D R A G O N H E I S T

FORGOTTEN TALES

Experience new challenges and face off against new foes in this
companion supplement for Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
 D R A G O N H E I S T

FORGOTTEN TALES
Experience new challenges and face off against new foes in this
companion supplement for Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.

Credits
Designers: Will Doyle, James Haeck, James Introcaso
Editor: James Introcaso
Layout and Graphic Design: Rich Lescouflair
Art: Provided by Wizards of the Coast and used with
permission
Cartography: Will Doyle, Dyson Logos

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, the dragon ampersand, and all other Wizards of the Coast
product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.
This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the
Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.
All other original material in this work is ©2018 and published under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.
 Introduction

W
elcome back to Waterdeep! Dragon
Heist: Forgotten Tales is a supplement that
expands the replayability of Waterdeep:
Dragon Heist by providing new content
for the adventure. The multiple villains
and seasons in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist
make it an adventure that must be played multiple times
to experience all the content. Dragon Heist: Forgotten
Tales provides new challenges and story to go along with
the variable elements of the original adventure to allow
players and Dungeon Masters who have experienced
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist to enjoy a fresh tale on a
second play-through.

What’s In Here?
This supplement is divided into four chapters. You can
use every chapter to create an entirely new experience
with Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, or simply use the chapters
or sections of the supplement that interest you.
• Chapter 1, “The Hand of Nessus.” This chapter
provides an alternate beginning to Waterdeep: Dragon
Heist that focuses on the cult of Asmodeus and Bregan
D’aerthe rather than the war between the Xanathar
Guild and the Zhentarim.
• Chapter 2, “New Fireball.” This chapter provides a new
perpetrator of the explosion in Trollskull Alley and gives
the characters a fresh mystery to solve.
• Chapter 3, “New Vault.” This chapter provides a new
Vault of Dragons beneath the streets of Waterdeep for
the characters to plunder.
• Chapter 4, “Above Ground Vault.” This chapter
provides another new Vault of Dragons, an above
ground bank. Use this vault to end your adventure with
a classic bank heist.
• Appendix A. Appendix A contains statistics for
creatures in this supplement not detailed in the Monster
Manual or Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
• Appendix B. Appendix B contains the maps referenced
in this supplement.
• Appendix C. Appendix C contains two player handouts
used in chapter 4.

2
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Hand of Nessus

T
his chapter provides an alternate
beginning to Waterdeep: Dragon Heist Back-Alley Brawl
that places the machinations of the Bregan As the characters walk down a lightly trafficked street of
D’aerthe and the secret cult of Asmodeus front the Trades Ward, they hear shouting and the sounds of
and center rather than the conflict between violence from a nearby alley. Read the following text to set
the Xanathar Guild and the Zhentarim. the scene:
This beginning is for Dungeon Masters who have run
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist before and want to give their You are walking down a side street in the Trades Ward, and
players something different from the same old beginning.
the sound of braying horses, haggling merchants, and the
It’s also a way for DMs to create conflict between the
Bregan D’aerthe and the Cassalanters’ cult of Asmodeus general noise of the city fills the air. This background noise
rather than leaning on the conflict between Xanathar and is shattered by a dull, fleshy thud. Then a yelp of pain. The
Manshoon’s Zhentarim. sound came from a darkened alley no more than twenty
This chapter completely replaces chapter 1, “A Friend in paces from where you stand. What do you do?
Need,” of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.

Where to Start? If the characters investigate, continue with the “Mugging!”

event.
This adventure assumes that the player characters have If the characters ignore the scuffle in the alley, read or
already formed a party, but their exact conditions are left to paraphrase:
your group. Are they new visitors to Waterdeep, or did they
all grow up in the City of Splendors—or a mix of the two? A moment later, you hear the wet sound of a blade cutting
The action begins as the characters are walking down a
through flesh, and the gurgle of someone choking on their
side street in the Trades Ward. This ward is Waterdeep’s
busiest district for the entire region is one big market! own blood then a weak thud.
(See chapter 9 of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist for more
information about the Trades Ward.) The killers, a group of two cultists and a cult fanatic
To flesh out this scene, ask your players what their wearing red tunics and cheap masks made of gold-painted
characters are doing in this part of the city? Are they buying tin, emerge from the alley. Anyone they see is marked as a
gear, selling loot, or searching for a black market contact? witness and must be silenced.

Chapter 1 | The Hand of Nessus

3
 Mugging! • If they spot the drow, capture the elf by any means
necessary—short of killing him, of course. Renear has
If the characters enter the darkened alley, read or enough favors stockpiled to absolve the characters of
paraphrase: minor crimes, but not anything as serious as murder.
If the characters ask what’s in it for them, Renaer
Three humanoids wearing blood-red tunics and golden, says, “I have friends in high places, and rewards worth
half-face masks are assaulting a well-dressed man in a more than a handful of dragons. But just to keep us on
sky-blue tunic. His vibrant red hair is matted with blood. the same page, let’s say 5 dragons apiece up front, with
something more upon completion,” and then hands over
He gazes in fear as one of the masked men levels a wicked
5 gp to each character.
dagger at his throat. One of his assailants holds him in
place, and he struggles and yelps in an attempt to get free.
Whim Street Stakeout
That night, the characters assemble outside Renaer
A group of two cultists and a cult fanatic are attacking
Neverember’s manse at the edge of the North Ward. He
a nobleman named Renaer Neverember (see appendix
may have invited them over for dinner beforehand, or
B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist). They are worshipers of
simply given his address and encouraged them to stick
Asmodeus, lord of the Nine Hells, and have been ordered
to the shadows, depending on the cordiality of their
by the leaders of their sect to find Neverember and learn
relationship.
the location of an artifact known as the Stone of Golorr.
Neverember’s house is labeled W1 on the map $$. He
The cult fanatic has zone of truth prepared instead of
has asked the characters to stay at least half a block away
spiritual weapon, reducing her challenge rating from 2
from the house to avoid scaring off his stalker.
(450 XP) to 1 (200 XP).
After an hour of waiting and watching it begins to rain. At
Renaer Neverember knows nothing of the Stone of
the end of every hour thereafter each character that is not
Golorr, as confirmed by the cultists’ zone of truth. They
resistant or immune to cold damage must succeed on a DC
are now attempting to kill him to tie up loose ends.
11 Constitution saving throw or gain a level of exhaustion.
Renaer is a swashbuckler (see appendix B of Waterdeep:
At the end of every hour each character can make a
Dragon Heist), has 3 hit points remaining, and is grappled
DC 18 Wisdom (Perception) check. For every hour that
by one of the cultists.
passes the DC of this check lowers by 2. If a character
If the characters choose to join the fray, roll initiative. If
makes a successful check, they spot the drow perched
Renaer is reduced to 0 hit points, he falls unconscious and
atop the turret of tall house on the northwest corner of the
is dying, like a player character, rather than dying instantly.
block (labeled W2 on the map).
Developments
If the characters saved Renaer, he breathlessly thanks Pursuing the Drow
them then asks them for their names after taking a
The drow, Fel’rekt Lafeen, is one of Jarlaxle Baenre’s
moment to collect himself. Read or paraphrase:
operatives. His closest companion, Krebbyg Masq’il’yr,
lurks on the street level (at the point marked as H3). Both
The man wipes spattered blood and grime from his face are drow gunslingers (found in appendix B of Waterdeep:
with the back of his leather-gloved hand. He looks up at Dragon Heist), with the following incidental changes:
you and says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to • This is a stealth mission. As such, both are wearing street
formally introduce myself. I’m Renaer Neverember, and clothes and a face mask. This reduces their AC to 14.
while I know we just met, you’ve saved my life. If you’re • An unfortunate clash with Asmodeus cultists has
reduced them both to 30 hit points, and they surrender
willing to hear me out, I’d like to ask you to do so again.
when reduced to 15 hit points.
“I’m ashamed I let those assassins take me by surprise…
Fel’rekt is neutral good and prefers to subdue opponents
but I wasn’t expecting masked occultists. I was expecting rather than killing them. Krebbyg is chaotic neutral and
someone entirely different: drow. I’ve seen a dark elf tailing has no such compunctions.
me at night for the past tenday, and I’m beginning to fear Fel’rekt isn’t here to assassinate Renaer but to secretly
someone wants me dead. I thought I could take care of protect him from the cult of Asmodeus’s assassins.
Since he has a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of
myself, but it seems my luck has already run out.”
13, a character must make a successful DC 14 Dexterity
(Stealth) check to sneak up on him.
If the characters accept his offer, Renaer goes on to If he notices the characters interfering with his
explain what he needs: surveillance, Fel’rekt attempts to flee to a sewer grate
• He lives in a comfortable house on the corner of (marked H3) on the map. When he reaches this point, he
Mendever Street and Whim Street between the North casts darkness while Krebbyg pulls open the grate, and
Ward and the Sea Ward. both he and Krebbyg dive in.
• He needs the characters to stake out his own house and If the characters continue to pursue him, use the
find the drow stalking him. Xanathar Guild Hideout map in chapter 1 of Waterdeep:
Dragon Heist, starting from the northern passageway.
Fel’rekt flees into the Dock Ward via a private cellar (area
Q9) on the map, bursting through this innocent household
and causing a mess to throw the characters off his trail.

4
Chapter 1 | The Hand of Nessus
Fel’rekt’s Warning
If Fel’rekt is captured, he warns the characters that
they’ve just put young Neverember’s life in grave danger—
his presence was the only thing keeping Renaer safe
from cult assassins. And since he has been forced to flee,
Renaer could be in danger this very minute!
If Fel’rekt escapes, he shouts a warning as he
disappears from sight. “Neverember is in danger! We shall
meet again—at the Right Hand of Nessus!”

