Archie suddenly hugs Wilf tight, whether he likes it or not. He feels the warmth if the flame radiating from within the armour aswell as a quiet sob. "I'm honoured that youthink me akin to your own Sophia, it sounds like she is um, Was a wonderful girl... All of your family. I-I'm just so sorry you had to go through losing that." She releases the old man from her iron grip and holds his shoulders for a moment looking him up and down making sure he's ok, unsure of why he's not a blubbering mess like she would be in his position, she realises that struggle and loss takes a certain hardness to get through, and more than that she finds a new found respect for Wilfred Cliffvine.
Listening to Virro's tale of poverty, discovery and escape, Archie cocks her head looking more confused than anything else. "...I think I understand why you bonded with the shield so quickly now. Though you shouldn'tlook so anxious, if any of us thought talking to the dead was a heinous act then we would have sent Reed to the other side weeks ago." She chuckles at her own joke a little obviously trying to lighten the mood. "Seeking knowledge is not a bad thing, nor is seeking to improve one's self or position. You're so motivated Virro, the only thing I'd warn against is seeking without caution, I think I'm walking talking evidence of what can happen there..."
Archie goes quiet for the rest of the talking before people settle to sleep for the night. But as the conversation winds down later she stands as if she has an announcement, but for right now, she sits, listens and thinks deep.
Corlith listens to Wilf as he speaks of his children, his hand going involuntarily up to touch his horns as he makes the comparison between himself and Ronald. But he stays silent, contemplative. He cannot imagine the pain of going through what Wilf had gone through.
He listens as well to Virro's tale, one of inauspicious beginnings but filled with drive and determination. And with a history of voices giving him direction, no wonder he is a little unhinged.
He silently looks around at those fate has chosen to align him to. Archie, trapped in a sentient suit of armour due to a drive to help people, now undergoing a battle to survive. Virro, guided by mysterious forces whose nature and purpose remain shrouded. Roo, a noble warrior from a strange culture who seems to have taken a path that he finds shameful. Wilf, a man of vengeance borne of terrible loss. Reed, a happy go lucky fellow who speaks to the dead and with no compunction against adding to their number.
He looks last to Reya and Fisk, the most recent members of their fellowship. He knows Fisk is here because he has no choice, he will not be sticking around longer than they make him. Reya on the other hand has also suffered terrible loss, and is eager to rectify it and in sore need of allies.
And that left himself. His story is not one to be told this evening, not in the light of those already told.
"It seems that shared tragedy and suffering bind you all together. You should find strength, courage and solace in each other", he says as he stands and moves over to his bedroll, wondering whether he truly belongs amongst the others.
Once everyone has had their moment and Corlith moves to slip into his bedroll, Roo takes the cue to go on as well. He gets up and moves away from the fire and goes up into the nearest tree to roost...
As people begin to rest up for the night Archie stands, calling attention, "this sharing of our stories and our lives has been quite moving for me and made me realise something. The stories aren't over. Weare each and every one of us fighting for our own reasons but there is a central driving force that we all share, and that is the value of life, either fighting for our own or on behalf of some one else, those dear to us, or even a whole city... We don't control where we came from, but I think this driving force made us what we are and will continue to do so.
So I'm done forcing the life of another to the side just for my own sake, I'll fight this until I've carved my own place in this body, but I don't want that to be at the expense of the other thing in here, my life will be burdened if I cheat this thing and steal it." She taps her head and then quickly takes the stone from the back of her helm. Blue flame erupts from every joint and gap in the armour as the IronMaiden springs to life, "DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN!" it screams in some kind of tinny error voice, as it casts the stone off into the trees and out of sight. The flames die down but the blue remains and the IronMaiden clutches their head fighting something. Once it regains it's robotic composure it looks around the group, watching them settling in "Not one person listened to The IronMaiden's pleas for help. Not a single one of you.
Secondary directive purpose: line two, 'covert agent of action and partner of the elite six'.
That directive was dictated by Virro, and agreed upon in amusement by the rest of the group.
Is this how partners are treated? Imprisoned? Restrained? Having their autonomy taken? And left?..." The voice is the same as always but there's something different, the ironmaiden having been suppressed for a number of days has been watching, learning, it appears more socially and conversationally intelligent than before however robotic it remains to be.
