The enormous gates of Candlekeep, three times the height of a human, wroght of black metal and emblazoned with sigils, stand before you. Five clerics of Deneir, god of writing, stand bedecked in purple vestments, examining and discussing works presented by hopefuls trying to gain entrance to the fortress. Some are turned away, while others are at last admitted inside.
One of the clerics, a middle aged dwarven woman, finally turns her attention to your group. "Well met, travelers," she begins, spoken in a thick dwarven accent. "Mah name's Maelyn, progeny ov th' Irontome Clan, servant ov Deneir an' member ov the Avowed ov Candlekeep. Ah'll be seein' if any ov yew are ta be admitted inside as Seekers, or if yew'll be turnt away."
"So furst ov all, each ov yew must agree ta some rules if yew enter. Nothin' more than requirin' good manners ov yew all, but we take um serious. FIRST! No fightin'; all arguments must follow th' rules ov cordial debate an' discussion. Violent altercations are nay tolerated! SECOND! No stealin'; this rule applies ta all objects in th' keep, nay just th' libraries works. THIRD! No copyin'; vistors are permitted ta take notes while studying th' libraries works, but anyone who wants ta make a full copy ov a work must pay to have th' manuscript created by scribes at th' House ov the Binder. AN' FINALLY! No damagin', markin' or otherwise modifyin' the works ov Candlekeep's collection."
The dwarven priestess continues. "If yew agree ta th' rules, there's still th' matter ov th' required donation to the collection: a work ov writin' nay already collected therein. Ah'll be inspectin' yer offerin's ta see if'n they pass muster. So, who would like ta go first?", she says with a grin.
Nedni, in awe of the massive entrance and imposing figure of the priestess. “I present this to you for entrance.” She presents the newly acquired book and pauses not knowing what to say just standing and looking about at he magnificent gate. “Oh yes, the rules, of course, of course.” She adds quickly. She glances back at the others with a quick grin and widens her eyes like a nervous child.
Elric Greenbody steps forward, his mop of brown hair almost obscuring his eyes.
"I humbly request access to the great library, and unreservedly accept the rules as you have put them to us. By way of payment I offer this" he says, proffering the book from the temple. Elric is trembling, knowing that this could be the only remaining chance to save the village.
The priestess first looks over Nedni's (pilfered) book. "Hmm," she says. "Mazfroth’s Mighty Digressions? Can't say ah've heard of this one, an' it looks like jibberish ta me, though looks can be deceiving. Ah'll have ta send a runner into th' library ta see if this one meets th' standard ov notability." She calls over a young human man standing near the gate. "Oi! Fembris! Take this book an' see if it's in th' index," she tells him, handing off the book. With a smile he rushes in the main gate and disappears from sight.
While they wait, the priestess takes a look at Elric's book of blessings. "Mmm. A standard Chauntean prayer book, but th' section where th' laity 'ave added their own prayers an' fears is interestin'. So yew come from a village stricken with an agricultural curse, if ah'm readin' correct? While we 'ave plenty ov copies of this book th' evidence ov a minor historical event might be worth havin'. Alright, ah'll accept it."
The runner Fembris soon returns. "Nothing like it in the collection," he says with a grin, "and the sages think there may be some wisdom behind the mad writing." The priestess smiles. "We'll be acceptin' it." She then looks to the remaining two of you, then speaks to Nedni and Elric as well. "Ah trust yer companions 'ave somethin' of interest as well? Let's see what yew've got!"
Gan has been hanging back, ducking his head, and finally joining the group by the priestess. His dark skin, dusty somehow, rain or shine, covered in simple workman's clothes. Strong, large hands reach into his satchel.
He digs a gently-used, but still new-looking book out. "'Everyday Lives' - A compilation of the contents of journals which were obtained from ordinary people," he reads from the spine. "Seemed boring, but interesting. If you know what I mean. Thought perhaps it was rare enough that you may not have it. And the rules? Well, they seem smart. Protect people from each other. From themselves. I accept. We're just here trying to save our village."
