Justin smiles pleasantly.
"Thank you for your assistance sir. We appreciate your time."
He nods politely to the dwarf as Renkar escorts his out. He rubs his fresh-trimmed goatee as he ponders the names,...
Knowledge: Local: 1d20+4=12, Planes: 1d20+11=23
"If Ironfist is to be believed (and I don't doubt it, personally) his missing friend was a top-shelf spellcaster with some serious jink to throw around. Definitely not the type of barmy to look for a cot in the Gatehouse. The Society for the Luminiferous Aether is a good lead on our victim: closed club for top-shelf greybeards, he had to be sponsored to get in so there's at least one blood that knows him and someone there likely knows where his case was. Combine that with combing the Hive for the chant on our mysterious Barmy Killer and we're bound to turn up some deeper darks."
Her psicrystal glows briefly.
Elven:"It's possible that whoever 'killed' Eli was unaware of his connections. Or believed that their own were so powerful they had no reason to fear retribution from his. We should be careful." Her words are quiet and hesitant, and she is obviously uncomfortable speaking in the presence of so many people.
"If Ironfist is to be believed (and I don't doubt it, personally) his missing friend was a top-shelf spellcaster with some serious jink to throw around. Definitely not the type of barmy to look for a cot in the Gatehouse. The Society for the Luminiferous Aether is a good lead on our victim: closed club for top-shelf greybeards, he had to be sponsored to get in so there's at least one blood that knows him and someone there likely knows where his case was. Combine that with combing the Hive for the chant on our mysterious Barmy Killer and we're bound to turn up some deeper darks."Her psicrystal glows briefly.
Elven:
** spoiler omitted **"It's possible that whoever 'killed' Eli was unaware of his connections. Or believed that their own were so powerful they had no reason to fear retribution from his. We should be careful." Her words are quiet and hesitant, and she is obviously uncomfortable speaking in the presence of so many people.
Isaac responds again in a pidgin blend of Elven and Cager cant.
Elven:
"The Society could get us the dark of it. We can at least figure out if anyone knew how high-up he was. If we can rule out a personal attack, our Barmy Killer becomes our focus. Besides, one of their own goes barmy and disappears they've got to take an interest."
Isaac responds again in a pidgin blend of Elven and Cager cant.
Elven:
** spoiler omitted **"The Society could get us the dark of it. We can at least figure out if anyone knew how high-up he was. If we can rule out a personal attack, our Barmy Killer becomes our focus. Besides, one of their own goes barmy and disappears they've got to take an interest."
Elven:
"What if it was both a personal attack and the person who is killing 'barmies'? Perhaps he stumbled on a secret that they did not wish to have shared. And yes, one can hope that this Society would help us."
Merle watches the exchange between Isaac and Naridre wishing that she had bothered to pay attention when her parents were trying to teach her elven.
Justin smiles pleasantly.
"Thank you for your assistance sir. We appreciate your time."
He nods politely to the dwarf as Renkar escorts his out. He rubs his fresh-trimmed goatee as he ponders the names,...Knowledge: Local: 1d20+4=12, Planes: 1d20+11=23
Justin:
Elven:
** spoiler omitted **"What if it was both a personal attack and the person who is killing 'barmies'? Perhaps he stumbled on a secret that they did not wish to have shared. And yes, one can hope that this Society would help us."
Elven:
Bethany pipes up from the back, finally feeling up to contributing to the conversation.
"I think the Society is a good place to start. Someone there might know what Eliath was up to and be able to inform us of his movements. At the very least we should get an idea of his character and stability."
"Aye. The Society is near me old kip in the Lower Ward and on the way to the Hive. We can rattle our bone boxes there, then hit the soup kitchens and sodhouses in the Hive for the chant on our barmy killer. Maybe see if we can find a good neutral ground to trade the chant with the Chaosman the lot of you met the other cycle."
JUstin snorts at lady Bethany's declaration. But hastily turns it into a slight cough as her imperious glare snaps his way.
"I seriously doubt that these wizards, or library, are going to be TOO willing to share too many details. Especially on something that a private member was working on. But we can hope that if we emphasize that we are trying to find out what happened to one of their members, and not trying to steal his research, that they'll be willing to help us. A little."