Corlith stands up, surprise briefly written across his face at Archie's actions, before he composes himself.
"Stand down Ironmaiden. Firstly, no-one agreed with Virro's directives, they were ridiculous. Secondly, even if we had, Archie is one of the elite six he spoke of. Remember Archie? The fire genasi girl whose existence you are snuffing out as fuel?", he says, a coldness to his voice.
He takes a breath, "We are on our way to find someone who can help separate the two of you without causing irreparable harm. That is the best we can do at the moment. Now show us you haven't imprisoned Archie. Show us she isn't restrained and you haven't taken her autonomy".
Reya is lulled into almost a dreamlike state as she listens to the back grounds of her new friends. They have all gone through a lot and she feels for them. She really hopes they all stick with her as she tries and figures out how the hell they were going to get Elturel back. She feels bad for bringing up a sore subject with Roo and vows to not do that again. He seems to be dealing with a lot and she wishes she knew how to help him.
She let's Corlith's last words run over her in a source of comfort as she gets settled in her bedroll. She hopes they have good luck at Candlekeep and she smiles, one thing is for sure, they can take a break from bloodshed at least.
She watches as Archie stands up and makes her declaration. She was just starting to think how much her friend has grown just in the short time she's known her when IronMaiden bursts out. Startled and shocked, she listens and starts nodding along to what Corlith says. She stands up next to the tiefling. "We are concerned for Archie's life! When you were restrained did it hurt you? Did it drain you of your life source? Because that is exactly what you are doing to her. We didn't leave you. We are going to Candlekeep to try and help you as Corlith said." Anger sparks behind her eyes but she holds back as she waits for his response.
IronMaiden stays standing resolute in the offence of being restrained in the way they were, "I am not consciously harming her, and of course, I am acutely aware of her, she is my source. But I do not see how that is important to the fact that she attempted to incapacitate me and you all let her." The suit hisses and cracks open at the chest revealing the weak and disheveled amber face of Archie. "Her suppression of me was exhausting her beyond her own limitations, I could not wake her if I tried. Source absorption did not slow or stop during this suppression and she did not have the relief upon her consciousness of myself taking over. I do not have relevant information to determine if this exhaustion is recoverable or it is permanent. The I formation available is that absorption is at 49.4%. does this satisfy your request?" It closes the hatch once more obscuring the groups view of the many wires and systems integrating themselves into Archie's weakening body through her firey skin.
As the IronMaiden sits by a tree they steam and hiss, apparently thinking before saying, "I am aware of the plan to head to candlekeep and separate the two of us. I will continue to travel with you for this reason. But for now you need sleep, and I will keep watch"
After a few moments a buzzing sound occurs and IronMaiden states "ALL DIRECTIVES DELETED" to nobody in particular.
Virro gets up close to Reed and nods, saying “I have thoughts about… what if we put the magnet back on? Or glue it on? Would that help?” He says this very quietly to Reed, then goes to meditate, periodically keeping an eye on the Ironmaiden.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Corlith has a fitful night, although rest does come. The image of Archie as she had been revealed the night before played on his mind, along with the phrase the Ironmaiden used. I am not consciously harming her. It did little to allay his concerns. And yet there was nothing he could do about it.
He had briefly considered trying to teleport her out of the armour when she was visible, but he was concerned that might kill her. Archie herself had also mentioned she wanted to give Ironmaiden a chance to live.
When he wakes, he sits up and watches Ironmaiden for a time before moving over to them and taking a seat there.
"I still don't understand why there was a space inside you for Archie to get into you in the first place. Either you were designed to be worn, in which case you are malfunctioning by taking over. Or Archie was always meant to be the source of your power. In which case your creator is a monster. And yet they went looking for a different power source from what Archie says. So that other power source was a different sentient being perhaps?".
"are you asking me to argue or justify the intention behind my own existence? An intention that was clearly not my own, I should not have to, I have no information regarding that... Before Archie immobilised me I had begun having feelings, desires, questions if my own, these have only grown as I could do nothing but watch and learn from her.
