Choir grudgingly hands over her water skin. "Give me some water and we talk. What's in it for me?" she repeats his words. "Healing. Freedom. Some random treasure. WHERE SHIELD?!"

It seems now the man could process Choir's exotic way of talking and, surprisingly, was not that happy about it. "If "shiled" was the thing Kaddrus came for, then it is with him of his bosses and lost to you." There was even a hint of despair now in his voice, as if he allowed himself some hope and lost it: "Listen, we are ... were... mercs. Good mercs - even before we met Kaddrus. Then he came and convinced Zaroud we should work for him. It was a simple work for good money - kill a stubborn merchant, or frighten some politician, this kind of things. Kaddrus is a devil, but he kept his word and payed. We worked for him, he worked... He never told us and we never asked, but Nulra once saw a message flew from his pocket. There was something about Shield knights... or Knights of Shields - something like this, we did not care. He was our boss not a pal." 

Choir sighs, and her shoulders slump in defeat. Obviously, this jerk was going to be no help in getting the shield back. But he might still be useful. She casts a heal on him...Cure Wounds for 11 ...and goes to sulk at the other end of the wagon.

Ordrag nods understandingly as the man explains, then answers in his typical casual manner: Yeah, me hear you. You never know which job is gonna be the one that goes bad. That's why they pay big coin. And this is the one, eh. Lost your crew, nearly your life. Then as Choir heals him and a bit of colour returns to his complexion, Ordrag adds: Lucky for you, you is not part of our contract, and can keep your life this time. Maybe you go find a new crew now. Lastly, in the same friendly tone but with a noticeable flex of his back and shoulders as he says: If you come back for us though, maybe us do it your way next time, and save us the talk and the water. Intimidation: 3

Fran would have done her patch job with some grunts, and then move out of the way for Choir to provide the prisoner with a real heal. At least the band-aiding seemed to have pepped him up enough to provide some information though. She'll back off again, arms crossed, to spectate in silence. Ordrag summed it up well enough.

In case Polly comes in:

 "You said it, bro...," Falar did not finish the words, probably unsure about sincerity of Ordrag's words. The merc was healed and told he might get his freedom too. But he was still tied up and as Reya pointed out, he himself was not the kind to let his victim go. "Bad guard" (Adray and Ordrag) vs "good guard" (Fran and Choir) had to be if not over intimidating, certainly very confusing experience. "Do not think I will get you as a job." He immediately corrected himself: "I mean, I will stay away from that jobs."

Adray place a hand on each of the man shoulders and stares into his eyes for an uncomfortably ling time before stepping back.  "Ive memorized your face.  Should we cross paths again in any negative way, I will personally go b out of my way to kill you.  Now get on with you, out of our sights."

For a moment it looked like the man did not believe he is truly free. Then he nodded to Adray, made a few steps away from the wagon, turned and said: "I will remember you too. And... do not go after Kaddrus. Whatever you lost - it is not worth it. He is a devil. A true one." Not tempting the fate, the man disappeared in the closest grove, walking there in a slightly stiff manner, as if expecting an arrow in the back.

"I have a bad feeling about that shield returning to Baldur's Gates," Falaster slowly shook his head, "but I guessed it can not be helped. Not now at least."

The journey continued.

Over the past four days, the weather on the Coast Way has gradually worsened. Dark clouds release heavy rain until the road runs thick with mud, yet you trudge on, passing by friendly merchant caravans heading north. On the morning of the fifth day, the rain subsides but the dark clouds remain. Ahead, you see a path branch from the wider road, heading to the sea. A raven perches solemnly on a leaning post bearing two signs that point like arms toward the west. One says “The Way of the Lion.” The other says “Candlekeep.”

You arrived at the Great Library by mid-afternoon. The sun shines through the clouds to illuminate the grey walls and pale spires of a timeworn fortress that stands majestically atop a rocky promontory overlooking the sea. The trail leads straight to it.

Choir looks at the great and impressive building with awe.  But she can't help wondering whether it's still worth trading Falaster's rare and precious book to get in.  "Fifty golds each for safe transportation of the Shield and the box to the Candlekeep." she reminds the party. "Shield...lost."

Ordrag nods regretfully as Choir points out the failure of part of their mission, but then pats the kenku on the shoulder and says: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, right? Better us salvage what us can of the job than risk it all by going back. Me think us made the right choice.

Polly will have told what she learned from Falar to the group..

When they get in sight of Candle Keep Polly will go really exited. This is a mages dream after all. But because of the incident on the road, when they  get close she will do a Detect Magic spell just to make sure there arn't any magical traps or other spell waiting to surprise them.

Polly decorated the world around her in all colours of rainbow - or soon was going to see it like this, there definitely were going to be some magic scrolls and items all over the place.

At the gatehouse, the group was greeted by three monks in purple robes: a human, a shield dwarf, and a sun elf. Around their necks hang holy symbols of Deneir - a lit candle above an open eye. “Welcome to Candlekeep,” said the elf in Common slightly bowing his head. “A gift is required from those seeking admittance. You must donate a book or scroll that isn’t already in the library’s archives. Please present your gift for inspection.”

Falaster with a look of experienced visitor, fished his precious recipes book out of his bag, jumped from the wagon and brought the entry treasure of knowledge to the monks. The human was fist to judge the worth of the gift and, after just a moment of consideration, to accept it. 

"You are welcome to come in. For one tenday you are free to search for the knowledge you came to acquirer. You can take notes, but do not try to copy any book - that service you can order separately. You can stay in the Inn and visit our eating hall, bathhouse, clothiers, gardens or any other amenities. The library is opened at any hour. Enjoy your visit."

