"Sir, we have eaten already, but we very much appreciate the offer. Please take your time in starting."
Allustan's mouth falls open for a moment to mouth-breathe, nodding as the giant admits to already satiating his gastronomic obligations. "Ah, each of you? Very good, alright. So. Books. So many of them, but only a select few that speak on such ancient things as this cairn of yours, and all you found there within. Such things... so ancient..." The old man places his hand on a stack of three books, each a slightly darker leather, from top to bottom.
"I'm not sure where to begin, to be honest. The drawings, I think. They serve to highlight the story depicted on those walls of steam. There is an order. First, this one here. It portrays the coming of a great chaos, that starts to overcome the Empire of Aaqa. This Empire is the cradle of the Vaati, and the powerful Wind Dukes. They are an ancient race that represented the force for Law, you see. The sarcophagus shows that kind of being, it would seem. I think, based on this second drawing, that the symbol here, 'Zosiel', is the name of the fallen Wind Duke honored by that tomb. The other symbol here, 'Icosiol', I think, is a superior to Zosiel. I'm not sure. I think so, though, especially since this bas-relief seems to elevate him above the others. Now, this drawing shows the forces of Law and Chaos coming together..." Allustan suddenly brings his hands together, fist to palm, showing how two things come together, "...and this, this here, is probably Miska the Spider-Wolf, or maybe it's Wolf-Spider, the writings are not that clear, unfortunately... uh, yes, so. This here is likely Wind Duke Qadeej, bringing a weapon against Miska, and BAM!!! They all disappear into a rift... oh!! But not before Miska zaps Icosiol with some kind of energy, which ends him. Epic, ancient event. You'd think that more people would remember this, and write about this, but time seems to make people forget..." Allustan pats the papers, looking up and smiling. He waits patiently.
Solrisa wonders why the man has stopped speaking.
"Don't stop! Don't stop! Tell me more about the Law Duke!" Solrisa says excitedly. "I like this story!"
Allustan looks down at the drawings, nodding in agreement. "I like this story, too. I wanted to thank you for bringing it to my attention. So much here is left to one's imagination, sadly. Oh, but here, this drawing here, you see how these Wind Dukes here are presenting this rod-like rod to these more superior Vaati? Yes, this rod seems to separate into seven parts, but when it came together, literally, then came together with Qadeej, then both Qadeej and the Rod came together with Miska? BAM!!!! I think I read somewhere that something like this could be the Rod of Law." Allustan smiles at Solrisa. "Yes, I said it, Law. Powerful artifact. Well, it would have to be, wouldn't it, to see the destruction of powerful entities like Qadeej, and Miska? Yes, very powerful." Allustan thinks long and well on such power.
Solrisa nods agreeably, as if she completely understood how powerful artifacts might be used against great evil...kind of like how the right hammer can pound down the toughest rock.
Solrisa squeals with delight. She claps.
"Oh more! Tell us more! Where is the Rod now?"
"Haven't a clue." Allustan looks disappointed. "Likely consumed in such a cataclysmic event, wouldn't you think? Yes, I think so. So we're left with the items you brought."
He reaches down and to his right, bringing up the pewter box, and the pair of horns. He sifts through more drawings, bringing to the top a sketch of the eight-pointed star.
"The star is the symbol for an odd group of researchers, call themselves the Seekers. They are usually marginalized as hacks of the archaeologist community, but they do have their own Lodge in Egorian, that I do know." He taps a finger on the star, waiting for the next thought to arrive. He continues when it does.
"The pewter box is certainly quite old, the glyphs just as old, and yes, they seem to echo language, but as a language of Chaos, I was frustrated at every turn trying to understand it. It feels very... slimy. Doesn't want you to hold it." Allustan frowns a bit, setting the box forward.
"The horns, I'm sad to say, have no real story that I could find. As for the diadem, the one you wouldn't leave with me, well... I think that it is something more than a simple facilitator of wisdom. Its age alone, and its association with the Talisman, and I think you've got yourselves something special. Especially since it's been etched with Zosiel's name. All very impressive." Allustan looks very proud of you all for a moment.
He starts to collect the drawings, all of them, reluctantly. When he's done, he hands them over to Ascaria.
Ascaria takes back his drawings happily. This guy knows a ton!
