( Hi all. Sorry about not posting. Travelled to South Carolina to visit family and just got lost in time. Happy 4th to everyone!! I am back)

*Small Retcon* no back & forth needed*

Jinara wakes lying facedown covered in sweat expecting the flames to be real only to feel the glowing aura. This was not the way he wanted to wake, but was gracious of the boon newly discovered. "Thank you my lady." he says under his breath as he dons his necklace and cloak. He looks in the mirror and evaluates his emotional state as he adjusts his cloak to present his well kept stoic manner as he exits the tower.

-- History check specifically for the Shaxgan location. Any dreams that would indicate a more defined search area? 11 (anything less than what Gaelin knows, do not worry about posting Xtra --for time's sake, Jinara will follow the conversation and go with the order of the group. If he knows something that might sway that order, he would mention it)

"I will be able to help us breath under water." Jinara chimes in.

Mucor would smile wider than normal through breakfast, causing a few more crumbs to fall from his mouth than normal. The glowing chest would draw his attention in-between bites of food and glances towards Aryn. 

After the chest dissolves and the scroll is read, Mucor would look a bit nervous. "Before we go... does anyone have any way to... vampire proof Daybreak? Just... wondering." He would ask looking towards the group. "I am happy to visit these locations in any order. It is nice to see new places."

Aryn, knowing the reasoning behind Mucor's question looks at Iris.  "Iris, could you work with Herbert and instruct the priests and acolytes to protect the area from vampires.  Perhaps they can create an abundance of holy water for us and distribute it to the army groups for their weapons if they do encounter a vampire.  Be cautious of visitors and if necessary put them through a test of having them drink some holy water as a sort of welcoming ceremony.  If they exhibit signs of distress or pain, immediately message us and alert the army."  She turns to the rest of the group staying behind and adds,  "If you are willing it would be good to have each of you take a watch while we are away.  Will you also spread the word to Maximus, Theodore and the bears?  They are already on shifts guarding the vault and teleportation circle but should be informed of the potential threat."  The whole time Aryn speaks she is holding Mucor's hand and squeezing it gently as a comfort for herself as much as for Mucor.  Anyone who looks would probably notice her cheeks looking a bit redder than normal but otherwise she is as calm and composed as always.

Jinara- no real information comes to mind when you think of Shaxgan until you hear Gaelin talk about it then the story of the sunken city sounds familiar.

Iris nods, "I will check with herbert and try to come up with some warding spells to help protect the area.  I do know the teleportation circle and vault sections of the keep are protected against undead and fiends."  Kelgos replies, "I can take the night shift.  Vampires... Do we know how many?  One may not be an issue, many on the other hand is a different story.  The holy water is a good idea.  They are cunning creatures capable of deceit on a higher level than most.  I can communicate the message to the others and help train."  

"I'll need a short time to gather my things and pack some supplies but I should be ready to go within an hour."  Torq says.

"An hour works for me.  Thank you all for your help. Aryn, do you still have those three rings that let you talk to the other wearers?  If so, you should give the other two to them here so they can easily warn us." Gaelin says

Mucor could not help looking rather impressed with Aryn's suggestions while squeezing her hand in return. He would simply smile and listen to the others.... feeling much better about leaving his mother and the rest of the stronghold. For a moment a small green flame would swirl around his neck like a necklace before and flicking its tongue out towards the group before disappearing in a puff of smoke as quickly as it appeared. Mucor wouldn't notice other than the wisp of smoke as he began to think about what he would need to collect before departing. 

"Yes, I do.  An excellent idea brother.  Here you go. Distribute them as you see fit." she says handing out the two rings to Iris.  "See you in an hour." Aryn said then looked back to Mucor calculating the time in her head of how quickly she could pack for a potentially long journey to see if she could make room for some extracurricular activities with Mucor.  Deciding it was probably best to pack first and play later, she pressed his hand once more and whispered in his ear. "If you get done early come to my room." and would give a quick wave to the group and walk off to her room. 