Too Little, Too Late

Fel’rekt understands the situation perfectly. Moments
after the characters scared him from his perch and
pursued him through the streets, cult assassins picked the
lock to Renaer’s home and cornered him in his bedroom.
This 20-foot-diameter turret room is on the fourth
floor of the house. It is dominated by a four-poster bed
surrounded by beautifully carved furniture, and two wide
windows look out over the city.
When the characters arrive, the room is in total
disarray. The four-poster’s drapes are shredded, and
Renaer is bound with rope and pinned to the bed by a
pair of cackling spined devils that are taking great joy in
prodding him with their pitchforks.
Four cultists wearing flowing red robes and golden half-
face masks stand over Renaer. A raven, a shapechanged
imp, is perched on one cultist’s shoulders. As soon as they
become aware of the characters, one cultist shouts for
spined devils to leave. “Take him to the Hand! Fly as if the
whips of Nessus were at your back!”
During the first round of combat the spined devils grab
Renaer (no check required) and fly to one of the windows.
During the second round of combat they smash the The God Catcher
window and fly into the night. A character who uses their The God Catcher is a 90-foot-tall statue of a beautiful
action to make a DC 13 Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom and muscular man reaching skyward towards a floating
(Survival) check can try to see where the devils are stone sphere. It has sunk into the streets of the city as if in
flying. On a success they see the devils flying due south quicksand up to about its waist and now only rises about
towards one of the Walking Statues of Waterdeep: the 50 feet into the sky. A tenement building has been built
God Catcher. If one of the spined devils is killed, the other upon its shoulders.
continues carrying Renaer but can only fly at half its usual Like the other walking statues of Waterdeep, the God
speed, granting a character advantage on their check to Catcher was supposed to be a colossal construct that the
track the devil. Blackstaff could animate to defend the city when it fell under
The cultists and their imp familiar fight to the death. If attack. Just over a century ago, in 1385 DR, the Spellplague
caused the God Catcher and several other Walking Statues
the cultists are captured, a successful DC 13 Charisma
to go berserk and start crushing the city.
(Intimidation) check can force one to reveal the location
The God Catcher’s rampage was stopped by magically
of their secret hideout within the God Catcher. Only sinking it into the city streets. The statue’s life soon faded
deception, intimidation, or magical compulsion makes from it, allowing the city to rebuild and grow around the
them betray their cult. They are too deeply indoctrinated God Catcher’s new home in the past century. A tenement
to be swayed by gentle persuasion. building (also named the God Catcher) has been built
Saving Renaer Early upon the statue’s shoulders, and the cult of Asmodeus
has created a secret hideout within the hollow right hand
If the characters kill both spined devils before they steal
of the God Catcher.
Renaer away, he falls unconscious as he hits the ground. You can read more about the God Catcher and the
When he awakens, he thanks the characters once more Walking Statues of Waterdeep in Volo’s Waterdeep Enchiridion
for saving him and asks about both the drow (“Did you (chapter 9 of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist).
catch him?”) and the cultists (“These masked madmen
are becoming something of a nuisance. Do you know
who they are?”). He knows nothing of the “Right Hand
of Nessus” but knows that Nessus is the domain of Cult Busters
Asmodeus, lord of the Nine Hells. The characters must root out a cult of Asmodeus-
Renaer fears that unless this cult is stamped out, his life worshipers known as the Hand of Nessus hidden
will continue to be threatened. He suspects that they have somewhere in the Sea Ward. Devil-worship is frowned
a base nearby and recommends that they start asking upon in Waterdeep, but it isn’t strictly illegal, so the City
questions the next morning around the God Catcher, a Watch can be no help unless they are shown concrete
central attraction in this part of town. evidence of the cult’s wrongdoing.
Chapter 1 | The Hand of Nessus
5
 If the characters bring evidence or testimony that sister, Dinmavra, suffered an accident that paralyzed her
catches the Watch’s attention, the Watch arranges for from the waist down. The former air genasi acrobats have
Barnibus Blastwind (see appendix B of Waterdeep: opened a fish shop and turned it into a tourist destination
Dragon Heist), a member of the Watchful Order of by tossing and juggling fish to attract customers.
Magists and Protectors, to take the case. He and former- What the Sisters Know. Customers and tourists
Watch sergeant Saeth Cromley (see appendix B of mob the sisters’ shop, but they still manage to see some
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist) investigate the cult following unusual activity.
standard procedure and root out the cult but accidentally • Every evening some bearded men in red robes visit the
allow its leader to slip through their fingers. In this case stall and buy 20 pounds of raw fish. Alma has asked
skip straight to “A Meeting with J.B. Nevercott” at the end why, but she never gets a straight answer. They creep
of this chapter. her out, but they pay well and never haggle.
The cult’s hideout was winkingly nicknamed the “Right • Sometimes when they’re closing up shop, Dinmavra
Hand of Nessus” for it is a secret compound hidden sees a black-robed figure walk down the statue from
within the right hand of the God Catcher, a Walking the inn perched atop it. She can’t follow the fleet-footed
Statue of Waterdeep. The hideout is accessible through figure in her wheelchair, but they always head into the
a bedroom in the tenement building atop the statues Sea Ward.
shoulders—known as the God Catcher Inn. The cult
Recruiting the Sisters. A successful DC 13 Charisma
is actually just one sect of a larger cult that pervades
(Deception or Persuasion) check convinces the sisters
Waterdeep. This sect’s leader is a drow who betrayed
that the red-robed figures within the God Catcher
Bregan D’aerthe named Loreloth.
represent a threat to them or their livelihood. The sisters
resolve to help the characters and join their party. If there
Lost the Plot? are three or fewer characters in the party (including other
If the characters were unable to track the spined devils NPCs), the characters have advantage on this check.
or extract the location of the cult’s local hideout from the Only one character can make this check, and it can’t be
cultists, the trail runs cold. If you are feeling generous, repeated until at least 24 hours have passed.
Fel’rekt might meet the characters at their lodging the Alma is a chaotic good air genasi swashbuckler (see
next night and offer them a chance to redeem themselves appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist) with these
for Neverember’s kidnapping—if he still lives. He then changes:
provides them with the location of the God Catcher and
suggests they investigate. • She is wearing no armor and has an AC of 16.
If you’re playing a grittier campaign, you could make this • Her hit point maximum is 33 (6d8 + 6).
failure have grisly consequences. The characters awaken • She can hold her breath indefinitely while not
to a rot-scented brown paper-wrapped package upon their incapacitated.
doorstep the next morning—with Renaer’s head inside. An • She can cast levitate once (spell save DC 11). She can
attached note says, “We got what we needed. Stay out of
cast it again after completing a long rest.
our way.” In this case skip straight to “A Meeting with J.B.
Nevercott” at the end of this chapter. Dinmavra has statistics in appendix A.
The Sackbut and the Shawm
A pair of musicians have a permanent fixture on the street
Around the God Catcher corner abutting the God Catcher and perform for tips
The God Catcher was sunk into the streets of Waterdeep several hours each day. One bard is a slender and jovial
over a century ago and has since become a major female aarakocra named Lau, and the other is a heavyset
landmark and tourist attraction. Dozens of tiny shops and and anxious male tabaxi named Jorbin. Lau plays a
market stalls have brought people of all walks of life to shawm, a woodwind horn with a piercing tone, and Jorbin
this once-sleepy, upscale neighborhood. plays a sackbut, a trombone-like brass horn with a warm,
If the characters haven’t yet realized that the cult they’re smooth sound.
hunting is hiding out inside the God Catcher statue itself, What the Bards Know. The bards have a deal with the
there are several places around the giant monument they owner of the God Catcher Inn that allows them to keep a
could visit to find clues. Read or paraphrase the following permanent performance space on the street corner. They
text to introduce the characters to these locations: usually play right before midday and just before sundown,
and they see plenty of folk pass through at those times.
The thoroughfare leading to the God Catcher is densely • Lau is a gregarious character and chats a lot with
passersby between songs. Some of the God Catcher
packed with people, market stalls, and street performers. A
Inn’s patrons have begun saying that the inn is haunted
crowd has gathered around one market stall in particular, for they can sometimes hear indistinct, whispered
and the occasional fish sail over the crowd then disappear voices from within the walls.
behind them on the other side. The scene is scored by the • Jorbin talks very little, but he listens and watches a lot.
harsh sounds of aggressive street music played by a duo He has seen strange creatures circling the outstretched
standing in the shadow of the God Catcher. arm of the God Catcher over the last month. They are
like large birds, but they are covered in spines and
sometimes arrive carrying large packages.
Flying Fish Sisters Recruiting the Bards. A successful DC 13 Charisma
This fishmonger’s stall is owned and operated by the (Intimidation or Persuasion) check convinces the bards
Kharazoff Sisters, a high-flying acrobatic sister act. The that there might be occult activity happening within
younger sister, Alma, gave up acrobatics after her elder the God Catcher. This piques the bards’ interest, and

6
Chapter 1 | The Hand of Nessus
they offer to join the party. If there are three or fewer The taproom of the God Catcher Inn has a bartender,
characters in the party (including other NPCs), the cultists, and patrons within.
characters have advantage on this check. Only one Bartender. The bartender is a female elf named
character can make this check, and it can’t be repeated Emmarina. She has a sweet demeanor but grew up
until at least 24 hours have passed. tending far worse bars than this, and can drink anyone
Lau is a chaotic good bard (see appendix B of under the table. She knows of the cult and the secret
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist) with these changes: passage in area T3 but knows nothing of their misdeeds.
• She is wearing no armor and has an AC of 12. In fact she thinks they’re a harmless secret society made
• Her hit point maximum is 22 (4d8 + 4). up of noble-born history enthusiasts and academics.
Emmarina is a commoner with a Constitution score of
• Her base walking speed is 25 feet.
17 (+3) and 7 (1d8 + 3) hit points.
• She has a flying speed of 50 feet while not wearing Cultists. Two cultists wearing red tunics are drinking in
medium or heavy armor. a corner and conversing in hushed tones about the fate of
• She has an unarmed talon attack which has a +4 bonus Renaer Neverember (his capture or the next kidnapping
to hit and deals 4 (1d4 + 2) damage. attempt, depending on the characters’ actions). Only a
Jorbin is a neutral good bard (see appendix B of successful DC 20 Charisma (Deception or Intimidation)
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist) with these changes: causes them to reveal the location of their secret passage
• His hit point maximum is 33 (6d8 + 6) in area T3, and they do not fight back unless provoked;
they know they have the law on their side.
• He has darkvision to a range of 60 feet.
Patrons. The other 1d10 + 12 patrons of this tavern are
• He has a climb speed of 20 feet. mostly wealthy merchants and minor adventurers from
• He has an unarmed claw attack which has a +2 bonus to out of town (use acolyte or noble statistics for each). They
hit and deals 2 (1d4) damage. know nothing of the cult but are aware that Emmarina
• He has a +4 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks. hears all sorts of rumors.
• Once per turn when Jorbin moves, he can double his T2. Kitchen
speed until the end of that turn. He can’t do so again The kitchen has a back door that leads onto the back of
until he moves 0 feet on one of his turns. the God Catcher statue. It is kept immaculately clean
thanks to a broomstick of prestidigitation that leans
Climbing the God Catcher against the back wall.
A veritable staircase of scaffolding has been built around
the God Catcher, leading from the street level to all stories Broomstick of Prestidigitation
of the sprawling and disjointed inn that has been built atop Wondrous item, common
the statue. From the inn’s main entrance, sightseers can This broom’s bristles are beautifully styled into a smooth
look out and see all of Waterdeep spread out beneath them. swoop, and its handle is made of dark wood polished to a
mirror shine.
The God Catcher Inn While holding the broom, you can cast prestidigitation. It
The God Catcher Inn is an overpriced tourist trap of an can also clean or soil up to 1 cubic foot of floor or surface
inn, but that doesn’t mean it’s not cozy. A warm fire burns larger than 1 cubic foot by sweeping the surface as you
within its hearth, it serves good ale and passable food, cast the spell.
and its award-nominated wine has been praised by the
Vintners’, Distillers’, and Brewers’ Guild—a fact that its T3. Pantry
bartender never fails to mention.
All rooms are separate from the main structure. The
bar is on the lowest level of the God Catcher Inn, and one The back room of the God Catcher Inn is rather dingy
must walk outside on the scaffolding to reach their room, compared to its cozy, atmospheric taproom. Cheap
many of which curl around the statue’s shoulders like a wooden shelves bow under the weight of sacks of flour,
feather boa or up its outstretched arm like a sleeve. jugs of lard, and other foodstuffs. The entire room smells
These rooms fit a single bed, a small washbasin, and
of vinegar and is lit by a single, flickering oil lamp.
a chest of drawers with room for little else. Each square
foot of the God Catcher Inn’s enchanted walls has AC
18, 50 hit points, and immunity to cold, fire, poison, A character who makes a successful DC 11 Intelligence
and psychic damage and bludgeoning, piercing, and (Investigation) check finds a set of footprints in the dust on
slashing damage from nonmagical attacks not made with the floor, leading to a trapdoor that blends into the wooden
adamantine weapons. floor. A character who spends 10 minutes thoroughly
T1. Taproom searching the room can make a DC 11 Wisdom
(Perception) check, finding the trapdoor on a success.
The taproom of the God Catcher Inn is awash with the T4. Cellar
warm, atmospheric glow of a blazing fireplace. Tall
The God Catcher Inn’s cellar is cold and dark. Rainwater
drips steadily into puddles on the ground, and the insides
shadows fill its corners, and flickering candles adorn each of this tunnel are carpeted by soft green moss. A mote
of its tables. Over two dozen well-dressed guests are dining of arcane light drifts lazily about the ceiling, illuminating
at tables and drinking at the bar. A long-haired half-elf in a three ancient stone doors emblazoned with an arcane sigil.
sharp suit tends the bar and mingles with the guests.

Chapter 1 | The Hand of Nessus

7
 A character who makes a successful DC 13 Intelligence
(Arcana or History) check recognizes this sigil is the icon East Vault History
of the Blackstaff, the legendary wizard sworn to defend This room has been undisturbed for centuries. The sigil
Waterdeep from evil. could have been negated by filling it with iron filings, like
the northern door was, but an unfortunate staffer was killed
T4a. North Storeroom. This door stands slightly ajar.
opening the northern wine cellar, and all attempts to open
A successful DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check this chamber were scrapped.
reveals that the sigil on its face has been filled in with iron
filings and cemented with tar and pitch. Within is a small
wine cellar containing ten casks of zzar (a fortified sherry T5. Carpal Tunnel
wine unique to Waterdeep). Each cask contains about This tunnel leads up the God Catcher’s arm and into the
twelve bottles worth of wine, weighs about 50 pounds, Hand of Nessus. It terminates in a heavy stone door (see
and is worth 120 gold. area H1).
T4b. East Vault. This stone door is sealed tightly, and Secret Door. A character can spot the secret door
a creature near the door can feel it gently thrumming in this hallway with a successful DC 20 Wisdom
with magic. A detect magic spell reveals the door (Perception) check. It is concealed to appear as part of
radiates an aura of necromancy magic. Touching the the stone wall, but the moss around its base has been
door in any way activates this cursed sigil. The rune’s disturbed. This tiny closet contains six sets of cult regalia,
magic has faded somewhat over time, but it is still quite including red robes and gold-painted tin masks. They
potent. Read or paraphrase: were made to fit humans of average height and build.

The sigil flares with blinding light, and you feel searing pain Right Hand of Nessus
wrack your body as if you were about to be torn apart into a The sect of the cult of Asmodeus that attacked Renaer
million flecks of dust. Neverember resides within the secret tunnels of the God
Catcher for just over one month. Their base, the hollowed-
out right hand of the God Catcher, is named after the sect
The creature that tried to open the door must make a
itself: the Right Hand of Nessus.
DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the
creature takes 10 (3d6) necrotic damage and gains a level Right Hand General Features
of exhaustion, or half as much damage on a successful This dungeon has the following features:
save. The door only opens at the Blackstaff’s command or Ceilings. The ceilings of the hand are only 6 feet tall,
if a creature makes a successful DC 16 Strength check. causing even average-height humans to stoop slightly in
Treasure. Behind the door is a marble statue of caution.
Khelben Arunsun, the first Blackstaff, kneeling in Doors. Unless otherwise noted, doors are made of
reverence, head bowed, with his hands held palms-up wood and emblazoned with the cult’s symbol. They were
above his head, offering a wand of secrets. made within the past month.