”Thanks for all that, what a find. I guess we’ll hang onto that diadem rather then sell it, as it’s more than it appears.”*
”What about Filge’s book, the one with the spell on it. Did you figure out a way to get past the spell?”
”Oh, oh! And we have these that we wanted your help with too. Two scrolls I can’t figure out, and this book. I thought we left them with you, but maybe I’m confused.” Ascaria grins.
”Oh, and how could I forget these!! They’re pearlescent figurines we picked up and can’t quite figure out. Very strange.”
Ascaria looks innocently at Allustan, hoping he’ll answer all their questions.
Solrisa claps her hands as Allustan explains what he has learned. And then again when Ascaria shares what more they have recovered.
"Oh, there is so much to learn and to know, Allustan! Good thing you are here," Sol cheers.
Diplomacy
Allustan accepts Filge's book from Ascaria, as if seeing it for the first time. He looks it over, waving his hands over it, and bringing his nose somewhat close to its surface. His eyes grow wide, and he sets the book down on the desk a little abruptly. "A spell, indeed. A glyph, more specifically. Would have been painful to open, I'm afraid, but now that I know it's there, it should be easy enough to snip the weave, and leave the book inert. Perhaps tomorrow."
He studies the scrolls and book. "These two scrolls allow the caster to communicate with someone familiar over great distances."
"The book appears to be a journal, no magic whatsoever."
As he looks over the rare stone figurines, he frowns a bit. "I'm not much of a jeweler. It's quite beautiful, I agree. You found these, where, in the Cairn as well? I'd expect them to echo the same grand age of eras long dead. There doesn't seem to be magic about them, but I'd expect you'd not find stone like that in the current day. Interesting, nonetheless." He hands them back to the gnome.
Ascaria takes each item back in turn and goes through Mort's pack for other items.
He looks sheepishly at Allustan, "So, uh, Allustan sir? We have a few other items of magic that I haven't been able to fathom. I don't suppose you could, you know, help a little here? You know so much about everything, surely you know magics too!"
Solrisa smiles as Allustan helps again.
"Oh, that's very helpful. Allustan, we fought this neat pond beast..." Sol looks at Ascaria. "Ascaria, do you have your drawing? Would you mind showing the nice man?"
Solrisa explains how it came out of the water and punched very very hard against her but seemed only to love tap everyone else.
"Do you know what that was? Also, what does Age of Worms mean? I like worms, usually, but we found some ugly green worms, and then that scroll mentioned more worms too."
Allustan's happy look of investigation into even more items, when the lovely maiden speaks up. His face slowly grows dark. "What did you say, Solrisa? What about worms? What did you say about worms?"
Solrisa looks confused.
"I thought we already told you about the worm we found." Solrisa shrugs, then retells that story.
"Smenk was worried about it too. The Age of Worms."
Sol turns to Ascaria again.
"Ascaria, where is that scroll? Show the nice helpful man, please."
Ascaria roots around and produces the scroll, and the book with the code, and the code, and a few drawings. He spills them all onto the floor and gathers them up again.
He dumps the lot on Allustan's desk.
"Here's what we've been up to lately." he grins with pride.
Allustan takes it all in. He asks for help in flipping back and forth between the cipher and the decipher, looks over the drawings, laying them out as the gnome instructs him, time-wise. His eyes linger on the Ebon Aspect, his finger tracing its hulking form on paper.
"This. This here is what you've been up to?!" The old man whispers with strain. "This can not be coincidence..." He wanders from the room. Several minutes go by, before he returns, with paper in hand.
"I... have a friend. Her name is Marzena. Lovely lady. Smells like cloves and juniper if you lean in close enough." He blushes a little, before remembering the paper in his hand. "She sent a report from Blackwall Keep. She's been sent there from Egorian. Not sure what she did to deserve the assignment, but she is quite capable. Perhaps she speaks her mind a little too freely, I'm not altogether sure." He shakes his head in frustration.
"Well that's neither here nor there. She's there, not here, which means... so are the worms. You see, she's begun to receive reports of worms like the one you've encountered, throughout the Cairn Hills, and she's asked me to join her in the investigation, but I'm afraid... I mean, I'm afraid I haven't been to Blackwall Keep, so teleporting myself there is completely out of the question. Too risky. But now this..." He wrings the paper, looking to all of you.
