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Bruh that's fake news

[TeaKing]

Hmm... Maybe we could ask the librarian or sorcerer to lead us through some secret passageway or something to avoid all these annoying people once we prepare to leave

[Quaksna]

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You set off after the sorcerer, as now, you really just want to get over with it. Hope the vagrant ultimately feels the same...

The hallway is not much remarkable, being quite narrow and adorned only with lanterns ever so often, more so it shows this is a larger estate again. At the end of this one, you see the path descend, and the planks run out, it is stone blocks from there.

You're not sure if and how to attempt cheering you companion up, but even you have bad taste left from the street. Other thoughts you'd prefer to ponder, and thus, speak to the magician.



"Are you a runecarver?"

"I've been invited in their ranks since, yes." he gladly responds. "But my interest lie beyond, which displeases many."



A couple steps bring you lower on the stone, and to another door, barred fast. Thrice the sorcerer waves his arm, and with a click and steel grinding it opens, before you can reach it, so that your stride goes uninterrupted.



Behind those, a cavern awaits, molded by the hands of man. Braziers show you the way, and a staircase much longer you begin to conquer. Like a spire lodged in the ground it bears it round, a platform placed in the middle, and a couple doors, where one can stand. Dead still it is not, water can be heard dripping.

"Where are we heading to exactly?" you ask the guide, as you cannot quite put your finger on it. The only thought coming to mind being, this would make an excellent hideout from the masses.

"Your necklace must have been imbued with powers at the time of its creation, not enchanted thereafter, so they are to be harder to reveal. I need to perform a ceremony, one that requires a certain space." he replies offhand. "And no such I have in the house, hence, we need to go below."



"Well it is clear this is more... Expansive... I wouldn't have expected such in the city."

"What, drains?" the vagrant mutters, much to your surprise. The talisman she still holds fast, but her head turned all busy, scouting the stark surroundings. "What a place for a ceremony, too..."

"Not just those, but the keep and certain temples have their catacombs." Átux informs you. "Of various accessibility, but my place is contained. Would not want any uninvited guests leaking in..."



Laughing, he stops in front of a door, at the bottom floor, no stairs left to descend. This one he touches with his rod, and you're let in. The sorcerer wasn't lying, the cave ahead spreads itself wide, but its contents you cannot clearly see... Yet.



With great confidence and familiarity the magician ventures inside, and about eight steps he takes forward, an ominous murmur leaves his lips, and flames engulfs the top of his verge. With this torch he lights a couple candles, revealing the interior - markings drawn on the floor, a bowl atop a three-legged stand, one for a book and stocked receptacles by the wall, with other accessories. He then comes back to you, and the anew distressed vagrant.



"Now, if you were to hold this for me..." he passes you the staff, extending the now free arm to the girl afterwards. "And I shall begin right away. Stay at this exact spot for the duration, lest we shan't find out much."



You obey the wish, but from your companion no response is given. As much you have expected, therefore prepared to push her along.

"It's okay, you can give it to him." you tell her. "We'll see to it nothing goes astray."



"You better do." she whispers, and hands over the jewel, only in your hands. Good either way, you pass it on, and the thaumaturgist begins his work.



Humming to himself and gazing into the book, Átux first collects the ingredients. Then he puts away the tome onto its place, and the talisman into the bowl, proceeds to crush a glass-clear stone in a mortar, adding other powders once it is ground.



Meandering around the place, he scatters the mixture, constantly muttering incantations. You're following quite well, but the vagrant worries you. Probably won't lunge out to snatch her treasure, but with her pale stare, you cannot be sure.



The sorcerer brings a basin closer, and the ground is laid. He washes his face, and starts invoking.



Long, long does he speak, keeping his voice at a fixed pitch. Occasionally he cleans himself again, but that's about the variety you waiting get, not to mention, he often repeats himself. Other than checking on your companion, you kill the time by trying to decipher the words uttered. It has to be some variant of the human speech, but one you're unable to pick apart. What you can tell, there's a force flowing in for sure.





At last, the summoner rests his hands and tongue, when a flash of light breaks you from the vigil. A fiery quill arises in the air, and descends to the rock beneath, flinging sparks in thousands, accompanied by the sound of a forest being laid to ash.



