Pardot -- It's impossible for you to tell really anything about this bright star in the sky. There is no point of reference and nothing to base it on. You watch it in the sky for a while and notice that the star does not seem orbit the night sky like the stars of old. This star just hangs high in the sky directly overhead.

It seems like you are heading back to Candlekeep then? 

Collecting your things new and old, you start down the path back the way you came. Fistandia bounces along side you as you wander down the dirt path away from the Temple. She looks and inspects the trees, leaves, grass and any bugs that you happen across, taking copious notes for as long as you would allow. When the road bends away from the Temple and disappears from view you see a small round portal open up to greet you about 10 feet away. You can see Fistandia's old hospital room on the other side. You can also make out another figure in the room that was not there when you left. Sleeping in a chair at the side of the bed is Fembris. She is wrapped in a blanket dressed in her day to day robes. 

Ludolf would quickly get his gear at his room and look back one final time at Temple of the Restful Lily, then looking at himself in the mirror he was gifted to see of his gray hairs are still gone, if his youth is still restored in some sense, then looking over at Triäsa and quckly putting the mirror away again. "Vanity." He muttered to himself but he couldn't quite shake the feeling of wanting those lost years back. As the team gets going he would explain to Fistandia that he would want to hear everything she knows about what's happening and how she ended up in the Far Realm and particularly if his uncle would have anything to do with that. As they step back into Candlekeep he can't help but smile warmly as he sees the ever vigilant Fembris awaiting their return.

Daventry attempts to sneak up on Fembris, slipping through the portal quietly to perhaps give her a good natured scare. 

She trips on a small object in the dark of the room, clattering down with a lot of noise directly onto the gnome.

Stealth: nat 1.

Pardot takes one last deep breath of fresh air before going back through the portal, planning to later try to find more information out about stars that do not move in the night sky. As Daventry trips and falls he reaches out to catch her, but far too late and just cringes as his friend stumbles into the room and all over herself.

(Daventry, oh dear...)

It's a rather short walk from the Temple to the portal. Fistandia looks at Ludolf inquisitively as he asks about what she knows and mentions his uncle, "Yes, I know Malcar. Everyone knows that depressing old man but he owns the finest collection of knowledge of the Far Realm outside of Candlekeep and my vault! As for what is going on that is undoubtedly a conversation we will have but we need my library, Bookwyrm and Matreous! I am not in the mood to be repeating myself." She keeps to her investigations of the woods for the rest of the short walk to the portal.

You step through the portal and it quietly, quickly snaps shut behind you. With a glint of mischief in her eye Daventry tip toes toward the tiny gnome. Just as you get close enough to spring your prank you see dried tears crusted all down her sleeping face. Her robes and hair are dishelved more so than you would expect. Almost as if she were waiting here for quiet sometime. 

Just as you are about to abort your prank your foot catches on a sheet and down you go in an ungraceful and tragically loud heap. 

Fembris awakens with a scream, "DAVY!"

In a moment she collects herself as she sees the group of you. "Oh thank the heavens! I knew you'd be back!" Tears stream down her face as she launches herself yet again at Ludolf. "Mr Ludolf it's awful. Davy. Davy is dead!"

Ludolf is at first surprised to have Fembris at his waist but he quickly leans down to give her a comforting hug. "Dead? I'm so so sorry Fembris, so sorry." He says in a compassionate tone, holding poor Fembris i silence for a while. "How did this happen, we can perhaps bring him back somehow, stranger things have happened in the realms." He says gently, glancing over at his teammates, knowing that they have seen some both amazing and horrifying things come to pass recently.