"I... uh... think I need to visit Blackwall Keep." He looks around the room. "I need to speak with my brother first. Bring him up to speed on this matter. You all are quite capable, aren't you? I would like to ask you all to accompany me, see me safely to Blackwall. I think this may indeed be of some dire significance..." His mouth goes dry, and he turns to retrieve a pitcher behind him. Pouring a cup of water, he drinks desperately, then sets down the cup.
"What do you say? Will you escort me south?"
"Will you escort me south?"
Solrisa nods, looking very solemn.
"Of course. Mum wanted me here to help with this I think. I think she wanted me here because of her promise. I will help you help us."
She looks over at Mort, Ascaria, and Tynan to see if they will come too.
Mortimer listens as attentively possible, though much of the man's musings leave him baffled like some upper management human listening to a dwarven technician incessantly blather on about the elusive details of some mysterious underground mechanical system. He scratches the back of his head, then crosses his arms being careful not to knock anything in his personal nook.
Brawler on a Shelf. I wish I understood this better.
"The pewter box is certainly quite old, the glyphs just as old, and yes, they seem to echo language, but as a language of Chaos, I was frustrated at every turn trying to understand it. It feels very... slimy. Doesn't want you to hold it."
With something of a mischievous gleam in his eye, Mortimer carefully reaches out of his nook to pick up and hold the pewter box -- just to see what that's like. He holds it for about 30 seconds before putting it back down again out of disappointment and boredom.
"What about this note in Thedrick's journal? It said that the Faceless One spoke of a slumbering power -- or something -- that ties into an ancient figure, a being of great power. Do you think it might be this -- Icosiol -- or one of the other Wind Dukes?"
"I... uh... think I need to visit Blackwall Keep." He looks around the room. "I need to speak with my brother first. Bring him up to speed on this matter. You all are quite capable, aren't you? I would like to ask you all to accompany me, see me safely to Blackwall. I think this may indeed be of some dire significance..."
She looks over at Mort, Ascaria, and Tynan to see if they will come too.
Mortimer also nods gravely, first at Sol then at Allustan. "Of course -- of course we will escort you to Blackwall Keep. May we also accompany you to see your brother?"
"What do you say? Will you escort me south?"
Ascaria listens to Sol and Mort and then looks at Tynan. ”Well those worm things were certainly no good, so I think it’d be a good idea to help stamp them out. And we do owe you for helping us figure all this stuff out. So I suppose an escort is no problem."
"There were some things we wanted to buy, and Sol’s armor is going to take a couple days to be ready, so can we leave on like Toilday or Wealday? You know, just a couple days to get our things in order… Uh. Where's Blackwall Keep?”
Ascaria wonders if he'll need a steed...
Tynan listens to the information Allustan shares, and nods in agreement as the others agree to accompany him to Blackwall Keep. If he knows of another investigating the worms, then that is surely someone to speak with.
"Agreed. We will be happy to escort you there."
Sol clappy claps as others agree to join.
"When do we leave?" Solrisa asks. "And what is Blackwall Keep? Some sort of keep?"
Solrisa asks with serious intent.
"Oh! Since we'll be best friendies and all, can you help with these..." Solrisa asks, holding up the items that Ascaria put forth:
"What about this note in Thedrick's journal? It said that the Faceless One spoke of a slumbering power -- or something -- that ties into an ancient figure, a being of great power. Do you think it might be this -- Icosiol -- or one of the other Wind Dukes?"
Allustan considers Mortimer's question for a little while. "I'm unsure. All this talk of 'ancient'. It vexes. Beings before time. Gods before gods. This Faceless One, though. His, he was a he, wasn't he? Nevermind, it's not important, but it sounds like they are more interested than worried about this slumbering being, which would discourage me, at least, from thinking that a being representing Law would be the focus here. I could be wrong, as I often am."
"May we also accompany you to see your brother?"
Allustan flusters at a thought. "I intend to see him today. Today is Sunday, and he despises interruptions on his day off as it is. I think that I will meet with him today, regarding this whole matter, alone. I can, however, encourage him to see you first thing tomorrow. He'll likely relent in any objections, seeing what we'll be talking about."
"There were some things we wanted to buy, and Sol’s armor is going to take a couple days to be ready, so can we leave on like Toilday or Wealday? You know, just a couple days to get our things in order… Uh. Where's Blackwall Keep?”
