Dreams Into Journey

Lia would only have the one drink, nursing it throughout the evening.

Ragkohm finishes his drink and call for another, "A old myth, lass... At least, that's what we thought. Ta be honest, 'Empire' is not quite th' right word. But, it's close enough."

"Tale goes that this whole area was ruled by dragons, millennia ago. From the Kharkan Range to the Arid Sea, from the Hoarfrost Expanse to the Unending Chasm. Five o' the beasties were at near-constant war wit' each other. They lost ground just as soon as they gained it. Their cataclysmic fight were said to have warped and shaped our corner o' the world."

"As far as anyone knows nobody knew what happened ta them, in the end. All that's know is one o' them had died, which started a chain reaction which spiraled into the collapse of the others."

"That's as far the details go. Over time, folk lost some key information, such as their names or even what kind o' dragons they were! The names the kobolds and them lizardfolk are the closest we have in that regard."

He adjusts his seat.

"Now... 'bout yer forest creature... Folk have been reportin' sights o' it fer centuries. Always seemed to be on th' hunt fer somethin', those unlucky enough ta cross it's path would be frozen in fear and find themselves a ways from where they were. Stuff o' nightmares that thing. Come to call it the Nuckelavee."

"Never once thought that there was connection 'tween that thing and the Empire of Wings."

"Bah! If that fiend was part of a dragon's essence, then nothing good can come of it!" Andivus says, finishing his drink. "As far we know, it is still working to reunite with whatever the hell this 'maiden' is!"

"In any case, we'll need to find a way to fill in the details of the myth." Forscal interjects.

"Long a shot as any... Feck, let's pile on myths! We got two that seem to be true, what's one more! Anyone familiar with the Library of Flying Books?" Ragkohm shrugs as another glass is placed in front of him.

Oswin History: 14

Am I familiar?

"What's this library?"  Lia asks, leaning forward.

Oswin has heard the basics of the myth: A vast archive of the world's knowledge. The tomes are said to deliver themselves to whomever requests their words within its walls.

Forscal responds to Oswin's account of what the Library is, "In essence, yes. A few scholars throughout history have been looking for it for as long as anyone can remember, others regard it as a metaphor for trying to attain an impossible goal in their field."

"As the myth goes, an ancient wizard had created it as his own study. As his archive grew, he added more to the building. Then, his collection got too large for even him to find what he wanted at any given time. As a solution, he set out to enchant his books to come to him. Whether he succeeded or failed depends on who's telling the tale."

(OOC sorry I've been unable to post.  Life is crazy with this virus thing going on, been working long hours)

Gark sits with the group listening to the conversation, eating a meal and feeding the little beast.  He'll have an ale or two, to celebrate his recent financial good fortune, but he's generally not one for excess.

"Would this library maybe have information about this one makes two or whatever they were calling it?"  Lia asks with a frown.  "Not sure what other information we are in need of just now, so not sure how helpful such a library would be to us at this point."

“And thats assuming we could find, or even knew where to look for it.” Oswin adds.

"Yes, that is always the problem with myths. Details tend to go by the wayside." Forscal furrows his brow, somewhat.

"What about that Nessarian, fellow? A familiar voice to Lia, Valentia and Gark. They turn and recognize Scran, a dragonborn with metallic grey scales. "That crazy elf was always trespassin' in the mine for one reason or another. 'Til you fixed him up good, boss!"

"Aye, 'ow could I forget? Daft bastard was always intrudin' with some inane blatherin' 'bout looking for proof of some... dragon... empire." He says with encroaching realization, then with a heavy sigh and exasperated surrender, "Bloody feckin' hell..."

Oswin looks up, "Sounds like a person to talk to then, where might we find him?"

Lia nods in agreement, waiting for that answer herself.

 "I had to respond to numerous complaints about him, so I know his home is not very easy to find." Forscal says. "He is a ways south of town along the Kharkan Pass. The distance is not too bad, about an hour's walk, give or take. The problem is actually pinpointing the damn thing. He was able to camouflage it by enchanting to be nearly invisible during the day or night, But, there is a flaw. He has not been able to make it the enchantment crepuscular. Pretty sure he's tried to fix that at one point, but once you've been there once, it might as well not be there."

"Do you know anyone who can guide us there, who has already been there?"  Lia asks.

"OI! ARNOUT!" Ragkohm calls out into the crowd. "THAT LAD OF YERS STILL BRINGIN' STUFF TA HIM!?"

"No need to shout, I'm right here!" He replies, covering one of his ears with his free hand. "Yes, he is still making deliveries. I just put together his next parcel before everyone came back from the fight. With all the strange happenings going on as of late, maybe he should go with a group, this time."

Looking to the others for agreement, Lia nods to them in return.  "Seems like you have your group." She says.

"Thank you very much. Meet me at the trading post at daybreak and we'll be ready for you." Arnout says with a nod and a smile.

(OOC: Anything else you want to do or shall we skip to the next day?)

Lia is ready to go.

Oswin is good to go.

The next morning the party wakes up just as the sun is peeking over the horizon. However, Andivus is nowhere to be seen.

After a quick breakfast, the arrive at the trading post. They see Arnout and a younger man just finishing loading up a cart drawn by a donkey.

Arnout notices the group and waves them over, "Hey! You're just in time!"

"Glad you lot could make it. This here's my boy, Gerrod. He'll take you right to Nessarian's place."

"Nice to meet you and thanks for the help." Garrod greets the party as he secures the donkey while it's feeding for the journey ahead. "Some of the creatures from deeper in the range have been spotted lately."