His hands shift back to the handle of the large, large axe he'd dropped to the ground. Looking down in the dust, waiting for an answer, and receding into the background.
Elric exhales noticeably; he had worried all the way here that his chosen book might not pass muster, now he only had to worry about the consequences of taking it.
He turns to his companions and, trying to adopt a light tone, says"It looks like we may have cleared the first hurdle to saving the village; now only our fourth companion needs to appease the impressive Maelyn and we can start our search for an answer to the blight. Chauntea permitting, we will celebrate soon"
Zyl flits over with a scroll that appears to be made of large pressed leaves slung over her shoulder. She bobs a bit as she disentangles herself from the strap, she seems a bit harried and embarrassed at this less than graceful start. While pulling a bit too hard to free it, the scroll flies from her hands and hits the priestess. Zyk looks a bit sheepish.
"Sorry about that. This is a compendium of some of the most creative uses of Druidcraft. I hope it's enough, I've been working on it for a while."
The priestess takes a look at these last two offerings. "These are acceptable," she says, nodding. She turns to the young human man standing by. "Oi, Fembris! Take th' new seekers past th' first gate an' help 'em find what they need," she says, before going to greet the next group of hopefuls.
Fembris smiles and gives a bright reply of "Can do!", before coming forward to the group. "Follow me, everyone! It's my privileged to be able to show you some of the wonders of Candlekeep. Now, the library itself will be off limits, but anything you need from it just ask and I can see about getting it for you. Ready? Onward!"
Fembris leads you past the gatehouse into a vast stone courtyard with not a sight of greenery. Surrounding it are many buildings which Fembris is happy to point out. "Over there," he says, gesturing with both hands, "is the House of Rest; we'll get you all set up with a room if you plan to stay for more than the day. Adjacent to it is the Hearth, our tavern; it may not look like much from the outside but I definitely recommend checking it out! There is a bathhouse near the gates in case you need to clean up and relax, might be worth doing after a long journey. The House of the Binder is over there, if you want a copy or translation of a book or scroll made. There's also a temple to Oghma for your religious needs, and an outfitter that will get you set up with scholarly threads if you so desire. And I'm sure you've all noticed the beautiful Emerald Door across the courtyard? That's the entrance into the Library proper. Finally," he says, pointing to the great cylindrical towers to the north, "that's where you'll be doing your studying; we'll set you up with a small study room in one of the Pillars..." Fembris pauses to take a much needed breath after speaking for so long. "Speaking of study, what is it that has brought you all here? I heard something about a blight?"
"I am Nedni, our town suffers mightily from the blight and my farm is failing. I worry that I won't be able to sustain it much longer. It is surely cursed. It is my hope to speak with the wise sage Matreous for guidance in breaking the curse. I've gone to Elric, Cleric of Chauntea for help but they too seem at a loss and Gan has stuck with me so far to help but cannot do so without pay. Now Zyl is looking to help. May we speak with the Sage?"
The young man guiding you nods, "Matreous? I know the man, let me lead you to him!"
Fembris leads you north to the courtyard of the Pillars, into one of the many towers, up several flights of steps and at last to a door labeled 'Private Study - Matreous'. Fembris gives a series of knocks to the door, and waits for the sage to open the door. And waits. "Hmm, let me try again." He knocks once more, and again nobody comes to the door. "He is hard of hearing," the young man explains, "I'll open the door, I'm sure he'll understand." With that, Fembris pushes open the door too the study.
The five of you find the room empty of occupants. Normally in such a case you would suspect that the sage had simply left for someplace else, but something doesn't seem right. There is a patch of glowing magenta dust on the floor in the northeastern corner of the room, with footprints seemingly leading into the center of the dust and then disappearing. Aside from the patch of glowing dust, there is another thing that is faintly glowing in this room: a book on the table on the western side of the room gives off the same faint magenta light.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Arcania!"exclaims Elric, reaching for the pendant of Chauntea at his neck. He couldn't help feel a pang of distrust around those who sought to seize magical power for themselves, rather than earn such powers through faithful service.
