Her eyes narrow with irritation at Poljen's challenge, but she takes a long drink from her goblet before answering, "Let's begin with the question of what you gain from this. Thayan resources no longer being deployed to aid your enemy should be enough of an incentive on its own, but I have a vested interest in seeing to it that they fail, which means that I will in turn be directing my own efforts against the cult as circumstances allow. Assuming you do not object to working with us directly, that can easily translate to the same sort of mass teleportation and summoning services that gave you so much trouble recently. Teleporting entire armies past wards, sentries and walls is entirely possible given sufficient preparation."
"In regards to the issue of trust. Trust in that which I have to gain if nothing else. I will become the Prime Zulkir when Szass Tam is dealt with. Unlike him, I have every intention of establishing positive relations with our Neighbors. Thay could be an economic powerhouse that everyone trades with, both for magical services and items, and for the abundance of food that this plateau produces." She waves a hand towards the feast on the table, all of which those were partaking found delicious, and none of which the group has begun choking upon, at least yet. "Our core theology has always been centered upon the study and supremacy of magic, but under Szass Tam's leadership we have squandered the past several centuries on mostly failed plots and intrigue, several of which prompted do gooders like you to intervene. We wasted considerable time, resources and effort on such things, all of which could have been better spent focusing on the study of true magic and its practical applications. Getting back to who we are as Wizards of the path will be considerably easier when the rest of the world no longer sees us as one of their biggest threats." She smiles at some amusing thought, its unsettling, "Oh don't get me wrong, I doubt we'll be liked any time soon, but people should relax about us Thayans after a century or so of peaceful trade with us."
"But none of that would be possible at all if this effort fails, and my attempts to establish positive relationships with others after the transition will be severely tainted if anything should happen to those who helped me get there in the first place. So yes, I want this to succeed, and I want you to walk away from this unharmed. If it makes you feel better, I will swear to as much"
She takes another drink from her goblet, this time licking some dark red liquid off of her lips, "If that is settled, on to what must be done. Szass Tam is a lich. A particularly resilient sort of Undead. Every lich has something called a phylactery that helps to ensure its longevity. Destroy the lich but fail to secure the phylactery, and the lich's body simply regenerates over the next few days. Destroy the phylactery but the lich escapes, and it can craft a new one. As you might imagine, Szass Tam has gone to considerable trouble to secure his own phylactery, along with establishing multiple other fail-safes. Thus, even if one is confident that one can defeat the lich, a head on assault is often useless."
"Through considerable effort, I have gleaned all of these details, and a plan has been devised to destroy both him and all of his backups at once. Most of the heavy lifting involves a powerful spell that requires equally powerful reagents. It is the latter issue that we require your help with. A sizable portion of Divine Essence is required, and not from just any deity, but one who is by it's very nature is antithetical to undead. Since I somehow doubt one is going to show up anytime soon to bleed for me, that leaves making use of divine artifacts. A suitable one has been located, but it is currently in the hands of a group also allied with the cult. If I or anyone associated with me shows up there, Szass Tam will know of it long before we can complete the spell. Chances are he will change his security precautions just in case, and the entire plan gets thrown into the sewer, shortly followed by whatever is left of my body."
Rgularly refreshing the Telepathic link between his friends, LAwrance otherwise idles away to waiting time.
At the dinner, and after the announcement, Lawrance speaks to the group #While I have my reservations on this deal, the essence of it seems sound enough, as long as the item we are procuring isn't going to make our tasks more difficult in the long run. If it is true that what she intends to do with this artifact is as she's stated, I don't object to this side quest.#Visibly, he merely sips at some fruit juice and nibbles on some of the offered foods, offering Gamliel a snack if he wants it.
Directly to both Gamliel and Aisling, he asides:
Lawrance #I have to say, A group dedicated to the development and use of magic does appeal. I just don't care for their immoral choices on how they want to apply it#
Aisling *They don't seem to have much problem applying and using the magic now. I wonder what Szass Tam does that they find so restrictive?*
Gamliel -Or why they let him go on like this for five hundred plus years before doing something about it, until now, when the entire Realm is in jeopardy?-
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Morgaine stays silent throughout the whole wait and at the meeting. The only thing the might be seen on her face is the look of discussed from the comment about them being "useful tools."
