Kris orders a small meal and a goblet of wine.  "Well, I hope your conversation was more productive than mine. I can get us a tour of the grounds from a randy Avowed, though I think he's too much of a rules-stickler to get us beyond what we already have access to.  Oh, unless we're interested in the quiet, out of the way spots.  You know what I mean."

As you're waiting, your Avowed shows up at the Hearth carrying a stack of five books, bound in a leather carrying strap.  He unbuckles the strap and, after first laying down some fabric "reading pads" onto the table, puts each book down. "I have managed to find you some books. I hope they're useful. This is a "Mundus Geographia" dated the year -73 Dale Reckoning. Doesn't quite go back to the Netheril age, but not much does.  I also have this, which is "Modern Faerun", a geography book that was modernized only last year. It should include a detailed section on the updated region of the Anauroch. Hmmm...then I have this one that I think you'll be happy with.  Netheril : The Shadowed Age, including sections on the birth, rise, and eventually fall of Karsus, his apprentice Shadow, Olositin, an infamous raider of the time, and also detailed entries on the Phaerimm, the race from the underdark that came to the surface to battle the Netherese, using life draining magics to turn the lands into the desert like they are today. Then I have this book on "The origin of spells", which is from -400 or so, Dale Reckoning, and details the original creators, and names for many of spells that exist now. I just glanced at it but it is very old so thought it could be useful. Do you know that an abjurer named Trebbe originally crafted Counterspell, and called it "Trebbe's Spell Turning".  Fascinating. Anyway, hope these serve you well for a bit." 

Indeed the group digs into the books, though reading the books in details will take a couple days. Do you do anything else for a couple days other than read the books you've been given?

Sistri sits down as well, ordering a meal and wine as Kris had. "Kris! You would deny us all the chance to learn of the out-of-the-way spots in Candlekeep?"  she says with a bit of a laugh. "My conversational partner - though that's generous to call him that - told me he's called 'Bubs'.  That's about all he said.  Though I'm skeptical it's a real name,"  she says with a shake of her head. She'll relay her impressions of what his non-answers suggested as well.

She is much happier when their books are brought.  "Oh Irmiel! That one is certainly for you!"  she exclaims as 'The Origins of Spells' is mentioned. "Perhaps I can take 'Mundus Geographia' since I was looking at geography stuff back in Suzail."  Sistri sounds far less excited about her task than she was for Irmiel. "But I'll take any. Maybe reading of those who fought the Netherese could be interesting."

She shrugs, looking at the others.  "We each work on a book? If we stick to our room then we could just share immediately if we find sonething."

(Unless someone else has a suggestion, Sistri will spend as much time as she can reading.  Save perhaps a bit of late morning excersize just before lunch to break things up. She'll try to see if 'Bubs' will meet with her each day,  just to see. She's committed to not telling him anything, so will meet with him with a planned topic - family,  pets, favorite foods, music - various small talk.)

Irmiel felt like a child in a candy store and did not know which book to open first. Geography could probably put to the rest of the idea of visiting Lathery's presumed location. But "raider of the time" sounded simply irresistible! She caught herself contemplating if the title is truly taken because it was a hell of a moniker that she would not mind herself! (Well, eventually) And of course, Sistri was right about Origine of Spells - that book alone could contain every lead possible.

"Not sure what you mean," answered Irmiel absentmindedly to Kris, missing at least half the words she was saying about her encounter, "A tour sounds lovely but it seems we will be busy next..." (she weighted two books in her hand) "day? Two days?" When more bits of information got through, Irmiel added. "Unless "out of the way spots" means restricted sections of the library with a full catalogue on top of it, I might skip. Not saying these books contain what we need - would be too simple - but it looks like a good start and I'd like to study them thoroughly." She gave Irony an appreciative smile "You did good, really. Fascinating findings. Now, let's find those cities..."

