You probe the mind of your typically peppy, lovable companion. As you do you feel a bit of guilt invading her mind, how cruel could the DM truly be? Thankfully you find her thoughts true and appropriate. 

It's going to be OK the team is here. Everything will be just OK. 

The next morning's light floods into your dimensions within a dimension and you rise with a sense of purpose. The light is accompanied by the strong smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, a sure fire sign that breakfast is being served downstairs. 

You go about your morning routine preparing for what is sure to be a crazy day and make your way downstairs to the dining room. What you find is a rather chaotic buffet with some unexpected guests. Corriander and Cumin dart from kitchen to table heaping piles of cinnamon rolls, bacon, coffee, a wide variety of fruit juices, potatoes, oatmeal... if you can dream a breakfast food it is here in one form or another. Sitting at the table engaged in a serious conversation that is in rather direct conflict with the room's mood are Bookwyrm and Fistandia. Fembris sits nearby listening but she seems distracted. 

As each of you enter Bookwyrm waves you to a sear nearby and gives you a moment to grab some food.

"I do like the changes to the Mansion, however, you all were rather rough with some of my specimens. It took a good many years to grow that quasit so large and collect all those mimics. I suppose if the world doesn't get obliterated I will have to start the process all over again." She takes a sip of coffee. "We have much to discuss, first order of business is to find my books!"

Ludolf comes down the stairs, seeming rested and of fairly good spirits, perhaps just glad to be home with his friends again. He's not really a morning person though so without a word, just a nod to those present, he takes a seat by the table and starts to fill a plate with bacon, sausages, fried eggs and potatoes, some freshly baked bread, strong black coffee and orange juice. "Yes, I think Pardot might have some magic prepared to deal with finding your books Fistandia." He comments, taking a sip of coffe before digging into his plate.

Shortly after, Triäsa arrives to join in on the breakfast.  She eyes how Ludolf is filling his plate. "Well, quite the apetite you seem to have this morning!" she says to him in a soft, teasing voice. 

Before sitting, she slips over to where Fembris is sitting. Putting a hand on her shoulder she asks, "How are you doing Fembris? Did you already get some breakfast? It seems like a wonderous feast." 

As Ludolf begins to pile the food onto his plate and mentions Pardot's name, the halfling suddenly looks up from a corner his mouth already filled with food and simply grins. Swallowing the mouthfull, Pardot then looks up and says, in a good mood as he slept well and has a good breakfast, "Yes yes. I can sense if a specific object is within 1000 feet of me. Though that is not extremely far, it will cover a good amount of the Keep. Should I focus on one of the books specifically? Perhaps your necklace? Do your best to describe it to me so that I may have a mental picture of it." He then takes a sip of juice and pauses for a second as if remembering something. Looking to everyone gathered he says, "By the way... Last night an unknown name? Or perhaps just a title or word? Anyway... The name Kadath came to me, and though I meditated on it for a time, am sure I've never heard it before. Does it ring any bells to anyone here?"

Daventry walks into the dining room, her strawberry blonde hair tied into a loose braided ponytail. She wears the same light armor, cleaned up by the Spice Twins, the blue dress underneath the black leather breastplate. The contrast with her skin and hair is far less than before, and she doesn't have any glowing dodecahedrons for irises. Probably good signs.

In her hand is a familiar dark wooden case, and wrapped around her wrist is the steel chain attached to a small key. She sets the box on the table next to her.

"Mornin'. First Reader, glad to see you hearty and hale." She gives Fembris and Fistandia a nod as she sits down and loads up a piece of toast with eggs and bacon. As she catches up on the conversation, she looks at Pardot as he recalls the strange name.

"You too, huh? Can't say I recognize that name. I had a strange dream also, though thankfully no runic brands or whispered insanities followed behind this time. I walked down 700 steps, exactly, to a door that lead to a great wasteland, a desert with no sun or stars but just burnt orange dirt with a burnt orange sky. There was a withered tree there, injured and leaking sap, but alive. It turned and gave me its name: Nodens. And it called me a dreamer, said I had to awaken. But I don't think it meant the obvious." She looks at Pardot, then the rest. "I figured talking trees were more your lane, but I'm open to any interpretations."

