Soar history: 1

”Sounds like a trap, that has to be a made-up tower,” she says to herself.

Tobin and Bazavur, the archmage Xonthal lived over a hundred years ago, and made his home in a mysterious tower near the southern tip of the Greypeak Mountains, north of the Marsh of Chelimber. He is believed to be long dead, but was always reclusive. His tower is said to be a dangerous place and few but the most battle-hardened adventurers have dared enter.

Tobin, in addition to this, you know that Xonthal was an expert in both time-altering magic and the feathermagic used in Maztica.

Aiwin just looks at Soar "If it is, then sounds like a good bonding experience since it looks like we need to go there for this information. We will just need to keep our guard up, maybe approach the tower from a few miles out and we can scout around it before actually approaching?"

Tobin:

The librarian shares what he knows of the tower and it’s history, saying, ”If the council thinks this is important enough to risk Sarel’s life, we should go as soon as possible.”

Varan slaps Aiwin on the back, "That's a good idea. It doesn't hurt to get an idea of what you're runnin' into. Also, Tobin is right too that we need to be quick. If the enemy discovers a traitor they might tighten up their defenses or move to another location entirely."

(Where are we in relation to the southern tip of the Greypeak Mountains and the marsh?)

"Huh. Well, okay then. Sarel, are you in any condition to get us near this place?" Soar says.

(You are more in the middle of the Greypeak Mountains. Perhaps 200 miles away as the dragon flies, more if you travel on foot.)

Sarel replies "Yes. Tomorrow. Tomorrow I can teleport you there. Or try to. I have never seen it myself, though I studied what I could before I left Waterdeep, to get the best lock on it I could. I cannot guarantee we will arrive safely. Would one of the dragons here be willing to transport you?"

Soar looks to their silver dragon hostess...

Otaaryliakkarnos’s response is to consider for a moment, and then give a firm nod. "I can. And it should be soon. Some of my fellows will not be happy to see even more elves here than before. That is a matter Jalt and Titus must resolve for themselves, but it will be helpful if you are gone, and soon. Please, gather yourselves. I must speak with someone first, so I will meet you outside in thirty minutes. The journey will take the rest of the day - but I know the tower, and can drop you some distance from it, within a few hours' walking distance. Sorel, you may rest here and return to Waterdeep, or wherever, tomorrow morning. You will be safe under our protection."

She leaves.

Soar looks to the others. "Well, should we go spring the trap and find out what's going on? What would we need to go on this? I wonder if there are maps or information we'd want, Tobin."

Tobin:

”Right you are, Soar,” says Tobin as he stands up and pulls a matte black handkerchief.  He tosses it on the floor and it rapidly expands into a large hole with a well-stocked library.  Humming to himself, Tobin descends the rolling ladder and starts thumbing through the tones, looking for regional maps and any description of the area surrounding the tower.

History with Advantage:  28

Varan gives a low whistle seeing what Tobin does, "That's a handy thing." He stands on the edge and looks into the hole

Tobin:

Smiling up at Varan, Tobin says, "Yes, yes, quite so.  Can't be a librarian without I library, I say."  He then dives back into his research.

Aiwin just patiently waits as the determination is made of how to get there, at the talks of maps his interest is peaked "Yes if we had any maps to look at that would be helpful."

Tobin, what you find is a description from a traveller who visited the area some fifty years ago. She describes seeing the tower from afar, but being unable to approach as there was a trap-filled maze surrounding its base. At the very edges of the maze, a settlement had grown up, numbering some hundreds of inhabitants. She spent some time resting there after a difficult journey, and heard many fanciful stories of the tower and what lived there. But all the people agreed - to enter the maze was death.

No maps though.

(Tobin shares his findings and prepares to head out with the rest of them.)

Varan nods and gets ready, "I would hope we can bypass the maze, but my guess is not. Your little book didn't happen to mention what the maze was made out of, eh?"

Tobin:

”Unfortunately, no.  My guess is that it is something not easily bypassed with magic or brute force—else it is not much of a maze,” answers Tobin.  “Shall we?” he asks gesturing towards the dragons.

Otaaryliakkarnos meets you outside; she is carrying several large bundles wrapped in cloth, though she does not elaborate on what they are. She then transforms into a great silver dragon, an impressive sight for any who have never seen such a thing before.

In a procedure that Soar, Tobin and Bazavur are familiar with, the dragon puts on a large harness that enables her riders to be tied securely, unable to fall of her back but still able to move, and fight, with ease if needed. You all secure yourselves on her back.

A few minutes later, the five of you are in the air, riding on a dragon's back, headed south. 

"I have flown over this tower some times, in the past," Otaaryliakkarnos says as you travel. "A place of magic and danger, I think. I have never approached close and do not plan to today."

Varan taps Aiwin on the shoulder, "Nobody back home is goin' to believe we flew on the back of a dragon." He does his best not to look down with at least one hand tightly holding onto one of the straps, "That is wise seein' this is a wizard's tower. Just gettin' us as close as possible is a tremendous help."