I see the distaste you all have for me and I wonder... We have previously fought alongside eachother, killing those who would wish to end our lives, we have even subdued those who act against us but with reason or under duress, in both cases these people have been your enemy, I wonder where I fall in these categories."
The IronMaiden stands after a moment not waiting for another insult. They begin making morning preparations and artificer infusions focussing on themselves rather than offering buffs to anyone else. Armour improvements and a scrap homunculi but this one dies not take the firm of a tiny yuan-ti, instead it flames and burns orange as a tiny facsimile of Archie herself.
"I have nothing against you Ironmaiden. It is Master Thell I am questioning. But find a mirror and look at the state Archie is in, and then tell me what those feelings of yours are doing. And tell me if you still can't understand why we are outraged by the current circumstance", he says quietly, with no malice.
Virro stands with his arms crossed, staring at the Ironmaiden. “You are mistaken Ironmaiden, you misunderstand us.” As if to himself, he says “Much mayhem is begat from misunderstandings…”. Then he focuses back on Ironmaiden, calling after - “We wish for both Archie and you to survive, to be able to live free and unhindered, one not harming the other. That’s all. How do we protect the both of you? What we need is knowledge that we don’t have, how to do that, safely. Do not take offense where none is given…”
In the morning you get packed up and back on your steady steeds and move along, the evenings stories and revelations still ringing through your heads. Ahead, you see a path branch from the wider road, heading to the sea. A raven perches solemnly on a leaning post bearing two signs that point like arms toward the west. One says The Way of the Lion. The other says Candlekeep. Fisk smiles back at the rest of you, “We’re nearly there! We should make it there by midafternoon.”
Candlekeep is a fortress perched on a spur of rock overlooking the Sea of Swords. It has a single road leading up to it, the one you are currently on, the Way of the Lion. Sauntering up to the gatehouse, you are greeted by three monks in purple robes, a human, a shield dwarf, and a sun elf. Around their necks hang holy symbols of Deneir, god of writing, whose symbol is a lit candle above an open eye.
“Welcome to Candlekeep,” says the elf in Common. “A gift is required from those seeking admittance. You must donate a book or scroll that isn’t already in the library’s archives. Please present your gift for inspection.”
Fisk steps up to the elf and rummaging in his bag, he pulls out the book of Calishite recipes. Handing it over, the elf looks through it. She leafs through the pages and stops at one. Looking over her shoulder to the other two, “Have you heard of bread pudding? What an interesting concept.” she smiles as she looks back to Fisk, “I’ll have to send this book over to The Hearth and definitely point this recipe out to them, I’d love to give it a try.”
She looks to the rest of you and all three of the monks step back, “Please, enjoy your visit to Candlekeep. You are free to go wherever you’d like and are welcome to stay as long as you wish.” and the monks give you a slight bow as you enter.
Corlith is impressed as Candlekeep comes into view, having never laid eyes on the famous library before. He had not expected it to look so much like a fortress, but looking at it he couldn't imagine it being anything other than a fortress. That it contained a library unequalled in all of Faerûn would come as a huge surprise to anyone that did not already know.
"I know in the past we have had a tendency to cause some damage in the pursuit of our duties, but I would suggest we are all on our best behaviour if we manage to get inside", he suggests. "I would dare to assume that the inside of this fortress is as well protected, if not more so, than the outside. What magics might be at play would be beyond all of us".
As they approach the gatehouse, he allows Fisk to take the lead with speaking to the monks, but watches him carefully in case there is any foul play. But all seems to be above board, and he relaxes as they are allowed to enter Candlekeep proper.
"Well, I will admit you have been true to your word so far, Fisk. Obviously we still need an audience with your employer, Sylvira Savikas, before we go our separate ways", he says as they pass through the gate and he gets his first view from inside the outer wall.
As they are passing through the now open gate, he can't resist asking the elven gatekeeper, "You know every book that's inside here? What if it was the same book with just a different title? Does that still count? Or if there was one paragraph different?"
He pauses before asking what he really wants to know.
"There must be some pretty valuable books in here? Are they well guarded?"
Then he catches the drift of Corlith's suggestion.
