GM Ever_Anon's The Midnight Mirror

Game Master Ever_Anon

"All wisecracks aside, your grace, we want to help. I for one do not want to see anyone else killed. Paranoia is tearing your town apart and tallowthroat is slowly consuming it. Let us help, but to do that, we need information. Ilquis may have released something darker than himself, we have seen undead shadows in the street as the most recent threat, and listening to those trained in the occult and medicine, tallowthroat is not natural. Whether the guilty party is fetchling, human, or otherwise, we want to stop him or her. What can you tell us?" Marcus makes his plea before being thrown out.

He has not diplomacy, just shooting for honesty.

Stepan walks away and sinks into the chair behind his desk. Then, in that same emotionless tone, he says, ”I knew Ilquis. I did not know he was a fey. I received a message six weeks ago from someone claiming they could help keep the shadows away, but they needed to meet with me in absolute secrecy. I was desperate. I agreed. I never saw him, only heard his voice. He claimed to be an angel. I knowingly continued meeting with him anyway. Two weeks ago he said the curse was too strong for him to handle alone, that he needed to bring in friends. I gave him reagents for a ritual to open a portal. I told him to do whatever it took to protect the town and my family.”

He looks up and locks eyes with Jassminder. ”If you’re inquisitors, if this was all part of some elaborate mind game, you’ve won. That should be a more than sufficient confession. Anya had nothing to do with any of it, I swear.” His face hardens. ”If you’re not inquisitors, then get the hell out. I need to think.”

"You certainly need to think but you should do so after assisting us as much as you can. Jassminder is not an inquisitor but I understand that Inquisitors are likely to be part of the contingent sent from Pangolais and your decisions may have put not only yourself but your wife and your son at risk. Look at me Baron; I'm from Cheliax. If you know anything about Cheliax and how it feels about tieflings, you'll know that I personally know the cost of making deals with unintended consequences. We are here to help. The primary reason Ilquis wanted everywhere brightly illuminated is that light provided him with invisibility. If you can tell us what reagents you provided him with and any other information about the portal it might prove useful. Ilquis took advantage of your need; now you need to protect yourself and your family by trying to make amends for the damage caused by Ilquis."

@GM: Noctifer will take 10 on Diplomacy for a 20 and using another Inspiration for:

Inspiration: 1d6 ⇒ 6

@GM: For a 26.

Stepan still stares at Marcus with suspicion, but something in his eyes softens as Marcus and Noctifer speak. "Deals with unintended consequences..." he mutters and buries his face in his hands. "The Tallowthroat, the shadows...Nicasor's curse has infected this town and everyone in it. There's nothing you can do about that. There's nothing anyone can do. I thought Ilquis...but you say that was a lie. Unless you're the ones lying?" He pulls on his hair. "No. No. Anya wouldn't lie about that. No."

With what seems like great difficulty he looks up again and refocuses. "The deal. Yes. Ilquis did suggest the bonfires. He said they would keep the shadows away while he prepared for the ritual. He asked for incense, a lot of it. We had it in the vaults, some of my ancestors were casters and we still store a number of valuable material components here. I gave him a thousand gold worth when we met two weeks ago. He said that would help him open a portal and bring more angels to help. That's all I know."

@GM: I would've had Noctifer take 10 on that kind of check and hoped to learn something.

@GM: I would've had Noctifer take 10 on that kind of check and hoped to learn something.

I can begin taking 10 on all your non-combat knowledge checks if you prefer. In this case you wouldn't learn anything extra beyond what Ussaile did.

Noctifer Umbria wrote:

@GM: I would've had Noctifer take 10 on that kind of check and hoped to learn something.

I can begin taking 10 on all your non-combat knowledge checks if you prefer. In this case you wouldn't learn anything extra beyond what Ussaile did.

Yes please. :) I try to take 10 so I don't hit bottom with bad rolls. I try to save rolling in the event taking 10 stinks which isn't the case with this PC.

I'm having some guests over today so I'll get a post up later informing the party of what I know.

"He's probably telling the truth here. These kinds of rituals are possible." She waits to hear back from her patron before continuing to divulge more secrets, "It reminds me of a fiendish conjuration, which is exactly what it sounds like. A small hamlet's worth of reagents and a small hamlet itself and you can have a fiend summoned." The witch shakes her head, "But it isn't quite that. This Dag-whatever... It wasn't going to take orders. If it was, the fey probably wouldn't have been so frightened to call on it."