Allustan listens distractedly to the gnome, but does understand when the questions are finished. "Yes, I think a departure day no later than Wealday is in order. Toilday, if things can be organized sooner, yes. As for Blackwall Keep, it's roughly 20 miles east, then roughly 30 miles south from Diamond Lake. Can I trust you to arrange a suitable means of travel? Remember, my bones aren't as sturdy as they once were."
"Agreed. We will be happy to escort you there."
Allustan seems pleased with the general consensus. "Weren't there more of you? Will they be joining us?"
"When do we leave? And what is Blackwall Keep? Some sort of keep? Oh! Since we'll be best friendies and all, can you help with these..."
Allustan looks at the maiden, a light confusion passing over his face. "Yes, my dear, it's a keep. A kind of fortified tower meant to protect its inhabitants against siege. If they build one inside a castle, it's usually the last place folks fall back into for greater security." He smiles and waits for a moment, to make sure she understands. "It's different when you say you mean to keep a promise, than to visit a keep. One of them can be physically touched, you see. The one you can visit. We mean to visit a big stone structure, and they call that big stone structure a keep. Where you keep things/people/animals safe from hostility." He smiles again and waits for another moment.
"As for the items, leave them on the desk, and I shall look over them tonight, if you'd like. Now, I think, we all need to leave to our purposes." He motions wordlessly to the gnome, regarding the paperwork, as he'd like to hold onto them for his conversation with Neff.
Without much hesitation, he waves to the study's exit, and escorts you to the front door. He himself leaves, and locks the front door, and follows you as far as your paths continue to remain the same. He heads directly to the Neff Manor.
"Aye, there were more of us, but the others have left for their own purposes. It would have been nice to be more but we are less. Let us hope it is enough." He thinks of all the new powers he has gained over the last few days and feels confident.
Rushed out the door, Ascaria never the less agrees to leave the documents with Allustan until the morning. "But we'll need them then. We promised much of this stuff to Smenk and I'll not be wrong, OK?"
Ascaria is a little worried that the old man will forget, but he hasn't much choice.
- - -
Back out in the street he says to the others, "Let us visit the Silver Mine Manager and see what magic can be found. We'll need to hurry, as I also need healing, and a few other odds and ends, from the church for the trip."
"I still don't trust that Rastophan and Todrick might try to attack. Let me watch over the three of you from a distance, to make sure you aren't being followed."
Tynan concentrates for a moment, and touches his hood. His appearance shifts to that of a merchant wearing a cap with a red feather.
"I doubt they'll recognize me looking like this. I'll make sure they aren't following you to the silver mine. Be careful... seeing a group of only three might draw them out."
Tynan follows about half a block behind the others, watching for anyone who might be following their movements.
"Nevermind, it's not important, but it sounds like they are more interested than worried about this slumbering being, which would discourage me, at least, from thinking that a being representing Law would be the focus here."
Mortimer tugs on his forelock in embarassment and remembers being tossed around by the air in the Wind Tunnel at the Whispering Cairns, as if he were some little maple leaf.
It's 'wind'. They were 'Wind' dukes. What -- if anything -- about 'wind' conjures to the mind the notion of Law? It's 'WIND'!! It doesn't get anymore chaotic than that, does it?Mortimer watches Allustan head off toward the Neff manor.
"Can I trust you to arrange a suitable means of travel? Remember, my bones aren't as sturdy as they once were."
"What do you suppose he needs for the trip? A giant cushion in a cab we carry him around in, or a magic carpet?"
"Let us visit the Silver Mine Manager and see what magic can be found. We'll need to hurry, as I also need healing, and a few other odds and ends, from the church for the trip."
Mortimer groans at the mention of The Church.
"O.K., fine. But first, Acaria! It's later enough I think -- don't you? Do you mind telling us about the design and chalk incident at the ' Gar now? How'd you do that? Why did it make you so anxious?"
Ascaria starts walking to the Silver Mine Manager's house, happy and smiling at having a plan when Mort troubles his thoughts...
"O.K., fine. But first, Acaria! It's later enough I think -- don't you? Do you mind telling us about the design and chalk incident at the ' Gar now? How'd you do that? Why did it make you so anxious?"
"Mort my friend, you're a dog with a bone. It had nothing to do with the chalk. I saw something under the table. Something... green. Like the pillars in the mine. Very old. Very, well, magical. Magic is green you see." he trails off.
