"I could understand what they say, but not produce messages myself. This could be fixed, though, with another trip to the library..."
Ishta then talks with her friends about different protections about several things, and how likely is it for them to find the thing in question.
The night passes quietly in The Cracked Crown, Phlan's premier Inn. In the morning Zane awakes to find a wax sealed note under his door.
Thank you for your enquiry last night. We trust the new dawn we are witnessing here in Phlan is blessed by The Morning Lord himself and would welcome a shrine with open arms. There are several possible properties that have become available due to the recently reclaimed land. Captain Ajit has the keys and has been instructed to allow you to view them so you can decide which one is most suitable. I regret our laws don't allow gift of land without exceptional civic service but we can arrange for a substantial discount, waiving the usual property taxes.
Eberhard.
It's currently 8am and you are all breaking your fast. A full cooked breakfast is provided by the Cracked Crown which smells amazing and tastes even better. The Severn Suns Trading Coster's wagon train isn't exited until the evening so the day is yours to do with as you please.
While you are finishing your breakfast a well dressed boy of about sixteen summers approaches your table and addresses Ishta, "Miss Khosiv? Archivist Jenkins sends his greetings, he has found something in the archives he thought you might want to see. He didn't tell me the nature of his discovery but he suggested it was important."
Ishta gives a small coin to the boy, and directs her steps towards the archives after breakfast. "I'll catch up with you all later, let's see what the good Friar has discovered for us."
Kardas has no plans other than to see the day through without breaking a sweat. Life, however, has a tendency to deny such frivolous desires. The first bump in the road is the hot bath, which, technically speaking, already puts an end to his aspirations for the day. Handwaving it away as it theoretically doesn't ruin the spirit of the want not to exert himself, Kardas nonetheless makes his way downstairs with a scowl on his face.
"Hi Ishta. Oh, bye Ishta."
Having spent the morning shopping, the gold elf will spend the rest of the day and evening at the Temple.
Or, having had breakfast with the Watchers, going over plans and being given the warning; the gold elf will accompany the others, as they each visit their respective destinations.
(automatic pass, but just in case there is more to notice)
Azarra takes the single flower with her.
___
At breakfast Azarra tells everyone that she has a really bad feeling about today, and asks everyone please to not go anywhere alone, and that in fact it would be best to stay together. When Ishta says she is going to the archives, she says she will tag along with her, hoping that the others will come too, despite her inability to give them more information than having a bad feeling.
About half an hour later, Ishta and Azarra enter the council archives. The last few times they visited the cavernous room there had just been Friar Jenkins pottering around the stacks, so it came as somewhat of a surprise to find a small army of assistants cataloguing a huge pile of books reclaimed from Mantor's library.
In the midst of it was Friar Jenkins holding court with at least a dozen youngsters telling him things which he wrote down in a huge journal before directing them and the pile of books they carried to various locations.
You watch this for a while and after a few minutes Friar Jenkins notices you and beckons you over. "Ah! Glad you could make it. So uh we've found something that's, well in truth I'm not sure what to make of it but I know you're interested in Cardona family history..."
He rummages through a pile of thin blue ledgers embossed with the symbol for Mantor's Library (a stylised M) and various others. "Back in the day inter-library loans via portal were a thing, and these ledgers were used to record everything.". He selects volume XIV and hands it to you, it contains page after page of books borrowed and returned. Most of its deathly dull but two loans stand out:
Cardona, Jandark. 5th Marpenouth 1265, Candlekeep Restricted: On Phylacteries by Zaas Tam
Cardona, Jandark, 11th Marpenouth 1265, Gravenhollow: The Jar of Souls
Jenkins explained, "It seems Jandark Cardona had an unhealthy interest in necromancy... And not just any old necromancy, these books are about storing souls willing or otherwise in gems, or binding one's own soul and life force forever into a specially prepared and rather vile object called a phylactery."
Azarra wonders if the news about the creepy Cardonas can get any worse... it seemed to surpass her fears every time. She hopes that a phylactery isn't what they just helped the current Cardona retrieve from the treasure room.
She says none of this out loud however, since she is just tagging along with Ishta and doesn't want to get in the way too much. She hangs back and just listens, wondering if Jandark's soul is still out there somewhere, and if so, how they are going to take him out.
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Ishta is not surprised by the news - it was easy to tell Cadorna was plotting something. If any, a bit disappointed, for she should have expected a move like this.
She looks at Azarra, meeting her eyes as if saying 'you're thinking what I'm thinking, right?'.
