QUICK RECAP

The group discussed various technical issues with D&D Beyond's short rest feature and their recent adventure, including the capture of a guard captain and the distribution of their earnings. They also encountered several challenges during their exploration of the dungeon, including navigating through quicksand, encountering giant bats, and investigating a miniature castle. The group also engaged in various negotiations and transactions, including selling information about a throne and acquiring valuable items and magical items.

NEXT STEPS

β€’ Team: Escort Cressa Gallabarco and Auto Steel Toes to the Yawning Portal to provide testimony about the mind flayer threat
β€’ Ceol: Transport the mind flayer head, intellect devourer body, and Xanathar's central eye in the goody bag as evidence
β€’ Team: Explore Level 6 of the dungeon, specifically looking for the people who stole from the blind bugbear
β€’ Team: Decide on the approach to enter Madgoth's castle, considering the shrinking effect that was observed with Flapper
β€’ Jitters: Cast fly spell on Aaron to enable group's flight to the castle
β€’ Mira: Transform into Quetzalcoatlus to transport Gimbal and Jitters to the castle
β€’ Lady Afira: Investigate Xanathar's lair through Zoblob's shop entrance
β€’ Harper Operatives: Investigate the Xanathar's Guild situation in Skullport, specifically at the Guts and Garters tavern basement and Zoblob's shop
β€’ Three Strings: Create and spread a song about the Fearless/Faithless Five's betrayal throughout the town for at least a month
β€’ Lady Rosnar's Team: Investigate the ring with the Rosnar family crest that belonged to Cresando
β€’ Volo: Follow up with his contacts to determine payment amount for the throne room information
β€’ Team: Purchase healing potions and other supplies while in town
β€’ Team: Convert remaining copper and silver pieces to gold for easier carrying
β€’ Mira: Purchase a 500 gold piece diamond from Jared's
β€’ Team: Distribute the identified magic items among team members
β€’ Jitters: Complete the ritual of detect magic on all items in Zoblob's shop
β€’ Gimbal: Scout ahead invisibly at the top of the stairs to check for threats
β€’ Jitters: Use Tensor's floating disk spell to help transport Xanathar's body up the stairs
β€’ Mira: Keep the paralyzed shopkeeper tied up and gagged
β€’ Ceol: Secure and bolt the front door of the shop
β€’ Team: Ensure the "Closed" sign is visible in the shop window
β€’ Mira: Take the 6 diamonds from the gemstone collection for spell components
β€’ Jitters: Investigate the magical properties of the feather dusters and green flasks in the castle entrance
β€’ Team: Exercise caution when approaching the stone giant mining area in the southern passage
β€’ All players: Reconvene next Tuesday to continue the game session from where they left off at Mad Goth's Castle

SUMMARY

D&D Beyond Technical Issues
The group discusses technical issues with D&D Beyond's short rest feature, which Ceol was having trouble with due to already used hit dice. They recap their previous session, confirming they plan to return to Waterdeep with a captured guard captain. Gimbal inquires about their earnings, and Ceol clarifies that each party member received 18 gold pieces and 6 gems worth 100 gold pieces each from their recent adventure. Mira suggests keeping the gems pooled until they can be exchanged for currency.

Group Prepares to Leave Underground
The group prepares to leave the underground area after a short rest. Ceol collects trophies including a mind flayer head, an intellect devourer, and Xanathar's central eye. They free Auto Steel Toes and convince him and Cressa to accompany them upstairs. Jitters offers to use Tenser's Floating Disk to carry Xanathar's body, which Ceol wants to bring as evidence. The group debates whether the large body will fit up the spiral staircase as they begin their ascent.

Invisibility and Magic in the Shop
The group enters a shop of interesting items after Gimbal, using an invisibility ring, surprises and incapacitates a person coming down the stairs. They then encounter another individual who flees, prompting them to roll for initiative. Mira casts Hold Person on the fleeing individual, paralyzing him, and the group proceeds to tie him up. Jitters begins a ritual to detect magic while the others search the room for valuable items and secure the entrance. Gimbal, still invisible, pockets some flasks with liquids and urges the group to hurry, though Ceol points out they have time due to the ongoing ritual.

