Fianna walks in to the war room where Jahren and Toc are deep in discussion, standing over a map of Cormanthor and apparently discussing trade routes...or something else that seems both in depth and boring. She quickly brings up the topic of Jezun.  Toc seems to consider.  He glances to Jahren, "If Jahren approves of him, then bring him in for the briefing. But, Jahren, if you have any doubt that he's either a spy for Hillsfar, or a potential lieutenant somewhere in Aldlas' network, then send me down and I'll do the briefing up in the house, and it'll be an abridged version.  Meanwhile, I'll prep for the presentation. If you end up trusting this guy, bring dinner down here and I'll get into the details of what's going on." 

Knowing he needs to learn more about the High Mage's position, the challenges facing Yestrel, and what each side could realistically do for one another in a Hillsfar and elven alliance, Jahren lets his conversation with Toc rest for now and greets Fianna warmly.

Listening to her about Jezun and then Toc's instruction, the bard happily obliges.  He goes to meet Jezun and chats him up a bit, leveraging all of his experience and insight to get a read on the newcomer.

((Oh, you mean it was not an intended witty double prank from Fianna? :) Happens with the best of us, I guess.))

Jezun steps into the house, eyes alert, and nods in greeting to Tic and Lacey. He listens to the introductions, bowing politely. "Thank you, I hope to be revealed as sufficiently trustworthy. Ask anything you wish. While you think of questions, Tic, I'd love to know what you've learned of gardening from that book. I've done some in my time, though I've read nothing about it."

Hearing about the losses Toc has suffered, his expression fades a bit, and he nods empathetically. "Perhaps he and I will have things to talk about then."

When Jahren enters the room, Jezun greets him at first as Toc, and then when corrected, takes a few tries to get his name right. "Jahren. JAHren? Okay I'll try but I make no promises. One time I spent a few weeks with the Eladrin in the Feywild and while we learned a lot from each other, and I helped them with some truly gross things that were blighting parts of their forest, I could not get any of their names right, and they decided it would be better if I left. You try saying 'Brijaera Jalavanthjarr' without going crosseyed. She didn't like 'Bri-Jay' at ALL. Anyhow, it's nice to meet you." He engages in more conversation, happily answering questions about teaching SinSin, the monastery he helpful build and left in capable hands, a bit of the story of one reason he began traveling again -- strong malignant influence of the dominion of Shar on his hometown of Telflamm. He hoped one day to learn more and improve himself enough to return and right another wrong. But for now, he was happy to help friends of SinSin in what seemed like an important and serious endeavor.

Jezun's easy to talk to, though he goes off on tangents a lot. He is often very still, and he gives meaningful eye contact. He has dark hair, a lithe figure, an easy grace about him, and wears no armor. Under the bracers on his forearms you can see just a bit of tattoo work, hidden by his clothing and his cloak, which moves oddly in the light. He also carries, or has slung through a loop around his shoulders, a weathered staff that smells of ozone.

Tic lowers the book and looks to Jezun, "Thank you for inquiring as to the book I am reading. Sadly, I am not terribly well suited to absorbing the information contained within. I mostly just enjoy the drawings of the plants. Not to say I'm simple or can't remember things. It's just....knowledge is such an ephemeral thing, wouldn't you say?  That said, if anyone here is ever in mortal danger, I can bring some powerful magic to bear to keep you safe.  Ironic that I should be made knowing so much, and yet be unable to learn about gardening."  

Jahren emerges at the top of the stairs that lead to the basement.  Jahren spends some time interacting with Jezun, but can find no cause to sense any deceit or concern. In fact, he finds Jezun's story about having only recently arrived at Hillsfar believable, especially given the details Jezun shares about the ship and the trip. Knowing that SinSin regards him a trusted ally, in fact his teacher, and was the one to initiate contact certainly seals the deal. Jahren invites Jezun, and everyone else, to the 'war' room. Jezun follows the groups lead into the basement. It's a bit of a crowded affair and nobody else is down here.  But, magic certainly protects this space, for as soon as he's within the basement, all sounds of the outside world vanish. Then Jahren opens a magic ten foot high door into another place.  Soon Jezun is standing within an inter-dimensional mansion, complete with a banquet, transparent ghostly servants, and all manner of decor and furniture. 

The ‘war room’ as Toc has named it was a large square room dominated in the center by a large marble topped table. It's just off of the main hall.  The walls of the room were flat, interspersed with chalk boards and cork walls with papers pinned to them. The table contained a map of Cormanthor with numerous pins all throughout it, and surrounded by books and papers.  A couch, and several other overstuffed sitting chairs were scattered about the boundary of the room, along with many small side tables that held plates of all manner of snacks, and crystal decanters full of various drink options, from juice to wine to beer. 