Unless dragged out of the room by some emergency, Irmiel was lost for the world until she found something or thoroughly proved "something" is not there. First and foremost she was looking for the five selected cities (Jethaere, Jockteleg, Lathery, Spiel and Selunarra) but if a new name would surface (part of the biography of some of the famous spell-inventors? Or Phaerimm fighters? No doubts, Netheresians fought back) - she would happily add it to the list.

 He watched carefully as Sistri and the man spoke. It took little effort for the Satyr to infer the man’s intention, which lead him to believe that either the competitor was rather honest or a fantastic liar. Once again reunited, the group started sharing their different results. Irony brought some books, while Llwyd tried to understand what Kris meant about quiet, out of the way spot. To him it looked like the kind of thing a contrabandist would mention. Had the dexterous warrior found someone smuggling something illegal in Candlekeep or was the Avowed she found an information dealer? That would be strange. She said the man looked like rulers-stickler.

“Bubs proposed an agreement with him to meet each evening and discuss what our respective groups have found. We can be selective on what to share, without telling him, of course. I suppose he will do the same.” And the druid was fine with that. They were, ultimately, adversaries, vying for the same prize. “As far as I could gather he arrived around the same time we did and was fishing for information, just like us. Didn’t know about our contract and was genuinely surprised with the attack. I would also guess he worked for Cormyr directly before becoming a mercenary. Government job, taking orders, quite frustrating for him. He doesn’t make much sense of what the Kingdom is doing and has no idea why the Mythallar is being sought.”

Then he looked at the books and pondered Irmiel’s words about the out of the way spots. This brought him a single question to mind.

“Will we try speaking with the guardian of the Emerald Doors? Ask how to gain access?”

"Bubs sounds like the name of a horse," Kris says to Sistri with a giggle.  "But no, I'm not interested in a date in Candlekeep unless it's guaranteed to lead us somewhere.  I'm not sure that's what Marcus was offering.

"I'll take any book--I love to read!"  Kris offers, letting the others have their first choice.  Her stories of choice had always been tales of adventure, but even history could be fantastic in its own way, and the histories in these particular books might be part of her very own adventure. 

Everyone begins reading their books as dutiful studiers. At some point, Llwyd heads to the emerald door (either with or without others) and approaches "the guardian".  The door is fifteen feet tall and made of a translucent dark green stone that glows with an inner light. The guardian is a man in a simple smock, holding a gnarled staff. He sits to one side of the door with a book propped open on his knee reading. At Llwyd's approach he puts the book to one side on a leather bag and smiles politely to the Satyr.  

"Greetings seeker. As I am sure you are aware, the Inner Ward is off limits to seekers without special dispensation, which must come from the Keeper of Tomes, the First Reader, or one of the eight Great Readers. Do you have a letter of admittance?"

Llwyd shakes his head, "How do we get such a letter?" 

The guardian nods and says, "You may write a letter to the Keeper of the Tomes to plead your case if you like. You may give such a letter to myself, or any avowed. It may take several days for such a request to be read and addressed however."

Otherwise, Bubs seems to make himself particularly unavailable, and Sistri doesn't manage to find a time to sit and try and pry any information from him. 

Kris sees Marcus around. He seems to make advances on another girl, awkward and bookish looking, which goes better for him. The two head off to find some 'quiet' space and Kris sees them together a couple of times.  To her shock, the following day, she sees Marcus lead her to the emerald door and after a short conversation with the Guardian, the two pass through!

The next day and a half passes fairly uneventfully as you each make your way through the books you've borrowed. They do contain valuable information including maps of the north region, names of famous Netheril people including many who were the leaders in some of the cities...the Netheril arch mages, and you learn the names of several more enclaves you'd not heard of before. 