"Thank you, good Friar. Erm... is it possible to consult these books? Wouldn't hurt to know what they know? Did I say they? I meant he. Well, whatever..."
"For Mystra's sake, what have we done..."
Friar Jenkins shakes his head, "Neither book was returned and these days inter library loans are very rare because books often went missing..."
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"Ummh... You could borrow books from Gravenhollow at the time? Wonderful!" Ishta points out. "I guess you had to have permission to be granted that privilege, which makes me wonder how did old Jandark got it..."
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Zane read over his message, a faint smiling brightening his face at the generosity of the Councilor. Thinking that he likely didn't have enough time for him to do a proper search of the prospective land justice, the priest made a mental note to meet with the Captain when they returned from their journey. Perhaps such an extraordinary success would ensure that Zane could procure an even larger building for Lathander's faithful.
Friar Jenkins strokes his beard as he considers the situation. After a moment he tells Ishta, "Miss Khosiv, I've no idea how Jandark got hold of those books, although I know of someone who might assuming you can find her. Jandark's father Edgar Cardona like his father and grandfather before him employed an elven sorceress by the name of Mirabel Songstar. For several generations she taught a succession Cardonas with magical aptitude. I've read multiple sources mentioning some kind of fall out with the Cardona family after she'd been teaching Jandark for a few years when he was in his early teens. Years later there was a reconciliation when Jandark sought her out but it was to be short lived, there was a blazing row over "depraved books" and she retreated from Phlan to a cottage high in the Dragonspine Mountains not far from the source of the Stojanow River. This was all a long time ago and Mirabel was far from young back then. If she's still there she would be truly ancient but it's possible, the Songstar clan were noted for their longevity in the days of Mythdrannor."
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"By the source of the Stojanow, uh?" Ishta looks at Azarra. "Thank you, good Friar. Your dedication is much appreciated." The young Arcanist leaves, thinking and commenting with her friend on how useful and handy would be the help of an experienced sorcerer, even if only for advice.
While Ishta and Azarra discuss Friar Jenkins's news a young halfling girl skips over to them and passes Azarra a note, "A pretty elf maid bade me give this to you. She made me promise I'd wait a bell and she gave me a whole electrum for my pleasure!" The child beams at you, showing her shiny prize before happily bounding away.
Talia.
Azarra smiles and agrees with Ishta that it would be useful to talk to Mirabel Songstar, should she still live.
Even just about what she has seen in her life, but especially useful if she can tell us something about Jandark.
And how convenient that she lives near the source of the Stojanow, since that is where we are headed next.
After getting the note from the young girl, Azarra reads it and then comments to Ishta.
Wow. I'm not sure if I ever told you that the reason I came out here was to look for my parents, who have gone missing.
She stares at the note a little longer.
The possible sightings don't usually turn out to be them, of course, but every possibility is worth tracking down. All I can hope is that they are actually alive somewhere and that I will be able to find and help them.
Well, I will track down the next lead at my earliest opportunity, but for now, we'd better get back to the rest of the group.
"Oh, really? We must totally fine some spare time to look for them! I also came here searching for my past... and I understand perfectly how difficult it is to find a day off for your own chores." She follows Azarra back to their meeting point.
The recently enlarged centre of Phlan attracted all manner of folks looking for a new start and the small city had an electric atmosphere. There's a feeling of momentum and a can-do attitude and chatter in the markets and taverns suggested it won't be long until the central castle itself is assaulted and retaken.
Of course such a large number of people require copious water and many of the ships visiting Phlan's busy harbour carry barrel after barrel of water. Long term this was unsustainable and for the city to grown much more the Stojanow would have to be restored to its former glory. The news of The Watcher's of Dawns latest commission hadn't broken yet, but surely it would be long. As the sun started to set yet another note arrived from the council attached to which where a pair of maps.
I have arranged for a couple of maps to be copied up which with any luck will help guide you to the Sorcerer's Isle. The first map is of the local region, showing Phlan, the Stojanow and the Quivering forest. The second much older map shows the wider area. It was drawn up three hundred a fifty years ago, well before the Quivering forest had advanced to its present size. The sorcerer's isle is situated near the kink in the river north of the H of Phlan, about half way along the river's length.
I wish you the best of luck and Godspeed.
Von Urslingen
Shortly after the letter is delivered, the first heavily armed outriders from the hundred wagon Seven Suns Trading Company train thundered into town. Distantly you could see a long line of caravans snaking their way along the Stojanow trail, having circumnavigated the Dragonspine Mountains to avoid Zhentil Keep. Just as predicted it looks like they'll be here within the hour.