Steeping her hands, she considers the situation, "With this many souls however, whatever this Dag is, it might only be a little stronger than Ilquis."

Ussaile looks directly into the Baron's eye, "I recall someone else mentioned a curse..." The words linger, "Perhaps this is magical in nature after all. Do we have anything of Nicasor's?"

Stepan shakes his head. "The temple has records of his trial. No personal effects have survived. But I see him in my dreams, out of the corners of my eye, telling me he'll destroy everything I love..."

"Nicasor's been dead for a thousand years." Captain Groy speaks gently, as if to a frightened animal.

"He can't die. Won't die. He's turning the fetchlings against me. He's brought the shadows to life and is using them to infect everyone so he can wipe out the Boroi line for once and for all." Stepan buries his head in his hands again. "Marek...I'm so sorry..."

Jassminder gives a very slight shake of her head, which from her is a sign of increasing exasperation. It would have been much simpler if the baron had been in league with Ilquis, but things are obviously not as straightforward as that. She absorbs the conversation and Ussaile's clarification, but shakes her head again as the baron starts rambling.

Unless it's not rambling, of course. "Alright. Let's keep this as simple as we can. What makes you so sure Nicasor is still alive?"

"Because I've seen him." Stepan's initial response is equally simple and completely unhelpful, something even he seems to realize. "My ancestors. Strict adherents to the Midnight Lord. Death is too quick a punishment, no matter how prolonged. So they made sure Nicasor and his followers could never die. Trapped them in a midnight mirror under the manor so they would suffer forever."

"I found him. He begged me to let him out. I couldn't. Wouldn't. Didn't. Now he's cursed me, cursed the town, he won't stop until everyone is dead."

"You have a Midnight Mirror? Here?" Xanther asks in a mix of amazement and horror. As a maker of wondrous item, he is all too familiar with such a device.

He turns to the rest of the team. "A Midnight Mirror is a magical extraplanar prison, where prisoners never age and suffer eternally. Hell on Golarion, so to speak, used by the church of Zon Kuthon on its enemies."

"Within the mirror itself, light magic is weakened and shadow magic is augmented. In theory, a prisoner could be released with a command word, but since that contravenes its intended purpose, it is almost never done."

He turns to the Baron "Your lordship, even if you did see Nicasor in the mirror, he is still trapped in there. You say he has cursed you and your town, but how has this manifested beyond mere words?"

Jassminder looks sceptical, and doesn't do much work to try and conceal it. "I can see why he took an instant dislike to you, it saves time; but I can't see how he can curse you from inside a prison like that. If I were making a magic prison that let people live forever, I'd make pretty damn sure the prisoners inside couldn't do anything out here. Is there anything else you're not telling us?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"Is there anyone who knows the story of Nicassor intimately? Perhaps someone is trying to rescue him? Maybe Ilquis is working for whoever wants Nicassor out and they are hoping to convince you to release him, perhaps in a last gambit to save the town. Someone who knows the story well may give us a hint as to who would be trying to do this or even if this is a possibility." Marcus says puzzling over the situation in his head.

I am just spit balling here. If by some crazy happenstance I am anywhere near the truth, I promise you, I have never played or read this story before. :)

"You have a Midnight Mirror? Here?" Xanther asks in a mix of amazement and horror. As a maker of wondrous item, he is all too familiar with such a device.

He turns to the rest of the team. "A Midnight Mirror is a magical extraplanar prison, where prisoners never age and suffer eternally. Hell on Golarion, so to speak, used by the church of Zon Kuthon on its enemies."

"Within the mirror itself, light magic is weakened and shadow magic is augmented. In theory, a prisoner could be released with a command word, but since that contravenes its intended purpose, it is almost never done."

He turns to the Baron "Your lordship, even if you did see Nicasor in the mirror, he is still trapped in there. You say he has cursed you and your town, but how has this manifested beyond mere words?"

"And, if anyone were so motivated, the only way to destroy a Midnight Mirror is to enter it and kill the physical manifestation of the magic item's consciousness with a shard of itself from the Material Plane. Doing so will cause the prison plane to break apart and disgorge all living creatures and items originally from the Material Plane through the shattered mirror back to their plane of origin."

