It was reasonable, though the question of distance and travelling remained. "I wish there was a spell to add some magic to your weapon..." Actually, druids did possess that power, yet, somehow wizards never looked into it. Maybe because of a deep inner despise of these primitive tools of warfare. "Which reminds me..." What Irmiel was about to ask for was... borderline inappropriate and undeserving, but if you do not ask, you do not receive. "Would it be possible to get a few spells from the books here?"

Teles shakes her head to Irmiel, "Not at this time. There is an involved process for such things and it would take you quite some time."

As you depart, the sky above Candlekeep has returned to normal. There is no more sparkling field visible. Instead, just a mass of tumultuous clouds that seem to cover every shade of grey possible, push past overhead amid brisk gusts of wind. The sea air if full of salty tang and as you leave the main gates of the huge walled compound, large drops of rain begin to splat down across the countryside. You are accompanied by Irony and another Avowed that you have not met before but appears to have seniority over the tiefling. The newcomer is a human, woman, perhaps in her mid thirties, with long black hair and a dress that dives down to her navel leaving much of her chest revealed. It seems a rather non-scholarly look for the mature, but pretty woman who silently accompanies you. She leads you to the teleportation circle amidst the standing stones, a short walk from the edge of the road.  

She turns the group then, "I shall be delivering you to a circle outside Hillsfar managed by the Hillsfar government. As per agreements with the city state, we have notified them so that they know you are arriving. My name is Shalasta, I run the Office of Transport here at Candlekeep. I have been informed that you have been granted Candlekeep Agent status. Please contact me when you need to travel from Candlekeep to another location in the future." 

With her 'bit' said, she begins her spell. As she weaves the magic about she intermingles her magical phrases with talking to you, "When the portal appears, you will have 6 seconds to move through it before it closes. Please be prompt."

A moment later she's done and a flat vertical disc of swirling energy appears. She motions you through to Hillsfar........

“Listen here lad, Hillsfar, the City of Trade, is a great place to make your way, as long as you’re not an elf... or a dwarf... or a halfling or well pretty much anything but human. But if you’re human, there is no better opportunity!”

-Isthana Ro, Guildmaster of Rogues

The city of Hillsfar has a particularly dark and sordid past. A city squeezed between the vast Elven forest of Cormanthor, and the edges of the Moonsea, with the what was once the Zhentil keep to the west, a city they consistently warred with, Thar and the hordes of orcs just across the water to the north and isolated from the two closest human kingdoms of Sembia or Cormyr, the people here have gone through long bouts of isolationism and xenophobia, hateful of non-human races and protectionist in their ways. The only stronghold for humankind this side of the moonsea, the great law that only humans are allowed in Hillsfar was only recently rescinded by their newest First Lord, a man named Yestrel.  Their other great law, the things that keeps the heart of Hillsfar alive is the great trade law.  "The Great Law of Trade. Do not interfere with any legitimate trade."  

However this anti-human law was only recently rescinded and bigotry does not die quietly. In the silence it thrives. And so, though not illegal, the city is not a kindly welcoming place for non-humans. Instead, the nearby village of Elventree just to the south of Hillsfar. The village of Elventree is idyllic, peaceful, and friendly to nonhumans that were seeking succor from Hillsfar, particularly elves, half-elves.  Just north of Elventree, the village of Lighthouse, a more recent settlement, has sprung up around an ancient and abandoned lighthouse known as Elua’s Lighthouse miles from the coast due to changes in the depth of the Moonsea. The settlement is populated by nonhumans formerly of the area. Finally, to the west, the former client village of Hillsfar, Yûlash, is now largely abandoned. The subterranean tunnels beneath the village are rumored to be overrun with foul things from the Underdark. The Red Plumes, the military force of Hillsfar, have built a massive wall around the village and watch vigilantly for monsters. Finally to the east is Elmwood, a home to woodcutters and fishermen, and a waystop for ships in the region. 

To the south of here, within the great forest, are the ruins of the great elven city Myth Drannor.

It would seem that traversing half the world by magic can not help you escape the rain. Rather than gusty wind with splotches of rain though, you appear in the middle of an open courtyard amidst a miserable downpour, with rain immediately pelting down upon you and soaking you. The sky is a uniform grey beneath the rain and visibility beyond only goes a few hundred feet. The sound of rain obscures almost everything else. 

