs and low-level operatives. Known gathering point for enforcement muscle in the Field Ward.
North Ward
The Broken Flagon
- Type: Upmarket Tavern
- Details: A discreet, high-class bar where the party initially met Mr. West.
123 Turnath Street
- Type: Residence / Dungeon Entrance
- Details: An unremarkable entrance that leads down into the Vault of Dragons.
South Ward
Jenkson Mull's Boarding House
- Type: Safehouse
- Details: A secret location linked to Jenkson Mull. Used for false identities and safe passage.
City of the Dead
Abandoned Shrine to Bane
- Type: Former Place of Worship / Covert Meeting Point
- Details: A decommissioned shrine to the god Bane within Waterdeep's City of the Dead burial district. Used by mid-tier Zhentarim agents as a discreet meeting location away from the city's active wards.
Trade Ward
The Honourable Knight
- Type: Veterans' Tavern
- Details: A respectable tavern spanning multiple floors with private party rooms. The party infiltrated it using a Xanathar ring as a disguise, used Charm Person to bypass security, and successfully extracted The Ledger from his office.
Thrakus' Meat
- Type: Business
- Details: A local meat vendor.
Undermountain
The Yawning Portal
- Type: Tavern / Hub
- Key NPCs: Durnan
- Details: The party's main base. Features a portal to the Underdark. Durnan runs it and acts as a major quest patron.
Vault of Dragons
- Type: Dungeon / Hoard
- Key NPCs: Orinax (Gold Dragon)
- Three Keys Required: A Drunken Elf, a Painting of a Dwarf Miner, and a Cask of Dwarven Ale.
- Details: Hidden beneath 123 Turnath Street. Houses a massive hoard and Orinax, whom the party paid off to remain neutral.
The Sewers
Waterdeep Sewer Network
- Type: Underground Infrastructure / Active Exploration Zone
- Details: The vast tunnel system running beneath all of Waterdeep, maintained by contracted Kobold workers. A growing necrotic presence has been reported — zombie limbs manifesting from the walls and multiplying unchecked. The Swarm of Zombie Limbs was destroyed by Bain (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR), revealing a necrotic drop to the Undershrine below.
The Kobold Card Den
- Type: Kobold Encampment (Friendly)
- Key NPCs: Kobold Sewer Workers
- Details: A hidden side-chamber used by off-duty Kobold workers for recreation and gambling. Access requires inserting a coin into a slotted wall hole. The party entered and gained the workers' trust through coin and a card game. The Kobolds possess detailed knowledge of the tunnel network.
The Undershrine (Beneath the Waterdeep Sewers)
-
Type: Ancient Dungeon / Active Exploration Zone
-
Status: Partially explored — combat ongoing at session end (6th Mirtul, 1496 DR)
-
Details: A multi-room undershrine discovered beneath the necrotic drop in the sewer tunnels (approx. 30–40 ft below the sewer floor). Access via a twenty-foot-diameter necrotic collapse hole. Sand floor at base. Graffiti inscription at entry: "Beyond the Pillar Forest, the Mad Mage waits, casting spells behind magic gates." Rooms explored to date:
- The Sandy Entry Chamber — Forty-foot square room at the base of the drop. Fragmented wooden boards with blood-written warning. Single exit south then west.
- The Pillar Forest (Room 1.b.) — Large chamber lined with stone pillars. Walls carved with a full roster of demon reliefs (Balor, Barlgura, Shoosuva, Dretch, Glabrezu, Hezrou on the north wall; Marilith, Nalfeshnee, Quasit, Shadow Demon, Vrock, Yochlol on the south). South wall inscription: "CERTAIN DEATH THIS WAY →" with arrow toward the southern staircase. Secret doors in the south wall opened by pressing demon arm carvings. Staircases descend north, west, and south. Party sensed a faint mind-reading presence (perception DC 20) while in this room — source unidentified.
- The Flooded Side Chamber — Partially flooded room accessible via secret door from the Pillar Forest. Contains a glowing purple statue (man-shaped, hollow head with screw-thread-removable crown, broken arm). Charred compartment in neck held melted candle wax. Purple aura unexplained. Grey Ooze lurks submerged and invisible. Skacel's armour was corroded here.
