GM Neirikr's "The Dragon's Demand" (Inactive)

Game Master Neirikr

Vibenia returns Syksy's grin. "A few drinks sounds good. followed by a hot bath....and a warm bed."

”Very, and not necessarily in that order.” the monster hunter murmurs.

Zaijka returns Vibenia's gesture, the pressure of her grip betraying far more emotion than her carefully steadied voice does. "Thank you. Truly. I am glad I could be of some help." She turns to include everyone in her toothy smile before addressing Bernard. "I had not given much thought to accommodations yet - I made do with a blanket and bedroll under the stars most of the way here, truthfully. It's not an unpleasant way to spend a night...but I do agree, a proper wash and a real mattress sound wonderful. And some company."

Bernard's grin widens.

"Then come on! First let's get some good hot food inside of you, and then you're welcome to bed down at my place - I've an extra room you can claim - or find you accommodations at the inn if you'd prefer. I find that dealing with dark monsters from beyond the Dark Tapestry give me a terrible hunger and yearning for ale. We ready?"

He looks around at the others.

"See you all at the Wise Piper!"

And so saying, Bernard leads anyone willing to accompany him down to the inn.

As the group departs towards the town proper, you note that Maffei has disappeared. None of you are exactly sure how or when she did so, but even when called for, the shae does not appear. More than once during the following hours, some of you catch glimpses of a white porcelain mask from the corner of your eye, lurking in one shadowed corner or another—a vague impression which quickly fades from view when subjected to closer scrutiny.

Here is a reminder of what the Wise Piper looks like, in case someone needs it.

When you finally arrive, the common room of the Wise Piper continues to reek of smoke, even though the Orems have had the whole day to air their establishment—you can see most of the doors and windows are still ajar, and baskets of flowers have been brought in from the back garden to mask the smell. Burnt furniture has been piled up outside, ready to be sent for to the local carpenter for repairs, or thrown out entirely, as befits their particular state of brokenness.

Talia welcomes you in, clearly happy to see any customers: only the most die-hard regulars have made their way to the inn tonight, due to the olfactory blockade. She has changed into a clean set of clothes, but still has a few smudges of soot on her face. Other than that, it would be hard to notice anything has been amiss.

"Welcome back!" she says cheerily. "Good to see all y'all are alright. Nisany, how're your arms? I'll get you some fresh bandages in a jiffy. Oh, and a newcomer! I'd heard Hodd speaking about a tattooed half-orc. Are you related to Baccus, by any chance? Or maybe you're here for the auction...?"

As she makes small talk, the young proprietress guides you to a table near a window and takes all of your orders.

Half jogging to keep up with her taller companions but that is honestly kind of normal. Wonder what it would take for the town to be dry for Bernard.

Smiling up at Talia, "Thank you." The urge to give a response, some kind of lie, for Zaijka. But it is better to let her speak for herself without knowing her preferences.

Zaijka smiles politely (and only a little forcedly) at the innkeeper's long-winded small talk. "Yes, the auction," she replies to Talia's inquiries - it was an easy-to-explain reason, after all, and one had the advantage of being somewhat true. Judging by her new acquaintances' reactions to Master Hunclay (the honorific was hard to get out of mind!), being an associate of his, even a past associate, was not likely to win her much favor. Better to downplay the connection as much as possible. "I am a student of the arcane, and the estate is rumored to be of some significance in that regard."

As Talia withdraws, Zaijka reaches for one of the flowers on the table, discreetly murmuring an incantation as softly as possible over it and raising it to her nose. As the flower lifts, its perfume-like fragrance suddenly transforms to a warm, spicy scent and magnifies to where it can be smelled from several feet away. Sitting next to a campfire is pleasant - sitting in one, not so much. "What happened here?" she murmurs, trying to keep her volume low enough to avoid Talia hearing. "Unless maybe this smell is customary, though I would expect that more of my mother's kin than of a human establishment..."

Prestidigitation ftw!

Bernard follows Talia back to the bar, regaling her with tales of their exploits, laughing and mocking his own efforts as he awaits his first mug of ale.

"...and then the entire bookcase collapsed under me, dumping me in a welter of books and pages as that hellish baby-spawn dove down to attack again -!"

Sighing, "That would be my fault."

