Darjiah brushes some of Natalya's hair behind her ear and says "I'll get you set up with Sheila, I'll come back later don't you worry." and she stands up "We make sure she's kept company, then we should go to the guard and see if we can get anything to help us or at least get some warrents."
Von-Dai nods. "I'll talk to Sheila. Why don't you stay with her until we've got everything set up for her here?"
With that, Von-Dai leaves the room and goes in search of Sheila.
"Some. She found the shard on a skeleton in the Crow - the new hideout for the Tower Girls. She gave us a map to get there and a partial map of the Crow itself, and said there was more there that she didn't take. It could be there are more of the shards of this artifact. We'd like to keep Natalya here while we investigate. The Tower Girls may not be too keen on her leaving them once the shard took control. Do you know what the artifact is called?"
Elendar accompanies Von-Dai, figuring it a universal axiom that a brace of magic-users will accomplish a task more efficiently than a single one.
Marcus simply waits until there's something appropriate for him to do. Mostly that means busting heads.
Von-Dai takes the handy haversack and says, "Alright. We'll go find the next shard." With that, he leads Elendar from the library back to Marcus, Darjiah, Erond, and Natalya.
Once there, he says, "Sheila says this artifact is one of seven shards of a larger artifact known as the 'Shattered Star', or 'Sihedron' in ancient Thassilon. Apparently it's the wayfinders are based on similar concepts, with resonant ioun stones. The Sihedron was a powerful item created by Thassilon's founder, an exiled Azlanti named Xin. It was shattered when the seven runelords rebelled against his rule, and each claimed a shard of artifact. They have never been reassembled, even as they were moved to different locations. This specific one is the 'Stone of Pride'."
"Sheila has promised to do more research about the other shards and the artifact itself. Our current task is for one of us to take possesion of this star stone and concentrate on the shape of the entire artifact, a seven-pointed star. Through visions, this will lead us to the next shard. We may each take a masterwork weapon, masterwork set of armor, and any basic adventuring gear we may need. She gave us this handy haversack to hide and protect the stones."
Looking at Darjiah, he said, "Sheila said that the Society will take care of and protect Natalya in exchange for your help in locating and acquiring the next shard. She also won't tell your captain about your 'lack of insight' - her words, not mine."
With that being said, Von-Dai looked at the Stone of Pride, the battle between the desire to take it and be able to study it and unlock its powers warring with caution given the artifact's known effects on the wielder - although the ioun stone should balance that out...
"Yeah, does seem a bit odd for small fish like us to be involved in something this big."
"Not sure if that makes us lucky or not. "
Elendar listens placidly and then adds, "I am not sure exactly what skills are necessary for following the shard to the other pieces, but I imagine our collected knowledge of Varisian history will come in handy." He gives Von-Dai a brief questioning glance as he takes the haversack and looks inside. "The shard of Pride, associated with the school of Illusion. Forgive me if I am misinformed, but Master Von-Dai, I understood that because of your specialized training in Transmutation you cannot study or practice Illusion magic at all. Is it possible that this magical limitation could hinder your efforts to envision the completed Sihedron through this particular shard? Perhaps it would be better for us if I should assume the responsibility instead?"
Von-Dai listens to Elendar's question, then says, "Yes and no. My magical training is mostly as a Universalist. However, I have studied Thassilonian techniques, and this," he gestures at the orb floating about his head, "is the result. I can create a focus associated with a specific school of magic that allows me to prepare my spells as though I were a specialist in the Thassilonian school of that magic. This comes with the drawback that I cannot prepare spells of that school's traditional opposition schools. In this case, since I have chosen Transmutation, that applies to Illusion magic, as well as Enchantment magic. I can create new focuses that allow me to specialize in other schools of magic in the Thassilonian tradition."
Grimacing, Von-Dai says, "Unfortunately, creating a new focus does cost some coin, and I cannot create one of the Illusion school, since I chose Transmutation as my original. This one would lose its power, as well, which means I can't just swap back to it without creating a new one. I don't know if there would be any limitation based on my current choice of focus, but given success is paramount, it may be better not to take the risk. I concur that it would be better for you to take this one instead of me."
