Session 15 - Answers Lead to Questions
General Summary
[34 Planting, 498 TA]
Having arrived in Haven, the party decided that the first order of business was securing lodgings. Ell suggested that they try the Compass Rose, a largish travelers inn, with good food and clean beds. The rest of the team agreed that this sounded like a good plan and Ell led the way over to the inn.Speaking with the owner, a stout older halfling by the name of Linbul Teton, the party acquired rooms. After dropping off gear and freshening up, our four adventurers gathered in the common room for a late lunch. Ordering a round of drinks and stew, the team started discussing what all they were hoping to accomplish during their time in the city.
Denye, of course, was most interested in the Library and a list of research topics that she had prepared, in particular Wolfworth Basin and Verbrona Bay. But she also shared that she was hoping to find some senior wizards who could help her with her spell inversion.
Jilken asked if there was a particular reason why Denye was interested in those two locations in particular. Denye shook her head and explained about the Inferno 50 years ago that had ravaged the Humblewood and the pillar of light shining in the sky far to the west. She also spoke of the exploratory party that had left the Wood a couple of years ago and how they had gone missing.
The dark elf seemed somewhat excited about the possibilities of that hunt. As for her own mission, “I’m just out following strange paths and seeing what sorts of danger I can test myself against.” She went on to share that she would like to start a new community of her people and how she must pass certain tests before being granted the right. She seemed most excited about the possibility of bringing them to Ellebore, perhaps with the change of landscape some of the old ways would be easier to reimagine as well.
Ell was his usual engematic self and claimed he was just looking to stay out of trouble. Both Denye and Jilken seemed skeptical, but Ell deflected by commenting that Haven wasn’t all that great of a city.
Janora shared some of their personal history and the problems in Bay Moon that had sent the half-elf into the world, seeking a cure. To that end, Janora was most interested in visiting the Library as well as seeing if there were any witches in the city.
“So it sounds like a few of us have some interest in the library,” finished Janora, “but we should probably deliver these messages first and get them out of the way.”
Jilken nodded hesitantly, “My only concern is that if we deliver them, it will just lead straight to another job.” Ell shook his head at that, “The Queen is usually fairly understanding on that score. But she won’t see us tonight, it’s too late. I suggest we send a message to this Eiliphina Yosston and let her interface with the Crown. She will let us know of the appointments and we can spend our evening as we wish.”
Wandering up to the bar the dark haired human spoke to the barkeep for a few moments before Linbul turned and whistled for one of the younglings sitting on a bench by the door. Ell wrote out a short note and passed it over to the young boy as well as a letter from the Watcher. Flipping the kid three coppers, Ell said.”Run fast.” Before Ell could finish the second word, the kid was out the door like a shot. Nodding to Linbul, Ell picked the pitcher of cider and wandered back to his compatriots. “That’s sorted,” he said with a smile as he settled down at the table once more.
The late lunch had turned into an early dinner as the team relaxed and listened to the elven bard who had taken the stage. As the tavern filled up, the entire place came alive with the sounds of conversation and laughter, the lute music blending between and around these other sounds.
One of the topics of conversation that seemed to permeate the crowd was a new magic shop run by someone named Aubergine. Not even Ell, the Haven native, had any idea who or what this Aubergine might be.
In their usual no-nonsense way, Janora stepped over to a nearby table and turning to the surprised man beside them asked, “So what is all of this about a purple person?”
The middle-aged man with shaggy hair looked confused for a moment, “What purple person, I ain’t know no purple people.”
“This Aubergine?” sighed Janora.
“Aubergine? Aubergine ain’t purple....his scales are copper,” replied the confused carter.
Janora, becoming frustrated, said, “Scaled? Why does he have scales? And why Aubergine?”
The man held up his hands, “It’s his name I think…..he do wear a lot of purply robes.”
Learning that the shop was called the Celestial Dragon and that it was located somewhere in the Crafter’s Row district, Janora gave up interrogating the poor man and returned to the group. As they did so the messenger boy came running back in with a return message. Eilipinia had scheduled both meetings for the morrow, with Wayfinder Majorus Brightfinger first.
