Waterdeep:Trollskull Alley
Trollskull Alley is a small passage in the North Ward of Waterdeep between Delzorin Street to the south and Saerdown Street to the north. Some of the most popular places for the well-to-do of Waterdeep are located here.
Western Section
W1. Du Pain Pierre
The small building on the corner of Saerdoun Street and Trollskull Alley, opposite the manor, houses a bakery. The smell of fresh bread wafts from every window and door in the building from the pre-dawn hours to midafternoon.
The sun elf Pierre Silvermoon is Chef du Pain and owner of the bakery. His assistant Rafael is also a sun elf, and their bread is heavenly. Many of the finer restaurants in the North Ward and all of the residents within several blocks shop here. The bakery's most popular item is sourdough loaves, and they sell out quickly.
W2. Salon Lemieux
Directly across from Trollskull Manor sits a building that is screaming for attention. Glowing signage proclaims all the latest treatments for skin, hair, and nails.
Salon Lemieux is run by Gloriana Lemieux, who wears a large red beehive hairdo studded with pearls. Her nails are each a different color with a different pattern or texture. Her salon provides a wide range of dermatology, hair, and nail services, although she frequently gets into shouting matches with the owner of Salon Lemieux next door.
W3. Salon Lemieux
Salon Lemieux is nearly identical in every way to Salon Lemieux next door. Its proprietor is Floriana Lemieux, who wears a large raven-black beehive hairdo studded with crystals. At a glance you might think she is the twin of Gloriana Lemieux—and you would be correct. The two frequently get into shouting matches.
(OOC: "mieux" is French for "better")
W4. N/A
Some of the properties in Trollskull Alley are intentionally left undetailed for the DM to leave vacant or to fill with businesses tailored to the PCs. I have not decided on content for W4. If there is some kind of business or character you would like to exist in the alley, please let me know.
W5. Multari Residence
Romero Multari is the adopted son of Salazar Murkledorn, now an adult. These days, Romero works at Murkledorn's, teaching language and writing.
W6. Tiger's Eye
This private detective's business is unremarkable on the outside, its only distinguishing mark an orange-and-black sign featuring a cat's eyes. Inside is a regal apartment dimly lit by flickering oil lamps.
Private Detective Vincent Trench says that if there's anything in Waterdeep you want discovered, he can discover it for you. His standard fee is 25 gp per day, minimum 2 days.
W7. KN Wine Distribution
This warehouse holds the inventory for KB Wine Distribution, owned by Jael and Tria Krinklenose (Krinklenose Residence).
W8. N/A
Some of the properties in Trollskull Alley are intentionally left undetailed for the DM to leave vacant or to fill with businesses tailored to the PCs. I have not decided on content for W8. If there is some kind of business or character you would like to exist in the alley, please let me know.
W9. Englehart Residence
Baltasar Englehart is an elderly retired adventurer who now teaches mathematics, science, herbalism, and beginners' potions at Murkledorn's.
W10. Book Wyrm's Treasure
The front of this bookstore is adorned with a charming sign of a gold dragon curled around a treasure hoard of books and scrolls. Inside, the shop is decorated with beautiful hardwood, and the earthy scent of old books permeates the air. The library fills two floors of this three-story building, and it somehow seems to contain more shelves than the building should be able to hold.
This bookstore is operated by a golden dragonborn named Rishaal the Page-Turner. In addition to traditional books, Rishaal allows people to scribe spells from his spellbook for a fee, or purchase scrolls of his spells.
| Spell | Scribe Cost (gp) | Scroll Cost (gp) |
|---|---|---|
| comprehend languages, detect magic, feather fall, find familiar, mage armor, magic missile, shield, unseen servant | 25 | 50 |
| arcane lock, continual flame, darkvision, invisibility, magic weapon, misty step, rope trick, suggestion | 75 | 150 |
| clairvoyance, counterspell, dispel magic, fireball, fly, nondetection, water breating | 150 | 300 |
| arcane eye, fabricate, greater invisibility, ice storm, locate creature, polymorph | 300 | 600 |
| arcane hand, cone of cold, modify memory | 750 | 1,500 |
W11. City Watch Station
A squat two story building at the corner of Saerdoun Street and Windbourne Way backs onto a narrow walking passage from Trollskull Alley to Windbourne Way. A sign above both the Saerdoun Street entrance and the door leading to Trollskull Alley reads ‘City Watch’.
