Candlekeep Mysteries Group 2

Orvok looks around, somewhat dissatisfied and feeling like he’s missed something. ‘I guess so, Barbär, I guess so…’

Wow, it's been so long I forg- OH! Yes.

Upon returning to Candlekeep, and news of the events that have transpired since, the Avowed have kept their promise of providing you the solution to the cause of the drought, and are disheartened to know what happened to the mining town. (This can be a potion, or a spell, or whatever you want it to be. I'll leave that RP detail to you guys.) The book is returned to the library, case closed. Meenlocks.

With the completion of the mission, you all level up! 

in his down time over the next few days, Barbär would be found at his spectral forge...

The Avowed manning the gate are excited to see the party return and barrage the group with questions about their excursion to Vermeillon. One Avowed scampers off, presumably to alert the others of the arrival, as the crew recites their tale and return the borrowed book. The Avowed that had initially ran off returns just as quickly. Approaching Emporious he holds out a bound and sealed scroll. As the wizard takes the parchment the Avowed gives a curt bow and retreats off to return the book to its designated place of rest. As the rest of the group disperses to various other areas of the keep each with their own agendas in mind, Emporious lingers near the gate. Unsealing and opening the scroll reveals that the Avowed have keep their word. The words written on the parchment reveal that the curse, though a bit cliche, is the result of unrequited love.
The scroll goes on to explain that through various forms of divination and research it was discovered that a dignitary had come to Altus to take audience with Emporious' mentor. During that meeting the man took a fancy to one of the young maids attending the gathering. When the meeting had been adjourned and the dignitary was to return to his neighboring land he asked the young maid to join him. Politely rebuking the advance the young girl explained that her love for her home in Altus and the surrounding country side could never be equaled anywhere else and that she could never leave such a beautiful place. The man, hurt but undeterred, leaves Altus with a plan. Knowing that force or any direct attempts would only serve to push the girl farther away, the man secretly enlists the skills of a witch to curse the girls homeland. The plan was to deplete the area of its attractiveness in hopes that the girl would be forced to abandon her home and seek refuge with him. The curse therefore can only be lifted in one of two ways. Either the dignitary receives a kiss from the maiden in question or a magic user of greater stature must create a spell of greater power that combines elements of a love spell, dispel magic, and remove curse and then cast it upon the dignitary.
Emporious excitedly rolls up the scroll and after sealing it within one of his own scroll tubes excitedly hurries off to find a courier that can deliver the scroll to his mentor Mirrodin.
With the answer on its way to Altus, Emporious takes a deep breath puffing out his chest a bit in both pride and relief that his notoriety will grow. Contemplating his next move the mage realizes that he hasn't even scratched the surface of what this library has to offer. Intrigued by the wealth of knowledge stored here he decides to stay and continue with its exploration. Besides, much against his nature, he has grown fond of this group and remaining in their company provides him with a sense of comraderie that he's never really felt before. With that realization in mind the mage strolls off to find the rest with an uncharacteristic bounce in his step.

Barbär, who has spent his time in the city in a spot where his hammer blows wouldnt disturb anyone, takes a moment to wipe his brow though not in armor, sees Emporious looking about.

Hey, Emporious! Catch!

he hefts up what looks like a modified version of his warhammer, and throws it to intentionally miss and hit the ground near his companion. What you see is indeed a war hammer, but its shorter and more of a dwarven design, however, as you take a look at it it vanishes. Only to be seen back in Barbärs hands.

Emporious jumps back, startled by the shout, only to reflexively recoil at the sight of the hammer flying at him. Before he can even get a good look at the weapon and completely register what has transpired it disappears. His startled expression is quickly replaced by one of intrigue as he realizes the hammer has returned to the smiths hand. Raising a hand in greeting he approaches Barbär. 

"Very intriguing weapon you have there! Very impressive, you must let me study it some time but for now I have news." says Emporious excitedly. He proceeds to inform the dwarf that the Avowed have kept their promise. When finished relating the fate of Altus Emporious says "I was headed over to The Hearth to tell see if the rest are about. I was hoping to share the good news with them as well. Come with and tell me of this hammer of yours."

He invites Barbär to join him and regardless of the reply will head to the hearth to await or find the others.

Hino spends the down time, down….

<wink-wink>
<fade to black>

Servicing clients, important and unimportant, who all needed an excuse to get away from their books for a bit.

This little side project earned her a hefty 98 gp.

