Seldor makes the trip across the chasm one more time to seek out Banrion. "Hey, that human and the tiefling that you mentioned coming around here earlier, you wouldn't know where they went, would you?"

"No, for they magically appeared, and then disappeared at different times. Meaning, they used magic to travel. They did not travel on foot." Banrion says.

"Okay then." Seldor heads back to the group across the chasm. "They teleported out of here. You're not going to find anything in the forest." He relays to Hamdel and Kitsune.

Growing further confused and frustrated, Kitsune continues to search around the ruins for any further sign of what might be missing from the machine to make it work (Perception: 24) (Investigation: 14).

There is nothing in the immediate area that would look anything like parts for the broken time machine. At Banrions information that others have been here, it is likely they who have ransacked the control panel, and/or taken the other gems. This is what is left over. It's like you guys have stumbled on a large lego toy, mostly broken, with pieces missing. The question is, what do you do now?

"Hmm, as I surmised. This device controls not only time travel, but very likely spatial transposition as well! Most curious..."

"I'm stumped, gang.  Maybe we should head back to Waterdeep and pursue any leads on those two others who were here before us?" Kitsune laments.

"If they had the ability to move back and forth at will, I doubt they will have left many traces in a place like Waterdeep, though I do think you are on to something. If nothing else, this will take time, and ours is limited, so long as we remain in this place and do not look about further. I have... an idea. A spell, more specifically. Or rather, to be precise, I don't have it. Yet. There is a spell that permits the caster to communicate with the souls of the departed - specifically, we might ask those recently departed who were in the area and might have seen something - might even have helped those two who came before us. I'm talking about the hags, of course. Now, we know that one escaped. Perhaps we might find a way to reach out to her, convince her to tell us what those two were up to. I'm sure there are spells for either plan to be had in Waterdeep, for the right price. As much as protecting the forest is a noble goal, I think a better understanding of this time manipulating device will serve not only this forest, but everyone and everywhere far better."

'Try and talk to the dead bodies. They'll probably be more responsive than the hag whose sisters we killed recently."

Alta frowns. "I can't do much to help, no matter what we do. Magic and subtlety aren't my strong suits."

"Yes, let's go back to Waterdeep. If we're going to try and solve this mystery we can at least go to a tavern or something while we do so."

CHAPTER TWO - AN INVITATION EXTENDED

40

As you all enter Waterdeep, you are approached by courier. He is dressed in all black, and very fancy - like a businessman. He hands one of you a letter, bows, and promptly leaves. It says:

"Greetings, adventurers! My name is Sir Ursas. I, too, was once an adventurer like yourself. It has come to my attention that you have found pieces of an ancient time travelling artifact. I, too, am looking for such pieces as well. I would like to discuss a business proposition that involves finding the rest of the components and paying you all very, very well. I have done research of my own and believe we could be of mutual benefit. Should you wish to discuss this opportunity, please come to my manner in most due haste." 

"This is suspicious. We haven't spoken to anyone about this, but this Sir Ursas already knows that we have the artifact. I'm not saying that we shouldn't go speak with this Ursas, since he probably has some knowledge about the missing gems that we do not. But, we should still be wary of this Sir Ursas, and under no circumstances should we give him the machine."

"Well, I'm not so sure about that - perhaps he is a total altruist, with no ill intentions at all." Replies Hamdel dryly, asking for directions to the Ursas manor.

(The invitation has the address, I should have mentioned that.)

Whispering to the group, Kitsune adds "...and I don't feel comfortable going to meet with this Sir Ursas fellow and bringing our control panel and gems with us...maybe we should hide them somewhere?  Or make a deposit in a armored bank?"

"While I'm not as trusting as Hamdel is of this Sir Ursas, I'd rather us hold the panel and gems and be able to defend them ourselves than leave it with some rent-a-guards at a bank."

"Please, let's not be so paranoid - the man wants to work with us! If he has acquired some of the other pieces, then our combined efforts will lead only to further success! And where safer to keep what we do have than with we few hearty adventurers? Come, if you are so concerned, let's split up the different pieces between us, so that the burden lies on us all. Then let's go find out what this lordling is about."

Dalavash will keep the blue gem for safekeeping, as that’s the one that really worries him. It’s in a small leather pouch next to the holy symbol he wears around his neck.

’I think we should go and see what he has to say. Knowledge is power I feel, and we have precious little right now. Also, if necessary, I can compel the truth from him.’

Alta frowns, having been a bit more taciturn since they left the High Forest. "I don't trust him. At all. But I agree, we need information."