QUICK RECAP

The group discussed plans to investigate the Guts and Garters tavern, associated with the Xanathar's guild, to gather information about Cassandro and a potential conspiracy in Waterdeep. They entered the tavern, discovered a secret basement, and explored an underground complex where they encountered various challenges and made strategic decisions. Throughout their exploration, the team debated different approaches, dealt with obstacles, and uncovered intriguing areas within the dungeon, all while working together to navigate the complex situation.

NEXT STEPS

β€’ Go to the Guts and Garters tavern to gather information about Chrisando and the Xanathar Thieves Guild.
β€’ Prepare and use invisibility spells for stealth during the mission.
β€’ Send letters to Volo about the throne's location through both Falrex and the Poison Quill.
β€’ Negotiate with Volo about the reward for the throne information when back in Waterdeep.
β€’ Take a long rest before going to the Guts and Garters tavern.
β€’ Be cautious not to become "most wanted" by Xanathar's guild during the investigation.
β€’ Pay the fee of 6 gold pieces to the bartender for access to the secret area.
β€’ Take the bag of cabbage and offal from the bartender to distract the boars.
β€’ Operate the fish stone mechanism to open the secret passage.
β€’ Explore the dungeon area, avoiding the pit of blood and fortune.
β€’ Continue searching for Cassalanter while remaining cautious of potential threats.
β€’ Be alert for opportunities to gather intelligence about the Xanathar Guild's activities.
β€’ Investigate the room with the Xanathar symbol and lifelike statues.
β€’ Explore the area with the slithering sounds and potential "flea stacks".
β€’ Investigate the door where Gimbal heard someone talking to a "good little one".
β€’ Determine strategy for dealing with the meditating dwarves and other potential enemies.
β€’ Prepare for the next D&D session on April 11th.

SUMMARY

Technical Difficulties and Monster Manual
In the meeting, Mira and DOGE discussed technical difficulties while trying to cast a presentation on a TV. They encountered issues with the chromecast, which forced them to find alternative solutions. Jitters joined later, mentioning she was boiling eggs, a task that intrigued the others. The conversation briefly shifted to a new Monster Manual book and the artwork within it, particularly the Medusa illustration. The group also shared their tastes in music from the 80s. Towards the end, they anticipated the arrival of Morgan and discussed their opinions about her.

Investigating Guts and Garters Tavern
The group discusses their plan to investigate the Guts and Garters tavern, which is associated with Xanathar's guild. They learn from Kalal at the Flagon and Dragon that Quietude, a tiefling, runs Guts and Garters and is loyal to Xanathar. The team plans to enter the tavern as customers to gather information, potentially using disguises and invisibility spells. They debate various strategies, including causing a distraction or sneaking into the basement. The group also reviews their available disguise and invisibility options, including potions and spells.

Guts and Garters Tavern Investigation
The group discusses their plan to visit the Guts and Garters tavern after taking a long rest. They intend to have a drink there while gathering information about Chrisando, who is connected to the Xanathar Thieves Guild and potentially involved in a larger conspiracy in Waterdeep. The team debates their priorities and motivations for pursuing this lead, with some members more interested in the broader implications for Waterdeep's safety than in completing specific quests. They agree to approach the situation cautiously, aiming to avoid becoming targets of the Xanathar Guild.

Infiltrating the Guts and Garters Bar
The group enters a run-down bar called the Guts and Garters, where they observe various suspicious patrons, including some with blood on them. Jitters sends his familiar, a weasel named Whistles, to follow two men carrying a bloody sack into a secret basement area. Whistles discovers a hidden passageway behind some fish-shaped stones, guarded by two large boars. Jitters informs the group about the secret passage and the boars, while Cale attempts to gather information by asking the bartender about food options.

Infiltrating Cassandro's Tavern Basement
The group discusses their plan to infiltrate the basement of the tavern where Cassandro is believed to be. They decide to rent rooms upstairs and approach the bartender directly about their business with Cassandro. Gimbal suggests using the Xanathar wand to add credibility. The plan involves some party members turning invisible while others do the talking. Jitters offers to use suggestion magic if persuasion fails. They also consider using animal friendship on the boars guarding the basement entrance if necessary. The group assigns roles based on their skills, with Gimbal and Doge handling the talking due to their persuasion abilities.

Team's Plan for Nighttime Investigation
The team discussed their plan of action for the night, which included acquiring rooms at a bar and gathering information about Cassano. They decided to split into two groups, with Gimbal and DOGE being visible to interact with the bartender and inquire about Cassano, while Jitters would cast a spell to make Mira and DOGE invisible. After acquiring the necessary information, the team would proceed downstairs to investigate the situation. They also discussed the mechanism for opening a secret passage, which involved certain actions with fish stones. The team concluded by discussing their arrival at a door with a passageway leading south and the potential for a fight night in a room below.

Confronting Fungal Creatures in Complex
The group discusses their next move in the underground complex. They observe a gladiatorial combat in a pit between a Minotaur, a human, and a halfling, watched by members of the Xanathar Guild. After considering options, they decide against trying to sneak past the crowd or entering a prison area. Instead, they opt to confront two floating fungal creatures blocking their path, with Gimbal preparing to attack one while the others stand back in case of spores.

Exploring Spiral Staircase and Gas Bags
In the meeting, the team discussed their strategy for dealing with gas bags in a game. Gimbal and Doge took turns shooting at the gas bags, with Gimbal successfully killing two of them. The team then moved on to explore a new area, encountering a spiral staircase leading up to Waterdeep. They debated whether to climb the staircase or explore other options, such as finding shortcuts or portals to other levels. The team also encountered a lit hallway with columns featuring carved eyes that seemed to track creatures as they passed by.

Exploring Dungeon and Discovering Rooms
The team decided to explore the dungeon further, with Gimbal and Doge proceeding while Mira and Jitters held back. They found two rooms of interest, one with statues and another with a large, glowing circle on the floor. The team suspected that the dwarves in the room were using divination magic, possibly spying on the Waterdeep Guard. They also discovered a room with a marble bathtub, a cage with a magic-eating beast, and three mannequins with crossbow bolts. The team decided to investigate further before deciding on a course of action.

Exploring the Minotaur Maze and Combat
The group encounters a stuffed Minotaur that attacks when investigated, leading to a brief combat. They then explore a makeshift maze built by someone obsessed with Minotaurs, finding a trapped chest containing gold, a figurine, and a potion. The session ends as they discuss their next moves in the dungeon. The group agrees to meet again in two weeks on the 11th.