8
Chapter 1 | The Hand of Nessus
 Light. The interior of the hand is dimly lit by flickering • H2a. Central Ascent. This ladder continues up to area
candles placed in wall alcoves. H3a and down to area H1a.
Murals. The walls are covered in occult symbols. Each • H2b. Bunks. One cultist is in the middle of putting his
member of the cult has placed their own bloody handprint robes and mask on when the characters ascend to this
upon the stone, creating a grisly mural of devotion to level. He has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability
Asmodeus. checks during the first round of combat.
• H2c. Common Room. Three human cultists are in the
Loreloth’s Rise common area. Two are playing a game of dragonchess
This Asmodean sect is led by Loreloth, a drow warlock while another pens a longing letter to her husband, who
who once served under the famous drow Jarlaxle Baenre does not know she’s in a cult.
as a Bregan D’aerthe mercenary. However, Loreloth • H2d. Imp Training Room. The door to this room bears
betrayed Jarlaxle not long after he moored his three ships a sign that says, “Imp Trainers Only.” Two imps buzz
in Deepwater Harbor. Power-hungry Loreloth attempted a around inside this room and attack all creatures on
mutiny, but his avarice blinded him to the simple fact that sight except for the two acolytes from area H1a.
he was no match for Jarlaxle. Instead of claiming the Bregan
D’aerthe for his own Loreloth found he was barely able to
• H2e. Orb of Nessus. A ball of onyx crystal rests atop a
escape with his life. cushioned pedestal in this room. If a character touches
Lost in an unfamiliar and hostile land, Loreloth hid on it with their bare skin, a sonorous voice echoes in their
the streets of Waterdeep for a tenday, evading Bregan mind, “There is power within your soul. I have been
D’aerthe pursuers and Waterdeep’s City Watch alike. He waiting for one with true potential. Will you enter into a
was eventually apprehended in the Sea Ward by the private pact? My power… for your service?”
guard of Lord Victoro and Lady Ammalia Cassalanter,
a pair of Waterdhavian nobles. Loreloth quickly learned
that not only did the Cassalanters worship the archdevil A Deal with the Devil
Asmodeus but that the drow was to be sacrificed to the A character who touches the Orb of Nessus in area H2e
King of the Nine Hells. and chooses to make a pact may gain a warlock level
And yet, this capture proved auspicious for Loreloth. The when they next level up even if they do not meet the
drow was originally to be sacrificed to Asmodeus by the multiclassing requirements. They must choose Asmodeus,
Cassalanters’ cult, but the silver-tongued drow managed the Fiend, as their Otherworldly Patron. The implications of
to convince the cultists to welcome him into their ranks. this pact are up to the DM.
He quickly rose in prominence within the cult and became If the character chooses not to gain a warlock level when
leader of the sect known as the Hand of Nessus after a few they next level up, the sonorous voice speaks to them
surreptitious bribes and assassinations. once more. He clucks his tongue in disappointment and
then ominously says, “So be it. You could have saved them
with my power.”
H1. Wrist of the Damned A character who wishes to gain this benefit again can
The tunnel ends in a heavy stone door emblazoned with touch the orb again. That character takes 1d10 psychic
the symbol of the cult: a hand with outstretched fingers damage when they touch the orb a second or greater time
with the infernal numeral “9” contained within the palm. but again hears the voice of Asmodeus.
It is unlocked but requires a successful DC 10 Strength
check to open. Failing this check by 5 or more causes the
door to scrape loudly, causing creatures in area H1 to
H3. Knuckles of the Destroyer
None but Loreloth, the leader of this sect, are allowed in
stand up and look to the entrance.
the upper level of the Right Hand of Nessus.
• H1a. Gaze of Asmodeus. A statue of Asmodeus, Fel’rekt Lafeen infiltrated the cult just a few hours
complete with horns, goatee, bat-like wings, and two before the characters arrived, intending to capture
garnet eyes (worth 25 gp each) glowers at all who enter. Loreloth and—depending on the characters’ previous
Two cultists and two acolytes of Asmodeus chant an actions—free Renaer Neverember. Loreloth, saw through
Infernal prayer. his disguise, and the combined might of the cult quickly
• H1b. Lavatory. This room contains a small chamber subdued him. Fel’rekt is imprisoned in area H3d.
pot. One unfortunate cultist carries it downstairs to • H3a. Upper Ascent. This ladder terminates here and
empty it. During the first round of combat he hurls its descends to area H2a.
contents at intruders. It has a range of 10 feet and a
• H3b. Thumb of Conquest. A door leads out into open
5-foot-radius splash area. A creature within this area
air, and onto the crux of the statue’s thumb. Below is a
must make a successful DC 11 Constitution saving
dizzying, 100-foot drop to the city street, and across the
throw or be poisoned for 1d4 rounds.
thumb is Loreloth’s sleeping chamber. One of Loreloth’s
• H1c. Lower Ascent. This chamber contains a wooden spined devils roosts atop the thumb; the other is on a
ladder that leads up to area H2a. mission elsewhere. Loreloth’s chamber contains a gold,
H2. Palm of Domination ruby-studded symbol of Asmodeus worth 250 gp.
The air here is thick with pale pink smoke. Creatures who • H3c. Hall of Relaxation. This is Loreloth’s personal
have not placed a bloody handprint upon the wall take 1 lounge. He stole more than a few pieces of furniture
poison damage when they first enter the smoke and again from the inn below and positioned them luxuriously up
at the end of every minute they spend within it. A creature here. Loreloth is a drow cult fanatic and spends most
can make the print with their own blood or any other of his time here. If cornered here, he conceals his abject
creature’s, as long as it is their hand. The cultists are terror by congratulating the characters on reaching his
immune but know the secret and reveal it if interrogated sanctum and praises their ambition and initiative. He
with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Intimidation) check. asks if, now that they’ve annihilated his former cultists,

Chapter 1 | The Hand of Nessus

9
 they would wish to join him as agents of Asmodeus.
He promises immense personal wealth and power in
Freeing the Prisoners
exchange for their loyalty. If Loreloth is killed, he chokes If the characters freed Renaer, he bows deeply, retaining
out an ominous final warning, “The King of Hell has his noble etiquette, despite his scabbed-over wounds and
more servants than I. Their revenge will be swift.” tear-reddened eyes. He urges them to return to his manse
• H3d. Holding Cell. Fel’rekt Lafeen is gagged and with all haste. Once there he pours himself a strong drink
bound to a chair by elven rope. Renaer Neverember is then offers one to his rescuers as well. He offers them a
here too unless the characters prevented his capture guest room to stay for the night.
earlier. Fel’rekt Lafeen, a drow gunslinger (see If the characters freed Fel’rekt Lafeen, the drow stands
appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist), has been and looks directly into the eyes of the character who
disarmed of his shortsword and pistol, which sit in the unbound him and thanks them sincerely and tenderly.
corner of the room. Fel’rekt is loyal to a fault, and he instantly forms a bond
with his savior. He then picks up his weaponry and makes
H4. Insulting Digit of the Ninth Hell to depart. As he leaves he says, “I cannot stay, but I wish
A secret door in area H3c, found only by making a to thank you properly. Meet me in the Yawning Portal
successful DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check, leads into tavern at highsun tomorrow. Please.”
a passage within the middle finger of the Right Hand of
Nessus. An iron ladder leads up into the fingertip, which A Meeting with J.B. Nevercott
contains all of the cult’s wealth: a hoard of 18 gold trade If the characters saved Fel’rekt, the young drow asks
bars, and a smattering of 204 sp. Each trade bar weighs 1 his commander, Jarlaxle Baenre (see appendix B of
pound and is worth 50 gp. Waterdeep: Dragon Heist), to assess the character of his
Cult Developments saviors in person. Jarlaxle is fond of Fel’rekt, and grants
If Loreloth was killed, the rest of the cult learns of his him this indulgence. Using his hat of disguise Jarlaxle
death by sunrise. They are cultists of an archdevil who dons the guise of J.B. Nevercott, a half-elf haberdasher
prizes ambition over all else and immediately begin wearing a tremendously ostentatious feathered cap.
squabbling over who is next in line to lead the cult. This Jarlaxle is a consummate actor who never lets down his
squabble tears the cult apart, and the entire sect dissolves guard. Even if the characters discern his true identity,
and abandons their headquarters within 1d10 days. he never admits to being anything other than what he
pretends to be.
Fel’rekt accompanies him but speaks little during this
meeting with the characters except to shyly greet the
person who rescued him.
Jarlaxle is the picture of propriety and grace in this
meeting, thanking the characters profusely for saving his
“errand boy” Fel’rekt’s life. In truth Jarlaxle is using this
meeting to suss out the characters’ motivations and how
best to manipulate them in his quest to acquire the Stone
of Golorr, find the cache of dragons, and buy his way into
the Lords’ Alliance. Jarlaxle’s motivation is described
more completely in chapter 7 of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
If any of the characters ask about why Fel’rekt, a drow, is
in Waterdeep, Jarlaxle glibly lies that he, “J.B. Nevercott,”
is a spy for the Bregan D’aerthe and is shielding Fel’rekt
from harm. Jarlaxle has a +14 bonus to Charisma
(Deception) checks.
At the end of this meeting Jarlaxle places a wax-sealed
envelope with a skull-shaped seal on the table. “As thanks
for saving my boy,” he says and departs. This envelope
contains the deed to Trollskull Manor, an abandoned
tavern in Trollskull Alley, a North Ward neighborhood.
Ghosting Jarlaxle Baenre
If the characters choose not to meet Jarlaxle, he and
Fel’rekt sit around at the Yawning Portal for an hour
before leaving. That night Jarlaxle, in disguise as “J.B.
Nevercott,” arrives at Renaer Neverember’s door alone.
He introduces himself and asks tremendous politeness
if he could have tea “with the adventurers who saved his
errand boy, Fel’rekt Lafeen.”
 Jarlaxle approaches the conversation largely the same
as if it had happened in the Yawning Portal, but his pride
Continuing this Storyline
is wounded by the characters failing to meet him that In this chapter the characters may have either
afternoon. undermined or joined an occult sect and either saved a
If the characters flatly refuse to see “J.B. Nevercott,” he lieutenant of the Bregan D’aerthe or left him to die. Both
scowls and departs with a sour opinion of these mule- the Cassalanters and Jarlaxle react to these happenings,
headed adventurers. He decides that they are challenging setting new events in motion that draw them deeper into
pawns to manipulate in this game. Perhaps it would be the story of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
easier if they were simply removed from board. Even if the characters do not see these actions
happening, you should know that they are going on, just
The Deed to Trollskull Manor in case they decide to investigate the cult of Asmodeus or
If the characters accept their reward, Jarlaxle arranges the Bregan D’aerthe during chapter 2, “Trollskull Alley,” of
a meeting with a half-elf magistrate named Kalvan the adventure.
Jilgrauth but does not attend the meeting himself. The
brief session takes place at a courthouse in the Castle Bregan D’aerthe
Ward at highsun the next day. Magistrate Jilgrauth After meeting the characters as “J.B. Nevercott” Jarlaxle
witnesses the transfer of the deed, rendering the new begins searching for the Stone of Golorr in earnest. He
ownership official with professional alacrity. He also thought that Renaer Neverember had it, just like the
collects an estate transfer tax of 25 gp, which is normally Cassalanters did, but was planning on wheedling him
paid by the new owners. If the characters can’t afford out of it after saving his life. This search comes to a head
this fee or don’t want to pay it and they have befriended in the next section of the adventure, when an ex-Bregan
Renaer Neverember, he covers this expense. D’aerthe mage pursues the rock gnome Dalakhar, the
stone’s true owner.
Alternate Paths Cult of Asmodeus
This adventure assumes that the characters defeated If the Hand of Nessus was destroyed, the Cassalanters
Loreloth and saved Fel’rekt and Renaer, indebting them learn of its dissolution after 1d10 days, and they
to both Renaer and to the Bregan D’aerthe. It is possible immediately send their doppelganger butler, Willifort
that the characters choose to join the cult and leave the Crowelle (see chapter 7 of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist)
prisoners to rot—or to refuse either faction’s aid and forge to investigate the scene, hunt down and interrogate any
their own path in Waterdeep. survivors, and draft a plan of action.
If they accepted Loreloth’s offer, he grants them lodging A further 1d10 days later, Crowelle learns the characters
in the Right Hand of Nessus, and the God Catcher Inn. You were responsible for the cult’s destruction. Victoro
can use NPCs from Trollskull Alley (chapter 2 of Waterdeep: Cassalanter sends two imps in the guise of crows to spy
Dragon Heist) to populate the area around the God Catcher. upon them day and night. He is eager to put the characters
If the characters insult Fel’rekt or otherwise refuse his
in his debt—literally, by offering them an outrageous loan
kindness, they do not receive a visit from Jarlaxle, and they
to cover the costs of opening a tavern with spectacularly
do not receive the deed to Trollskull Manor. In this case
Renaer offers to pay for their lodging at the Yawning Portal low interest rates—to subtly wind a noose around these
for a full season. meddling adventurers’ necks, just in case.
If the characters joined the Hand of Nessus, the
Cassalanters do not take interest unless they interfere in
Friends in High Places their search for the Stone of Golorr.
Jarlaxle is no friend to the characters—unless they join the
Bregan D’aerthe and serve him— but he is willing to aid Level Advancement
them if they are advancing his agenda, unwittingly or not. If you’re using milestone level advancement instead of
Fel’rekt has learned much about the city of Waterdeep tracking experience points, the characters advance from
in his short time here, and Jarlaxle tasks Fel’rekt and his 1st level to 2nd level after they complete this chapter.
companion Krebbyg Masq’il’yr with watching over the
characters, showing them important locations within
the city, perhaps by sharing information wound within
chapter 9, “Volo’s Waterdeep Enchiridion,” of Waterdeep:
Dragon Heist and perhaps even offering drow characters
membership in the Bregan D’aerthe.
Although Renaer is estranged from his rich and
powerful father, he still has friends in high places,
including Harpers who can come to the characters’
rescue if they need it. If the characters are looking for an
audience with influential persons in Waterdeep, Renaer
can set up meetings with Mirt, Remallia Haventree (see
appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist for both), or just
about any other Waterdavian noble.
 Chapter 2: New Fireball