Thinking for a moment he adds, "I agree with Jassminder that such a formidable prison would likely block any magic, curses, effects short of something truly powerful like Wish magic. Still we can't rule it out just yet. And we need to learn who and where this other helper of Ilquis is and what they were trying to summon. Perhaps the undead shadows birthed by Catalina were part of their plans? Too many variables as of yet."

"And, if anyone were so motivated, the only way to destroy a Midnight Mirror is to enter it and kill the physical manifestation of the magic item's consciousness with a shard of itself from the Material Plane. "

Jassminder rolls her eyes. "And in Taldan, for those of us who stay active rather than read? What do I have to kill, and what do I kill it with?"

I think this is one of the only characters I've ever played with zero ranks in any knowledge skills!

Noctifer Umbria wrote:

"And, if anyone were so motivated, the only way to destroy a Midnight Mirror is to enter it and kill the physical manifestation of the magic item's consciousness with a shard of itself from the Material Plane. "

Jassminder rolls her eyes. "And in Taldan, for those of us who stay active rather than read? What do I have to kill, and what do I kill it with?"

I think this is one of the only characters I've ever played with zero ranks in any knowledge skills!

"I'm unsure as of yet; we'd have to research more. But let's leave that option in the future for now as I don't think Nicassor is the main issue. Even if the fey aren't the source of all the problems they are a problem that needs to be dealt with before they get worse."

”Nicasor can’t get out but he must be cursing me somehow. I don’t know how. I don’t know I don’t know I don’t KNOW!” After this abrupt outburst Stepan leaps out of his chair and begins pacing around the room. From the tracks in the carpet he’s been doing that a lot recently. ”The mirror’s broken, I do know that. Something damaged it long before my time. It only works one way now. Prisoners can go in but can never be released. I told Nicasor that, back when I first started seeing him in my dreams. He laughed and called me a liar.” He shudders. ”I can hear him laughing now.” You all suspect he’s not speaking metaphorically.

"Is there anyone who knows the story of Nicassor intimately? Perhaps someone is trying to rescue him? Maybe Ilquis is working for whoever wants Nicassor out and they are hoping to convince you to release him, perhaps in a last gambit to save the town. Someone who knows the story well may give us a hint as to who would be trying to do this or even if this is a possibility." Marcus says puzzling over the situation in his head.

"I don't know!" Stepan is clearly growing more and more agitated as you talk. "He lived a thousand years ago, how could anyone still know him? No one in town does. He's the boogeyman, frightening children, warning people against trusting their fetchling neighbors because all shadow creatures are treacherous bastards. I thought it was lies and slander. I felt sorry for him! For all of you! I tried to make things better and this is the result!"

"And, if anyone were so motivated, the only way to destroy a Midnight Mirror is to enter it and kill the physical manifestation of the magic item's consciousness with a shard of itself from the Material Plane. Doing so will cause the prison plane to break apart and disgorge all living creatures and items originally from the Material Plane through the shattered mirror back to their plane of origin."

Stepan stops midstride, head swiveling towards Noctifer. "Destroying the mirror...I looked into that, back when I was considering letting Nicasor go free. It's possible. I do have the shard of the broken mirror. But dangerous. Too dangerous. Someone would have to go into the mirror with no guarantee of being able to get out. I gave up on the idea." He bites on his thumb, thinking. "But if someone did go in, they could kill Nicasor. Maybe that would stop the curse." Something like hope kindles in his eyes and he begins talking very fast. "You're adventurers. Fighters. You say you want to help. I could pay you. Would you do it?"

Jassminder gives him a long, slow, look. "You want us to go into somewhere that isn't even part of this world, a magical realm where everything is hostile, where there's no guarantee we can get out again, and kill a thousand-year-old prisoner who can use magic in a way that even the brains on this team don't really understand?" Her eyes sparkle. "Finally." She looks around at the others. "I was so sure this place would be boring."

"But more importantly... you're a Baron, yes? So in addition to all this stuff..." She gestures round at the opulence of the manor. "You have a chef, right? Wake them up and tell them to make pancakes. It's been an eventful day already and I'm hungry."

I'm guessing the spellcasters on this team would like a night's rest to recover spells etc so please do remind her of this! Jass has good qualities but she doesn't always remember other people are actually real.

Ussaile feels the black shudder roll down her spine. She whispers under her breath to no one in particular, "The shard?"

All of this was a lot, but the Stain was a Patron of the stars and the magic that held them aloft. There was a reason she was here.

