"A bad choice of hands, I agree. If nor theirs, than perhaps ours will be better for now."
Addressing their new friend from the Far East....Taken from another viewpoint, it could be real and in the definitively writing hands currently. What's our duty, then?
Amideo grins upon hearing Yoltzin’s offer of digging through the tunnels, ”An undertaking worthy of the brave knights of old! Consider me interested.”
It's settled then. We leave in the morning.
A necromancer? If I'm lucky he'll be the type to collect spells into a spellbook. I can certainly help with identifying any arcane items that this necromancer left behind. Assuming he hasn't used necromancy to stay "alive", then we'll have a whole other problem. Do we have anything better than rumours about where we're going?
Looking to the second speaker, "Why?"
Djack looks up. I can take you to speak with Mistress Espindola, she might know if such things.
"Yes, I'd love to speak with this woman to learn more details. Later, we might be able to check out those tunnels Rocko and I found first. May be something we missed, as I said. May be not. We wouldn't loose much by looking.
Who's coming?
He pops a piece of hard cheese into his mouth and palms a piece of crusty bread, as he stands up.
After the gathering finishes as many drinks as they'd like, those who want to can head out to speak to Mistress Espindola.
The woman's house, which Djack is quite familiar with, is smallish brick cottage with a teal door. A woman in her middle ages with long gray hair pulled back by a kerchief, answers the door when she sees Djack.
Mistress Espindola is surprised when she sees the others, but steps back so that they may enter her living room as well.
The front room of the house has a large carpet in dark blue and silver hues, and several decorative native rugs hang on the walls. An oil lamp lights up the room against the encroaching dusk.
Rocko does his best to be polite and put her at ease, "Good day, sorry to surprise visit like this. Friend Djack here says you need help about finding some magic lantern."
Greetings. My name is Chinuye. Smiling at Mistress Espindola, she bows her head as she enters her home. Djack also mentioned a necromancer, so if we could get any information you poses on these subjects that would be most helpful.
I'm Chaucair, just some guy.
Mistress. Djack begins respectfully.
They were asking after some magic, I thought you would be the best resource. And some worry the object will fall into the wrong hands.
Though she gives the woman a cursory greeting, her focus is drawn for the moment on the interesting tapestries.
Yoltzin thinks at least one of them is, but it's difficult to be sure. As she noted on the previous adventure, the natives' cultures were much closer to those of the wild elves than are the colonists'.
Espindola looks at Chaucair. "Funny, that name sounds familiar." He's pretty sure the woman recognizes the name and its connection to the arts, at least, but is content to let him hold his anonymity.
Amideo Caluzzo di Solva also recognizes the name Chaucair. He thinks he's seem this man on stage, now that he thinks about it.
After greeting everyone. She insists everyone call her Fernanda, except for Djack. "For he's my apprentice, and the title of respect is appropriate."
"So, you've come seeking more information? And something about looking for some magic items before you depart?"
"Please be comfortable, and I can answer each in turn. Djack, please fetch tea and some conchas or tortillas from the pantry. You know where to find them."
"Ms. Chinuye, I believe you asked about Gavalde, the Necromancer. I've told Djack most of what I know, but I'll summarize it for you now. Gavalde was (seemingly; I've only just learned of his existence recently myself) a Necromancer who lived over 400 years ago. A human, so he should be long dead, necromancy notwithstanding. He sought power both political and mystical, and seemingly gained them."
"We know that Gavalde had conquered the local Keep, and exerted control over these lands in some fashion. We also know, from your companions' explorations" she says, nodding to Yoltzin and Rocko, "that he was fond of undead servants. Some life still remains in them, after all these years."
"And we know that Gavalde fled his home hereabouts for the Mesas in the near south, while retaining political control of the area."
"Lastly, he mentions a powerful magic lantern which I believe might be the lost Lanterna Venerata, which I've asked Djack and his friends to find and retrieve, if possible."
"Any other questions regarding Gavalde? I may not be able to answer, but if I can, I will."
Yoltzin spends a momment tracing the weave of one rug, reminiscing of the familiar patterns. It's been a year now, and though it feels like yesterday for an elf she still finds herself missing home. Perhaps now that the cold season has passed, she'll have a chance to visit... Or perhaps she should think better of that, considering how she practically stole away into the night. Her family doubtless will not be pleased.
Talk from Djack's master is enough to pry her away from thoughts of home. "Yes, it seems we have all grown interested in pursuing the leads you uncovered regarding the lantern. If you had more you could reveal to us, it would be welcomed I think."
Rocko is a bit confused at the reference to the party 'looking for magic items'.
"Sorry, but I thought you was the one wanting a magic thing found, some lantern of sorts. Are we looking for magic for us too? I reckon it might help, if'n you know what we will be fightin' to get that lantern for you."
Rocko is a bit confused at the reference to the party 'looking for magic items'.
"Sorry, but I thought you was the one wanting a magic thing found, some lantern of sorts. Are we looking for magic for us too? I reckon it might help, if'n you know what we will be fightin' to get that lantern for you."
Djack goes about the business of refreshments for the Mistress' visitors.
"Yes, it seems we have all grown interested in pursuing the leads you uncovered regarding the lantern. If you had more you could reveal to us, it would be welcomed I think."
"Well, of the Lanterna I can definitely provide some information. If the Lantern Gavalde mentioned is indeed the artifact I believe it is, it is a very powerful and multi-functional item created over 1000 years ago in Gallo."
