"Larloch was Netheresian wizard. IS a Netheresian wizard," corrected herself Irmiel. "and a lich. We are searching for the Netheresian cities, the library was attacked by liches - assumingly sent by Larloch, probably even Larloch himself." She shuddered at the very thought still hoping Teles was mistaken on that. "And assumingly, the liches were also searching for the cities. Sort of a connection... Maybe that sob story about grieving undead - the author had to be a hell of a romantic to see a lich this way - hints at the reasons why Larloch is interested in searching for the cities. Maybe that is the reason we got the books? So we could deduce why liches attacked and what do they want?"

"You know, I would be completely honest with Teles. First, if anyone can help us with information it is her. Flaming Fist was nowhere near the battle in the library as far as we know, I would not think she will feed them information. She might see us trustworthy, unlike other mercs here. Even hope we can help the Candlekeep to retrieve the books! If so, it's a great opportunity for us to get more information. But as you said, Llwyd, that relationship implies trust. I say, we tell everything."

Sistri smiles as she hears Irmiel's words. "I would suggest being truthful with Teles as well."

At some point later, when Irony comes to check on you, you're reminded of the rules. The only copying of books that can be done must be completed at the House of Binder. You mention this to Irony, as well as the request to speak to Teles.  He blanches somewhat, and says, "I'll have to get permission regarding copies of any of these books.  I'll...uh....ask my master about the meeting you've requested." 

The afternoon wanes as you wait for a response. Eventually though your response comes....in person.  Teles enters the Hearth where you're all enjoying a bit of a late afternoon snack and talking quietly. She gets several nods of deference from the Innkeeper and others in the room, while still others gawk at the presence of a master reader here...apparently to call upon the group.  Appraising glances are tossed towards the group.  "Let us chat someplace private. Gryff, may we take the room upstairs?"  

The bartender nods, "Of course, I'll just make sure it's clean and ask anyone there to move along." 

Teles studiously avoids eye contact with any of you, or responding to any comments for the few brief moments you wait, before, with a bit of a "follow me" motion, she heads upstairs and you find yourselves in a large reading room. Shelves of books line the walls and a large table sits in the center. A wide window looks out across the court of Air. 

She smiles at you as you look, "So. You'll be happy to know that the suspicion that was targeted at you has now moved on. The other master readers no longer hold your presence as linked to the attack. At least, not directly. You must understand that at first, we had no information and your arrival was timed very closely to the attack, and then you coincidentally showing up to help. And...the information you sought was linked to what was taken. You can understand our suspicion. However we've spoken to Alophandar Emmerask of Cormyr and clarified the situation, and they subsequently clarified it with the Semberholme queen.  Regardless, the master readers ire has now been focused on the nation of Cormyr and the elves of Semberholme instead. Do not worry, this should not lash back at you any further. Now. What have you found?" 

"When you put it like this, it does look suspicious," admitted Irmiel. "Though, I thought at least half the mercenaries companies of the Sword Coast had to be in Candlekeep now searching for the very same things. Some of them, like Flaming Fist even behind the Emerald Doors." She could not help but add, trying to keep the jealousy notes to the minimum. "We kind of felt falling behind because of that." Irmiel caught reader Teles's glance and stopped ranting. "I mean, we did not know about suspicion and happy," (she really hoped everyone looked appropriately happy but was afraid to look) "to be clear of it."

"But you were asking what did we find..." She recited the company's findings and watched Teles's reaction. "For us, it means only some approximate coordinates of one city, hint at the existence of another, something - probably - related at the third and ... not so useful, though interesting, information about Larloch. We wanted to ask if it is possible to get some more precise information on the first three things."

Sistri nods politely, giving Teles a bright smile. "Thank you for explaining the situation. We are relieved that at least we are no longer under direct suspicion.  We are only seeking to try and find these mythllars under the contracts Cormyr has issued. And given what seems to be an attack on Candlekeep, we are willing to share what we learn if it might help you. As Irmiel just explained, we really have only learned bits and pieces from the books we... well, 'requested'.  It is not entire clear yet what specific reason Larloch might have had in attacking.  Though it is interesting that one of the books had information about him."  

