As you make your way across town you notice that the plague itself seems to be getting worse. On the road to the library which was not as bad yesterday is flooded with people on the streets with sickness. All of the library staff are running around trying to take care of what they can be they are overwhelmed by the shear number of people.

As you walk into the library you see Elysia in the middle of piles of books, almost seemingly where you left her a day ago. She looks worn out by all the people coming to the library for help. People running around seem to be make shift herbalist who are trying to sooth people's pains.

Aeress didn't know their contact here, so she let one of the others do introdutions.  However she observed the crowds and conditions with considerable interest.  This seemed like an ominous situation that was getting worse.

Lirian looked at Elysia. She seemed tired, as if she had spent all night in the same place, trying to find a solution. “Would she had slept this night?” she wondered, concerned Elysia could be obertaxing herself. Then she approached her.

“Good morning, Elysia” she said. “Any advance in your investigations? Have you had any sleep this night?” She then introduced Aeress to her and resumed her their raid to the cultists base and what they had found that morning in the shop. “I hope the loss of their base in the grove may slow their plans, but for the people I saw outside, I guess we need more…”

She produced one of the pendants. “Do you know what this symbol means?” she asked. “Some of the cultists wore them, and it was also present in the shop…

Quentin would be more able to tell you about what kind of magic they seem to be using, as this falls under his specialty”

As if we play all in conversational way it can become eternal, though we can do if you like and would be more RPG way, here I list you the points Lirian intends to do at the library:

• Know something about the symbol in the pendant, as said.
• Know who Lord Blackpaw could be
• Research about Music Magic to learn more (taking an advance learning more spells)
• Show Elysia both books, the one found at the shop, to see if it helps her in any way, and the Tomb, hoping she knows a way to unlock it
• Ask Elysia a letter of introduction to some trusted high officer in the King’s Guard (or the city Guard if not possible the King’s)
• Recover her lute ;)

I think that’s all for now, but maybe something else will arise…
This message was last edited by the player at 10:01, Wed 06 Dec 2023.

Elysia looks at Lirian and the crew with warming eyes.

"My oh my. More of you now? Hopefully, your adventures have turned up some more information.", she says.

She looks at the pendant Lirian provides to her. "Oh very interesting."

She walks around the counter where books are piled to the ceiling and goes down the way looking for a book and manages to find it quickly. She thumbs through the pages and finds the symbol and puts the book firmly on the counter.

"Ah. Yes! I do know this symbol. It's that of Teknos, The artificer. Interesting though. Teknos was a demi-god not a full god who was cast out and destroyed by the other gods. He tended to favor that of technology which has been a constant flux of frustration to our more magically inclined persons since technology tends to dampen their spirit. Where did you come across this?"

“It was born by the two magic using cultists, as well as by the shopkeeper in the book shop where they were abducted” Lirian answered.“It’s strange that they could disfavor magic, though, as they sued it against Hunter and to fight us…

And just because it favored technology over magic and faith that does not make this God evil, does it? ”

"I am not sure I can say anything useful about their magic, only that it seems to require a constant influx of raw ingredients, which might be a weakness of sorts. We got our hands onto two bits of processed substances and one has grown a rat extremely fast, like, way out of the league of any biological growing. I still have the live subject and might see if I gan put it to some good use. The other bit... not sure if it does anything, but check with me again some time tomorrow. At least, it looks like it should be a constructed cure about the disease. If we are to have a reciepe, and if it is to work, that would be extremely useful for the situation at hand."

That basically it about useful research, so Quentin proceeds with trying to get some good out of the library if we are here after all.

"I'd want some texts on that Arcane Covenant: history, locations... the one you have provided us turned out to be good ...then how it went with king's guards. That is for someone to read. And I would like some texts for me to read, about their research, particularly in various substances. That kind of stuff was around the last time, in some shape or form, was it not?"

“Research is more your field than mine…” Lirian said to Quentin. “Maybe this book may help, though ” she added, handing Quentin the book about Stromharbor history she had taken from the shop. “It seems to be of the shopkeeper interest, so it may be of ours too…”

Then she turned to Elysisa. “And do you know any way to unlock this one? Someone considered it important enough as to lock it and set up magic protection. My fingers nibbled with cold when I tried to… And I’d like to consult books about magic, trying to improve my magic capacities. Magic is in music, but one must learn to harness it…”

OOC: unless any other curse of action is needed, while Quentin researches on books Lirian will study magic effects, so that she can take an improvement as more spells

Aeress considered this all carefully.  The others clearly knew more about the actual subject, but Aeress had her own insights.  Granted, they may or may not be useful insights, but she had them.

"Did Teknos have a cult, despite his status?"  Aeress asked, genuinely intrigued.  Typically divine figures, however minor, inspired a line of lords, or institutions... or secret societies.

