Little liches seemed to amuse Sam to no end. "Well, this is one way to help your friend in need," begun he yet another monologue dedicated to different ways of sobering companions in difficult situations (it seems he had his share of the treatment as well). The man gladly stopped, though. Sam looked at the elf, back at Ramious, at the elf again. "Aha," said he and smiled. "Don't you worry, my smelly friend... I mean, brave adventurer. I will be right over there when you are ready." He moved to Will, leaned over the counter and prepared to watch the show.

Ramious looked at the elf, back at the group, then over at Sam and bent his nose down to his own armpit, and gave it a sniff...pulling his nose back with a sharp motion, a wrinkle appearing on it's bridge as his eyes start to water.  Making an unhappy face he looks back expectantly to the group for some answers.

Bernard just shrugs, "Yeah, that smell is you...  don't know what ya been doing or drinking but whatever it was involves sleeping on the floor."  As Bernard says that, more of his bugs seem to drift and hover around Ramious due to the smell.

He then turns his attention to Alyssa.  He looks at the male elf taking in the small differences and then scratches his head.  "Hmm... I see..."  He holds our a hand and says, "and what do you go by now friend?"

"You'll figure it out eventually." Leon says to Ramious as he nods to the male elf again. He moves over to lean on the counter near Sam. "Best tell him." Leon says to Alyssa. "That way we can get moving along here..."

The elf stood quietly, observing the interactions between the others. Eyes would glance to Will briefly, but then look to rest on Sam. There were no intentions of deceit. They wanted to provide Sam with an explanation he was hoping for, but the truth was, they didn’t know themselves. Practicing? Fun? Experimenting? Preparing?

Blue hues would admire Bug’s swift and unique administration of leeches to tend to Ramious. They had simply stood there, watching instead of taking action like Bernard had. This was only further proof that he was the best fit for the roll of healer. The elf would give a respectful bow of their head, stepping out of the way so Leon and Bernard could finish tending to their rough up tiefling. 

When the conversation would come back around, the elf would inhale a breath, looking to each one individually. Everyone wanted to get moving, so may as well get to it. “I’m here Ramious, just not in the capacity you may be expecting.” Their voice was still soft like Alyssa’s, but was definitely a little lower.

The elf would turn to Bernard. It’d take a moment for them to find their words to respond. Do I go by something different? Alyssa? Alyn? Alvin? Their hand would find their chin. “What ever feels more natural to you is fine.” They’d eventually admit. It’s wasn’t like they were trying to erase themselves. “Perhaps ‘A’ would be easier.”

Ramious frowns unhappily as A explains. He scratches his head. Something small, but definitely alive falls out and begins crawling slowly away across the floor.  

"I don't get it. That some sorta illusion magic? How come?"  He stares at A for a while, openly and confused. Eventually he frowns and looks away.  "I need some rain. And....some walkin time to get my brain goin."  He turns to Sam, and seems unhappy with what he sees looking at him, but sighs, "Ok. Where we goin?" 

"A it is then." Leon tells Alysa. He is not the most emphatic person so just shrugs at that point. Turning to Sam he raises an eyebrow in question. "Can you tell us what new thing you have in the offing for us?"

Sam's grin became wider. "You'll get used to it. Magic does call for some ... experimentation. But, yes, now that you are all here, let's get to it." "Emm... let's get to the tavern, actually. It's a long story and need some good wine to get down easier." He walked everyone back to the tavern (Will did not follow), pointed at the table near the fire, disappeared for a moment somewhere behind the bar and returned with a bottle, wrapped in an old cloth, corked and sealed. "Dragon's blood. Red, of course". He opened the bottle carefully, smelled and set it aside. "Has to breath a bit before we drink it. Don't worry, there id not enough there to undo your splendid work, Bernard." Apparently, Sam remembered all names. " But it's good, trust me." Indeed it was - dark red liquid resembled the blood perfectly, had a strong fruity aroma, hit the mouth like a liquid fire and was leaving the rich smoky aftertaste with the smooth, velvety notes of the black currants.

"Well... Where should I begin." Sam put his glass aside and begun his story. "On the surface this could be a simple case of a stolen treasure that has to be returned for a great price. But reality is a bit more... fantastic if you forgive me such word. You see, the treasure is three very old weapons - an heirloom of three wealthy families of Neverwinter. All three weapons are magical and have names even: Wave, Whelm, and Blackrazor . All are priceless. Rewards were posted, servants hanged, even the sanctuary of the thieves’ guild was violated in the frantic search, but not even a single clue was turned up until the weapons’ former owners each received a copy of this note." Sam put at the table a small scroll covered with the calligraphic letters:

"Three notes like this and all with the symbol of Keraptis." He looked at each of you and continued. "Now, you are asking yourself "who is Keraptis"? So did I - and the owners of the weapons. Obviously, scholars were asked, every library checked - they even sent to Candlekeep. Turned out... it was a former owner of the weapons - a mad wizard, that long ago - really long ago, more than a millennia - terrorized the North. He was eventually dealt with (legends say, he managed to escape), his strongholds raided and his name forgotten. And now that!"