He looks at the others, his usual smirk somehow seeming more bemused than superior.
"A few lucky friends and Private Memberships aside, we aren't usually the most, 'sharesy', of people." Justin adds, waggling his eyebrows for emphasis.
The party finishes up their palaver with Ironfist and decides to take a stroll out to the Society of the Lumineferous Aether to see what's what.
The day approaches its Peak, but you wouldn't know it. A sheet of soot-stained rain pelts down from the cloud-choked sky, wetting everyone. Hopping from canopy to canopy, the group attempts to stay dry and head out to Copperman Way.
The thouroughfare is choked, as on any day no matter the weather. Drovers whip their beasts of burden, cursing the puddles and the foot traffic. The street merchants hawk their wares, oblivious to the rain. The more desperate jinkskirts do as well, trying to cast alluring looks at the crowd while their hairdos melt in the downpour.
Crossing the border to the Lady's Ward, the group heads into the Noble District. The crowd assumes a more wealthy cast, and umbrellas and canopies held by servants sheild the mecantile nobility from the Cage's watery sluicing. The road becomes much more navigatable as potholes disappear and storm drains sluice the worst of the downpour into the vast sewers of the Cage.
The Court District is busy at the Peak hour. The courts seem to have taken lunch, and the many inns and taverns are packed with Guvners, Takers, Mercykillers and Harmonium grabbing a bite to eat. The fantastical carved downspouts on the many large monumental buildings pour out rainwater the color of weak tea on the sidewalks.
Entering the Temple District, the crowds lessen a bit. It seems rain keeps the parishoners inside the temples. A group of massively tattooed athletic-looking men and women dressed in skimpy checked loincloths stomp and chant in front of a temple entrance shaped like a shark's open jaws. Their rythmic stomping carries above the hiss of rain droplets.
Dajobas Mulalai CAH! Dajobas Nuurami JAH!
The group moves on, vaguely disquited by the display, and the overlarge mouths of the dancers.
Just past Bloodgem Park, barely over the edge of the Lower Ward's Swordhold District, a triangular plot bounded by three major roads sits. Atop this plot is a large edifice with several towers jutting from its roofpeak. The building is large, and seems to have grown over the years rather than been planned and built as one structure. Issac knows that this is the Society of the Lumineferous Aether's kip. There is a large half-moon double door incised with runes on it's periphery where the building fronts Doomguard Walk. A small sign attached to the marble stones surrounding the large door reads:
Society of the Lumineferous Aether, gentleman's library and arcane club. Members only.
Below that sign a smaller one reads:
Deliveries to the Smith Street entrance please.
The door has a large knocker shaped like a griffon's head.
"What if our missing friend was researching a doorway," Karrin says as they bumble through the streets of Sigil, "and it was located in the hive, and what if our friend thought that appearing crazy could get him places that a sane person couldn't get? I mean that might explain the sudden switch in behavior right? I mean I'm not real smart but if he was really crazy you'd think he'd have been crazy elsewhere before going to the hive right? I mean you don't go wonky and then automatically appear in the hive right? Someone has ta take you there and stuff. So if we're gonna be asking about our missing friend we'd better find out when he went bonkers and if it was conveniently timed or not."
Isaac shrugs.
"Could well be. Only one way to figure it out..."
He knocks on the door three times at a measured pace.
"Hey, Merle, Justin: maybe you want to stick close on this? Might be good to have some cutters that can cut through the screed with the old 'terms of the trade', tumble to that?"
Merle raises a furry eyebrow and her voice takes on a slightly haughty arrogant tone" Do you honestly think I have something in common with a bunch of stuffy old guys? This is probably more Justins thing."
"Heh"
Drazek chuckles at Merle's indignance, and glances over at the quiet Bethany. "Thunderstorm done kickin' 'round yer head yet?"
Seph seeing Merle go into what he used to call stuck up mode (Although not to her face) Gives a small groan and the rest of the group are treated to the sight of a cat facepalming. (or facepawing in this case)
Merle raises a furry eyebrow and her voice takes on a slightly haughty arrogant tone" Do you honestly think I have something in common with a bunch of stuffy old guys? This is probably more Justins thing."