W12. Zoltara Residence
Madame Zoltara is a somewhat mysterious figure, who is rarely seen, and dislikes visitors. If you can get into her good graces, however, she is known to be a fortune-teller.
W13. Carlowe Residence
This large townhouse is the sole residence of Mistofer Carlowe, a man of some refinement. He often hosts cast parties for Teatro ZanZinni next door.
W14. Teatro ZanZinni
A grand three-story building stands at the corner of Delzorin Street and Windbourne Way. Judging by the signs and playbills prominently displayed on the exterior, this is most definitely a theater. A prominent sign above the door reads “Teatro ZanZinni”.
This theater hosts plays, operettas, concerts, and a variety of acts year-yound. Traveling performers from all over Faerûn can be found here. The theater is owned and operated by the flamboyant Madame ZanZinni, who also authors originals plays which are occasionally performed in her theater.
The marquee is currently advertising three traveling acts:
- Murdock, a daredevil. The sign is quick to point out that Murdock is not an actual devil.
- Pungo & Perdita, a dog trainer and his dog
- All Shook Up, a tumbler troupe
W15. ZanZinni Annex
Next to the theater sits a smaller two-story building that appears to have been assimilated into the theater’s operation by the look of all the signage. A small sign on the door reads “Ticket Office.”
This building acts as an extension of the theater next door. The ground floor has a ticket office and a small printing press, and it is used as extra storage for props, sets, and other materials for acts that are not currently being performed.
W16. Beluska's Boarding House
Near the West End of Trollskull Alley near the theater sits a large wooden house with impressive porches and balconies. The sign out front reads “Beluska’s Boarding House”.
Beluska is a large half-orc woman, who runs a tight ship. She takes good care of her boarders, but takes no guff. Traveling performers at Teatro ZanZinni frequently stay here.
W17. Mezro
Across from the wine merchants and next to the boarding house sits a smaller building with a sign that reads ‘Mezro’. The mesmerizing scents of well spiced foods drift down the alley as you approach.
A Chultan ethnic restaurant run by Maccus Murphy (retired adventurer from the North) and his wife Aaliyah (an exotic Chultan beauty). Many of the dishes on the menu include meats from rare animals such as velociraptor or triceratops, which you are only likely to find in Chult or a wealthy noble's menagerie.
W18. N/A
Some of the properties in Trollskull Alley are intentionally left undetailed for the DM to leave vacant or to fill with businesses tailored to the PCs. I have not decided on content for W18. If there is some kind of business or character you would like to exist in the alley, please let me know.
W19. Bakken's Shoes
A small two-story building faces the south entrance to the alley. Shoes of all varieties are displayed in the windows alongside a large faded sign that reads ‘Going Out of Business, Everything Must Go.’ The sign above the door reads ‘Bakken’s Shoes and Boots for Fine Folk and Others.’
If you ask around the neighborhood, the dwarf who owns Bakken's Shoes, Bertram Bakken, has been "going out of business" for about 50 years now. If you ask Bertram, he claims that as soon as he sells enough inventory, he's going on a quest to find his great grand uncle's war axe, the Awkwardly Heavy but Good for Smashing Axe of Lore.