T
his chapter presents changes you
can make to chapter 3, “Fireball,” of
What Changes
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist to provide a new The following details of chapter 3, “Fireball,” of
cause behind the explosion in Trollskull Waterdeep: Dragon Heist are changed:
Alley and a new way to begin the search for • House Gralhund is not involved in the plot at all, nor
the Stone of Golorr. is Lady Gralhund’s nimblewright. Do not use the
Malcal Relet, a power-hungry drow mage who once “House Gralhund,” “Nim’s Secret,” “Gralhund Villa,”
worked with Bregn D’aerthe, is responsible for the fireball “Aftermath,” or “Loose Ends” sections of the chapter.
and stealing the Stone of Golorr. He attempted to kill • The “What’s Happening Here?” “After the Blast,”
Jarlaxle and seize control of the mercenary band but and “What Renaer Knows” sections of the chapter
failed. Malcal barely escaped the Sea Maiden’s Faire with have details changed as noted in the specific story
his life and is constantly looking over his shoulder for descriptions since House Gralhund is no longer involved
Jarlaxle’s forces. He knows about the Stone of Golorr and in the plot.
steals it to buy protection for himself.

What Stays and What The Elemental

After the fireball tears through the alley, Malcal grabs
Changes the stone from Dalakhar’s corpse then covers his
escape by breaking an elemental gem and conjuring a
Some of the story elements from chapter 3 of Waterdeep:
fire elemental to cause havoc while he escapes. The
Dragon Heist remain consistent while others are removed
elemental has orders to attack any creature it notices in
and replaced if you are using this supplement.
the alley and fight to the death. If the characters kill the
elemental, the various witness of the crime come out of
What Stays the Same their hiding places to thank them and mourn the dead.
The following details of chapter 3, “Fireball,” of
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist remain the same:
• An explosion still rocks Trollskull Alley and the victims
Investigation
are the same eleven people listed. During their investigation, the characters should learn
• After the blast the City Watch, Barnibus, and Saeth still that a drow mage cast the fireball spell, why the attack
arrive and investigate the crime scene. was committed (to steal the Stone of Golorr), and where
the stone was taken (to an abandoned building in the
• The “Speaking with the Victims” section of the chapter
Southern Ward).
remains the same.
• Renaer Neverember can still visit the characters to tell
them about the Stone of Golorr.

12
Chapter 2 | New Fireball
Eyewitnesses (a male deep gnome) and his shop are found in chapter
1, “A Friend in Need,” of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. If the
The characters can interview the eyewitnesses listed in characters ask Xoblob about a drow coming in to buy a
chapter 3, “Fireball,” but they get different responses. magic gem, Xoblob becomes angry, saying:
Fala Lefaliir
Fala tells the characters, “I was watering plants in the “That gem was magic? Curses! I new I should have charged
greenhouse on the second floor of my shop when the more… or kept it for myself. That drow needs to pay for
blast blew out some of the windows. Lucky I wasn’t
ripping me off. I’ll send you, my minions, to do it. The
injured! Through the smoke, I saw a cloaked figure take
something from the body of a dead gnome then break a feeble elf told me he was staying in the Southern Ward. You
gem to summon that creature of fire! The figure ran off to should be able to find him there. His name is Malcal.”
the south as the creature started causing havoc.”
Jezrynne Hornraven After the characters talk to Xoblob, the Xanathar sends
Jezrynne tells the characters, “The mage who made that a gazer (see appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist) to
fire was a dark elf. I saw his face!” If the characters ask shadow their movements. The beholder wants to keep
around, a successful DC 15 Charisma (Investigation) tabs the characters since they are on the trail of the Stone
check learns drow are rumored to be spotted more of Golorr. If this gazer is killed, Xanathar doesn’t send
frequently in the Dock Ward of late, specifically around a another one to replace it.
boat called the Heartbreaker.
Martem Trec Renaer’s Thoughts
Martem tells the characters, “The figure who cast As described in chapter 3 of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist,
the explosion broke a gem, which summoned the fire Renaer can inform the characters about the Stone of
monster. I just saw that gem in the Old Xoblob Shop Golorr and Dalakhar. If the characters ask him about
yesterday in the Dock Ward!” Martem is a collector of Malcal Relet, he knows nothing but offers to ask the
trinkets so he frequents the curious shop and can tell the Harpers what they might know. The Harpers inform
characters where it is. Renaer that a drow has been spotted in the Southern
Ward, but they know nothing more.
Heartbreaker
If the characters talk to Jezrynne Hornraven (see
Southern Ward
“Eyewintesses”) they can poke around the Heartbreaker Once the characters learn that Malcal is staying in the
for clues (see chapter 7, “Maestro’s Fall,” of Waterdeep: Southern Ward, they can try to investigate to pinpoint his
Dragon Heist). If the characters ask the ship’s crew about exact location.
drow, they are initially turned away, though insistent • A character who spends 1 day asking around the
characters get the sailors to contact Jarlaxle as described Southern Ward learns that a drow has been seen
in “Dock Ward Distraction” in chapter 3 of Waterdeep: entering a rundown house on Ilisar’s Alley with a
Dragon Heist. successful DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check or by
spending 15 gp in bribes and gifts.
Talking with Zardoz Zord
The characters can chat with Zardoz Zord (Jarlaxle • A character who spends 1 day systematically searching
Baenre in appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist in the streets of the Southern Ward has a 10 percent
disguise) about the rumored drow sightings in the area, chance of noticing Malcal entering a rundown house on
and the captain responds, saying: Ilisar’s Alley.
• Characters can use their background features or
connections to organizations to get help searching the
“I do hire some drow to work at the carnival, just as I
Southern Ward for Malcal. These characters learn after
hire anyone with a good work ethic. One drow, Malcal 1d10 days that Malcal is hiding in a rundown house on
Relet, sadly didn’t have the stomach for the work. He was Ilisar’s Alley.
angry and tried to steal money from the Sea Maiden’s
Faire so I had to let him go. Rumor is he has a safe house
somewhere in the Southern Ward.”
Malcal’s Safe House
Malcal Relet was hiding the Stone of Golorr in a rundown
house on Ilisar’s Alley in the Southern Ward. The mage
Jarlaxle wants to find Malcal to make him pay for his wants to give the stone to the adventure’s main villain as
insolence. The captain knows the mage is somewhere a way to protect himself against Bregan D’aerthe (or as a
in the Southern Ward, but hasn’t pinpointed Malcal’s way to get himself back in the organization’s good graces
address yet. Jarlaxle hopes the characters can lead Bregan if the villain is Jarlaxle, who accepts the offer for the stone
D’aerthe to the mage. After meeting with the characters, then send agents to kill Malcal anyway).
Jarlaxle orders Soluun Xibrindas (see appendix B of
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist) to shadow the characters. Should They or Shouldn’t They
The characters must proceed carefully, since they have
Old Xoblob Shop only testimonies and no hard evidence that directly
If the characters talk to Martem Trec (see implicates Malcal Relet in the attack in Trollskull Alley.
“Eyewitnesses”), their search could lead them to the Old Their two basic choices are to share what they know with
Xoblob Shop in the Dock Ward. A description of Xoblob the City Watch or to visit Malcal’s safe house themselves.

Chapter 2 | New Fireball

13
 Let the Watch Handle It • Unless specified otherwise, the walls and doors of the
If the characters tell the Watch what they know, the house are made of wood. Doors have AC 15, 27 hit
characters receive a visit from Barnibus Blastwind and points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage.
Saeth Cromley (see appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon • There are no light sources in the house.
Heist), who have no reason to suspect the characters
are lying. Their own investigation corroborates much Areas of the Safe House
of what the characters said. Barnibus concludes the The following areas correspond to the map in appendix B.
meeting by saying, rather brusquely, “Thank you for the
information.” Cromley adds, “Rest assured, we’ll have S1. Patio
this case resolved in no time.” The stone patio of is covered in dirt and dust. A character
When the Watch arrives at the abandoned building, who makes a successful DC 8 Wisdom (Survival) check
Bregan D’aerthe has already killed Malcal, leaving his finds slender elf boot prints less than a day old in the dust.
corpse behind. The Watch doesn’t put much effort into S2. Dining Room
finding the mage’s murderer (since Malcal himself killed This old dining room has the remains of broken chairs
eleven people), but Barnibus does deliver the news to the and a broken table on the floor. Several scorched and
characters (who can pick up the trail of the stone with the frozen drow corpses are on the ground in this room
help of friendly factions like the Harpers). (recently killed by Malcal’s spells).
Investigate the House Glyph of Warding. Malcal placed a glyph of warding
If the characters choose to investigate the safe house, they spell (spell save DC 15) on the center of the floor in this
arrive just after Malcal sends the Stone of Golorr off to a room, which activates the explosive runes effect (thunder
hiding place and a Bregan D’aerthe assassination squad damage) if a creature other than him touches it. The
comes to kill the mage. Bregan D’aerthe drow managed to avoid the glyph when
If the characters save Malcal’s life or reduce him to 20 they entered the house.
or fewer hit points, the drow reveals the truth about the Creatures in this room can hear the commotion in the
stone with a successful DC 15 Charisma (Intimidation bedroom (area S4).
or Persuasion) check. Malcal gave the stone to his bat S3. Kitchen
familiar to store in a location to be retrieved by the forces This old kitchen has empty cabinets on the walls and a
of the main villain. Malcal gives the characters a map staircase, which leads down to a closed pantry.
to the stone’s location (which is the same map carried Pantry. The pantry holds Malcal’s valuables as well as
by the nimblewright in chapter 4, “Dragon Season,” of Bano, his pet giant wolf spider that attacks any creature
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist). that opens the door that is not Malcal.
Treasure. The pantry shelves hold a potion of poison
Safe House Features and a pouch containing 23 gp, 42 ep, 11 sp, and 78 cp.
The safe house has the following features: S4. Bedroom
• The safe house is a single-story structure. Rooms are 10 The bedroom’s furniture is ruined, though Malcal’s bedroll
feet high, with 8-foot-high doorways connecting them. is on the floor. Eight Bregan D’aerthe drow in this room
• Climbing the outside walls of the house are trying to force the door to the office (area S5) open.
without equipment requires a successful If the drow notice the characters, the dark elves warn
DC 12 Strength (Athletics) check. the characters to leave. If the characters refuse, the drow
attack, fighting until three remain then fleeing.
The drow must be magically compelled to reveal any
details of their mission.
Door to the Office. The door to area S5 is barricaded
from the opposite side and requires a successful DC 15
Strength check to open.
Malcal’s Spellbook. Malcal’s spellbook is in his bedroll
and contains all the spells he has prepared plus the
following spells: blur, charm person, control water, detect
magic, dimension door, dominate person, feather fall,
fireball, glyph of warding, and melf’s acid arrow.
S5. Office
The office has a desk and shelves Malcal has used to
barricade the door (see “Door to the Office” in area S4).
If the characters attack Malcal, he fights back, fleeing at
the first opportunity. If they do not harm him, he acts as
described in “Investigate the House.”
Malcal is a drow mage. When the characters find him,
he has used all of his 4th-and-5th-level spell slots.