"This shard, I may need to see it. There is a chance that the magic from the broken mirror is seeping out into the world here. A small extraplanar drip, but a drip nonetheless. If the mirror has been broken for as long as you believe..."

Is he dripping into this world?

The witch stared into a flickering candle, "Regardless, I am not prepared to enter a demiplane of shadows. I would need to commune under the stars to ensure our survival." Mentally going through her small repertoire of spells she continues, "If we were to face off against more of these shadows and creatures that can become invisible... I can provide us with starlight to counteract them. It would be foolish to not wait."

Ussaile feels the black shudder roll down her spine. She whispers under her breath to no one in particular, "The shard?"

All of this was a lot, but the Stain was a Patron of the stars and the magic that held them aloft. There was a reason she was here.

"This shard, I may need to see it. There is a chance that the magic from the broken mirror is seeping out into the world here. A small extraplanar drip, but a drip nonetheless. If the mirror has been broken for as long as you believe..."

Is he dripping into this world?

The witch stared into a flickering candle, "Regardless, I am not prepared to enter a demiplane of shadows. I would need to commune under the stars to ensure our survival." Mentally going through her small repertoire of spells she continues, "If we were to face off against more of these shadows and creatures that can become invisible... I can provide us with starlight to counteract them. It would be foolish to not wait."

"And even more foolish to not at least attempt to learn more about the Midnight Mirror. Baron, perhaps your Aunt might know something about it? Or Master Miklos? I'd rather not enter something that I have no idea how to get out of."

"Your lordship, adventurers we may be, but as Noctifer says, no amount of gold can convince us to enter the Mirror with no way out." Xanther says solemnly. "What is the point of wealth, if you have no place to spend it?"

"We might be willing to enter with the Mirror Shard, so that after killing Nicasor, we may destroy the Mirror from within and free ourselves. But this comes with huge risks to you, your family, and your lands. Every single prisoner in the mirror will be freed, and they likely hate you almost as much as Nicasor. Who knows how many may emerge? Tens? Hundreds? Thousands? If they fight as one after exiting the Mirror, this entire town may be reduced to ashes."

"I like the idea of going into the mirror. For the right money I'll fight whoever you want. Plus, as Xanther just mentioned we could break out with the shard of the mirror. The other prisoners released might be a problem but I highly doubt they would be an organized fighting unit. More like they would steal what they could and try to escape to ensure they don't get thrown into another mirror." Marcus says. "But, the more pressing problem is the fey. No telling how long it would take us to set things aright in the mirror and we don't know how time passes in there. Whatever Ilquis released may have eaten everyone here by the time we get out. We need to find and kill us a fey."

"I like the idea of going into the mirror. For the right money I'll fight whoever you want. Plus, as Xanther just mentioned we could break out with the shard of the mirror. The other prisoners released might be a problem but I highly doubt they would be an organized fighting unit. More like they would steal what they could and try to escape to ensure they don't get thrown into another mirror." Marcus says. "But, the more pressing problem is the fey. No telling how long it would take us to set things aright in the mirror and we don't know how time passes in there. Whatever Ilquis released may have eaten everyone here by the time we get out. We need to find and kill us a fey."

"Particularly since we still don't know what or whom created the undead shadows. Perhaps it's the Mirror, perhaps it's the fey."

"Of course I'd give you the shard. I don't give a damn if you destroy the mirror as long as you destroy this curse along with it." Stepan's brow furrows. "The other prisoners. They could be a problem. Nicasor said there were only a few left. He could have been lying. How many were originally sent in? The records listed their names. I don't think there were thousands. There were...there were..." He tugs at his hair in increasing frustration. "I don't remember. Why can't I remember?!"

"You need rest, love." Anya's been quiet for a while, absorbing all this information, but she finally speaks up. "When was the last time you slept?"

"I don't remember!" It's unclear whether he's responding to her question or continuing his thought from before. Perhaps both. "Research. You want to research. There's a library upstairs. I bought books about midnight mirrors, about the history of the region, about everything. Or the temple has an archive with copies of the original trial records. Master Miklos...I don't think he knows anything, but you could ask. Same with Aunt Eugenia. How do you know about Aunt Eugenia anyway?"

"I told them." Anya's back straightens. "Jassminder is correct, it has been an extremely eventful day and I believe everyone could use some rest. Surely any more questions can wait until tomorrow. Captain Groy, I do hate to be a poor host, but would you mind escorting everyone to the foyer? Laurentiu will be there and can help you with whatever you need, whether it be pancakes, directions to the library, or directions to your rooms. I'll follow in a few minutes, but I would like to speak with my husband privately first."