It dances on the ground briefly, before dissipating. The sorcerer kneels, and calls you over.

"It is done!"



Carefully you approach the man, and look after what exactly is he inspecting back there. The girl on the other hand hastens to the bowl, from which thin smoke still emerges. Her unrest wanes when she gets to peek inside, but pull her treasure out she dares not.

The blazing bolt has left drawings on the floor, more precisely, the salts previously spreads have been arranged in some way, albeit now they rather resemble a pulverised lump of coal. Without a word, Átux reaches for his staff, which you obediently provide him. He lights it again, and begins to read.



"It is a protective charm!" he declares, his eyes drifting across the messy maze. The vagrant rolls her eyes when you take in the words, mayhap inappropriately yet nothing but glad you can be she's back to these antics, preferable to the stress.

"Yes, it shields mind and body, flesh and soul!" the wizard continues. "By Glosim, by Svespat and by Adax, it says, an attendant dumb to watch o'er one's days, deaf to all device but everlastly serving, in the stone to sit."



Then he retrieves the object, and returns to the bearer.

"Is that all?" you ask. "What does it mean?"

"Well, there are sacred names printed in the construction... To call on powers and sustain them, contain a support, until the item is destroyed."

"That I understand, but does it elaborate somehow?"



The wizard checks on the inscriptions, and provides you with an answer.

"The stress is on the flesh, the core enchantment. I suppose to extract more one should identify the powers, as they are not clearly described in the spell we traced."

The vagrant seems content enough, bringing back the ambiguous stare, now upon the talisman, but does slip signs of appreciation every so often.

"Do we owe you?" is your last question, and the sorcerer responds with a face contorted upmost serious, until loosening to a simple smile.



"No, not as such. Although..." he says, his eyes turned to another necklace in the room. "I would really appreciate you coming down for a cup of something."



What do you want to do?

[Strif3]

hmm, sounds like it is a personal piece, and the talisman's intended recipient was very much cared for. What concerns me is that it sounds like the talisman might be some form of soulforged artifact - I.e. it contains (a part of) a soul of a once-living being. Some might take offence to that idea. And it also might imply that it is more powerful than the initial inspection would indicate. It being so difficult to probe lends credence to the idea- like somebody went through a great deal of trouble to obfuscate the true extent of the talisman's powers. I fear any more intrusive inspection will risk damaging the artifact. And perhaps it is not even meant to be probed like this, but rather for the wielder to discover all of it's capabilities by themselves naturally, for purposes of good or evil.

Despite that, we should recite these three names to Flax, without the surrounding context, see whether they ring any bells for him. And of course, we should tell of our discoveries to the librarian, too. We did promise after all, that it would be of as much interest to the library as to us. Maybe the librarian will even be able to tell us something more.

As for the invitation from the fellow wizard, i don't see why not. We've got time to kill, we have an established meeting point. Sure, lets join him for something and engage in some wizardly discussion. I'm still extremely wary though, so i say the vagrant sits this one out and acts as our eyes and ears, just in case. We'll make it up to her later.

[King Zultan]

It seems there's more to the necklace than it appeared at first, maybe one day we will know its full potential.

As for the invitation from the fellow wizard, i don't see why not. We've got time to kill, we have an established meeting point. Sure, lets join him for something and engage in some wizardly discussion. I'm still extremely wary though, so i say the vagrant sits this one out and acts as our eyes and ears, just in case. We'll make it up to her later.

+1 but I think we should keep her some what close, so we can make sure nothing happens to her.

[Quaksna]

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

More of an offer than demand one'll find, and such that you see no reason to pass on.

"Of course, at once!" you assure the elder, while plunging your head down to whisper. "Let us stay a bit longer, but keep our eyes open!"

"Oh, I just thought of not being sensible this once." the vagrant mumbles. "Hope it stays at the bit at least..."

"Jolly good, we shall return to the house then, I will deal with the mess later..." the wizard decides, and sets off right away. You obediently follow.



Back in the dwelling, you're led to climb the stairs, only your glance touched upon previously. There are less rooms than in the library on the second floor, but they do make it for in size, and it is an especially spacious one the sorcerer invites you in.