The magically created food was nourishing and tasty, but it was just all a little too perfect and people seemed quite happy to be bringing the ‘imported’ stew from Lacy, steaming hot with some crusty bread.  Though the magical delights were a nice addition. 

Toc is standing over the large marble table as the group slowly trickles in….bowls of food in hand. Eventually everyone is settles down. 

“Good evening all.  Jezun was it?  I admit, this is a highly unusual point to be accepting new comers, but if the group trusts you, then I trust you. If after this briefing you decide this is not for you, I will of course understand.  That said, I'll need to wipe your memory before you leave." 

There is no hint of a joke there that Jezun can detect....but....maybe the elf has really dry humor.  Tic wanders in, and stays against the back wall, leaning against the 

Toc continues, "Alright, thank you for joining me for this briefing.  I have much to share, and much I’ve learned.”  

There is a large chalk board on wheels. He spins it around and reveals what looks like a pyramid of faces, all connecting up to a top paper that has a sketch on it of a dark figure with a crown. Below the crown on the 2nd level you see a "?", then below that on the 3rd level you see Aldlas Sodhese, and then below that, the 4th level, you note a sketch of a green dragon labeled “Verdant Cloud”, under which are three more green dragons and numerous other faces.  One of the dragons has a big X through it. You also see many other rough sketched faces, or sometimes just names with a "?" where the face would be.  Also under Aldlas Sodhese is someone named Fazrian, under whom it is blank. 

Toc starts speaking, motioning to the figure at the top, “Fianna has mentioned this crowned shadowy figure playing chess that she has envisioned. I believe I know now, who that is: who is pulling the strings on all of these pieces.  I am not sure how familiar you are with battle that took place over Myth Drannor. Elminster, one of the great Archmages of Faerun, was there, battling the leader of the Netheril shadow forces. The reason Elminster brought that city down onto Myth Drannor, was an attempt to kill the enemy leader who was in the city that day. I believe he failed. The creature that led those forces is known by many names.  Sorcerer-King of Jikisdur, Master of Warlock’s Crypt, Liche King, and The Shadow King.  His true name is Larloch, the first Liche. This creature may be the oldest thing ever to walk Faerun. His Liche army was what was brought to bear against Myth Drannor in the final days.  During this final days of the war, they somehow used their liche ways to corrupt many of Baelnorn…the good elven liches. This, my friends, is the enemy behind the board. We can not defeat him, only hope to undo the evil he is brewing and maybe do away with his servants. And perhaps whatever evil he is trying to achieve with the weakening of the weave, If we are lucky. We can win this game of chess, as it were, but we can't defeat the player.”

He stops to let that settle in. Giving everyone a moment of pause. Then he resumes, “Just a bit more then we can discuss. So, Aldlas was reporting to someone, but it could not have been Larloch, and it wasn’t Verdant Cloud. I do not know who that was, nor do I know where to find him. I believe we slew the demons whom he used as a messenger. Regardless, he WAS directing Verdant Cloud. Based on the information we have, it would seem Aldlas was paying Verdant Cloud in magic items to try and secure the region around Myth Drannor from visitors. Her childrens competition, though perhaps real enough, also seems to be a tactic to keep people at bay and drive out locals. Aldlas suggested she specifically reward her children in their competition based on increased collateral damage…such as the druid that Fianna and Mirica came upon who’d been slain. Not entirely an accident after all. I believe we should endeavour to track down whomever Aldlas was reporting to, and eliminate them.  Though we may wish to start but unhinging more of the network of enemies before us.  I’ve summed up the just under two dozen servants of Verdant Cloud identified in these papers.  I’ve also added to the list the only other contact reporting directly to Aldlas I could find, someone named Fazrian.  There are hints about his location being somewhere below Myth Drannor, via a chasm.  Some exploring may be necessary. Or we can go after the beast herself.  Though again, we are stuck without her location.  If we want to go straight for her, the best bet to finding her may be to find one of her top servant in the woods. One of them, Ezhia, a yuan-ti pureblood in specific, there are notes about his displacer beasts….this may have been the person Mirica and Fianna ran into in the woods. Perhaps, if you’ve seen him, you’re in a position to try and scry on him?  Or we can return to the ruins and explore. I feel like the ruins are a key part of Larloch’s plans. There must be a reason he wants them secured.  For many of the other lesser servants, I think I can just provide the information to the elves of Semberholme who should be able to take care of them once we pass along the intelligence regarding their operations.” 

He pauses, tapping off his notes in a book before him.  “Right, so…that’s it.  That’s the big reveal.”

