Ser Armithia marks both the child and Merchant for a later visit. The gold elf does some purchasung before reuniting with the Watcher of Dawn to go see a man about over due library books...
Zane attempts to help but the lad simply doesn't wait, and there's a tense moment when it seemed the guard might arrest him for obstruction but Azarra's offer to pay defuses the situation. The Merchant who turns out to be called Vincarlo Morelli asked, "Are you sure Ma'am he asks?" When you say yes, he shrugs, "Very well suit yourself. I'd be careful mind, those filthy urchins might start getting ideas and taking advantage of your generosity."
brooding shapes of several large boats moored there and inadequately lit by lanterns. Even your acute sight doesn't reveal their full details but you know one of them is the Capricious Smile, a merchantman out of Melvaunt... Inside are dozens of sailors singing
with flagons of grog in hand lustily. The noise is painful for your ears, but most of them ignore you. You draw several looks from a particularly drunken pair of sailors, summer boys hanging out near the entrance. Not unattractive in their way, but hardly refined. For now none of them have plucked up
the courage to approach, but surely that can't be long. You scan the area for Talia but you realize you're not entirely sure what she looks like beyond being a moon-elf. There are several darkened booths towards the back some occupied, some empty, and a thick knot of patrons at the bar. You notice harried looking serving staff weaving their weay through the crowds, carrying pitchers of ale and several platters of food.
The next morning you wake up early and hear a general buzz of excitement. The town crier was announcing a town meeting to be held at two o'clock sharp to discuss the reclamation of occupied land!
After procuring his new equipment, the Paladin walks about town, determining to locate any spies with Detect Evil and DeathWatch Eyes.
Azarra thanks Vincarlo for his kindness, and promises to be careful.
Azarra's first instinct is to ask if she can perform.
However, that doesn't seem to go well, whether she asked the wrong person they are just too busy, or whatever else.
So, when that doesn't work right away, she decides not to pursue it. Maybe it was a sign that she is supposed to keep a low profile anyway. It's hard to get used to this spy stuff.
So, she takes a really good look around, moving past the knot of people at the bar, and on to the booths at the back, glancing into each one to see if it is occupied.
If she spots a female moon elf, then she will say Got your message and see what kind of a response she gets. If she doesn't see someone, or if she gets an unfavorable response, she will sit in one of the unoccupied booths and order a meal (in the case of the unfavorable response, she will apologize first and say Oh, I'm sorry. You look just like a good friend of my parents.).
As for in the morning... can we do a little research and still get there very early? If we could do both, that would be ideal. I want to know more, but I also wouldn't put it past the evil side of the council to hold the meeting early just to grant the task to the bad guys. Maybe we could bring some reading about the library to the meeting, so we can study while we wait?
Zane awoke just before sunrise, as he had every day for years now. As was his habit and desire, he spent the several minutes as the sun slowly crept over the horizon in prayer, thanking Lathander for the gift of a new day and for blessing the young priest with the power needed to spread the Morninglord's dogma to those who wished to be enlightened.
His good mood soon turned dark, even as the morning sky lit up. The Watchers of Dawn had met with much success, as far as Zane could tell, yet it seemed that Phlan was in more peril now than when the group had first met up not long ago. Had they made the city safer only for a would-be tyrant to snatch power now that there was breathing room to contemplate such things. The priest shook his head as he descended the stairs, determined to do what was needed to keep such a travesty from taking place.
As he joined his companions for breakfast, he started to speak of the news of the day and what the group might accomplish. "Perhaps we could not only research the Library, but also who might be pushing to explore it? If we know the competition, perhaps we can develop an argument for ourselves." In truth, though the Library held great importance to some of the Watchers, it was merely another obstacle to be overcome for the young man. Another stain to be cleansed before Phlan could be returned to its former glory.
Between spoonfuls of oatmeal, Ishta expresses her thoughts when Zane opens the discussion.
"It seems to me *munch* that they're trying to drive exploring groups away from the library, and that can only indicate there's something dangerous for them to be found there." Of course she has her own agenda, but that is completely secondary right now. Plus, if they let the city fall under Cadorna's claws, she might never be able to recover the information she's looking for.
"We need to be there and make sure the task is assigned to us. On the other hand *munch* not all of us need to be there. I, myself, could be studying the maps and records to have an idea of what we should expect."