Among them are Karsa...the enclave Karsus founded, which was reportedly destroyed when it smashed into the ground after Karsus cast his god maker spell. Though where it was at the time is not reported. Another enclave is named Unity. It was the target of much raiding but its ultimate fate isn't in the book.  Three other cities, Anauria, Asram, and Hlaungadath apparently were all saved by Mystra, as they were high enough that magic was reconstructed before they struck the earth, so they Mythallar's could at least slow their descent. As for Lachery as its referred to in the book, the place apparently always stayed close to the Narrow Sea, but better, it specifies that during the fall, it toppled and landed city side down on the edge of the inner sea near the string of islands that ran through the center of the inner sea, on the south west side of the islands near the shore. Using the two geography books, you think you have a rough guess for where that would be, at least within a twenty square mile area....part of which is under water.  You figure it's actually to the west of the mountain range that runs along the west side of High Melt Lake. There is another lake there though, which is where the city might be.  Lastly, you get info on another city called Hadrloch, which was usually found on the south western tip of the Abbey Mountains...which are now called the "Turnback Mountains" that run along the eastern edge of the High Melt Lake. You figure it might be clear of the water.  Unfortunately, with flying cities, it's far too convenient for them to move around. 

Besides cities, you learn that Karsus' apprentice apparently wrote another book called Shadows: The Palpable Cohesion of Formless Corporeality, which is another potential book for you to ask for from your avowed.  You learn about the "cone shaped" creatures with four hands sticking out of the top of their cones, that were powerful life draining enemies of the Netherese and called Phaerimm. They apparently were from the deep deep underdark.  There is also some other mysterious creatures with three heads that could float that were called Sharn, that were the enemies of the Phaerimm and helped the Netherese.  Finally, there was something called "Heavy Magic", magic with a physical form, a clear honey like substance, but that didn't leave any residue.  It could apparently store magic and spells and then unleash them or power things when painted on to it or thrown.  A large amount was apparently lost in the High Forest, still so called today and west of the Anauroch.   Lastly, you read about something called "In Truth's Light No Lies Abide", which apparently is the name of a poem written by Dras Mal, a poet from Hlaungadath. It is said that the poem was the key to the "Hlaungadath gate network".  There is no other reference to the actual poem, or the "Hlaungadath gate network". 

True to her word, Irmiel was only leaving the room to eat something (when she remembered it), spending every waking minute studying the books. The results were better than she feared but worse than she hoped. Finally, she had to close the last book she studied. "So... What we have is new names - Anauria, Asram, and Hlaungadath, a new and weird lead on one of them - that poem, an approximate location of our old target, Lathery and, potentially, another city in that location - Hadrloch. Can not say I like the description of their graveyard, underwater adventure sounds romantic, but icy water is not much fun. Still, it's a lot of information. I say, not bad for the first shot." She found her glasses, which she never used during reading, put them on, looked at the companions and summarised. "We need more books."

Irmiel let the information sink properly before continuing. "The problem is, we can spend several lifetimes here, readying and narrowing down our objectives - I know I can. Every bit of information we got - even ignoring sidetracks - is worth a few theses. We probably have to focus on something." 

Sistri would continue to make herself available to meet with Babs, trying to seem disappointed at his disinterest.  To the others she expresses her relief that she doesn't have to deal with him.  When they see Marcus take his newfound target through the Emerald Gate, she comments to Kris, "My goodness! You could have at least introduced him to the rest of us! Just think of all the 'out of the way' spots there must be past that door!"  She says this all with a laugh.

"If Lathery and Hadrloch might be in the same vicinity, those seem like a good choice to focus on." She looks at Irmiel, "You are right, we should try to narrow our focus. What do we request next?  Where do we think we'd find more information to get us to find those two specific locations? Or have we narrowed it down as much as we're going to?"

She shakes her head, thinking a moment, "There are a lot of other interesting leads though.  Hmm, we really aren't going to have a way back here once we've finished our stay, will we?"  She shrugs, "You're the scholar Irmiel. What do you think we should focus on?"  

The grounds of Candlekeep suddenly shake and shift, as if an earthquake were hitting the place.  The chandeliers swing ominously, the sound of falling plates smashing in the kitchen can be heard. Books tumble from nearby shelves and bang into the hard stone floor.  Everyone is looking around in alarm.  Then the shifting settles and seems to be done. Then the air fills with a piercing high pitched noise that makes everyone wince. The sound throbs from the air all around you.  There is a table with several avowed at it. One of them, more senior than the others looks truly alarmed and shouts over the noise, and to the Avowed with him he yells, "They Mythal has been triggered...Candlekeep is under attack! COME NOW!"  He charges out of the Inn trailing the three other Avowed who looks shocked and confused. 