The elf raises at eyebrow at Reed when he asks if they know all the books, "Well, between the three of us, yes. I am particularly interested in cookbooks and such so I knew..."she stops herself abruptly and frowns at the halfling, "I do not need to explain myself to you."
As he asks about the valuable books, she crosses her arms and the dwarf starts coming to join them, "What's going on here, what's the holdup?" and seeing his companions displeasure he glares at Reed as well. "Well your friend needs to move along. Or leave."
Fisk gives Corlith a deep bow, "I told you I wasn't trying to hide anything. You all just took it upon yourself to not trust me." he shrugs, "Your loss as I am a lot of fun to be around."he smirks at this and then pauses just inside the gates once Reed catches up with the rest.
Opening his arms wide, he exclaims, "Welcome to Candlekeep!" He then starts pointing out the different buildings within the fort and at least the their names and sometimes their functions, "That there is the stables, probably best to head there and drop off our mounts. Next to the that is the Temple of Oghma and then the Granary. There is the House of Rest, which is where I would recommend you all stay if you're staying the night. Then that's The Hearth and man, I don't know about you all, but I could use a nice warm meal after those days of traveling. That is the House of the Binder, there is the Erudite Outfitters & Clothiers, obviously where I got my threads." and he lovingly runs his hand down his colorful robe, "Over there is the Pillars of Pedagogy and there, beyond the Emerald Door is the main keep where we will find Sylvania."
Corlith takes in the scene as Fisk identifies some of the buildings. He ignores the ramblings about how fun Fisk thinks he is though.
"Business before pleasure, Mr Fisk. I think we should be seeking an audience with your employer before availing ourselves of the facilities. Although it will be good to get a hot meal and a wash. We also have to make enquiries about a master of artifice", he says as he starts to lead his horse towards the stables that Fisk pointed out.
Archie suddenly hugs Wilf tight, whether he likes it or not. He feels the warmth if the flame radiating from within the armour aswell as a quiet sob. "I'm honoured that you think me akin to your own Sophia, it sounds like she is um, Was a wonderful girl... All of your family. I-I'm just so sorry you had to go through losing that." She releases the old man from her iron grip and holds his shoulders for a moment looking him up and down making sure he's ok, unsure of why he's not a blubbering mess like she would be in his position, she realises that struggle and loss takes a certain hardness to get through, and more than that she finds a new found respect for Wilfred Cliffvine.
Listening to Virro's tale of poverty, discovery and escape, Archie cocks her head looking more confused than anything else. "...I think I understand why you bonded with the shield so quickly now. Though you shouldn't look so anxious, if any of us thought talking to the dead was a heinous act then we would have sent Reed to the other side weeks ago." She chuckles at her own joke a little obviously trying to lighten the mood. "Seeking knowledge is not a bad thing, nor is seeking to improve one's self or position. You're so motivated Virro, the only thing I'd warn against is seeking without caution, I think I'm walking talking evidence of what can happen there..."
Archie goes quiet for the rest of the talking before people settle to sleep for the night. But as the conversation winds down later she stands as if she has an announcement, but for right now, she sits, listens and thinks deep.
Corlith listens to Wilf as he speaks of his children, his hand going involuntarily up to touch his horns as he makes the comparison between himself and Ronald. But he stays silent, contemplative. He cannot imagine the pain of going through what Wilf had gone through.
He listens as well to Virro's tale, one of inauspicious beginnings but filled with drive and determination. And with a history of voices giving him direction, no wonder he is a little unhinged.
He silently looks around at those fate has chosen to align him to. Archie, trapped in a sentient suit of armour due to a drive to help people, now undergoing a battle to survive. Virro, guided by mysterious forces whose nature and purpose remain shrouded. Roo, a noble warrior from a strange culture who seems to have taken a path that he finds shameful. Wilf, a man of vengeance borne of terrible loss. Reed, a happy go lucky fellow who speaks to the dead and with no compunction against adding to their number.
He looks last to Reya and Fisk, the most recent members of their fellowship. He knows Fisk is here because he has no choice, he will not be sticking around longer than they make him. Reya on the other hand has also suffered terrible loss, and is eager to rectify it and in sore need of allies.
And that left himself. His story is not one to be told this evening, not in the light of those already told.