- The Voices Room (North Corridor) — 25×15 ft room accessed via north corridor. Contains a wooden armour stand with a faintly glowing longsword stabbed into it. Skeletal hand remains at base. Small ceiling vents produce intermittent distant voices. Secret bypass alcove discovered in far corner. Longsword not taken.
- The Bone-Pillar Room — Fifty-foot square room. Five black-painted bone-mortared pillars. Two Grells encountered and defeated (sleeping ambush). No treasure found.
- The Noble Statue Room — Six Waterdavian noble statues in decorative plate, facing east on plinths. Carved names (phonetically approximated): Ellen Drawn, Rothindar, On Thalass — crossed out in chalk, replaced with Goblin script. Only partial translation possible: word "smelly" identified. Hobgoblin skeletal remains at central statue base. Broken white staff (2 fragments, faint magical residue) recovered. Small ceiling vents with intermittent voices. Secret passage in bottom-right corner.
- The Ceramic Plate Alcove — Hidden room behind secret door. Stack of old ceramic plates arranged as a crude noise alarm. Indicates prior habitation by someone expecting intruders.
- The Bandit Chamber — Eight bedrolls, two rusty lanterns. Four bandits (three now deceased). Combat ongoing at session end: one bandit (badly wounded, possible interrogation subject) and one Doppelganger (badly wounded — 34 damage total; cornered south). Rem and Ergic have yet to act in current round.
Independent Regions
Baldur's Gate
The Party's Pub
- Type: Tavern / Safehouse
- Key NPCs: Tarkus, Veylan "The Ledger" Duskryn
- Details: The party owns a pub here, currently guarded by a militia trained by Tarkus. Veylan was sent here for safety.
A Tavern (Founding Session — Name Unrecorded)
- Type: Tavern
- Details: The venue of the Six-Fingered Hand's very first commission engagement, improvised entirely by the DM after the party spontaneously diverted from their assigned path. Tarkus retrieved a floorboard from the premises as a trophy. Its name is lost to the Archives.
The Hunting Lodge
- Type: Dragon Cult Staging Point
- Key NPCs: Azbarajoz
- Details: A lodge associated with the elven cultist Azbarajoz and the Cult of the Dragon. Identified in early 1493 DR as a potential location for finding Azbarajoz. Not yet visited by the party; exact location unconfirmed.
Elvenport (Teu'tel'alu)
- Type: Elven Settlement
- Key NPCs: Vaerilmor Floshin (Elven Elder Contact)
- Details: An elven coastal town south of Baldur's Gate. Home to the Crypt of Teu'tel'alu, the site of the party's second major commission.
The Crypt of Teu'tel'alu
- Type: Ancient Crypt / Undead Lair
- Ward: Elvenport
- Key NPCs: The Vampire (unnamed; later controlled by the party); Vampire Spawn (one charmed by Ergič)
- Details: A once-peaceful burial site that was overtaken by a vampire and its spawn. The Elvenport elders commissioned the party via contact Vaerilmor Floshin to restore peace — the commission was posted on a public notice board in Baldur's Gate and was not connected to Mr. West (who appeared separately, after this engagement, to threaten the party for unrelated reasons). The party subdued the vampire through Bain's seizure of the Silver Sword of Binding from the crypt altar — control of the sword conferred command over the vampire. A Gelatinous Blob was encountered and defeated within the crypt. Ezekiel was nearly killed in the encounter, revived by Skacel and healed by Thelanor.
Phandalin
- Type: Frontier Town
- Details: A small frontier settlement that served as the party's first major commission hub. The town endured two distinct crises: (1) an early incursion of Fire Newts from an ice cave nearby, during which the founding member Thelanor suffered grievous wounds; (2) a catastrophic dragon-and-giant attack that destroyed the local tavern and killed Tarkus (his first death). The young dragon Venomfang was destroyed in the surrounding area using an improvised explosive device of unconventional composition. The party subsequently defended a nearby fort from a Dragonborn-led Fire Newt warband before departing for Waterdeep.
The Fort (East of Phandalin)
- Type: Military Outpost / Refugee Fort
- Details: A fortified outpost east of Phandalin that served as the evacuation point during the Fire Newt siege. The party cleared its sally gate and defended its gates against a Dragonborn commander's army. It was here that the Vampire escaped from the Portable Hole when the Dragonborn stole the silver sword of control.