Daventry looks at the First Reader. "Speaking of nightmares and stolen books. First Reader, I've made a decision." She pushes the case to the Dragonborn, and places the key on top. "This is the tome that led to my brands, my magic. Led to me feeling and hearing the Man in Black in the back of my mind. I could see through time and the future was surely corruption. I've forsaken that path, and want nothing more to do with this book. Take every precaution if you deem to study it..." she pauses. "The offers are... tempting. But maybe you and Fistandia can safely study it with more care than a silly thief trying to make some dragons on the open water."

Fembris smiles at Triäsa's kindness, "Thanks, Tri. I am doing better with you all here." She forces a smile back at you. "The mansion isn't as empty as it had been. It is good to have a new task, a distraction." Her eyes look down at the floor, "I had some bacon but I am not really hungry. The food's good don't get me wrong... Just don't really feel like eating...." Her voice trails off in a deep sadness.

Bookwyrm nods as Daventry enters and slides the case in his direction, "Given recent events I do not think we should open this case for sometime. Knowledge is power, and power can corrupt even the best of us." He pats the case with his clawed hand. "I shall keep this booked locked way in the catacombs were only I and the Great Reader are permitted." He sets it on the floor next to his chair and smiles a fanged smile, "Thank you for restoring Fistandia but it seems for every step forward in this world we take two back. While you were gone alot has happened." He takes a quick glance at Fembris but she does not seem to notice. "We face a number of problems in addition to the lost books, our food supply from the Gripli across the sea has dramatically decreased and we do not have a clear reason. In addition we had a visitor, a strange scholar, who claims the planes are colliding or meshing. He and Matreous organized an expedition to investigate this... quite the production really. I think there were 15 of them..." He takes a breath, "And now we have the tragedy here and the missing books."

Fistandia chirps up at this, "The books are paramount! The remainder of these queries are nothing more than trivialities that can be handled in due course. We have to find them immediately. It is the highest of criminality to steal knowledge, forbidden knowledge at that! Who ever has these books is a clear and present danger to the realm!"

Bookwyrm appears to roll his dragon eyes at Fistandia's dramatics. 

"As for your words.. Kadath... Nodens... They are not familiar to me." He has passing look of concern, "Perhaps Fembris you could investigate this for us?" He asks of the gnome in a more an unusually kind, friendly tone with a warm smile.

"It would be my honor sir." Fembris responds flatly.

"Now I am sure you all have questions. We are happy to answer what we can but you have proved yourselves to be excellent investigators so I will not hamper you in any what the next steps are yours to take."

Ludolf blushes slightly at Triäsa's comment, coughing and saying something short and incomprehensible before resuming his eating.

The old man listens to Pardot and ponders the name Kadath and tries to recollect if he ever have heard of an ancient unknown city by that name.
Arcana: 12

He then listens to Daventry, smiling as he admires her new appearance, pondering the name of Nodens too.
Arcana again: 20
As Daventry lets go of her dark tome Ludolf's chest is filled with warmth. Maybe there was hope for him too.

"Thank you Bookwyrm, it seems we have a lot of work in front of us." Ludolf says, finishing his breakfast with emptying his cup of strong black coffee. "We should start with trying to find Fistandia's necklace and her lost books. Pardot can perhaps help us with that. Then we have to eventually find and deal with the Intellect Devourer that is loose in Candlekeep. No sign of that loathsome creature I suppose?" He says turning to Bookwyrm. "I would like to have a long talk with you Fistandia when you feel up to it to understand how you came to find yourself trapped in the Far Realms." He says, looking at the gnome. "Also we would of course be at your service if any help is needed with the problem with the food supply." He finally turns and says to the First Reader.

Daventry nods as Bookwyrm lists the myriad of issues, though her eyes alight at the mention of the sea. "As for the food supply, what of the Dog's Ear? I'm not going to lie, solving a problem that involves a bit of sailing seems right up my alley. An army runs on its stomach more than anything else, and we need our army of scholars to figure out this apocalypse. How far is it to the village by ship? And Matreous's expedition, where was it destined? Here on the Sword Coast?"