"I don't know what it was, but it felt very personal somehow, like it was following me you see. Don't like being followed... even by Tynan. Makes me wonder what they see."
Ascaria looks at the party, "I'm sure it's fine, it just spooked me a little is all. Maybe it'll not return."
"I'm sure it's fine, it just spooked me a little is all. Maybe it'll not return."
Mortimer scowls, and checks behind Ascaria to see if a little green Thing is following him. Still scowling, he scratches the top of his head, crosses his arms, and looks sternly at the gnome.
"That green on the pillars wasn't very nice, I recall you saying. Why would a green Thing be following you? And I don't believe you believe that it will not return. You're making me wonder if it has even left. Do you know if it has? Aren't you telling us everything? We can't help you if we don't know everything."
He fixes his gaze upon the gnome and taps his foot in a patient beat.
The gnome, eager to move on, looks exasperatingly at the big Mort. "I don't see it now do I? No. That's all I know about it, so let's just keep it to ourselves, OK?"
Satisfied he's satisfied all Mort's possible questions, he starts off again toward the house.
Maybe It only comes out for the chalk...
Failing to notice the gnome's irritation, Mortimer merely sighs, shrugs, then catches up with Ascaria heading toward the Silver Mine Manager's house. He resigns himself to watch Ascaria carefully however, the next time a piece of chalk is in the wee humanoid's hand.
"Be careful... seeing a group of only three might draw them out."
Solrisa nods in agreement, internally vowing to be very good at carefulling. She readily agrees to see the Silver Mines Manager, hoping for some new magics to make Ascaria less grumpy shouty.
You know who else used to shout a lot? Rae. I bet she's shouting right now.
Sol walks in silence, catching up on her regrets and her own thoughts.
The Silver Mine Manager has a name, commonly enough known, and that name is Ellival Moonmeadow. A frequent guest of Lazare's House, he's known for his love of dragonchess. The reputation he's developed is formidable, and he's had to voluntarily remove a piece or two from his board to encourage folks to sit and play with him.
His house sits on the eastern branch of the Vein .
As you pass through Memorial Square, you see Kullen and Todrik speaking on the stoop of the Feral Dog, and Hamaneezer speaking loudly from the porch of the Church of Asmodeus, a small crowd gathered, likely out of courtesy.
The walk is pleasant enough, the day almost smells... fresh. The approach to Ellival's is open, though the wrought-iron gate remains closed. A grand silver bell greets you. When you ring it, an old human woman eventually presents herself around the corner of the coach house. The look on her face turns from exasperation to curiosity. "Well, that's a change. You're no guttersnipes, intent on getting a rise outta me for all the bell ringing. State your business plainly."
Ascaria doffs his hat in a friendly fashion and bows slightly as he replies, "Ma'am we're here to see Ellival Moonmeadow, if he'll have us. I understands he may have magics for sale, and, well, we're buyers as it were."
He puts his hat back firmly on his head and smiles up at the woman.
Tynan eyes Todrick and Kullen as the others pass by, watching for any signs of betrayal. Should the others remain unfollowed, Tynan will drop his disguise as he catches up with the others at the gate.
She studies the gnome briefly, then begins to sift through a ring of keys. She grasps at the gate, and unlocks it. "Stay on the stone path to the front door, I warn you. I can't take responsibility for you straying from it." She waits until you all pass through the gate, before closing it and locking it behind you. A beautifully-colored stone walkway awaits you, as promised.
Halfway down the walkway, Mortimer is suddenly knocked off the path from above, a large owl-like creature grabbing him from just below the shoulders. It screeches loudly.
The screeching brings the old woman back out into the courtyard, her eyes wide with fear. "Orniichyr!!! What's gotten into you?!? Down, down, down, down!!!"
Kullen and Todrik don't seem to pay you mind, and they remain where they are the entire time you pass through the Square.
Solrisa alarms as Mort is attacked, her face turning to Ascaria in confusion.
"Should I get it?" Sol asks Ascaria.
Halfway down the walkway, Mortimer is suddenly knocked off the path from above, a large owl-like creature grabbing him from just below the shoulders. It screeches loudly.
The screeching brings the old woman back out into the courtyard, her eyes wide with fear. "Orniichyr!!! What's gotten into you?!? Down, down, down, down!!!"
