"I have to admit, I'm pretty worried about him. But I understand that we need to take care of this other threat. If you want, I can run the note over to House Cannith and explain everything to Tara. I'll be back in time for take off."
Kurala's House of Healing
This squat house in the Clifftop district has a simple, yet welcoming, sign above the door. Kurala's is a warm, and clean place, where a number of halfling attendees wait. One male halfing seems to be tending to a broken wing of a bird, while another woman is interrogating a man in plate armour. She seems to be having difficulty in getting him to take off his armour, so she can inspect his wounds.
However, before her eyes can adjust fully to the interior light, Irirangi is set upon by a familiar chuckling face.
"Priestess Biasharan! How good to see you here. I have been meaning to chase you down at some point today. Tell me that you're not hurt, in some way. Or sick?"
Kurala's House of Healing
** spoiler omitted **
Kurala's House of Healing
"Professor!" Iri greets her old friend and mentor with delight. "I'm so glad I found you. No, not hurt or sick. Just anxious to see you before I have to leave Sharn for a while."
As quickly as possible, Iri fills Joseph in on the rings and the telepathic link. She does not tell him about Solinthas's mission.
"But that isn't what I wanted to ask you about. I went to the temple this morning and Solinthas is concerned about Irian's appearance. You're the only person I can think of who'd know two things. The first is, why is this happening at all and the second is, how is this going to affect my healing powers? Without going into too much detail, I may be needing them really soon. I did try and find you at the Academy, but you'd already left for here and by the way, your handwriting is getting worse. But you said you were looking for me - how can I help?"
"I have to admit, I'm pretty worried about him. But I understand that we need to take care of this other threat. If you want, I can run the note over to House Cannith and explain everything to Tara. I'll be back in time for take off."
Sillas considers for a moment and then nods, handing Merreck the letter. "Yes, let Tara know. Delaying our other business probably isn't the best idea, so we should still leave this evening, whether or not he gets in contact. Tara and the others will be able to handle things."
Dahn:
OK, 5 scrolls for all of us works (Merreck can be look-out outside).
I might just take a scroll or 2 of Calm Animals @ 5th Caster level if that's OK...
I WOULD need to get a clearer picture of the scenario to see if that plan would work, but in Starlan's mind, he could leave some random graffiti to make it look like the whole operation was just some Balinor animal-libertaion freaks, and maybe the Dwarves wouldn't even notice the theft. It WOULD be contingent on having a decent "escape plan" for the Bears, like a nearby forest they could walk to, maybe under cover of the Twins' Fog Clouds... who knows?
"We might want to pick up some Message Stones (1-way), which Merreck could use if he runs look-out.
Also, did Merrick pick up a set of Arcane Keys?"
Starlan
Hang on, you (or rather Starlan) are suggesting that we use the guard bears as cover, infiltrate the vault and use the bear's escape to hide our activities? That may just come under the heading of best and most insane plan ever.
Particularly if we combine it with some nifty disguise work. It's at least possible that even the Kundarak guards might not be at their sharpest if they have an oncoming bear pack to deal with.
It's bonkers, but strangely plausible...
Iri:
Starlan
How many bears can we fit in an airship? I guess probably not that many, but I'm thinking that the nearest bear habitat might not be that near. We could try something else. Like this. Use the animal empathy to make them want to come with us - or with you or possibly with your Glidewing. Sort of Pied Piper of Hamelin deal. Meanwhile, can we polymorph ourselves into bears? Wander in as the guards (bears), grab the amulet, leg it out, still as bears, but supposedly following the rest of them?
I guess much will depend on what the contact in Passage has to offer us in the way of information. In theory at least I suspect our best bet might still be to impersonate Delphis and hope that news of his death hasn't got around yet. But I like the bears idea so much. Decisions, decisions.
Kurala's House of Healing
"These rings are remarkable! But you say, it's somewhere inside you? It's burrowed in? That worries me. How many rings are there in total? I'd love to have one to study.", Joseph trails off.
"Ah yes, Irian. Of which Irirangi is a diminuitive, I'm sure, but I'm no etymologist. Irian's presence is indeed affecting healing magic here. In Sharn at least. I came to Kurala's to see curative magic in action, and it appears my hypothesis is correct. But these things have to wax and wane, like a tide. This is only the beginning of Irian's unexpected manifestation. If it follows the same trajectory and timeline that it is supposed to, then who knows what will happen. More than vanishing cuts and bruises, death may temporarily disappear as well."
