The Unseen Servant forums

at the sage’s

Ilfrien reacquaints herself with the group. Will the gain of her sword skill compensate for the loss of Hellebore’s natural powers? Time will tell.

They make their way to the sage in the center of town, just paces from the court. The vapid, bawdy books continue to line the shelves. Seeing the large tome under Angus’ arm, a clerk runs to the back. Targus appears soon afterwards, impeccably attired and surprised. His face alights when he sees the musty old tome. ”So quickly!” he smiles, rubbing his hands together. ”Shall we have a look?” he asks rhetorically. He gently places the book in a special cradle to avoid opening it fully and pulls a pair of thin snow-white gloves from his coat pocket. ”You haven’t handled this?”. Seeing that they haven’t, and learning that it has been checked form traps, he goes to a back room and returns with a thin metal rod with a spatula at the end.

”Mmmm…can’t tell from the cover, but you found this in a church crawlspace?” No special knowledge here, just assuming the party told him. Many hold their breath unconsciously as he opens it…

Disappointingly, the first few pages are completely ruined, the black ink faded from the waterlogged pages. As Targus turns the pages gently with his tool, a word or two can be made from the subsequent pages. After several dozen, two stanzas, as if from a poem, are written. The handwriting appears to be consistent.

Middling wise every man should be:
Beware of being too wise
Happiest in life most likely he
Who knows not more than is needful

...and...

Happy is he who hath won him
Perun’s ways and wisdom
For ill led is oft who asketh help
From the wit and words of another

”Perunists aren’t known for their prose” mutters the sage, almost apologetically.

And many pages later, green ink is written across the page. This, the party cannot read. Targus stoops over it squinting. After several moments, recognition washes over his face. ”Written in the tongue of the lizard man. Note the change in color. Priests of Perun are forbidden to write in such a way that would confuse their words with those from Perun himself. The esoteric tongue suggests he wishes to keep the meaning hidden.”

He sighs. ”Well, now is when we discuss your payment. I can either buy the book from you outright, if you wish to sell, or our translation of the passage, with context to their meaning, will be your payment. How would you like to be compensated?”

Actions?

"Some of us are after knowledge while I'm sure others in the group would prefer more earthly treasure. What would you pay outright for the book?"

my thought is that if the money is not too high, Yenny, at least, would vote to see the translation but be willing to compensate party members who don't give a hoot out of her own pocket and hopefully the pockets of other likeminded sorts.

"We'd be mighty grateful of a translation," says Angus without hesitation.

"A service I will happily render" replies Targus. He tries to maintain a facade of good cheer, but something now seems to trouble him. "I will give this my undivided attention. Call again at lunch tomorrow. And I advise you to tell no one else about this tome."

With that, he lifts the cradle and book and returns to the back offices.

Yenny lifts an eye at Angus as they depart. "wheelies within wheels, it seems. I hope he is true to his word.

What is next, do you think?"

Arnulf's disembodied voice, from somewhere off to the left:

"A drink. Let's see how things play out."

This is STUPID! The Clan can hear Hyde bellyaching before they see him, stomping angrily toward the Sage house. Those boneheads wouldn't even let me in, no! I tolt 'em me and the Magistrate, we be good pals, yeahh, but they was stubborn about it.

"A damned fine idea," says Angus. "But I got me a couple of errands to run first. I'll meet y'all Six Steps from the Gutter."

As he takes his leave, he starts muttering and counting. "Two days stabling, re-stock rations and feed, room and board for the night...might be able to do with forty gold." He shakes his head and frowns. "Don't leave nearly enough, but better that than nothing I reckon. Least I ain't fixing on having to pay for training for a good long spell."

Galan will poke about town while is is still invisible, looking for any targets of opportunity and hint's about the funny business going on here.

Yeahh, we ain't seen Guffy in a while, Hyde agrees, Maybe he has some news for us, hah?

Dandelion asks if they will be in town long enough for her to see her trainer for a few days. (needs 1/2 week).

If so, she will go there.

Ilfrien shrugs and heads to the tavern with those who are pointed that way, sure to keep her hood up and her eyes peeled for trouble.

Chet walks into Guffy's, panting. He spots the party seated at a table. He counts, twice, on his fingers. Then asks, "where the heck's Hellebore?"

If asked about his trip with Tempus:

"Well, we had a pretty long journey. We got an offer from Saphrax. He offered us an alliance to team up against and weaken Alleborg. He said if we don't, Trona will try to slay us with his ghouls and stuff. Tempus and I refused. We also picked up a bear, apparently, and it's Tempest's new fighting companion. He's at the cottage. But he's going to be training the bear for awhile. The bear's name is Clarence."