During the dinner and meeting, Morgaine only nibbles and sips at the wine in the goblet as she sits next to Poljen and rests a hand on his leg to keep herself as calm as possible.
Velon instinctively glances at Perry with mention of opposing the undead, then tells the group #I doubt she's telling us about everything she'll do after she takes over, but I tend to believe her intentions to remove Szass Tam and oppose the cult.#
"Ok, I'm still interested. What is the artifact, who has it, and where would we be going?"
The Tharchion smiles warmly, "The item we seek is known as the Tears of Lathander." She waves a hand, and the image of a goblet, made from what looks to be white marble chased with gold, appears above the table. "The name in this case is not just theatre. The Morninglord's actual tears were used in the creation of this particular item during a visit to the mortal realm a few thousand years ago. The goblet is always filled with a liquid that is brimming with radiant energy. It capable of healing wounds or disintegrating destroying lesser undead on even incidental contact. I am not thrilled to be working with such a thing, but the list of artifacts with the properties I require is very short."
"As to where you're going..." She waves her hand again, and the image changes to a view of Waterdeep, then shifts downward, showing the vast complex that is the lost dwarven city usually called the undermountain, and keeps going down, highlighting winding tunnels and passages winding their way through the deep to finally stop at a large cavern miles below the surface. "The Illithid city of Ch'Chitl holds the Tears of Lathander at present. I don't know how they got it, or what they want with it, those freaks don't even use proper magic. But they have it, and we need it. As already mentioned, they have also been working with the cult, so if red wizards get anywhere near the place, Szass Tam will hear of it before long."
"The underdark is an incredibly dangerous place, and very easy to get lost in. How you achieve this task is up to you, but I strongly suggest hiring guides. The Bregan D'aerthe are prime candidates. Pay them enough and they'll safely take you anywhere you want to go in the underdark and back again. Just tell them as little as possible about your purpose down there, because they will want to sell that information."
"Obtaining protection against mental domination is also strongly advisable. I happen to have it on good authority that a merchant in Baldur's Gate just got a shipment of items suitable to this task. I'm sure he'll be glad to take a bulk order."
The image changes a third time, displaying a huge and grotesque brainlike thing sitting in a pool of thick pink liquid. Blank faced Derro move around it, gently massaging the surface "While you are down there, finding a way to strike at the elder brain would at least greatly interfere with their ability to assist the cult, thus furthering our other shared goal. The artifact must be the priority however, and the elder brain will be guarded far more heavily, so only consider it if there is a real opportunity."
Lawrance, Lia, and possibly some others would have heard of the Bregan D'aerthe. They're a mercenary company run by and almost exclusively composed of Drow. They're rarely on the right side of the law as far as surface dwellers are concerned, but they've earned a surprisingly good reputation for faithfully achieving what their clients ask, aren't known for killing innocents, and do not partake in things like the raids that have caused their race to be reviled.
On a less in character note, people may be interested to know that the Bregan D'aerthe was founded by Jarlaxle, one of Drizzt Do'urden's frenemies, and a frequent character in that series of books, frequently swapping between playing the role of a protagonist and antagonist. Jarlaxle may or may not still be alive today, his kind certainly do have the potential to live long enough, but I imagine he's retired by now if the dangers of the mercenary life hasn't claimed him since his last book appearance.
Illithid cities are typically composed of 100-200 actual mindflayers, a couple thousand enthralled slaves, and an elder brain in charge of it all. Destruction of the elder brain would turn the colony from a smoothly coordinated unit into a collection of confused individuals, and control of most of the slaves cannot be maintained. Illithids can sacrifice themselves to form a new elder brain and reestablish the colony, but that takes a great deal of time. If the group has any desire to free the slaves of the city, destroying the elder brain is a necessary step of any realistic plan to do so.