Mortimer begins laughing in complete surprise and delight. "Feathers?! It's you, Feathers!!! Orniichyr? No, it's you Feathers! I know that smell anywhere!"
Mortimer hugs the owl-like creature back, chortling with joy.
"He's not allowed inside. You're welcome to visit with him in the courtyard while we talk." A tall elf, draped in red, stands in the doorway of the house, drawn to the sounds outside. "As for the rest of you, please. Come in. Cynthia, when you get him under control, chain him for two hours."
As Mortimer uses a bit of leg strength to balance himself with the owlbear, the rest of you enter a very well-appointed foyer. The smell of roasting meat greets your noses, while a light mist settles on your skin. The building has several beautiful plants that sit in window wells.
The elf brings you into a sitting room, and remains standing. He waves a hand in your general direction, looking you over.
He casts Detect Magic.
"Such a motley crew you have here. What is it you seek?"
Mortimer's vocalizations become somewhat muffled as the young owlbear smothers him in its feathers.
Tearing his head from the bird like thing's outer wing he says grinning, "I'm good -- we're good. I'll wait out here for a bit -- you go on ahead. Everything's fine!" He turns toward Feathers, his vocalizations toward it becoming once again muffled.
So this is how a parent feels...
Spellcraft
Solrisa spins helpfully as the man casts a spell she knows. She tries to help him identify all her magics.
"My name is Solrisa. Nice to meet you. Are you the Ellival? We seek Ellival."
Huh.
"Yes, well, I suppose we are. I heard around town that if we wanted to get some magic items, you might be the one to see. Your, a, kind woman outside didn't blink when we suggested as much to her, so I suspect it's true!"
Ascaira grins.
"I wondered if you might have a couple minor things for me. I'm looking for a small broach, called a Snapleaf. It'll do me a world of good if I'm in a jam."
"Also, for me, I'd like a necklace. An Aegis of Recovery actually. If you have anything like that to spare."
He looks around at the group and notices Mort still missing... "I want to inquire for the big man too. A manly sort of necklace for him, an Amulet of Mighty Fists. Thing is though, I don't know what sort. We hadn't really had a chance to talk about it you see."
Ascaria leans in, "He's not very good with magic."
Solrisa claps when she realizes that speaking to this man is not unlike leaving prayers for gifts during the Winter Slumberfest Festival.
"OH! And if you have any nice magic swords! I'll look at those!" Solrisa asks. "Or if you have any belts that would make me stronger or a nice cloak like Ascaria's! Those would all be so much fun."
The elf turns his gaze on the maiden. "Olrisa, nice to meet you as well. Yes, I'm Ellival Moonmeadow. I think I've seen you in Lazare's before." He continues to look on you all.
Listening to the gnome, he smiles politely. "Ah, a gnome with purpose. More focused than many of your kind. I'm sure I can locate these things. I'm not sure, however, that you are capable of paying for these things." His smile grows a little thin.
Listening to the maiden, he smile continues. "Oh, you take me for a merchant? You presume to look through my inventories, do you?" He looks on Solrisa with a new, pitying smile.
"You have a name, gnome? I'll see what I can do for you, after you prove your purchasing strength. As for you, Olrisa, I tend to work magic into swords, so if you have enough wealth, I can craft something for you, if you ask nicely. Otherwise, please more specific. I will not guess what it is you may want."
"Name most folks know me by is Canary, but I also go by Ascaria. Take your pick."
"And I wholly understand your concern about coin, but we've enough to pay." He takes his cash out of his sling bag and presents it .
He turns to Sol, "Yeah, this isn't a holiday Sol. We'll have to pay for this stuff, but you have enough easily for any one of those things. I or others could help you maybe get two things."
Tynan watches the interaction between Ellival and his companions with some bemusement. Eyeing the elf carefully, he tries to discern his intentions with regard to the proposed purchases.
Solrisa smiles big, her large hands going for her coin purse. It nearly bursts with coin.
"Oh! I love shopping! I can pay!!" Solrisa jingles the purse happily.
She draws her sword and shows it to Ellival.
"I have this sword, and I like it a lot. But it wasn't good enough against the jerky ghosts. I want something against them. Also, jerky priests and jerky birds and jerky monsters."
Solrisa looks hopefully at the nice elf.
"I have this sword, and I like it a lot. But it wasn't good enough against the jerky ghosts."