With the rest of their evening free, the party decided that they should continue the bonding over plans and go through the various things they had picked up over the last couple of weeks. Preferring not to paw through their gear in the open, Janora asked the innkeeper about a private dining room.
Leading them over to one of a few doors on the far wall, Linbul lead them into a inner room without windows. A large round table sat in the center with a stack of cards and some dice. The halfling offered the room to the party for free...at least until someone might want to book it.
Ell is quite suspicious at that and spends some time going over the room, looking for listening devices, both magical and mundane. In the end however, even he had to admit that Linbul was really just a helpful innkeeper.
Settling down, the party began divvying up the gold and going through the various items that they had collected. Most seemed to be jewelry and various stones, and the party agreed that Denye should just go ahead and sell most of it, along with a few other odds and ends.
The most interesting item however was the bell that they had found in the Labyrinth. Denye and Janora began discussing this strange artifact. Janora shared that Dralloe was one of the Bright Shiners, the ancient Titans who bound Ollamaas and exiled both the Titan-lich and the Lost Kingdom. That ritual took almost all of the energy of the eight Shiners, but there have long been rumors that the last of their strength was imbued in the bells that they wielded.
“That sounds cool,” said Jilken, leaning forward, “let’s ring it and see what happens.” Matching action to words, she picked up and rang it. Ell suddenly became much faster as the spell Expeditious Retreat was cast on him. Jilken meanwhile became covered in a slick greasy oil.
Janora took the bell back and wrapped it in a spare bag before taking it up to her room and locking it in a chest. Jilken went and had another bath while Denye and Ell went to find somewhere to sell off the other assets.
[35 Planting, 498TA]
The next morning, the party gathered and after a filling breakfast made their way up to The Hill. As they approached the gate, one of the two guards inquired as to the team’s intention. Denye shared that they were here for a meeting with the Wayfinder Majorus . The guard nodded and after writing it down in his book, directed them over to the Collegium .A page met them at the door and ushered the group over to Wayfinder Brightfinger’s office. The office itself was a large L shaped room, with golden wood paneling and a number of bookcases filled with all manner of books, scrolls, and curiosities. There was also a small sitting area with plush armchairs in front of a small fireplace toward the back of the room.
Turning the corner, they found the elderly dwarf sitting behind a desk piled with papers. Greeting them warmly, it was clear that while Matebera Brightfinger was getting on in years, her mind was as sharp as ever.
Janora handed over the letter from Wayfinder Emorin as Denye shared what they had learned about this enemy’s sigil and the destroyed books. The elderly Wayfinder was quite shocked to hear of the damage, but suggested she take them to the Library and find an answer to their question.
Entering the Library they found a large round room with a circle of desks around a large stationary orrery of the Zriavli system. Along the back wall was the largest map of Ellebore that any of the adventurers had seen, curved so you could see it all standing in a marked spot near the center.
Two large bronze circular stairs granted access to a large 10 story high tower with bookshelves that ringed the walls with walkways every half-story or so (bookshelf height). Capping the tower was a large skylight that showed the blue sky and puffy clouds above. What was most interesting about this tower however was that there was no sign of it outside of the building.
Giving everyone a moment or two to drink it all in, the eldery dwarf stepped forward and called out, “Oh Labradorite, Keeper of the Books, we seek knowledge and beg entrance.” Before Matebera was even done speaking, a dark shape came hurtling down from one of the balconies. As it neared the smallish green and purple dragon threw out her wings to break and held up one claw to her mouth as she hissed, “SSSHHHHH”
When none of the party particularly reacted, Wayfinder Brightfinger chuckled and introduced everyone to Dor, the resident bookwyrm and head librarian. Showing Dor the letter, the poor little bookwyrm actually dropped to the ground and mantled when she was told about the damaged books.
Examining the sigil, Dor nodded, “I do believe Shalana was correct and I recognize this seal. Back in a second.” With that she took off up into the tower and darted quickly between several bookshelves before landing on the desk before the head Wayfinder with five books.
