"Sounds harmless enough, no?"

Lawrance hears about the message and asks Velon "Who exactly is this former colleague sending this note? I know you mentioned another mage that left in bad faith, before I joined, but this letter seems to indicate only a minor dislike."

When the situation is explained to him, he offers "I think, for the sake of wisdom, we do a bit of research on this. I'd like to see if I can find out where the runes would lead us before we go, as well as get a few hints from a higher power with your help. As well, I could send our Eye as a scout and see what awaits us on the other side of the Circle."

Poljen growls upon hearing Osmund's name.  "The treacherous cur!  It is most likely a trap!  Even if he is sincere, someone in Thay probably is watching him.  He only joined them a relatively short time ago, so others will always be suspicious.  But for the chance to give him the reckoning he deserves, I am willing."

 Lia frowns upon hearing this news. " I do not like this.  He proved to us before that we can't trust him.  Osmund told of his connection to us when joining them I am sure.  This is most likely a trap or they are making him think he has fooled them.  The scrying is a good idea but this has trap written all over it.  We are pretty high on the Red Wizard's and Cults list of enemies.  " She sighs and folds her arms across her chest.  

   Mari paces back and forth as it is discussed. " This is obviously a trap. If we do this we should assume it is a trap unless proven otherwise. As Poljen said..I would like a chance for vengeance on that traitor. Regardless of what happens, when the trap is sprung Osmund will die.  I will inform him of that when we meet him.  " She has a grim smile on her face. 

"If we stay inside your cube, and keep our teleportation scroll at the ready, we might be able to investigate the other side of his portal a bit more safely.  Also, if we can bring Perry, I think he still has one major trick up his sleeve."

(meaning we still have a Wish item of some sort, right?)

Lawrance shakes his head "Even her cube would not be very safe. Even I could dampen or shut down the Cube's magic with my own magics, or an antimagic field would. Going in person at first would be a mistake. Sending the Eye, or even my familiar, would provide a point of view without risk."

*I'm not disposable, you know? You mages, even the ones in places where magic is brand new, take me a bit too much for granted.* Gamliel sends to Lawrance. 

#You were the one who called this form merely a fingernail.#

*That doesn't mean I'm getting used to having it pulled, Wizard!*

"Ok, so we rest here if people need it, especially before we tackle this magic chest.  Will you rest with us Irdeith?"

"Then we should return to the surface and check in with the castle.  I also need to purchase more potions, as should many of you I'd assume."

"Once that is all done we can get ready to tackle this potential trap. and check out what's on the other side as you all have suggested.  Hopefully we can get Perry and Morgaine back as well.  Will you be joining us on this next task as well, Silas?"

"I hate to say it, Lawrance, but perhaps a nice warm hut is in order for now?  Perhaps somewhere a bit more hidden within this chamber?"

 Mari looks at Velon.  " If we decide to proceed through this portal eventually...I request to go first Velon. I have an idea for what to say to Osmund.  Let us just say i have various types of poison. He will be informed of that.. " 

With a sudden sharp laugh echoing in his mind, from his familiar, Lawrance merely smiles and finds a suitable place to set up the comfortable dome for the team. "I've heard of a different kind of comfort spell I'd like to find one day -Galdurs Tower. "

Velon smiles at Mari.  "Sounds good, as long as Lawrance or Lia have tried to look at the other side first.  I still won't argue with being inside the cube once we do go in myself!"

Perry is seen in the dining room area flying near one of the main walls overlooking the long dining table. He appears to be using some sort of tape to mark off a large rectangular area on the wall, roughly 32 feet by 16 feet.

As he flies down and continues marking off the area, Shadowsnacks clops into the room. “Oh Perry, there you are. What are you doing, Perry?” the puzzled pegasus asks.

“Ah, there you are Shadowsnacks!” Perry responds excitedly. “I’m marking off this area for a portrait I’m having commissioned of myself looking heroic and dashing in some sort of action pose! I think it’s going to be around this size. This is a giant’s castle so we sort of need to go BIG!”

Shadowsnacks snorts in much the same way a horse would. “That’s hilarious Perry. It should add more color and personality to these dead walls, see.”

“That’s exactly right, Shadowsnacks! It’s going to be wonderful. And I’m sure the others will love it too!” Perry exclaims.

At the castle, Perry and Shadowsnacks are admiring their own genius when Sinternal dashes into the dining hall. She grabs a rather opulent cushion off of one of the giant sized chairs and forces it over her head, moaning, "Make it stop, make the bad noise stop!"

---

In the passages below Waterdeep, Irdeith accepts the offer of rest readily. But when asked about joining the group for the task concerning Osmund, he shakes his head. "I interrupted a rather important task of my own to come here. Elia and I have been working together, trying to arrange a meeting between as many nation leaders as feasible. They need to see that banding together is everyone's best hope of dealing with these troubles. I need to get back to it I'm afraid."

The group beds down for the night within Lawrence's dome. Silas shares his stash of sweets along with the meal, little soft chewy things with a tart fruit flavor. "They're from Shou Lung, the locals call them rice candies, though I'm not sure where the rice part comes from... anyways, I've always loved the things."

The night does not pass entirely without incident. Velon awakes with a start shortly before dawn. A droning noise moaning in his ears. Its saying something, but he can't quite make out what. Its incessant, and carries a strong sense of foreboding. Silas is up as well, a worried look on his face. He states slowly, "So, you can hear it too. That my friend, is the beginning of the end. That sound is the call of the Draakhorn."

Velon holds his head and asks “Wha... what did it say?”

Silas shrugs, "I don't know for sure, I think only those of Tiamat's brood are meant to truly hear. But I think its safe to guess that its a call to arms, for the dragons willing to aid their cause to rally."

Cratol is upgraded took the 5 +1 in hit points so he is at 86 now.  Only real advantage he got now is the tongue of the sun and moon meaning that he can understand and speak to anyone that has the ability to speak and understand.

Poljen snores loudly inside the dome. 

Velon sighs and asks Irdeith "do we have enough?"  "We couldn't even take down the big red one with Protanther's help."

Velon wakes Lia and gives her a second to come around.  "They used the horn to call the dragons.  We heard it, but couldn't understand the message.  Do you think your friend Old White Death would tell us what they said?"

Lia yawns and stretches.  " What ... my love?" As her clouded mind realizes what Velon is saying panic tries to force it's way out.  Clamping down tightly mentally she nods serenely to him.  " I will see what I can find out...." Her eyes go blank as she mentally wills a message to Old White Death. " This is Lia again, your elven friend. The horn has sounded I know.  What was the message sent? Will you please tell me most honorable of all dragons?" 

OOC: Cast Sending to communicate. 

"Sinternal?" Perry asks, worried for the young bronze dragon. He approaches her and places his hand gently on her neck, "What's the matter dear? What noise?"

He grabs a couple more pillows and tries to help her cover her ears. "Is this any better?" he asks helplessly, still very much worried about her.

During the night, before sleeping, Lawrance studies the items they've found, using his magic to discover their abilities. After the morning comes, Lawrance studies his spells and commits some of the more powerful spells he's been studying - but wary of using - to memory.