Isaac retorts with heavy sarcasm.
"Do I think you have something in common with a bunch of stuffy old guys? Hmm, let me think, oh! Wait! One thing: Magic, heard of it? We ain't just begging for darks, here, Merle: you got a chance to meet with some well-lanned greybeards at the Society. Some high-up bloods with a lot of magic at their disposal? Bloods that may have seen a case like your brother's before? It's worth sodding meeting them, isn't it?"
He knocks on the door three times at a measured pace.
Isaac's fist booms on the door. The runes engraved in the golden metal ring surrounding the dark brass-bound entry glow ever so faintly. A peephole opens about seven feet up and a large milky white eye peers out at Issac. An inhuman basso voice booms out:
"What's yer business at this door ?"
Drazek:
He knocks on the door three times at a measured pace.Isaac's fist booms on the door. The runes engraved in the golden metal ring surrounding the dark brass-bound entry glow ever so faintly. A peephole opens about seven feet up and a large milky white eye peers out at Issac. An inhuman basso voice booms out:
"What's yer business at this door ?"
Isaac clears his throat.
"We seek information about Eliath, a member of the Society that has recently disappeared."
Isaac clears his throat.
"We seek information about Eliath, a member of the Society that has recently disappeared."
The basso voice booms out
"Go talk to the Hardheads if yeh want to rattle yer bonebox about a missing person. This is a private club 'ere."
Drazek glances over at the quiet Bethany. "Thunderstorm done kickin' 'round yer head yet?"
Bethany looks down her nose at the creepy man. "I am feeling fine now thank you. Remind me never to let Isaac buy drinks for me again without first knowing what it is I'm getting."
She turns to the door and peers up at it as Isaac knocks loudly. She talkes the time to look intently at the Runes, ignoring the rudeness of the doorman.Spellcraft Check. (1d20+4=22)
Knowledge (Arcana) Check. (1d20+6=12)
...She turns to the door and peers up at it as Isaac knocks loudly. She takes the time to look intently at the Runes, ignoring the rudeness of the doorman.
Bethany:
Isaac clears his throat.
"We seek information about Eliath, a member of the Society that has recently disappeared."
The basso voice booms out
"Go talk to the Hardheads if yeh want to rattle yer bonebox about a missing person. This is a private club 'ere."
Isaac seems taken aback for a moment before replying in a voice that rises in volume for the benefit of passers-by.
"Ah, of course. Should have known you wouldn't have any information, especially about one of yer own members running off barmy into the Hive 'cause of his sodding research. You wouldn't care anything about that and I'm sure those brilliant professionals in the Harmonium will keep their lips shut that the Society for the Luminiferous Aether can't keep track of their own sodding members for all their exclusive airs. C'mon cutters, let's rattle our boneboxes like the magic talking eye said."
... C'mon cutters, let's rattle our boneboxes like the magic talking eye said."
The voice growls, the sound like a grouchy bear.
Quit yer caterwaulin' berk. Where's yer card, I'll give it to usher inside.
Merle raises a furry eyebrow and her voice takes on a slightly haughty arrogant tone" Do you honestly think I have something in common with a bunch of stuffy old guys? This is probably more Justins thing."
"Thanks. I think," Justin replies deadpan as Issaac sez hello to the eyeball peeking through the obviously warded doorway.
Justin reaches into a pocket inside his coat, murmuring briefly. The wizard steps forward and hands a card through the tiny window.
"Whenever it's convenient, of course." Justin says pleasantly, with a smile that says all is fine and dandy. And and an eyebrow that says it will remain that way as long as convenience isn't kept waiting too long. The tiny window snaps shut almost before the card is all the way through.
"Your welcome." Justin replies wryly to the shuttered window. He turns to the others. "Just one of my cards. With a small spell on it. Just to let them know that there is a wizard involved." He takes another look at the hodge-podge architecture of the sprawling building. "Other than a full-scale assault, I can't think of another way to get them to let us in."
..."Whenever it's convenient, of course." Justin says pleasantly, with a smile that says all is fine and dandy. And and an eyebrow that says it will remain that way as long as convenience isn't kept waiting too long. The tiny window snaps shut almost before the card is all the way through.