You are outside the main city state of Hillsfar, the largest human city within a thousand miles, and the nexus of trade in the region. A collection of buildings crouch nearby, but then behyond is all farmland, until, just visible as a dark smear to the north, are the walls of the city. Even from here and obscured by the rain they look massive. The courtyard you're in is flanked by 4 towers, each of which have archers on them, looking miserable and bored beneath the wooden roofing that keeps them dry. Each one has a horn nearby, but they regard your arrival rather impassively. The soldiers helmets have large red plumes sticking from their tops. 

A soldier approaches from a nearby building, this one not so lucky to be out of the rain. His red plume is soaked and sags to one side while his red cloak clings to the metal armor underneath, soaked through. He glances at the four of you, his eyes pausing on Irmiel's ears, and then over to Llwyd with an unmasked look of distaste, before falling to Sistri and Kris, where upon he forms a half-welcoming smile, "Welcome to 'illsfar. You've been announced and ere'thing is in order. Please proceed inside fer yer visitor pass."  He jabs a finger up to a sign nailed on the building that you hadn't yet noticed.  It has many rules written down it, one of which states that visitors much apply for a visitors pass in the office. You notice the 2nd rule, "Non-humans are forbidden entry." has a line drawn through it.  

Glancing through the rules, you see that weapons must be peace-bonded.  You know that means that they must have a small tie knotted on them to keep them in their sheath. The first rule, that nothing shall interfere with Trade, is emphasized in many of the other rules. A few new rules seems to have been added below, as an additional board has been nailed to the sign, "Practicing magic without a permit is a crime. Any crime performed with magic will be punished with death. Magical items must be registered and marked."

You notice a fence blocks off other exits to this courtyard and the only way out seems to be by going through a door into a building to one side, with the word "Office" painted above it. 

 Irmiel was used to the glances at her hair (not natural for any race, even fey) but fancied herself good-looking enough to be surprised by an open disdain. Oh, right, xenophobia... She definitely needed to travel more to get used to unusual reactions. "We do not really have to stay in the city, do we? I mean, they will probably not kill me and Llwyd, and we have you two to deal with locals, but... Can we just go to the forest right away?" Though... agh... tey definitely needed some supplies, maybe horses? Oh, well. Hopefully, they indeed are not in a killing mood. Irmiel thought for a moment about a little provocation (it looked like a smile would do) but outruled it and obediently fall to the background, leaving Kris and Sistri deal with guards here.

"They might have built a gazebo for teleporting travelers!" Kris grumbles as her hair is plastered to her head.

"Ah, greetings..." she offers reluctantly to the guard, noting his unusual reaction to Irmiel and Llwyd.

"No, we will most definitely not be staying here any longer than absolutely necessary," she reassures Irmiel quietly.  "We'll head to Lighthouse or Elventree and establish a base in one of those, if needed."

"Come on, Sistri.  Let's get this unpleasantness over with."  She walks quickly toward the visitors' office.

Sistri takes a moment to look around as she first arrives. It takes her a moment to scan through the rules. But as the soldier gives Irmiel a disdainful look she finds her hand slipping towards her sword. She certainly does not return his half-smile. But as she hears Irmiel and Kris she nods slowly. "No, we have no need to stay here long. Yes, let's go take care of our business and get going." 

She walks over towards the office, following Kris' quick pace, and making sure Irmiel and Llwyd are right with them. 

The group moves inside the office and out of the miserable drizzle pouring from the sky. A human clerk inside, with a well trimmed beard, older wrinkled face, and grey hair tied back in a frizzy ponytail glances up. His reaction to each of you is thankfully uniformly indifferent.  One at a time he has you come forward and fill out some paper work. You are warned against falsifying information and then asked for your name, city of origin, age and race. He jots all this down on the paperwork without question, unless any of you provides anything that obviously doesn't match reality.  At some point another man, much younger with sharp blue eyes and wearing nice pants, a button up shirt, and a dress jacket, comes out of an office. He glances at the group meaningfully but without words, and eventually turns to the older clerk and shakes his head. The man writes down a "none" under magical items. 

Eventually you're done with the paperwork and head outside.  You actually seem to be at a small cluster of buildings outside the city proper. A wide cobbled road cuts through a patch of farmland before reaching the main walls of the city.  As wet droplets gather in your hair and on your shoulders, you scan the streets of this small area. The place seems to be very business focused, with only a single tavern within site, while there are at least a dozen trading company offices and the rest is filled with warehouses and industry. The sound of sawing and banging can be heard from behind an area that must be a mill, working on wood cut from the forest of Cormanthyr that though not visible, must be close by. The fashions in the area seem practical. Though there are many accent colors and people find a way to show off personal style, it seems as, especially in the rain and cold, people have several layers on and wear waxed leather outwear to keep off the moisture. Most coats are lined with fur to keep away the chill. It's a raucous scene as people move in every direction all about their own individual business, but the population seems mostly human. Llwyd finds himself the focus of many a glance in this rather homogenous place. 