"But that is not what worries me. You should understand the severity of the matter. Your particular training and studies with me concerned this very matter. It is never only about the light; the darkness will follow in Irian's absence. And it may shroud the whole Material Plane in a life-sucking shroud of misery. That's what concerns me. I must figure out to what extent this appearance of Irian has thrown any of the other planes off balance. I need more time, more research. And, heck, I don't even know if this is happening anywhere other than Sharn. You mentioned leaving the city of towers for a little while; where are you going? Do you think you could do some basic field research for me while you are gone?"
Starlan
"Those scrolls will be no trouble at all. Let me get them for you."
Merreck runs off with the note to meet Tara, and returns to the Hideaway just as you are all discussing plans. He looks like he's gathered all of his things now. Sitting down at the table, his eyes sparkle at the talk of the heist.
"This is so fun! Bears and magic! We'll be fugitives!"
He leans in to share with Sillas,
Kurala's House of Healing
"I'm going to visit Stormhome with some friends and we will be passing through Passage as well. What kind of field work did you have in mind Professor? I'd be happy to help."
Kurala's
"Well, different areas of the Material Plane sync up with the outer planes in different places. I'm curious to see if Irian's presence is as strongly felt In Aundair, for example, as it is here, in Breland. Just travelling and noting the sky should be enough, given the way Irian is showing."
"Be safe in Stormhome. And enjoy yourself! It's not everyday you get to go to paradise!"
Kurala's
"It's a manufactured paradise Professor. Somehow that takes the charm off just a little. I acknowledge the achievement, the cost of the accomplishment worries me."
Feeling that now is not the time of place for this disucssion, she hugs the Professor once more and leaves.
"I'll make sure you have details. After all, if anyone is likely to notice a huge advance in healing power, it needs to be me or I'm in the wrong job"
And now is not the time to mention what my next job is likely to be.
Shortly afterwards, Iri rejoins the others and makes her way towards Lyrander Tower with them.
Dahn:
After a few hours, Sillas speaks through the mental link 'I believe I'm ready. Farewell's have been said, explanations have been given. Where should I go to meet up with you? I'm ready to hit the skies.'
Me too. Not so many farewells, more notes left, but same thing really. Lyrander Tower?
"Lyrandar Tower would make be the tactical choice. No sense in dilly-dallying around. Time is floating by on the wind, like we should be."
"Benefor, before you go, do you know much about bears? There's a reason for asking, I promise you."
Dahn & Iri:
"Ahh... Hello, merry band!" Starlan belts out,
as he & Dragonheart alight on the open mezzanine the group is gathered on at Lyrandar Tower.
"Is everyone ready for our journey, then?
...I found a few things to help us, particularly if the Dwarves keep some Bears as Solinthas mentioned.
...Perhaps me and Merrick know some of the same folks, as a Druidic friend I've studied with helped me gather these together."
(I indicate some of the scrolls I picked up: Hide from Animals, Charm Animals, Calm Animals & Speak w/ Animals )
Starlan/Dahn
"What do you mean, 'before I go'? I'm not going anywhere. Either way, I only know one thing about bears. And that is, 'Run when you see them!' Hrumph!"
"Before you stop talking to me and whoosh away or whatever it is you do in there Benefor. Sweet flame, I don't know what happens in my head. You could be holding drug-crazed orgies for all I know. In fact, it would explain a lot if you were. Care to share folks?"
"Where do they go when they're not talking to me? Does anyone have any idea?" she asks generally.
Merreck, his equipment and enthusiasm gathered, heads off to Lyrandar Tower and meets with the others.
---
Merreck looks at the scrolls in response to Starlan's questions. "No, I don't really know much about Druids and that. They usually keep to themselves. Are you a fledgling druid yourself? That would explain the smell.", Merreck guffaws as he slaps Starlan on the back.
"Kid, I hope you understand that we are all whooshing around right now. Are you sure these kids know how to fly their father's craft?"
I let Dragonheart lay out on one of the open decks of the Airship.
I suppose we could fly alongside, but might as well travel with everyone else, and enjoy the feast I brought for everyone from the Talenta Stewpot. If anything comes up, I could launch off with Dragonheart, but in the meantime, I'd rather enjoy this new experience of the airship.
I let Merricks comment slip by.
I give Merrick two of the Message Stones, and one to Sillas,
or someone else if they speak up loud enough.