"It seems that shared tragedy and suffering bind you all together. You should find strength, courage and solace in each other", he says as he stands and moves over to his bedroll, wondering whether he truly belongs amongst the others.
Once everyone has had their moment and Corlith moves to slip into his bedroll, Roo takes the cue to go on as well. He gets up and moves away from the fire and goes up into the nearest tree to roost...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
As people begin to rest up for the night Archie stands, calling attention, "this sharing of our stories and our lives has been quite moving for me and made me realise something. The stories aren't over. We are each and every one of us fighting for our own reasons but there is a central driving force that we all share, and that is the value of life, either fighting for our own or on behalf of some one else, those dear to us, or even a whole city... We don't control where we came from, but I think this driving force made us what we are and will continue to do so.
So I'm done forcing the life of another to the side just for my own sake, I'll fight this until I've carved my own place in this body, but I don't want that to be at the expense of the other thing in here, my life will be burdened if I cheat this thing and steal it." She taps her head and then quickly takes the stone from the back of her helm. Blue flame erupts from every joint and gap in the armour as the IronMaiden springs to life, "DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN!" it screams in some kind of tinny error voice, as it casts the stone off into the trees and out of sight. The flames die down but the blue remains and the IronMaiden clutches their head fighting something. Once it regains it's robotic composure it looks around the group, watching them settling in "Not one person listened to The IronMaiden's pleas for help. Not a single one of you.
Secondary directive purpose: line two, 'covert agent of action and partner of the elite six'.
That directive was dictated by Virro, and agreed upon in amusement by the rest of the group.
Is this how partners are treated? Imprisoned? Restrained? Having their autonomy taken? And left?..." The voice is the same as always but there's something different, the ironmaiden having been suppressed for a number of days has been watching, learning, it appears more socially and conversationally intelligent than before however robotic it remains to be.
Corlith stands up, surprise briefly written across his face at Archie's actions, before he composes himself.
"Stand down Ironmaiden. Firstly, no-one agreed with Virro's directives, they were ridiculous. Secondly, even if we had, Archie is one of the elite six he spoke of. Remember Archie? The fire genasi girl whose existence you are snuffing out as fuel?", he says, a coldness to his voice.
He takes a breath, "We are on our way to find someone who can help separate the two of you without causing irreparable harm. That is the best we can do at the moment. Now show us you haven't imprisoned Archie. Show us she isn't restrained and you haven't taken her autonomy".
Reya is lulled into almost a dreamlike state as she listens to the back grounds of her new friends. They have all gone through a lot and she feels for them. She really hopes they all stick with her as she tries and figures out how the hell they were going to get Elturel back. She feels bad for bringing up a sore subject with Roo and vows to not do that again. He seems to be dealing with a lot and she wishes she knew how to help him.
She let's Corlith's last words run over her in a source of comfort as she gets settled in her bedroll. She hopes they have good luck at Candlekeep and she smiles, one thing is for sure, they can take a break from bloodshed at least.
She watches as Archie stands up and makes her declaration. She was just starting to think how much her friend has grown just in the short time she's known her when IronMaiden bursts out. Startled and shocked, she listens and starts nodding along to what Corlith says. She stands up next to the tiefling. "We are concerned for Archie's life! When you were restrained did it hurt you? Did it drain you of your life source? Because that is exactly what you are doing to her. We didn't leave you. We are going to Candlekeep to try and help you as Corlith said." Anger sparks behind her eyes but she holds back as she waits for his response.
IronMaiden stays standing resolute in the offence of being restrained in the way they were, "I am not consciously harming her, and of course, I am acutely aware of her, she is my source. But I do not see how that is important to the fact that she attempted to incapacitate me and you all let her." The suit hisses and cracks open at the chest revealing the weak and disheveled amber face of Archie. "Her suppression of me was exhausting her beyond her own limitations, I could not wake her if I tried. Source absorption did not slow or stop during this suppression and she did not have the relief upon her consciousness of myself taking over. I do not have relevant information to determine if this exhaustion is recoverable or it is permanent. The I formation available is that absorption is at 49.4%. does this satisfy your request?" It closes the hatch once more obscuring the groups view of the many wires and systems integrating themselves into Archie's weakening body through her firey skin.