He scans faces, wondering perhaps if anyone is going to stand up and just walk away.  

Jezun spends the monologues quietly sipping his stew, refilling his bowl, and emptying a second anew. He is, seemingly, entirely unfazed by what Toc reveals. "You are very organized. Impressivee. I bet you rarely lose socks." He pauses. "Three questions. Do you know what this Larlock seems to want? Does it relate to the gods? And is there any chance it is connected to the dominion of Shar? They have been awful where I am from."

 By contrast, Mirica was very attentive and concerned. Though first thing she said was the answer to one of the Jezun's question: "The Morninglord wants this darkness to be purged," she said with a firm conviction of a true believer," though I could not imagine the task is so grand." She shook her head. "The Shadow King... Bogeyman of the old songs and legends as a real enemy... Hard to believe even after everything we saw already. Usually I would be the one to say - let's go to the source, but if this is our enemy - I guess you are right, even a slight distortion of his plans would be a great victory. I vote for another visit into the ruins."

She thought a bit more and added a question of her own: "Fianna knows more about scrying Ezhia, but may be your elves could search for the signs of the lair too? Druids know them - may be this is the reason dragons killed her? Verdant Cloud should be old enough to affect forest around her lair, there had to be someone around who knows what to look for".

Toc furrows his brow when Jezun, non-plussed, mentions not losing socks, and seems to consider this for a few moments. Then he moves onto Jezun's questions...  "Larloch's aims? Who knows. He has, in the past, made an attempt at godhood I believe. So it could be such an attempt. However, it also seems to be related to the weave. Not sure if you've seen them, but the weave seems to be damaged in some way, with these strange physical distortions, or....tears in the fabric. Aldlas was definitely working to increase these, though he never mentions how or why. I have seen no connection to Shar in any of these papers. I will certainly ask Coronal Ilsevele Miritar to ensure her scouts are looking for such signs. However...Verdant Cloud has lived in Cormanthor for hundreds of years, as have the elves, and no such signs have ever been seen.  Sure, it's a big place, but...I think if here lair were a typical green dragons lair, she would have been found already." 

He glances around at the rest of the party looking for reactions or questions.

He taps his chin some more, "Though, actually. Shar and Larloch have always been closely related. Larloch staved off Shar's agents attempts to use the Myth Drannor mythal to displace Mystra.  During the great battle with Myth Drannor, Shadow Lord Telamont....Shar's lieutenant on Faerun....was slain by Elminster. It's entirely possible that Shar is somehow part of what's going on still...but...I have seen no correspondence in Aldlas' notes about it."

Jahren raises an eyebrow at mention of Ezhia and whether or not those who met him could scry on him.

     "I'm not very good at it, my mind just doesn't work that way... But one thing I do know about chess is that a draw is a major victory when you're playing against someone who is so far out of your league," Fianna says slowly, gathering her thoughts.  "And while the king is always the target, the best plays never go after it directly. It's a game of feints and deceits, threats and sacrifices, gambits and misdirection....  Though some of those words mean the same thing.  Hmph." Fianna shrugs.

     "As for the dark figure in the woods with the captured elves he wished to turn into slaves, and the displacer beasts as guard dogs..." Fianna's voice turns dark as she speaks of this person.  "I remember him well, and still wish him ill.  Alas, I'm afraid the power to spy in on this creature is not currently one allowed to me. The fey kind can be... whimsical about their gifts, granting and revoking them for their own fancy."  

     ((Upon leveling I think I dropped Scrying for Earthbind, thinking I may want to try to keep a dragon or demon or such from flying away...  oops.))

     "But be that as it may, they would be a piece I would very much like to take off the board..."

((Mirica actually can scry, so, if we are going after the dragons - it's an option))

"Gods willing, I can find that man. Probably." Mirica did ask for god's help in spying often (if ever) and was not sure her pray will be granted. "He was evil, yes. But a victim too - he did not serve the dragon willingly. Not that it changes anything, of course, just another piece of the puzzle." "I mean to say, if we are willing to begin with the dragons, you are right, Toc, the scrying for Ezhia is possible and might be the simplest way."

Jezun looks largely happy and amazed his question about Shar was not laughed out of the house by an organized, knowledgeable fellow who still has all his socks.

”Scrying? Is that like spying?”