...
A few minutes pass as the group shelters under the wide canopy over the door
The door suddenly rattles and one leaf swings in. A tall,grey-skinned creature stands in the doorway. Fully seven-feet plus, the creature has a large pitbull-like jaw, long pointed ears and a balding brain box that comes to a distinct point. Milky white eyes without pupils rake the group. The thing's skin is streaked with rivulets of black gooey tar. A long-taloned hand gestures to the group.
You can come in. Follow me.
The creature leads the group into a corridor and to another door similar to the outside one. It knocks and this door opens to reveal a grey-haired human. The man wears a dark blue robe with various runes embroidered into it. The material is unlike anything anyone has seen before. The runes seem to dance and shift as if made of light. The robe is belted by a golden sash with a strange sigul that looks like a flame on it. Three gems are embedded into the man's forehead.
The man looks like an arcane caster, but several scars and a certain squint to his eye point to some combat casting experience. The man gives the group a tight smile and speaks.
"Welcome to the Society of Lumineferous Aether. I am Talesar. How may I be of assistance?"
Pulling Merle and Justin aside while they wait, Bethany tells them about the Runes she saw on the door and their function and to be wary of the summoning one. She herself is wary of it after her own mishap with a summoned creature.
She stops abruptly as the door swings open and follows the others inside, staying close to Drazek near the rear where she can watch what is going on, but still interject if needs be.
Drazek grins and with a tip of an imaginary hat motions Bethany to enter ahead of him.
Nari tries to make herself as small as possible, staying close to Karrin. She watches everything around her warily. Even her psicrystal seems a little subdued. She looks more terrified than usual as the group enters the Society's headquarters.
"Glad to meet ya, Talesar, we'll try not to take up too much of your time. Name's Isaac, I'll let my comrades make their own introductions. We're of the Silver Rose company and we're looking into a greybeard that supposedly went barmy and got penned in the deadbook, though we have our doubts as to whether that's the straight chant. Does the name Eliath ring a bell? He was a member of the Society until he lost his mind and wandered into the Hive and we were hoping you could give us some idea about his state of mind in the last several cycles."
Isaac retorts with heavy sarcasm.
"Do I think you have something in common with a bunch of stuffy old guys? Hmm, let me think, oh! Wait! One thing: Magic, heard of it? We ain't just begging for darks, here, Merle: you got a chance to meet with some well-lanned greybeards at the Society. Some high-up bloods with a lot of magic at their disposal? Bloods that may have seen a case like your brother's before? It's worth sodding meeting them, isn't it?"
Merle keeps quiet but her tail puffs up to twice its original size . She simply nods a little when Betheny tells her about the wards. Eventually after being led in to the office and the introductions begin she gives a small polite bow. "I'm Merle barer pleased to meet you."
"Glad to meet ya, Talesar, we'll try not to take up too much of your time. Name's Isaac, I'll let my comrades make their own introductions. We're of the Silver Rose company and we're looking into a greybeard that supposedly went barmy and got penned in the deadbook, though we have our doubts as to whether that's the straight chant. Does the name Eliath ring a bell? He was a member of the Society until he lost his mind and wandered into the Hive and we were hoping you could give us some idea about his state of mind in the last several cycles."
The blue-robed man nods
"Please, come with me, we can palaver in one of the parlors. This way please."
Talesar leads you into a richly-paneled hallway, calling back over his shoulder.
"Resume your vigil Gamnesto."
The tarry creature shuts the door behind the party
Talesar opens a door that leads to a nicely appointed study. Three of its walls are lined with books, one wall is filled with scrolls fitted in neatly-labled holes. A mahogany table and several plush-upholstered chairs are arrainged by a hearth with a lively fire going. Several statues accent the room, many of them of extraplanar subjects. He waves to the table.
"Please, be seated. Would you care for a hot beverage? It is indeed a damp day out there. Allow me."
He mutters and your clothes are suddenly all dry
"There. "
After taking any requests for drinks a tray floats into the room carrying the requested beverages and sets them down in front of the requesters. Talesar sips a coffee-based drink and looks about.