That said, aside from curious glances and the occasionally grumpy furrow, you don't feel threatened, just....not particularly welcomed. Soldiers with soaked red plumes patrol the square in a group of six. It would appear that you may not need to in fact go into the city proper. There is an Inn here called the Tusk and Spear for you to stay the night at....and it looks like there are stables there from which to acquire horses. But even in Cormyr you've heard of Hillsfar. It's sometimes called the Waterdeep of the North, and if you were looking for shopping and goods, the main city will have almost anything you could want. 

Irmiel looked up (immediately regretting that, she had to take her glasses down to wipe the rain drops) and then towards the inn. "It's still daytime... Morning even. We can leave, and probably reach another town before evening. Or try camping outside." (The weather was contradicting that plan, but who said tomorrow will be better?) "It does not feel at bad as at their "custom office" but... Do you believe we can find here anything we could not find in Candlekeep? Maybe just let's rent some horses and move?"

Llwyd loved the rain. For him nothing was as a beautiful as the gray skies and the calm sound of water over rooves and trees sounded to him more beautiful than any music could hope to be. In the circle the druids used to joke that it was because of his name. His ashen eyes were enamored by ashen skies. He liked when they said this. It was a pity that the god of storms was a mad brute. Were it not for that he may have paid him homage. Perhaps even as much as he did to the Oak Father.

He was brought back from his daydream by the visible hostility of the guard and decided it was best to keep keen eyes on the surroundings. He remembered what they were told about the region and was about to suggest they went to Elventree when his friends started to ponder their next steps.

“I wouldn’t expect they to rent us anything. Not unless Sistri or Kris try negotiating without us.” He said to Irmiel as they moved through the streets. “I don’t understand much about cities so I can’t say if we can find something good here that we couldn’t in Candlekeep, but camping in this weather, and moving to our target location, may prove too difficult. I think we should go to the closest between Elventree and the Lighthouse.”

Kris shivers in the rain.  She glances at Llwyd, noticing how content he seems to be rained on.  There is no doubt that there remains a part of Kris that  enjoys the comforts of a well-appointed manor.  'Aventuring sure is a lot of fun.  But at the end of the day one does enjoy a hot bath and warm cup of honeyed tea.

"Agreed.  And do we need anything yet?  Maybe some horses.  Frankly, the less coin we spend here the better."

"I say we move on towards Myth Drannor, which means away from those other towns.  I guess we look for horses here then." Sistri glances around for any place that might seem to offer horses.

"We'll have to travel a few days, so we may as well hit the road now and get used to camping out."   She certainly is not suggesting it with a smile, but she does not seem deterred about having to camp out.

The group unified about getting horses and moving on from the city of Hillsfar as quickly as possible walk over to the Fox Hallow Stable. The place is a small office, with a small supply store situated next to a fenced open area that backs onto a much larger barn in the back. A single horse stands in the fencing, its long mane drooping with water. The rest of the animals seem smart enough to get out of the weather and can be seen in a covered area next to the barn.  The horse, grey with a big black splotch stands there impassively, eyeing you, as you walk past into the office. 

Inside you find an orderly, though earthy smelling shop. The comforting smell of stained leather permeates the air, the shop and office sharing the space.  All manner of equipment is sold here including riding gloves, saddles, crops, bits, bridles, bags and combs. They seem to sell feed as well. The proprietor is a woman with thick knuckles and a rough manner about her. Her straw black hair hangs down, clearly damped from the rain and she looks to be all business, currently working on some leather stitching for a saddle bag.  She glances up, taking a quick double take at Llwyd, but then glancing back down at her work.  

"Welcome to the Fox Hallow, what can I do for you?" 

You express your desire for horses. "We don't rent, but you can purchase horses 'ere o' course. 75 gold for a good pony. Shoed for the road. 16 gold for bit and bridle, saddle, blanket, and bags."  She glances at Sistri, "Ain't no war horse though. You want one of those, the Fox Hallow Stable in the city proper is what you want. They run upward of 400 gold, plus barding fer about 100."  