Barbär nods aye. Could use a refreshing, and refreshment! And will talk with the wizard about being happy to have been able to help, and other positives of having a green land again to come home to, all the while, gesturing into mock fight poses and marveling at his new toy

‘Do you need help bringing this dignitary to justice, after the curse is broken? If he’s capable of an act like this for a passing fancy, he’s clearly a sociopath, and we can’t in good conscience allow him to do further harm…’ says Orvok, sipping on a flagon of ale.

He’s been quieter than usual since the mines, another brush with the shadowfell seems to have left him subdued and introspective…

Everything alright there, Orvok? Maybe this could cheer you up? A bit of home? He shows the hammer to Orvok as well

Emporious assumes his typical thinking posture of left hand supporting the right elbow as his right index finger taps his lips. He ponders Orvok's inquiry for a bit before responding.

"I have sent the remedy on to those who can implement it best thus correcting that which was unnaturally unbalanced. My personal interests have been satisfied in the removal of the curse, beyond that, unless requested, I feel no other involvement required.  Word of the mans transgression shall spread causing unimaginable consequential ripples to spread as well. Rebukes will come in many forms not to mention the probable military intervention that will most likely occur in the attempt to administer the cure. The natural universal balance will prevail and the man will be punished. Perhaps not in a manner that we see fit or even recognize but in a manner that preserves the natural order. But your question does put a light on a puzzle a bit more personal. What now? "

CANDLEKEEP MYSTERIES LEVEL SIX

SHEMSHINE'S BEDTIME RHYME

Ah, the joys of looking for work. Perhaps looking for another mystery to solve. And, why not? Everyone loves a good mystery, especially when they take you to Shadowfel grave portals, and cave systems with giant bug looking ants. The camera pans over to our group in the evening as you all look for a room for the night, having returned from killing Meenlocks.

Welcome to the Firefly Cellar beneath the House of Rest. You find yourself drawn to this location for one reasons. The House of Rest has had an influx of guests tonight, and you all were forced to stay in the only available room, which happen to be in the Firefly Cellar - for one heck of an amazing price. FREE!

Take a look at the map in Discord. You enter the Cellar at AREA F1.

As you descent into the Cellar, you hear a conversation: an elderly elf woman is precariously balanced on a ladder while arranging a few of the flowerpots on top of one of the bookcases. She’s engrossed in her work, and doesn't appear to see well.

“Ebder, are you back?”

“I never left!” grumbles a voice around the corner.

“Oh?” The elf looks down and seems surprised at your presence. Then she says, indicating the room around her, “Ah. Visitors. I’m Scribe Varnyr. Sorry for the state of things. As you see, the restoration project is a work in progress. I’ll be with you shortly.” She returns to her work. A moment later, she says, “Actually, would you mind bringing that stack of books downstairs to Ebder? I’ll meet you there.” She points to a small pile of books on a stool. “Thanks so much.”

Ebner is in AREA F2.

Hello, and thank you for the warm welcome. Id be happy to help you. One moment. 

Barbär grabs the stack of books and takes them and motions to Mav to follow. When he gets close to the stairs, Barbär casts detect magic while holding the books

"Hi Varnyr, it's nice to meet you" Isa looks around a bit "Looks like you are doing a great job with the restoration."

When asked to help out, Isa is more than willing to lend a helping hand... that's how she got here in the first place, by lending a helping hand to Emporious.  "Here Barbär, let me help you with a few of those." She proceeds to grab a few of the books and stacks them up, looking at the titles for anything interesting as she goes.  "You said bring them to Ebder downstairs, right... will do."  She takes off with a spry energy as she heads down to find Ebder.  She bounds down the stairs "Ebder?" she calls out "I have a stack of books that Varnyr asked me to bring down to you, where would you like me to put them?"

Hino just shakes her head at the strange hospitality here.  Busy or not, they just don't know how to properly take care of customers.  Grrrrrrr.

She begrudgingly follows Barbär as he carries the small stack of books down to area F2, grumbling the entire time to herself.  Mostly.

Emporious offers his typical curt bow in greeting and follows the others.

Over at AREA F2, Ebder is sitting at the table, hunched over a book. "KsHshsHSSH!" he hushes you all. “Keep your voices down, please. I just put my daughter to bed.”

“Grumpy folks here are making me grumpy” Hino whispers to Mav. 

Barbär makes the effort to be a bit more quiet and places his stack down is there anything else we can do for you? He also makes a spot for Isa to put hers down