"Take a seat, any at all!" he says, and points to a couple armchairs situated around a table, not the wide kind you've come to expect, but a shorter, round stand, as much the others are practical, this one is fancy.



"What doth the lord desire, beer, wine, mead, or brew?" the host continues, raiding the cupboards.

"What's in this brew?" you ask.

"I have muck root, yew, rose hip, valley herb, nettle..."



"Yew. The berries sole I hope?" you quip, much to the elder's glee, who laughs rocking his heavy head. Next you question your companion. "What'll you have?"



"I'll pass." she replies, but doesn't seem all that upset, the chair pleases her, leaving you peaceful of mind also.



"In a flash!" Átux proclaims, and puts a kettle on, before joining you in the circle, and the grand gab begins. "Now then brother, tell me about yourself."

"Oh I'm from the north, the other side of the river." you start, as the old man nods following. "Your humble standard shaman fare, as it were..."



"Ye, me too. All you do is lie..."

"Indeed so? And here I was under the impression you don't step out the wilds at all, only upon those white wastes meandering freely..."



"You wouldn't be wrong necessarily..." you stutter, rushing to get mind off the party crasher. "It's just me travelling abroad with a different company."

"That doth still leave one wondering, all I hear is how profoundly fond you woodsfolk are of your own tribe."

"You better listen carefully, fraud. It's not like your own spit tangles you tight already!"

"With shamans it's different. Assorted from various clans and then dispersed again, rarely does one of us see the people he's risen from..."

"Fascinating, how are such arrangements determined then?"



"From lots cast by the elders of the Grove. They interpret the will of spirits, and no one stands above them. For be it a man or a woman, a priest or a warlord, all fear the unseen, the weavers of our fate, the ultimate masters of our existence."

"You don't, apparently..."

"And which spirits these may be, so highly revered?"



"Why of forests, plains and beasts, all that is there lifegiving."

"But do they have names."

"Mayhap. Yet such are beyond our concern. I couldn't tell you what was the last I have enchanted, nor the one standing by my side during my oaths."

"Now that's a good one, isn't it? No wonder she left you..."



"How can you control them then? This is quite interesting, different from what one strives for here!"

"It's the covenants of old, and the proper ways to approach them being passed on. As we have ever lived by each other, so do we still. You seem surprised?"

"Oh well, you see, the human breed gathers all sorts of secret names and incantations, seeking out powers that can be relied on. That is the knowledge we hold, and we ever expand."



Swiftly the sorcerer arises, as the brew is ready. Far too hot to drink as of now, the purpose of which eludes you, but no matter, you can lay out the questions now.

"Those three mentioned in the talisman, you recognize?"

"I cannot say I recall any of those, but they do sound familiar! They do have a goblin ring to them, curiously enough, but that may not amount to anything. It is not uncommon for a spell retaining a foreign language, rather it is the way expected, given no variants existed prior."

"This you could enlighten me upon actually, human course of action when it comes to magic! My ideas were vague, and likewise mostly gathered second-hand... For instance, I have been told there is a divide between the Runecarvers and other factions, more so here than elsewhere,  but no one could provide me details, can you?"



"But of course! Runecarves follow a tradition, drawing from the old northern gods. Many of us do, as most are still worshipped here, but the school of thought they have developed around such is an ancient and unique one. This immediately places them at odds with the various temples, who consider such usage of the spells profane. Closer to the sea, however, rarely do tensions arise, for the order was instrumental in settling the land of everlasting winter, building and maintaining the kingdom as we see it now. Here, they do not enjoy the same respect, and with new folk coming and going, so is the reach of their teaching diminished. If not bearing sacred duties as well, a magician is not a profound stitch in the fabric of the society, but rather a distanced and mysterious individual, most do not see, as they seek to avoid him."

"What powers do you wield yourself?"

The sorcerer laughs, putting the vagrant out of her rest, and annoying the wraith ever more, as he has nothing to grasp on. Serves him right, you'd think, but it pains you still, having linked the beast with your friend...



