At this point Pardot is hoping that they'll be able to be let out of quarantine so that he can reunite with Pocket to hear what has happened here (other than the singing of course), and get some rest in a proper bed.

Pardot had mentioned the body was dead for about a month but you are not so sure. You think it was dead a lot longer maybe a year or even two. You also see a large head wound. Klin -- make a constitution save as you get close to the body and investigate it. DC12 or you lose your lunch and reflexively vomit all over.

Pardot -- The ring radiates arcane power though you can tell the energy has been spent for the day. You recognize this as a Ring of the Ram. 

(I'll give you all the rest of the tonight to do whatever you want here in the cellar then tomorrow AM when I am wasting time at work I'll move you on)

Triäsa glances at the body from afar and is soon ready to see about getting out of the cellar. 

Content seeing the body and room you start to make your way back out of the cellar. Fembris rejoins you as you head back to the room with the giant stone table. You take the stairs to the top floor where you are met by about 20 other denizens of the Cellar, all lined up eager to get out. It does appear that the line is moving briskly. You also notice a large pool of recently dried blood near the steps as you approach.

You emerge from the cellar and are hit by the refreshing, brisk summer night's air. It's hard to tell from where you are and the lack of stars in the sky but you suspect sunrise is only a few hours away. The Avowed and visitors who emerge from the cellar all immediately go outside. You can see them stare up into the pitch black, empty sky in awe. More than a few have dropped to their knees as they try to comprehend the void in the skies above.

You are greeted by the Avowed who dropped you off. He no longer wears the strange headwrap and as you approach he smiles and says, "Welcome back! Quarantine wasn't so bad now was it? I bet you made lots of new friends! Regardless, glad that whole thing is over now and now we can get back to reading!" He looks over the group of you and a concerned look crosses his brow, "You do appear very tired... Perhaps a good nights sleep is in order? Just grab a key from behind the desk and find a room. Plenty of vacancies right now..."

"Yes, the quarantine certainly exerted it's toll on both body and mind." Ludolf mutters and grabs a key, nodding good night to the others with a quick smile before heading up the stairs to his room.

"While I'd love to go to the mansion, I could fall asleep standing. First available bed and it's lights out for me."

She pauses, then asks the Avowed.

"The gnomish woman we brought with with us, the hurt one. Is she alright?" 

(90% sure Fistandia is a gnome... Can't search easily on mobile... Dav would know better than Viper :) )

((definitely a gnome. I'd almost forgotten about her!))

As Pardot takes a key, he looks up to the Avowed and asks, "Are our rooms unavailable?"

Fembris pipes up at Pardot's question, "Well you see, we had your things moved to your new rooms at CIA HQ. It was supposed to be a surprise for when you get back... Didn't plan on a musical curse-plague breaking out. Don't worry we will get you all settle in the morning. Promise!" She smiles sincerely. 

"The gnome? Well, we got her to the folks beyond the Emerald Gate. It hasn't been that long I can't imagine much has changed with her. She someone important? She looked a bit comatose when they carried her away." The Avowed answers as he helps more and more people out of the Cellar. Gailby and Ebder come up last. Ebder his arm around the little girl he walks past you avoiding eye contact. Gailby's left eye is black and swollen but she smiles at you all as she walks past. 

"That's the last of 'em. Quite the mess down there. It'll will be a while till we get that all cleaned up." Says a new Avowed, a gruff dwarf with a long but neatly trimmed black beard. He locks the door behind him "You lot gonna have to give a full report on what happened down there but not now. Gonna have alot of 'xplaining t'do in the morning..."

"I see. Thanks!" Pardot says, putting a hand on Fembris' shoulder as he thanks her, as he pockets the key noting the number on it for his room for the evening. He then looks back to the others and says, "We could all use a rest in a warm bed. If there is nothing else," and looks to see if anyone has anything to say, and if not, adds, "Get some rest, and I'll see you in the morr~eow." the last line cut off as he suddenly shifts form into his black cat shape ((black cat with white paws and white on his chest - like the cat I had as a kid :D )) and dashes off to find Pocket and play for a bit before curling up to get some rest.

Triäsa shakes her head, looking first to the Avowed that had dropped them off. "The gnome was just Fistandia. I'm not sure, is she important?"  She shrugs, then looks to the dwarf.  She speaks quite gently to him. "Of course we will provide a report. We expect the same from you Avowed, on what you were doing up here while we resolved this curse for you.  By the  morning will be fine." She turns abruptly and heads for the House of Rest, ready to grab a key and finally get some rest. 

