There has been an open call for adventurers by the scholar Sivir, who resides in the northern Vlasc city of Karali. He is looking to build a group to go into the desert to the north in search of the Library of Azadt, a buried trove of ancient books from the Dark Age. He claims to have come into possession of a map detailing its location, as well as some information regarding the potential contents. The information about this job is traveling word-of-mouth, and there is little known about the specific reward, though apparently Sivir has assigned different values to different tomes and will pay for them individually. When you (as a group or individually) arrive in town to hear this news Sivir is absent from his manse, with a promise from his servants that he will return by the next day, giving you some time before speaking with him.
Knowledge (history) on the Library
15
20
Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy to gather information on the Library
10
20
Knowledge (local) or Diplomacy to gather information on Sivir
10
15
25
Knowledge (geography) for the nearby desert
12
17
Thoroar Silentall, a stocky man in his late 20's finds himself in between jobs and his money running low again. With his prospects in Madzulan looking bleak as the Vlasc try to clamp down on the black market in the bustling capital, for what seems to be the 25th time, he hears rumors of a rich scholar in the northern city of Karali looking for adventurers willing to retrieve some old books for a tidy sum. Seeming to be an easy enough job, he packs up his meager belongings and heads north.
When he arrives in Karali, he immediately begins to try to find out more about this scholar, Sivir and the library he seeks. He heads to the University district and begins asking questions of the local merchants about Sevir. He then heads to local library and conducts some inquiries regarding ancient libraries.
Having learned as much as can, Thoroar heads to Sivir's manse. When he learns that Sivir will return tomorrow, he tells the servants that he believes that he is in a position to help Sivir and that he will return tomorrow. In the meantime, could they recommend a comfortable establishment with which he could rest for the evening?
Gather Info (Library):
Gather Info (Sivir):
Knowledge (Geography):
Hearing tale of the scholar, Sivir's obsession with the Library of Azadt in the desert to the north, Caleb Thane, a wanderer of the northern desert seeks to learn more about this expedition and the rewards if completed.
There are several inns and taverns in the area, though the cheapest are on the outskirts, catering to weary traders and travelers who might arrive at late hours. Particularly the Winding Road is recommended as having good food, many traders and guides take up residence there.
Fresh from an exploration of the Lost Tomb of Je'Akar, Avele Ienith has heard of an even greater trove of knowledge buried in the deserts to the northeast of Karali. For days, he has heard talk regarding a planned expedition, as well as rumor after rumor about the Library of Azadt and its fabled contents.
After nearly a week of patient listening, Avele has gone in search of the famed scholar Sivir, hoping to be included in the historic expedition...
Thoroar thanks the servants and heads to the Winding Road. He decides it is better to spend his few remaining coins on a good place to stay instead of some vermin infested flop house. Besides, there may be more information or more opportunities for work at a better establishment.
He procurs a room, drops his things and heads to the tavern to do what he does best. Listen and gather information.
Avele has heard from many of those on the road that the Winding Road tavern is a way station for adventurers of all sorts. Perhaps this would be the best road to find Sivir, and by extension, the Library...
After an hour's searching, Avele finds the modestly appointed public house. As he walks through the door, he scans the room for anyone of note, especially those equipped to take on an expedition of this sort.
A mercurial Talven hailing from the desert wastes, Venark knows little of Sivir or his research. He fidgets with impatience at the thought of having to wait overnight for the promised meeting, but settles in at the Winding Road, waiting to hear about the job and what the scholar is offering.
Thoroar settles into a table near the entrance of bar and watches people come and go. In his line of work, it pays to recognize strangers who seem out of place. He watches Avele and then Varnek enter the establishment. It is clear to him by the way Avele is scanning the room that he has the same intentions as Thoroar. He gets up from his seat and works his way toward Avele. "You don't look like you are from around here. And you seem to be looking for someone. My name is Thoroar Silentall. I've come to help retrieve some items, perhaps you are here for that purpose too?" No sense beating around the bush Thoroar thinks to himself.
The Winding Road is filled mainly with traders and those that would associate with them; guides, caravan guards, and the like. The four of you do not stand out tremendously, Caleb and Venark blend in particularly well, though Thoroar and Avele notice that there are few true outsiders here; most of the traders are Talven merchants or locals. The commons sleeping area is not very crowded, as most here can afford rooms upstairs.
Caleb sits at a table in the room eating a simple meal while he watches the others in the room, listening for others who may be interested in Sivir's expedition.
Hearing Thoroar's comments about the retrieval of items, though not spoken to him, the Wayfinder slightly raises his flagon of ale and nods in acknowledgement of the rogue's question.
Venark approaches Thoroar confidently. Speaking quickly, as of one who lacks the patience to wait to the end of his own sentences, he introduces himself. "Perhaps we are to be acquainted. I've come for the same purpose. Venark is my name, but they call me the Firestarter."
