Sistri nods at Irmiel's mention of the library. "We should check the royal library here in Suzail and the Arcane Library in Arabel to start. See if we can narrow down our search."  She thinks a moment, "We'll need caution though.  Others might take interest in our investigations and might try to look over our shoulder so to speak."

Kris drums her fingers on the table.  "Yes, Lathery sounds like an excellent starting point.  I agree, Sistri.  Let's start with the immediate resources close to home.  We could go right now! Then, when we've explored those resources, visit Candlekeep.  We have to expect that other groups are also looking at these resources, and might even alter, hide, or destroy them to prevent other groups from finding them.  Yikes, I feel like we're already behind!  Charlie, is there anything else we should know before we decide our first destination and head out?"

Charlie shakes his head, "No, I don't think so. I will remain here. I will make sure I distill and send out any information i find to you all...."

*knock knock knock*  Comes from the front door. Charlie looks up, "Hmmmm, excuse me for a moment."

The group surreptitiously peeks through the stacks as Charlie walks to the front door. Three people stand outside. They're wearing nice clothes, look like minor nobles or business people. Except that they each wear a patch on the front of a red bird with its wings outstretched. You can't quite make out what they say to him, but hear his responses clearly as he talks through a crack in the door. 

<charlie brown adult voices>

"No, sorry, I am closed today."

<charlie brown adult voices>

"Well, I am actually closed all week."

<charlie brown adult voices>

"No, I'm sorry, no special access."

<charlie brown adult voices> 

"Well, that IS very generous. Hmmm. Ok. Tell you what, I will ensure the shop is open tomorrow and available for your use. You can come by anytime after 8am."

 <charlie brown adult voices>  The three people walk away. 

Charlie returns, "Hmmmm. They were willing to pay me 100 gold to access my store for a day. I think those were members of the Red Ravens. I didn't want to say no, it would have raised too much suspicion. I'm going to use that coin to rent another place in town. I'll take all our research and work, and the books I need from here to that location. Then I'll stick around here tomorrow while they do their research, just in case they find anything of interest. In the meantime, if you wish to go to the Suzail library, then, that seems like a very good first step, though, I agree, I am suddenly starting to feel very much on the heels of others as it were." 

"Just don't show them the books you found about netheresian ruins! Which one is about Lathery? We'll take it with us!" Irmiel was not joking, she would snatch the book and keep it close, near her own grimoire. "Um... One more question, Charlie. Travelling around might require some money. And Candlekeep is a ... I say "teleporting" distance but at least "horseback riding" one. Did you plan something to ease the burden?"

That night he didn’t take long to fall asleep. The exhaustion from both fight and… Whatever the darkness the Shadovar harnessed during the attack on the administrative building was, where quite the help on this regard. Only by the morning he noticed how strange his room seemed, felt to him. Everything smelled different, felt different to the touch. Still there was comfort and victory in the fact. He had survived the attack and found a good job. Victories he allowed himself to enjoy as they broke fast. By then their priority was to find Charlie’s Angel.

That proved to be no challenge and soon enough they were speaking with their new patron. Irmiel was elated by all the information and talk of libraries. Kris was full of energy, but by then Llwyd believed she was always like that. Sistri was more practical and he was thankful for that.

“Speaking of gold, I believe we had not yet discussed the matter of our payment.” He mentioned casting his eyes on Charlie. The man spirit’s as high as those of the elf and the dexterous warrior. “Irmiel also mentioned entering Candlekeep as something not so simple to do so it would be good if you could arrange some entrance for us. In fact, I believe we may need to have a way to prove our affiliation to a company who got a contract before the burning of the administrative building.”

Charlie nods, "Yes, right, both correct. You may need money to get your work done. And we should discuss payment. I...hmmm. I am prepared to pay you 100 gold each up front for expenses to start. Otherwise, I think we should sign a contract that states I will earn....hmmm...would you agree to 30% of successful contract fees. You can of course retain all treasure you happen to find while on mission. How does that seem? Fair to all of you?"  He seems particularly nervous at this point, and contract negotiations obviously aren't his thing. 

"As for the library access and Candlekeep, those are easy!  I have a voucher here for one teleportation from the castle grounds, to Candlekeep, and another for the trip back. I also have a voucher that covers you for access to Candlekeep, another for the Suzail library, and one for the Arabel library. Here...."  he hands over the vouchers.

"Hmmm, Irmiel, this book is...mine, and part of collection. I'll move it to a safe location so they can't find it, but I'd like to keep studying it myself!" 

Irmiel forced herself to part with the book (not without a sigh). "Just... don't give it to anyone." The details of the contract she left to more practical people, just nodding when Charlie asked if they are satisfactory ("yes, absolutely!") - 100gp would solve her immediate problem and if needed, allow her to rent or even buy a horse. "So... Suzail Library first? I wish librarians were obligated to keep the information about searches of others confidential. One question "has someone checked for mythallars and Netheril ruins any attempt to search in secrecy... Or we must come to the clever way of hiding our true interest. Say... we are looking for the history of The Narrow Sea and HighMelt Lake?"