Quickly moving towards an empty table. Climbing into the too tall chair with practiced easy before looking back at Zaijka , "I was tired and angry. I messed up trying to be useful. Back home they would have done the reasonable thing and kicked me out for nearly burning down the tavern. Apparently I get to stay and keep my job. This place is crazy."

Listening to the others talk Syksy affectionately pats Nisany on her head (she wasn’t going to risk patting her shoulders). ”Wait, your mother’s kin, your mother was the orc part?” she asks the Sorcerer.

Enjoying the camaraderie with a relaxed smile, as she sits beside Syksy, Vibenia nods, chuckling at Nisany's comment. "The kind of crazy you fit in with perfectly! Besides practically keeping us alive on multiple occasions."

She manages to stifle a giggle at Syksy's unwittingly brash question.

At Nisany's ashamed reaction, Zaijka blushes, her skin turning a deeper green. "I'm sorry - I didn't mean to hit a sore spot...but if it was an accident, I mean, sometimes it happens..." She tries to think of something else comforting to say, but finds herself lost for words - her first education had laid little foundation for how to express care and concern.

Sysky's abrupt question provides a welcome change from the stilted attempt at consolation. The forthrightness of it doesn't even faze her; those she'd grown up with were little given to subtlety, after all. "Yes, my mother was an orc - a wise woman of the tribe, one of their leaders. I grew up among her tribe, under their care." Or, that's one word for it at least. "I never knew my father, only that he was human. He was gone by the time I was born, and my mother was little inclined to speak of him. I was to follow in her footsteps - the raven was her totem." The outline of a raven flies up from beneath the collar of her traveling robe and flashes across her face before disappearing again. "But I decided...the idea did not suit me."

"Yeah, we owe you a lot." she tells Nisany.

"Ah, your dad likes strong women, just like mine, and me, I get it from him... he's not Chelish is he?" Syksy asks but then promptly adds "So you chose the arcane over the spirits?"

Vibenia smiles, taking a sip of her drink as Syksy mentions a weakness for strong women....it was a preference she knew rather intimately. "Never really had an affinity for magic, but I definitely appreciate it and those who wield it."

"Same!" Syksy agrees before ordering a drink for Nisany.

Blushing at the unexpected praise. Waving a bandaged hand in a dismissive way, "If I didn't wanna answer I wouldn't have."

Smiling at Syksy, "It's apparently a full time job. And there is something nice about knowing they can throw you around."

Syksy chuckles a bit. "Sorry! But yeah, any time you want a lift or a toss let me know."

Bernard rejoins the group, a bunch of ales in hand, and distributes them before sinking into his chair which creaks alarmingly under its weight.

"There. A toast? To Zaijka and her wizardly ways, which made clearing out the damned Hunclay manor a sight easier. If only such talented and helpful individuals appeared each time we were in a fix!" He grins. "But then, given the number of fixes we've been in, we'd be surrounded by highly competent people and out of a job ourselves! This toast's getting away from me. To Zaijka!"

And he clanks his mug forward before drinking deep.

Smiling widely, "Are you offering for a fight or for fun?" I mean its tempting. But not sure she got me meaning.

"For fun always!" Syksy replies, her smile mimicing Nisany's.

Zaijka raises her glass, smiling slightly despite herself at the banter and the praise of her ability. Kaer Maga was worlds better than Belkzen, but her existence there was still lonely - a one-room apartment to herself, a city of people more likely to pick one's pocket than seek one's friendship, and practitioners of myriad magic traditions so skilled that Zaijka's abilities seemed little more than child's tricks. Even her correspondence with Hunclay, she realized, had been one of constantly trying to prove herself, to measure up to his prodigious ability. To be in a room where she was trusted, even celebrated, by people who she trusted in return even after so little time...

This is good.

Mmm...and so is the beer.

Vibenia's grin widens as she looks across the table at Nisany and winks. "Definitely fun.....besides I hear sleeping alone in a smoky room is overrated, don't you think Syksy?."

”Oh, absolutely,” she replies.

Khardir goes through a foamy beer in short order, then nurses a second one from a pint mug for a while, joining Bernard in regaling with stories and occasionally prompting (out of tune) songs. Clearly, the dwarf is in his element when he's in his mug and enjoying the fruits of the team's labor.

Nodding enthusiastically, "Tried and I didn't care for it. I am all for a better alternative."

"Yay!" Syksy lets out before turning to Vibenia with a grin.