Captain Groy nods. "Of course, my lady. If you all will follow me?" He gestures to the door.

Marcus follows.

Noctifer bows to the Baron first and then the Baroness and follows Captain Groy out to the foyer.

@GM: About what time in the evening is it now?

Speaking to Captain Groy, "I didn't want to perturb the Baron further but now that we know the reason the bonfires were set, I don't think they should be continued. If there's another Lurker in Light that worked with Ilquis the fires will render it invisible and give it a significant advantage."

Turning to the group, "I'm not entering the Midnight Mirror without learning far more than we've heard. After we eat and rest we should talk with Aunt Eugenia. Then I will research in the library; it will remind me of my childhood. It's up to you if you want to help me in the library or talk to Master Miklos. I'd also like to peruse the Temple's records and books at some point but I'm not sure Master Miklos will be amenable to such a request."

Xanther follows the others out.

"I could certainly use some food. We should also examine the mirror itself, see the state it is in, and if it can be reinforced."

Xanther follows the others out.

"I could certainly use some food. We should also examine the mirror itself, see the state it is in, and if it can be reinforced."

"If Nicasor can place curses or somehow exert his power through the Mirror, we shouldn't get close to it until we learn more."

Captain Groy takes you all out to the foyer where Laurentiu is indeed waiting. Along the way he tells Noctifer, "You have a good point but the situation will have to be handled carefully. The townsfolk believe the bonfires are helping. If they find out they're not, and worse that they were built on the suggestion of an insane fey using them to kidnap and murder people, I'm not certain how people will react. One fey with a tactical advantage is preferable to the entire town rioting."

"Laurentiu, I leave these people in your capable hands. I've got to go talk to my men, let them know what to look for. Or not look for if the damn thing's invisible. I wonder if Irina's got extra flour at home?" He rubs his forehead and heads out the door, muttering, "Gods what a mess."

Laurentiu leads you to the dining room and brings in a woman who whips you up some food of your choosing. (Within reason. She does balk at any requests that would take her hours to cook.) About fifteen minutes later Anya joins you, looking pale but otherwise remarkably composed given the evening's events. "I can't thank you enough. You've only been here a day and you've already saved so many people."

It's around 9pm. Is there anything else you want to do tonight?

Jassminder shrugs, alternating between forkfuls of maple syrup pancake and steak so rare it's still bleeding. "It's what we do. How is your husband doing?" Her tone indicates that she's not asking out of concern, but to see if he will take any more questioning.

Captain Groy takes you all out to the foyer where Laurentiu is indeed waiting. Along the way he tells Noctifer, "You have a good point but the situation will have to be handled carefully. The townsfolk believe the bonfires are helping. If they find out they're not, and worse that they were built on the suggestion of an insane fey using them to kidnap and murder people, I'm not certain how people will react. One fey with a tactical advantage is preferable to the entire town rioting."

"It may seem that way but we don't know what the fey were summoning and we don't need an invisible fey sneaking around and re-starting the work Ilquis was trying to finish. I leave it to your discretion since you know the townspeople better than I do."

"Laurentiu, I leave these people in your capable hands. I've got to go talk to my men, let them know what to look for. Or not look for if the damn thing's invisible. I wonder if Irina's got extra flour at home?" He rubs his forehead and heads out the door, muttering, "Gods what a mess."

Laurentiu leads you to the dining room and brings in a woman who whips you up some food of your choosing. (Within reason. She does balk at any requests that would take her hours to cook.) About fifteen minutes later Anya joins you, looking pale but otherwise remarkably composed given the evening's events. "I can't thank you enough. You've only been here a day and you've already saved so many people."

It's around 9pm. Is there anything else you want to do tonight?

"You're most welcome Baroness. I'm glad we've been able to bring comfort to some people and closure of a sorts to others. I only wish we had more information about this Midnight Mirror and what the fey are up to. How does the lumber from the camp get into Karpad?"

@GM: The player not knowing the culture of Nidal, would it be more usual or unusual to do business this time of night? Ghosts don't generally need to sleep and I was thinking about seeing if the Baroness would assist the party in meeting Aunt Eugenia.

"If there is another fey about, can they typically turn invisible at will? I'm tempted to walk about town and the outskirts to look for anything peculiar and or to draw the thing's ire. You up for a walkabout Xanther? Maybe follow the track to the lumber camp."