"Which one of you is Justin Case? I assume you are a caster from your card. What is this I hear you speak of Eliath, Ser Issac?" Talesar looks at Issac
"Our client told us that Eliath was recently spotted in the Hive, barmy as a bedbug. After rattling our bone boxes, one of the Dead at the Mortuary told us he had been penned in the deadbook eight peaks past and was brought in by a Collector. We thought the chant was wash, though, so we're looking for some better darks, see if there's more to Eliath's disappearance. Our client told us he was a member of your prestigious society here and we were hoping you would be able to tell us about his mental state while he was here, if he had any enemies, things like that."
Justin confers with Bethany as they wait, and concurs with her about the door wards. He also advises caution with regard to the summoning passages, but seems less reticent about them than she does. He is venturing the opinion that they are probably intended to either summon creatures if the place is attacked, or prevent summoned creatures from entering. (He is inclined to believe the latter, as there is a popular and fairly powerful spell that can summon a creature that can be sent on errands of destruction or theft and is very difficult to stop.)When the tarry creature opens the door and bids them enter.
He enters with the rest, so focused on the unusual tarry doorman that for a minute he doesn't even seem to appreciate the interior of the building. Once he is ushered into the lavish waiting room, he makes up for lost time by trying to stare intently everywhere. At the same time.
When the gentleman dries them off and presents them with refreshments, Justin finally manages, with an extreme effort of will, to bring himself back to the conversation.
"Hm? Oh, yes, That's me. Sorry. Justin Case, Wizard, traveler and trouble shooter." He says with a smile and a polite nod to their host. "Sorry, I was just admiring your club. The wealth of knowledge in this room alone is impressive. That is a a Suelese scroll with the gold endcaps? And I don't recognize the material of the cover on this book, but the runes bear an amazing resemblance to those of an island civilization that sank on my own world. And is that an Haverwand's translation of Sserpentine Casstings and Craftingss? Fantastic. Of course I prefer Silverspell's translations personally, his prose is a little less, stuffy, don't you find?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.
With a little More effort, he returns to the topic at hand,...
"What we were hoping that you could help us with mainly is a description of Eli's usual behavior, and if anyone noticed anything unusual from that when he was last seen here. And," Justin smiles, sincerely and sympathetically, as he knows what at least the initial response is going to be. "We were hoping that we might be able to take a quick look at the tomes he was researching."
Justin quickly holds up his hands in a peaceful gesture and hastily continues. "We already know what he was working on, and I'm certain that there are probably multiple rules against it, But we're not looking to finish his research without paying the appropriate fees, dues and respect. All we want is to ascertain if he may have accidentally set off an unnoticed defensive spell on a work he was perusing. Particularly one that may have left him brain-addled or mind-trapped."
"And we wouldn't expect you to allow us ALL to handle your tomes. Or to examine them unsupervised. But if you would allow me and my two associates," He indicates the harpy and the feline, "to examine them for any indication of a spelltrap or curse, we would be most grateful." He finishes with his most charming smile. Which probably actually works on the ladies. Most of the time.
Bethany's soaked slip is instantly dried and with the warming effect of the fire, her obvious chill state slowly fades.
She stands straighter, flexes her wings and steps forward slightly when Justin indicates that she be included in the proceedings. She meets Talesar's gaze and bows her head slightly as he looks her over.
... Various chit chat ...
Talesar acknowledges Merle's greeting
"A pleasure to meet you Lady Barer. Are you perchance from the Greatclaw Clan? I once travelled in their domain for several months, a splendid noble folk."
He turns to Issac
"Eliath was known to me, in a professional manner. He was a regular here, he was a member in good standing, but a bit of an odd duck. He wasn't a puissant arcanist as many of us are, he was purely a researching sage. I can't recall anyone who is a member ever saying anything against him. He was masterful at his profession, I used his services myself upon occasion. While I haven't seen him for weeks, that is not all that unusual. We members tend to be a quiet lot, and we persue our studies independently of each other's company for the most part. We don't keep records of who comes and goes, but when you all depart I can ask Gamnesto if he remembers when last he passed the front door."