Skyreach Castle
- Type: Floating Fortress
- Key NPCs: Blagothkus
- Details: A floating island/castle previously used by the Cult of the Dragon and giants. The party invaded it during the attack on Waterdeep.
The Old Corner Orphanage
- Type: Orphanage / Intelligence Hub
- Ward: Dock Ward, Waterdeep
- Key NPCs: Unnamed Manager; Crab (field agent)
- Details: Originally a standard orphanage in the Dock Ward, significantly funded by the drow mercenary Salvi Herish prior to her assassination. Shortly after Salvi's death, Ergič negotiated a retainer agreement with the orphanage manager, establishing the children as a street-level spy network at a cost of 750GP per month. The network has since provided actionable intelligence on Xanathar's pursuit of the party, the presence of Mr. West in the city, and a Field Ward murder investigation. During the Dragon Cult crisis, the orphanage expanded to serve as a refugee shelter, broadening its contacts across the city. The network remains an active, paid intelligence asset.
III. The Ledger of Factions
| Faction | Leader | Influence Level | Relationship to Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bregan D'aerthe | Jarlaxle Baenre | High | Neutral | Drow mercenary group dealing in espionage, smuggling, and political manipulation. |
| City Watch | Various (e.g., Captain Helmina Rolnarth) | High | Mixed (Some allied, some corrupt) | Official law enforcement. Certain factions are corrupt and engage in smuggling. Captain Helmina allied with the party. |
| Cult of the Dragon | Unknown | Very High | Enemy | Seeking to resurrect the dragon god Tiamat from Avernus. Met at Skyreach Castle. |
| The Cassalanters | Cassalanter Family | High | Neutral | Wealthy crime family using nobility as a front for money laundering and diabolical dealings. |
| The Council of Waterdeep | Unknown | Highest | Enemy (Target of Durnan) | Corrupt ruling body of Waterdeep that Durnan wants to overthrow. |
| The Eluskan Brotherhood (Ships of Luskan) | Unknown | Medium | Neutral | Pirate mafia based in Luskan, specializing in black-market trade and high-seas piracy. |
| The Waterfront Triad | Unknown | Medium | Neutral | Dockside crime syndicate controlling smuggling, extortion, and assassinations in the Dock Ward. |
| The Orphan Spy Network | Ergič (Spymaster) / Unnamed Orphanage Manager (Handler) | Low–Medium | Allied (Party Asset) | Street-level intelligence network based out of the Old Corner Orphanage, Dock Ward. Retainer: 750GP/month. Known agents: Crab. Associated peripheral asset: Hanksy (Pickled Pike tavern). Ergič has been informally designated "Spymaster" by his companions in recognition of this operation. |
| Xanathar's Guild | Xanathar (Beholder) | Very High | Enemy | Ruthless crime syndicate. Enemies of the Zhentarim. Hunting the party for the Stone of Golorr. |
| Zhentarim ("The Black Network") | Unknown (Veylan is a key fixer) | Very High | Enemy | Mercenary mafia running protection rackets and smuggling. The party is actively dismantling their operations in Waterdeep. Operation Nightshade: an infernal war machine powered by soul gems, smuggled via Luskan ships and drow caravans, components stored across 3 vaults with locations split among Zhentarim leaders. A black-market auction is believed imminent. The organisation is weakened by internal fracturing and leadership gaps. |
IV. The Hoard
Party Wealth
- Gold: Over 60,000 gp collectively (34,300 gp from ice hoard, 13,000 gp from Durnan, 6,200 gp in bonds from Black Ridge).