While his standard inventory does not include any magical items, Bertram works with Baltasar Englehart (Englehart Residence) to complete commissions for magical footwear. Commissions will take some time to complete, and will not be available immediately.
| Magical Footwear | Commission Price (gp) |
|---|---|
| Boots of False Tracks | 50 |
| Boots of Striding and Springing, Boots of the Winterlands | 100 |
| Boots of Elvenkind | 400 |
| Slippers of Spider Climbing, Boots of Levitation | 600 |
| Boots of Speed | 2,000 |
| Winged Boots | 11,000 |
W20. N/A
Some of the properties in Trollskull Alley are intentionally left undetailed for the DM to leave vacant or to fill with businesses tailored to the PCs. I have not decided on content for W20. If there is some kind of business or character you would like to exist in the alley, please let me know.
W21. Rolling Stone
Located directly adjacent to Corellon’s Crown is a similarly sized building from which beautiful music wafts throughout the day. The sign next to the door reads ‘Rolling Stone’
Rolling Stone is a shop for the musically inclined. Its proprietor introduces himself as Rolling Stone of the Mountain Clan, "but you can call me 'Rolls'." He is an aging male tabaxi bard with soft grey fur and bright green mischievous eyes. He’s one cool cat.
The shop is cluttered, but the stock is neat and clean. Rolls keeps several expensive collector's pieces behind glass. Rolls is assisted by a young man by the name of Sly, who Rolls says is his son (adopted?); Sly works as a private music tutor on the second floor, and many of his students are children attending Murkledorn's.
Eastern Section
TM. Trollskull Manor
This is the property that you are the new owners of. It is apparently haunted by a poltergeist who you have determined is named Lif. What you do with the property is up to you.
E1. Havershamble's
Next door to Troll Skull Manor is a small ornate shop with an elaborate stone façade which reads: Havershamble’s Jewelry and Fine Mechanicals, est. 1442 DR. A well-dressed half orc looms by the entrance, looking slightly out of place as he assists customers into the shop.
Socally and Bumble Havershamble are hardworking rock gnomes. Their shop boasts fabulous clocks and mechanical oddities built by Socally, and lovely and intricate jewelry created by Bumble. Their merchandise is in high demand among the Waterdeep elite. They have two children, a daughter named Muffle (age 8) and a son named Niffin (age 14), who both attend Murkledorn's. Wembly, the half-orc doorman/body guard, lives in apartment upstairs, while the gnome family lives in the basement.
E2. Trollskull Tailor
Between Havershamble’s and the grocer is a three-story townhome with a recessed entry and large glass display windows. The sign reads Trollskull Tailor, est. 1451.
Inside, a dizzying array of styles and fabrics are displayed. The quality of the workmanship is clearly excellent. An older, rather grumpy halfling introduces himself as Murgo Bumblestout, owner and resident tailor
Known for his fine workmanship and exacting inseams, halfling owner Murgo Bumblestout has an unblemished reputation as the finest tailor in town. He is also known for his discretion regarding matters both political and romantic.
E3. Barksdale Residence
Just east of Trollskull Manor on Saerdoun Street sits a small somewhat shabby two-story townhome.
Erwin Barksdale and his two adult sons Hans and Frans live here. Erwin is a drunkard and layabout, and his sons aren't much better. He apparently lives off income from House Plylund, who send him on monster hunts.
E4. Krinklenose Residence
The townhome two doors east of Trollskull Manor on Saerdoun Street is impressive to say the least. The façade is freshly painted, the windows are so clean they gleam in the sunlight or moonlight and the front door is carved with a pattern that suggests vines and whole clusters of grapes. The knocker resembles an inverted goblet.
Jael Krinklenose and her daughter Tria own KN Wine Distribution. Most taverns, restaurants, and noble families in the North Ward and Sea Ward do business with Jael.
E5. Vacant Lot
Three doors east of Trollskull Manor on the corner of the Northeastern entrance to the alley sits a large impressive townhome. No smoke rises from the chimneys. A cursory examination reveals it to be vacant.
This extravagant townhome is vacant. It is rumored to be owned by House Cassalanter, but no one seems quite sure.