Once there she'd immediately organize her armor and weapons so that they could be quickly put on at the last minute.  She'd pause staring at Flame Tongue and think back to Cedany.  She'd set it aside and continue packing taking a quick inventory of her items and make a list of everything they might need.  She'd visit the cooks with her two bags and request a good supply of dried foods, enough for the group for a week if possible.  When she returned to her room she'd seek out Cedany and bring Flame Tongue with her.  When she found her she'd say, "A proper weapon for a capable fighter such as yourself.  It will take a short while to accustom yourself to this sword but once you do you can do this..." and she'll cause the sword to burst into flames and then after a moment extinguish them again.  "Take good care of it.  I hope that it will serve you as well as it did me. Now get ready and let me know if you need anything." she'd say then leave Cedany to pack and stop by the blacksmith to pick up extra arrows then rush back to her room. Her bags and quiver packed, she'd wait patiently to see if Mucor would come.

(@xtra- do I need to roll for anything to see how quick I was?  If so,    15   )

(I'm a beast at organization and packing!)

Iris accepts the rings and says, "I'll make a schedule so at least one person on watch has it at all times." Those who are moving about the keep catch only a shimmer of purple hair beneath her cloak as she moves swiftly from task to task.  Cedany looks on astonished from both the gesture and the power of the weapon you bestow to her. "Thank you Aryn.  I will protect it with my life." she says through a slightly quivering voice of excitement.  She looks down at the blade once more and by the time she looks up you are already gone.  Aryn, you are able to accomplish everything in 20 minutes. Finding and conversing with Cedany proved to take the longest of all the tasks.  The kitchen is currently stocked with a plethora of dried foods since you're in the dead of winter.

Gaelin will casually head back to his room and make a note to Aryn. On it he’ll scroll “Glad you two are happy. Maybe next time take a bath after.” and he’ll watch her door and wait for her to leave before entering and placing it in her armor.  

When he returns to his room he will consider locking the door then shake his head knowing his sister could easily pick it if she decided to go for revenge. He’d pack very lightly having finished what he considered his finest mental workout and stroll out to meet with Valeera in her den. If they had time he’d listen to his own nose and take a bath in the large pool. If they didn’t have time he’d grab a rag and wipe himself off and escort Valeera back down to the dining hall. 

Torq will load up packing everything neatly thanks to his military training.  After double checking his things he would visit the twins and tell them to be safe and take care of one another while he's away.  A bunch of pecks and nuzzles later, he would return pack and weapons ready to the dining hall.

Mucor would not try to fight the grin on his face before heading back to the grove monastery. Once there he would simply open his bag of holding and quickly throw in the few articles of clothing and items he didn't already have in the magical bag. within moments he was ready to go and made his way quickly to Aryn's room to see what she had planned for him before they would set off. 

(Aryn's passive perception is 23 so I'm going to play it like I spotted the note.)

Aryn spots the note and fears that she missed Mucor.  She snatches it with excitement and her brow furrows a the joking tone of Gaelin's note.  A few minutes later when Mucor arrives she smiles as if nothing happened and grabs his hand. "Come with me."  Mucor is half-dragged to the spa bath where Aryn helps undress Mucor and disrobes herself.  She leads him into the deepest section of the bath and turns him around washing his back and massaging his shoulders. "Sometimes its going slow is just as fun as going fast.  We don't have too much time but we can have fun while with what we have."  She moves her hands down his back and up around his chest and abdomen scrubbing and rubbing. (lol even I snickered at that) While she's rubbing him she quickly scrubs parts of herself occasionally sniffing herself while making sure Mucor is kept comfortable and unaware.  When she thinks they're sufficiently clean she'll spin him around and glide into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist and begin moving slowly up and down.

She'll do her best to make the most of their time and dry off before joining the group with Mucor in tow.