Magical Items & Artifacts
| Item/Asset | Bearer/Owner | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stone of Golorr (The Black Orb) | Skacel | Evil 3-eyed stone alien artifact. Tracks keys to the Vault of Dragons. Previously stolen by Bain but is now back in Skacel's possession. Xanathar is hunting for it. |
| Bronze Dragon Mask | Ergić | Allows lightning breath (60x5ft) and commands dragons. |
| Soul Crystals (21 remaining) | Party | Glowing blue crystal rods containing hollow souls. Used for necromancy or infernal machines. Obtained in the Nightshade heist. (3 given to Durnan). |
| Mr. West's Black Book (The Ledger) | Party | Physical ledger containing Zhentarim secrets, safehouses, and contacts. (Note: "The Ledger" more commonly refers to the Zhentarim fixer, Veylan Duskryn). |
| Ring of Sending | Party | Obtained from Mr. West's stash. |
| Tan Bag of Tricks | Ergić | Used to summon animals (ape, giant weasel, etc.). |
| Boots of Levitation | Rem | Allows levitation. |
| Daggers of Venom | Rem | Poisonous daggers. |
| Ring of Warming | Skacel | Provides warmth and resistance to cold. |
| Portable Hole | Ezekiel (Bearer) | Used by the party for transporting loot and bodies. Currently contains: Broken White Staff (2 fragments). |
| Javelin of Lightning | Ezekiel | Can be hurled to create a bolt of lightning. |
| Longsword +1 | Tarkus | Magical sword. |
| Longbow +1 | Unclaimed / Party loot | Magical bow found in ice hoard. |
| Sword of Life Stealing | Unclaimed / Party loot | A magical dark elf sword stolen by Rem from Salvi Herish's estate. Currently stored in the party loot. |
| Leather Armour +1 | Unclaimed / Party loot | Magical armor found in ice hoard. |
| Bracers of Defence | Unclaimed / Party loot | Magical bracers found in ice hoard. |
| Frozen Potion of Gaseous Form | Unclaimed / Party loot | Potion found in ice hoard. |
| 2 Potions of Mind Blank | Party | Illegal in Waterdeep, found in Black Ridge & Co. safe. |
| Xanathar Ring | Party | Used for identification during infiltrations. |
| Frost Giant's Pelt | Ezekiel | Massive hide stripped from the necrotic frost giant slain in Warrior's Way. Potential uses unknown. |
| Tower Shield +1 | Ergic | Recovered from the stone giant. Provides enhanced defence. |
| Ring of Necrotic Resistance | Ergic | Grants resistance (half damage) to all necrotic damage. |
| Ring of X-Ray Vision | Rem | See through solid matter in a 30ft radius for 1 minute. |
| Ring of Water Walking | Rem | Allows walking on the surface of liquids. |
| Elemental Arrows | Rem / Bain | Rem holds 20 flame, 20 frost, 20 thunder. Bain also confirmed as a user of elemental (radiant) arrows — one expended destroying the Zombie Limb Swarm (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). Exact split of Bain's stock unrecorded. |
| Explosive Arrows (×20) | Rem | High-yield explosive-tipped arrows. |
| Belt of Hill Giant Strength | Ezekiel | Grants Strength of a Hill Giant. Purchased at Castle Ward magic shop (session of 27th Tarsakh, 1496 DR). |
| Mantle of Spell Resistance | Ezekiel | Grants advantage on saving throws against spells. Purchased at Castle Ward magic shop (session of 27th Tarsakh, 1496 DR). |
| Broken White Staff (2 fragments) | Portable Hole (Ezekiel) | A broken white wooden staff found in the Noble Statue Room of the Undershrine (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). Faint lingering magical trace confirmed in both pieces. Potentially repairable by magical means. Stored in the Portable Hole. |
| Scimitar of Speed | Bain | Confirmed primary melee weapon (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). Used to finish Grell A (10 damage) and strike the Doppelganger (11 damage). Fast-draw weapon, used alongside off-hand dagger. |
V. The Bestiary
| Creature | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lolth (The Spider Queen) | Banished | A demon goddess who descended upon Baldur's Gate in the early days of the party's history. Her catastrophic spell tore the city apart for seven rounds before Bain loosed an explosive arrow into a collapsing roof above her, burying her beneath the rubble. A planar portal tore open behind her, consuming her back to her dark domain. The city was left in ruins; Tarkus trained a militia during the long recovery. |