(If Sillas already has one, it's best to spread 'em out)
"Dig in, everyone! The finest fare of Talenta is spread before your eyes!"
(I brought a picnic basket "to go" of the finest my family's Restaurant-Pub offers...)
I suddenly remember and toss an extra big steak to Dragonheart's reclined figure.
"Starlan, how kind of you."
Iri happily works her way through a huge meal, temporarily putting aside any thoughts at the craziness of what they're doing, and enjoying the first real freedom she's ever experienced.
"Benefor are you sure you know anything about tactical situations or anything else you claim to know about? It's most rude to question someones competance or do you do so for everyone?"
"Kid, I've been stuck with Irirangi for as long as I can remember. No offense, but these are the kind of questions I've grown use to asking. Competence is not a given."
"Benefor, I respect your judgement and I like you a lot, but you have to realise we are not alone any more. Deerian knows a lot more about flying this thing than you or I will ever do."
While you are enjoying a meal from the Stewpot, thanks to Starlan, Taldis approaches. "Gonna be a clear night tonight. That'll mean a cold morning tomorrow, I bet. What's the plan, then? I wasn't really clear on that. Straight on through to Passage? Or are we headed to Stormhome to warm our bones a little?"
Taldis flashes a full mouth of white teeth when he laughs. A bright green tunic with gold embroidered etching covers his leather armour, while his rapier sways with his swagger, and something jingles in his pockets with every step.
"Hrumph! I'll just keep my mouth shut then. When we go plummeting into a flaming doom, don't blame me."
Sillas doesn't show much interest in either the food or the discussions, seeming content to stand near the prow of the airship and stare out across Sharn and the visible world.
Finishing her mouthful of food, Iri tentatively joins Sillas as he watches the landscape go by.
"This is so new to me - I've never travelled. It's like watching Merrek's map unfold. I want to see it all so much." Her longing is palpable.
Sillas turns from the skies and grins at Irirangi "Fantastic isn't it. I've only left Sharn a handful of times, and never on a journey like this. Watching the earth fall away, and the familair sights fade into the distance makes me want to see what's on the rest of that map all the more."
"I think we need to go direct to Passage. The sooner we can talk to our "friend" there, the sooner we can make plans."
Merreck yawns and bids goodnight to the rest of the group. He heads into his chambers, and begins unpacking his gear in preparation of what's the come. Before his head hits the pillow, he is asleep.
Iri remains beside Sillas in silent comradeship for a long time, enjoying the world unfolding before her and feeling entirely happy in his company. Finally, at ease with the world for once, she heads for bed and a new day.
Sillas stands with Irirangi, simply enjoying the quiet and watching the lands of Eberron slide by. He wishes Irirangie a good night when she leaves, and remains standing there, watching and thinking.
When he finally leaves the deck of the airship and goes to his bed, he falls asleep quickly and easily for the first time in weeks.
Ellirayne's mood lifts considerably once her father's ship is underway, it's like a second home to her and she loves the feeling of freedom. She spends a lot of their meal talking with Taldis, getting to know him a little better and arranging to discuss flight plans the next day. After food she gladly slips out onto deck, meeting and getting to know the crew and helping out here and there, glad of the opportunity to practice her sailing. She stays up until she eventually grows too tired to help any more.
Deerian seems to follow his sister's example and relaxes a lot after the board the ship. There is an extra spring in his step and whilst he lets his sister do most of the talking to the captain the young man is attentive. After the meal he helps out with the crew, getting to know them, and staying up until his sister retires. Taking up a position outside her berth Deerian finds somewhere comfortable to sleep where he can guard his sister.
The next four days are quite uneventful.
Taldis and the twins are quite busy with piloting the ship. They teach him quite a bit about airships, while he shares his professional knowledge of sea ships. The elementals used to power both vessels react differently, apparently. After a short, yet rocky, mutiny on behalf of the elemental spirit, the twins manage to get everything under control.
Iri spends some time poking about the airship, and manages to pick up a few things here and there regarding piloting, but her real education comes in the manner of learning how to relax. At the end of the trip she feels quite invigorated, despite the idle chatter of the voices in her head.
Sim, likewise enjoys the freedom afforded to him by the travel. Spending time with Merreck, away from the others, and away from his family. Now that his birthday fiasco is over, he can breathe a little easier. People should be asking less of him in days to come.
Starlan spends the days finishing off the rest of his Halfling food. Occasionally he rides Dragonheart around the airship, if only to stretch her wings.