Azarra suggests that they move along the caravan looking for Clarissa, wanting to talk to her before she gets involved in the business she will be involved with when she arrives in town.
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The Watchers of Dawn set out on foot immediately and forty five minutes later are intercepted by the wagon train's mounted guards. You explain you are seeking an audience with Clarissa and one of the guards peels off and gallops back to the approaching wagon train.
A few minutes later and you are escorted to a large caravan near the front of the wagon train. The wagon slows down enough for you to clamber on and you find yourself in a space that is considerably larger inside than it has any right to be. The vibrations of the road are muted and you have the sense of being in a great pavillion tent in the desert. The air is scented with exotic incense.
Seated cross-legged in the middle on a large cushion is an older woman whose deeply lined sun-kissed face regards you with quiet curiosity. Her clothes are practical and somewhat dusty from the road but are of the finest quality. She motions you to sit on the other cushions that are arranged in a semi-circle in front of her. Once you are all seated she inclines her head and addresses you, "Well met. I am Clarissa Bleth. I hear you have a business proposition for me, something about silks. Shortly I shall be very busy with the arrival but for now I am intrigued, what did you have in mind?"
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Having spent the morning carrying the two lady's purses from store to store, the patient gold elf Paladin of Helm actually giggles once they leave for the merchant caravan.
When rejoined by Zane and Kardas, Ser Armithia pleas with them not to allow him to make that decision ever again!
The Knight of Helm--resplendent in his polished golden fullplate--enters the opulent carriage. He politely removes his helmet. Bowing, he states
Mistress Clarissa Bleth; may I--Ser Armithia-Seendren; Knight of Helm--present The Watchers of Dawn!
Azarra smiles at Ser's introduction.
Greetings Clarissa, I am Azarra, you have met Ser, and these are my associates Ishta, Kardas, and Zane. We recently cleared out a section of the city and were given over 100 bales of very fine silk as a reward, which we have appraised and are convinced could fetch a significant price, were we able to find a seller. We frankly can't leave the city to sell them, and no one local has the money to buy them. We also are concerned that we were given the silks for the express purpose of keeping us out of the way, which makes it more urgent for us to find a way to sell them to fund our ongoing activities in service to the city.
You have a reputation for being honest, which carries more value for us than the possible premium price we might be able to get elsewhere. We don't have time to worry about being cheated, or hunting down those that have done so, and we aren't wasting your time with any dishonesty either. Here is an example of the silk.
She gestures to Ser to show her the silk.
Once she has a chance to look at it, Azarra adds
Is this something you could sell for us? We aren't sure how you usually do business, but are open to whatever arrangement is possible, either granting you a certain percentage of the sale at whatever price you can negotiate, or selling to you at a lower price now and you gaining the larger price later when you are able to sell them. What are your thoughts?
Zane kept silent in the background as Azarra did the talking, though he made sure to keep his holy symbol of the Morninglord displayed prominently. While many people weren't religious at all, and many more didn't overtly worship Lathander, He had a good reputation with most people in the Moonsea area. When the half-elf mentioned the silks, Zane moved forward to help Ser Armithia display the bale to Clarissa.
Ishta smiles warmly when Azarra introduces her. "Nice to meet you, Clarissa." She lets the half-elf do the negotiation, since Azarra has proven invaluable in these (and many other) matters before. Ishta's job, now, is to offer a cool appearance of kindness and confidence, so the merchant feels comfortable.
Clarissa clicks her fingers and a trio of assistants wearing navy silk smoking jackets and white gloves appears. They carefully unroll the silk and hold it up for Clarissa who examines twith a practiced eye, studying the pattern of the weave with an ornate magnifying glass.
"Suldolphor silk... Al Rici family if I'm not mistaken one of their older patterns and not quite so sought after but still very good."
She carefully rolls the bale up and gives you an appraising look, "More than a hundred bales you say? In the right market, Suzail for example thats worth a not so small fortune... To be frank I'm not sure we can afford to buy all of that up front, the bales are quite bulky and we'd have to dump the market here with other merchandise."
She considers for a moment before saying, "I'm prepared to buy 40 bales up front at nine silver in the gold. That's 144 gold trade bars. The remainder I can sell on your behalf but my commission will be two silver in the gold, payable in arrears when we are here next season. Of course this is dependent upon an inspection of the remaining bales. If this is acceptable I will have a contract drawn up and registered with the local court."
