Velon follows Perry around and picks up a few potions.  Regarding the Harpers he folds his arms and asks Silas "ah, we got a better way to get some intel than Perry's approach here?"  "We might be about five minutes from blowing the cover of every Harper on the Sword Coast."

Penelope looks distraught as the gnome is about to leave, "Wait, wait, please listen! Don't you have a manager or someone we can talk to?! It's really important! We just really need information to help us stop this dragon cult from summoning something really bad! If it helps, I really like your outfit, Mr. Gnome!"

Later on, once the shopping spree has left it's mark on their purses and their possessions, Lawrance arranges for space within the wizard Spell Grounds, inviting anyone who wishes to come to join him. Once there, he preps a large area with mystic diagrams, symbols, shapes and various other supplies, wanting to make his chance of success as likely as possible.

"I've never done this before, but I've heard it puts a terrible strain on one's mind, reaching into another plane for a helpful and powerful guide. The one that answers is random but might provide us some insight into our paths. Anything you can do to assist my trial is appreciated. I like my brain to remain unscrambled"

Lighting about a dozen candles in mathematically precise points around the mystic seal, Lawrance sits down at one of the points. With Perry's inspirational and magical words still echoing confidence in his ears, and Velon's solid presence nearby, he begins the casting of the spell.

"Venu, ho scianto! Donu al ni aĉajn estaĵojn mezuron de via vido, via ĉioscio, via mirindaĵo! Donu al ni respondojn al la demandoj, kiuj nin plagas kaj helpas nin determini sekuran kurson!"

As his magic bolsters the words, a shimmering in the air slowly forms, and from within a mighty voice calls out "Ask, and be enlightened!"

"Thank you, Great One! We seek to know but a few answers:

The invitation we received from Nishkir Osmund - is it a legitimate offer of temporary alliance, without major subterfuge or danger from the side that seeks our aid?"

"The invitation speaks of a division in the ranks of the Red Wizards of Thay - is this division truly worth pursuing an alliance against the one known as Szass Tam or it too minor to concern us?"

"Those that seek to raise the Goddess Tiamat - do they possess more than three of the legendary dragon masks required to accomplish their goal?"

"Is the use of the Horn of the Dragon truly a call to bring the enemy's allies very near to where the Dread Dragon Goddess is being summoned into my Realm?"

"This feed of information that I have been getting into my head these past few weeks - is it from a God or Goddess I should seek out?"

At that he waits and listens with anticipation, hoping for useful results.

INT Save 14 plus Inspiration 7, plus Velon's Aura +4 = more than 15

The gnome is frowning now, looking a bit cornered by Penelope, and Silas looks like he's about to burst out laughing. Then Velon asks him for help and he grins. "Oh the ones with any cover to blow would never show up here. This is a contact point, so that people like us can get in touch with them without knowing who's an agent. Master gnome, perhaps this would help"

Silas pulls out a handsized disk of polished blue marble, with the image of a dragon impressed within in what looks to be pure platinum. The gnome immediately brightens up, "Always happy to help an emissary of the council, what can we do for you?"

"We require whatever information you might have on the political situation in Thay, especially anything concerning possible faction splits."

"Uh, well, I wouldn't know, I can put a request in, but it will take a bit to get it ready. Is there anything else while we're at it?"

---

Later, in response to Lawrence's call, the unnamed being responds in the same dry monotone for each question. "Yes. Maybe. No. Yes. Yes."

"How long do you think it will take, Mr. Distinguished Harper Gnome sir?" Penelope asks. "Is this a come back in an hour or two situation orrrrr like a day orrrrr...like what? I can always do more shopping or perform again at the Yawning Portal while we wait. Wait, do you guys have applications to join the Harpers here?!"

Penelope is all over the place.

Velon smirks and says to Silas "maybe Perry needs one of those disks?"  "Perry could join the council and advise Protanther.  That I'd pay to see."

  Lia laughs at this. " Perry would be a great advisor to him.  He could assist  in redecorating his lair or home. " 

"I'm guessing that would be the end of Perry!  One bite."

The gnome scratches his head in response to Perry's question, "You're asking for some sensitive stuff, its not exactly in the basement library. I should have something in two days or so."

"Can we afford to wait two or more days?"  Velon looks to Silas and Lia for consult.  He asks Silas "was there any indication of how much time we have in their invitation?"

(Dai already said the answer to the last question was no.)

  Lia shakes her head. " With the horn being blown we must be of the utmost urgency.  I do not think a delay of more than a few hours to be wise. " 

Lawrance replies "The travel time for all these widely-spaced enemies to gather -if they choose to - is many days, if not weeks. We can afford a few days delay to be better armed against the coming storm. "

Velon looks to SIlas.  "The question is, who benefits from more time before an attack on the Well commences, our various allies or our enemies?  We could perhaps use the castle to shuttle entire armies of allies, if some are willing but too far away.  The elves of Lia's home, for example.  Would it make a difference?  Who can we count on?  Are the dragons coordinating such efforts?"

"As Lia said, I vote we leave immediately, paying someone to teleport us, and relying on this last scroll to get us back in a pinch.  We are well rested and now well supplied."

Poljen nods.  "I agree.  Let us go now.  As for allies, we need to send word to the giants.  They do have some flying fighters, as we saw when we visited, but they might need more time to move armies."

Lawrance is a bit nonplussed at the eagerness of his friends to go into the fray once more, unprepared, but he shrugs and gathers his gear, sending it off in the Chest. "Okay, if that's what you all wish, let's go."

"Woooooo! Time for a mission!" Penelope exclaims. "Let's go find a teleport expert!"

Penelope asks around town for the services of a teleport wizard. 

The group is quickly pointed towards a small compound just outside of the city's main walls. Apparently teleportation services are offered and conducted there.

"Hi hi!" Penelope exclaims as she opens the door to the compound. "We'd like to purchase a teleport for the group here. We need to get to a certain specific portal. Uhhh, here you can talk to our wizard about it!"

She presents Lawrance in a ta-da motion.

"Silas, will you be joining us?  Also, we'll need you to let us know when the dragons plan their final attack so we coordinate our forces."

"Lia, do you think the elves from your home will help?  Could we contact them from afar, or might it take a visit to convince them?"

"Poljen, do you think you will have to meet with the giants in person to garner their assistance?"

"Cratol, do your people have enough fighters to join the attack?"

Lawrance shows the circle notations on the message provided - "This is our destination." He says shortly, still worried about their haste.