"I wouldn't trust the Red Ravens any further than the tip of my rapier," Kris says, eyes narrowed suspiciously.  "And I wouldn't be surprised if they know more than they're willing to say.  Charlie, just... be careful."

"The payment terms are grand," Kris says, waving her hand.  She's obviously more interested in the adventure than the gold.  "As long as there's intrigue and adventure!"

“The contract sounds perfect to me.” He said as Charlie answered his questions. “The only way it could be better is if could point me to someone specialized in Divination. I am looking for a person capable of scrying beyond the limits of the Prime Material Plane. If you know or have heard about someone like that I would like to trade for such information.”

Not that he had something to trade by then, but maybe a reduction on his services fees would be of interest to the patron. One can always hope, the Satyr said with the voice of his mind. Then Irmiel brought up another practical question. How to keep it secret the true nature of their search?

“I like your idea, but isn’t there a chance that by looking for a connected theme rather the actual focus of research we may end missing some piece of information?” Llwyd questioned with genuine doubt. He was far from familiar to library research. “If our encounter of yesterday is any indication then incomplete knowledge may be rather dangerous.”

Not to mention it could make their journey more impractical. Imagine traveling thousands of miles just to find out a piece of information that they could have heard in a book by the start of the search. Didn’t seem like the most pleasurable prospect.

Sistri listened to the others agreeing to Charlie's offer. Keeping all treasure sounded generous. Having heard her brother haggle over prices made just accepting his first offer seem wrong. But it seemed simplest here.  "Fine, I agree Charlie. 100 gp now then the four of us split 30% of the contract. If you add anyone else to the company their fees come out of your portion."

"Now, are we ready to head to the Suzail library. I'm no researcher," her gaze moves to Irmiel, "but I can help. Someone just needs to keep us organized."

The group spends a short time in Charlie's shop reading through material and looking at maps, some old, some new, from different regions and ages. But eventually the four of you are ready to leave. Charlie nods to you all and with the voucher to get into the Suzail Royal libraries, you head towards the highest parts of the city where the castle and larger government buildings crouch amongst large estates and massive mansions. The library itself is within the royal castle. Kris glances over, recognizing the guards as you all approach. She's been here for quite a few events and so the place was familiar to her. The voucher presented, the guards confirm some paperwork, checking the voucher against some other list they have. The then nod, and ask for everyone names. "You will have access for a month." 

The guards begin writing down names, eventually getting to Kris. She's had enough time to think while they were scribbling others, and so is able to come up with something on the spot. (feel free to make up an Alias).   The group is escorted by a couple of guards across the courtyard before the tall, but also fierce and very functional castle, before being led to a side door. As you enter through, you pass through another security check, though at this interior check there is a woman wearing finery and leaning against one wall casually.  Kris recognizes the woman as one of the elite guards or some such. She never paid much attention.  However as she glances in her direction, the womans eyes flash at her. As you all give your names once again, and the guards you're with pass over a small piece of paper, the woman pushes herself forward and whispers to a soldier. He glances specifically at Kris, "You there. You have an aura of transmutation magic on you. Please let the magic dissipate or explain." 

(I believe Irmiel has been using Prestidigitation once an hour to change your hair color to help with your disguise.)

"Oh, me!  Um... Farrah, Farrah Fawcett," Kris mutters quickly.  Afterward she shrugs. "It's a nonsense name.  It just came to me."

She glances around nervously at all the familiar faces, increasingly nervous about being recognized.  She tries to keep her head down and use a deeper, gruffer voice when she speaks.  There's no avoiding the direct question, though.  Besides, the truth is simple.

"Oh, that," she says casually, running a hand through her dark hair.  "Prestidigitation for the hair color, nothing more.  I'm just trying it out before I commit to a permanent change.  If it's a problem, I can wait out its duration."

"My fault!" Immediately interjected Irmiel with an innocent smile. "My friend here is "searching for the new her", you know? Got tired of her old looks. Other girls would kill for the hair colour like that, but what can you do if you want it fresh?" She turned Kris around, so the guard could see Kris's head's back and dropped the spell. The golden blond was an obvious contrast to the dull brown, though, Irmiel hoped that in in the soft lights of the library the difference was not that striking. After the guard could enjoy the view, she let Kris turn, hoping that the guard, even if she personally knew young Lady Kristafelle Truesilver, would be fooled by the clothes, hairdresser maybe a facial expression the girl had time to prepare.

Kris scowls, doing her best to look like a tough adventurer.