Talesar pauses.
"I can tell you that he was known to stay in a kip near the Hall of Records. Let me write down the address."
He pulls a small piece of cream-colored vellum, a quill and some ink from a pocket. He scribbles down an address.
Falanna's Boarding House, Scrivner's Court, off Scholars Row, Hall of Records District, Clerk's Ward.
"This was the address I would contact him at when I needed some research done."
He turns and smiles at Justin's enthusiasm.
"I believe you are right on the scroll's provenance. As for the Haverwand, I find him a bit too literal in the translation of the Yuan-ti Draconic derivatives myself. Translations need to have a bit of creative synergy to really capture the nuances of the original, don't you agree? I can't help you with the runes on that one, it seems to be a variant of Olman sacred hieroglpyhs from Oerth."
He shrugs
"Of course, this room holds works of lesser import, all the really important codexes are farther in."
He pauses and puts an apologetic look on his face.
"I am afraid that club rules dictate that no one other than a member or a supervised guest can peruse our library. I'm sure you can understand our position on this matter. However, I can assure you that no book in our collection has any sort of braintrap put on it. All books we archive are thouroughly vetted by our club council. Wards are unneccesary here, and we neutralize any set within the books themselves, or clearly mark them if erasing them would compromise the work.."
Talesar looks about and sips his enhanced coffee.
"I will say that Eliath was known to have memberships in several private libraries. We are just the most prestigious he utilized. Even we do not claim to have every arcane tome. One of the reasons I used his services is that he was a genius at discovering obscure information no one else could seem to ferret out."
Talesar looks about the party again
"While we are very solicitous of our member's privacy, I would appreciate it if perhaps you good cutters could appraise me of your findings as to Eliath's whereabouts. He is an excellent scholar, and an asset to our Society. I will leave word with Gamnesto our doorman to fetch me whenever you get definitive information on him."
"A pleasure to meet you Lady Barer. Are you perchance from the Greatclaw Clan? I once travelled in their domain for several months, a splendid noble folk."
"I'm afraid not. My parents werent really afiliated with any clans or such. Mostly just kept to themselves in there old tower."
Justin nods as their host gives the expected reply regarding the works.
"Of course sir. As I expected, but in the interest of thoroughness had to ask." He smiles.
"We had heard that he was top-notch at what he did. I'm glad that you can verify that much at least. Unfortunately the unlikeliness of a missed spelltrap or any known enemies leaves us rather where we came in at."
Justin accepts the address and thanks him again.
"We appreciate your time and assistance. And thanks for the address. As he was a member and you have a vested interest in his well-being, I'll be glad to let you know what we find out about Eli. As long as it doesn't conflict with any clauses in our current contract of course. I'll ask, but I'm sure that Renkar won't mind. If you think of anything else that may help us, would you please let us know? We can be reached at the Silver Rose office."
The leather clad mage takes another appreciative look around the room as he turns to leave, then stops, and turns back.
"One more question, if you don't mind sir. Elias had no known enemies, and we know what he was working on. But perhaps not it's significance. IS there any reason, or anyone, that you know of that wouldn't want Elias or his current client to gather the information he was working on? It doesn't have to be personal to wish harm on another. Perhaps a rival sage or explorer is looking for the same info?"
If you think of anything else that may help us, would you please let us know? We can be reached at the Silver Rose office."
Talesar nods
"Of course. If any information comes my way I will send you a missive."
"One more question, if you don't mind sir. Elias had no known enemies, and we know what he was working on. But perhaps not it's significance. IS there any reason, or anyone, that you know of that wouldn't want Elias or his current client to gather the information he was working on? It doesn't have to be personal to wish harm on another. Perhaps a rival sage or explorer is looking for the same info?"
Talesar ponders the question
"The question is a bit open ended, Ser Case. With information, one never knows who wants the darks uncovered and who wants them to remain 'dark', so to speak. I don't know what he was working on, but I do know that many of the projects he worked on were very desirable information. People are shivved on Sigil's streets for far less than a juicy dark."
"Thanks for your help and your time, Ser Talesar. We'll keep you in the loop."
Isaac will ask Tarface Johnny the Doorman about when Eliath was last here on the way out.