Suddenly, she gets up and searches her belongings. "I nearly forgot this!" she exclaims as giving Azarra a heavy bag. "Here is some coin, Azarra. As you seem to be taking care of the orphans, you might need as much as you can get." She sits again and retakes her munching. "I empathize with them, being an orphan too, but I can't find much I can do for them. Of course, if you can think of something, please ask me."
The swordmage joins the early birds with a big bowl of oatmeal, a chunk of sour bread and a clay platter with fish and onion. 'Yummy'. Those thick banded arms produce a clank as they fall onto the table and he nods at his companions - someone is in a good mood. "That sounds fair. Armithia has to be present at the meeting, because he is the one that slew the spawn of Bane and we ought to carry that victory like a banner. It shows we're strong - stronger than those scavengers and thugs posing as liberators. It might rally the necessary people behind us. While I love reading - yeah, I do, try me - I do think I'd be of more use at the meeting if you, Ish, will be busying yourself with research."
Underneath the table something scurries about. It settles down at the Raumathar's feet, triggering Kardas to lean on down to rub his familiar's fur. It happily starts chewing on what must be a bone whilst enjoying the attention of his master. It is then that gold is exchanged between the wizard and the bard, causing Kardas's eyes to shoot open wide. "Oh, right, I did promise I'd contribute to that."
"So, ehm, I'd like to do hit up the market before we get down to business. Is it alright if I leave?" He had plans. Two handfuls of minced bull meat, a pinch of anointed spices from the Vilhon Reach, a grounded rot root from the forest around Myth Drannor and some other select ingredients for a mix that would strengthen both and his familiar upon consumption. They wouldn't understand, so don't bother explaining it, Kardas.
As if he could hear his master's thoughts, the fox presses his snout against the man's shin and rubs up against him.
Azarra thanks her companions with a smile.
Excellent. We'll be able to do a lot of good with this money. I wonder if we should try to buy a building to house an orphanage, or if there is one already established that we could contribute to, in order to extend its reach and get more help for these children. Does anyone know?
She waves at Kardas when he asks to leave, and then says
I agree that we need to get to the meeting early, and make sure we are assigned. I will attend the meeting. Will you be accompanying me, Zane, or are you going to join Ishta and do some research?
"I, eh, well I guess I should put my ... academical skills, as you call 'em? ... to use. Sure, fine."
Mid morning a young boy comes running up to Ishta with a message. he looks expectantly at you.
"All. I have a notion regarding the women you rescued. Hasn't been done for a generation but there's precedence for capital crimes being commuted by popular proclamation to a few years of hard work in a 'suitable institution' on feast days. Founder's day is next week which counts. An orphanage counts as a suitable institution and running it is assuredly hard work... I think you can see where I'm going with this. Not ideal but surely better than the noose. Will need copies of the original acts to make this ironclad." The note is signed Urs.
Azarra is a little bit lost, finally finding her contact, and then seemingly dismissed. She feels like she is supposed to leave but she doesn't feel like she knows enough yet, so she asks
Um, okay, but ... do you want me to look into who arrived, or the missing communication from Cormanthor... or, do you think those things are related?
She feels stupid so she adds in a muted voice ... I'm really sorry. I'm doing my best, but I am still learning all of this spy stuff. I only found out my parents were Harpers when they went missing, and kind of fell into all of this in coming to find them.
If Azarra is with Ishta when she gets the message:
She hands the boy a tip, and suggests sending back a short message that says "Good idea, let's talk after the meeting." or something.
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Ser Armithia arrives an hour early. The Knight of Helm looks impressive with his arms and armor polished to a reflective gold shine. He stands front and center, carrying a banner with the words, "Watchers of Dawn".
Azarra nods, and feeling too stupid to ask anything further, she exits the place quickly and returns to the inn where she is staying, using some circuitous routes and trying again to make sure she isn't followed, like a good spy would.
Which I think brings us back to the present.
When Azarra tips the boy, Ishta realises she's been reading and not paying attention to anything else. "Ah, yeah, sorry..." After finishing the read, she looks at Azarra with a happy smile. "This seems good news, right?" she giggles.