Fembris chokes down a sob and bravely wipes her eyes with the sleeve of her robe, "I-I-I don't know for sure... I was at the library looking into the stars and the Man in Black, right after you all left... I came back to the Mansion and when I opened the door Davy was not sitting at his desk. I thought maybe he was helping Coriander and Cumin in the kitchen but they hadn't seen him. So I started looking around... Oh my I wish I had just stayed home with him...." She starts sobbing again before gasping for air and continuing. "Well the door to the planetary was open which is odd, besides you all no one really goes in there. My heart dropped when I went in because I could see the door to Fistandia's creepy library was open... that's when I saw poor Davy! He was laying on the floor and he wasn't breathing. He was so so pale... and so so cold... I ran out and got help but there was nothing anyone could do... He looked so scared..." She starts crying uncontrollably once again.

Ludolf keeps holding Fembris gently, trying to comfort her. "I'm so sorry Fembris, he was a fine man your Davy." He says softly, holding her a while longer. "Where is he now, did you already have a funeral service? We will find and deal with whatever did this to him. We're the CIA after all."

Daventry's face is flushed red with embarrassment as she stands. Which, as you think on it, is perhaps one of the very few times you've seen the brash woman actually embarrassed, opposed to embracing whatever faux pas she's made in polite company.

As she stands, she looks sadly at Fembris. "I am sorry for the... rude awakening. I didn't know. We'll find the force that did this to Davy, and bring it to its end. How long had passed since you had seen him? Has anyone been in the library since?"

You see her gauntleted fist tighten. "Feels like I'm swearing a lot of oaths of revenge recently..."

"Oh my Oh my. I didn't event think of a memorial. I've never met his parents or his family. I just know they lived somewhere in Waterdeep... I guess we'll have to track them down. Oh this is my fault I should have just let him leave... how am I going to face them" Fembris collapses back on the chair as Fistandia steps forward

"Now I don't know who you are but it is time to put your emotions behind you and we look at the facts. The lady here," She points at Daventry, "asked about the library. Please tell me the library is OK."

Fembris seems to straighten up at the firm words from the other gnome "Oh books. The only thing people care about are books." Fembris seems to actually look at all of you for the first time. "Oh.... wow.... You are talking... and not screaming about the end of the world... FISTANDIA!! It's a pleasure to meet you! Big, big fan." Fembris reaches out to shake Fistandia's hand quickly, "I am sorry I got a little emotional... it's really been a trying couple of days." Fembris looks closer at you all, "Oh wow! Your vacation looks like it was really refreshing! You all look so healthy and.... younger! Daventry you look like Daventry again! Sorry I didn't notice... "

"My young dear. The books... what of the library." Fistandia interrupts curtly. 

"Oh.. right.. well they are gone... all of them. Well all of the books in the crazy Chained Library thing."

Pardot solemnly says, "We can ensure that Davy is taken well care of. We can put him to rest and I'll help to cultivate a garden in the area for you to sit and enjoy in memory."

Then at the mention of the books being gone says, "Gone? All of them? When did that happen? There were quite a few books to take out by hand..."

"I-I don't know for sure... I went right to the library after you left to do my work. When I returned that night the books were gone.... and Davy...." Her voice trails off "Thank you Pardot. I think he would like a garden. He loved reading outside under the trees."

"l we don't need to find my necklace anymore.... If someone stole those books they would have needed my necklace. The library would never let one be taken from the shelves... This is an utter catastrophe."

Triäsa takes in all the commotion. She's a bit stunned at the news of Davy's death. But there is then Ludolf's compassion to the gnome.  Daventry's embarrassment at her failed prank. And Pardot... well, he seemed much the same. Triäsa wondered if she'd changed any. She thought probably not. 

"My condolences," Triäsa says as she finally speaks. Hearing Fistandia's concern about the books being gone, she asks, "Just what was in these locked up books? Whatever attacked Davy sounds... unearthly? I do not doubt whatever it was could just spirit away all the books."

"It is very late and we should perhaps rest now, but we will of course commence with the investigation into Davy's death and the missing books first thing in the morning. It would seem though that someone took your necklace while you were ill Fistandia, used it to steal your books and killed poor Davy when he happened to walk in on the culprit." Ludolf says, giving Fembris another comforting hug before letting go, ready to head over to his sleeping quarters at the mansion for some well-deserved rest.