"Whichever I happen to find in the book! A god, spirit, titan, beings old and knew, who has the will to help, eagerness to serve, or mind to be dominated, which I can rely upon to do my bidding. Favourite spells I keep fresh in the memory, the more complex ones have to be written down. Not just words are they that binds these powers, but any means of communication, as you're surely aware, gestures, signs, symbols, these we try to master too. Though we do not quite specialize in enchanted ware the way Runecarvers do, we also craft magical objects, anything of utility and a cost reasonable!"



Before you know it, the searing cup is half empty, and all present seem glad to be so, be it for the insights, the hospitality or the unparalleled seats. The noise from outside has long since vanished, the borrough is quiet. A single sound emerges every once in a while, like a wire or a small chain clacking, but that cannot hope to ruin the mood.

The host especially is satisfied, you feel you could take your leave anytime. Depends, should there be anything left to ponder.


What do you want to do?

[Strif3]

Back to the library then. Though we could off-handedly ask what's the townsfolk's fascination with us and ask whether he has an invisibility spell or something, mostly as a joke.

[King Zultan]

I quite like the varied images we got on this one, all kinds of good stuff.

Back to the library then. Though we could off-handedly ask what's the townsfolk's fascination with us and ask whether he has an invisibility spell or something, mostly as a joke.

+1

[Quaksna]

Had to split the episodes agian, busy week. With Easter on the doorstep and some personal arrangements on top, I expect shorter segments for some time, but suits the city I suppose. No crazy stuff going on yet...

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Upon consideration you come to decide, enough's been said, it's time to leave. Last thing you finish the drink, and inform your host.

"Thanks for your hospitality, but we should be going now. The rest of our company is waiting."

"Very well, I thank you for stopping by!" the sorcerer responds. "Let me show you the door."

Readily does the vagrant exit her seat, still the last words of the wizard annoy her. Perhaps it's just his presence that she cannot bear, but you can't be sure, you heed to draw from it till the parting.



"Say, there's been this crowd forming and following us on the way here..." you mention on the staircase. "Any idea what's that about?"

"Those must have been the students, they can sense out these rare occasions!" Átux answers. "Yes, they do have the eye for it to recognize. Fear them not, but tiresome they are, it works best to scare them a bit. Just mind not hurting anyone by accident, apart from it, the guards have no patience to deal with such squabble..."

"I suppose some invisibility spell would be in order..." you jest, once more amusing the magician successfully, you did not hope to get one from him.



"Farewell brother, and you little, should you cross this city's threshold ever again, I am here to help for all times!"

"I'll remember. Stay safe!"



Once you acquire your blessings for the journey, the door is shut, and you're on your way. Much to your relief, no one awaits you outside, the path to the library is clear and you move swift to keep it so.



Inside the house of knowledge, the cataloguer awaits you, close to the entrance.

"Well then, wondermaker!" he greets you, quite a bit more composed this time, still  happy nevertheless. "Have you found what you sought after?"

"Very much so, the wizard has revealed an incantation on the talisman." you reply. "I figured you might want to record it, if not just for your help."

"How kind of you! Follow me, then, let us do precisely that."



To another room you're taken, but one hidden between the lanes, sitting on the ground floor. Quite dark it is inside, the only light coming from the centre, where a man rests encircled with desks, drowning in parchments. Very old and very feeble he appears, as if the chair held him from the beginning of time. Yet his eyes flicker and his fingers fleet, with the tiniest of movements but fast like a lightning bolt. No wonder, it is just a quill he wields, drifting across the dusty grounds, yet still the motion is precise, and quickly the page filled with ink. Your arrival does not interrupt his work.

"Write of an artifact!" the librarian bids, and the scribe responds, with stretching his free hand forth and pulling a clean sheet towards him. Next the guide instructs you. "Now then, show master the necklace, and share the spell. I shall fetch the book, back in a bit."



He wobbles away, whilst the old man carries on with his tasks, as if unaware of your presence. It is not until you start reciting, his eyes flashes briefly in your direction, the rough voice tickling his curiosity.

"By Glosim, by Svespat and by Adax, an attendant dumb to watch o'er one's days, deaf to all device but everlastly serving, in the stone to sit." you utter, and the words are obediently written down.