Later on, she goes to Friar Jenkins, with whom she already has some familiarity, and tells him about the matter at hand. "Do you think you could help us? I'd gladly pay the fee if we could get the info for tomorrow early. Also, I'd be searching myself in other places. Four eyes can spot things that two eyes might skip, even if it's two expert eyes like yours."
Zane listened to the others over breakfast, halting Kardas before he can go with his strange fox friend. He gave the Rashemi's arms a curious glance as he pulled out a bulging sack of coins. "Friend, would you mind grabbing something for me, as well, while you are out? Here's what I was thinking..." With that, the priest describes the weapon and ring he was thinking of, thanking his wizard warrior companion.
At Azarra's question, Zane smiled. "I feel compelled to go to the meeting. Not that researching the Library is an unimportant task, but I feel Ishta is well-suited to it. Meanwhile, there is likely to be a certain amount of intrigue at the Council meeting, and having more of us there lowers the likelihood of getting shouted down."
When the ladies bring the contents of the note to the attention of the others, Zane wore a satisfied expression. Now to make sure the women survived until Founder's Day. "After the meeting, we might need to go and help Ishta and see if we can turn up the original, otherwise it seems we have yet another reason to go to the Library."
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"But of course. I will make sure that I return with actual objects of power, not trinkets covered with a lick of shoe polish!"
When Ishta approached Friar Jenkins, naturally in the stacks, he put his book down and replied, "I'm more than happy to help m'lady. What was it exactly you were looking for?"
"Oh well, I guess we want to know everything, but... What if you start looking for a map of the place or something more mundane, while I search for magical things like defenses, wards or how to pass them?"
Azarra nods her understanding to Talia about the dead drop instructions, and returns to the inn to get some sleep.
After hearing what Keith has to say, Azarra suggests Sounds like we should stop by on the way to the meeting, or after maybe... we can't be late.
Zane offered the stranger a smile and returned the handshake as Keith spoke to them, his brow furrowing at the mention of the shrine's defacing. While he can tell that something about the man's demeanor is slightly off, the priest chalks it up to the fact that he is embarrassed about some aspect of the situation. "Perhaps when the work of reclaiming Phlan is complete the Watch will be able to attend to matters such as this. I will be happy to look into the matter after the Council Meeting, friend, and I appreciate you bringing the matter to my attention. Thank you for your diligence in keeping up the shrine."
While Zane certainly felt compelled to help with the problem at the shrine, he understood that the greater priority at the moment was the reclamation of the Library and the halting of the likely power grab that was in motion in the fledgling city. He continued on towards the Council meeting with his companions, determined to complete the task of being awarded the Library bounty before attending to other matters.
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Edit: wow!
Jenkins draws your attention to a moldering ledger, "Look this is a list of books bought by Mantor's Library. Some of these sound quite exotic: Fyerdetha’s Discourses On Power. According to the log entry Fyerdetha’s supposedly believed certain fountains and pools held great power. Power that can only be used by performing proper ceremonies." He points to another entry, "Urgund’s Description of Darkness, a grim account of his imprisonment in the lower realms. Supposedly Urgund was a mage of great power who vanished in mysterious circumstances. And this other one, The Grand Historian’s Records of the Arts of War: A very famous tome dealing with the history of warfare."
While this was interesting, it wasn't entirely what you where looking for. Several hours later you find an account of a strange occurrence, stunningly lifelike statues of people appearing in the library gardens, typically looking surprised or even terrified. "Oh that's interesting!" mused Jenkins, "I wonder..." He then started scanning through court records and an hour later cried, "Ah ha! Look here City of Phlan vs Gerrard Xenarian. Apparently a little over two hundred years ago he was caught importing basilisk eggs. Naturally these where confiscated. Gerrard hired an expert witness who determined that the rock like eggs where dead. The court accepted this, fined Gerrard and sent him on his way. The eggs where donated to the library as a curiosity... I think can guess what happened next."
"Oh, dear..." The implications of the discovery immediately impregnate Ishta's plans, and she starts thinking how to deal with such a creature in case there is still one. "Do you think we'll need some protection against this?"
When Zane blows off the merchant with remarkable politeness and tact, Kardas can't help but frown. Isn't he one of your people?
"The next time I have a moment, Keith, I will come by the shrine. Perhaps we'll even be able to discuss this issue. I'm ...," and Kardas takes a second to weigh his words. "I am sorry we cannot do more right away."
