Zail shook his negatively "How about something stronger, like whiskey?" he asked. "I guess I can find out when I get to the inn. Thank you for your time and have a good day." he said and quickly made his way to the inn using the directions.

Knocking the dirt off of his boots before entering, Zail entered the inn. The smell of fresh food caught his nose along with his eyes spotting a flyer on the wall. "Excuse me, where can I find Corwin MacDugal?" he asked, pointing to the flyer
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Thu 18 May 2023.

"Hmm, yes, apologies; I am Emok, servant and apprentice to Abernard Royst--the preeminent scholar in the region." He seems proud of claim, though some hesitance when speaking it hints that there is something he still holds back. The Ysoki apprentice watches the others quietly as they speak--their mannerisms all especially strange to him. The android woman, by the smell of her and her blank emotions, at least has some excuse to speak technically and rigidly.

A waitress glanced at Zail as he asked the question holding a flier, she pointed to the back table around which was what looked like a goblin with a tail, a woman with piercings and chains and some tattoos, another woman with a lord and bow and tattoos, a ratling dressed in finery, and a dwarf who looked tougher than the others. And finally a man dressed in stuffed leather who looked experienced who had a lute and bow hanging from his chair

Zail looked at the collection of characters at the table and headed that way, flyer in hand after noting that there were five others present. "Corwin MacDugal?" he asked the more experienced looking  human. "I am Zail Gailen. Word has it that you are recruiting adventurers according to this flyer. May I sit down and listen to  what you propose?"

but of course Zail. he looked at each of you and grinned as Zail sat down. With a flourish he pulled a pouch from his belt and lifted it above the table and shook it's contents on the table 3 translucent light green crystals the size of a humans fist. Each had runes on them.

Runes 2
Rune 1

2 weeks ago a clockwork construct attacked an outpost of the Technic League in Numeria just North of the end of the Echo Wood. it managed to get in and leave with several technological items before it was brought down a few miles from the outpost headed south back towards the forest by members of the League who were chasing it. It was a brazen assault the likes of which hasn't been seen ...ever. this is why I, and who I represent are interested.
I need a group of adventurers of with a variety of skills to do what few have attempted and succeeded...investigate the Emerald Spire and get to the bottom of this assault

Verdra's gaze moved from one rune to the next, clearly studying them; it lingered longer on the third crystal, and she let her hand fall on it, her fingers tapping on its surface as she asked, turning her attention to Corwin:

"What are these items, exactly? How are they related to these events? Can you tell what does each rune means?"

Her fingers tapped the crystal again, as if to emphasize her question.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:45, Thu 18 May 2023.

Nethi was eager to dig in to the meal while Corwin explained. She may have passed for polite and cultured, but old habits died hard -- Nethi ate like a slave, fast and efficient, not wasting a drop.

In answer to Verdra, Hessum said, "I can.  These two are both in Azlanti.  This one means 'passage', and this one means 'power'.  I'm not a magician though, so I wouldn't be able to explain how the two go together.  Perhaps someone else could help there?  As foor this one?
 Frankly I do not know.  Perhaps it is magical?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:07, Thu 18 May 2023.

"Interesting ... were the runes carried by the construct, or did they come from somewhere else?" the furry mage asks as he climbs up onto the table to get a better look, and a better whiff, of the runes. He nods in agreement with the dwarf, impressed by the oddity of a dwarf interested in the Azlanti, before leaning in and tilting his head in appraisal as he sniffs at the green crystals--certainly reminiscent of the Emerald Spire. He waves one of his clawed but manicured hands before him as he asks softly, seemingly directed at the stones, "Are you enchanted?"

Casting Detect Magic
This message was last edited by the player at 15:44, Thu 18 May 2023.

The crystals radiate a residue of magic . Clearly used already.

The Ysoki runt pauses his sniffing at the runes and blinks a few times as his spell gives his beady black eyes a faint blue glow. After a few moments of stillness he looks up to conclude to the others gathered, "They were enchanted, but no longer. Beyond that I can't speculate without more study." He then turns his head to Corwin--a considerable twisting of his ratlike body as he crouches on the table--to ask again, "Where did you get these runes? And who do you represent?"

