Lost Book

Researcher: Dīca Dux
 
 
Research: Volcanic Snakes
 
 
Report: Mayor of Pondmoor gets a special explosive gunpowder blend from the kobolds. The blend is half standard gunpowder and half excrement from a volcanic snake that they harvest from. May require more research.
 
 
Journal: I took the evening to explore the local parks of the city. The battle had been intense and I was looking to unwind a bit. Due to the fanfare activities the park itself was fairly quiet and I enjoyed my walk. Up until I noticed being trailed. Looking over I was able to discern a gray cloaked elf with a small triangular weave looking pendant. It was the sign of the House Dimir. Spies, saboteurs, assassins, covert operations the lot of them. My saving grave is the bad standing they have with the Boros Legion at the moment. Knowing that, I was going to meet them on my terms if they were to try anything. I continued my stroll until I found a bench to rest at facing their direction. They didn't seem to be trying too hard to blend in, but I am not going to cause anything in Boros territory.
After resting for about ten minutes without incident, I stood up and continues around the bend in the park with a pleasant pond in the center. Once I broke line of sight I ran a bit and got into a tree to hide from them, It was my turn. I watched them round the bend and stop confused. They attempted to track me, even backtracking to the bench. Seemingly given up they summoned a magical butterfly and whispered to it. My guess would have been they cast Animal Messenger. They then ran into the bushes on the far of the trail and a little elf boy emerged.
It was my turn to trail. They started to go back into town with me in the back. After a bit they started to pick up the pace and I decided to not look suspicious. I let them run on as I returned to the bench. I used my scribing tool to lay a invisible message for if they return. I scribed their symbol under the bench with "Lords' Tavern, tomorrow." In visible ink, I left a rough triangle and the word speak. If they were as smart as they want the other guild to think, they'd figure it out. An other 4/5 year old elf child with a sweetcone was watching as I wrote. I simple gave him a wink as I went by. I did see him start writing with his finger on the ground after I went by.
 
I decided to return to the tavern our group was staying in with an eye over my shoulder this time. At the bar Kar'elf was denied his alcohol for the night. Belladonna was asked by Carame to keep him in tip top shape for tomorrow final. Of which we got free meals for being in the round. Kar'elf was treated to an artisanal bread platter and I swear I saw him cry. The mayor did show up in one piece this time. The high priest had gotten him back together for only the low price of 25k gp. He came in to congratulate us for ending his teams' two year streak and commission Kar'el for a gun much like the one he used. He also let us know that the majority of the explosion was from his lucky gunpowder barrel he had. He had used it to float after a shipwreck or similar. Either way it was half full with a blend purchased from kobolds. They acquire a special ingredient from volcanic snake scat. With that he walked off to likely take care of more business. Kar'elf was talking about some water adaptions of which I suggested some biomancy. He was adamantly against it and I was just joking, but much to my dismay he keeps calling me "fishy". He also threatened me with turn in to the Boros after my suggestion. I will have to find an adequate counter for future arguments. Perhaps threaten him with the Silver Citadel?
While out the other day, An-core had acquired a few possessions from his former residence. One of which was a book that he brought to me due to technical language. It was titled, "Life Adventures from Land to Sea" but it was more than I could have hoped to ever find. It was written by of of the five Great Grove Watchers, the lead researchers . I was flabbergasted an asked as to where he got the book. He apparently picked it up in an antique store in Ingland in his travels. Well I tore into the knowledge presented. The notes were dense and took a bit to decipher, but it hinted at the book needing to be submerged. I asked Belladonna for a wash basin for the room with the excuse of feeling ill. I forgot about it though and kept devouring the knowledge. I was able to gleam that the book contained knowledge to an advancement to my adaptation! I was going to have to scribe a copy of this book for the archives and perhaps even the Great Library of Skrelendar! This was set to be a long night of reading.