"I don't know that a longer conversation is needed but I am happy to answer any questions and teach you whatever I know. I can't completely recall how I ended up there... which is odd... I generally remember everything. What I do remember studying the Far Realm trying to find ways to travel deeper and explore a plane no one knows much about... I guess I succeeded..." Her voice trails off and her eyes glaze over for a moment. 

"No we have not had any luck locating the Intellect Devourer. We assume it continues to roam the Keep but it is also possible it has moved beyond our walls." He takes a sip of orange juice and continues, "The shipments of seafood have all but stopped. We are considering sending a group to the grippli village to investigate and see if we can assist. I am sure you would be an asset to the investigation should you choose to do so I can arrange for your passage on the next boat which is scheduled to leave tomorrow. The journey takes about a day and half by sea. There is an over land route though it is significantly longer." 

After another sip of juice and a bite of toast he continues, "I wouldn't call it Matreous' expedition. It was led by a man by the name of Gehir. Matreous simply helped select a few of our finest scholars for the investigation. To my knowledge they headed east to the forest. I did not get the impression they had a more clear destination than that." Bookwyrm stops to think for a moment, "Matreous did not accompany them and left the expedition in the hands of Gehir. Matreous said his work here was too important to leave unattended."

Klin has been sitting quietly slowly stirring a bowl of oatmeal with a spoon and speaks up, "I am sorry to interrupt but I have something I need to get off my chest." The young monk stands up and addresses the group, "I am sorry but I can't shake everything we've been through. I came here to write a book.... a book about Candlekeep and now I find myself fighting shadow creatures and watching Gods rise from the water... I... need sometime... to think and... work on my book." He takes his book weapon off his belt and slides it back to Fistandia. "This is yours. Take it back I won't need it anymore." He sits down and avoids eye contact with the group and continues to stir his food. 

A bit surprised Bookwyrm nods, "I understand. I won't make any of you continue this road against your wishes. Though you have proven invaluable so far and it seems you all move together with a purpose...it is your life to command, not mine."

Listening as he eats, Pardot almost (not quite, but almost) feels guilty for enjoying such a large meal when food may soon be scarce. He first speaks up to say to Bookwyrm, "Though I cannot produce seafood, given a day to prepare, I could have some magicks ready which would easily be able to help the Keep be self sustainable. We only would need land to cultivate;" adding to the group as an after thought and a slight grin, "more than just berries. Though they are good, I know most can grow tired of them."

He then asks, "Should I start by attempting to locate the necklace?" ((assuming he either remembers it, or has been given a good enough description of it to 'be familiar' with it for the spell))

Fistandia smiles, "I can help you! I did design it myself!" She produces a piece of paper, waves her hand and an ornate quill appears out of no where. She frantically scribbles and draws. Colors fly from the quill and in a few moments a photo realistic image of the necklace is recreated on the page. Its a beautiful silver chain with a small book charm. It is simple at first glance but the detail is incredible when you look closely. Fistandia's drawing is more the adequate to use for your spell.

"If your magics can help then we can give you all the land you need. Just outside the gates is good fertile land. Use as much as you need if it will help."

 Pardot nods, and looks to Bookwyrm saying, "If you can have some of the land tilled by tomorrow, and provide me with seeds, I will help to ensure a quick, and bountiful harvest."

After studying the image Pardot nods, says, "But first this..." and then places his hands together, taking a deep breath, allowing the flow of nature to help him sense if the object of his thoughts is within range.

Triäsa pats Fembris' shoulder. "You do not need to eat if you do not want to. I am just so sorry to see you unhappy," She says softly. Taking a seat near Fembris, she starts to grab several pieces of fruit for herself, a small bit of bacon, and perhaps a larger pastry.  Quickly she finished up as the others talk.

After Klin's announcement, she nods solemnly towards the monk. "We shall miss your company and companionship. I do wish you well Klin, no whatever path you now take."