She pauses, looking to her companions then back. "Teles, ultimately I think we are going to have to go to some of these sights to see if we can glean more information.  But while we have the resources of this great library at our disposal, we would really like to take advantage of it.  If we could try and do some follow-up research on the topics that Irmiel mentioned?"  She gives the woman another smile, as well as a hopeful look.  

Teles shakes her head to Irmiel, "Cormyr did not enlighten us as to research topics these groups would be following, and Seekers with connections gain access through the Emerald doors all of the time. It does not mean their topics of research had been brought to our attention. Well, let me set your mind at ease. For your selfless attempt to assist us, you will be granted access to the library for a period no less than 2 years without the usual admittance fee of a unique book. We will assist you with returning to any teleportation circle that we know of, on any of your trips, but of course can not assist you in arriving here. Now, as for your request. Follow-up research, let us get into it." 

She sits down and goes through the details with you of what you've found. She asks some vague questions to which you have no answers, and seems to ponder her own thoughts for long periods. Finally though she nods. "Very well. After this attack, and our subsequent conversations with these eastern empires....the council has decided to dedicate some resources to this. Whatever we find will be shared with both Cormyr, and Semberholme, but...if you agree to keep us appraised of the results of your explorations, we will keep you appraised of what additional information we find on these topics.  You all are very brave, and...able.  Leave the reading up to those who can not work in the field as well as you can. We will assign several of the Avowed to look into these topics and when we find information, we will get it to you. This should leave you to pursue any of these leads you wish to. We need people in the world, too often we've thought all the answers could be found in our books, however they are but a shadow of the past." 

She glances around for the groups agreement. 

Kris is immensely relieved to not be suspected of attacking Candlekeep, and to avoid prison, torture, and/or death.  At least for now.  True, a small part of her is disappointed at not being taken prisoner, but ultimately it's better that they continue in their research and mission unimpeded by the justice system.  

"It's a very generous offer!  I am pleased to vote in favor of accepting the terms."  She eyes Llwyd, Sistri, and Irmiel for confirmation.

“Then we speak everything honestly.” He said after Sistri and Irmiel spoke. “And I think we should check all of these places sooner or later. They are the best chances to either finding a Mythallar or more precise information about one of them.”

 With the decision made they spoke to Irony about copying the books and meeting with Teles. Llwyd was entirely convinced that none of them imagined the avowed would appear in person to hear what they had to say. Suddenly it made sense how the council treated them, not questioning but still asking them didn’t leave the premises.

“We were so focused in our mission that we didn’t even consider the possibility of us being suspected and you may not know, but the Flaming First, much like Charlie’s Company, is one of the few groups in contract with Cormyr to look for Mythallars. They seek the same information we do.” And arrived in the same convenient moment. Better yet, they kept their distance from the fight beyond the Emerald Doors. If some of the mercenaries at the library was suspect, that would be them.  “The terms seem fantastic to me and speaking of information, what we found indicates Larloch’s location and suggests that he have a Mythallar. In other words, he is a target of the Shadovar. During the attack in Suzail they claimed for everyone to hear that all the stones were theirs and that they would kill everyone trying to keep them. To me it seems the lich is preparing to fight his compatriots and made his move to get the information on the books as fast as he could. I mean, if he wanted to avoid someone getting hands on it, he would have attacked more than a room, tried to get rid of copies and simply destroyed the books.”

Teles shrugs, "Well, whatever magic he was using to find the books amongst our stores could only be used once he'd arrived. And, I'd like to think that they didn't intend to be caught. Perhaps that was his plan, to get in, steal, destroy copies, and flee, but they were detected and fought until they'd had to retreat. At great cost, but what was done was done. With so little information though, we can only guess at our enemies designs." 

Wow... Now that was a reward! Undeserving, if Irmiel would be totally honest with herself, but the sweeter for that and, as Llwyd put it, absolutely fantastic! Forget that pompous battlemages of Cormyr! Working freely in Candlekeep was an open desire of any mage, but working for Candlekeep in any capacity - that was a dream-come-true if she ever had one!