Toc looks about the room, "Well....nobody got up and left. I feel like that's a win. Along with of course...having all my socks."  He looks to Jezun, "Is...that a problem where you come from? You know what, it isn't important right now. Alright, so, I hear a couple votes for trying to track down Verdant Cloud and dissuading her from trying to claim Cormanthor and putting a crinkle in the attempt to keep folks away.  To be honest, this would also help us bring both Hillsfar and Elven forces to bear on lesser servants in the area. As long as the dragons are in play....it puts most other allies we may have at risk trying to help in the area. Perhaps a peaceful conversation would do the trick. And I hear one vote for exploring the ruins further in the hopes of learning more about Larloch's servants and what's going on there, particularly with the pulled threads. And Jahren, you've yet to give us your opinion. And Jezun, I know you're new here, but perhaps an outsiders view on the topic would be valuable if you think one path has more value than another." 

Jahren has tried to hold out and be one of the last to speak, wanting to hear about the scrying possibilities, etc. first.  His mind tugs at him to satisfy his own curiosities about Myth Drannor and the ruins and not leave Larloch's secrets and the threat to the weave itself unchecked any longer than necessary, but he also considers Toc's words about removing the dragons from the equation freeing up troops from both Hillsfar and the eleven nation.  Knowing the dragons will always be an added threat while pursuing just about any path, he speaks up and votes for scrying and pursuing Verdant Cloud.  He does find a way to politely as how they might persuade an ancient green dragon against its current will however, a task even he of the silver tongue lacks confidence in.  The bard knows it is likely a fight to death yet again in this pursuit.

"You each seem to know these powerful entities so well, and I am new here, so I defer to your expertise on what the tactics and strategy will be," Jezun says. "The one thing I will say -- if we can stop harm happening to innocents, we should. Slavery is an abomination. As to who to target first, it's funny. For most of my life in this world, I would always start at the bottom and work my way up. As I learned more, however, I found that I could bypass those who toil at the bottom to stop entire schemes by aiming higher. Perhaps we should aim higher. And perhaps the potential benefit of learning more by talking to adversaries outweighs the downside of losing the element of surprise in combat."

He nods in acquiescence when Toc doubts a link between Larloch and Shar. And he grins when Toc notes no one left the room, exuding, somehow, modest confidence.

     “I agree that persuading Verdant Cloud to our way of thinking is... unlikely is too soft a phrase.  Perhaps impossible while the stars still rest in the sky? But that still seems too optimistic,” Fianna chimes in.  “For talk to win the day with one such as she I cannot help but think one would need much to offer and bargain with.  Offers and bargains such as Verdant Cloud didn’t think she could just claim with her own might...”

     “No, I think she is a piece we should avoid.  A piece we need to expose to risk by removing the pawns and rooks around them.  Even the ancient dragon is not an island of power.  She has her children, she has assistants, and lacked and servants.  It is there I’d propose us to be striking, not at the ancient one herself.  Not yet.  Not any time soon... not until she is defenseless and alone.  When she has only her own powers to draw upon, then perhaps we have a chance...”

     “Remove the dragon mother’s power structure... Free up more soldiers to deal with more mundane threats.  Then explore deeper into Myth Drannor and the weave and the troubles there... such could lead us to weapons or knowledge that would be helpful later, but again would be more of clearing the board before striking out at the major pieces...”

     Fianna paced the room sand avoided ed eye contact.  She generally wasn’t one to speechify or to plan strategies but she was one to follow her instincts... and say what was on her mind.

     “I feel we too are just pieces upon the board.  The final battle may not involve us at all.  We are to play our role and the game will sort itself out... and I believe our role is to ensure nothing is easy for our foes.  That their every move is fraught with danger.  We are the ones who harry and threaten, and we only strike at the royal pieces if and when they overstep themselves and leave themselves unguarded.” 

Mirica nodded without even a sight. "You already mentioned sacrifices of the game-pieces and we are just that in the hands of gods." She did overcome the temptation to elaborate more on the subject (not without some internal struggle) and simply added: "I will try to find Ezhia. Even if we are not going after Verdant Cloud right away, to know where to look if/when we do can be useful. Or may be where not to go for now."

"You have a silver mirror or a crystal ball for it?" Mirica was sure Toc ought to have a room dedicated to scrying here, but she did not carry the necessary stuff.

"Remind me never to play Fianna in chess" remarks Jahren in jest, and in a tone that should be taken as a compliment.

Jezun walks over to Fianna. He gives a small bow, and offers his hand to shake. "You speak a great deal of sense. Thank you."

He then tries to help find a spare mirror or crystal ball (in a house he knows nothing about).

     Fianna blushes slightly at the compliments but demurs a bit.  "Is it any different in your classes, Jezun?  Do you instruct going for the knockout blow first, or to wear the opponent down in order to set it up?" 

     Meanwhile she digs through he bag of holding and pulls out a mirror.  She frowns and sticks it back into the bag. "Sorry, steel not silver."