Then you prompt the stoat to show the object, which she reluctantly does from across the table, though at least no convincing it takes this time. Enough it seems for the copyist regardless, with a few strokes he captures the item's properties, and finishes the page with notes. It is then put away, and the scribe resumes his work. In time too, you hear the other bookman approaching.



"All well?" he asks upon his entrance, and quickly scurries to lay a codex onto a table on the side, alongside with some parchments. "Come hither, then, let us sign your visit, for posterity!"



As promised you step forth to oblige, and are given a quill to do the deed. Unfamiliar it is, holding an implement so light, rather than a chisel to mark the trees, but given enough care, it won't stop you. Where a barrier greater arises is in the language, when it comes to human writing, you cannot exactly demonstrate much cunning. Fortunately, there is a sigil identifiable enough to do the trick.

   

"Splendid, and here are the maps. I have found a couple copies labeled, in whichever script you should prefer."

"For that I am yet to return..." you inform the guide. "The visit by the wizard lasted a little longer."

"I suppose so, your associate has left already."

"As I have anticipated. Until then!"



With that, a share more of the business is over. Thus, you head to the square by the bridge, to claim your allowance for the other endeavours. On the way there, your name is spoken.

"Do tell me, Blackhoof..."

Your eyes were set on the path, but the voice of the vagrant you recognize. You turn them towards her, raring to listen.



"You know you don't have to put up with everyone's nonsense, right?"

"Say what?" you mutter, such a thought far removed from your mind at the moment.

"Fool me not, I've heard it! When the conjurer inquired why you've left your tribe, getting to you 'twas."



"He simply asked. I don't think it would've been very tactful to get worked up over it now, would it?"

"If anything, it was rude on his part!" she insists. "Of course it'd be unwise to upset him along the way too, but you can maintain both dignity and decorum! Wouldn't you say?"



"Aren't you glad we have the spell?" you roll your eyes, back up to see the path. The destination is in reach, and you're happier for it.

"Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the lengths far beyond you went for it, I really do! It's just the sorcerer I could not stand. All that trickery, and a vague poem is all we're given, tell me not that's all there to it! I do not trust him..."

"Ah, I see. You just didn't like the wizard."

"Well excuse me? We're stuck in his house, all in his power, to play little games..."



A sight cuts the rant off, such that makes you both quiet. The place you have reached just fine, but the crowd is larger than the last time. And, rather than dispersed between the stalls, everyone seems to be oriented around a single point.

"Oh bother, here we go again." you sigh, and proceed to push your way through. When the people notice who is passing, though, they do clear out for you. The reason behind which gets all the more apparent, now that you can see what is it witness.



"And the third piece's just arrived!" Flax proclaims, as you approach him. He and Sas are both at the furrier's shop, while a collegium of fancily dressed men stand by, facing them, and a lot more soldiers are present this time around. Their cloaks they've already taken off, and hold comprossed beneath the shoulder.

[King Zultan]

Well I guess it's time to turn in our cloak and get the money, probably should be on guard in case they try to take the cloaks and run with out paying.

[Strif3]

Well I guess it's time to turn in our cloak and get the money, probably should be on guard in case they try to take the cloaks and run with out paying.

Or try to rip us off.

+1

[Superdorf]

   

Mixed media, sweet! Lovely weathering on the paper too

[King Zultan]

I forgot to mention that I also really liked the way the maps turned out.

[Quaksna]

. . .

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

"A piece am I now?" you smirk, and remove yours as well. The appraisers peer in wonder, and whisper to each other, so can you hear noise from the bystanders.

"This but does raise a question..." one of the representatives lilts, calling attention to you. "We assumed these were supposed to be quite... Rare?"

"One of a kind, as far as we know." Flax testifies in response. "Look again at the texture, then us in the eye - Have you seen just a thing, ever?"



"I say it's clear, there's some witchery in it, no way 'round!" another furrier protests. "They took a giant mountain goat and got some sprinkles on top!"

"Erm, nay." utters an affiliate next to him, ornately clothed, with a tall cap and runes all over. "It is as clean as it gets."

"Let me see the new one!"