Knowing that he might not be the best at decyphering the two most outstanding clues, the cleric instead conducts a search of the other furniture and the rest of the floor space.
(No worries but I think it'd be Investigation not Perception to do that, in the future.) Elric starts to search the furniture and floor space thoroughly, checking every floor tile for traps or trap doors and prodding every piece of well-used furniture to see if it might actually be a mimic or something equally sinister. After an exhaustive search he concludes that, if there is a solution to this mysterious disappearance, it probably has to do with the glowing book and the glowing dust on the floor.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nedni, gives a quick scan about the room as well as above looking for any potential exits aside from the one they entered and the possibility of a magical one. She then proceeds to the table to do a visual examination of the book as its close by. "Fembris, do you know anything about this book here?" She calls back to him as she touches a finger to the corner and starts to open it.
The book is a heavy tome, its cover made of ornately tooled leather with gold filigree. Of particular interest is the illustration on the cover: the bust of an imposing spellcaster. "That's definitely supposed to be the legendary mage Mordenkainen!", Fembris answers back.
Nedni glances at the contents of the book; it seems to be a treatise on extradimensional spaces similar to those created by the Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion spell. Interesting. However, the glowing residue seems to collect most on a page of handwritten shorthand notes, apparently written long after the primary text. It may take some time to decipher the notes. (Arcana check to so do.)
Zyl sits in front of the large tome and flips through the pages, she casts "detect magic" as a ritual to try to determine what sort of magic might be coming off this book.
The magic residue is definitely from a extradimensional space; you suspect that Matreous the sage was holding the book when a portal opened, after which he set the book down and entered, after which the portal closed.
Zyl takes a look at the shorthand writing, deciphering it fairly quickly. It details how the writer of the margin notes created a permanent version of Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion, and gives the command word, 'scepter', that opens the gateway.
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The enormous gates of Candlekeep, three times the height of a human, wroght of black metal and emblazoned with sigils, stand before you. Five clerics of Deneir, god of writing, stand bedecked in purple vestments, examining and discussing works presented by hopefuls trying to gain entrance to the fortress. Some are turned away, while others are at last admitted inside.
One of the clerics, a middle aged dwarven woman, finally turns her attention to your group. "Well met, travelers," she begins, spoken in a thick dwarven accent. "Mah name's Maelyn, progeny ov th' Irontome Clan, servant ov Deneir an' member ov the Avowed ov Candlekeep. Ah'll be seein' if any ov yew are ta be admitted inside as Seekers, or if yew'll be turnt away."
"So furst ov all, each ov yew must agree ta some rules if yew enter. Nothin' more than requirin' good manners ov yew all, but we take um serious. FIRST! No fightin'; all arguments must follow th' rules ov cordial debate an' discussion. Violent altercations are nay tolerated! SECOND! No stealin'; this rule applies ta all objects in th' keep, nay just th' libraries works. THIRD! No copyin'; vistors are permitted ta take notes while studying th' libraries works, but anyone who wants ta make a full copy ov a work must pay to have th' manuscript created by scribes at th' House ov the Binder. AN' FINALLY! No damagin', markin' or otherwise modifyin' the works ov Candlekeep's collection."
The dwarven priestess continues. "If yew agree ta th' rules, there's still th' matter ov th' required donation to the collection: a work ov writin' nay already collected therein. Ah'll be inspectin' yer offerin's ta see if'n they pass muster. So, who would like ta go first?", she says with a grin.
Nedni, in awe of the massive entrance and imposing figure of the priestess. “I present this to you for entrance.” She presents the newly acquired book and pauses not knowing what to say just standing and looking about at he magnificent gate. “Oh yes, the rules, of course, of course.” She adds quickly. She glances back at the others with a quick grin and widens her eyes like a nervous child.
Elric Greenbody steps forward, his mop of brown hair almost obscuring his eyes.
"I humbly request access to the great library, and unreservedly accept the rules as you have put them to us. By way of payment I offer this" he says, proffering the book from the temple. Elric is trembling, knowing that this could be the only remaining chance to save the village.