Aftermath
If the characters investigated the house, proceed to
chapter 4, “Dragon Season,” starting with the first
encounter in the main villain’s encounter chain.

14
Chapter 3: New Vault

T
his is a new Vault of Dragons meant keys needed to open the door should be three completely
to replace the one found in chapter 4, different keys than others your group used to previously
“Dragon Season,” in Waterdeep: Dragon open the vault.
Heist. It is meant to be used by groups that
play through the adventure more than once S2. Decorated Stair
and provides fresh challenges. These stairs go down from the entrance of the vault (area
S1) to the entrance of the crypt (area S5). The walls are
Vault Features decorated with carvings of dwarf artisans crafting grand
weapons and armor.
All areas of the vault have the following features:
• Any spell that tries to contact a creature in the vault Slab Door
fails, as does any spell that attempts to scry on the vault The door to the crypt (area S5) appears to be a stone slab
interior or any creatures within. Teleporting into the without handles or hinges. A carving in Dwarvish on this
vault from outside is impossible. side of the door reads, “Only a true dwarven craft can
• Ceilings in the vault are 20 feet high. open.” A detect magic spell reveals the door radiates an
aura of abjuration magic.
• Walls are made of mortared stone and require a
The door does not open from this side, however it
successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check to climb
opens just like a normal door from the crypt (area S5).
without equipment. Doors are solid stone slabs with
The door cannot be harmed, except by a magic weapon
stone handles and hinges.
crafted by dwarves, such as a dwarven thrower or the
• Except in area S9, there are no light sources. +1 warhammer hidden in the chamber of dance (see
“Treasure” in area S3).
Areas of the Vault S3. Chamber of Dance
The following locations are keyed on the map in
appendix B. This small chamber has the following features:
• A harpsichord in the center of the room begins playing a
S1. Vault Door jaunty tune as soon as the door is opened.
This vault door is as described in area V1 of chapter 4, • A mosaic depicts several ornate axes and one
“Dragon Season,” of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. If this is magnificent warhammer lined in a neat row along the
your second or greater time playing Dragon Heist, the wall 5 feet above the floor.

Chapter 3 | New Vault

15
 Harpsichord Each dome is emblazoned with the symbol of a different
A detect magic spell reveals the harpsichord radiates dwarf deity. A character recognizes the symbol and deity
an aura of enchantment magic. Any creature that is not with a successful DC 14 Intelligence (Religion) check.
a dwarf within 60 feet of the harpsichord that can hear Dwarves have advantage on this check.
its music must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw • Grave A. This grave’s dome is decorated with the
at the start of its turn. A creature that fails falls prone jeweled dagger of Abbathor, god of greed. Each of the
and must use its action to engage in a violent dance, dwarf bodies interred in this grave holds a large red
throwing itself against the floor repeatedly, dealing 11 gem. A detect magic spell reveals the gems radiate
(2d10) bludgeoning damage to itself. The creature cannot auras of evocation magic. If a gem is disturbed, it
move from the space it occupies under its own power immediately explodes in a 10-foot-radius sphere.
and is under this effect until it can no longer hear the Creatures in the area must make a DC 13 Dexterity
harpsichord. On a successful save the creature is immune saving throw, taking 11 (2d10) fire damage on a failed
to the effects of the harpsichord for 24 hours. save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The harpsichord is made of a magically treated wood. • Grave B. This grave’s dome is decorated with the fiery
It has AC 17, 50 hit points, and immunity to poison and axe of Tharmekhûl, god of fire and forges. When the
psychic damage. If the door to this chamber is closed dome is removed, fire explodes out of the grave. Each
while the harpsichord is playing and remains closed for creature within 20 feet of the uncovered opening must
10 minutes, the harpsichord stops playing. make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 16 (3d10)
Mosaic fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on
a successful one.
A character who examines the mosaic knows the
area behind the warhammer picture is hollow with a • Grave C. This grave’s dome is decorated with the crossed
successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check. The axes of Clangeddin Silverbeard, god of war and strategy.
tiles can easily be broken with a weapon or tool to reveal When the dome is removed, four specters that look like
the weapon inside (see “Treasure”). dwarf warriors emerge from the grave and attack any
other creatures they notice, fighting to the death.
Treasure • Grave D. This grave’s dome is decorated with the beer
A +1 warhammer carved with Dwarvish runes is hidden stein of Hanseath, god of festivity and brewing. When
inside the walls (see “Mosaic”). the dome is removed, the scent of alcohol fills this
chamber, and each creature in area S5 must succeed
S4. Shrine to Moradin on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become
This small chamber has the following features: poisoned for 1 hour.
• A 3-foot-tall marble altar carved with the hammer and • Grave E. This grave’s dome is decorated with the
anvil symbol of Moradin stands in the center of the room. silver ewer of Valkauna, goddess of birth and death. If
• An enormous tapestry covers the entire north wall and a creature opens one of the coffins in this grave, that
depicts Moradin working at his forge to craft the first creature must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving
dwarves out of metal and gemstones. (This tapestry throw or immediately age 1d6 years.
hides a door.) • Grave F. This gave’s dome is decorated with the
mountain gemstone of Dumathoin, god of buried
Altar secrets. A secret door at the bottom of this well leads
A detect magic spell reveals the altar radiates an aura of
to the main vault (area S9). A successful DC 15
necromancy magic. Any creature that can see the altar
Intelligence (Investigation) check notices the outline of
that is not a dwarf must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom
the secret door.
saving throw or become blinded and deafened for 8 hours
or until the altar is destroyed. Creatures that succeed are
immune to the altar's effects for 24 hours.
S6. Secret Hall
A creature that succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence Both secret doors in this area are easily noticed from
(Religion) check understands the nature of the altar. The this hall’s side of those doors. This hall has the following
altar is made of a magically treated stone. It has AC 19, 80 features:
hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage. • Two alcoves at the south end of the room hold gold urns
Hidden Door overflowing with gems and gold.
If the tapestry is moved, the door behind it, which leads to • The walls and ceiling are painted with a fresco that
area S6, is revealed. depicts a massive battle between a group of dwarves
and a red dragon.
S5. Crypts Treasure
This large chamber has rounded ceilings and arches Each of the two urns is worth 125 gp. The first urn holds
between its stone columns. 800 gp. The second urn holds 86 pearls (worth 10 gp each).
Graves
Six 5-foot-diameter, 500-pound bronze domes sit on the S7. Clue Alcoves
floor, each covering a 20-foot-deep vertical shaft. Four Each of these six rooms has a different faded picture
stone coffins sit at the bottom of each shaft. A character of Moradin crafting great works of art painted on the
who succeeds on a DC 12 Strength check can open a ceiling. When the door to one of the rooms is open, a
coffin and find the bones of a dwarf in rusty armor inside. word appears in blue glowing Dwarvish runes on the
wall opposite the door. A detect magic spell reveals these
runes radiate an aura of illusion magic.

16
Chapter 3 | New Vault
 A different word appears in each room. The word that remove curse spells, or similar magic breaks the ward’s
appears depends on the order in which the doors are hold on a dragon for 1 hour. If an affected dragon moves
opened. 1 mile away from the Vault of Dragons, the effects of the
• The first room opened has the word “OUR.” ward end immediately.
• The second room opened has the word “BURIED.” Aurinax
• The third room opened has the word “SECRETS.” The dwarf is actually Aurinax, an adult gold dragon
• The fourth room opened has the word “REVEAL.” (see appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist), and his
• The fifth room opened has the word “GOLDEN.” staff is the dragonstaff of Ahghairon (see appendix A of
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist). Aurinax is affected by the ward
• The final room opened has the word “LIGHT.”
(see “Ancient Ward”), and currently sees all creatures that
Put together in order these words form the sentence, are not dwarves as his enemies. When Aurinax notices
“Our buried secrets reveal golden light,” which is a clue as the characters, he transforms into his dragon form and
to which grave in the crypts (grave F in area S5) leads to attacks any characters that are not dwarves (though he
the main vault (area S9). does not hesitate to attack dwarves who harm him first).
If all of the doors are to the clue alcoves are closed, the Aurinax pays no attention to dwarf characters and allows
runes fade after 10 minutes and the magic resets. them to come and go freely from the chamber, taking as
much gold as they like, though he attacks anyone who
S8. False Treasure Room tries to take his staff.
This large room has the following features: Damaging Aurinax allows him to make a saving throw
• An enormous mound of gold and gems sits in the center against the ward’s effects while casting the dispel magic,
of the room. protection from evil and good, or remove curse spell
• A secret door is carved in the west wall. breaks the ward’s hold on the dragon for 1 hour.
If freed from the effects of the ward, the grateful
Treasure Pile dragon thanks the characters. He tells them they can
A detect magic spell reveals the mound of treasure take the gold as a reward for saving him. The dragon
radiates an aura of transmutation magic. When a is fine breaking his word to Dagult Neverember, since
creature touches the treasure, it turns into green acid the former Open Lord left Aurinax in the chamber to go
that immediately sloshes all over the floor of the room. mad. Aurinax desires to leave the chamber as soon as
Each creature in area S8 must make a DC 13 Dexterity possible as to not fall victim to the ward’s effects again, so
saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) acid damage on a failed he doesn’t stick around. If the characters mention using
save or half as much on a successful one. After the the gold for some nefarious purpose or giving it to an
treasure pile turns to acid, a new one reappears in the infamously evil person (like Manshoon) or organization
room 10 minutes later. (like the Xanathar Guild), Aurinax reconsiders leaving the
Secret Door vault right away and attacks.
A successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check Treasure
notices the outline of the secret door, which leads to The treasure in this area is the same as described in area
area S6. V9 of the Vault of Dragons in chapter 4, “Dragon Season,”
of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
S9. Main Vault
This room is brightly lit by the continual flame spell cast
on torches in wall sconces and has the following features:
Leaving the Vault
When the characters leave the vault, they face the forces
• An aged dwarf mutters to himself in one corner of the
of their chosen main villain as described in chapter 4,
room, clutching a staff carved and painted to resemble a
“Dragon Season,” of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
pair of entwined dragons — one red, one gold.
• An ancient ward in the vault causes dragons to go mad
when they enter the area.
• Deep alcoves line the walls, and piled in one of them is a
vast golden trove.
Ancient Ward
The dwarves that constructed the vault feared greedy
dragons coming to steal their valuables, so the dwarves
enchanted this room with a powerful ward. A detect
magic spell reveals the walls, ceiling, and floor of this
chamber radiate an aura of enchantment magic.
When a dragon enters this chamber it must succeed
on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or see all creatures
that are not dwarves as enemies. The dragon cannot use
Legendary Resistance to succeed on this saving throw.
The dragon also becomes totally indifferent toward
dwarves, unless a dwarf harms it, then the dragon
becomes hostile toward that dwarf. A dragon under
this effect can repeat its saving throw whenever it takes
damage. The dispel magic, protection from evil and good,

Chapter 3 | New Vault

17
 Chapter 4: Above Ground Vault

Y
ou can use this above-ground vault when • The Vault of Dragons is always in the same location. No
you run Waterdeep: Dragon Heist to give the matter which season you use, skip the final stage of the
characters a challenge that feels more like a encounter chain.
classic heist than a dungeon delve. • The information provided by the Stone of Golorr is
different (see the “Attuning to the Stone” sidebar) and
leads the characters to residents of the city who work
inside the Vault of Dragons.
Adapting Fireball • Replace the Vault of Dragons with the one in this
section of this supplement. When the characters leave
If you plan to use this vault, make the following
the vault, they face the henchmen of the main villain
adjustments to chapter 3, “Fireball,” of Waterdeep:
(see “Leaving the Vault” in chapter 4, “Dragon Season,”
Dragon Heist. After Dalakhar is assassinated, the
of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist).
characters discover a charred scroll case on his body.
Inside, they find a letter to Lord Nevember that explains
the existence of the Vault of Dragons and the powers of Attuning to the Stone
the Stone of Golorr. A character who attunes to the Stone of Golorr learns the
Dalakhar’s letter is addressed to Lord Dagult following information:
Neverember. Any character local to Waterdeep recognizes • The address of the Vault of the Dragons and the nature of
Dagult as the prior Open Lord of Waterdeep, who was the spell of forgetfulness surrounding it (see “The Spell of
ousted by a council vote while working overland in Forgetfulness”). The bank is in the Sea Ward on the corner
Neverwinter. Any character who succeeds on a DC 10 of Grimwald’s Way and the Street of Whispers.
Intelligence (History) check recalls that Lord Neverember • The names and addresses of three “vault contacts” that
is reputed to have embezzled a fortune in gold from the work inside the bank. The characters can shake down
city’s funds. When the crew finds the letter, give them the these operatives to learn valuable info about the bank (see
“Dalakhar’s Letter” handout from appendix C. “Vault Contacts”).
• The stone also provides the name of the vault’s gold