Sistri is quickly on her feet. "Another Netherese attack?"  she asks of the others. "Let's get outside and see what's happening!"

As quickly as she was up, she heads for the door. She does give a brief look to see her companions are with her.

Outside she will survey what's happening. (Perception: 17)

Sistri rushes out of the Tavern and looks out across the large open square of Candlekeep. It's night time, with a dull blue glow still settling in the west.  To the east, the first few stars of the evening have started to sparkle. But the view of the sky seems to be obscured by a field of magic in the sky that was never previously there. Waves of magic travel across the field. The large square is lit by magical torches along the outer walls but it leaves the center largely in shadow. She sees a large crack that seems to spiderweb across the ground, upsetting and breaking stone tiles for dozens of feet, but it hasn't left any opening, and seems to be mostly superficial. The five avowed from the tavern are running towards the Emerald door. She also spots two others rushing from the main gates towards the Emerald doors. The main gates appear to have been shut and barred. The high pitched ringing continues to throb in everyone's ears. A few other people have emerged from buildings to look around, wondering what is going on, but at the moment there doesn't seem to be anything obvious happening. 

Then the ground leaps once more. Another crack crawls its way across the ground sending shards of stone tiles flying as everything seems to sway and shake.  Yells and mutted shouts can be heard from within buildings as the earthquake shakes the place about.

Of course, Sistri's companions were following. Irmiel did not have time to answer (her question) when disaster struck. Candlekeep was supposed to be the vault of the vaults, an absolutely impenetrable fortress, and yet, something terrible was happening.

"To the Emerald doors!" Anyone who looked remotely competent was running there. All the group could do is to follow!

Kris opens her mouth to comment on Marcus but, fortunately or unfortunately, an earthquake strikes the keep.  She runs straight into their room to retrieve her armor and sword before following the others.  "The Netherese?  Here?!  I hope this Mythal is sturdy enough to--"  She gulps at the sight of the large cracks in the earth, then races with Irmiel toward the Emerald Doors.  "It looks like we won't need special permission, afterall!"

Sistri joins the other two women in racing for the Emerald Door. "They haven't let us inside yet!"

Part of him, a very childish part of him, wanted to find Irony and speak ‘told you so’. The attack the tiefling so confidently thought impossible to the point of calling them paranoid just came to happen. But that was a thought of little importance. They needed to decide between running or fighting. Llwyd preferred the last and not surprisingly so did his companions.

“This may just be our chance to get in there.” He said following his compatriots. “We are seekers and willing to offer our help.”

Well, at least one would expect that access to the library would be granted in reward for defending the place when one could easily leave mid attack. A thought that didn’t worry him as much as the fact that if the Netherese were attacking Candlekeep then the library had for sure something indicating the location of a fallen city. Wait, are we even sure it’s the Shadovar attacking? The world is vast and there is always a bigger fish. Maybe they just happened to be at the library on the moment someone, or something, decided to attack. The books there held many secrets, closely guarded, and the Emerald Doors where proof enough of this fact. But there was a possibility it was the same group who attacked Suzail.

“Not to state the obvious, but if we see anyone trying to leave with a book this should be our main target.” Both the book and the individual. And thinking so the Satyr pulled his totem and put his hands, one over the other, upon his chest. Muttering arcane words he casted Barkskin on himself. "Time to cast defensive spells." He says to Kris and Irmiel.

The group seems to go all which ways in the first few moments. Sistri and Irmiel and Llwyd find themselves outside watching the scene unfold and the new cracks appear. A few moments later Kris appears,  clutching her satchel of armor, pulling the leather armor jacket on, while trying to keep a hold of her shield in one arm. Llwyd considerately grabs the protective gear from her, freeing Kris up to begin fastening. Sistri and Irmiel are already rushing across the open square and so Kris and Llwyd make chase. 