Elysia, turned to Aeress, "I wouldn't say he had a cult but he did have a following. Basically there are two fields of thought for Teknos. That technology will eventually win over magic and that magic is holding back more advanced technology. Teknos as you might expect had an extreme hate for all things magic. But the rumor is before the gods themselves raised up against him, he was seeking to harness magic and technology. Apparently he wanted to become the ultimate god of both which lead to the other gods banishing him forever. History gets a little tricky after that point."

She sees Aeress drop the book on the counter. She gently touches the tomb and hair on her arms stands-up. "Oh my. That my dear is an ancient tomb. Even the more mundane of us can feel its power but that one feels dark. It feels dangerous. I do have a section specifically that may help you identify the cover and give you more insight.". Elysia points Lirian to the proper direction.

Elysia turns to Quentin and listens carefully as Lirian hands over the Stormhabor History. "None better than that to give you insight into the Arcane Covenant. Just keep in mind, sadly most of their secrets where lost. So I doubt you are going to find specific information but I think most of the general information will be in that text. It's very well known."

OOC: So here's how this works. There's downtime but there is also some challenges here. Obviously you guys want information. Anyone who is in the library can seek out information but the less skilled characters don't need books, keep that in mind. ;)

Make an appropriate roll against whatever you are reading. For Kai & Aeress you can decide what you want to do.

Pick one question, the question will be assigned a TN depending on how hard it is to get the information. If you succeed, you get that question answered. If you succeed with a raise you get that question plus another question you ask answered.

Quentin is not terribly encouraged by being handed a generic local history book. He passes the time while Lirian is busy by flipping its pages looking for any mentions of any substances used by the covenant the last time around. He totally intends to read all the details about those that would fit into a genetic history book, but we have what we have. As he flips through the pages, he also talks a bit to Elysia.

"Anything changed about the rats' tactics or numbers since two days ago? Or do you always have that many patients here in the mornings? The guards have said a team used one sewer entrance nearby, which ended badly as usual. Anything there to know about either the entrance or the case? I know they weren't reporting to you, but since they ended up not reporting to anyone, maybe something became known since then?"

20:01, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 2,4,5 using 1d4,1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4,5.  Research OR Alchemy for any references of any substances used the last time.

After looking some books about magic and songs, Lirian went on the direction Elysia had told her to try to find something about the Tomb. She began looking for the books where she could find information

20:37, Today: Secret Roll: Lirian rolled 3,1 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Trying to find info about the Tomb. Knowledge or Research (-2 if the latter).

After a while, she felt frustrated that she would not find anything there and returned with the rest to see what about them

Feeling as useful as nipples on a boar, Kai decides to wander the library to see if there's anything else of interest.  At worst, he could spend the time scaring children out of the Arcane Arts section.

In reply to Elysia Silverthorn (msg # 9):

"That's fascinating.  Before we fell on bad times my House used to sponsor many sages."  Aeress sighed.  "It's impressive you've amassed such knowledge.  And so pretty too.  Life is truly unfair."

For her action, Aeress wants to charm/sway/flirt with/anything to impress the librarian to get her to help Lirian's Research roll.  The Librarians can always find the good stuff.  Think of it as a support roll.

20:30, Today: Aeress Veles rolled 9,3 using d6+1,d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,2.  Persuasion.

That might even be a +2!

"Lirian is so intrepid, but she's not like you.  I bet you could do it easily.  But I don't mean to insult anyone, I mean I wouldn't even have the first clue how to research such a difficult topic, my tutors were always ashamed of me.  You have pretty nails, do you do that yourself?"

Elysia blushes at the advances. "Well I could possibly point her in the right direction." Elysia tips off Lirian that the section she is in was more based upon the arcane arts and less of demonic or god-like tombs. She suggest the row over.

Lirian finds a specific books dealing with gods and demonic history. As she dives into the book she doesn't find anything that specifically tells you or references the tomb but she does find something. On the outside of the book there is a slight marking that is referenced inside of the book. As you dig further you find that the markings match something of the one of the gods and are shocked to learn it's the god of death, Morcalus. Suddenly from the magic-side this makes more sense, the book upon tampering burns like life is draining from your fingers. What could possibly be in this tomb and what would unlock it?

Quentin manages to research a little more information about the occultist. Upon doing his research he finds out that a majority of the occultist are followers of the goddess, Nyxara which is specifically the god of darkness and deception. From what you gather much of their "power" isn't power at all but more bullying people into submission. As a matter of fact you learn that they never really recorded ever using magic. Still their aggressive tactics landed them in trouble with the kings guards and were forced into hiding. You do discover that they are fond of hellfire, an alchemist creation of similar skill to what you make but producing a greenish flame instead of the common orange. Doing a little more digging you find that one of the components to make such an item is usually found in subterranean environments, such as sewers.