The priestess first looks over Nedni's (pilfered) book. "Hmm," she says. "Mazfroth’s Mighty Digressions? Can't say ah've heard of this one, an' it looks like jibberish ta me, though looks can be deceiving. Ah'll have ta send a runner into th' library ta see if this one meets th' standard ov notability." She calls over a young human man standing near the gate. "Oi! Fembris! Take this book an' see if it's in th' index," she tells him, handing off the book. With a smile he rushes in the main gate and disappears from sight.
While they wait, the priestess takes a look at Elric's book of blessings. "Mmm. A standard Chauntean prayer book, but th' section where th' laity 'ave added their own prayers an' fears is interestin'. So yew come from a village stricken with an agricultural curse, if ah'm readin' correct? While we 'ave plenty ov copies of this book th' evidence ov a minor historical event might be worth havin'. Alright, ah'll accept it."
The runner Fembris soon returns. "Nothing like it in the collection," he says with a grin, "and the sages think there may be some wisdom behind the mad writing." The priestess smiles. "We'll be acceptin' it." She then looks to the remaining two of you, then speaks to Nedni and Elric as well. "Ah trust yer companions 'ave somethin' of interest as well? Let's see what yew've got!"
Gan has been hanging back, ducking his head, and finally joining the group by the priestess. His dark skin, dusty somehow, rain or shine, covered in simple workman's clothes. Strong, large hands reach into his satchel.
He digs a gently-used, but still new-looking book out. "'Everyday Lives' - A compilation of the contents of journals which were obtained from ordinary people," he reads from the spine. "Seemed boring, but interesting. If you know what I mean. Thought perhaps it was rare enough that you may not have it. And the rules? Well, they seem smart. Protect people from each other. From themselves. I accept. We're just here trying to save our village."
His hands shift back to the handle of the large, large axe he'd dropped to the ground. Looking down in the dust, waiting for an answer, and receding into the background.
Elric exhales noticeably; he had worried all the way here that his chosen book might not pass muster, now he only had to worry about the consequences of taking it.
He turns to his companions and, trying to adopt a light tone, says "It looks like we may have cleared the first hurdle to saving the village; now only our fourth companion needs to appease the impressive Maelyn and we can start our search for an answer to the blight. Chauntea permitting, we will celebrate soon"
Zyl flits over with a scroll that appears to be made of large pressed leaves slung over her shoulder. She bobs a bit as she disentangles herself from the strap, she seems a bit harried and embarrassed at this less than graceful start. While pulling a bit too hard to free it, the scroll flies from her hands and hits the priestess. Zyk looks a bit sheepish.
"Sorry about that. This is a compendium of some of the most creative uses of Druidcraft. I hope it's enough, I've been working on it for a while."
The priestess takes a look at these last two offerings. "These are acceptable," she says, nodding. She turns to the young human man standing by. "Oi, Fembris! Take th' new seekers past th' first gate an' help 'em find what they need," she says, before going to greet the next group of hopefuls.
Fembris smiles and gives a bright reply of "Can do!", before coming forward to the group. "Follow me, everyone! It's my privileged to be able to show you some of the wonders of Candlekeep. Now, the library itself will be off limits, but anything you need from it just ask and I can see about getting it for you. Ready? Onward!"
Fembris leads you past the gatehouse into a vast stone courtyard with not a sight of greenery. Surrounding it are many buildings which Fembris is happy to point out. "Over there," he says, gesturing with both hands, "is the House of Rest; we'll get you all set up with a room if you plan to stay for more than the day. Adjacent to it is the Hearth, our tavern; it may not look like much from the outside but I definitely recommend checking it out! There is a bathhouse near the gates in case you need to clean up and relax, might be worth doing after a long journey. The House of the Binder is over there, if you want a copy or translation of a book or scroll made. There's also a temple to Oghma for your religious needs, and an outfitter that will get you set up with scholarly threads if you so desire. And I'm sure you've all noticed the beautiful Emerald Door across the courtyard? That's the entrance into the Library proper. Finally," he says, pointing to the great cylindrical towers to the north, "that's where you'll be doing your studying; we'll set you up with a small study room in one of the Pillars..." Fembris pauses to take a much needed breath after speaking for so long. "Speaking of study, what is it that has brought you all here? I heard something about a blight?"