The guard seems to lose interest almost immediately, and as soon as Irmiel lets the magic fade she nods and turns away. The guards pass the group through and just like that they're inside the royal complex, stepping into richly adorned wide hallways, filled with busts of famous old kings or queens, and huge painting in gilded frames of royals, historic moments, and the like. The power brokers of the Cormyr empire move about inside the halls, paying the group no attention as they follow their escort. Kris sees Dukes, Chancellors and at least one Prince, all of whom would have recognized her in a moment and greeted her. Instead it was like she didn't exist. A feeling of...indignation arose inside her as they moved through the halls....completely ignored. Weren't a pack of brave adventurers wandering the hallways worth their attention? She'd never seen anything like that around...really...well...maybe she had some vague memories. 

Deep in thoughts the group eventually arrives at an iron gate in a double wide doorway that stands open and leads into an extensive library. The place looks fairly quiet. There are a few people sitting about reading books...but it's not swarming with mercenaries which was probably a good sign. The guards said, "Closes at 6pm. Opens at 8am. You have to clear out in off hours. If you need anything, the head librarian over there can help you. I'll be here when you're ready to leave or if you need something."  He pulls up a stool outside the library gate, next to four other guards, and sits down...apparently to wait for you.

The group begins wandering around. Meanwhile, Irmiel knows that the librarian is the key and heads right there...but as she reaches the librarian, she's unsure of what topic she should ask after.  ? 

Unsure? Never! Definitely not in a library. "You know, you are right Llwyd. Let's cover as much as we can. Pretend we are not together - you will ask for Shadovar and anything related to the netheresian cities. While I will try our luck with the history of The Narrow Sea around the time of the Lathery flying over it and HighMelt Lake." Irmiel walked to the librarian and, most politely and quietly to not disturb people that already reading, asked about just that. "Good morning. Lovely day today. Would you happen to have something about history of Narrow sea? For the period between the year -503 Dale Reckoning and the year -339 DR? Also, I heard part of it was unfrozen somewhat recently - the last 100 years or so - and the lake is formed there now. Is there any information about the event too?"

Llwyd was still surprised by the sheer scale of the library’s pristine building when the guards aborded the group. He breathed in relief when he read the interest disappearing of the armed men faces, making a note to not cast any spell in the area. It would most likely alert the security and cause an unnecessary commotion. The busts and paintings were impressive, although the satyr couldn’t imagine any of their meanings.

“Absolutely. I just recommend that someone comes with me. I am not very used to looking through books.” He said to Irmiel and the others, in a soft, discrete tone of voice. “Not that I am not familiar with them. Spellcraft and medicine are hard things to learn through practice alone, but the page number was always indicated when I needed to consult some manuscript and since we have competition, the faster we find information the better.”

 He looked as the elf went to the librarian, waiting to se if either Sistri or Kris offered to accompany him on his search. Shadovar and Netheril cities, he said with the voice of his mind making sure to not forget the research subjects. It wouldn’t be strange for anyone to look about that. Not after the day before.

“Maybe one of you should join Irmiel.” The elf seemed anything but lost, but she certainly could use more hands. “If nothing else, it would make it would make it easier carrying books to a table.”

Llwyd mentions examining the area in search of another librarian.

Kris has to try hard not to walk with excellent posture.  She hunches her shoulders and leans forward slightly.  Inside the library, she breathes deep, taking in the wonderful smell of books and paper.  "I'll come with you, Llwyd.  I love books!  Especially the ones filled with adventure and strange histories.  Let's see if there's another librarian or something.  Sistri, will you join Irmiel?"

"Of course,"  Sistri says with a smile, "I will happily assist Irmiel."  She steps over to stand just to the side of the woman as she speaks to the librarian. She's rather impressed at the details Irmiel presented.

She herself stays quiet, waiting for the librarian's response.

The librarian looks to Irmiel, "Well, i should tell you that a goodly number of our ancient history archives have been seconded by agents of the Flaming Fist, in the main private room. They've had them for three days now and until they release them, you'll likely be missing many tomes of interest. However we do have several books in our geography section that cover or mention the melting of the high ice. I know that we also have several books in the meteorology section. The more modern ones will be sure to mention the melting of the high ice since it had such and impact on the climate."

She takes Irmiel and Sistri to those sections to let them begin their reading.

As for Llwyd and Kris, they're disappointed when they eventually get to talk to the librarian only to have her repeat the news about the ancient history archives being 'seconded'.  She adds, "I'm afraid that every book I have that mentions the Netheril, I've already helped them find. You'll have to wait until their research is done. I know that they also looked for any tomes on the Shadovar. I'm afraid if you want any information on the Shadovar in the near future you'd have a better chance talking to the author himself." 

Irmiel and Sistri do pick out several books. One specifically is called, "Changing Climate : Faerun without the High Ice", and seems a dissertation on the topic. The chapters cover a brief history of the high ice, ice and the climate, impact of loss of ice, measured outcomes caused by ice melt, our world without the high ice....and a few others. It will take them time to get through. Sistri finds a geography book that seems to map out the northern Anauroch and High Melt ice. She begins studying the region.