| Venomfang | Deceased | A young Chromatic green dragon who had established a lair in a ruined tower near Phandalin. Revered by local Dragon Cult devotees. Destroyed by the party using an improvised explosive made from the dragon's own dung - a homebrew tactic with no canonical precedent, as confirmed by the DM. The tower was also destroyed. |
| Fire Newts (Phandalin) | Defeated | A large warband of Fire Newts occupying Phandalin during the Ice Dragon crisis. Led by a Dragonborn commander. Decimated by Bain and Rem's explosive arrow barrage at the church siege. Remnants dispersed after the Dragonborn's departure from the fort. |
| The Dragonborn Commander | Unknown - At Large | Led the Fire Newt warband that besieged the Phandalin fort. Stole the silver sword of vampire control, releasing the Vampire. Departed after Thelanor's cocktail shaker gambit. Whereabouts unknown. |
| The Phandalin Vampire | Unknown - At Large | An ancient vampire entombed in a coffin in an ice cave near Phandalin. Released twice: first when the party opened the coffin, then again when the Dragonborn stole the silver sword of control. Now unbound and untracked. A significant unresolved threat. |
| Grells | Defeated (×4 total) | Tentacled flying horrors. The party killed 2 in the Dock Ward (gaining City Watch favour) and 2 more in the Bone-Pillar Room of the Undershrine (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). Rem took 26 damage in the Undershrine encounter (natural 20 + beak strike from Grell B); recovered via Second Wind and a Potion of Greater Healing. |
| Grey Ooze | Active — Submerged | Encountered in the Flooded Side Chamber of the Undershrine (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). Launched itself from the water and latched onto Skacel, corroding his armour (AC −1). Dislodged by Rem using his whip and Boots of Levitation. Slipped back underwater and became invisible. Still present in the Flooded Side Chamber. |
| Doppelganger | Active — Critically Wounded | Encountered in the Bandit Chamber of the Undershrine (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). Was posing as one of the bandit watchmen. Took 18 damage from Bain (Scimitar of Speed + dagger) and 16 damage from Nix's Arms of Hadar (failed saving throw) — 34 total. Cornered in the south of the chamber. Combat ongoing; Rem and Ergic have yet to act. |
| Stone & Frost Giants | Defeated | Encountered in Waterdeep and Skyreach Castle. Two giants — a necrotic-corrupted frost giant (bearing Xanathar's mark, believed to be the reanimated Wigloth) and a stone giant — ambushed the party in Warrior's Way. Both were defeated; radiant damage proved doubly effective against the necrotic corruption. |
| Swarm of Zombie Limbs | Defeated | A mass of disembodied undead limbs manifesting in Waterdeep's sewer network. Reported by Kobold sewer workers; growing in number without apparent master. Encountered in the sewer tunnel above the Undershrine; destroyed in one strike by Bain's radiant elemental arrow (session of 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR). The creature's collapse revealed the necrotic drop to the Undershrine below. Linked to the same necrotic source as the corrupted giants. |
| White Dragon (Ice Dragon) | Retreated / Converted | Encountered at Skyreach Castle. Ergić commanded it with the Dragon Mask. Later, it was converted into a Dracolich by a Vampire Spawn. |
| Vampire Spawn | Captured | Found in a coffin in Skyreach Castle. Tricked into creating a Dracolich, then shoved into a portable hole and deposited in an ogre den. |
| Black Pudding | Defeated | Acidic ooze encountered in the Vault of Dragons. Killed by Bain's explosive arrow. |
| Beholders (and Gazers) | Active | Xanathar is a beholder. The party was observed by a mini-beholder (gazer) after the Nightshade heist. |
| Dracolich | Active | Undead dragon created when the party forced a Vampire Spawn to bite the injured White Dragon on Skyreach Castle. Blagothkus warned it would be devastating. |
VI. System Reference: The Alias Dictionary
This section is used by agent scripts to standardize metadata tagging across the history archives. It maps common misspellings, nicknames, and phonetic variations to their canonical Codex names.