"Yes!" Irmiel supported the exciting statement with a very energetic nodding. "I mean, thank you. And of course, we will keep you informed of our findings." She began right away by explaining the goal of the adventuring groups' research. "Can not really tell why Cormyr so suddenly decided to collect Netheresian artifacts, but it is a serious contract that many adventuring groups are set to fulfil. Until yesterday we only had our competitors and Shadovar to worry about (not that it was something one can think lightly of). Now liches too." She sighed. "I truly with Llwyd is right here and lich will be after Shadovar, but not so sure we will get so lucky. Anyway... Would it be possible for us to make a copy of that dwarvish poem? And maps. If there are detailed - and preferably more recent - maps of the regions we are about to visit. And that "Selune Smile" - have you heard such a name? Or can we get something about Selune more detailed than church description?"

Sistri casts a quick glance at Irmiel.  While certain she would be pleased with the reward, she was worried she might be upset their studies might be at an end and it was time to get out and look for some answers outside of books.  She was relieved to hear her excitement and didn't hide her own enthusiasm. "We are beyond honored to not only be given such access to Candlekeep, but that you might share the results of your investigations with us, and that we might serve to help such an institution. Of course we accept! Thank you."

She then continues in a bit more subdued voice. "In the interest of being completely open with you Teles, I did hear something about why Cormyr might be interested in the Mythallars.  It seems that some think the magic Weave is being damaged, and that by controlling them further damage might be prevented." Sistri pauses, now suddenly wondering if this was something she should have said.  But no going back now. "Evidently the elves believe this is so and it seems they enlisted Cormyr's help."  Again she pauses before continuing a bit more sheepishly, "I'm afraid I'm no expert on arcane matters. And I really can't confirm any of this. It was just something I was told."

Teles nods, "I appreciate your honesty, and yes Sistri. The threat to the weave itself. Your source was correct. It was the elves in Semberholme that first detected the problem. They'd enlisted Cormyr's help, as a long time ally, to attempt to counter the problem. I can not say if Cormyr has put the full force of their will towards it though. Hiring a bunch of mercenary parties.....no offence intended....does not exactly signal the full weight of their efforts. Regardless.  You shall be provided a copy of the dwarvish poem. I shall have Irony take the book to the House of the Binder. While that is being done, we can enter 'the hall of maps' as its colloquially known. Selune's Smile? Where have I heard that before."  Her brow knits into a knot as she thinks through it. Then something dawns on her and she smiles, "Selune's Smile?  Well, this may be the wrong one, but there is a very old tavern in Waterdeep called Selune's Smile." 

She leads you all through the the maze of towers and buildings that make up Candlekeep, arriving within another building resembling a library, except that every surface is adorned with maps. Maps of every which place, either on Faerun or not. The huge open center of the hall has a marble floor that is a mosiac forming up a map of the greater portion of the Faerun, from the sword coast all the way east to Thay, and south past the Jungles of Chult, north right into the Sea of Ice and the great glacier. You do some searching for maps of the forest, but don't find much of value in the few hours you spend here.  As far as you can tell, for miles and miles north of Myth Drannor there is nothing but forest. 

You do find a map of Myth Drannor itself, though it's from before it was reclaimed and rebuilt (and then subsequently destroyed once again). 

Otherwise, the best you can do is a map of the surrounding regions that has...nothing of value on it really. But it clearly shows nothing but forest for at least 40 miles north of the ancient city. 

Eventually Irony returns with your copy of the book.  He says, "A Candlekeep wizard will return you to Cormyr, but I've been told we can send you to almost any location we know has a teleportation circle. I believe Hillsfar is the closest teleportation circle to Myth Drannor." 

“Would they have thought the safest part of Candlekeep would have no one to notice them? It seems unlikely, but honestly, I just don’t want to think about other possibility - that Larloch is actually working together with the Shadovar.” He said to Teles after Sistri and Irmiel said their pieces. Charlie’s company now had a contract with Candlekeep and contact with one of its Great Readers. Not bad for a group with less than two months of existence. “No offense taken and I also hope the use of mercenaries is neglect from the realm. Otherwise, it would mean it lack the strength to do something more.”