"Well now I'm extra glad I have the big tub.... and bigger bed." she says grinning back at Syksy and Nisany in turn. "We'll grab your stuff when we leave."

”Me too!” Syksy agrees before leaning towards Nisany and telling her in a stage whisper ”It’s really comfy.”

Talia returns after a moment with steaming platters of grilled vegetables and Verduran-style cod—garnished with local raisins and pine nuts—to go with the requested beverages. The proprietress seems to pick up on Zaijka's discomfort when it comes to her background, and does not seek to pry further. She helps Nisany change the bandages on her arms, allowing Zaijka a glimpse of her burnt skin—not as much red and inflamed, as it is wholly scorched black, like charcoal. As Talia departs, Nisany also notes that her supper has already been neatly cut into bite-sized chunks, sparing her the effort.

Even though the Wise Piper might not currently offer the most comfortable environment, odour-wise, at least you are afforded some privacy, which might otherwise be hard to find in the town's most popular gathering place. Many a toast is raised, and slowly but surely the manifold horrors of Hunclay's estate fade away into the warm buzz of inebriation. Sitting here, belly full in the warm comfort of a friendly inn, they seem far away, indeed. Finally, as darkness falls on the sun-parched fields of Belhaim, each of you feels Desna's call as strongly as ever—it has been a throroughly long day.

~

7 Erastus, 4713 AR

Just as Arnholde promised, you are awoken the following morning by servants in brown-and-green Devy livery, who cordially invite you to break your fast in the baronial manor. They are both impeccably polite, yet insistent on maintaining their schedule, ushering you up the hill as soon as you are adequately dressed.

Again, here is a little reminder of what the manor looks like. I'm suddenly very cognisant of the fact that it's been two years since I described some of these places...

Lady Origena awaits in the dining room, flanked by Arnholde and Dermot. The latter hurries away to the kitchens as soon as you appear, returning with a basket full of sourdough bread with aioli, fresh vegetables, as well as plates heaped with baked beans and pork sausages. Watered wine is served chilled, to help fight off the building heat of what is sure to be another sweltering day. The butler waits dutifully at the table, refilling goblets without much need for encouragement.

"I see you have acquired a new recruit," says the baroness, after the initial pleasantries have been exchanged and everyone has taken their seats. "Pray tell, what brings you to Belhaim... Zaijka, was it? I have yet to send one invitation to the auction, yet here you are... a rather queer coincidence, is it not?"

Arnholde seems a bit embarrassed at having his new friend interrogated, but knows better than to interrupt his mother's vetting process.

A keen mind, then, this employer of theirs. Zaijka couldn't help but admire the Baroness' shrewd assessment; it wasn't hard to see why she would have been judged capable of executing the estate. But what personal stake she could have in the affair was another matter. Did she harbor love for Hunclay? Friendly warmth? Indifference? Resentment? Hatred? The possibilities were too many to know what the least troublesome answer would be...and Zaijka had never been much good at being dishonest anyway.

"I knew him," she answers after a few moments. "Master Hunclay. We had corresponded for some time on matters of the arcane. His correspondence ceased abruptly, and I decided to come to Belhaim to see if I could discover something of what had happened. I went to his home upon arriving in Belhaim yesterday, and I heard noises of conflict inside. That was when I met the others." She nods toward Bernard, Nisany, Vibenia, Sysky, and Khardir. "When they expresses a lack of familiarity with some aspects of the estate, I offered my assistance."

Vibenia awakens to the sounds of birds chirping. As her awareness slowly expands, a smile plays across her lips as memory of last night dances across her brain. Turning her head, the smile becomes a silly grin as she takes the time to thoroughly enjoy the sleeping forms entangled with her own, covers cast aside in the warmth of the night. She lays quietly, her eyes drinking in the sight of Syksy's deliciously powerful yet sleek body, alongside Nisany’s vibrantly pert form, her gaze following the intricate tracery of green that detailed the latter’s entire body….something she’d wondered about.
There was something about how alluringly unique both of her companions were that made her feel special, something she hadn’t felt in a long time until recently. Her thoughts straying to the most enjoyable way she could wake them up, she hears a knock at the door.