"If there is another fey about, can they typically turn invisible at will? I'm tempted to walk about town and the outskirts to look for anything peculiar and or to draw the thing's ire. You up for a walkabout Xanther? Maybe follow the track to the lumber camp."

"Fey have different abilities depending on their type. Without having seen Ilquis's cohort I don't know what it's capabilities are. Which is why you and Xanther won't go for a walk without the rest of us; you're too valuable."

”My husband is sleeping.” There’s just a hint of steel in Anya’s reply. ”As I said, further questions can wait until morning.”

“I believe the loggers have a drop-off point near the edge of town. There’s a liaison, Durvik, who manages the supplies in both directions. Making sure the town doesn’t go through the firewood faster than the loggers can replenish, keeping their camp well-stocked, you get the idea. Talking to him would be the next-best thing to talking to the loggers directly.”

”My husband is sleeping.” There’s just a hint of steel in Anya’s reply. ”As I said, further questions can wait until morning.”

“I believe the loggers have a drop-off point near the edge of town. There’s a liaison, Durvik, who manages the supplies in both directions. Making sure the town doesn’t go through the firewood faster than the loggers can replenish, keeping their camp well-stocked, you get the idea. Talking to him would be the next-best thing to talking to the loggers directly.”

"Thank you Baroness. We'll get some rest and get back at it tomorrow."

"It's so nice to know you care Noctifer. Too worried, but heart warming." Marcus says. "To the rooms I guess."

"Fey have different abilities depending on their type. Without having seen Ilquis's cohort I don't know what it's capabilities are. Which is why you and Xanther won't go for a walk without the rest of us; you're too valuable."

"And besides, it is Ussaile who has the See Invisibility spell, and Noctifer who can Glitterdust them. They're probably better suited for finding invisible Fey than me." Xanther says with a shrug.

"Thank you Baroness. We'll get some rest and get back at it tomorrow."

"Aye." Xanther nods. "Will we be splitting all the men to one room, and all the women to the other? Or shall we share a single room and have a rotating watch?"

Noctifer Umbria wrote:

"Fey have different abilities depending on their type. Without having seen Ilquis's cohort I don't know what it's capabilities are. Which is why you and Xanther won't go for a walk without the rest of us; you're too valuable."

"And besides, it is Ussaile who has the See Invisibility spell, and Noctifer who can Glitterdust them. They're probably better suited for finding invisible Fey than me." Xanther says with a shrug.

Noctifer Umbria wrote:

"Thank you Baroness. We'll get some rest and get back at it tomorrow."

"Aye." Xanther nods. "Will we be splitting all the men to one room, and all the women to the other? Or shall we share a single room and have a rotating watch?"

"A watch is prudent in case of anything...unforeseen."

After your late dinner Anya leads you all upstairs to your rooms, pointing out the library along the way. ("In case you wake up early and want to get started.") The three guest rooms smell slightly musty although there's been an obvious attempt to air them out over the day. The rooms are spacious enough with two comfortable beds in each, and perhaps most importantly for your peace of mind all three doors lock.

You arrange yourselves however you wish and are able to get a good night's sleep. The next morning you awake refreshed and ready to face whatever the new day might bring.

Jassminder sleeps well, in her usual dreamless fashion. When she wakes up she spends some minutes in prayer, although her time in Nidal has made her careful enough that unless her roomate is specifically looking for it, they don't notice. Once washed and dressed, she hustles downstairs to breakfast where she devours whatever is on offer.

Between mouthfuls, she looks to the others. "So what's our plan for today?"

Marcus eats like it is going out of style and throws in his two cents worth. "Some do the library thing and talk with the ghost, the rest of us head out to the lumber camp and see what they know."

Xanther changes into his Lamellar Leather pajamas for sleeping. and spends the night somewhat restlessly, having vague dreams of undead shadows reaching out towards him with their icy deadly grasp. He awakes in the morning, rested but disturbed, and changes back to his breast plate.

In the privacy of the Manor, he can finally remove his mask to eat and drink. As is his custom, he casts Purify Food and Drink on whatever is placed on the table, before proceeding to wolf down his share, knowing it may be many hours yet before he can eat again.

"We could also visit the temple and check their records. Although I do wonder what time Master Miklos and Durvik the lumberjack liaison typically wake up. Also, there may be another unknown fey lurking about town. We should probably stick together, least it picks us off one by one."