Llwyd was genuinely surprised to hear that there was an old Tavern called Selûne’s Smile. In his mind the place would be some temple in the moon accessed by a portal that just open during nights of crescent. Or something like that, mystic, sacred. A tavern seemed quite frankly, disappointing. Too mundane, simple, easy to reach. Maybe the tavern is not the place but named after the place, he pondered sure that one way or another they should pay it a visit sometime.

“Teles, How old is this tavern in comparison to the fall of Netherese? Also, one of the cities we found on the books is likely to be underwater. Would you have some reading recommendation about the kind of preparation we would need to do in order to explore it?” Then he turned to his companions. “I’m guessing our next stop should be either Waterdeep, Myth Drannor or the submerged ruins?”

"Waterdeep and Myth Drannor seem like a good beginning for investigation," Kris offers, none to eager to delver into underwater ruins.  

Teles shrugs, “I’m sure we have a whole section on underwater travel, but it may take you time to find and read. That said, in water deep you’d likely be able to find magic items that could help you. It will just be a question of cost.”

"Not just water but icy water," specified Irmiel with a grimace. Like Kris, she was not looking forward to the deep diving. Teles was right, though, there were many means to underwater travels, all that was needed was money. "Do you think they will let us into Myth Drannor? To be honest, I am not so sure elves will be happy to see us even in the woods. And Elven Court is roughly in the same direction... Oh, well, we will see it when we get there."

Her thoughts were still on the main subject, though. "Those magical abnormalities... Had it happened before? Do you know why the leaves think it has something to do with mythallars?" The idea of Larloch working with Shadovar was also disturbing. But on that question, the little company could only hope for the best. After all, there were no liches during Cormyr's attack and no Shadovar during the assault on the library.

Teles said, "I can clarify a couple things for you. The Elven Court is a cursed place of dark woods and shadows. It was deserted long ago. If you wish to visit the elves, you should try to find Semberholme instead. Myth Drannor was laid to waste during the war three years ago, when the floating Netheril city of Thulthanthar fell into it. Both cities were pulverized. There are no elves there, you'll find only ruins. As for the magical abnormalities. These tears in the weave are new. They haven't shown us definitive proof of why they think it's related to the Mythallars."

(So, where are we headed then? Ya'll should agree on a destination. Waterdeep, Myth Drannor, or elsewhere.) 

Sistri says, "I guess we're closer to Waterdeep now than if we go back.  But it still isn't that close, is it? And it feels like a long shot this tavern is what we want. I say we take the offer to be teleported to Hillsfar. Unless you guys really want to go to Waterdeep? I think we could do that later if we decide we need to."

She looks to the others for their final opinion, but Sistri seems set to go back to Hillsfar. 

"This!" Irmiel raised a finger underlining Sistri's words. "Unless we can be teleported into Waterdeep, Hillsfar seems like the closest and logical target. Not the safest, of course, but what can we do. Do you think the ruins are picked clean by now or we can hope to find something interesting in there?" Come to think of it... The ruins of an elven city. Should be filled with magical items. And knowledge elves guard so fiercely... No, really, Myth Drannor looked more and more attractive (if one can manage not to think about undead)

“Larloch’s lair is out of the question and we lack the gear for underwater exploring so only two real options.” He said after the others, agreeing with Kris’s line of thought. “That said, I don’t think Myth Drannor is that good of an idea right now. Our last fight suggest that we need to equip ourselves better if we wish to take on undead and as the group’s resident specialist on forests, cursed woods speak of little more than undeath. Unless we speak with Charlie first and get some equipment to deal with this kind of creature, I say Waterdeep. That is, if we can find clerics of Selûne there.” He was not sure if they could. Having lived his life in the King’s Forest, Llwyd understood that cities where considerable centers of population and Selûne was an old goddess with many followers. It was likely that Waterdeep had some temple dedicated to her, but that was no more than an educated guess. “No offense to Teles information, it’s just that I would feel safer if there was more of a lead for us there.” He then turned his attention to Sistri and Irmiel. “I will follow the majority, of course.”

Specially considering how little he knew of this deep water. Maybe it was more dangerous than Myt Drannor.