"Somehow - do not ask me how, I did not ask, scholars deduced that note speaks of White Plume Mountain. There is a cave system there, it is known, but the place is so remote no one ever goes there, nothing to see, nothing to loot, if you wish. Plus wilderness, plus cold, plus orcs, goblins and whatnot - massive inconvenience for nothing to gain. But the owners of the weapons insist on checking. I say - it's a wild goose chase. But (!) and this is a huge "butt" here - if the wizard exists (I do not believe it is him, of course but some follower may be), and if the place is right - you might run into a complete psycho there. Magically inclined psycho." Sam raised his finger to underline last statement. "In short - nothing is known, the risk is very high, yet, unlikely. You will get your reward for just trying - not bad for an easy walk, a thousand each again. But if it turns out there is something in that mountain and you return alive and with the weapons... the owners promised to grant to brave souls whatever they desire, if it is within their power to do so".

"Now, what do you say?"

Ramious' eyes glance from Sam to A throughout the speech, as if trying to solve some puzzle by putting pieces together.  By the time the story is told, Ramious looks just as puzzled and now additionally annoyed.  He rubs his hand, "Ya ya ya, I just said I needed a walk didn't I?"  He drinks back the cup of Dragon wine....and then lets out a belch. "If there's a waterfall I can walk through on the way, that'd be swell....otherwise....like I say...I think we hope for some rain."  His tongue moves along his mouth, he makes a sour face and swears. "Nother tooth gone...when the carp did that happen...i mean really...what the..." he glances down on the floor and spots something pressed in between some floor boards.  "Well....hey...waddya know!".... he pries a tooth out from the floorboards.  There's a small chance it's his.  He brushes it off and then presses the thing into his mouth...   Then he grins.  "At'll do. Alright, let's get movin."

A's eyes would soften as Ramious would process the change, though they'd do their best to keep their expression neutral. "Transmutation with a dash of illusion." They'd explain while Rami stared, lifting and turning their arms over and back before resting them at their side again. The second question hung for a moment. "To experience a different perspective?". Try being stronger... better than I was... The elf could very well accommodate Ramious' request for rain if he truly wanted it. Though, his unhappy expression didn't feel encouraging for them to produce such a rain cloud over his head.

A would nod to Leon.

Following Sam and the others out, A would keep distance at the back as they made their way to the tavern. They'd also wait for everyone else to take a seat first. And not much differently than any time before, the wizard would pull out their notebook when Sam would begin his story, they'd record all the details. They'd review them and listen for others thoughts and opinions before speaking up.

"Seems like an interesting adventure." Leon said with a grin. "Something to do, and, if just a walk, then a bit of excersise with a decent pay day." He glances to the others. "What do you guys think?"

 "Interesting..." Sam took a sip of Dragon Blood and shook his head, "well, there was time when I would find it interesting as well. Curiosity and carelessness of the youth... Bat I m glad you agreed. That if you all do," he looked pointedly at Bernard. "A few things before you go." Sam looked Ramious up and down and then suddenly leaned forward and made a gesture as if brushed off some dust from tiefling's shoulder. Ramious probably did not see what happened but definitely smelled it - or, to be precise, stopped smelling the complex odor he emanated for the last several ... hours? Others could see (in addition to the relief for their noses) the pleasant metamorphosis of a "drunk from the gutter" into a - still brutish and ungroomed but sparkling clean warrior. "Sorry, pal, can not organize you a waterfall right now but where you are going, you have to look presentable. I do not expect Lord Protector to greet you personally, but someone from the three houses can be there and those nobles have some expectations of their hired muscle."

He looked at the result of his work and smiled. "You can not imagine how often that simple trick helped our group! To get the quest or to get the reward afterwords a bit higher than was promised too. Some employers can be very particular. And the good thing - you can always get all your dirt back, comes with the job. Should someone wish - can teach you the basics of it."

He looked at A, inscribing the information and added. "Well, while we are on the writing.... Aha, here it is!" Sam produced a scroll and added it to the note. "The actual story of Keraptis."

 "Frightening but pointless. Unless that imposter - provided there is one, even - learned the story too and wants to fully imitate his rolemodel. Then you know what to expect - beasts, undead, demons - usual set but sprinkled with the madness. Looks like he wants to make a demonstration of his power."

"Did I forget anything else? Do not think so. Well, if you are ready - teleportation circle awaits. They are sending messages practically every hour for the last two days, would love to make it stop for a while at least."

Ramious looks down at his cleaned body. He grins...a loose tooth jutting out strangely at an angle, "Well, thanks for that. This job is already worth it.  I'm ready." He stands up, ready to go. 

Sam nodded and without further ado walked the group straight to the teleportation circle. Adjusted a few runes (not without a comment, of course "back in my days we had to draw these things - carve even, you, kids, get it easy") and gestured the party to step inside. "Well, good luck, whatever is awaiting you. I am sure I'll see you very soon". The tone was not that convincing, but Sam kept smiling for as long as you could see him.