Elendar listens in rapt fascination, staring at Von-Dai and his familiar orb floating around his head. "That is truly marvelous. I would love to hear more about how you unlocked these secrets-- it is associated with the runes that the Thassilonian masters crafted? How extraordinary. I have only just begun to explore the inner mysteries of wizardry, my friend, and I fear it is as a dabbler only, for my upbringing has emphasized the innate power of magic in my blood, as well as in my devotion to the god of magic. Long have I desired to study the tomes and manuals that form the roots of your craft, and glean from them practices that may be translated into my own poorly-chronicled tradition." He stops, a bit embarrassed. "Ah, perhaps it might be better to continue this discussion at another time, for our hunt begins and the game flies ahead. No reason to bore our good associates with stories of the mundane past."
By this time Marcus' eyes have glazed over and he's leaning against a wall.
He wakes up for the last bit.
"No, no, it's really fascinating. "
Darjiah chuckles when Von Dai comes back and gives the message "Admittedly that is fair, ironically I let my concern for my friend blind me. I underestimated Mrs. Shiela, a mistake I'm not likely to make again." She gives Natalya a hug and says "I'll be back, anything you want from the tower girls?"
"Well, that's just as well then," Elendar laughs. He touches the haversack and examines the shard and its stone when it appears in his hand. He tries to relax his mind and make himself receptive to its visions, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Elendar staggers and his eyes glaze over. "The Irespans! The harbor!" he cries, obviously transported by his vision for a moment. Finally he breathes deeply, settles back onto his heels, and finishes, "It is the Crow." He looks around and breathlessly begins to explain what he saw in greater detail. "It is as if the artifact carried me over the water, to show me our destination! Marvelous!"
Von-Dai excitedly says, "Excellent! The way these artifacts can pinpoint each other is fascinating! We need to locate the rest so we can further study the interactions of the magic. Let's get moving to the Crow!"
"OK, off we go. " even toned, obviously a bit less impressed by the hocus pocus stuff.
Darjiah asks Natalya "Do you have anything that could help us take down the tower girls in terms of armor or weapons, maybe some potions? Anything you want me to bring you from the crow?"
After getting a response she says to the team "I'm good to go"
From the Pathfinders' stores, he gets himself a finely crafted darkwood quarterstaff with arcane runes inscribed into it. He also grabs several alchemical items that may be of use, along with a bandolier to easily carry them. Finally, he gets a high-quality backpack to replace his other one and to help him carry his things.
"Oh yeah, wait a bit. " as he remembers the equipment bonanza made available. In due course (half an hour or so) he comes back but in a fine suit of full place and an apparently nicer whip on his belt.
"Good to go. "
Darjiah laughs "Hi Terry, guess the girls and I aren't in the best of terms. Whoda thunk it." and runs into point blank area leaning against the wall and shoots her crossbow at Teseria
Elendar frowns at the surprise attack, and quickly casts a spell. He looks curiously at the thugs that have apparently been following them.
Marcus will pull his whip out and move up adjacent to Darjiah.
Darhiah dodges the bolt as it lodges into the wall and shouts "watch for Terry, she's a horrible coward in combat. Keep an eye on her, if she can't sneak up on you she'll try to flank you. The guards are made out of tough stuff, and they like to use Shields."
Elendar adds, "That crossbow strike was fired with great precision. I would guess she has trained to fight as a rogue, with skill at least three times that of an amateur."
power attack
Stepping a bit further back from the thugs, he looked at the two next to Marcus, then cast a spell to drop a puddle of grease under their feet.
Marcus will attack the boss baddie lady.
power attack
but fails to connect
Elendar casts a spell and a small bolt of force flies from his hands to strike Terisha.
Natalya takes a step back as Terry's blade cuts into her, and she grimaces then smiles "Still got that fiery little temper don't we terry, you've always ben a real hot headed b!@$!." she reloads her crossbow, then takes another shot
Free-FFS Move-Reload Standard-fire
the thug misses darjiah, as she barely dodges the blow out of the way