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"SILENCE!" thundered council leader Eberhard. He was so red in the face nobody would have been surprised if he'd died right then and there of apoplexy. He smacked his staff off office into the floor three times to underscore his words. A hush descended upon the unusually packed town hall. It was just as well that Ser Armithia came early for the crowd extended well beyond the hall, and those outside where desperately trying to hear the proceedings.
Sounding tired Eberhard then announced, "Yes the rumors are true, we are opening up Manor's Library for reclamation and yes we're looking for a team to investigate what the heck is going on with Kuto's well. Now I've got two special guests here today who will explain. Firstly we are graced by the presence of Delenn Moonbean, a long time resident who arrived two nights ago from Cormanthor. An internationally respected authority on antiquities and one of the few living beings lucky enough to have studied at Mantor's library in it's heyday. She has volunteered to help the city reclaim it's heritage by opening the restricted archives!"
A general cheer is raised as the elf glides forwards the podium. Like many elves she had that ageless porcelain look which meant she could be anything from a few hundred to a thousand years old. He skin was as flawless and her coiffured red hair. While she smiled warmly to the crowd it didn't entirely extend to her eyes, which remained haughty and distant.
Her mellifluous voice seems to soar over you as she speaks, "Thank you Councillor. It is an honor to be back, and to witness the rise of what was once the greatest city on the Moonsea. Getting into Mantor's library itself shouldn't be a problem but the restricted archives themselves will prove a challenge. I remember the ritual to unlock it, but the defenses included many unnatural servitor creatures bound for all eternity. I can't fight those and unlock the archives, so I will need an escort of the stoutest hearts Phlan has to protect me."
She nods at Eberhard before retiring to a stool next to the semi-circle of high chairs the councilors sat in.
Eberehard gingerly got up and tottered arthritically over to the podium, paused there for a moment to catch his breath and said "Thank you Delenn, the City of Phlan is eternally grateful to have you back once again!" He then glanced to a member of the guard who was also sitting on another stool, and motioned him over, "And now may I introduce Sergeant Zolonsho. Ah I can see some of you know him already! Zolonsho is of course a long standing and highly decorated member of the guard. So Zolonsho tell us, what's up with Kuto's well?"
Looking resplendent in his dress armor, the sergeant marched to the podium. Sounding serious and formal the addressed the assembly, "Thank you for your kind words sir. Recently I’ve led a number of forays out near the old city wall, up near the bend in the river where the graveyard is. Twice I’ve run into trouble with kobolds, goblins, and orcs. That’s nothing unusual, except that these critters were working together. That’s unusual. Kobolds and goblins, they don’t typically get along too well. So I figure there must be some sort of organization behind it. Tribal renegades, maybe, who’ve banded together for mutual protection. I’ve only seen or heard of them up by old Kuto’s Well, so I guess that’s as good a place as any to start looking. This could be important, and Bishop Bracco's auguries suggest it is. The enemy are largely demoralized and disorganized, we must eliminate this resistance before it had a chance to take root and spread."
Nodding to the Councillors he explains, "The council have authorized the guard to employ a mercenary company of good repute to investigate. We will be offering a reward of four thousand gold for the elimination of his threat."
At once there are gasps and shouting, and representatives of half a dozen mercenary companies jump up with exicitment!
Once more Eberhard leaned on his staff to rise and hobbled over to the podium as Zolonsho sat down. Eberhard took three attempts to bring the meeting to order before saying "Very good Sargent, the city is offering the same sum to any mercenary company willing to escort Delenn. So who is interested?"
Once more the audience explodes with everyone shouting at once in their excitement.
Lifting high the banner of The Watchers of Dawn, the gold armored knight of Helm approaches the stage. He formally bows to each member and guest (did the usually stoic gold elf linger a bit on Delenn?).
The Watchers of Dawn shall be honored to escort the Lady!
Zane was indeed a bit grateful as he maneuvered through the crowd to stand beside the gold elf, listening to Eberhard's words about the reopening of the Well and the Library. The priest was glad to see the excitement in the room, the morale-boosting wins of the last few days having seeped into the general populace.
The young man listened to the elven woman speak of the restricted archives in the Library, certain that was where the more dangerous and powerful texts had been kept. It made sense that the Library's protectors had powerful guardians to match. As Delenn finished, Zane got a worried frown on his face at her tone and expression, cocking his head to the side as something didn't seem quite right with the situation.