You each grab a key and wander to your separate rooms. Fembris explains the situation regarding Crinkle to the other Avowed and as a group they escort her away. Your rooms are all next to each other on the second floor.. Each room is the plain but comfortable accommodations you had grown used to, a bed, a desk, a foot locker, nothing more.

Reflecting briefly on the last two and half to three weeks you have just a moment to process the chaos. When was the last time you had an actual good nights rest? The journey south, climbing the mountain, the nightmares of Vermeillion, Chalet Brantiflax and the Man in Black and of course, the stars falling. It has been one disaster after another. There was a night respite with the Vistani but the wine and music didn't make for a calm, restful evening.

You're asleep before you head hits the pillow.

In a small mercy there are no dreams you're too tired for that. 

And then the rest is over. The blazing heat of the summer sun burns through your window but that's not what wakes you. You are each awoken by a firm, knock on your door. "Well now let's go you five. The day is burning by and Bookwyrm has grown a bit anxious to talk to you all." A familiar elvish voice calls out through your closed door. You risk a glance out the window, it has to be close to noon.... when is the last time you slept so late...

When you are ready and open the door you find Matreous, the elf you saved from Fistandia's mansion waiting for you. "Come, come we tried to let you rest but this is long enough." He is obviously annoyed with having to round you all up and being sent on such a menial task.

(You all get a long rest. You also all get inspiration for solving the Cellar without any PC/NPC casualties. Good work)

Daventry awakens to the banging, feeling like she's hungover despite not a drop drank. "Fine, fine. I'm comin', don't be a tosser about it."

Like she has done every morning since the brands first changed, she strips to her smallclothes and checks herself over for anything new or different. She applies a quick splash of water to the vitals to get herself clean enough before changing into her "about town" clothes, versus the still dusty tunic and corset she wore on the road and while quarantined. She slots the tome back into its case in her pack, wondering only briefly when she actually got it out in the first place.

Daventry emerges soon after to a no-doubt-still grumpy Matreous and any others who rose with a quicker pace, pair of blades slotted in her belt and ready as she can be for the day ahead.

Quote from kevtr0n >>

Taking a queue from Pocket ((who I assume he found?)), Pardot splashes some water on his face to get ready for the day. Thinking of what magicks he may need he then emerges, cufflinks and paper rubbing in hand, ready to talk with the Reader.

( So sorry forgot about Pockets. I wrote the post above the night before and did not address before posting, bad DM)

You search the Court of Air and all of your typical hunting/play grounds but Pockets is no where to be found. It is rather late and with everyone exiting quartine it is very busy its possible she is hiding or being shy but you can't help but worry.

((updated))

Worried about not finding Pocket, Pardot only quickly splashes some water on his face after hearing the knock on the door. Knowing that they'd been summoned to talk with the Reader though he takes some time to prepare himself. Sitting down on the floor he pulls out the tarot deck that he'd been given as a gift, gently unwrapping the cards and setting them to the side. He then pulls out one of the cufflinks and sets it in front of him, concentrating on the symbol that has plagued them since around when the stars disappeared. With no stars in the sky, his path has been clouded.

With some difficulty he sets Pocket out of his mind for the moment, sure that she must be somewhere safe in the Keep, and begins shuffling the cards. Dealing them out as he'd been shown he focuses on the question of how the Reader will be able to respond, as well as if there is anything that should be kept from those in the Keep, or if they should hide nothing from the wise Dragonborn.

Ludolf soon joins the others in the corridor, seeming very reinvigorated, having taken a bath and shaved in the morning, now ready to give a full report to the First Reader, not letting the grumpy old elf bring down his good mood.

Pardot --

 (Second post coming in a bit. Probably going to be a longer one.)

Matreous gives a frustrated and impatient sigh as you all gather in the hallway. He looks to you all says, “Let’s go. The First Reader is requesting to speak with you. Please try to keep up.” He turns on his heel and briskly leaves out of the front door.

You walk outside, into a particularly hot and humid summer day. Your previous meetings with Bookwyrm have been in his pocket dimension in the Hearth but Matreous does not make the sharp left to Candlekeep’s Seafood based tavern next door. Instead, he walks quickly across the Court of Air to the northwest. It doesn’t take long for you to realize his destination, the Emerald Door.

He arrives quickly and holds his right hand up to the Keeper of the Gate. “These are the Seekers I spoke of earlier. The First Reader requests they join him at the Exaltation.” He continues with an obvious air frustration and perhaps disdain, “I, Matreous Senior Scribe of the Avowed, will assume responsibility for their actions and behavior inside.” The Keeper simply nods and turns to the fifteen foot, glowing green double doors. He places a hand on the door and the glow softly intensifies. A moment later the heavy door swings open giving you access to the Inner Ward.

