"I expect that is me," says Cyrus. "Sorry."

Immediately the scene in the mirror becomes still, but still all Brand can see are the stacks of full bags and the piles of empty ones.

Then the Archmagus says, "I cannot communicate with him unless I can see him. The nature of the spell I want to use requires it... However, I can establish a link with you."

The Archmagus picks something up out of a small bowl that is on a table next to him and then turns towards Brand and proceeds to sprinkle whatever it is on the ground between the two of them. It looks to be flakes of something: one white and the other pale brown.

Can you hear me? It is the unspoken voice of the Archmagus in Brand's mind.

Brand gives a start, then smiles as he remembers a similar experience with Wamzut.

I can, Brand thinks back. There's empty bags as well, so it might be a warehouse, a packing area... Or even an Inn ... Or a baker for that matter. Can you try turning around slowly, and looking up and down slowly. Also, perhaps you can get someone here to cart Darkvision on you. It seems like the sort if thing Narim might know. [[ Does he know who cast it for the sword?]]

[[ If Cyrus does as he's asked, brand will give further directions if something of interest appears, eg. Stop or Slow Down etc, but he would like to get a view of the whole room if , first. ]]

Cyrus starts to slowly turn the point of view around the darkened space the mirror is showing.

[[Make another Perception check.]]

Perception: 7

Edit: Who said the monte carlo principle isnt real?????

Between them, Brand and Cyrus have now seen as much as they can of the darkened area.

[[This time you can roll for experience.]]

"He must be there," says Cyrus, after Brand tells him he can't see Minton. "My scrying wouldn't work if he wasn't there and still alive."

"Anyway, time is of the essence, this mental connection lasts only for a candle," he adds. "I think we will have to assume he is somewhere in the Portside District. I want you to get there as quickly as possible, and on your way out, get Eddard to have Master Narim attend me here so I can continue to try to gain mental contact with Hareld."

Perception XP: 22

[[ Still think my suggested way of handling perception should be used! ]]

[[ So far I've seen full sacks and empty sacks...I *think* that's it. Surely there's more here? Wall? Floor? Doors? Table? Sacks on floor, jumbles or stacked? Window with light? If he can't see anything at all other than sacks, ask Cyrus to move forwards and backwards until he hits a wall etc. Basic perception stuff; even if its the most basic. It does seems silly that if I hit Cyrus with a weapon now, I would get an automatic 14 on perception...which is not great...but it should provide a baseline. The roll should be about getting more than natural passive. ]]

[[I just realised that the above rolls should have been made at Disadvantage because there is no light in the area that is being looked into, which means what Brand with his Darkvision is seeing in dim light with no colour differentiation. Also, the scrying focus that Cyrus is using can't pass through walls and is less versatile than the one Madame Damass used. The rolls will stand. Also, I have already told you a lot of the extra information you are asking for. There are stacks of full sacks and piles of empty ones on the floor. I'm am happy that Brand has not been able to perceive any more, considering the limitations that Cyrus has imposed on him (i.e., He can't see anything at all, which makes it hard to navigate). The amount of information will stay the same.]]

[[ Given it's effectively dim light, even normal passive perception for him would therfore be 9...so I assume the results would be almost identical anyway. ]]

Brand heads out, passes the message on to Eddard, says he needs to talk to nathaniel quickly...heads to Nathaniels room, lets him know Minton is in trouble, then exits the school.

[[ He will use fastest means possible to portside...I would assume that's invisible roof-run-hopping. Just tell me which is fastest in your opinion and he does that. He would likely use invisibility to avoid being stopped by guards. ]]

Edit: I take it back, fastest is probably run/dash/dash with roof to bypass bends and guards]]

Quote from AlaricBrand >>

[[ Given it's effectively dim light, even normal passive perception for him would therfore be 9...so I assume the results would be almost identical anyway. ]]

Brand heads out, passes the message on to Eddard, says he needs to talk to nathaniel quickly...heads to Nathaniels room, lets him know Minton is in trouble, then exits the school.

[[ He will use fastest means possible to portside...I would assume that's invisible roof-run-hopping. Just tell me which is fastest in your opinion and he does that. He would likely use invisibility to avoid being stopped by guards. ]]

Edit: I take it back, fastest is probably run/dash/dash with roof to bypass bends and guards]]

Brand leaves the Archmagus's chambers and heads downstairs looking for Eddard, who is nowhere to be seen. Instead, Brand is seen by the Archmagus' personal assistant.