Corwin looked at the Ysoki sitting on the table looking at him and remarked.

I went to the Technic League outpost upon hearing of this incident and bartered to obtain these crystals he paused and looked at the inns interior glancing around carefully. Then he continued as for who I represent. that's a more difficult question. the easy answer is interested parties. or I could lie and say The Pathfinders. At one time I counted myself among their number. still have my Wayfinder to prove it. Now no Lodge will have me. Because I don't follow directions easily and at times my actions are more result oriented and less about whose toes I step on to achieve them. That being said, I still have allies in that organization and I was asked to use my methods to dig into this because the lodges are bickering about whose jurisdiction this is in and my allies and myself think this is too serious to not look into quickly.

Verdra leaned forward at that.

"Political affiliations are of no importance to me. Will they interfere with the expedition and the collection of data during it? That seems to me the only relevant detail."

I knew I liked you. exactly my thoughts always. with a smile. Then he grew more serious.but to answer your question...that's hard to say.. I've always found that when there's something new or interesting...outside parties always take an interest...having their own agendas. ...so possibly, probably, but who? that remains to be seen.

Verdra continued to look at Corwin for a brief moment, then nodded.

"Then we shall take such interference into account as something to watch out for."

The ratfolk nods along with Corwin's non-answer; whether it is the Aspis Consortium, the Technic League, or some other organization, the secrecy itself suggests the hurdles they will face in their endeavor. From what he's gleaned in his years under Master Royst, archaeology is often as much politics and conflict as it is study. After looking around the table to others, he speaks in a more hushed tone, "Political affiliations may be important to the Hellknights." Looking again to the mysterious stranger he asks, "Have you gotten a warrant from them? Or will we need to without you? Or ... will we not?"

He nods appreciatively at the Ysoki. yes you will need to register as an adventuring company, so you can avoid trouble if you kill sentients...such as bandits or humanoids etc...I will pay for the registration fee so you don't have to fret about the money...just as this meal and your stay at the inn tonight is on me. be aware with the registration there comes a responsibility of declare monetary gains and treasures found and pay a tax of 20% of both everytime you return. I know that will sound stiff...but the alternative is to use Thorn Keep as your base, ... a long pause and then he lets out a breath and then the likelihood of having 100% of your recovery taken from you by force is a very strong possibilty.

Greb holds up a hand. "Excuse me, Mr Macdugal, I have a question. You said you have a Wayfinder? I was told once that certain stones have a resonant effect when placed within a Wayfinder. Although the magic has been spent, have you tried inserting these runestones into your Wayfinder? I'm pretty sure that Passage means it is a key of some sort. "

He nods at Grelb indeed. Wayfinders are designed to accept an Ioun Stone. they are much smaller than these. it will not accommodate the size he paused and then added
I do agree however that passage does suggest some method of travel or entry or even exit...

Zail looked over the stones on the table concurring with Hessum on the meaning of two of the three stones but the third one he did not understand. "Hum, can one of you draw the rune so we can keep an eye out for it? We might be able to track down a sage that might know more." he suggested.

so as some of you figured out..these two stones powered his weaponry and maybe his form. this one stone allowed him to do something regarding moving about. he put his hand over the stones as he talked indicating which was which.

Greb asks "you mentioned a Clockwork Construct. What is clockwork? Does it provide motive power, and if so, why are those rocks even there? A redundant system?"

clockwork is a mechanoid made of gears and such. yes some can be powered by steam or furnaces of coal. but just as many use magic to power them. it appears to me, without seeing one in person we can only speculate the exactness for your question Grelb

Greb points out "in your narrative thus far you have failed to mention why you think the construct came from the emerald Spire. How did you come to that conclusion?"

oh I thought I made the connection. this green crystal is the same material and color as of the entire emerald spire.