The group finishes their drinks at the cosy hearth. Talesar bends the rules and shows Justin a few of the books in the library while the others finish their drinks.
"I suppose you fall under supervised guest for this, and I appreciate a fellow bibliophile." He says, pointing out several rare tomes with the pride of a collector. He points to a large tome on a shelf. "That's the Manifestations of Chaos in Material Congruence by Hargek Sha'Hagmid there. That particular volume was owned by Hermes Quadrotriticus, and carries his extensive annotations to the original text."
After, Talesar leads them back to the entry, where Gamnesto squats, looking peeved (it seems to be his natural face).
When Issac asks, he looks to Talesar, who nods slightly
"'E was through 'ere two weeks ago, last I saw 'im. Spent four hours inside, then came back out."
When asked if there was anything else, the tarry creature shrugs and mutters.
"Not like any of you lot ever stop an' chat wif' me, I'm just the bound doorman."
Talesar shrugs and smiles apologetically
"I'm sorry, that's really all we have."
He escorts you out into the rainy Peak of the Lower Ward. The hiss of the falling water drowns out his farewells as the half-moon door shuts with a clang.
Justin grins at Talesar's 'justification' as he shows off his collection. He murmurs appropriately polite responses to everything the host says. But it is the mage's eyes which give the head of the library the response that truly gratifies. Justin's eyes literally light up as he scans the shelves. Not with greed or envy, but with passion. It is obvious that the leather-clad wizard could happily spend the rest of the week, if not a longer period of his life, in this room alone. His eyes flick from scroll to book, as if by memorizing the runes on the cover he might somehow manage a peek inside.
"Thank you Ser, It was an honor." Justin says politely to their host as he escorts them to the door.
"'E was through 'ere two weeks ago, last I saw 'im. Spent four hours inside, then came back out."When asked if there was anything else, the tarry creature shrugs and mutters.
"Not like any of you lot ever stop an' chat wif' me, I'm just the bound doorman."
"Thank you mister Gemnesto. You've been very helpful." Justin says to the strange tarry-man with a warm smile.
Talesar shrugs and smiles apologetically"I'm sorry, that's really all we have."
"That's quite alright. You've been more than accommodating Master Talesar. Thank you again for your time and assistance." Justin thanks their host once more with a slight bow before stepping out under the small portico. He looks at the dreary sky as the door clangs behind them.
"Well, where to next?" He asks as he tugs up the hood of his leather coat in preparation to brave the dismal downpour. "Onward to the address he gave us? Ask them when was Eli last there?" Justin's eyes dance with merriment. Obviously he does not consider this stop to have been a waste of time. But he says nothing, only tapping his ear with a finger as he settles his hood into place.
"Issaac, Karrin, I don't pretend that this city makes any sense to me. Do you know where this address is?"
Nari sticks close to Karrin, taking deep breaths as they walk away from the wizards' place. She was just so relieved to have made it out of there in one piece. Maybe someday she'd be able to visit a wizard without experiencing dread and panic, but today was clearly not that day.
"That's the Manifestations of Chaos in Material Congruence by Hargek Sha'Hagmid there."
Listening in, Bethany's ears perk up when she hears the Author's last name. She make a note to speak with Renkar when they return to the Silver Rose.
With everyone finished their refreshments (with Bethany simply taking some chilled water), she keeps her distance from the tarry creature, not wanting to get any of the oozing substance on her feathers.Once at the door, she looks up at the rain, then looks down at her slip and sighs. "I'm going to have to get myself a nice jacket made," she thinks to herself.
Drazek looks over at the harpy as she glances a the rain with resignation.
"You flyin or walkin'?"
Nari sticks close to Karrin, taking deep breaths as they walk away from the wizards' place. She was just so relieved to have made it out of there in one piece. Maybe someday she'd be able to visit a wizard without experiencing dread and panic, but today was clearly not that day.
"Hey Nari are you okay you seem even more nervous than normal? Don't worry like I said just a bunch of stuffy old men more Jureeoooww What was that for????" Merle's once more haughty tone is interrupted by Seph who getting tired of it nips her on one of her ears and glares at her.