Looting and Interrogating Zablob's Room
The group finishes looting the room, finding several magic items including weapons, potions, and a rope of climbing. They distribute the items among themselves, with Mira taking a +1 scimitar, Jitters getting a +1 dagger and a potion of flying, and Erin receiving the rope of climbing. They then interrogate Zablob, the deep gnome proprietor, who urges them to leave quickly to avoid trouble with the people who run the place. Ceol intimidates Zablob, who eventually tells them to take whatever they want and run. The group decides to leave, with Jitters creating an illusion to cover their exit.

Yawning Portal Tavern Betting Board
The group arrives at the Yawning Portal tavern in Waterdeep during a festival called the Day of Colors. They examine the betting board, which shows updated odds for various adventurers. Gimbal is disappointed to see his odds are still poor. The party discusses potentially offering to lead Volo to the portal on the third level of Undermountain in exchange for payment. Mira decides to approach Volo to discuss this proposition.

Man Offers Payment for Throne Info
In the meeting, Mira and Gimbal discussed their encounter with a man who offered them payment for information about a throne. The man, who was gracious and of good reputation, promised to verify the information and pay them once it was proven. Gimbal then met with Lady Afira, who was informed about the discovery of a dead Xanathar and an infected man named Cresando. Lady Afira expressed interest in the information and asked Gimbal to rest and enjoy his reward before they discuss further tasks.

Treasure Distribution and Wealth Increase
The group discusses the distribution of their recent treasure, including 1,000 gold pieces and two valuable rubies. They agree to split the gold evenly, with each member receiving 200 gold pieces. Gimbal expresses a desire to keep the rubies as souvenirs, which the others agree to, suggesting he can buy them back from his share of the total value. The party also mentions converting other gems to coin and updating their inventory of tradable items. They note that their recent acquisitions have significantly increased their wealth.

Xanathar Thieves Guild Infiltration
The group reports their findings about the infiltration of the Xanathar Thieves Guild by mind flayers to Three Strings, a Harper agent. They reveal that Xanathar is dead and the guild is now controlled by "squid faces." Ceol requests that Three Strings spread a song about the "Faithless Five" to damage their reputation. The group also informs Lady Rosnar about her brother Cresando's fate, explaining that he was killed and replaced by an impostor. Lady Rosnar offers a favor to the group in return for information about her family's heirloom ring. The group decides to take a long rest before continuing their journey deeper into the dungeon.

Party Discusses Earnings and Shopping
The party discusses their recent earnings, totaling 1,300 gold pieces per person, including some valuable items like rubies and a plate mail. They consider shopping for supplies and magical items in town. Volo offers them a beautifully crafted Elvin Longbow (+1) with 20 silvered arrows (+2 vs drow) in exchange for information about a throne's location. After some negotiation, the party accepts the deal, and Ceol provides maps to the elven representatives. Before departing, Ceol expresses interest in visiting a large tree in the City of the Dead cemetery.

Exploring Dungeon's Petrified Basilisk and Quicksand
The group enters Level 6 of the dungeon, encountering a petrified basilisk and a red X painted on the floor. They recall seeing similar markings before, associated with quicksand. As they explore, they notice the ground changes from hard stone to soft sand beyond the exit. The team proceeds cautiously, aware of potential hazards and discussing their next steps as they navigate through the area.

Exploring the Sandy Room and Castle
Jitters sends his bat, Flapper, to explore a sandy room that appears to be quicksand. The group discusses how to navigate the area safely. Ceol discovers a room with giant crystal formations and intricate carvings. As they explore further, they hear flute-like music and encounter a large cavern with giant bats. The party observes a floating castle suspended above a mithril spindle, with an entrance visible. Mira shares information about stone giants, noting that they are typically neutral and keep to themselves. The group considers their next moves, debating whether to explore the bat-filled room, investigate the castle, or continue searching the area.

Exploring Mad Goth's Miniature Castle
The group decides to explore the miniature castle of Mad Goth. They fly to the castle using Mira's shapeshifting ability and Jitters' fly spell. Upon arrival, they find themselves in a room with four feather dusters autonomously cleaning green glass flasks on pedestals. Jitters touches a feather duster, which reacts by moving away. When Ceol opens a door, an alarm goes off, ending the session. The party plans to continue next week.