He dismissed it, for now, as he watched Eberhard stagger over to the podium, the simple effort taxing him. As the councilor introduced the Sergeant, Zane watched him for a few more moments, trying to remember if he seemed so feeble the last time they had seen him. Zane banished the thought as he tuned back in to what Zolonsho was saying, something about the kobolds and goblins working together and preventing them from fortifying the area.
As Ser Armithia volunteered the group for the mission to the Library, Zane stepped up beside the paladin, ready to add his voice if need be. He again glanced over at the elven woman, wondering what about her was troubling him.
It wasn't the elf's eyes that drew the Raumathar's attention. No, his murky globes gazed in awe at the almost statue-esque nature of her beauty, like a thing from ages long gone. Before he could notice anything about her, his attention had shifted back to the councillor and the sergeant.
"Pretty, she is. Odd that a mage of her status would need a group like us to defend her, but what do I know about deadly arcane traps? Where I'm from, the Nar would simply bind a bloodthirsty demon to a room that can't be bypassed. Easy, simple and eh, well, definitely part of why they collapsed the way they did. Can't control a demon forever, is what my uncle used to say whenever he came by our camp, pretending he hadn't just fled his tyrant wife."
Listening to the opening, Azarra notes the incongruity.
She also senses something unsettling about the woman.
Knowing she won't be heard over the crowd, Azarra instead quietly casts Message. She points to all of her party members and to Councillor von Urslingen and whispers to them all.
There have been no ships or wagon trains from Cormanthor in at least a week. Significantly, there *was* one from Zhentil Keep two days ago. This is definitely not what it seems, although we still need to do this job, and we might need her help to get into the archives. How do you want to play it?
Eberhard seemed pleased by the enthusiastic response, "OK The Watchers of Dawn are interested, who else? The Ravens, The Thousand Swords and The Mailed Fist. Anyone else? Right OK then, four Mercenary companies, very good. Well you can't all go..." He glanced at the other Councillors who nodded. Turning back to the crowd he shouted, "OK show of hands for whose interested in the Kuto's well mission?"
Representatives for The Ravens, The Thousand Swords, The Mailed Fist and several other companies raised their hands.
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Zane snorted in amusement at Kardas' comments about his uncle's tales of demons in the man's attempts to avoid his domestic tyrant, but he couldn't help but be sobered by the thought of an outsider being part of the defenses of the Library, as well. The creature of Bane had been bad enough, and the group had been there to ambush it as it was just summoned, and Ser Armithia had devastated the being. Something that had possibly been bound for decades would likely be far more prepared, far more deadly.
It took the priest a few moments to connect the dots as he heard the lovely half-elf's words in his ear, but his eyes widened in understanding as he understood the significance. Though he wasn't a political genius, he knew of the Zhent's never-ending ambition towards conquering the Moonsea area, and it seemed likely, at least, that this elven woman was a Zhentish plant. As Azarra noted, it would probably be best to let it play out for now, as calling the Council's attention to it would likely only get the Library portion of the clearing shut down. Better to see what this Delenn was working at.
As Eberhard called out for volunteers for Kuto's Well, Zane was torn. On the one hand, if the group didn't raise their hands while the others did, it would be easier for the Council to pick The Watchers of Dawn for the Library since they hadn't volunteered for the other. However, it could be seen as uncompromising and haughty. After a glance at the lovely, probably treacherous elven wizardess, Zane decided it would be wiser to remain silent. Better to not get picked than get picked for the wrong mission. If they were unable to get the Library gig, they could always unmask Delenn and at least possibly ruin whatever she was up to.
The councillor sends a reply after a short delay, 'I mislike this situation, someone has mislead the council. We don't know what Delenn's aims really are, although it's true she used to live here.'
The Councillors start a huddled conversation and you overhear Earhart saying, "The watches have done good work aye, but what of The Ravens? They've been with us since the beginning, I say we reward their loyalty..."
Sounding bored and lounging in his chair, Cardona pointed out, "The same could be said of The Thousand Swords could it not?"
To which von Urslingen replied, "It could but they're more suited for pitched battles. If the rumors we've heard are true... I say they're better used patrolling the borers." Several heads nodded at his words.