"I am not sure where I might best help. I am probably better assisting Fembris in searching the archives for those words 'Kadath' and 'Nodens'."  She then looks over at Daventry, "If you are going off to investigate the issue with the shipments, someone ought to go with you. I would go, but I am not sure whether I am the best choice. Then if Pardot is working on planting crops that leaves little of us to investigate."  She hesitates a moment, looking at Pardot.  "It seems your first effort should probably be finding Fistandia's necklace.  And hopefully that will lead to clues as to who took the books."  

Ludolf nods slowly as Fistandia talks about the Far Realms. "You mentioned my uncle when I first found you there, as you might imagine I'm very interested in why."

"What has been done to locate the Intellect Devourer, have you used magic to locate it for instance?" Ludolf asks Boowyrm.

"Yes, we hope you find peace in your new endeavour Klin. Best of luck with your book now." Ludolf chimes in with Triäsa's words.

"If any of us is leaving Candlekeep we should all go I think. There is no telling when the Man in Black will appear next and outside these walls we are extra vulnareble to his nefarious plans. That said I have no strong opinion on in which order we should deal with all these issues." Ludolf says, looking at the others at the breakfast table. "Starting with finding the necklace sounds like a good idea though."

Daventry responds.

"Aye. While Pardot going farmer on us solves one symptom, we don't know the cause of the village going quiet. And I'd rather not taunt Umberlee's wrath by going just by myself. Let's search for the necklace and talk to Matreous today, and discuss the next step after." 

Bookwyrm looks hopeful at Pardot but his face grows drawn as he describes the plan, "The only cultivating and sowing we are capable of doing here is that of mind... We do not have much in the way farm tools or seeds. I will see what we can pull together but it will likely take some time." To Ludolf he simply shakes his head, "We've not seen even a whisper of the creature. We have tried scanning the minds of those who are willing and looking for any strange behaviors but so far we don't have any leads. I left Matreous in charge of the effort he has the most knowledge of those types of creatures. He must be hard at work as I have not seen him since you all left."

"Malcar!? That old crank, yes regrettably I know him. If you want to learn anything about the Far Realm you have to deal with your Uncle. He and I spent a good amount of time corresponding, comparing notes and exchanging books." Fistandia says to Ludolf then turns to Triäsa unexpectedly, "And I knew you mother, Ms Galadon." Fistandia smiles a clever little smile, "You are the absolute spitting image of her you know. I wouldn't be much of a scholar if I didn't see the similarities... and your affection for Silverymoon back at the Temple. Quiet the coincidence to find the two of you together... with me." 

At this point Pardot's spell takes hold and he feels a tug and pull toward the front door of the mansion and back toward the library. The object seems far away, farther than your spell should be able to detect it... but you feel a shine on your sickle grow very bright as runes of familiar constellations and star clusters form on the surface. The light intensifies and the stars shift and swirl on the surface taking the following appearance:

As you move the sickle the constellation shifts with the top star pointing in a constant direction, like a compass.

Fistandia smiles, "Interesting indeed"

“We need only to get the land started, from there things will grow faster than we can deal with, but should at least keep the Keep from starving,” Pardot says with a smile.

Once he casts his spell the hairs on his arms, and some on his head, start to stick up, almost as if static electricity is flowing through him. Seeing the ‘compass’ appear on his sickle he says, “Your necklace is here… though rather farther than I’d thought.”

"Oh! You knew my mother?" Triäsa says to Fistandia. "I should have realized you would have. I would really love to talk a bit about some of her work, if you might indulge me sometime. When we do not have more pressing matters than now, of course." She seems very excited by the prospect. 

As Pardot says the necklace is here she stands. "Well, should we go track it down. I am ready to go." 

Quote from kevtr0n >>

“We need only to get the land started, from there things will grow faster than we can deal with, but should at least keep the Keep from starving,” Pardot says with a smile.

Once he casts his spell the hairs on his arms, and some on his head, start to stick up, almost as if static electricity is flowing through him. Seeing the ‘compass’ appear on his sickle he says, “Your necklace is here… though rather farther than I’d thought.”

@DM - would outside 1000ft be outside the keep as a whole? We likely have a basic understanding of the size of the keep and where this room is located in relation to it.

 

It is more than 1,000ft away but it is certainly inside the keep.