"I am glad to meet you Venark, I think there are others here who share our purpose. That gentleman over at that table" Thoroar nods toward Caleb, "lifted his flagon when I asked my question, let's move over there and see how aligned are interests may be." Turning to Avele, "Will you be joining us sir, or was I mistaken?"
"You don't look like you are from around here. And you seem to be looking for someone. My name is Thoroar Silentall. I've come to help retrieve some items, perhaps you are here for that purpose too?" No sense beating around the bush Thoroar thinks to himself.
Avele nods slowly.
"If you are bound for the Library... I will be joining you, sir."
He makes for the indicated table, but after a few steps turns back to Thoroar, raising a hand between the two of them.
"Before we begin, I must say one thing only. When it's do or die, be sure to stay out of my way. "
"We are of like mind sir. I am indeed interesting in finding this lost library. As far as the other, I will not impede you." Res turns and goes to Caleb's table.
"Excuse me sir, you seem to have expressed interest in the finding of lost things. I think we share the same interest as do these two other gentleman. May we join you at your table, and explore further if we do indeed share mutual reasons for being in this city?"
"By all means, have a seat. I am at least as interested in finding the library itself as I am in retrieving its contents." Caleb says, studying the men who have found their way to his table.
"The promise of payment doesn't hurt either..."
After everyone has taken their seat, Thoroar begins. "It seems we have all been drawn here for the same purpose. To assist a Master Sivir in obtaining some ancient texts from a mysterious library. My name is Thoroar Silentall. I am originally from the West but have spent the last few years doing odd jobs in this area. Job prospects for my type of work are hard to come by in Madzulan right now so when I heard whispers about a well paying job here, I came straight away. If you need someone to slip in and out undetected, I'm the right man. How about each of you? What is your interest in this endeavor?"
"For me, it is the excitement and the challenge. Life is short, and I could not imagine spending it trading cloth." Vernak says. "And the money doesn't hurt either," he adds quickly.
As he speaks, his eyes dart about the room, as if he is worried he might miss something if he is looking in the wrong direction.
"How about each of you? What is your interest in this endeavor?"
"My name is Avele Ienith, of the Order of Perfection. I seek knowledge."
Avele scrutinizes each of the others with his reptilian gaze.
"For those of you who concern yourself with trinkets of the mortal realm, I shall have none of them. But beware those who impede my ascension."
"What do any of you know about this Sivir? I know that he was once a professor of history at the university, but do any of you know why he is so interested in this library?"
Thoroar answers Caleb, "I've been doing some checking around on our potential employer. From what I have heard, he has been spending a lot of time at the Monastery of the Shifting Way in their library. He may have found something of interest because just recently his servants have mentioned that Sivir has begun receiving threats from some unknown source. So far, these threats have not deterred his search. Maybe that is why he has put out the call for some assistance."
Addressing the group, Thoroar asks, "I'm not familiar with this area. What can anybody tell me about the desert where this mysterious library is supposedly located?"
Thoroar answers Caleb, "I've been doing some checking around on our potential employer. From what I have heard, he has been spending a lot of time at the Monastery of the Shifting Way in their library. He may have found something of interest because just recently his servants have mentioned that Sivir has begun receiving threats from some unknown source. So far, these threats have not deterred his search. Maybe that is why he has put out the call for some assistance."
Addressing the group, Thoroar asks, "I'm not familiar with this area. What can anybody tell me about the desert where this mysterious library is supposedly located?"
Avele speaks, his eyes flicking lazily from Caleb, to Thoroar, to Venark, and then back to Thoroar.
"I know of the desert. There is a region to the northwest known as the Shifting Sands, where sudden sandstorms have been known to cover whole camps and caravans in a day. If anything is buried in the desert nearby, this region would be the best place to hide it."
He pauses, seemingly deep in thought.
"The true extent of the Shifting Sands is unknown to most. It extends deep into the territory of a very isolationist Talven tribe, and few have traversed it."
"I am well equipped for such a journey," Venark says almost joyfully. "The burning sun is both a wonderful and terrible thing."
"All things exist to be conquered and surpassed."
Listening to Venark and Avele speak wistfully of the desert, Thoroar clears his throat. "All well and good, but my interest are more mundane. How to find and retrieve the books as quickly as possible and return in one piece to collect payment. It seems you two are well equipped to assist in the locating this library. What about you Caleb, what skills do you bring to this blossoming party of ours?"
As Caleb seems lost in thought, Thoroar turns to Avele, "You say you seek knowledge. What do you mean? Do you seek the knowledge in these books that we will be tasked to find or knowledge in general?"
As Caleb seems lost in thought, Thoroar turns to Avele, "You say you seek knowledge. What do you mean? Do you seek the knowledge in these books that we will be tasked to find or knowledge in general?"
"All knowledge is power. Knowledge is the key to enlightenment, and the gateway to ascension. The knowledge in these books is known by few others, and by knowing it, I shall gain an advantage over those who are ignorant."
Avele pauses for a second, looking Thoroar directly in the eye.
"And for what purpose do you seek the Library. Surely, the promise of gold is not your only motivation?"