E6. Appleton's Fine Comestibles
A dizzying array of fruits and vegetables line the entrance to this grocer. A jovial giant of a man with a slight limp greets patrons of the shop.
Artis Appleton is that giant man. He’s balding with florid cheeks and a handlebar mustache. He and his two eldest sons, Mal (13) and Artimus (14) run the grocer. Artis has four other sons, Joshua (7), Bertie (9), and Hughie and Amo (identical twins, 11). The Appleton boys call themselves the North Ward Irregulars and are eager for adventure: surveillance, larceny, courier work, etc.
E7. The Bent Nail
A small wooden sign above this shop's main door is bare except for a large, bent nail sticking out of it. The front room contains displays of ornate wooden furniture, as well as a selection of bows and crossbows. The wall behind the counter is lined with rows of finely carved wooden canes, quarterstaffs, and shields.
Talisolvanar "Tally" Fellbranch is the half-elf owner and chief artisan of this carpentry store. A pair of dwarven brothers, Elaim and Erias Eversharp, work here as assistants, and are saving money to open their own shop.
Tally has given a quote of 100 gp for furnishing the first floor of Trollskull Manor, and Noctus has convinced him to extend a line of credit or payment plan for the purchase.
E8. Murkledorn's Annex
This townhome houses the school's kitchen, quarters for Glaara Ironfish, the school's cook and building maintenance employee, and private quarters for Salazar Murkledorn, the owner, headmaster, and teacher of etiquette and self-defense.
E9. Murkeldorn's Academy
A massive four-story building of stone and wood towers over the surrounding structures. Its main entrance faces Saerdoun Street, where a small courtyard leads to an impressive set of double doors flanked by marble lions. The engraving on the marble lintel reads “Murkledorn’s Manor of Fine Educatorial Pursuits”.
Murkledorn's is a private school for children ages 8-14. Salazar Murkledorn, the owner and headmaster, is the sole survivor of an adventuring party who fell to ill fortune. Salazar adopted the son of one of his deceased companions (Romero Multari), and, desiring a better education for the boy than what was available in Waterdeep at the time, opened his own school.
The senior staff at Murkledorn's consists of:
- Salazar Murkledorn: headmaster, etiquette, self defense
- Romero Multari: languages, writing
- Baltasar Englehart: mathematics, science, herbalism, beginning potions
- Lucas Mendelson: business, economics
- Glaara Ironfist: cook, building maintenance
E10. Frewn's Brews
At the east end of Trollskull Alley sits a three-story building featuring a large beer stein on sign that reads “Frewn’s Brews”. The building appears somewhat squatty compared to its neighbors because the main floor drops below the level of the street with stairs leading downwards to the entrance.
Emmek Frewn owns this tavern at the far end of the alley. He seems to have gotten on the bad side of a few of the city's guilds by trying to do work on his tavern without their involvement. He attempted to purchase Trollskull Manor, but was outbid by Volo, and now Volo has given the building to you.
Randolph has revealed your plans to renovate Trollskull Manor into a tavern, which significantly displeased Emmek.
E11. Stickee and Sweet
At the East End of Trollskull Alley sits a lovely three story townhome. The ground floor windows practically glow with candies of a every possible shape, size, and flavor.
Tina Toffel and Tansy Nylif operate this delightful candy shop. Both ladies have a cheerful attitude and a grandmotherly view of the area’s children.
A number of adventurers frequent the shop, and claim that Tina's caramels and Tansy's taffies are "lucky".
E12. Cassalnter Bank
A magnificent stone building faces southward onto Delzorin Street. The sign beside the opulent wooden doors reads ‘Cassalanter Bank’.
This is the North Ward branch of Cassalanter Bank. This branch is managed by Edvaldo Baristan (Baristan Residence).
E13. Baristan Residence
Next to the bank is lovely three story townhome with flower boxes in every window. It bursts with color. Those that live here do so in style and luxury.
Home to Edvaldo and Christina Baristan and their three young children. Christina Baristan is an administrator with the City Watch and Edvaldo manages the local branch of Cassalanter Bank, next door.
