IC II

[thirdkingdom]

The library contains the same books it did last time Telemachus looked through it.

Three more books are old, likely almost twice as old as the oldest ledger. Each is bound in a different material; one in beaten copper, another in thin sheets of mica, and the third in snakeskin. They are all written in the Common tongue, but an archaic kind that he has difficulty reading.

Telemachus starts here, trying to parse the subject(s) of these three old books.

It takes him about an hour and a half of skimming and note taking to discover the broad, overall contents of the three books:

*The first, the one bound in beaten copper, discusses the geomantic properties and existence of invisible streams of magical energy called "ley lines" that flow over the surface of Absalom like rivers. It seems to discuss how to locate and harness the energy within, and he also notes there are several maps within the pages, but without a closer inspection he does not know what they represent.

*The second one, the one bound in mica, seems to be written by one Ahborg Ket (what race this Ahborg belongs to is not mentioned). It looks to be a history. One name that jumps out at him almost immediately is "Layngol", a king of olden times, with a name suspiciously similar to what the twin skalds mentioned last night.

*The third, the one bound in snakeskin, is a journal detailing a voyage to one of the realms of Faery, the Court over Sea and under Stone, and the dealings with the denizens -- dwarves, mostly, it seems -- therein.

Telemachus figures that in order to thoroughly read and record the pertinent information within will likely take somewhere between one or two days per book*.

1d8+8 hours per book.

[sulldawga]

Telemachus

The mage delves deeper into the mica-bound book first.

[thirdkingdom]

Newton hands over his axe to the priest

"The axe is a weapon that is often overlooked, everyone likes swords, but I find it quite effective"

Odos

"Very nice, very nice," he says, finger tracing the curve of the blade and feeling its heft. "We can certainly forge you a sister to this, but non-magical. You have several options*. It will take some time, too."

Masterwork axe, each bonus will cost 450 gp, instead of the standard 500. +1 to hit, +1 to damage, +5 to base range increment.

[thirdkingdom]

Fifthmonth, Sixthday
The Northern Party

The adventurers break camp and head south. They pass by the area where the treants were encountered, but see no trace of them. The party arrives in Draea in the late afternoon.

https://orokos.com/roll/783277: 1d6 3 No encounter. Assume you can rendevous with the party as desired.

Telemachus

The mage delves deeper into the mica-bound book first.

Telemachus spends the rest of the day reading the mica bound book. It is indeed a history, written by this Ahborg Ket. Telemachus gets the sense that Ket is a contemporary -- relatively, at least -- to the period in question, which he terms the Manonlar Dynasty, a kingdom of Men held together for no more than a single Cycle before collapsing. This "Layngol" was the first king, and the progenitor of the Manonlar line. Much time is spent discussing Layngol's reign and his consolidation of power in war. By subtle clues of geography Telemachus is able to get a broad sense of where the kingdom is located; it sounds like it was bordered on the east by hill country, with a steep, isolated mountain range to the south. The seat of power of the Manonlar Dynasty -- at least, as far as he gets in the book -- is a place called Maknor, located on a flat plain bounded to the west, north, and south by hills.

There are, I'm going to say, 6-1/2 hours left in the day. It will take . . . https://orokos.com/roll/783278: 1d8+8 12 hours to read the journal in its entirety.

[sulldawga]

Telemachus

The mage will finish reading the book on the following day. He'll then start on the book with the beaten copper cover.

[thirdkingdom]

Telemachus

The mage will finish reading the book on the following day. He'll then start on the book with the beaten copper cover.

Noted. I want to give everyone else a chance to post before I move forward a day.

[VonAlric]

Gardo

Seeing the town of Draea lifts Gardo's spirits. "Feargus! What say we figure out where that meadhall is again and eat and drink our fill. After that, I think I will find me a warm, dry bed to rest in. After that rain last night, I am in no mood to sleep outdoors again."

Seeing the look on Mariusz' face, Gardo scrunches his up. "Yeah, yeah. You're right. I best find those two women to let them know we have returned and everything is good."

As they approach the meadhall, Gardo sees Notai coming his way. He moves forward to greet her. "You have not lost me yet, good cerves. We encountered no resistance to our travels, either to or from. As I am tired, hungry, and somewhat in a mood from the rain storm last night, I wish to eat and drink to the point where someone has to help Mariusz drag my sorry self to my room because I physically can't. Sit with me for a while."

[The_Wanderer]

Gardo

Seeing the town of Draea lifts Gardo's spirits. "Feargus! What say we figure out where that meadhall is again and eat and drink our fill. After that, I think I will find me a warm, dry bed to rest in. After that rain last night, I am in no mood to sleep outdoors again."