Tynan nods in agreement. "She speaks the truth. There are threats to this area we've been trying to deal with, but we have found our gear somewhat... lacking."
Ellival calls out to Lathai and Lhoris, unfamiliar names to you all, until a female and male elf join you all from an adjacent room. Lathai wipes her brow from some strenuous activity, while Lhoris turns a bored eye on you all.
"Ascaria gnome, I will see that you have the pieces you seek. It doesn't occur to me if I have any amulets on hand, but I will look for that. Olrisa, I'm sure we can find you such a cloak, though the belt you describe may be more difficult to locate."
Ellival turns to Tynan. "And what of your desires... I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."
Once he's heard from each of you, he looks at Lathai and nods. She remains silent, but returns the nod and leaves the room.
"Now, I think before we conclude our business today, you should provide me more information as to how you've come to me with so much wealth. None of you are managers, and I know a couple of you, at least, are residents of Diamond Lake. Your purses are quite full, and I would understand your trade better."
...
Feathers/Orniichyr eventually lets Mort go, headbutting the giant several times in the thigh, in a somewhat strange gesture, screeching several times as it does so. Cynthia looks on with obvious disapproval.
"My name is Tynan, sir. Much like Solrisa, I would be interested in an enchanted blade, though I do understand you may not have anything available."
Tynan pats his short sword, pauses briefly to consider, then continues.
"As you'll hear soon enough, we discovered that one of your rival mine owners was harboring a cult in an unused portion of his mine. We were able to put an end to the group acting here in Diamond Lake, and are hoping these purchases might help us track down others involved with them."
Tynan pauses to let the information sink in, and to judge Ellival's reaction to this information.
Ascaria nods at Tynan's plain talk and agrees.
He wonders if he should go get Mort. Does he want fire, cold, or electricity I wonder?
The elf seems bemused, and a little curious. Four folk with whom he's not shared conversation on his doorstep, with grand purses...
Ellival listens to Tynan, patiently sorting out the details. "So you were paid for your services, is it? Was there a bounty you collected? Is there a bounty on my mine as well?"
...
Lathai returns, carrying various items. She approaches a side table, laying down a long, silken pillow, on which she rests a Snapleaf, Aegis of Recovery, and Cloak of Charisma. Lhoris steps forward and collects the necessary gold to see the transaction completed.
As both elves depart, Ellival turns for a moment, brushing Lhoris's flaxen hair over his shoulder. "Stop being such a grump. You never know what may cross your doorstep, if you never open it to new knockings." Lhoris grunts, and continues to leave the sitting room.
Ellival turns to you all, save the one who remained outdoors. "Should you ever find something of interest, share it with me first, why don't you? I can quite helpful, should our relations bolster. Anything else you'd like to share with me before you depart?"
He sees you to the door eventually, and Cynthia sees you out.
The better part of the afternoon of Sunday lays ahead.
Feathers/Orniichyr eventually lets Mort go, headbutting the giant several times in the thigh, in a somewhat strange gesture, screeching several times as it does so. Cynthia looks on with obvious disapproval.
Mortimer glances over at Cynthia and offers an apologetic shrug as Feathers/Orniichyr rams him in the thigh. He gently addresses the outraged bird/thing.
"I know, Feathers. We fell asleep then were apart. I didn't want to let go, I had to. I just don't have the means to give you everything you need, but I'm closer. You'll see. Someday we'll have a keep, I'll get you back. Rae will be there too. You'll see." he softly says, trying to calm the animal's apparent ire. "You do a good job guarding here until then. Is there someone strange here now?" He looks around for intruders, and to see what there is to see.
He sees the others returning from the house. "Besides those people, Feathers. You know those people."
Ascaria is surprised to get everything he asked for and he grins at the elf, "One moment please, let me confer with Mort in your garden for the amulet. We're leaving town in just a few days and would like to have it for our trip if at all possible. One moment."
The gnome scurries out the doors and goes to speak with Mort.
"So, Mort, I have a, uh, suggestion on how to spend your money. There's a magic item, an amulet you wear around your neck, called an amulet of mighty fists. One of the really cool things it can do, well, it can make your unarmed attacks flaming, freezing, or electrical and do more damage!"
Ascaria looks up at the big man, "I really think this is something you'll love, but I don't know if you want to be flaming, freezing, or electric..."