Lawrance passes on all he knows about the places and groups referenced by the Tharchion, and makes a special effort to memorize the images and maps presented in her illusion. #As a side effect of our dealing with the Elder Brain, I am definitely in favour of the freeing of their slaves and making their mind flayer lives as difficult - and short - as we can. I will also need to pick up a few appropriate spells for our travels and protection, while we are down in the depths. #
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“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Lia purses her lips and looks down at the tabletop. # This sounds extremely dangerous but necessary. Items to help us resist mind control is a must. I can't get those people on the beach out of my mind. "
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Poljen growls softly, then says, "We will need to pay both the mercenaries, and the merchant with the mind protection things." He keeps looking at the vampire expectantly.
The Tharchion looks at Poljen quizzically for a time before the man you don't know coughs and says, "I believe the brute is suggesting that they'll need funding to cover preparation costs." "I see, fine fine, see to it." She waves a hand dismissively.
To the point about costs, Velon adds "we'll want to be able to teleport out, to eliminate the chance of failure of our mission during the long return trip", intentionally leaving out that the party already has an emergency scroll they've paid for.
Velon thinks for a moment about the fate of the Blaze and decides to stand and speak up. "We can undertake this task for you, as the benefits for us both, and for all of Toril, seem be worthwhile. It seems that we are to provide all of the trust, and assume all of the risk, however. You will be no worse off tomorrow if you've sent us on a fool's errand or change your mind on what you have promised, and perhaps you even benefit from getting rid of the Silver Blaze, at least for a while. What more can you offer to ensure you have some skin in this game we play for you?"
The Tharchion stares at Velon for a time, clearly irritated at this development as well. Eventually she states, "On the condition that you leave it with someone of supreme trustworthiness that won't take it anywhere near the cult, the illithid city, or anyone else liable to take it to those serving Szass Tam, I can provide you with a recording of our conversation here. It would not stand as proof on its own, but it would be more than enough for the Prime Zulkir to begin a thorough investigation, one that I won't be able to hide this plot from for long. If I am very lucky, I'll have just enough time to end my own existence before he gets to me."
"Bear in mind that if you ever use this leverage, you gain nothing, or worse than nothing as it ends any hope of this opportunity. Its only use to you would be retributive. Would this suffice?"
"Very well then, I believe we are done here." Draining her goblet, the Tharchion stands and simply walks out of the room, leaving behind Osmund and her other subordinate.
There's a moment of awkward silence and then they leave as well, Osmund stopping to say, "Give us a minute to get what you requested, feel free to keep enjoying yourselves. Do have fun in the underdark old friends. Illithids are supposed to have a good sense of smell, but I've always wondered if its just their food that their smelling, you could always send Poljen in first and find out. Take care now!"
Perhaps ten minutes later, the other man shows back up with a small bag and a small grey chunk of polished crystal. "The funds here should cover the preparation costs. The crystal holds an impression of this meeting. To invoke the recording, simply channel the energy matrix for a spell of the first valence here, to the rounded off tip."
Velon takes the bag of coin and passes it to Lawrance. He then takes the crystal and looks at it for just a second before passing it to the wizard. "Look ok to you?" He puts his palm out expecting to receive it back. Once Lawrance agrees that it seems legit he hands it back to the Tharchion's lieutenant. "Please tell the Tharchion that we appreciate the mutual trust, and thus this no longer necessary." "We have little desire for something to hold over your head."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Putting the coin pouch at his belt, Lawrance runs a Detect Magic over the crystal, as well as examining it's nature and design to see if it does what they promise. As an aside, he also looks at the coin pouch with his detection running.
Arcana - 30
He hands it back to Velon and when Velon then hands it over to the aide, he opens his mouth to speak, then closes it.
#We don't want any kind of leverage or safe guard on this? Is there something you suspect with this device?#
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“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Lawrance replies through the link #The bag and contents seem safe, and the crystal seems to be exactly as advertised. If there's a trap in there, I can't see it without detailed study.#
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?" "Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied ― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Her eyes narrow with irritation at Poljen's challenge, but she takes a long drink from her goblet before answering, "Let's begin with the question of what you gain from this. Thayan resources no longer being deployed to aid your enemy should be enough of an incentive on its own, but I have a vested interest in seeing to it that they fail, which means that I will in turn be directing my own efforts against the cult as circumstances allow. Assuming you do not object to working with us directly, that can easily translate to the same sort of mass teleportation and summoning services that gave you so much trouble recently. Teleporting entire armies past wards, sentries and walls is entirely possible given sufficient preparation."