Sistri gives the woman a smile. "Oh yes, of course, I certainly understand a warhorse would be more.  Thank you."  She tries to determine if she can get any impression of her - such as whether she expects haggling, or is trying to squeeze a higher price from us, or if this is their normal fees.  (Insight: 20)

She turns to the others, speaking in a lowered voice, hoping not to be overheard. "Seems steep. Do we really need horses?" 

"Maybe not. I like the idea of at least a pack animal, but on the other hand, what would we do with the horses in the ruins?" Irmiel was trying to talk quietly and attract less attention. "But if they have some detailed map, or at least know some beaten path to Myth Drannor."

"That... is an excellent point!  I hadn't even thought about a map.  Being so close to the ruins, surely there is someone at least marginally familiar with the terrain.  Although, it's certainly reassuring going into an unfamiliar wilderness with a druid."  Kris winks at Llwyd.

The woman stands there overhearing as the group debates. As far as Sistri can tell, she's referring to riding horses and the prices seem pretty average.  

The woman opens her mouth, "My 'orses are good value they are. But if ya just want a pack animal, we got those too. Won't find no maps o' the woods though. Its the elves land, and even with the new treaty, people don't go to far into those woods...they go forever....biggest forest in all the world it is. We get lots o' travelers wantin to see the woods. Wanna be adventure types. Usually got money. Some take ma horses. You go without a guide, and you don't come back, plain as that. I feel a real swell o pity for the horses that not come back. There's for certain guides to be found. Mostly in the city proper, try the stalls by Silver Street and Market Street. Might find somone ere' at the Tusk and Spear, I'll be honest with ya...if they're out here...they'll be somethin sketch about 'em." 

Irmiel glanced at the woman. She looked open-minded enough and allowed her and Llwyd in, still, Irmiel did not feel like pushing it. So, she kept talking quietly and to the group. "A guide... More eyes and ears. Can be a good thing, can be bad. We are kind of double officials - on the contract with Cormyr and as agents of Candlekeep, no need for much secrecy. And the guide could handle the horses. Or mules! Do you think they have mules? Cheaper but as effective!" She shook her head returning herself to the subject. "I mean, I am good at going with Llwyd's skills if he thinks he can find the ruins. But if we are to get a guide, maybe first we have to find one and then ask what we need for the expedition."

Sistri gives the woman a smile. "Yes, your prices are more than fair.  We just need to be mindful of our resources.  I thank you very much for your suggestion of a guide.  I think that might be very usesful."  She then turns back to the others in the group. "I do like the idea of employing a guide - it will probably do much to speed up our search. It sounds like we need to head into the city for that though."  She looks a little worried about spending much time in the city given the attitudes towards Irmiel and Llwyd.  

She sighs, "We'll make it quick, then come back here to see about animals."  She gives a glance towards Irmiel, "Perhaps a mule would be a good idea." 

 “I thank you for the trust, Kris and Irmiel, but I have to admit that my abilities are limited to keeping us well in the wilderness.” He said when deliberation about hiring an guide started to be made. “Not many things dwelling in the wilderness would get by me unnoticed, but that is about it. I wouldn’t know more than any of you about where to start looking for the ruins so we would do better hiring a guide. We could even have him help carrying equipment. Or become a horse.”

The last part Llwyd said as if was common knowledge. Although he preferred to keep his transformations for battle the druid was more than capable of literally becoming the packing animal of the party so for him it was natural to think that a guide could do the same.

“By the way, Irmiel, you mentioned before about summoning your owl.” At least he had the impression she mentioned something about that. He didn’t really understand how the wizard would do that, though. For him, summoning an animal under the form of a beast didn’t demand much more than energy and time. Given, the summoned creature remained for but a few hours while the elf’s spell seemed more permanent. “Would you be able to find the necessary materials here?”

 "I have some with me, though that would not be a summoning," Irmiel stroked the miniature golden lizard on her shoulder, "that would be changing his shape. Osrik is a little spirit and can take whatever shape he wants. Or, to be fair, I want but I would force him. The problem is, that the ritual is magical. And," Irmiel raised her eyes up, remembering, then quoted: "Practicing magic without a permit is a crime. Any crime performed with magic will be punished with death." Do not think we have a permit."

"Well," she clapped her hands together, "if we decided to get the guide, let's ask that kind woman where we can find one and be on our way. I'd wait here, but not sure it's a good idea to get separated in such a town. I'll wear the hood, no one will know my elven side. And Llwyd ... If you can take a shape of something less... offensive for the people around, I'm sure we can get by." "Oh!" Irmiel's eyes opened wide in realization. "Would that be counted as magic as well?"