Three of them were the ones that Wayfinder Emorin had listed, but the bookwyrm had also brought two more that also contained the mark. All five however agreed, the five-pointed red/black star was the mark of Kelveren Darkhold, the Mad Mage.
Dor expressed puzzlement at the addition of the reversed ziggurat however. That was not a symbol that she was familiar with and what it could mean combined with the five-pointed star was anyone’s guess. Matebera just shook her head, “Well we best hope it’s not another Kelvern. Will y’all be going back to Wexwood? If you are going to be here a day or two I can have copies of these made to replace the Archive’s damaged books.”
The party agreed tentatively, dependent on if the Queen had a task for them as well. Smiling and nodding, the elderly dwarf made her farewells and offered the Library and Dor’s help if there were other things that our adventurers were interested in researching.
Denye perked up at that and hurriedly pulled out a list that she had prepared. Matebera just chuckled and began making her way to the door as Denye and Dor began going over the Corva’s list.
“The first items on the list are Verbrona Bay and Wolfworth Basin. In particular if there were any mage storms about 50 years ago,” asked Denye
Dor thought for a while, but shook her small head, “Nothing like that recently. There were of course the mage storms that created both landmarks, but that was almost 500 years ago.” Thinking for a moment, the serpentine head shot up, “There was something...another magical disturbance around that time.”
The dragon shot up into the air and then dove down one of the side rooms, returning a moment later with a smallish leatherbound book. Flipping through the pages, she told Denye of the bloodmage Bezil Keg who had been building a stronghold in The Whispering Hills 50ish years ago. The book was the journal of Wayfinder Kattra Quando. This Wayfinder had traveled with the group that had destroyed this evil wizard and had recorded her experience.
Denye was thrilled and quickly began pouring over the entries. She was quite shocked to discover that the journal also mentioned the Inferno and the damage done to the Humblewood. While Denye and Dor were talking, Ell began skimming the books that had been destroyed, reading about Kelveren’s conquest and destruction across western Ellebore.
While the bird wizard was reading, Jilken asked Dor about histories of the lands of Ellebore, information about the ruling families and bloodlines. Being new the elf was interesting in learning about the people here and how the various societies worked. The bookwyrm was easily able to supply several volumes. The first covered the general overview of the Third Age, while the second covered Founding to the end of the Second Age. This second volume was much slimmer. Dor explained, “We don’t really have a lot of surviving information from a lot of the early days, and most of what we do have is Casiain. They managed to survive Kelveren’s mad conquest without too much damage, tho they did get hit with the magestorms like everyone else.”
Meanwhile, Janora had slipped out after the Wayfinder Majorus and caught up with her in the hall. “If you have a moment, I did have two questions that I think you might be able to answer. The first is relatively easy, do you know of any witches here in Haven?”
Matebera thought for a moment, “I would suggest speaking with the Candlewicks. They own a herbalist shop on the edge of Crafter’s Row. I believe the name was Thistle Do Nicely.” Janora let out a long sigh and asked her other question, that of the problem with the werewolves. Unfortunately without knowing which variety of werewolf they were the Wayfinder wasn’t able to be of immediate help. Something about a village of werewolves sounded familiar to the old dwarf however, and she promised to send word to Janora if she was able to jiggle it loose. Satisfied Janora joined the rest of their companions as they all spent some time in the warmth and quiet of the Library.
Eventually, it was time to leave for the meeting with Queen and Ell led everyone over to the palace. A page took them through several ornate halls filled with sculpture and paintings, arriving at last at a large door made of reddish wood. Two of the palace guards stood watch outside and as they approached, one stepped forward and invited the party to store all of their weapons in a nearby closet.
Once everyone finished divesting themselves of offensive hardware, the guard shut the door and locked it, before handing the key to Ell. “Should just be another minute or two, I believe the last audience is running a bit long.”
Perhaps three or four minutes later the doors to the audience chamber burst open as a shortish human man with messy brown hair and a permanent scowl came stalking out followed by two other finely dressed young men. Ell recognized him as Tolvan Ainsoss , the heir to the Ainsoss title.