"In regards to the issue of trust. Trust in that which I have to gain if nothing else. I will become the Prime Zulkir when Szass Tam is dealt with. Unlike him, I have every intention of establishing positive relations with our Neighbors. Thay could be an economic powerhouse that everyone trades with, both for magical services and items, and for the abundance of food that this plateau produces." She waves a hand towards the feast on the table, all of which those were partaking found delicious, and none of which the group has begun choking upon, at least yet. "Our core theology has always been centered upon the study and supremacy of magic, but under Szass Tam's leadership we have squandered the past several centuries on mostly failed plots and intrigue, several of which prompted do gooders like you to intervene. We wasted considerable time, resources and effort on such things, all of which could have been better spent focusing on the study of true magic and its practical applications. Getting back to who we are as Wizards of the path will be considerably easier when the rest of the world no longer sees us as one of their biggest threats." She smiles at some amusing thought, its unsettling, "Oh don't get me wrong, I doubt we'll be liked any time soon, but people should relax about us Thayans after a century or so of peaceful trade with us."
"But none of that would be possible at all if this effort fails, and my attempts to establish positive relationships with others after the transition will be severely tainted if anything should happen to those who helped me get there in the first place. So yes, I want this to succeed, and I want you to walk away from this unharmed. If it makes you feel better, I will swear to as much"
She takes another drink from her goblet, this time licking some dark red liquid off of her lips, "If that is settled, on to what must be done. Szass Tam is a lich. A particularly resilient sort of Undead. Every lich has something called a phylactery that helps to ensure its longevity. Destroy the lich but fail to secure the phylactery, and the lich's body simply regenerates over the next few days. Destroy the phylactery but the lich escapes, and it can craft a new one. As you might imagine, Szass Tam has gone to considerable trouble to secure his own phylactery, along with establishing multiple other fail-safes. Thus, even if one is confident that one can defeat the lich, a head on assault is often useless."
"Through considerable effort, I have gleaned all of these details, and a plan has been devised to destroy both him and all of his backups at once. Most of the heavy lifting involves a powerful spell that requires equally powerful reagents. It is the latter issue that we require your help with. A sizable portion of Divine Essence is required, and not from just any deity, but one who is by it's very nature is antithetical to undead. Since I somehow doubt one is going to show up anytime soon to bleed for me, that leaves making use of divine artifacts. A suitable one has been located, but it is currently in the hands of a group also allied with the cult. If I or anyone associated with me shows up there, Szass Tam will know of it long before we can complete the spell. Chances are he will change his security precautions just in case, and the entire plan gets thrown into the sewer, shortly followed by whatever is left of my body."
Rgularly refreshing the Telepathic link between his friends, LAwrance otherwise idles away to waiting time.
At the dinner, and after the announcement, Lawrance speaks to the group #While I have my reservations on this deal, the essence of it seems sound enough, as long as the item we are procuring isn't going to make our tasks more difficult in the long run. If it is true that what she intends to do with this artifact is as she's stated, I don't object to this side quest.# Visibly, he merely sips at some fruit juice and nibbles on some of the offered foods, offering Gamliel a snack if he wants it.
Directly to both Gamliel and Aisling, he asides:
Lawrance #I have to say, A group dedicated to the development and use of magic does appeal. I just don't care for their immoral choices on how they want to apply it#
Aisling *They don't seem to have much problem applying and using the magic now. I wonder what Szass Tam does that they find so restrictive?*
Gamliel -Or why they let him go on like this for five hundred plus years before doing something about it, until now, when the entire Realm is in jeopardy?-
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Morgaine stays silent throughout the whole wait and at the meeting. The only thing the might be seen on her face is the look of discussed from the comment about them being "useful tools."
During the dinner and meeting, Morgaine only nibbles and sips at the wine in the goblet as she sits next to Poljen and rests a hand on his leg to keep herself as calm as possible.