E14. Tamori Residence
Architecturally identical to the building next to it, this townhome has unique external décor. The front doors are red with elaborate golden designs. Part of the design appears to be a dragon, but it is unlike any dragon you have ever seen depicted. The remainder of the design appears to be lettering, but it’s a language you don’t recognize.
The Tamori family are almost never home, but locals who have been around long enough to meet them will tell you that they are trade envoys from Kara Tur.
E15. Steam and Steel
This detached building’s ground level is solid stone. Steam and smoke rise from a chimney and bellows forth from the windows.
This forge is owned and operated by a married couple of genasi. Embric is a fire genasi, and he is an expert weaponsmith. Avi is a water genasi and he uses his magic to quench hot steel.
All mundane weapons and armor made of metal can be purchased here for their listed prices.
E16. Burnblast Glassblowers
A smaller two-story structure with a stone walled lower level and a wooden upper level sits at jaunty angle between Steam and Steel and the florist. The doors are flung wide and an dwarven woman serves well-dressed customers surrounded by a sea of glass art. Nearly every surface in the front half of the building is covered in glassworks.
A pair of dwarves, Anbera Burnblast and her husband Dain, operate this cozy shop. Works ranging from a few silver to hundreds of gold pieces can be purchased or commissioned here. Burnblast's attracts well-heeled clients from all over Waterdeep and many noble houses commission work from the couple.
E17. Daisy's
A two-story wing of a larger building juts into the street. Two sets of double doors stand open and the interior of the ground floor appears to be one large open space brimming with flowers of every description. Strangely, no shop keeper is in evidence.
Daisy, the proprietor of this florist's, passed away several years ago. Her children, Zem and Zeb Ashforth (Ashforth), keep the shop stocked with fresh flowers, and an enchantment laid on the shop during her illness by Baltasar Englehart (Englehart Residence) compels people to pay for the flowers honestly, rather than simply taking them from the shop with no shopkeep.
E18. Ashforth
Adjoining Correllon’s Crown and the florist is a building that’s exterior can only be described as somber. The double doored entrance set back from the alley in a small cobble courtyard and the sign beside it reads simply ‘Ashforth’.
This funeral home is owned and operated by Zem and Zebulon Ashforth. Cassie is a young woman working for them as an assistant.
E19. Corellon's Crown
The third floor of this stately town house between Ashforth and Rolling Stone has been converted into a greenhouse. Its translucent glass walls allow anyone on the street to see the rainbow of flowers blossoming within.
Fala Lefaliir is a wood elf herbalist who operates an apothecary out of this townhouse. Like the agendered elven god Corellon, Fala is androgynous.
In addition to mundane herbal remedies, Fala also has a small collection of magical potions for sale.
| Potion | Cost (gp) |
|---|---|
| Potion of Animal Friendship | 125 |
| Potion of Climbing | 50 |
| Potion of Greater Healing | 250 |
| Potion of Healing | 50 |
| Potion of Water Breathing | 250 |
Sewer Access
On the eastern side of the alley, in the corner between Stickee and Sweet and Frewn's Brews, there is a removable metal grate that covers an opening. Below the grate, a ladder descends 20 feet into the Waterdeep sewer system.
Visitors
Trollskull Alley sees plenty of foot traffic throughout the day. With the high demand of the goods produced by some of the shops here, it's no wonder.
Street Performers
Anywhere where there's foot traffic, you'll find buskers making a living, and Trollskull Alley is no exception. The Appleblossom siblings are four halflings who are a near-constant fixture on the corner just south of Salon Lemieux. Bree and Cora Appleblossom play the flute and fiddle, respectively, while their brothers Bobbin and Finnan dance.
Food Vendors
In addition to the baker, grocer, candy shop, tavern, and Chultan restaurant, the alley plays host to a number of food carts. The vendors operate on a regular pattern, so that customers know where to find them.