Feargus
"Nothing like a little humanity to brighten up our day. Especially after that rainstorm." He gets their squad of mercs squared away and then heads inside to find the others.

"We have returned. While Mardan and I were not quite at the level performance we are used to...", he takes a long look at the young man, "...we did have a fruitful visit in Kimrid. And neither of us were cursed by the local priests either, so that's always a positive."

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"Are these smiths your clergy, Father Odos? Do they work in the forges towards some divine purpose, or is the working of iron and metal an end of itself for Yster?"

[shaidar]

Newton hands over his axe to the priest

"The axe is a weapon that is often overlooked, everyone likes swords, but I find it quite effective"

Odos

"Very nice, very nice," he says, finger tracing the curve of the blade and feeling its heft. "We can certainly forge you a sister to this, but non-magical. You have several options*. It will take some time, too."

Masterwork axe, each bonus will cost 450 gp, instead of the standard 500. +1 to hit, +1 to damage, +5 to base range increment.

Newton

"Well Father, I'm particularly interested in a noted increase in damage. How long will it be, a few weeks?"

with the money I have available, I think spending 900gpon +2 dmg is most effective

[thirdkingdom]

Newton hands over his axe to the priest

"The axe is a weapon that is often overlooked, everyone likes swords, but I find it quite effective"

Odos

"Very nice, very nice," he says, finger tracing the curve of the blade and feeling its heft. "We can certainly forge you a sister to this, but non-magical. You have several options*. It will take some time, too."

Masterwork axe, each bonus will cost 450 gp, instead of the standard 500. +1 to hit, +1 to damage, +5 to base range increment.

Newton

"Well Father, I'm particularly interested in a noted increase in damage. How long will it be, a few weeks?"

with the money I have available, I think spending 900gpon +2 dmg is most effective

Sorry, I wasn't clear OOC. With masterwork items you have a maximum of one degree of any one bonus. So, you could have an axe that does +1 to hit *and* damage, but not +2 to just one category.

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

"Are these smiths your clergy, Father Odos? Do they work in the forges towards some divine purpose, or is the working of iron and metal an end of itself for Yster?"

Odos

"Hmmm," he says, looking thoughtful, "I'm not honestly sure how to answer your questions. Yster is the Craftsman. It is by working in iron and steel that we honor him, and he in return hears the ringing of the anvil and the hiss of the quenching barrel as prayers. We believe that work, done well, is divine."

[thirdkingdom]

Gardo

Seeing the town of Draea lifts Gardo's spirits. "Feargus! What say we figure out where that meadhall is again and eat and drink our fill. After that, I think I will find me a warm, dry bed to rest in. After that rain last night, I am in no mood to sleep outdoors again."

Seeing the look on Mariusz' face, Gardo scrunches his up. "Yeah, yeah. You're right. I best find those two women to let them know we have returned and everything is good."

As they approach the meadhall, Gardo sees Notai coming his way. He moves forward to greet her. "You have not lost me yet, good cerves. We encountered no resistance to our travels, either to or from. As I am tired, hungry, and somewhat in a mood from the rain storm last night, I wish to eat and drink to the point where someone has to help Mariusz drag my sorry self to my room because I physically can't. Sit with me for a while."

Gardo

Seeing the town of Draea lifts Gardo's spirits. "Feargus! What say we figure out where that meadhall is again and eat and drink our fill. After that, I think I will find me a warm, dry bed to rest in. After that rain last night, I am in no mood to sleep outdoors again."

Feargus
"Nothing like a little humanity to brighten up our day. Especially after that rainstorm." He gets their squad of mercs squared away and then heads inside to find the others.

"We have returned. While Mardan and I were not quite at the level performance we are used to...", he takes a long look at the young man, "...we did have a fruitful visit in Kimrid. And neither of us were cursed by the local priests either, so that's always a positive."

Both warriors are able to do as they desire. The meadhall is not yet open, but their guide informs them they will be invited to dinner and drink that night.

[thirdkingdom]

Again, if anyone wants to go back to a previous conversation feel free to.

Fifthmonth, Sixthday
Meadhall

The meal on display this night is not as sumptuous as the one the previous night, upon the return of the Baron's signet ring, and there is no toast, but it is warm, with filling food and plenty to drink. At some point during the evening the Baron pulls the adventurers aside. "I see your company is complete once more. Excellent! I have two favors to ask of you: one, I intend to send my daughter south as an emissary to your land, and was hoping you could escort her. Second, a patrol today intercepted and rebuffed and orcish raiding party. We suffered no casualties, while orcs did, but a significant number of them were able to slip off into the woods and evade our patrol. I do not have the manpower to spare, and our people are frankly at a disadvantage in the thick woods. Would your company be willing to track down and locate the source of this increased orc activity? I would be willing to reward you for doing so, either with gold or something else."