With that you were allowed to go through the grand double-gates  (followed by the eyes of armed guardians and less impressively looking old man that for Polly shined with magic auras of all kind. First thing you saw inside was the central keep that housed the Great Library, encircled by the Court of Air and several smaller stone buildings. The wagon was left outside - monks were going to take care of it, and Falaster confidently walked you straight to the Inn - and old (more like "vintage" - a very well kept) building with a smiling welcoming keeper inside, warm air and a smell of good if simple food.

"Would you rest first or should we go check on my firend?" Falaster was eager to run straight to Sylvira. "You know, I better ask if she is free first, I'll be back in a minute". He run out,  leaving the group in the Inn's main hall.

Choir walks into the inn, keeping her ears open for interesting rumors or discussions.

The Court of Air sounds like an ideal place to burn some incense to Akadi later, though she supposes she must add a propitiatory prayer of thanks to Denier for the use of his territory.

Long ago the Court of Air was a quite beautiful place decorated by a small grove and a terraced rock garden, these days, though it is kept rather simple: the cobblestone yard housing several buildings that serve the needs of the monks their guests: The Hearth (mentioned before Dining Hall) in addition to food services and allowing the "seekers of knowledge" to mingle with one another, also contains shrines to Deneir, Gond and Milil. House of Rest: A bunk room that provided additional to inn lodging. House of the Binder: A temple dedicated to the Lord of Knowledge, Oghma.

Still, it does have plenty of air and most likely nobody would mind Choir paying her respect to the goddess.

Ordrag looks around the inn, noting that it appears to be as clean as an elven arse, not like the usual dockside dives he usually frequents. It could do with some entertainment, but at least it's a far better alternative than tromping through a library - stinking of dust and parchment, as silent and lively as a grave. Hoping that their time here won't take him too far from here, Ordrag thinks about taking a drink ...

Anyone want a drink? he asks. If the answer is affirmative, Ordrag replies. Great! Grab one for me while you're at it, eh? Thanks.

With the rest of the trip going smoothly, Adray's mood improved.  Now actually getting through the gates, their mission essentially complete.  Now all they had to do was read some dusty scrolls, go to Hell, save a city and find some way to bring it back to this plane.  The more he thought the more difficult it was to wrap his head around it.  "Yeah, Falaster, we'll be at the inn." he calls out.  After Ordrag asks about a drink he responds, "A drink sounds great... but lets get the cart moved and unstrap the horse first."

What more can polly discover about the old shining man? What kind of magic is he giving off?

OOC: sorry that I can't be more involved. Just trying to catch up when ever I can and do small posts until I get my new phone. It has been ordered and should arrive today or tomorrow.

The horse and the wagon was taken care of, Adray should not worry about that.

Polly can tell that the man in the gates is definitely a very experienced wizard, carrying quite a few magic items on himself, most likely he is there for security reasons.

And - yes, the Inn was exactly that clean, the traditionally fat man behind the counter let you know about it, accepting the the order for the drinks (and collecting coins). You were free to rest by the fire or take a room and go upstairs, though Falaster obviously meant to return very soon. 

And he did - you barely had time to relax and study quite colourful guests of the Library, when Falaster returned with the news, that Silvira is indeed in her tower and if they are ready, they can visit her.

During the ride, while Polly studied, Fran would have sprawled out with her own tools to tinker and mend Brutus. The last attack was enough to threaten the integrity of her whole build. It would have taken her days to fix!

Once they've arrived at the gate, should one of the monks look to her to supply a gift for entry, she would offer a copy of her steel defender schematic.

Now inside the 'deep candle', Fran would look around with wide eyes and hands on her hips. She knew there were plenty of fancy scrolls and magics that would be a mage's dream. Just like the spellbooks Polly's acquired, there was an abundance of arcane knowledge. But it was all 'invisible fluff' to her. She couldn't just copy it from a book, or suddenly make it tangible. There was engineering involved. She was a kinesthetic learner.

Fran will tap her foot on the ground, grumbling and muttering while she wondered if there were any artificers in this place that might be able to teach her a new trick. Otherwise, a drink sounded about as good as anything right about now. With a grunt, she'd follow behind the guys.

The artificer would be ready to follow Falaster to Silvira's tower when he would arrive.

Fran might want to hold on the blueprints, at least for now - the book was enough to get the whole party in, but who knows, you might want to return one day and need something to offer to the monks. Though, indeed, one could tell, Fran's occupation was not something overly familiar to people around even in this place of learned folk.

Ordrag's patience and Polly's curiosity were seriously tested when Falaster led the party toward and then through the main keep, a towering edifice housing hundreds of monks and wizards, and thousands of books and scrolls. Fortunately, Sylvira’s laboratory, located in one of Candlekeep’s spires was not that far and soon you found yourself in the chambers of one of Candlekeep’s foremost sages, and specializing in knowledge pertaining to the Outer Planes.

The walls of this circular tower chamber are punctuated by arched windows that are currently shuttered. Bookcases filled with eldritch volumes stand between the windows, while tables are crowded with specimen jars, alchemical equipment, and other clutter. Engraved into the floor of the chamber is a large, nine-pointed star. A middle-aged tiefling dressed in wizardly robes stands by one of the windows, caught in a fugue of intense contemplation. Perched on the corner of a table nearby is a spindly little demon with warty green skin, buggy eyes, thin black horns, and a whip-like tail.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am to see you,” said the tiefling smiling warmly to Falaster and then looked at the party. “Welcome to my laboratory, friends of my friend. I take it you are the group, that saved Falaster, and I am immensely grateful. Did you find something in that terrible place he went in?”