"Well, of the Lanterna I can definitely provide some information. If the Lantern Gavalde mentioned is indeed the artifact I believe it is, it is a very powerful and multi-functional item created over 1000 years ago in Gallo."
"The lantern is of unique design, and has both a hood and an iris; thus its functions can be used in an area or directed in a specific direction."
"The legends of this item are many, and so not all of its powers are known, but it is believed to be able to coax truth out of hardened liars, to make plain illusions and the invisible, and, of course, to light the way without need of oil."
"Gavalde claims to have had many items, though most he does not describe in any detail."
"As far as location, I'm afraid the mesas a few miles south of town is the best I can describe. You'll have to seek out the entrance to Gavalde's caverns using your own abilities. It may take you some time. But I have confidence, based on what I've been hearing, that you can eventually detect the caverns."
Amideo bows to Fernanda, "Good day, madame Fernanda. I am Amideo Caluzzo di Solva, circuit judge and representative of the Marques. I cannot say I have any questions. I am new to this area. I will defer to the knowledge of those who have spent more time here."
shoots a curious look at Chaucair. In a quiet moment he asks the man, "Chaucair? I am certain you do not know me, but I believe I saw you perform in La Magnifica Regina dei Fiori at the Casa de la Trascendencia. You were...ah, you were the Lily Prince, yes? It was a stunning performance, opera is one of the few things I miss deeply about the heartland of Espa."
"A prince of lillies?" She speaks, confused.
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As the discussion has turned to topics that leave Rocko completely lost, he'll simply partake of the food and drink that Mistress Espindola is offering. He does remember retrieving rare herbs and this and that from the wilds for her, but he'll mention possibly doing so again on this trip at a later time.
"Lilly princes... Sing?" The elf continues, confusion only ever increasing.
Amideo begins to recount the story of the opera. His steady tone turns somewhat dreamy as he recounts the plot, "Ah, yes, yes, a sad and beautiful love tale. La Regina dei Fiori, the Queen of Flowers, and the Lily Prince are star-crossed fey lovers hopelessly enthralled with each other, but rule two kingdoms that are at war with each other. It is a tale of love, of war, of passion, of vengeance. The opera ends as a classic tragedy. The Queen of Flowers wanders an empty hall after her beloved Lily Prince has died in battle, singing an aria for her lost love. It is not often that I weep, but as she lay heartbroken upon the terrace where she and the Prince, played by our ever-so-talented Chaucair, sat and shared their first and only kiss, sweet as honey and pure as morning dew..."
Amideo's voice trails off, his voice choking up as he tells the tale to Yoltzin. He produces a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping his eyes before taking a deep breath, "Gods, I miss the opera. Perhaps someday it shall come to us."
Mestra Espindola, Fernanda, answers Chaucair's question.
"Well, there are not a lot around here. It's a small town. Santa Merceda might have more options, but alas, it's in the opposite direction."
"That said, Jules might yet have something of interest at her general store, if you wait until she opens tomorrow before you leave on your quest."
Somewhere along the line, Yoltzin appears to grasp that Chaucair is not an actual prince, merely acting out the role in some oratory. Where they sing, apparently. That part was still tripping the elf up. "Perhaps I shall see one of these myself, one day."
Sensing Yoltzin's befuddlement, Djack leans in. I've never been to one myself.
And, I'm not certain I completely understand. But, I can try to explain later.
I've been to a couple opera's back when I was a student. Though I've never seen you perform before. A pity we're unlikely to find a decent opera house out here.
Is there a particular reason why you want this lantern Fernanda?
If we can get a scroll of the spell, I can copy it into my spellbook. Finding a fellow arcane artist and paying for the privilege to copy their work is usually cheaper though... If we can find one
Is there a particular reason why you want this lantern Fernanda?
"Merely the fact that it is such a well known and ancient artifact. Some wizards are great adventurers. Still others powerful rulers. I seek only knowledge. And to study such a well-known artifact, well, it's a chance of a lifetime."
Having gleaned about as much information as Fernanda Espindola seems able to give, the team heads back to their various accommodations for the evening, agreeing to meet up again the following day.
Februm 25, 1054
The morning dawns cool, breezy and clear. After breakfast, the group reassembles to head over to Jules' General Store.
The proprietor, Jules, is a youngish woman with brown hair and green eyes. A decade of living like as a shopkeep have given her a rugged look; Djack considers she's probably stronger than he is.
Though the shop is not quite open yet, Jules has unlocked the door, and after verifying at least some "regulars" in the group, she allows them to begin perusing goods.
There is a shelf of maps and scrolls in the back, and anyone using detect magic can tell only about 5 of them radiate with a magical aura. Of those, there is one labeled "Identificar," Identify in the common tongue. It is priced at 20 gp.
[Dice=SM]1d20+10
Espindola seems legitimately only interested in arcane knowledge. Not that she wouldn't USE the device at need, but she does not seem greedy for it, just excited by the idea of having it.
Chinuye smiles and nods approvingly at Fernanda's answer.
Ah, here it is. Though... I'm afraid I arrived in Albarra with little money and haven't had the opportunity to make more yet. So if you want me to cast that spell one of you will have to purchase this scroll.
The elf nods in sympathy, "I had very little when I came here as well, I struggled to purchase even a full bundle of arrows. I was helped by the likes of Rocko and his earlier companions, perhaps I shall... pay it forward, was it?"
"Oh, I was intent on covering the fee. Perhaps we split it, then?" She spoke.