"I am Nedni, our town suffers mightily from the blight and my farm is failing. I worry that I won't be able to sustain it much longer. It is surely cursed. It is my hope to speak with the wise sage Matreous for guidance in breaking the curse. I've gone to Elric, Cleric of Chauntea for help but they too seem at a loss and Gan has stuck with me so far to help but cannot do so without pay. Now Zyl is looking to help. May we speak with the Sage?"
The young man guiding you nods, "Matreous? I know the man, let me lead you to him!"
Fembris leads you north to the courtyard of the Pillars, into one of the many towers, up several flights of steps and at last to a door labeled 'Private Study - Matreous'. Fembris gives a series of knocks to the door, and waits for the sage to open the door. And waits. "Hmm, let me try again." He knocks once more, and again nobody comes to the door. "He is hard of hearing," the young man explains, "I'll open the door, I'm sure he'll understand." With that, Fembris pushes open the door too the study.
The five of you find the room empty of occupants. Normally in such a case you would suspect that the sage had simply left for someplace else, but something doesn't seem right. There is a patch of glowing magenta dust on the floor in the northeastern corner of the room, with footprints seemingly leading into the center of the dust and then disappearing. Aside from the patch of glowing dust, there is another thing that is faintly glowing in this room: a book on the table on the western side of the room gives off the same faint magenta light.
"This is very strange," Fembris says.
"Arcania!" exclaims Elric, reaching for the pendant of Chauntea at his neck. He couldn't help feel a pang of distrust around those who sought to seize magical power for themselves, rather than earn such powers through faithful service.
Knowing that he might not be the best at decyphering the two most outstanding clues, the cleric instead conducts a search of the other furniture and the rest of the floor space.
Perception: 7
In order to aid their investigation, Elric will cast guidance on Zyl (with their permission), adding 2 to their next ability check within one minute.
(No worries but I think it'd be Investigation not Perception to do that, in the future.) Elric starts to search the furniture and floor space thoroughly, checking every floor tile for traps or trap doors and prodding every piece of well-used furniture to see if it might actually be a mimic or something equally sinister. After an exhaustive search he concludes that, if there is a solution to this mysterious disappearance, it probably has to do with the glowing book and the glowing dust on the floor.
(Ah sorry - will bear in mind for future!)
Nedni, gives a quick scan about the room as well as above looking for any potential exits aside from the one they entered and the possibility of a magical one. She then proceeds to the table to do a visual examination of the book as its close by. "Fembris, do you know anything about this book here?" She calls back to him as she touches a finger to the corner and starts to open it.
Investigation 19 or perception 9
The book is a heavy tome, its cover made of ornately tooled leather with gold filigree. Of particular interest is the illustration on the cover: the bust of an imposing spellcaster. "That's definitely supposed to be the legendary mage Mordenkainen!", Fembris answers back.
Nedni glances at the contents of the book; it seems to be a treatise on extradimensional spaces similar to those created by the Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion spell. Interesting. However, the glowing residue seems to collect most on a page of handwritten shorthand notes, apparently written long after the primary text. It may take some time to decipher the notes. (Arcana check to so do.)
“This about magic? I’m not good with magic.” She looks at it anyway and asks over her shoulder. “ Zyl you good at magic?”
arcana 4
" Should certainly hope so! I spend enough time among dusty books, away from my beloved trees cultivating the skill."
Zyl sits in front of the large tome and flips through the pages, she casts "detect magic" as a ritual to try to determine what sort of magic might be coming off this book.
Arcana check: Nat 20 +5
The magic residue is definitely from a extradimensional space; you suspect that Matreous the sage was holding the book when a portal opened, after which he set the book down and entered, after which the portal closed.
Zyl takes a look at the shorthand writing, deciphering it fairly quickly. It details how the writer of the margin notes created a permanent version of Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion, and gives the command word, 'scepter', that opens the gateway.