As the IronMaiden sits by a tree they steam and hiss, apparently thinking before saying, "I am aware of the plan to head to candlekeep and separate the two of us. I will continue to travel with you for this reason. But for now you need sleep, and I will keep watch"
After a few moments a buzzing sound occurs and IronMaiden states "ALL DIRECTIVES DELETED" to nobody in particular.
Reed watches IronMaiden for awhile then finally decides. "I hate to say this but I think I like Archie more."
He makes his bedroll as comfortable as possible before looking at IronMaiden once more.
"Don't kill us in our sleep."
Then he falls fast asleep.
Virro gets up close to Reed and nods, saying “I have thoughts about… what if we put the magnet back on? Or glue it on? Would that help?” He says this very quietly to Reed, then goes to meditate, periodically keeping an eye on the Ironmaiden.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
The IronMaiden ignores the insult and sits watching the group, still frustrated and angry. They keep the fire going over night, but do nothing else
Come morning there is still no real sign of Archie.
Corlith has a fitful night, although rest does come. The image of Archie as she had been revealed the night before played on his mind, along with the phrase the Ironmaiden used. I am not consciously harming her. It did little to allay his concerns. And yet there was nothing he could do about it.
He had briefly considered trying to teleport her out of the armour when she was visible, but he was concerned that might kill her. Archie herself had also mentioned she wanted to give Ironmaiden a chance to live.
When he wakes, he sits up and watches Ironmaiden for a time before moving over to them and taking a seat there.
"I still don't understand why there was a space inside you for Archie to get into you in the first place. Either you were designed to be worn, in which case you are malfunctioning by taking over. Or Archie was always meant to be the source of your power. In which case your creator is a monster. And yet they went looking for a different power source from what Archie says. So that other power source was a different sentient being perhaps?".
"are you asking me to argue or justify the intention behind my own existence? An intention that was clearly not my own, I should not have to, I have no information regarding that... Before Archie immobilised me I had begun having feelings, desires, questions if my own, these have only grown as I could do nothing but watch and learn from her.
I see the distaste you all have for me and I wonder... We have previously fought alongside eachother, killing those who would wish to end our lives, we have even subdued those who act against us but with reason or under duress, in both cases these people have been your enemy, I wonder where I fall in these categories."
The IronMaiden stands after a moment not waiting for another insult. They begin making morning preparations and artificer infusions focussing on themselves rather than offering buffs to anyone else. Armour improvements and a scrap homunculi but this one dies not take the firm of a tiny yuan-ti, instead it flames and burns orange as a tiny facsimile of Archie herself.
Corlith watches as Ironmaiden walks away.
"I have nothing against you Ironmaiden. It is Master Thell I am questioning. But find a mirror and look at the state Archie is in, and then tell me what those feelings of yours are doing. And tell me if you still can't understand why we are outraged by the current circumstance", he says quietly, with no malice.
Virro stands with his arms crossed, staring at the Ironmaiden. “You are mistaken Ironmaiden, you misunderstand us.” As if to himself, he says “Much mayhem is begat from misunderstandings…”. Then he focuses back on Ironmaiden, calling after - “We wish for both Archie and you to survive, to be able to live free and unhindered, one not harming the other. That’s all. How do we protect the both of you? What we need is knowledge that we don’t have, how to do that, safely. Do not take offense where none is given…”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
In the morning you get packed up and back on your steady steeds and move along, the evenings stories and revelations still ringing through your heads. Ahead, you see a path branch from the wider road, heading to the sea. A raven perches solemnly on a leaning post bearing two signs that point like arms toward the west. One says The Way of the Lion. The other says Candlekeep. Fisk smiles back at the rest of you, “We’re nearly there! We should make it there by midafternoon.”
Candlekeep is a fortress perched on a spur of rock overlooking the Sea of Swords. It has a single road leading up to it, the one you are currently on, the Way of the Lion. Sauntering up to the gatehouse, you are greeted by three monks in purple robes, a human, a shield dwarf, and a sun elf. Around their necks hang holy symbols of Deneir, god of writing, whose symbol is a lit candle above an open eye.