Swirling mist of teleportation faded away replaces by the bright sun and chill wind of an open landscape. Relatively open - you were in the backyard (?) of some quite simple wooden house. And exactly on the spot where Sam was standing a moment before in the guild room, you could see an old gnome with the long beard and serious look of a self-important scholar. Being quarter of the size of any of you, he managed to look down at the group over the top of his glasses. The gnome was finishing some explanation, it seemed and judging by the absence of the audiences it was addressed to you. ".... exactly is it was calculated." He paused, probably expecting some sign of appreciation. Not getting any he pursed his lips for a moment but immediately spoke again. "Best and brightest... I'll let the Duke to be the judge - or the mountain itself, rather. My name is Ludvick Rywiriss, the renowned historian of the Candlekeep." He paused again to check the impression but continued right away. "And this is the White Plume Mountain". The gnome stepped aside (not that he needed to do so for you to see) and with a gesture as if he was introducing the group of peasants to the royalty presented you indeed a magnificent view of a mountain - no, The Mountain.

An almost perfectly conical volcanic hill formed from an ancient slow lava leakage stands alone in a vast area of dismal moors and tangled thickets. About five miles from where you are now but there is probably some beaten path leading there (one can always hope). It is about 1,000 yards in diameter at the base, and rises about 800 feet above the surrounding land. The white plume of smoke or vapor and fame is a continuous geyser that spouts from the very summit of the mountain another 300 feet into the air, trailing off to the east under the prevailing winds like a great white feather. The spray collects in depressions downslope and merges into a sizable stream. Steam vents are visible in various spots on the slopes of the mountain, but none of them are large enough to allow entry.

"This is where you are going. The cave, the wizard and the weapon(!) is there. Any questions?" He looked at you over the glasses again.

"How many have tried this before us?" Leon asks the gnome with a glance to the mountain and then back to the gnome. "Have these nobles sent others in there after the weapons? If so, how many and have any of them made their way back out?"

"A few...," Ludvick Rywiriss scowled. "Not your kind - the house guards. "One returned, scared to death, claiming "the beast took them all". From what he said, there is some kind of monster right at the entrance that let the others to come close and then attacked. He talked about claws, fangs and wings, but Oghma forgive me if even I could make out anything out of his mumbling. That is when the Duke sent request to The Guild."

"Well at least we know there is a beast there." Leon says with a shrug. he glances to Ramious. "Up for battling a ferocious beast?" He asks the tiefling. As he does so he reaches into a pouch and pulls out a small gray stone. Tossing it into the air, the small stone starts to circle him. (Stone of Protection.) Seeing the others glance at it he shrugs. "Aids in helping me not get hit by attacks." He explains. "Just an item I picked up since our last adventure..."

Ramious smiles at Leon, "I mean...what's to keep me from just...." he abruptly attempts to grab the stone out of the air, but the stone evades him easily.  "I mean...lucky...I guess..." he abruptly takes another grab and misses woefully as the stone dodges his grasp easily.  He the nods, "Alright, fine.  Seems like a solid purchase."  He grins again, then looks at the gnome, "Hey Ludvick. Well met and stuff. Uuuuh, ok, so, we were gunna get paid for a walk over there...and if we don't find nothin we come back here?  Ya?  Actually, even if we find stuff I guess we come back here. Alright...alright. Well.....anything else we should know about this area?  Does it rain a lot?  Does the volcano ever.....you know..."  He makes two fists with his hands, and holds them together, and then opens both hands wide suddenly while moving them away from each other....his cheeks puffing out and then making a silent blowing face.  He waits a moment.  Then unnecessarily adds, "Explode?"

The gnome was watching the pantomime with the raised brow tilting head to the shoulder, however answered almost friendly "Glad you asked. To my best knowledge - no. Not recently at least. Do not let that constant rumbling fol you, no eruption is expected. There is a good reason for it too, of course. As you see, the steam is constantly getting out, so the pressure can not build high enough for the volcano to erupt". You could give the historian some credits - he was able to "read the audience" (more likely did not want to waste his time on - obviously! - uneducated, but may be it was indeed "reading") - he stopped right there without killing you with all the scientific explanations modern volcanology has to offer. "In short - you are safe. From the volcano. But there has to be an open lava, mind you! And the beast. Probably several. Also, I can say, that to our best knowledge there is only one entrance to the caves - that, over there. It is called "the Wizard’s Mouth". The gnome pointed at the cave (you could not see the actual entrance from here but the direction was clear), that seems to breathe, exhaling a large cloud of steam and then slowly inhaling, like a person breathing on a cold day. Each cycle takes about 30 seconds.

"I would estimate - and we checked a little too - that is has to be steamy inside. Quite warm too. But what constructions we saw - there is a staircase there - it is rusty but surprisingly sturdy."

"Warm huh?" Leon asked, adjusting the ring of fire resistance on his finger. He glances to Ramious. "We can handle warm, right Ramious..." With a glance to A and Bugs he frowns. "Might be a problem for the others though." He shrugs, "We'll deal with that if we need to." Looking out towards where the cave was reported to be he smiles, his hand moving up to rest on the hilt of the massive greatsword sheathed across his back. "I think this will be interesting, if not fun..." he glances to the others. "Ready to head out?"