Seriously? Heroes don’t get to sleep in? she thinks, mentally chuckling at the fact that sleep was the last thig she was thinking of.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

With a soft groan she slips out of bed, carefully so as not to wake them, the ranger pulls on a robe as she runs her fingers through her dark, jaw length hair and answers the door. sigh

~

Now that they were seated in Lady Origena’s dining room, she listens as the Baroness not-so-subtly probes into Zajika’s reasons for coming to Belhaim. He’d always found the older woman’s directness refreshing, but in this cse she was definitely willing to vouch for mage, given her performance yesterday.

”Which turned out to be quite vital actually!” she adds. ”One especially nasty demon that Huncley had sitting around in a pit, we definitely wouldn’t have walked away from in as good shape as we did without her expertise.”

Lady Origena's eyebrows shoot up at Zaijka's habitual use of "master" before Hunclay's name, though she waits patiently for the half-orc to finish her explanation before commenting. "Until quite recently, Hunclay was a valuable asset to the barony—perhaps the most valuable asset our humble Belhaim could boast of, even if he was not what you would call... personable company. You, it seems, have similar potential to be of value to me, and my subjects. I sincerely hope—for your sake, as well as ours—that you will not repeat his failings, along with his other teachings..."

Arnholde's eyes widen at the mention of demons, but the baroness weighs Vibenia's vote of confidence in her usual cool, collected manner.

"For now, let us assume you have my gratitude," she says with a dismissive wave of her hand, changing the subject. "So, the rumours about Hunclay summoning fiends were accurate. At this point, it is difficult to feign astonishment, so I will spare you the performance. Please, I am certain a full report would make for a delightful conversation and we break our fast... then, we can discuss your payment."

Bernard is subdued, in large part due to the massive quantities of ale he quaffed the night before. He's late, as well; at some point in the wee hours of the night he claimed one of the Piper's empty rooms without telling anyone, forcing the servants to go to extra lengths to find him.

Yet despite all that he's in good spirits; he spends the first part of breakfast mechanically devouring everything at hand, and drinks glass after glass of watered down wine as the others converse. The amount he puts away is truly astonishing; four full plates-worth of sausages and beans disappear before he finally leans back.

"Full report would be good, though it'll take some time. Nasty place, that Hunclay manor. Exactly as you'd imagine. Animated bear skin rugs, imprisoned innocents, horrific devil baby homunculi, a perverse fixation on the Dark Tapestry and the depths between the stars..."

He waves his fork around airily, the last sausage gleaming on its prongs, though his eyes take on a flat, hard stare. "Honestly, what's impressive is how long Hunclay was able to keep the wool pulled over people's eyes given how wretched a person he was. I mean, I knew after he had my family murdered, but the rest of the town? Took an entire tower falling on his head to draw notice, I suppose."

Syksy happily slumbers away the morning, till her body notices an archer shaped cooling void in the comfortable bed which cause her to roll over and gently wrap around the gnome shaped warmth nearby.

~

No, a queer coincidence was what happened las- Syksy stopped her thoughts before she started thinking aloud. Keeping herself as professional as possible after being disturbed from the pleasant morning, they were all employees of the baroness afterall, and she had no idea what they were up to before hand, Syksy's agitation is washed away when they are greeted with food. Happily she eats as the others give their reports. She hated giving reports. Especially written ones.

There is something wonderful about next to someone, even better with more than one. It is so pleasantly warm and safe feeling considering how competent both women are. Shifting when the bed moves but a body cocoon is happening so the attempt to awaken is quickly abandoned.

---

Happy to dig into food and listen to the conversation. Taking a big bite of a bread to keep from speaking up. I hate Taldor. She thinks everyone belongs to her. She thinks we belong to her. I totally get why Andoran refuses this horrible place and damn Cheliax.

"Full report would be good, though it'll take some time. Nasty place, that Hunclay manor. Exactly as you'd imagine. Animated bear skin rugs, imprisoned innocents, horrific devil baby homunculi, a perverse fixation on the Dark Tapestry and the depths between the stars..."

A dry smile touches Lady Origena's lips—something of a rarity. "Well, assuming your search is finished, I dare say there is nothing more pressing to do until lunch is served..."

She looks meaningfully at the plates piling up in front of Bernard.

He waves his fork around airily, the last sausage gleaming on its prongs, though his eyes take on a flat, hard stare. "Honestly, what's impressive is how long Hunclay was able to keep the wool pulled over people's eyes given how wretched a person he was. I mean, I knew after he had my family murdered, but the rest of the town? Took an entire tower falling on his head to draw notice, I suppose."