Velon instinctively glances at Perry with mention of opposing the undead, then tells the group #I doubt she's telling us about everything she'll do after she takes over, but I tend to believe her intentions to remove Szass Tam and oppose the cult.#
"Ok, I'm still interested. What is the artifact, who has it, and where would we be going?"
The Tharchion smiles warmly, "The item we seek is known as the Tears of Lathander." She waves a hand, and the image of a goblet, made from what looks to be white marble chased with gold, appears above the table. "The name in this case is not just theatre. The Morninglord's actual tears were used in the creation of this particular item during a visit to the mortal realm a few thousand years ago. The goblet is always filled with a liquid that is brimming with radiant energy. It capable of healing wounds or disintegrating destroying lesser undead on even incidental contact. I am not thrilled to be working with such a thing, but the list of artifacts with the properties I require is very short."
"As to where you're going..." She waves her hand again, and the image changes to a view of Waterdeep, then shifts downward, showing the vast complex that is the lost dwarven city usually called the undermountain, and keeps going down, highlighting winding tunnels and passages winding their way through the deep to finally stop at a large cavern miles below the surface. "The Illithid city of Ch'Chitl holds the Tears of Lathander at present. I don't know how they got it, or what they want with it, those freaks don't even use proper magic. But they have it, and we need it. As already mentioned, they have also been working with the cult, so if red wizards get anywhere near the place, Szass Tam will hear of it before long."
"The underdark is an incredibly dangerous place, and very easy to get lost in. How you achieve this task is up to you, but I strongly suggest hiring guides. The Bregan D'aerthe are prime candidates. Pay them enough and they'll safely take you anywhere you want to go in the underdark and back again. Just tell them as little as possible about your purpose down there, because they will want to sell that information."
"Obtaining protection against mental domination is also strongly advisable. I happen to have it on good authority that a merchant in Baldur's Gate just got a shipment of items suitable to this task. I'm sure he'll be glad to take a bulk order."
The image changes a third time, displaying a huge and grotesque brainlike thing sitting in a pool of thick pink liquid. Blank faced Derro move around it, gently massaging the surface "While you are down there, finding a way to strike at the elder brain would at least greatly interfere with their ability to assist the cult, thus furthering our other shared goal. The artifact must be the priority however, and the elder brain will be guarded far more heavily, so only consider it if there is a real opportunity."
Lawrance, Lia, and possibly some others would have heard of the Bregan D'aerthe. They're a mercenary company run by and almost exclusively composed of Drow. They're rarely on the right side of the law as far as surface dwellers are concerned, but they've earned a surprisingly good reputation for faithfully achieving what their clients ask, aren't known for killing innocents, and do not partake in things like the raids that have caused their race to be reviled.
On a less in character note, people may be interested to know that the Bregan D'aerthe was founded by Jarlaxle, one of Drizzt Do'urden's frenemies, and a frequent character in that series of books, frequently swapping between playing the role of a protagonist and antagonist. Jarlaxle may or may not still be alive today, his kind certainly do have the potential to live long enough, but I imagine he's retired by now if the dangers of the mercenary life hasn't claimed him since his last book appearance.
Illithid cities are typically composed of 100-200 actual mindflayers, a couple thousand enthralled slaves, and an elder brain in charge of it all. Destruction of the elder brain would turn the colony from a smoothly coordinated unit into a collection of confused individuals, and control of most of the slaves cannot be maintained. Illithids can sacrifice themselves to form a new elder brain and reestablish the colony, but that takes a great deal of time. If the group has any desire to free the slaves of the city, destroying the elder brain is a necessary step of any realistic plan to do so.
Lawrance passes on all he knows about the places and groups referenced by the Tharchion, and makes a special effort to memorize the images and maps presented in her illusion. #As a side effect of our dealing with the Elder Brain, I am definitely in favour of the freeing of their slaves and making their mind flayer lives as difficult - and short - as we can. I will also need to pick up a few appropriate spells for our travels and protection, while we are down in the depths. #
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Cratol speaks up. "Among items me may need to acquire is for those of us that can not see in darkness the ability to be able to."