Sleight of hand:  24  (against Mucor)  

Jinara will return to the tower and loads up on a few spell components, grab a blank journal from the bookshelf and will head back to the rest of the group. 

You each make your own preparations and slowly gather in the dining hall.  Kelgos, Iris and the twins are there to see you off and inform you that everyone has been informed of the potential threat and will be on alert while you are away.  As Gaelin etches out the arcane runes on the floor you take a final minute to breathe and relax before your new journey begins.  Gaelin finishes with a final flick of chalk and the runes alight with energy.  You all step in and feel the familiar lurch in your stomachs as you are magically teleported across the world.  You appear on a small stone platform within a large open courtyard of stone.   Arching over your heads are four smooth white bones from a long dead creature of gigantic proportions that intersect and cross over one another creating a sort of dome shape.  All around the room hang a multitude of red banners, with the Drekthar emblem, and purple banners with the emblem of the seven embroidered into them.  Standing around the platform are 12 guards that appear to be a mix of battle mages and warriors.  They each look poised for battle and glance questioningly at you then one of them quickly recognizes you before a word is spoken and says, "It's the Lightbringers. At ease."  The guard, a human male dressed in leather armor and purple cloak steps forward and says, "Follow me.  Varian said you might be passing through."  he says escorting you through a door, then a stone corridor before you exit out into a large open courtyard that over looks the eastern half of the city.  Leading down to the city streets is a large stone stairway that has two large columns at each end. From your vantage point you can see the reconstruction effort still well underway.  Many orc, ogre, goblin and hobgoblin refugees stream in through the gates guarded by a mixture of human, orc and elf guards.  Along the streets nearby you see the early stages of construction of some leveled huts. Elsewhere construction projects are nearing completion and some shops seem to be open for business. While on the surface everything appears to be some level of normal you can tell there is still a strange tenseness in the air between the inhabitants.  "The first days were difficult. Many didn't want an outside presence overshadowing them and others still had grudges but over time things have settled down here.  The more rural areas still have rebellions and clashes every day it seems.  The leaders hope to be able to move out the majority of the troops in the next 3 to 6 months."  he pauses and adds, "Those stairs will take you down into the city.  The nearest gate is about a hundred yards east. Is there anything you require of us before you go?" he says pointing in the direction of a large stone gate in the distance.

"Do you know of an abandoned mine either in the Smoking Hills or Blowing Peaks in the Arak desert?" Aryn asks.

(Worst Xtra can do is say no.)

(That's true.)

"I haven't heard of anything but perhaps some of the locals would know more.  I've only been stationed here for about 3 weeks." the mage replies.

"Do you have a map of the Drekthar lands that includes those areas as well as the Withering Peaks?" Gaelin asks.  No matter the mage's response Gaelin will thank the mage and turn to the group and say, "We should probably head a good bit out of town before taking flight.  The sight of a dragon appearing out of nowhere may cause a bit of a panic."

(@Xtra- is Find the Path an option for this?)

(Lucky, lucky lucky... @Gaelin- Yes, it would work but you are only familiar with the name of the mountain range not necessarily the tribe's location or location of the rift.) 

The mage nods and says, "Actually we do have quite a few maps of the area.  They've come in handy over the course of this migration of Drekthar back to their home territory." He casts a spell you recognize as message and after a few minutes a second mage approaches you with a small scroll in hand.  She hands it over to you and bows before leaving.  "Here you go.  That's one of the few we can spare.  May it help you find what you're looking for." 

Map: 

"I agree.  No sense in scaring all these people. Should we split up and ask around for an hour then meet at that gate?  We can split up Jinara and Gaelin and have them try their luck at getting information.  I'll tag along with whoever will have me." Torq says and will point to the same gate as the mage.  He felt a bit conflicted about seeing all the Drekthar.  His heart still hurt from the loss of his family but after seeing the suffering and confusion happening in the city he pushed away any anger he felt.