The baroness sighs, suddenly looking decades older. "Majority of that blame rests upon my shoulders, of course. The peasantry have their own worries, and none save for myself have had much reason to interact with a recluse such as Hunclay. I was hesitant to investigate the matter based on hearsay—and I would be grossly misrepresentative of the truth if I claimed the wizard's contributions to the local economy did not affect my enthusiasm. Mayhaps things would be different, if my husband or Sir Pelle had believed you all those years ago—but alas, after your discharge, there was no one to call for further action. My humblest apologies, for everything you have had to endure. I hope this operation has brought you some closure, at the very least."

So she's not only assuming I've shown up to stay, she's giving me a job offer and a threat in one sentence. Despite herself, Zaijka can't help but smile, just a little, inside her mind. Mother would have approved of her. More than she approved of me, anyway. On her arm, the raven perches patiently, watching as a wolf cub eats from its mother's kill. "I do not know for certain my plans after this meal...but I assure you, they do not include such manner of acts as he found acceptable. It was not until today reading his journal that I understood the full extent of his cruelty - he concealed himself from me as thoroughly as from you. I hope someday that I may equal his skill, but I chose long ago that I would not gain that skill at the cost of others' well-being."

Bernard glowers for a moment, staring off into the middle distance as he fights down old memories and waves of bitterness that had done more than drown him these past few years - but then rouses himself with obvious effort and forces a smile.

"Thank you for the kind words, baroness. They're appreciated. And yes. All of this..." he waves his sausage again, as if to indicate the whole operation with Hunclay, "has indeed brought some closure. I suppose." He purses his lips again, once more sinking into memories, and stares through the center of the table once more at nothing.

Vibenia turns to look at Bernard, a touch of sorrow in her eyes as she sees the suffering and pain in him. Her mind wandering back to what he was like when his family was still with them, being a part of his home.

Hmm, nobles can show remorse. Maybe their is a heart buried under all that pomp. Glancing over at Bernard. Poor guy. He is gonna get drunk again later.

"Well. With the operation discharged and the various creatures dispatched, what's next for us?" says Khardir, his rumbling voice moving the conversation on to a hopefully better topic.

"I hope someday that I may equal his skill, but I chose long ago that I would not gain that skill at the cost of others' well-being."

Lady Origena offers a shallow nod in approval—but her eyes say, "That remains to be seen."

"Well. With the operation discharged and the various creatures dispatched, what's next for us?" says Khardir, his rumbling voice moving the conversation on to a hopefully better topic.

The baroness is eager to seize Khardir's proffered escape route, obviously out of her comfort zone in the realm of sentiment. "Ahem. Well, after I have received a full report and you have been duly recompensated for your efforts, I will begin sending out invitations to the auction: the event will be arranged a month from now, to allow for attendance from more distant participants. There are preparations to perform here, as well, including the ongoing refurbishment of the Commons. I request that you remain in Belhaim for the duration: I will continue to reimburse your daily expenses, including your stay at the Wise Piper, as necessary. Our sheriff, Sir Pelle, will be returning from Cassomir in approximately a week, but even with all our deputies on duty, I would prefer to have auxiliary forces at my disposal. Hunclay's legacy might draw out unwanted elements, and henceforth I intend to be well prepared for the unexpected."

"Assuming that you require further enticement," she adds, "I am also ready to personally cover half the price of anything you win at the auction, up to a limit of 7,500 gold pieces. Your attendance at the event will ensure that you are well-positioned, should we encounter any further... unpleasantness."

"Can... can I be there?" asks Arnholde, barely containing his excitement.

Lady Origena sighs. "Yes, in your capacity as the future baron—it cannot be avoided... but you will have a strict allowance!"

”Just let us know what you’re interested in so we don’t end up in a bidding war,” Syksy merrily tells Arnholde in an attempt to poke through the chillyness in the room.

Smiling at the Baroness, "That sounds delightful and it a great enticement!" Auctions are so much fun! We are gonna need to get more money then if we stand a chance of getting anything. Cause I really want the wi.. Dammit! Can't get wine cause Bernard is a depressed alcoholic with a depressing history!

"I think it's safe to say that we gladly accept, Baroness. We'll be happy to help keep the peace and look forward to the auction."Vibenia adds with a smile.

Arnholde smiles widely at Syksy, quite literally shaking with excitement.