Lia purses her lips and looks down at the tabletop. # This sounds extremely dangerous but necessary. Items to help us resist mind control is a must. I can't get those people on the beach out of my mind. "
Poljen growls softly, then says, "We will need to pay both the mercenaries, and the merchant with the mind protection things." He keeps looking at the vampire expectantly.
Persuasion 13
The Tharchion looks at Poljen quizzically for a time before the man you don't know coughs and says, "I believe the brute is suggesting that they'll need funding to cover preparation costs." "I see, fine fine, see to it." She waves a hand dismissively.
"Is there anything else or are we done here?"
To the point about costs, Velon adds "we'll want to be able to teleport out, to eliminate the chance of failure of our mission during the long return trip", intentionally leaving out that the party already has an emergency scroll they've paid for.
(^along with the teleport question above..)
Velon thinks for a moment about the fate of the Blaze and decides to stand and speak up. "We can undertake this task for you, as the benefits for us both, and for all of Toril, seem be worthwhile. It seems that we are to provide all of the trust, and assume all of the risk, however. You will be no worse off tomorrow if you've sent us on a fool's errand or change your mind on what you have promised, and perhaps you even benefit from getting rid of the Silver Blaze, at least for a while. What more can you offer to ensure you have some skin in this game we play for you?"
The Tharchion stares at Velon for a time, clearly irritated at this development as well. Eventually she states, "On the condition that you leave it with someone of supreme trustworthiness that won't take it anywhere near the cult, the illithid city, or anyone else liable to take it to those serving Szass Tam, I can provide you with a recording of our conversation here. It would not stand as proof on its own, but it would be more than enough for the Prime Zulkir to begin a thorough investigation, one that I won't be able to hide this plot from for long. If I am very lucky, I'll have just enough time to end my own existence before he gets to me."
"Bear in mind that if you ever use this leverage, you gain nothing, or worse than nothing as it ends any hope of this opportunity. Its only use to you would be retributive. Would this suffice?"
Velon thinks for a moment and says "that would do."
"Very well then, I believe we are done here." Draining her goblet, the Tharchion stands and simply walks out of the room, leaving behind Osmund and her other subordinate.
There's a moment of awkward silence and then they leave as well, Osmund stopping to say, "Give us a minute to get what you requested, feel free to keep enjoying yourselves. Do have fun in the underdark old friends. Illithids are supposed to have a good sense of smell, but I've always wondered if its just their food that their smelling, you could always send Poljen in first and find out. Take care now!"
Perhaps ten minutes later, the other man shows back up with a small bag and a small grey chunk of polished crystal. "The funds here should cover the preparation costs. The crystal holds an impression of this meeting. To invoke the recording, simply channel the energy matrix for a spell of the first valence here, to the rounded off tip."
Velon takes the bag of coin and passes it to Lawrance. He then takes the crystal and looks at it for just a second before passing it to the wizard. "Look ok to you?" He puts his palm out expecting to receive it back. Once Lawrance agrees that it seems legit he hands it back to the Tharchion's lieutenant. "Please tell the Tharchion that we appreciate the mutual trust, and thus this no longer necessary." "We have little desire for something to hold over your head."
Velon then nods and makes for the snacks.
Putting the coin pouch at his belt, Lawrance runs a Detect Magic over the crystal, as well as examining it's nature and design to see if it does what they promise. As an aside, he also looks at the coin pouch with his detection running.
Arcana - 30
He hands it back to Velon and when Velon then hands it over to the aide, he opens his mouth to speak, then closes it.
#We don't want any kind of leverage or safe guard on this? Is there something you suspect with this device?#
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
#Nope, I'm more concerned with the mutual trust than the evidence itself. Their willingness to provide this is what will help me sleep tonight.#
Lawrance replies through the link #The bag and contents seem safe, and the crystal seems to be exactly as advertised. If there's a trap in there, I can't see it without detailed study.#
“Can you tell me the difference between a witch and a wizard?"
"Sure, a wizard is what they call you when they want to hire you, and a witch is what they call you when they're getting ready to run you out of town.” SunWolf replied
― Barbara Hambly, The Witches of Wenshar
Poljen uses the link as well. {If we have nothing to hold over them, there is more temptation for them to betray us in the end.}