| Canonical Name | Aliases & Misspellings | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Ergić | Ergic, Ergi, Urgy, Oz Powles, Oz | Character |
| Veylan Duskryn | Vaylen, Veylan, The Ledger | Character |
| Bain Osiris Oswald Boltblast | Bain, Bob, Adam Willetts, Adam | Character |
| Nix | Nyx, Mark Hamer, Mark | Character |
| Skacel | Skassel, Skacell, Rab Easton, Rab, Rob, Robbie | Character |
| Thelanor | Thel, Thelaner | Character |
| Ezekiel | Shaun Willetts, Shaun | Character |
| Rem | Andrew Palmer, Andrew, Andy | Character |
| Dungeon Master | Jason, Jason D&D | Character |
| Justin Rassk | Rassk, Rask | Character |
| Orinax | Barack Clanghammer | Character |
| Stone of Golorr | Black Orb, Skacel's Stone, The Stone | Item |
| Soul Crystals | Soul Gems, Blackridge Crystals | Item |
| Zhentarim | The Black Network, Zhents | Faction |
| Xanathar's Guild | Xanathar, Beholder Guild | Faction |
| Undershrine | Under Shrine, Sewer Dungeon | Location |
| Yawning Portal | Durnan's Pub, Durnan's Tavern | Location |
VII. System Reference: Linked Entities
This section is used by the Oracle for "Query Expansion". When a user searches for a Primary Entity, the Oracle must also include the Complementary Search Terms in its YAML tag queries.
| Primary Entity | Complementary Search Terms (Related Entities) |
|---|---|
| Zhentarim | Mr. West, Jenkson Mull, Veylan Duskryn, Operation Nightshade, Blackridge & Company, Soul Crystals, Brog the Cointour Star, Doc Rylo Rask, Gareth Ken, Kassira Velstone, Marnock Bristlebarrow, The Widow, Thorn Hallowbey, Tenseric Dane |
| Xanathar's Guild | Xanathar, Stone of Golorr, Giants, Wigloth, Undershrine, Grells |
| Cult of the Dragon | Skyreach Castle, Blagothkus, Azbarajoz, Syanwrath, Dracolich |
| Phandalin Arc | Venomfang, Fire Newts, Dragonborn Commander, The Phandalin Druid, Thelanor |
| Orphan Spy Network | Crab, Hanksy, Old Corner Orphanage, Pickled Pike |
| Vault of Dragons | Orinax, 123 Turnath Street |
| Elvenport Crypt | Vaerilmor Floshin, The Vampire of Teu'tel'alu |
| Luskan / Eluskan Brotherhood | Tenseric Dane, Operation Nightshade, Ships of Luskan |
VIII. System Reference: The Calendar of Harptos (Date Conversion)
All published records use the Calendar of Harptos with Dale Reckoning (DR) year notation. The following tables provide the canonical mapping.
Month Names
| # | Harptos Month | Common Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hammer | January |
| 2 | Alturiak | February |
| 3 | Ches | March |
| 4 | Tarsakh | April |
| 5 | Mirtul | May |
| 6 | Kythorn | June |
| 7 | Flamerule | July |
| 8 | Eleasis | August |
| 9 | Eleint | September |
| 10 | Marpenoth | October |
| 11 | Uktar | November |
| 12 | Nightal | December |
Session-to-DR Mapping
| Session (Real-World) | In-Universe Date (DR) | Chronicle Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2021 | 1491 DR | Prelude |
| Late 2021 | 1492 DR | Chapters I–II |
| Late 2022 | Late 1492 DR | Chapter II (Salvi Herish) |
| Jan 2023 | Early 1493 DR | Chapter III (Vault of Dragons) |
| Mid 2023 | Mid 1493 DR | Chapters IV–V (Skyreach) |
| Late 2023 | Late 1493 – Early 1494 DR | Chapter VI (Dracolich) |
| Feb 24, 2025 | 24th Alturiak, 1495 DR | Chapter VII (The Heist) |
| May 20, 2025 | 20th Mirtul, 1495 DR | Chapter VIII (Blackridge) |
| May 27, 2025 | 27th Mirtul, 1495 DR | Chapter IX (The Ledger) |
| Jul 8, 2025 | 8th Flamerule, 1495 DR | Chapter X (Unblinking Eye) |
| Jul 23, 2025 | 23rd Flamerule, 1495 DR | Chapter XI (Warrior's Way) |
| Apr 27, 2026 | 27th Tarsakh, 1496 DR | Chapter XII (Stench Beneath) |
| May 6, 2026 | 6th Mirtul, 1496 DR | Chapter XIII (Undershrine) |
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