This is something you probably won't need Telemachus for, should you decide to do it, so he can keep studying.

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar will engage the craftsmen of Odos to create a masterwork (+1/+1) scimitar, if they are up to the task.

[thirdkingdom]

Newton hands over his axe to the priest

"The axe is a weapon that is often overlooked, everyone likes swords, but I find it quite effective"

Odos

"Very nice, very nice," he says, finger tracing the curve of the blade and feeling its heft. "We can certainly forge you a sister to this, but non-magical. You have several options*. It will take some time, too."

Masterwork axe, each bonus will cost 450 gp, instead of the standard 500. +1 to hit, +1 to damage, +5 to base range increment.

Newton

"Well Father, I'm particularly interested in a noted increase in damage. How long will it be, a few weeks?"

with the money I have available, I think spending 900gpon +2 dmg is most effective

Zellar

Zellar will engage the craftsmen of Odos to create a masterwork (+1/+1) scimitar, if they are up to the task.

Odos

"We can do both. I should know how long it will take by the morrow."

[shaidar]

Newton will ask for a +1/+1 axe.

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"It occurs to me, Father Odos, that both our faiths seek to build order from chaos. The wisdom of Mnencir has guided the people of Kimrid through difficult times by giving form to uncertainty, just as you follow in the footsteps of Yster by crafting works from raw metal.

"In this dangerous age, there, though is a more pressing object which must be wrought into a pure form from its negative chaotic darkness: the world itself! My companions and I seek to re-establish the rule of law throughout Absalom, and we need as many arms as we can recruit to do it. Would any of your iron-priests join us on this quest? It would do us all well to build the friendships between the faiths, and demonstrate to the world that the gods of law stand together against the maelstrom of chaos."

[shaidar]

Again, if anyone wants to go back to a previous conversation feel free to.

Fifthmonth, Sixthday
Meadhall

The meal on display this night is not as sumptuous as the one the previous night, upon the return of the Baron's signet ring, and there is no toast, but it is warm, with filling food and plenty to drink. At some point during the evening the Baron pulls the adventurers aside. "I see your company is complete once more. Excellent! I have two favors to ask of you: one, I intend to send my daughter south as an emissary to your land, and was hoping you could escort her. Second, a patrol today intercepted and rebuffed and orcish raiding party. We suffered no casualties, while orcs did, but a significant number of them were able to slip off into the woods and evade our patrol. I do not have the manpower to spare, and our people are frankly at a disadvantage in the thick woods. Would your company be willing to track down and locate the source of this increased orc activity? I would be willing to reward you for doing so, either with gold or something else."

This is something you probably won't need Telemachus for, should you decide to do it, so he can keep studying.

Newton

"Baron, with regards to escorting your daughter, I can't think of a reason why that wouldn't be possible", he glances at his friends "I think it's only fair I tell you that the Scarlet Principality is preparing for war with one of it's neighbours. You should be careful in your negotiations. If the principality thinks you have some commodity it needs for the war effort, to be honest, I'm not sure how far it would go to secure it"

EDIT: Would Newton have had time to track down a master tanner between the Temple and the evening meal?

[thirdkingdom]

Again, if anyone wants to go back to a previous conversation feel free to.

Fifthmonth, Sixthday
Meadhall

The meal on display this night is not as sumptuous as the one the previous night, upon the return of the Baron's signet ring, and there is no toast, but it is warm, with filling food and plenty to drink. At some point during the evening the Baron pulls the adventurers aside. "I see your company is complete once more. Excellent! I have two favors to ask of you: one, I intend to send my daughter south as an emissary to your land, and was hoping you could escort her. Second, a patrol today intercepted and rebuffed and orcish raiding party. We suffered no casualties, while orcs did, but a significant number of them were able to slip off into the woods and evade our patrol. I do not have the manpower to spare, and our people are frankly at a disadvantage in the thick woods. Would your company be willing to track down and locate the source of this increased orc activity? I would be willing to reward you for doing so, either with gold or something else."

This is something you probably won't need Telemachus for, should you decide to do it, so he can keep studying.

Newton

"Baron, with regards to escorting your daughter, I can't think of a reason why that wouldn't be possible", he glances at his friends "I think it's only fair I tell you that the Scarlet Principality is preparing for war with one of it's neighbours. You should be careful in your negotiations. If the principality thinks you have some commodity it needs for the war effort, to be honest, I'm not sure how far it would go to secure it"

EDIT: Would Newton have had time to track down a master tanner between the Temple and the evening meal?

Sure, there would have been time. I've been running around all day but will post ASAP.