“Again, keep up and don’t touch anything.” Matreous words are serious and stern as he turns and walks into the Inner Ward, expecting you all to follow.

The Inner Ward is enormous. The size and grandiosity is far more than you could ever have imagined from the other side of the Emerald Door. You find yourself walking along narrow cobblestone walkway that snakes between tightly packed buildings in a panoply of architectural styles. Among the stone structures are a few towers made of stranger materials, such as infernal iron and the bones of a long-dead colossal creature.

Besides the mismatched structures you noticed there are a number of green spaces which stand in stark contrast to the sterile stone courtyard of the Court of Air. Trees and grass dot the landscape and break up the area as water runs briskly down a manmade river that courses south and dumps out into the ocean.

Matreous guides you quickly through the maze of buildings gradually the walkway climbs higher and you ascend a few small sets of stairs making your way to the heart of the Inner Ward. You pass a number of Avowed, they all shoot questioning glances. It takes 20 or 30 minutes of brisk walking for you to reach you destination, the main bastion of the Inner Ward, Exaltation. The walls and spires of this enormous white stone structure rises impossibly high over the rest of Candlekeep. Avowed pour into and out of the doors of this scared place, their arms full of books and scrolls.

Before entering, Matreous addresses you once more, “This is Exaltation, the crown jewel of Candlekeep. Here are housed all of the Avowed, from the most junior to the most senior of our order. This place is as much fortress as library and dormitory. No one is really sure how big or small this place is. Some doors lead to plain old rooms while others lead to some pocket dimension. If there is a need you have it can be addressed here assuming you can find it. Stay close.” With that he again walks with purpose into the massive castle.

The entry way to Exaltation is wide open leading to an enormous cathedral like room. The ceiling is well over 100ft tall with enormous white stone pillars supporting the structure. Large wooden tables are spaced throughout like pews in a church. Hallways and doors dot the walls in dizzying frequency. Bright light is provided by innumerable scones and chandeliers lit by clearly magical flames.

Matreous doesn’t hesitate. He darts down hallways, through doors, up staircases then back down others he walks with a clear purpose and destination but the actual path he is taking makes no sense. After 30minutes of power walking he gathers himself of yet another door, “Here we go.” He flattens his robes and opens the door.

The room inside is surprisingly simple. Bookwyrm stands next to a large but simple bed. The room is dimly lit with heavy, dark red curtains with gold edging. In the bed lies your rescued gnome and at her feet lies a familiar cat, Pockets. The cat looks up and purrs at Pardot and then drops her head back on the bed. The gnome looks peaceful for the first time since Ludolf pulled her from whatever hell he found her. Fembris is there with a serious look but she softens and smiles as you enter.

Bookwyrm nods his head as the group of you enter, “You have been… busy… Young Fembris tells me not only have you brought Fistandia home but you stopped that infernal curse and you might know something about the stars?” He crosses his arms across his chest seemingly eager to hear what you have to say.

Full Exterior Map of Candlekeep:

 

Triäsa does not shout back or make any response to the pounding on her door.  Already awake, she finished dressing and slips out into the hallway to join the others.  As she did for their journey back, she no longer wears her leather armor, instead just wearing her usual off-white shirt and pants with golden--brown cloak.  All are immaculately clean and well kept.  She slips over to Ludolf, whispering lightly to him even as Matreous is impatiently urging them to move on, "Well, you certainly seem all cleaned up this morning." 

Upon arriving at the Emerald Door and hearing Matreous' words, Triäsa can't help but hold her breath as the doors swing open.  She fully realizes this is just temporary, but still, she will get to see the actual library!  At first she steps briskly along with the elf, but now and then she simply stops to note the unique building materials.  Each time it is only a moment and she hurriedly catches up to the rest of the group after.  Her eyes move from place to place, drawn more and more to the waterways, tress, and grass.  

The Exaltation is also a wonder and she hesitates once more to try to take in the grand space, expecting this must be their destination.  Once again, as Matreous moves on, she has to rush to catch up. Once they finally reach the room, she gives Fembris a smile back, glad to see her.  

She responds to Bookwyrm, "We saw the stars fall - I'm not sure we have a lot of information. Yes.  But first, can you tell us how Fistandia fares?  We really think she might be the one with more answers about what all happened."

Daventry gives a pointed look to Pardot, a look that the halfling quickly picks up as "Will I sound insane if I tell him?"  She awaits news of Fistandia...but in the meantime holds a hand over her collarbone, where the comet brand appeared after her starfall dream.