Tolvan also seemed to recognize Ell and after a heartbeat or two shook his finger at Ell and barked, “Tell your brother to watch his step” before stalking off down the hall. Ell was quite confused, but figured Gorscha was up to something.
The guard precluded any more questions on the subject, by stepping into the audience chamber and announcing the party. The audience chamber blazed with light, but luckily for Denye it was not overly gaudy and flashy. Goldenoak paneled walls interspersed with wall hangings of a deep blue covered the stone walls. The floor was a beautiful white marble with grey and silver veins running throughout the stone with a plush carpet in matching blue running up the center toward the dais.
On the dais were two large chairs, not quite thrones, made of a similar goldenoak, polished and exquisitely carved with flowers and vines. Behind the chairs was a large tapestry of the arms of Paxtopa, a rearing winged horse.
Queen Alara Askhevron and Prince-Consort Leafblade k'Sheyena welcomed them and they were quite concerned to hear about the troubles in the Pass. Ell presented the letter and while the Queen was reading, Leafblade made small talk with the various party members.
As Queen Alara finished reading, she dropped the letter in her lap and sighed. “Watcher Dusthelm seems quite insistent that an attack is imminent.”
Ell nodded, “As are we, my lady.”
The Queen spent several uncomfortable moments staring into Ell’s eyes before she broke contact by rubbing her hand over her face. “Well, I can probably have 200 guard on their way within a week or so. But gathering the militias and levies will take time, most of my people are farmers and they have to get their crops into the ground or face starvation by Kindling.”
“I’m sure the Watcher will be glad of any help you can send,” said Ell.
Jilken added, “This may be a time to send all you can spare, else you have to call up all later.”
“You may be right,” said the Queen, “I will put out a call for volunteers and see what can be done.” She shared a quick look with her husband before finishing, “ I will send a message to Gelestro and inform him of my plans, thank you for bringing this warning.”
As the party exited the palace Ell let out a sigh, “Well that went about as well as we could have possibly hoped for.”
Janora looked puzzled, “Was there a worry that it wouldn’t have gone well?”
Ell shrugged, “The Queen is very wise and she has excellent counsel, but we shall see what kind of troops she can muster once the politicians have their say.”
Denye looked a little shocked at that statement and Janora just shook their head at the folly. “And people wonder why I left,” laughed Ell as he led them down the Hill and back into the city. Duties discharged for the moment and with some of the afternoon left, the team decided that they would search out this Aubergine and see what all the fuss was about.
Making their way across the Dockside Bridge and around into the center of the city, they eventually found the small, unimposing shop in Crafter’s Row. From the outside it was hard to tell anything about it, but stepping inside it was clear that this was not the same physical location.
The inside of the shop was enormous. A large octagon room with doors set into each of the walls. Several of the doors had tapestries hanging beside them, each set a different color. In the center of the room was a 50ft circle of rich, plush carpeting in deep purple. A number of counters and shelves were set up around an inner core, a wall about 10ft high, made of the same marble as the floor, that must hide a workroom. The ceiling, high overhead, was a a large skylight which framed a far-off night sky and a jaw-dropping purple and red nebula in the rough shape of a dragon.
A very tall copper Dragonborn stepped out of this ‘backroom’ as the party gawked at this overt and showy use of magic. He was dressed in a loose dark purple shirt and pants that tightened around the wrists and calves. Overtop was a robe in a softer, lilac shade of purple. Welcoming the party to the store, the Dragonborn introduced himself as “Aubergine, Wizard Extraordinaire.”
Ell looked over at Denye since she had been the one most interested in visiting the wizard. The small Covra wizard was looking around in amazement, her eyes pinning at the excitement of all of this new magic. After a quick poke from Janora, Denye focused on the Dragonborn for the first time and taking a deep breath, she loosed a torrent of questions about all manner of things; the other doors, the magic of the portals, where they actually were now, what nebula was that in the sky, never seen a Dragonborn before...etc, etc, etc. Letting out a deep laugh, Aubergine chuckled, “Well aren’t you inquisitive, I can see which one of you is a wizard. The doors are entrances to my shop, set in various cities. The other four lead to cities in Umberfell. And yes, I can assure you that the magic is quite stable.”