Adapting Dragon Season dragon guardian and the powers of the staff in its
possession (see the description of the dragonstaff of
Ahghairon in appendix A of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist).
Play through the encounter chain in chapter 4, “Dragon
Season,” of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist with the following
important alterations:

18
Chapter 4 | Above Ground Vault
The Vault of Dragons The Magic Coins
If any creature on the same plane of existence as Aurinax
The Vault of Dragons is a working bank and investment draws a map of the bank or writes down any information
firm that caters exclusively to Lord Neverember’s estate. about it, Aurinax is magically alerted to the existence of
Dagult’s trusted factotum, the gold dragon Aurinax these writings. In response he can animate coins from the
(see appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist), carefully treasure vault and send them flying off to hunt the items
manages his master’s estate from the building’s offices. Six down! When a coin is animated, the dragon embossed
bank staff and six security guards serve under Aurinax. on its surface crawls out of the coin and flies off under
The bank is only accessible to the public by Aurinax’s command.
appointment. Bank staffers work during daylight hours An animated dragon coin (see appendix A) can always
with the security guards working in shifts throughout the sense the direction of the nearest piece of vault-related
day and night so that four of them are present at any time. writing. Within Waterdeep it takes 1d3 hours to reach its
destination. For every 100 miles outside of the city that
The Spell of Forgetfulness the writings are located add 4 hours to this total. When
Except for Aurinax and the creature currently attuned to the coin locates the writing, it attempts to steal it without
the Stone of Golorr, everyone who sets eyes on the bank being spotted or burn it to cinders with its breath weapon.
is subjected to the effects of its enchantment: a powerful If an animated dragon coin doesn’t return, Aurinax sends
spell of forgetfulness. When such creatures move out of a swarm of animated dragon coins (see appendix A) to
sight of the building, they immediately forget everything destroy the writings and murder anybody guarding them.
about it: its location, importance, layout, and defenses. Should this fail, the dragon gets an animated coin to lead
They actively avoid thinking about the gaps in their him to the target so he can deal with the problem himself.
memory and are dismissive of others who attempt to
query these blanks. If they return to the bank, they regain
all memories of it. Outside of the bank only a remove
Vault Contacts
curse spell or similar magic can restore their memories. Each day the same twelve city residents are tricked
Creatures subjected to these effects can learn about the into working in the Vault of Dragons as coin-counters,
bank from other sources, but such knowledge is lost again accountants, serving staff, and security guards. When
by leaving the area of the bank. If a character is affected they leave the premises, they forget all about their day
by the spell of forgetfulness, the onus is on the player and presume they’ve just done a normal shift in their
to roleplay their character’s memory loss. Award them “real” jobs.
inspiration if they play this well! The adventurers can use the Stone of Golorr to track
down these workers and interrogate them. However, the
Brainwashed Bank Workers only way to pry their memories from them is to question
The bank workers are all affected by the spell of them in sight of the bank, use a remove curse spell, or
forgetfulness. Each morning, carriages collect them attune them to Stone of Golorr.
from their homes to deliver them to what they presume Any bank worker who fails to arrive for their shift raises
are their real jobs. Deposited outside the bank, they the dragon’s suspicions and may cause problems for
remember their actual duties. On leaving the premises, the heist. Aurinax has no loyalty to any of his workers
they forget everything they’ve learned and return home and doesn’t hesitate to replace them if they present
thinking they’ve had a normal day at work elsewhere. complications to his duties.
Business Contacts
Aurinax exploits the spell of forgetfulness to gain an Gaining Vault Contacts
edge in his business dealings. Posing as the elderly gold When an adventurer attunes to the Stone of Golorr, they
dwarf banker Barok Clanghammer, his standard ruse learn the names and addresses of three vault contacts.
is to lure potential business partners to the bank for an Roll three times of the Vault Contacts table to determine
introductory meeting. While surprised to learn of the these individuals. All contacts know the following
bank’s existence, most are curious enough to attend. information:
Knowing his clients are sure to forget everything as soon • The Vault of Dragons is a private bank and investment
as they leave the premises, Aurinax uses these meetings firm owned by one of the masked lords of Waterdeep.
to strike the most advantageous business deals possible.
• A dwarf banker named Barok Clanghammer manages
Once he’s sure of a bargain, he arranges a second meeting
the premises. None of the workers are aware of
on neutral ground to strike an accord that remains lodged
Aurinax’s true form.
in his partners’ memories.
• Each contact can describe the layout of the security
zones to which they are assigned.

Vault Contacts (Roll three times, one for each contact)

d4 1st Contact 2nd Contact 3rd Contact
1 Borivik “Hardhat” Chergoba, Guard Lutetia Inkbrush, Clerk Wynn Syndlewise, Coin-Counter
2 Gorgi Ninebellies, Guard Mouse, Coin-Counter Sergeant Grim Tallstag, Guard
3 Merryman Studd, Guard Omber Hardindale, Merchant Baker Rowan Silverbrook, Guard
4 Nystene Braeles, Guard Rosy Meadowcup, Cook Stark Turnskull, Cook’s Assistant

Chapter 4 | Above Ground Vault

19
 In addition, a bank worker who regains their Merryman Studd, Guard
memories of the bank can provide three pieces of unique Bank zones: Public bank, private offices
information about the premises. Loudmouthed Merryman (LN male Chondathan human
Once the contacts have been questioned, the characters veteran) suffers from a secret fear of fire following a
can call on the Stone of Golorr to acquire the names and calamitous shipwreck in his youth. This craggy bodyguard
addresses of another three vault contacts (to determine shares a North Ward apartment with his girlfriend
who these are, use the next set of names on the table Aggie. Soon after the adventurers arrive, Aggie’s martial
instead of rerolling). If the characters choose, they can arts adept ex-husband and two thug companions try to
repeat the process until all twelve contacts have been kidnap her from the apartment. Merryman can reveal the
identified. following information:
The villains of the adventure are also hunting for the
• If intruders are detected inside the bank, the guards
Vault of Dragons. Warn the characters that spending too
pull one of the alarm cords to sound magical alarms
much time on preparation increases the chances of the
throughout the premises.
villains finding the vault too (see “Rival Agents”).
• Aside from the guards, Clanghammer employs a desk
Borivik “Hardhat” Chergoba, Guard clerk, two coin-counters, a cook and her assistant, and a
Bank zones: Public bank, private offices merchant banker.
Borivik (LE male Rameshi human veteran) earned the • Business clients often meet Clanghammer or the
nickname “hardhat” after an ogre struck him on the merchant banker in the meeting room.
head so hard that the blow wedged his helmet to his
• If Xanathar’s agent is on site, Merryman recently
skull. This cruel and cunning sword-for-hire lives in a
heard something thumping about in the sewer tunnels
rundown apartment above a fishmonger’s shop in the
underneath the bank.
Dock Ward. When the adventurers arrive, four gangland
scouts are staking out the house, hoping to collect on one Mouse, Coin-Counter
of hardhat’s many gambling debts. Borivik can reveal the Bank zones: Private offices, vault
following information: Mouse (N male rock gnome commoner) suffers from a
• The lanterns throughout the bank are lit by magic and mental condition that makes him socially awkward yet
can’t be extinguished. super numerate. He lives alone in a squalid shack in the
• The security guards carry keys to most of the doors Field Ward and travels to work each morning on a dung
inside the bank. cart. A local gang of six bandit footpads have convinced
• The door into the treasure vault lies inside the counting themselves that Mouse works for the Xanathar Guild and
house. have chosen to tail him in the hope they can break into the
gang themselves.
Gorgi Ninebellies, Guard Mouse can reveal the following information:
Bank zones: Public bank, private offices • The coin counters can only enter the treasure vault if
Gorgi (LN male shield dwarf veteran) thinks he works Clanghammer is present.
security at “Gravy’s,” a prestigious pie shop in the Castle • The treasure vault is locked behind a big metal gate that
Ward. When he’s not on duty, Gorgi lodges in a North only Clanghammer can open.
Ward inn named the Weathered Spoon. As a regular
• Scary metal men guard the interior of the vault.
drinker across the ward, he recognizes the adventurers
from their tavern at Trollskull Manor. Gorgi can reveal the Nystene Braelas, Guard
following information: Bank zones: Public bank, private offices
• Only Clanghammer and his coin-counters are allowed Nystene (CG female moon elf veteran) is a haughty
access to the treasure vault. mercenary who lodges in an upmarket hostelry in the
• During the day the cook’s half-orc assistant frequently Castle Ward. Outside the Vault, she’s convinced that she
moves through the bank to bring food to the workers. spends each day working security for Savalas, a visiting
• At night the only people present are Clanghammer and elf lord. If Nystene learns that Savalas has long since set
four security guards. sail for Evermeet, she swears bloody vengeance on those
who ensorcelled her for so long. Nystene can reveal the
Lutetia Inkbrush, Clerk following information:
Bank zones: Public bank, private offices • Sorcery crows are perched inside cages throughout the
Lutetia (N female Chondathan human commoner) owns bank. These magical birds sense the presence of spells.
a Sea Ward townhouse that she’s filled to the rafters • Clanghammer uses a speaking tube to communicate
with an extensive collection of porcelain pugs. She has a with his coin-counters in the counting house.
supernatural link to her figurines. If any are moved, she
• Clanghammer doesn’t seem to sleep. There is
gets a flash of worry for her collection. Lutetia can reveal
something unnatural about him.
the following information:
• If the Cassalanter’s agent is on site, a beautiful
• The main entrance to the bank is trapped. Any creature
woman recently seduced Nystene to gain access to the
entering the vestibule must speak a password aloud or
basement. Nystene hasn’t seen her since and suspects
be incinerated.
her experience may have been a dream.
• Clanghammer changes the password each day and
reveals it to Lutetia during her morning briefing. Ombert Hardingdale, Merchant Banker
• Lutetia keeps a backup key to the main entrance in her Bank zones: Public bank, private offices
desk drawer. This lets her unlock the door from within Master Hardingdale (N male lightfoot halfling
without using the password. commoner) is a merchant banker sworn to the service

20
Chapter 4 | Above Ground Vault
of House Lanngolyn who lives alone in an opulent Sea lycanthropes. She’s extremely wary around strangers
Ward apartment. He’s currently taking a sabbatical and booby-trapped her North Ward apartment with
following a decade of loyal service so after each day of poison dart traps (see “Traps” in chapter 5, “Adventure
work he convinces himself that his visits to the bank Environments,” of the Dungeon Master’s Guide). Rowan
are relaxing trips around the city. Ombert can reveal the can reveal the following information:
following information: • As each new guard arrives for their shift, Clanghammer
• On Clanghammer’s orders Hardingdale arranges tells them the password needed to unlock the door at
meetings with business clients to discuss investments. the main entrance.
These clients are often invited to the bank and • Clanghammer rarely leaves his office at night.
entertained in the meeting room. • There’s a drainpipe at the rear of the building that can
• Hardingdale carries two keys: his desk key and the key be used to gain access to the roof.
to the counting house. When he leaves the premises, he • If Jarlaxle’s agent is on site, a flamboyant tiefling
locks the counting house key inside his desk drawer. recently rented property opposite the bank. Rowan
• The meeting room has a lingering stench of burned suspects that she’s spying on the building.
flesh so Hardingdale opens a window each morning to
air it out. Sergeant Grim Tallstag, Guard
Bank zones: Public bank, private offices
Rosy Meadowcup, Cook Sergeant Tallstag (LN male Chondathan human veteran)
Bank zones: Public bank, private offices, maintenance was a career soldier with the Waterdeep Guard who has
area since retired into private security. Haughty and officious,
Cheery Rosy (NG female lightfoot halfling commoner) the old sergeant now lives in the Sea Ward with his
owns a bakery in the Southern Ward. She keeps an household of browbeaten servants. Tallstag can reveal the
enchanted cow in her back yard, and in her spare time following information:
she experiments with making magic cookies using its • The guards don’t patrol the basement.
milk. Her most recent batch causes the effects of a Wild • The treasure vault is warded against spells. The only
Magic Surge when consumed (see the “Sorcerer” in way to get inside is to go through the door in the
chapter 3, “Classes,” in the Player’s Handbook). Rosy can counting house.
reveal the following information:
• There are six guards in total, but they work in shifts so
• There is a small goods elevator that ascends from the that only four are on duty at a time.
kitchen to Clanghammer’s office on the second floor.
• During the day Rosy’s assistant Stark delivers meals to Stark Turnskull, Cook’s Assistant
the clerk at the front desk, the banker’s office, and the Bank zones: Public bank, private offices, maintenance
coin-counters in the counting room. area
• A small creature such as a halfling or gnome could Stark (NG male half-orc thug) is a monstrously large
squeeze through the waste pipes to enter the toilet block half-orc with a heart of gold. This gentle giant has adopted
from the sewers. twelve orphan children, whom he raises in a Dock Ward
attic apartment alongside a crotchety but kind-hearted
Rowan Silverbrook, Guard cat affected by the awaken spell named Silas Red. Silas
Bank zones: Public bank, private offices can speak and understand Common. The gold from the
Following a violent altercation with a werewolf, Rowan Vault of Dragons could transform the children’s’ lives so
(CN female Chondathan human veteran) is marked
for death by the People of the Black Blood, a league of