"I wonder if it was the Man in Black or one of his agents that could have stolen the locket and the books. It's... not unlikely that someone else was tempted by the powers he offered."

Daventry sighs. "We should report to the First Reader as soon as we can in the morning." She looks to Fistandia. "You have new housemates within your magical mansion, Fistandia. We moved in after it was assumed you were dead, but we have kept the common rooms nice."

To the rest of her friends, "Gods know I could use a bit of time in my hammock with a fruity rum drink after today." 

She feels for the bag of holding, knowing the tome still lay within. She won't let that off her person all night until it can be dealt with. 

Fembris nods, "I suppose there is not much we can do tonight. We will get on the case tomorrow." She speaks sadly and looks down at her feet. "We'll get to the bottom of this I am sure. I am glad you all are back. I am very happy to have you all as friends." Fembris' tone is unusually serious and flat.

Fistandia speaks to no one in particular while you walk, "I suppose the world won't end if we all get some sleep.... Perhaps the morning will bring some clarity. Fine then let's head to the Mansion... I have not had roommates since I was younger women. Please do try to be quiet though I find it hard to do my research if there are too many distractions."

(OK if nothing else I will assume you all tuck in at night and wait for the morning? If that is the case go ahead and level up to Level 6. I have a bit of prep to do but your next prompt will be incoming once everyone levels up. Let me know if you have questions. Feel free to RP anything you want during the walk or on the return to the mansion if you'd like.)

Daventry bids a good night to her friends and returns to her tropical paradise of a room. She strips out of her armor, tossing it in the pile for the Spice Twins to eventually launder. A bath followed by donning an evening robe, and she goes to her balcony as the illusionary sun sets and illusionary stars come out, a mixed rum drink in her hand.

"None of you exist anymore, do you know that? You're all gone, somewhere. I wish you'd come back." she says to the fake stars.

She returns to her room and takes the first good look at herself in a full mirror since the divine pool of Sune. Who is she, now? What is she? Where does her fate lead now? She's not the same woman who ventured with the CIA. Hells, she's not the same woman who stole a tome from some creepy noble types and set sail from the Moonshae Isles. Her body isn't hollowed out by eldritch magic, which is probably a really good thing. But she never looked like this even on her best days before. "Thanks, Sune, I suppose. I hope my gift will be worth everything." she says to her mirror self, before finishing her drink.

She'll sleep on the hammock on her balcony. The sea breeze might also be fake, but it feels as good as the real thing.

Pardot nods listening and says, "Even if the necklace is not needed yet, I will prepare a magic to attempt to locate it for tomorrow. First though I would like to check the sky from here. To see if that single star remains, or if anything else has changed." If there is nothing else he'll shift into a cat and dash off to find Pocket, play around a bit, check out the night sky, and then curl up into a ball in his room to get some rest.

Pockets accompanies you on your walk. Initially he cat curls with a familiarity around and between you legs. As you shift your form she playfully bats at your nose and darts playfully around some furniture. Gleefully she accompanies you on your star gazing and you get a pleasant sense of nostalgia reminded of your first few nights in Candlekeep when all the stars illuminated the night sky. But now as you look up with Pockets you see just one, solitary point of light. Unmoved and unchanged it stares down at you as you stare up at it.

"You do that Pardot, it is quite possible that if we find the necklace we will also find whoever stole Fistandia's library." Ludolf comments to the halfling before he turns into a cat and disappears. Very weary after many dramatic and taxing events, Ludolf follows the others back to the mansion, going back to his sleeping quarters and quickly drifting off into sleep with troubling dreams about the Man in Black.

(If possible Ludolf would want to use Detect Thoughts on the surface thoughts of Fembris to make sure she is not inhibited by an Intellect Devourer.)