"One thing is for certain, regardless of where we start. Brendan is involved in some way, and until he returns to his right mind, it is best we keep him somewhere where he won't hurt anyone." Falken looks to Brendan then to the others. "Do you have a place we can keep him? It doesn't have to be a cell, as he didn't actually attack us, but maybe we keep him under hold in his home?"

Klok listens and thinks for a moment before asking Guron and the elders "If these golems were ridden by someone and Brendan's mind was being controlled by someone does it stand to reason that there is someone inside this shield with magic far beyond any of us here have seen and only read about? On top of this, what were they looking for in that room? They were clearly after something....perhaps the golem was a diversion?"

Most of the elders hold grim faces and Boradur frowns openly at Guron, “I know what you are thinking and it’s not a good idea. Magic has been a bane for so long now. Look at what happened when Torak openly tried to use magic, it blew up in his face. If these few are developing magical skills safely, that’s one thing, but delving into magic of the past is out of line.”

Guron nods grimly at his fellow elder’s words, “I agree with you old friend, but there are things happening here that we must get to the bottom of. I fear inaction will only make things worse. We need to get to the bottom of this.” He looks around to the other elders and although there are a few disapproving looks, none offer any more objections to his unspoken intent.

Guron looks back at Klok and says, “A few years after the shield was erected, all the races came together as a whole to ensure our survival. Magic was still being attempted and potential mages were killing themselves with it. They, as a whole, put a stop to it. They banned using magic outright near the village after a few attempts killed some curious onlookers. The ones that were caught after that were banished, including five of the six that created the shield. After that homes were searched and magical items were confiscated and locked up here in the town hall. If someone is after something here, that is most likely what it is.”

Klok answers Guron "I see, I see....This does not bode well hm? If I were to take a guess it looks like those that survived possibly are still alive or have taught apprentices maybe? They are looking for these magical items, which in my mind then they have use of magic again. What would the elders have these younglings do?"

Gillian telecoms Roy, “maybe the trap door is where these magic items are being held, this was the room they were after perhaps.” 

Otis speaks up, "Lets not make too many assumptions. We understand Brendan was being forced to do something by someone. We don't know if it came from inside the shield or outside, physical or mental, like Gillian's ability to talk to people in their head."

"The Glassman the same, except we know it is physical."

"If we start by finding where the two first intersect we will have a better idea of what happened. We can do that by working backwards from here to where Brendan came here from, or from Brendan home until he came here."

"I think from here backwards is the most expedient path"

Roy leans in close to Falken. 

Then straightens up. “Otis, that’s pragmatic but perhaps a bit heartless. I suggest start by waking up Brendan. Let the councilors hear what he has to say, and give him a chance to explain or volunteer to show us into his home. It does not seem this is Brendan’s fault, and he may be enlightening.” 

Falken says back to Roy.

"I can fasten something up that will alert me when someone attempts to enter the trap door. Is that something you'd like me to do?"

Roy nods. (Hopefully this is subtle)

Gillian has a more terrifying thought, messaging around again: “what if the 5 remaining magical users are down there, and the council lock us up too?”  

Gillian’s eyes dark to and fro, inspecting the facial expressions of all the council members.

12

Hearing Elder Boradur speak of Torak Grahl looks down and tries to ignore it. Not wanting to shift his focus. 

With Elder Guron speaking about those that were banished Grahl asks Only 5 of the 6 were banished? Where were they banished to and what happened to the one that was not?

He looks to Otis Perhaps that can give us a lead on how Brendan got involved. 

Falken begins to back up to head back into the room with the trap door. (If asked what he is doing, he'll explain that he dropped something when carrying Brendan.) Falken will head into the room and begin to set an Alarm . Alerting him mentally when the hatch is open. He will then make his way back to the group.

Otis nods at Grahl's words, "We have a running list of things to look into. The relics left by the banished here in the hall, and what Brendan was actually searching for. Brenden's  home and places he went today."

"Tracking where the Glassman came from. Interviewing Brenden, the priestess of Bahamut, people who know Brenden to see when he started acting odd."

"The recollections of the elders on these shield raisers and what happened to them. Searching the archives on any recorded information on the shield raisers or the banished. A re-search of the places the shield raisers and banished lived here, too see if anything was missed back then."

"A look into were the banished were banished, if any of them survive, and either returned, or something or someone they set in motion returned." Otis outlines.

" That is if the elders wish us to investigate this. They may have others to investigate and have other tasks for us?" Otis asks looking towards the elders.

“Where were the banished banished? And perhaps these dangerous items are safest in our protection. We cannot protect the council and hall while also going to confront the evils that are coming to bear.”