Chapter 4 | Above Ground Vault

21
 Stark and Silas are keen to get a cut of it if they’re alerted of shapeshifter thieves and assassins, who is casing a
to Aurinax’s deception. Stark can reveal the following nearby townhouse for a robbery. Wynn can reveal the
information: following information:
• Good deliveries are made via the kitchen entrance. Rosy • The gate leading into the treasury has a four-dial
the cook has strict orders not to allow anyone inside combination lock. Only Clanghammer knows the
without proper proof of identity. combination and changes it every day.
• Couriers use a bell cord next to the kitchen door to alert • When Clanghammer uses the lock, he angles his body
those inside. Rosy questions visitors through a slatted so nobody else can see him (apart from the red crow in
peephole. a cage by the door).
• The basement contains a storeroom and a furnace for • Wynn and his colleague Mouse both carry keys to the
heating the building. Stark sometimes goes down here counting house, and they return them to Clanghammer
to attend to the heating. at the end of each shift.
Wynn Sydlewise, Coin-Counter • If Manshoon’s agent is on site, Clanghammer recently
acquired a gift from House Lanngolyn: a portrait of a
Bank zones: Private offices, vault
noble that he hung in the counting house. It is creepy
Wynn (N male Chondathan human commoner) is
and seems to always be watching the coin-counters.
hopelessly in love with Riz, a flower seller who works the
street outside his Southern Ward apartment. He spends
his hours inventing excuses to visit her in the hope he Rival Agents
may one day win her heart. Unknown to Wynn, Riz is Every time the group calls on the Stone of Golorr to
a doppleganger of the Unseen, a secret consortium obtain a new set of vault contacts, a rival agent cases the
bank when the characters carries out their heist (see
“Raiding the Vault”). The first agent always belongs to
your chosen villain. Thereafter choose or roll for the new
agent and villain employer.
Bronks Hugramugg (Xanathar’s Agent)
This merciless bugbear has a map of Waterdeep’s sewer
network tattooed on his forearm. Having located the
Vault of Dragons, Bronks spies on the building from the
sewer drains (area V3). Bronks plans to break inside the
building at night and steal as much gold for Xanathar as
he can carry.
Faze (Jarlaxle’s Agent)
Faze (see appendix A), a flamboyant female tiefling,
attuned to the Stone of Golorr after it was briefly stolen
from Dalakhar. She rented a property adjacent to the
bank and has been casing the building ever since. When
the characters make their move, Faze breaks into the
building via the open meeting room window (area V5).
Bled Tsavilika (Cassalanter Agent)
The Cassalanters summoned this succubus to locate
the Vault of Dragons. She found the bank by tailing
Dalakhar then seduced security guard Nystene
Braelas to gain entry to the basement furnace (area
V12). Bled spends most of her time hiding on the
Ethereal Plane, biding her time for an opportunity to
get inside the vault.
Kosev Marsk (Manshoon’s Agent)
Kosev (LE male Damaran human mage) is unkempt
and addicted to silkroot, a stimulant that makes him
wired and unpredictable. Kosev owns a magic painting
that he can magically hide inside. When he crawls
into the canvas, he appears on its surface as a painted
portrait of himself. Kosev chanced on the bank while
investigating Lord Neverember’s business interests and
mailed the portrait to Aurinax as a gift from House
Lanngolyn. It now hangs inside the counting house
(area V9). Kosev steps out of the painting at night to
case the building.

22
Chapter 4 | Above Ground Vault
Raiding the Vault Surveillance
Any character who takes this action must be attuned
The characters can launch their heist during the day to the Stone of Golorr when the action is performed,
or night. Daytime heists work well for deception and otherwise the spell of forgetfulness wipes all memory of
disguise, whereas night heists are better for stealth. the bank from their mind when they leave the area!
Your characters may even plan a heist that extends over
both time periods. For example, smuggling themselves Surveillance: Wisdom (Perception) Check
inside the premises during the day and raiding the vault DC Observation
at night. The locations detailed below note day and night
10 The bank’s guards don’t patrol outside the
difference where appropriate, as well as any modifications
premises at all.
caused by your chosen season.
12 Workers arrive and leave by carriage. A dwarf
meets them outside and escorts them inside.
Heist Lowdown: Vault of Dragons
The Vault of Dragons is a private bank in Waterdeep’s Sea 14 There is a manhole leading into the sewers on the
Ward. This gothic, three-story stronghold is built from street outside the bank.
marble bricks decorated with fearsome dragon statues. A 16 A drainpipe ascends to the roof at the rear of the
windowless treasure vault occupies the core of the building. building.
Dimensions. Each square on the map represents 5
feet. Ceilings are 25 feet high in corridors and rooms. 18 One of the upstairs windows is often left open.
All surfaces are made from worked marble carved with 20+ The dwarf infrequently meets well-dressed visitors
images of dragons.
outside the bank and escorts them inside.
Doors and Windows. Doors are made from reinforced
duskwood and are locked unless specified otherwise.
The security guards carry keys, as does Aurinax (area V8). Gathering Information
Picking a standard door lock requires a successful DC Information about the bank is limited due to the spell of
15 Dexterity check made with thieves’ tools. The security forgetfulness, but a character could still get lucky.
guards do not know the combination to the lock on the
treasure vault. Windows are locked unless specified Gathering Information: Charisma
otherwise, requiring a successful DC 14 Dexterity check (Persuasion) Check
made with thieves’ tools to pick. On the first floor windows
are set 18 feet above street level. DC Information
Lighting. Wall-mounted lanterns shed bright light 18 Many of the city’s merchant houses are reputed
throughout the interior of the bank. These flames are to have dealings with a private investment bank
magical in nature and can’t be extinguished unless their named the Vault of Dragons. Occasionally they
lantern housings are smashed. send envoys to discuss business on the premises.
Security. The Vault of Dragons has four zones: the
public bank, the private offices, the maintenance area, and 20+ Lord Nevember is reputed to have left his
the vault. Four veteran security guards patrol the public business interests in the care of a gold dragon
bank and private offices with four nimblewrights (see factotum named Aurinax, who often masquerades
Waterdeep: Dragon Heist) stationed throughout the vault. as a dwarf banker named Barok Clanghammer.
The maintenance area is unpatrolled. The entire building
is enchanted with a spell of forgetfulness that makes
onlookers forget about the bank the moment they move
away from it (see “Spell of Forgetfulness”). Vault Locations
In addition to these security features, trained sorcery The following descriptions correspond to locations
crows (see appendix A) are kept inside wall-mounted cages marked on the Vault of Dragons map (see appendix B).
outside every door shown on the map. If these creatures
sense the presence of spells, they start squawking loudly to
alert the guards.
Magical Protections
If intruders are detected, the security guards call out to Powerful enchantments cast over the Vault of Dragons
sound the alarm. When the alarm is tripped, the magic shield it and its inhabitants from detection by divination
dragon statues carved into the walls throughout the bank magic. Any spells cast to learn the bank’s location or
start roaring and bark out the location of the intrusion. discern anything about its inhabitants fizzle out as they
Sounds and Smells. During the day the occupied areas of are cast. The nimblewrights inside the bank can’t be
the bank echo with the industrious hubbub of bank clerks, detected by the nimblewright detector while they remain
scribes, and coin-counters going about their business. The inside the vault.
vault itself is mostly silent, save for the crackling hiss of In addition, no spell other than wish can be used to
lantern flames.
enter or leave the treasure vault at area V14. Astral
projection, teleport, plane shift, word of recall, and similar
spells and effects fail as do effects that banish another
Preparation actions creature to a different plane of existence.
Prior to the heist each character can perform one of the
preparation actions listed on the “Heist Preparations”
Exterior Areas
handout in appendix C. Any actions specific to this These areas aren’t guarded. The bank stands on a busy
location are described. street corner that falls under the jurisdiction of the City
Watch.

Chapter 4 | Above Ground Vault

23
 V1. Main Entrance (Aurinax in area V8) meets guests here, depending on the
The main doors onto the street are unlocked during nature of their business. Most business deals are resolved
the day but locked at night. Inside this small vestibule a in these rooms.
second set of doors lead into the lobby (area V4). These Open Window (West Entrance Only). This room
doors are always kept locked. A character who makes a has a lingering smell of burned flesh left over from a
successful DC 20 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools picks fiery altercation between Aurinax and a business rival
the lock. Lutetia Inkbrush carries the key (area V4). that wronged him. Hardingdale airs out the room prior
Dragon and Unicorn Statues. A pair of ornamented to meeting clients here but often forgets to close the
busts decorate the lintel of the inner doors: one depicting window when he leaves.
a dragon and the other depicting a unicorn. When visitors Optional: Jarlaxle’s Agent. Faze (see appendix A) Faze
approach the gate, the unicorn animates and proclaims, has rented premises over the street and plans to sneak
“Speak the password true or be silent, lest you stir the in through this window. When the characters enter here,
dragon.” If a character speaks that day’s password, the Faze could already be inside, about to make her move, or
gates unlock for 10 minutes. Any other words spoken halfway through the window.
in here after the unicorn has issued its warning cause V6. Toilet
the dragon to belch forth flames. All creatures inside These marbled toilets are the height of luxury. Oak
the vestibule when it breathes fire must make a DC 15 screens separate the stalls and clean well water is
Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) fire damage on a available from a pump.
failed save, or half as much damage on a success. Aurinax Sewer Entrance. Small or smaller creatures can squeeze
changes the password each day and only reveals it to his down the toilet pipes into the sewers (see area V3).
guards and the desk clerk in area V4.
V2. Kitchen Entrance Private Offices
A stout wooden door enters the bank from the side alley. This area is off-limits to the public, and the bank workers
This leads into the kitchen at area V10. The door is raise the alarm if they spot trespassers here. Guards
always kept locked. A character who makes a successful patrol the area.
DC 18 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools picks the lock. V7. Banker’s Office
Bell Cord. An ornamented dragon bust juts from the This office belongs to merchant banker Ombert
stonework beside the kitchen door. If a character pulls the Hardingdale (see “Vault Contacts”). Hardingdale has
bell cord hanging from its mouth, the halfling cook opens orders to execute Master Clanghammer’s business
a slatted peephole in the door and questions the visitors portfolio, which means writing letters to his clients,
through its barred grille. Rosy Meadowclip (see “Vault allocating funds, and moving money between worthwhile
Contacts”) is a cheery soul but has strict orders not to investments. Hardingdale spends most of his time in this
allow anyone inside without proper proof of identity. office but occasionally departs to the meeting room to
V3. Sewer Entrance discuss business matters with visitors. Hardingdale takes
This manhole opens into the sewer tunnels below. It’s a his job seriously and is keen to impress his master.
mucky squeeze, but a Small or smaller creature could Counting House Key. Hardingdale carries the key to
climb up the sewage pipe into the bank’s toilets at area V6. the counting house (area V9). When he leaves the office,
Optional: Xanathar’s Agent. Bugbear footpad Bronks Hardingdale locks the key inside this desk and takes the
Hugramugg lurks in the sewers, spying on the bank desk key home with him. During the day he keeps both
through the sewer grating. If he spots the characters keys safe in his waistcoat pocket. The lock on the desk
approaching, he retreats into a nearby side-passage and drawer can be picked with a successful DC 12 Dexterity
attacks the last character to pass by his position. check using thieves’ tools.
V8. Aurinax’s Office
Public Bank Carved dragon motifs decorate the bookshelves, writing
Entry to this area is by invitation only. Bank workers desk, and drinks cabinet of this lavish office. Aurinax (see
challenge any strangers entering here, and guards patrol appendix B of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist), spends most
the corridors. hours working here in the guise of Barok Clanghammer.
V4. Lobby Only Hardingdale (area V7) is allowed entry without
This marbled lobby conveys an air of wealth and power. A invitation so Aurinax’s suspicions are immediately raised
clerk sits at an oversized mahogany reception desk. Behind if anyone else knocks on the door. At night Aurinax locks
her sweeping staircases ascend to a balcony level above. the door and returns to his true form.
Clerk. Lutetia Inkbrush (see “Vault Contacts”) Dumb Waiter. A small goods elevator runs between this
is a humorless, officious busybody who takes her room and the kitchen on the floor below, allowing Aurinax
responsibilities seriously. She directs guests listed in to indulge his taste in fine cuisine without ever leaving his
her appointments book to the meeting room (area V5). office. A Small or smaller creature could ride the elevator
Anyone else is asked to leave. If they refuse, she tinkles a as long as another creature stays behind to turn the wall-
hand bell to summon security. mounted crank.
Main Entrance Key. Lutetia keeps a backup key to the Speaking Tube. A speaking tube mounted on the desk
main entrance (area V1) in her desk drawer. This allows provides Aurinax with the means to talk to counting
her to unlock the door without speaking the password. house staff in area V9. If the coin-counters ever need to
access the vault, they call for Aurinax through this device.
V5. Meeting Rooms Secret Files. Hundreds of rolled parchments detail
Large mahogany tables dominate these chambers. Lord Neverember’s embezzlement of Waterdeep’s taxes,
Hardingdale (area V7) or “Master Clanghammer” his enemies and allies, and the extent of his investments

