Leucis reviews what the group found in the
Llyrian Alchemy Lab to determine what was being made there, on the premise that the massive amount of
wolfsbane might mean they were producing something to fight
lycanthropes. The manifests showing what the facility was producing didn't use wolfsbane as an ingredient, so it seems the "back" part of the facility was using the wolfsbane. This mighty tome includes a lot of information, but it's poorly organized.
The wolfsbane article mentions that it can be used to treat a few unusual ailments, and that shapeshifters are repelled by it. It is a mild poison if consumed in large enough quantities, and there are several relatively common varieties in the family. The notes in the margins about wolfsbane, however, seem to indicate that it was used as packing material as a means of keeping the transmutation magic imbued into the materials to remain in them instead of leaching out.
Leucis locates a recipe for
scriptsilver in the book.
In close study, Leucis was able to determine that among the three copies of this book present, the gaps aren't uniform across copies (some copies fill in blank places in other copies). However, it does appear that with three copies, about 10-20% of the missing pieces are still missing. It may be possible to fill in all the gaps if enough copies of the same book were compared, but it's not clear how many would be needed. There seems to be some pattern to the missing parts but he's unable to grasp it.
Chatting with Townsfolk
Harridra isn't familiar with the use of wolfsbane or especially well-versed in herbalism, but the
temple does brew the occasional healing potion, poultice, and the like. The acolytes in town are tasked with gathering herbs from the surrounding area, but don't run across wolfsbane much, and Harridra hasn't really seen it put to use. Her experience with lycanthropes is pretty limited.
Leucis explains what occurred on the journey - she was unaware that there was a place producing warforged, much less near
Stonebridge. She expresses an interest in the
Moonlit Lens but indicates that the
Llyrian Tree is larger than most things she's heard of being grown underground. Between the two of them, they infer that the roof of the temple structure (with its ability to become clear for moonlight during ceremonies) may have been built by the same people who built that facility.
Leucis inquires whether the
worshippers of Pelor might be involved. Harridra explains that the two churches have a friendly relationship, and are often considered to be part of the same pantheon. The town clearly thought the same, as the two temples have decorative arches on either end of the bridge the town is named for. Harridra herself indicates that the sun priests she has met seemed reasonable enough.
Leucis inquires about
Esmarl - he was originally a mercenary who was wounded on a trip up from
Grayhill. The temple priests treated his wounds (and probably saved his life), after which Esmarl devoted his life to the church.
Harridra is unfamiliar with the druid/shepherd shack in the woods.
Leucis tracks Esmarl down at the
Inn of the Spotted Cap and sets a meeting at the
Town Guard Barracks later in the day. Leucis explains about the
orcs the group encountered in the woods - Esmarl considers them a nuisance but a manageable one. The giant
spiders are more of a surprise - perhaps they're just further into the woods than the townsfolk usually go. The group of scavengers are also moderately expected - but scavengers go missing frequently, so finding them largely deceased is not shocking either. Lots of cash and magical knickknacks come from those sort of journeys, so many undertake them.
Leucis inquires about the captain's time as a mercenary - Esmarl bristles a bit at that moniker, and indicates that he prefers "hired sword." He indicates that he did occasionally encounter them west of
Grayhill.
The captain of the guard seems unfamiliar but interested in Leucis's
holy symbol since it differs from the standard crescent moon of
the Church of Selune. Leucis explains that he was given that relic during his training as a priest, and that it was originally created by the
Order of the Rising Twilight. Esmarl seems impressed, as he's never seen that symbol previously.
Esmarl further inquires about the survivor of the slain scavenger party (
Jasperia). He indicates that people who have had an experience like that often try to find other work, and asks if she would make a solid addition to the town guard.
Farmers on the outskirts
The farmers indicate a woman came looking for the half-drow that emerged from the forest - a
tabaxi with what looked like some armed guards. She made a few inquiries about the person and hasn't been seen in town since.
Odds and Ends
Leucis muses over attempting to convince the town guard to set up a wall or fencing around the farms outside of town, or open up the ruined side of town for expansion.
Leucis checks in on
Roger, who it seems has been so engrossed in the work that he's not sleeping properly. After attempting to convince him to sleep and realizing that while he might intend to, he is likely to fail - Leucis returns later that night and casts Sleep on him.
Leucis pokes at
The Finest Enquiry of the Wizard: A True Heir a bit in the hopes of learning
Draconic but is only familiar enough with the language to recognize it if he sees it again.
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