The sceptic reaches for your shroud, while you glance at Flax for approval. He nods, so you hand it over, and can see the desperation in his face, lit in awe yet trying ever on to find a catch.

"Alright, we have to buy this." he concludes, and returns it for the time being. "I'll say more than a snow troll, but not over twice the price!"



"I would agree." a fellow guildmaster joins in. "But we are no swindlers, in good faith I set ten gold pieces for each one."

"Sire? I give no more than six, and that'll be generous as is!"



"Gentlemen..." you hear, a distinguished man step out from the crowd and speak. "There are other options beside the guilds... I would give eight a piece."



"Blast my eyes, ten it is!" the disagreeable appraiser exclaims, and his colleagues, ever on muttering to one another, nod in reinforcement.



Your eyes scour around for the vagrant, once more not standing still, you find her in a different spot. Together, you set course to the other two companions, who are mooting incessantly.

"Is that a lot?" you ask the her quietly.

"A bank it is alright, but every gold coin added makes the difference." she whispers back. "The question is whether it is worth demanding..."

From Flax and Sas' faces you cannot read much, but they're definitely not troubled by the proposal. Confirmed further when they do speak.



"That is a fair sum." Flax states, and glances over at the rest. Sas is the first one to affirm, immediately after.

"Indeed, I'd take it."



Next their gaze is fixed at the vagrant, and on the leader's part, while not malicious, it is certainly not pleasant. You can feel the weight falling from his bloody eyes pressing her down, yet she faces it long. Then sways her own to the delegation.



"It is... Agreeable..." she mutters, passing the burden to you. As you're mostly plain ignorant on these matters, such you cannot recognize upon your shoulders yourself, it mystifies you more than anything else.

"Alright." you nod, and all the votes are thus collected. No it is Flax turning his sights back to the guild, and solidifies the stance.

"We accept the proposal." he declares, and the words stir a great deal of motion in their ranks.



A casket is brought forth, and the coins measured from it, one among the observers transfers them to a hefty pouch. With a couple jerks Flax gestures to give up the cloaks at last, their service brought to an end, no less useful. After the exchange, a few salutes are traded, and the bystanders begin to disperse.



So do you distance yourself, meandering to a place more quiet. You can't help but turn back every so often, expecting someone to follow, fortunately, only with the eyes they do so, wondering 'bout the four strangers they bore witness to this day.

"Well then." the leader speaks, for how carefree he can prove still in a humour better than usual. "We did make a fortune in the end."



Consecutively you bob your heads, waiting for the point.

"Sas bought us some provisions for the path from the axe, but we can get a lot more than that now..."

"Blackhoof wanted to get new shrouds, better suited for spring." the vagrant mentions. "Yarn is cheaper than fur down this way, all we need is a clothier."

"Suits me." the warrior shrugs, maintaining his smile. "A profit we've already made. It all depends on the path we'll cut out. But, he spoke of a staff and the map also, and I haven't forgotten."



A smaller pouch he retrieves from his pocket, and counts ten of the glistening baubles, then passed to you.

"Should be enough for your fun, we have more than enough to provide on top if it is necessary. Come to think of it, we might as well accompany you, we can buy more supplies on the road..."

[Strif3]

Right, time to get ourselves a new staff. Now that we have a significant amount of money, we should keep an eye out for materials which might be particularly permeable to magic, to make our staff. Perhaps pay another visit to the sorcerer, maybe he has some advice on the best materials to use for a staff. Of course we should be twice as careful when spending our coin. We'll rely on the stoat to keep us from being scammed, since she seems particularly capable in urban environments. She also wanted to get rid of the spear she picked up, so we'll do that, too.

[King Zultan]

Right, time to get ourselves a new staff. Now that we have a significant amount of money, we should keep an eye out for materials which might be particularly permeable to magic, to make our staff. Perhaps pay another visit to the sorcerer, maybe he has some advice on the best materials to use for a staff. Of course we should be twice as careful when spending our coin. We'll rely on the stoat to keep us from being scammed, since she seems particularly capable in urban environments. She also wanted to get rid of the spear she picked up, so we'll do that, too.

+1 Also I thought she only wanted rid of the tip of the spear, and that we were thinking of using it on the end of the staff.