"Good evening, Master Brand," she says cooly. "I trust your business with the Archmagus went well."

"He asked me to tell Eddard to find Narim to attend him, then I need to quickly speak with Nathaniel before ... then I must be on my way."

A look of concern comes into her face as she listens to what Brand says.

"Eddard has gone back to the gatehouse and Narim is in his quarters," she says, and then adds, "I will get him while you go to Nathaniel."

She then turns on her heels and heads for the exit.

Brand hurries to Nathaniels room, and knocks and enters, or if someone is guarding him, says "I have an urgent matter that in must briefly discuss with Master Nathaniel."

Brand enters the library and nods to the assistant librarian at her post just inside the door. She nods back and then abruptly busies herself with the book she is mending.

The library is quiet, with few students on the ground floor and none at all on the second floor, and as he approaches Nathaniel's door Brand notices a distinct drop in temperature.

Brand smiles at the librarian as he walks by, then cautiously approaches the door and knocks. Unless he gets a huge sense of foreboding, he enters.

Brand knocks on the door and someone inside says, "Enter."

Opening the door, Brand sees Nathaniel sitting up in bed, a food tray on his lap; the bowl of soup has barely been touched.

"Alaric, my boy, it is good to see you," says Nathaniel, his face brightening.

There is a distinct chill in the room, even with the window closed.

Brand smiles, relieved, and closes the door behind him.

[[ Assuming there is noone else in the room then:]]

[[ Assuming the "someone inside" above means it did not sound like nathaniel: ]]

"Your voice...is different somehow...and ....".

[[ In any case, he also says: ]]

"There is a chill to this room...is it your doing?"

Nathaniel seems surprised at Brand's last comment and says, "Are you sure? I don't feel cold."

His voice seems stronger than Brand remembers it.

Brand grimaces, "There is a distinct chill in the air. Very odd. I am surprised people have not commented...", he does not want to say more but raises his eyebrows at Nathaniel and purses his lips grimly. If Nathaniel starts to speak, he holds a hand up to forestall him.

"However, this is not why I came...Minton has been abducted...". He pauses then emphasises the next words, "Master Cyrus is watching him by magical means, and can speak to me in my head...he may even be listening now, I am not sure how the spell works."

He waits to be sure Nathaniel understands, then continues.

"It's partly my fault, I fear. I took him to lunch, then he wanted to book passage on a ship and go to the temple. I left him alone at that point. There are likely people in town who see value in his knowledge, and I fear that is why he was taken. Although it may simply be ransom of course."

"We believe he is in Portside...and I am about to go looking for him. The potential for your assistance...or at least monitoring of my whereabouts...did not escape me. Though I know you must be tired."

With that he stands, "I shall return later, all being well."

[[ I assume Nathaniel will say something, but if not Brand leaves, heads to the gate. If he sees Eddard he will call him and speak to him, but will not go searching for him. ]]

Nathaniel nods appropriately and then says, "Please take this away. It is tasteless and I have no appetite for it."

After Brand removes the tray, Nathaniel says, "I will do what I can, though that may be little, I'm afraid."

Brand turns to leave, but before he can Nathaniel says, "Could you please cover up the candle."

The candle Nathaniel is indicating is on a small table by his bed and on further inspection Brand decides that it is not a normal candle at all, but one of the magical ever-burning flames the School uses to light paths at night. He places the nearby cover over the top of the candle and the room is plunged into darkness as the light disappears.

"Goodbye, Alaric," says Nathaniel in the darkness. "Be careful."

Brand leaves the room and makes his way downstairs where he is stopped by the assistant librarian before he can leave.

"Is Master Nathaniel going to be okay?" she asks, looking nervous.

"Please take this away. It is tasteless and I have no appetite for it."

As Brand takes the tray away, he says "Eating is important...your body probably needs it even if you are not hungry. Is there something you might prefer?"

"I will do what I can, though that may be little, I'm afraid."

Brand smiles, "Let them know where to send the next group of rescuers, if nothing else."

magical ever-burning flames the School uses to light paths at night

[[ How does this compare to the device Eddard had? Brand might ask to borrow it if it is portable...and replace his lantern with it and it's cover. ]]

"Is Master Nathaniel going to be okay?" she asks, looking nervous.

Brand sighs but smiles again, and nods, "I think so. I hope so. He's been through a lot, and I think that the battle this afternoon has taken it's toll. But, if anything, he seems to be rejuvenated. Perhaps the healing from the Glory has had lasting effects upon him."