Once you have agreed to undertake her task, Lady Origena encourages you to give a full accounting of your experiences within the manor, listening intently to every detail as you finish your breakfast. Obviously, some of the details are shocking, but there is little sign of perturbation on her countenance. The future baron is not quite so stoic, gasping at the exciting bits and staring wide-eyed at the descriptions of Hunclay's strange possessions.

I assume you will keep Maffei a secret for now, as per her wishes to remain unknown to the townsfolk. Otherwise, I don't believe you have anything to hide...?

~

When you mention Mathezic, the baroness nods in recognition. "Yes, I received word about a retainer of Hunclay's stumbling into town, delirious due to dehydration. The poor wretch is sheltering with the Shelynites, for the time being, at least until he is deemed lucid enough to give his testimony. Unless you have an objection to make, I will leave his interrogation and release up to Sir Pelle, when he returns."

~

Arnholde has little to say, but as Zaijka recounts the strange astronomical references in the margins of Hunclay's spellbooks, he eagerly raises his hand. "W-wait! Did you ever find whatever the passwords were for? I mean... t-they sound like passwords... you know, c-crossed out after being used!"

~

Though it does not quite take you until lunchtime to finish telling the story to the baroness' satisfaction, Dermot does have time to serve a light brunch prior to the finale in the observatory. After conferring with Lady Origena, the butler ducks out of the dining room, returning shortly with a coffer full of platinum coins.

"You will find a small bonus," notes the baroness, "included with the agreed-upon reward. While I am under no contractual obligation to provide such an increase, I do believe Abadar would judge me harshly for not compensating all of you equally for the services provided."

You receive the 5000 gp as promised, plus 1000 gp for Zaijka's contribution.

"I had suspected them to be passwords myself - their placement so near the secret page spell certainly suggested it. But to search all the books in the manor for something hidden would be a massive undertaking, and it is entirely possible they were meant for something else. Nevertheless, Baroness, if you would like I could continue to search, see if there is indeed anything concealed within any of the tomes?" Zaijka hadn't offered her help in Hunclay's manor with the expectation of a reward...but she wasn't going to refuse the offer, either. "And I thank you for the offer - I am glad I could assist in their task. If you allow me access to the estate, I can attempt to continue to search for any further secrets it may conceal."

I don't have anything I particularly need to accomplish character-wise during downtime, but Zaijka would want to continue searching and see if those were indeed passwords concealing something if she'd be allowed. (The learning opportunity such a library affords would certainly be satisfying to her, too.)

Obviously quite proud of his reasoning, Arnholde tries his best to appear nonchalant as Zaijka concurs with his deductions, nodding sagely.

The baroness strokes her chin thoughtfully, considering Zaijka's request. "Hm. Yes, provided that your investigations do not disturb the notaries' efforts, you have free reign over the estate. While you are conducting your search, would you mind going through some of Hunclay's more... deleterious possessions, as well? Your companions can inform you about the particulars, but they found the objects hidden in a cavern outside of town. At their request, these were delivered to the House of Abadar for safekeeping. I would like to assess whether they are too injurious to be sold at the auction, and if not, formulate an estimation of their overall value, so I can properly recompensate Hunclay's heir for their exclusion..."

"I would greatly appreciate your assistance in the matter," she adds. "Judging by your reported performance, I daresay there is no one in Belhaim who possesses the expertise required to handle such an undertaking."

Arnholde looks as if he might interject, but bites his tongue at the last minute. He is not very good at hiding his anxiety.

Besides looking for the secret page, you'll have time for research on multiple topics, if you'd like: Hunclay's books grant you a +5 bonus on any Knowledge skills concerning astronomy, conjuration, and magical constructs, and allow make untrained Knowledge checks on these subjects with a DC higher than 10.

"I would be glad to lend my expertise wherever it is needed," Zaijka responds, noting Arnholde's response with (she hopes) more retraint than he can muster. "It will be a great deal of work, however, from what I have seen so far. Perhaps, if you know of anyone inclined toward work in the arcane, I could have them work alongside me, and could educate them in some of the finer points of spell craft? It would be a great boon for me, and the benefit to Belhaim would be significant as well. In fact, Arnholde seems quite eager to learn, and as you say, he will one day fill your shoes. Any experience he can gain would be valuable in that regard."

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

"So long as you take someone with you. No clue if we got rid of all his traps."