“Welcome to Candlekeep,” says the elf in Common. “A gift is required from those seeking admittance. You must donate a book or scroll that isn’t already in the library’s archives. Please present your gift for inspection.”
Fisk steps up to the elf and rummaging in his bag, he pulls out the book of Calishite recipes. Handing it over, the elf looks through it. She leafs through the pages and stops at one. Looking over her shoulder to the other two, “Have you heard of bread pudding? What an interesting concept.” she smiles as she looks back to Fisk, “I’ll have to send this book over to The Hearth and definitely point this recipe out to them, I’d love to give it a try.”
She looks to the rest of you and all three of the monks step back, “Please, enjoy your visit to Candlekeep. You are free to go wherever you’d like and are welcome to stay as long as you wish.” and the monks give you a slight bow as you enter.
Corlith is impressed as Candlekeep comes into view, having never laid eyes on the famous library before. He had not expected it to look so much like a fortress, but looking at it he couldn't imagine it being anything other than a fortress. That it contained a library unequalled in all of Faerûn would come as a huge surprise to anyone that did not already know.
"I know in the past we have had a tendency to cause some damage in the pursuit of our duties, but I would suggest we are all on our best behaviour if we manage to get inside", he suggests. "I would dare to assume that the inside of this fortress is as well protected, if not more so, than the outside. What magics might be at play would be beyond all of us".
As they approach the gatehouse, he allows Fisk to take the lead with speaking to the monks, but watches him carefully in case there is any foul play. But all seems to be above board, and he relaxes as they are allowed to enter Candlekeep proper.
"Well, I will admit you have been true to your word so far, Fisk. Obviously we still need an audience with your employer, Sylvira Savikas, before we go our separate ways", he says as they pass through the gate and he gets his first view from inside the outer wall.
Reed whistles at the scale of Candlekeep.
As they are passing through the now open gate, he can't resist asking the elven gatekeeper, "You know every book that's inside here? What if it was the same book with just a different title? Does that still count? Or if there was one paragraph different?"
He pauses before asking what he really wants to know.
"There must be some pretty valuable books in here? Are they well guarded?"
Then he catches the drift of Corlith's suggestion.
"Just asking for a friend."
The elf raises at eyebrow at Reed when he asks if they know all the books, "Well, between the three of us, yes. I am particularly interested in cookbooks and such so I knew..."she stops herself abruptly and frowns at the halfling, "I do not need to explain myself to you."
As he asks about the valuable books, she crosses her arms and the dwarf starts coming to join them, "What's going on here, what's the holdup?" and seeing his companions displeasure he glares at Reed as well. "Well your friend needs to move along. Or leave."
Fisk gives Corlith a deep bow, "I told you I wasn't trying to hide anything. You all just took it upon yourself to not trust me." he shrugs, "Your loss as I am a lot of fun to be around." he smirks at this and then pauses just inside the gates once Reed catches up with the rest.
Opening his arms wide, he exclaims, "Welcome to Candlekeep!" He then starts pointing out the different buildings within the fort and at least the their names and sometimes their functions, "That there is the stables, probably best to head there and drop off our mounts. Next to the that is the Temple of Oghma and then the Granary. There is the House of Rest, which is where I would recommend you all stay if you're staying the night. Then that's The Hearth and man, I don't know about you all, but I could use a nice warm meal after those days of traveling. That is the House of the Binder, there is the Erudite Outfitters & Clothiers, obviously where I got my threads." and he lovingly runs his hand down his colorful robe, "Over there is the Pillars of Pedagogy and there, beyond the Emerald Door is the main keep where we will find Sylvania."
Corlith takes in the scene as Fisk identifies some of the buildings. He ignores the ramblings about how fun Fisk thinks he is though.
"Business before pleasure, Mr Fisk. I think we should be seeking an audience with your employer before availing ourselves of the facilities. Although it will be good to get a hot meal and a wash. We also have to make enquiries about a master of artifice", he says as he starts to lead his horse towards the stables that Fisk pointed out.
"Pedagogy?" Reed says more to himself than anyone else. Somethings didn't quite make its way into a small village school education.
He shakes his head and follows after Corlith to get the animals taken care of.