It is admittedly very bulky, but from the looks of your wagon, you look like you might have some extra room. There are other ways to reduce bulk.
Azarra pulls the portable hole from her pocket and displays the rest of the silks.
You can inspect them now, and we can deliver them now if you like. There are 150 bales total. Perhaps you could afford to buy a few more up front at 9 silver in the gold if we barter in trade for goods rather than gold? I am sure you have some interesting items for sale that might be valuable to a group such as ours.
Zane's brow furrowed as the two women discuss the silks and their sale. The priest hadn't ever been excellent with ledgers, but he was pretty sure the lovely half-elf might be allowing the group more leeway than the Council would like with their funds. Thinking it over quickly, the cleric decided that the confiscation of half of their loot by Morven constituted near highway robbery, so if the city had to wait for its money, then so be it. Relaxing, Zane waited to hear what Clarissa's response to the offer would be.
Clarissa cocks her head to one side as she considers and lists four items off on her fingers, "Well we do have a few items... There's a mid strength healing wand, a strange looking arrow with green fletching inscribed with glowing runes, a plain golden ring with an enchantment that's supposed to stave off hunger and a white ash staff decorated with inlaid silver runes. I'm lead to believe the staff is particularly potent in it's own way."
Greater Slaying Arrow (monstrous humanoids) (4057 gp)
Ring of Sustenance (2500gp)
Staff of Healing (29600gp)
NB these where generated randomly.
The knight begins to fidget...a bit; not too much, but, enough to be marked upon.
You are most generous, M'lady. I am certain that your generosity will further the good works to be continued by the Watchers of Dawn.
Ser Armithia continues to stand there. He winks at Azarra.
Ser, feel free to guard outside while I shop, if you like.
After Ser leaves Azarra asks permission to examine the items with magic, casts detect magic, and looks over the items. After determining their approximate value , she has a quick whispered conversation with the team.
I would say those four things are worth about 5000 gold more than we would get if we waited for her to sell the silks. I think we should take it. We will pay off the council's loan with our further work for them, probably easily... and they aren't expecting to be paid immediately anyway. Any objections?
Zane looked guiltily at the others as Azarra laid out her plan, but then met the half-elf's eyes and shook his head in the negative.
Ser Armithia bows
As you wish...
Ishta agrees. "Most of the items could see use in our adventures, and those who don't can always be sold elsewhere. In lieu of easiness, let us accept it and be done with it."
Kardas pulls a face as the haggling begins. Souring one's mood over coppers is something old people do when hitting the market for vegetables and herbs. Young vital warriors like himself ought to be spending it without a care in the world! "No. Empty our bags now so that we can ride without the burden of gold on our backs."
Clarissa is handed a gilded abacus with gemstone counters. As she concentrates the counters clack forth and after she completes her sum she looks up and tells you, "You said you have over one hundred bales. At nine silver in the gold I'm prepared to exchange all four items for 115 bales."
Ah, unfortunately I mentioned that we have exactly 150 bales. You have already made an offer for 40 of them, and we have but 110 left with which to trade for items. Perhaps you have another item or two so that we could make a selection that would come closer to the target amount? Or, as it happens, we are in need of a gift for a tribe of likely hostile lizardfolk. Do you have any suggestions?
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Ishta comments her thoughts in low voice, just at Azarra's ear.
"The wand is nice, and the ring could be the perfect gift. The others are either too niche or too costly."
"The Seven Suns Trading Coster doesn't have any other items on this caravan, but there are a good number of independent merchants traveling with us. If you'd like I can invite them to offer their wears." replied Clarissa.
Another merchant is offering bracers of the merciful knight for 42 bales.
One final merchant is offering bracers of archery greater for 70 bales
Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds, 50 charges (4,500 gold) about 13 bales
Greater Slaying Arrow (monstrous humanoids) (4057 gp) about 11 bales
Ring of Sustenance (2500gp) about 7 bales
Staff of Healing (29600gp) about 82 bales
Pearl of Power (2nd level) (9,000 gold) 26 bales
Bracers of the Merciful Knight (15,600 gold) 42 bales
Bracers of Archery greater (25,000 gold) 70 bales
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Ser Armithia (gratefully) stands outside the negotiations chamber. The gold elf is happily oiling down his sword.
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When asked about lizard men Clarissa shrugs, "I honestly wouldn't know. Still we have met a few tribes cut away from civilisation, they really appreciated practical stuff: copper cookware, steel saws and arrow heads."
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