24
Chapter 4 | Above Ground Vault
across the North. If presented to Laeral Silverhand or Vault
her enemies, these files would topple at least a third of
Waterdeep’s masked lords and ensure Dagult never rules Nimblewrights patrol the vault as shown on the map.
openly again in the north. They can be sold for 5,000 gp Only Aurinax and his coin-counters are allowed inside the
to the right buyer. vault. The nimblewrights attack anyone else they discover
Aurinax’s Keys. Aurinax carries the key to the treasure inside.
vault (area V14) on a keychain around his neck and the V13. Vault Entrance
keys for the counting house (area V9) and main entrance The double doors leading into the vault are wide enough
(area V1) in a belt pouch. for a horse and cart to pass through. Each giant door is
V9. Counting House crafted from solid steel. The doors are kept shut at all
This austere chamber is used to count gold passing into hours and opened via a combination lock.
and out of the vault. Two commoner coin-counters work Combination Lock. Each of the four dials on this lock
in here during daylight hours: Mouse and Wynn Sydlewise bears a sequence of arcane symbols. To unlock and open
(see “Vault Contacts”). Neither particularly likes the other, the door the dials must be turned so that the correct
and they tend to work in silence. sequence of symbols is facing outwards across the dials’
Fortified Door. The door leading into the counting surfaces. Aurinax changes the combination every day.
house has a superior lock. A character who succeeds on Whenever he interacts with the lock, he angles his body
a DC 20 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools picks the lock. so that nobody else can see what he’s doing. Only the
Mouse and Wynn both carry keys to this door, which they sorcery crow on the perch nearby can see him properly.
return to Aurinax at the end of each shift. V14. Treasure Vault
Speaking Tube. Whenever the coin counters need to This vast stone vault is heaped with 500,000 gp. Large
access the vault, they summon “Master Clanghammer” stone pillars support the roof and low-burning lanterns
via the speaking tube to his office (area V8). cast flickering light across the floor. Four nimblewrights
Optional: Manshoon’s Agent. Kosev Marsk (LE male patrol the vault.
Damaran human mage) hides inside a portrait on the
wall in here. Kosev fraudulently mailed this painting to
the bank as a gift from House Lanngolyn, knowing that Leaving the Vault
Aurinax would be obliged to hang it up to please his When the characters leave the vault, they face the forces
client. At night Kosev crawls out of the painting and tries of their chosen main villain as described in chapter 4,
to break into the treasure vault at area V14. “Dragon Season,” of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
V10. Kitchen
During daylight hours this small but well-appointed kitchen
is tended by commoner halfling cook Rosy Meadowclip
and her half-orc thug assistant Stark Turnskull (see “Vault
Contacts”). Rosy and Stark prepare food for the workers
and take the dishes to their desks. Fine cuisine for Aurinax
is delivered to his office via the dumb waiter.
Dumb Waiter. A small goods elevator runs between the
kitchen and Aurinax’s office on the floor above. A Small or
smaller creature could ride the elevator as long as another
creature stays behind to turn the wall-mounted crank.

Maintenance Area
This area is off-limits to the public, and the alarm is
raised if any trespassers are spotted here. No guards
patrol this area.
V11. Storeroom
Piles of storage boxes, spare writing supplies, lanterns,
oil, firewood, and unwanted gifts from clients are filed
away inside this chamber. Anyone trying to hide in here
can make their check with advantage.
V12. Furnace
The bank is heated by underfloor iron flues that flow from
this large furnace. Cook’s assistant Stark Turnskull (see
area V10) is responsible for keeping the furnace fueled
with firewood.
Optional: Cassalanter Agent. Evil succubus Bled
Tsavilika lurks in the furnace chamber. The fiend plans
to seduce Stark Turnskull and use him to gain access to
the counting house (area V9). Once inside, she intends
to torture the coin-counters for information about the
vault. Bled retreats to the ethereal plane if she needs to
escape detection.

25
 Appendix A: Monster & NPC Statistics
This appendix details monster and NPC stats that do not
appear in the Monster Manual or Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.

Animated Dragon Coin Actions

Tiny construct, neutral
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Armor Class 15 (natural armor) target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage.
Hit Points 6 (1d4+4) Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 80/320
Speed 5 ft., fly 30 ft.
ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
4 (−3) 15 (+2) 18 (+4) 9 (-1) 12 (+1) 5 (−3) Faze
Medium humanoid (tiefling), chaotic neutral
Skills Stealth +4, Perception +3
Damage Resistances piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing from Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
nonmagical weapons that aren’t adamantine Hit Points 84 (13d8 + 26)
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison Speed 30 ft.
Condition Immunities charmed, deafened, frightened, paralyzed,
petrified, poisoned STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13 11 (+0) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1)
Languages understands the languages of its creator but
can’t speak.
Saving Throws Dex +7, Int +3
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics + 3, Perception +3, Sleight of
Hand +7, Stealth +7
Shapechanger. The dragon can use its action to polymorph into Damage Resistances fire
true form of a Waterdhavian dragon coin or polymorph back into Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
its animated dragon form. Its statistics are the same in each Languages Common, Infernal, thieves’ cant
form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Cunning Action. On each of Faze’s turns, she can use a bonus
Actions action to take the Dash, Disengage or Hide action.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +0 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit:
Evasion. If Faze is subjected to an effect that allows her to make
1 piercing damage.
a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, she instead
Fire Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales fire in a 10 ft. takes no damage if she succeeds on the saving throw, and only
cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity half damage if she fails.
saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) fire damage on a failed save, and
Innate Spellcasting. Faze’s innate spellcasting ability is
half as much damage on a successful one.
Charisma (spell save DC 12, +5 to hit with spell attacks).
She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no
Dimnavra material components:
Medium humanoid (air genasi), neutral good At will: thaumaturgy
1/day each: darkness, hellish rebuke (2nd level)
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18) Sneak Attack (1/turn). Faze deals an extra 14 (4d6) damage
Speed 30 ft. (15 ft. while moving uphill and 60 ft. while when she hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage
moving downhill) on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of
hers that isn’t incapacitated and Faze doesn’t have disadvantage
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA on the attack roll.
11 (+0) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 10 (+0)
Actions
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +5 Multiattack. Faze makes three attacks with her shortsword.
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages any one language (usually Common) Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Challenge 3 (700 XP) target. Hit: 7 (1d6 +4) piercing damage.
Light Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 80/320
Archer’s Eye (3/day). As a bonus action, Dinmavra can add 1d10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 +4) piercing damage.
to her next attack or damage roll with a light crossbow.
Reactions
Mingle with the Wind (1/day). Dinmavra can cast the levitate
Uncanny Dodge. Faze halves the damage she takes from an
spell, requiring no material components. Constitution is her
attack that hits her. she must be able to see the attacker.
spellcasting ability for this spell (spell save DC 13).
Unending Breath. Dinmavra can hold her breath indefinitely
while not incapacitated.

26
Appendix A | Monsters & NPCs
Sorcery Crow Swarm of Animated Dragon
Small beast, unaligned
Coins
Armor Class 13 Medium swarm of Tiny constructs, neutral
Hit Points 1 (1d4-1)
Speed 10 ft., fly 50 ft. Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 68 (8d8 +32)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Speed 5 ft., fly 30 ft.
2 (−4) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 8 (−1) 14 (+2) 5 (−3)
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Skills Perception +4 10 (+0) 15 (+2) 18 (+4) 9 (-1) 12 (+1) 5 (−3)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages understands Common but can’t speak Skills Stealth +4, Perception +3
Challenge 0 (10 XP) Damage Resistances piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing from
nonmagical weapons that aren’t adamantine
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Spellsight. The crow can spot the presence of spells within its Condition Immunities charmed, deafened, frightened, paralyzed,
range of vision, even if such spells are normally invisible. When petrified, poisoned
it spots spells, it crows loudly. Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages understands the languages of its creator but
Actions can’t speak.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Challenge 3 (25 XP)
Hit: 1 piercing damage.

Reactions Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and
vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large
Wild Demise. If a weapon or spell attack reduces the crow to 0 enough for a single gold coin. The swarm can’t regain hit points
hit points, the attacker is subjected to the effects of a wild surge or gain temporary hit points.
(see the “Sorcerer” class in the Player’s Handbook).
Shapechanger. The swarm can use its action to polymorph
into true form of a pile of 500 Waterdhavian dragon coins or
polymorph back into its animated dragon swarm form. Its
statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing
or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Actions
Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (2d6) piercing damage or 3 (1d6) piercing damage if the
swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.
Fire Breath. The swarm exhales fire in a 15 ft. cone. Each
creature in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw,
taking 14 (4d6) fire damage on a failed save, and half as much
damage on a successful one.

Appendix A | Monsters & NPCs

27
 Appendix B: Maps

W2

W1
Mendevar Street

Whim Street

H3

Whim Street Stakeout

28
 T4a
God Catcher Inn T4b

T4

T2 T3
T5

T1
God Catcher's
Right Hand

H3c H3d
H3a
H4
H3b

H2c
H2a H2e

H2d
H2b

H1a
H1b
H1c

29
 S5
Malcal's
S4 Safe House
S1
S2
S3

S8

S7

A B
S7

C S5 D S7
S6

S4 E F S7
S3 S2
S7

S1 S7
S9
Vault of Dragons
(Below Ground)

30
Vault of Dragons (1st Floor)

Vault of Dragons (2nd Floor)

Vault of Dragons
(Basement)

31
 Appendix C: Player Handouts

My lord Neverember,
I write with grave news. I succeeded in recovering the Stone of Golorr,
but thus far my efforts to escape the city with it have met with
naught but failure. Alas, my cover has been blown. My only hope now
is to hand the stone over to a group of worthy adventurers and pay
them to smuggle it outside of Waterdeep.
The road to this decision has not been easy. As we hoped, Xanathar
blamed Manshoon for the stone’ s theft, but the war between them did
not diminish either party’ s interest in the Vault of Dragons. Escaping
them has proven impossible: Xanathar has eyes everywhere and the
Black Network controls many of the clandestine routes out of the city.
Even worse, I have learned firsthand that your old enemy Jarlaxle
Baenre is abroad, and his Bregan D’ A erthe mercenaries are hunting for
your hidden treasury. To evade them, I sought the protection of the
Cassalanter noble family – whom I know have served you well in the
past – but they betrayed me and tortured me in their dungeons for
days. I escaped, but I fear that the Cassalanters are working for a
darker power: perhaps one not of this world.
Regrettably, the stone briefly passed out of my hands during the days
that the Cassalanter’ s held me. It’ s possible one or more of our
enemies has used it to locate the Vault of Dragons and may now be
seeking a way to steal your treasure cache. Time is not on our side.
I wish you luck.
Your faithful servant,
Dalakhar.

Dalakhar's Letter

32
Appendix C | Player Handouts
Heist Preparations
To simulate heist preparations, each character can take one preparation action from the following list prior to the heist.
Characters can confer freely before choosing their actions.

Surveillance
A character who spends an hour or two watching the target location can make a Wisdom (Perception) check. The result of
this check determines the amount of information gleaned (per a table the DM has).

Create Disguises
Any character with a disguise kit can create a disguise. For each disguise created, the character must make a Charisma
(Deception or disguise kit) check using the disguise kit. The check result is the DC required to see past the disguise with
a Wisdom (Insight) check. If a character is proficient in both Deception and disguise kits, they can make the check with
advantage.

Forge Identification
Any character with a forgery kit can make counterfeit guild credentials, private invitations, or letters of recommendation to
aid the plan. For each item created, the character must make an Intelligence (Deception or forgery kit) check. The check
result is the DC required to identify the forgery with a Wisdom (Perception) check. If a character is proficient in both
Deception and forgery kits, they can make the check with advantage.

Gather Information
A character who spends an hour or so schmoozing around the local taverns can make a DC 10 Charisma (Persuasion) check.
The result of this check determines the amount of information gleaned (per a table the DM has).

Recruit Hirelings
Any plan that requires lookouts or distraction could benefit from hired help. With a successful DC 10 Charisma (Persuasion)
check, a character can spend some spare change (2d4 sp) to hire three urchin commoners. The player controls these
characters for the duration of the heist.

Appendix C | Player Handouts

33