“Okay,” nodded Denye, still more than a little entranced. “Oh I did have some else that I wanted to ask you. I have been working on a research project, inverting an Inflict Wounds spell.” Pulling out her notebook she began flipping through, showing the senior wizard her notes and diagrams. “I’ve almost got it, but it won’t balance. I think I need someone else to look at it while I go fly around for a while.”
Now quite interested in our bird wizard, Aubergine began flipping though her notebook, asking questions, and examining her diagrams. He is quite impressed by Denye’s creativity and ingenuity, taking an Inflict Wounds spell and working backwards to a curative spell. Within a few minutes the copper Dragonborn was able to provide the necessary runes. Tracing the spell diagram out, it looked complete and ready to be cast.
“I’ll test it out later, but thank you for your help. Putting away her notebook and pulling out the large bronze coin, Denye said, “I’m also looking for someone who knows divination. I believe this is a listening device and I would like to know who is on the other end, or at least where they may be.”
Aubergine took the coin and examined it for a few moments before muttering a few incantations. His eyes glazed over with a milky green light for a breath or two and then cleared as he shook his head as he handed the coin back to Denye. “I was not able to learn much. It is most certainly a listening and tracking enchantment. I was only able to get a general idea of the location, somewhere north, far north.”
The Corva nodded, “That tracks with our suspicions. Do you have anything that could shield it? A null-weave or something similar.”
Aubergine smiled again, “Nothing magical, but I do believe that a simple lead box should do the trick.” Stepping back into the inner room he emerged a moment later with a small wooden box, the interior was lined in thick lead with an opening just large enough for the coin.
Denye quickly put the coin inside, passing over the requested gold. Turning to the others Aubergine asked, “And how about for you fine folk? Perhaps you would like to see a few of my interesting treasures.”
Janora shrugged, “I’m basically window-shopping, but I’m happy to look at whatever you want to show me.” Stepping over to one of the display cases, the Dragonborn wizard pulled out a carved quarterstaff that he called a Firestarter. The runes were draconic and glowed with a faint, flicking light.
When no one expressed interest, he moved on to another item. This one was a small 1ft metal tube with a glowing blue crystal in the side. Picking it up he held it out and was about to press the crystal with his thumb when he stopped and with a twinkle in his eye he held it out to Jilken. “Would you like to do the honors? Just hold it vertical and away from your body and press the gem stone.”
Interested, but unsure, Jilken pressed the button and the short rod expanded into a metal quarterstaff. A blue glow at the tip began to spark outward, with the lightning forming a spear tip. Jilken’s eyes gleamed as she brought it closer to examine. “Will it go into things? Like as a weapon?” she asked excitedly.
“Oh yes,” replied Aubergine, “the creation of one of my students. Easy to carry, I believe it would be quite useful to the right person.” Taking the spear back from a reluctant Jilken, the wizard collapsed it and set it back on the shelf. “I also have a number of potions or scrolls, if you have any interest in those. But I do have one other item that I just recently finished.”
Pulling out a small wooden box, he displayed the contents; four earrings made of triple bands of gold, silver, and octarite. “When attuned, these will allow the wearer to speak telepathic with all of the other wearers for a distance of 5 miles.”
The party was very interested in the earrings, but unfortunately the price was a little steep. After a few minutes of conversation, they decided that they would sleep on it and come back before leaving Haven.
Denye thanked Aubergine as well for his help on the spell and the information on the coin and the party made their way back to the city streets of Haven. Stepping once more into the late spring afternoon, the party began headed back to the inn for some dinner and relaxation.
Along the way Janora spotted Thistle Do Nicely. Telling the others to go on and that they would catch up, the witch turned in that direction. As Janora opened the door and stepped inside, Jilken shrugged, “Think they have any of that rabbit stew for dinner?”
Report Date
15 Jan 2021
Primary Location