As they are running they see the other avowed rush through the open Emerald door. As they get closer they see Sistri's concern is unfounded, the door has been left unguarded. Though the fact the inner sanctum appears entirely unprotected does not put anyone's mind to ease. With Kris hopping on one foot while she pulls a leather chap up over her thighs, the group slows enough to tentatively move through the large strange Emerald door. No magic stops them. The sounds of screams and explosive magic can be heard somewhere deep within the bowels of the library beyond the threshold. Without further pause the group rushes in. 

Through the door you find yourself emerging into an open area courtyard of sorts. A tall wall of stone lifts before you on top of which a higher level of the complex sits. Walls line to the right and a path leads left, or forward up a winding stairway that reaches up to the next level of this complex. You run up the stairs, the magic field overhead in the sky pulsing with magical light.  From the top, of the stairs you pass between two small guard posts that are empty.  From up here, you see to your right the Great Library—a veritable forest of stone towers clumped around stockier buildings, all joined together in the shadow of a high-walled citadel called Exaltation that looms to your left. 

With such an extensive, massive complex, you suddenly understood why it took Irony nearly 4 hours to fetch you some books.  You see Avowed moving here or there, but for a moment feel entirely lost about which way to go. The doors to the main Citadel sit open however, and it's from within that you hear the faint sounds of screams and yells.  Forward you go. 

Heading into the citadel you find yourselves in a large four floor high courtyard. Thee floors above open to the roofed off courtyard and you can see doors, hallways, and library stacks in amongst the different floors. A wide stairway leads up in front of you, but there are many different places to go. The ground rumbles once more and following a strange popping sound of some sort of magic, you find a stairway that leads downwards to beneath the complex. You rush down, following the sounds, rushing through a maze like set of warrens with books and doorways and hallways every which way.  You come around a corner and abruptly witness a scene of battle. 

In the middle of a room lined with books, stands a figure wreathed in darkness. It's tall, perhaps seven feet, and through the hazy darkness you can just make out a thin figure wrapped in black robes.  Facing off with this figure is a translucent dragon that seems to be only half real. The blueish haze of its shape seems to lunge forward out of the mid air and try to chomp on the shadowy creature, but to little effect.  You notice dead bodies scattered about the room. Smoke seems to be rising from some partially charred works, but even as you watch, a book that is burning a bit is suddenly swamped with a hazy white cloud that appears with a "pop" and extinguishes the flames before slowly dispersing. 

There are other creatures here you begin to notice, besides the dragon and the shadowy figure. You see three other undead looking figures. One has its hand up and seems to be scanning a bookshelf with its hand. Its short and squat, a gnome perhaps, and wear tattered blue robes and has a rod tucked in its belt. Another is at another shelf and tosses a tome into its bag where it seems to enter without making any additional bulge. This undead creature looks to have once been a tiefling, and has bony horns and a bone tail. It wears a red silk button up shirt and tight fitting black pants over its bone body. A third, what appears to have once been a dragon born, has a two handed sword in it's grasp, is wearing full plate made of some light greyish metal, and seems to be guarding the other two. Several dead creatures, furry and scaled, seem to litter the ground around it.  

You also notice several living creatures present. There are two human women, an elf male, a gnome male, and a dwarf male, along with a human male. They are spread out, and currently seem to have taken shelter.  A couple of them look like they have ghastly burns or strange black shots through their flesh.  The gnome leans out from behind a pillar and a blast of fire streaks across the room, striking the black cloud covered figure with no apparent effect. 

Roll initiative!  

Gnome Undead : 9

Tiefling Undead : 20

Dragonkin Undead : 8

Ghost Dragon : 5

Shadowy form: 13

Human woman1 : 6

Human woman2 : 19

Human male : 16

Gnome male : 2

Elf male : 7

Dwarf male : 5

Initiative: 7

Irmiel Initiative: 16

Kris init: 7