As Kai is walking around the library a notices that someone is lurking above on the second floor of the library itself. He sees the shadowed figure staying away from the windows and notices that unlike the others who are here looking for cures this person is not doing that.

Lirian thanked Aeress for convincing Elysia to help her. “And she believes she’s not useful in the library?” she thought to herself.

After what she found about the tomb, she was even more puzzled than before. Those cultists wear the symbol of Tecnos. The book that the dead mage had seemed to be a magical book of sorts dedicated to Morcalus. Was this mage evil, or at least some kind of a necromancer? Who could he be, and why was he taken with the others? How could the cultists pass the book among his belongings? And she was no closer to open it, nor now sure she wanted to. The book seemed now dangerous…

OTOH, what could those cultists that were expanding a plague do with a book that might contain secrets from Morcalus?

"Can’t you be silent?" She heard suddenly. One of Elyasia aides was at her side, with his front frowned, as she was (again) humming some music while lost in her thoughts, disturbing the ones around her.

“ ”Excuse me“”. She answered, embarrassed, while she went where the others were to share what she had found.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Sun 10 Dec 2023.

Reading the stuff, Quentin just sighs. A ******* pantheon here... Teknos, Nyxara and who knows what else. That said, he was not even a bit closer to something useful. First, the hellfire used the last time was plainly wrong kind of substance. Second, even if they were making it now, the only major ingredient listed was found exactly where Quentin was not intending to go. Could have been a herb or some goddamn mineral.

When Lirian comes, he does quote what he found, but also admits the "findings", such as they are, do not suggest we do anything in particular, so just a waste of time.

Aeress didn't depart before asking the librarian when her shift was over.  Maybe if this investigation didn't go well she might have an interesting evening.  Part of being a good knight errant was charming maidens.

As she rejoined the expedition for lack of a better word, she listened to the others.

"I guess it suggests how they were able to fashion that gas and that elaborate mechanism they used to capture us."  Aeress remarked.  "It's all very fascinating, but yeah I'm not sure what immediate action to take.  Is there another trail besides the shopkeeper... well wait, maybe there is."

Aeress carefully fished out the precious ring by removing her gauntlet and revealing it.  She figured it was safest on her finger, underneath the protective armor.

"They did have my ring... well my family's ring.  Knowing how that got there might be a lead."

As the group is discovering things in the library and talking to Elysia there is a ruckus that happens in the back of the library near the area that Kai was visiting. You hear a loud crash and the sounds of screams come from the back.

From the darkness appears a figure that you show earlier. The Jester. He stand above Kai who has obviously been subdued by him and can't move. In his hands are the glow of two hellfire potions.

"Now we have a party!", The creature says with a smile. "You folks are just causing too much trouble and asking too many questions. The time has come to turn up the heat!"

In the glow of the light you can see that the Jester is wearing the pendant of the cultist.

OOC: Time for a good old brawl!

Quentin - AS
Jester - QC
Kai - 9D
Aeress- 9C
Lirian 6C

Library
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:52, Mon 11 Dec 2023.

Without a word, Quentin moves to the jester drawing the rapier and the dagger while on his way. He then stabs the jester. Quentin does not expect this stab to kill the jester and thus does not expect the glowing stuff to fall, shatter and cause fire, but jester's choice of actions might do that anyway... "Don't clump together!" ...though to be fair, Quentin had no idea how large of explosion that is going to be and so whether this piece of advice is relevant.

Assuming cannot move diagonally past a corner, so 6 paces to a square to SE of jester. Stab the guy.

18:36, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 10 using 2d4+1d6+2, rerolling max.  Damage (+2 wild attack, +1d6 raise).
18:34, Today: Secret Roll: Quentin Fox rolled 7,16 using 1d6+5,1d6+5, rerolling max.  Fighting (+1 two weapons, +2 unarmed defender, +2 wild attack).

Your hit stabs right through the Jester dealing a nasty wound in his side. Up close Quentin sees a glint of something dangerous in the man's eyes who he doesn't take his knife out. His smile pierces Quentin mind with something manic about the man.

"Little pest. Can you save them all? I doubt it."

An mechanical arm breaks out of the mans back holding one of the hellfire potions and tosses it in the middle of the library. The fire consumes a book shelf as starts to spread rapidly.

With the other potion in his hand, you see him without a thought drink it. The man falls back as his eyes turn a bright green and green liquid starts bubbling from his mouth.

"Now we HAVE a PARTY. HAhahaha." says the Jester.

OOC: Spending a benny to unstun the Jester.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:13, Tue 12 Dec 2023.