What time is it now?

After your late dinner Anya leads you all upstairs to your rooms, pointing out the library along the way. ("In case you wake up early and want to get started.") The three guest rooms smell slightly musty although there's been an obvious attempt to air them out over the day. The rooms are spacious enough with two comfortable beds in each, and perhaps most importantly for your peace of mind all three doors lock.

You arrange yourselves however you wish and are able to get a good night's sleep. The next morning you awake refreshed and ready to face whatever the new day might bring.

Noting the location of the library Noctifer rises earlier than the others, heads to the breakfast to grab whatever is available, and asks Laurentiu to let the others know he went to the library to begin researching.

"Time is of the essence and I promise not to get the library or the books dirty."

Once inside the library Noctifer begins searching for and sorting through books related to the Midnight Mirror and the history around the time of Nicasor's imprisonment.

Ussaile spends an hour at night looking toward the sky and communing with her patron for magical power for the next morning.

It was a strange thing being up in the dead of night, but an hour was a small price for what she was granted.

Cleaning up her candles in the morning, she noticed Jassminder and assumed the woman had a similar feeling toward ritual as she did. She never actually saw the paladin cast a spell, but she felt that her companion had the ability to should push come to shove.

Ussaile stops notices Noctifer in a side room, "I believe it would be in all of our interests if we worked to research together. Things would go much more smoothly." Not even waiting for a response, she marched toward breakfast; eating it quickly before heading to the library.

"You guys are seriously worse than my dad. I tell ya. We could easily split up and get things done twice as fast but as you say." The excitable Marcus says and heads off with the others to rifle through the library.

"Very well, to the library."

Jassminder pockets a few hard-boiled eggs for later on, leaving the breakfast table behind reluctantly. But duty calls.

"If we'd split up to search the town last night, anyone running into the chandlery without me would have got dead twice as fast," she reminds Marcus. "We stick together. Although I agree neither of us is much use in a library."

Jassminder pockets a few hard-boiled eggs for later on, leaving the breakfast table behind reluctantly. But duty calls.

"If we'd split up to search the town last night, anyone running into the chandlery without me would have got dead twice as fast," she reminds Marcus. "We stick together. Although I agree neither of us is much use in a library."

"Now that is completely untrue! Someone has to move all these heavy books for me..."

Noctifer tries to suppress a grin but the corners of his mouth turn up, revealing his sharp teeth.

Stepan is nowhere to be seen, but Anya is at breakfast with Marek once again on her lap. "Let me know when you want me to introduce you to Aunt Eugenia. Although it might be better if only one or two of you come along, preferably people who can be, er, obvious in their worship of the Prince of Pain." She looks down at her plate with a slight grimace. "I'll explain why before we go...when we're not at breakfast."

On that ominous note the group heads upstairs and joins Noctifer in the library. The walls are lined with bookshelves filled with folio editions in various stages of decay. A pair of armchairs stand in a central reading area along with a small table, which is where Noctifer has begun stacking relevant-looking titles. Marcus and Xanther continue going through the shelves looking for more volumes while Noctifer and Ussaile start skimming the books already selected. (Jassminder stands guard in a corner. You never know with these sorts of books.)

You spend the morning researching and learn a great many things of interest about the history of the region. Perhaps the first important thing you learn is that Nicasor wasn't actually a fetchling at all, but a shae. However many of his followers were fetchlings, and you notice the newer the book the less likely it is to mention his actual race.

In a dry volume titled The History of the Uskwood you learn more details about Nicasor's history. 950 years ago Nicasor fomented a rebellion among his fellow shae, fetchlings, and wayangs in the area. Believing Nidal should belong to the shadow races, he gathered a hundred or so people to his cause and attacked the town of Karpad. Together they drove out or killed all the humans in the region. An army from Pangolais was sent in response to the then-baron's cry for aid and quickly put an end to Nicasor's dreams of conquest. He and everyone that followed him were sentenced to an eternity in a midnight mirror. (Although the book states that the trial was held in Pangolais, not Karpad, and implies the mirror was kept there as well.)

It's Ussaile however who hits the jackpot: a tattered volume with no title that turns out to be a journal belonging to Stepan's great-great-great-grandfather, Dimitri Boroi. Glancing at the final few entries reveal references to both the midnight mirror and Nicasor, so she starts reading in more depth.