Gillian is trying to steer the conversation to acceptance of magic, as well as just more honesty overall.

Elder Guron thinks for a moment, "They were banished from the village, never to return. The only one that wasn't banished was a mage named Vendris. He lived here in the village peacefully for many years before setting out in his old age to find his fellow mages and see what had become of them. Apparently he never found them, but only came back to visit the village a few times before he was never seen again."

Elder Martino steps forward at the mention of waking up Brendan, "I believe we should. Brendan and his wife are good people. They don't cause trouble, stay to themselves mostly. It was always a delight to speak to him when he came to town." Stepping over to the man, Martino shakes him gently several times, but Brendan doesn't wake at all. "Well, it seems the magic you wield is quite potent. He sleeps like a newborn after a long day. His state of mind may have something to do with this as well, you said he was almost in shock?"

At the mention of magical items Elder Boradur frowns, "No, these items are from the old magic, they have been locked away for centuries. They should be left where they are for safekeeping." Elder Vorrug steps forward at this, "We don't know what will happen with those items, but if we are going to send these young men-" He pauses quickly to wink at Falken and Klok, "-out to do battle with.... who knows what-" He gestures at the pieces of the glass man on the floor, "-Then I think they need to be informed and possibly armed with items that might make a difference." Boradur deflates again with a sigh, the age on his face showing more when he is not angry, "Very well. I don't think good can come of it, but so be it." 

Elder Martino looks at Otis as he makes a list of goals to accomplish and nods approvingly, "Despite some of the things you have done in your youth, you have grown into a man your parents would be proud of. We give you leave to investigate these things as you see fit. This glass man, Brendan, and the shield all seem to be magical problems in nature and may prove to be connected. While the thought of magic excites me, I won't disagree with others that it does complicate things in an environment that previously was very peaceful without it. We'll have to work on pulling some of the retired town guard in now that they might actually have to be on the lookout for something. Currently we only have three active members, not including Farthran." He looks over to Farthran and motions at Brendan, "Would you be so kind as to watch over this poor lad here and call in Tessa, Gareth and Drogar please? It stands to reason if the town hall was targeted once, it might happen again."  

Farthran had already been standing at attention, but stands a little straighter when called on. "No stinkin glass men will make it back in this place while we stand guard, I promise you that! I'll take this one to the room next door for now." Farthran steps over and scoops Brendan up gently and carries him out of the doorway and turns immediately to the left. Martino looks to the other elders and says, "I'll take them below along with anyone else who wants to go, otherwise, I suggest everyone else go home and get some rest for now."

Most of the elders agree to going home to get some rest, and Hedrus and Boradur deem to stay. Martino nods at Hedrus, who goes into a belt pouch and takes out a simple looking key as they go back into the records room and pull the carpet to the side to reveal the trapdoor hidden underneath. Inserting the key and turning, Hedrus grasps the pull ring and the door opens with a creaking whine associated with something that has seen very little use. Below the trapdoor is a short stairwell that leads down below the building. 

Falkens alarm goes off in his head as the trap door get's opened. He mentally tunes it out for the moment as he passes through, heading down the stairs. He slowly makes his way down the stairs, keeping his eye out for anything that might stand out. "Stairs are not my friend, I hope this isn't a common occurrence." He says, trying to make a joke.

Falken Perception Check: 19

Gillian hears mention of going downstairs, and is happy to see some people On the council have some sense ‘who would have thought’ he thinks to himself, accidentallly also sending the thought to Roy. (This wouldn’t make complete sense to Roy out of context)

“I see the elders are better at worrying than solving problems” he mutters under his breath as he follows the group (maybe 1 or 2 of the group close by might hear.)

He considers who to link to telepathically, if the ability becomes necessary, and for good measure he casts false life on himself again to both practice, and like a habitual twitch, similar to shaking one’s leg or grinding one’s teeth, or saying ‘Um’ a lot. 

8 tempt hp

Otis looks around for a lantern, lamp, torch, or candle in order of preference, he will light it. Looking at the elders he will ask,"Elders, I can go down first if you would like, providing light. Carrying the light doesn't interfere with my ability to defend myself, since we don't know where the Glassman came from. Though I admit it's unlikely it or Brendan were down there and locked the door on they're way out."

“Thank you Otis , perhaps we all would feel safer if someone escorted the elders down into the dark, though some may not say it.  even if some assume it is safe, we must stride cautiously but continuously into the future.” 

gillian inspects the area in his way down, the stones, any details and objected, the age of the construction, etc)

12 perception 

13 investigation 

Klok follows behind Falken, while using his walking stick to aid him, jokes with Falken and the others "Well if this old gaffer can make it down without the help of you younglings then I suppose I can too"