Jezun whispers to Jahren and Chen, "what are we hoping to learn in this? And after we try, then what?"

(Sorry for the delay. I blame the kids.)

Chen remembers with fondness Mirica's home-in-a-pocket, and the generous helpings of delicious food that he enjoyed there, so he wavers for a moment of indecision before agreeing to accompany Jahren and help escort Ezhia.

As they prepare to leave and Ezhia explains his role, Chen asks darkly: Did you have a part in arranging the attack on the caravan to Cormyr?

Ezhia glances over at Chen with sudden fear and apprehension, though the shock on his face is telling enough to all three that he's being truthful, "No...no. The wyrm used another servant for that job. Ambushin' caravans isn't really my style. If I had to guess, it'd be a fella named Kevin Marzin. He's a scoundrel who runs with a pretty nasty crew...along with his woman, a necromancer named Daja. They been known to work in Cormyr for the Cloud." He seems pretty eager to share the details..perhaps hoping to redirect some of the ill will from the group in another direction.  

Feel free to roll an Insight check. DC: 13

Ezhia looks to Jahren..."So...uh...where we headed?"

Ah, why not. Insight: 13

hehe, right on target

Great question, Chen!  Insight: 27

"Since I know you want to be helpful, just spit it out.  Where could we find this Kevin Marzin, and where, generally speaking, is Verdant Cloud's lair?"

Pending that answer, Jahren tells Ezia "to the Sythe trading office."  The bard then tells Jezun "if we can gather more information, or evidence even, on how the trade guild is undermining Yestral, we could potentially achieve many things.  First and foremost, we may be able to remove the bounty on our heads, and perhaps more importantly on other, more innocent potential victims such as Lacy.  On the larger stage, if we can rid Yestral of the burdens of the trade guild corruption, the benefits could cascade throughout the region.  Aiding Yestral could yield further change here in Hillsfar including further moving away from the racism that grips the city, and could free Yestral up to aid the elves if we can make it worth his while.  There are too many opportunities here to pass up."

The bard adds "it is unfortunate that our time and attention are spread thin in recent days, and that not all in our party see the potential for a rising tide to raise all ships, not just their own."  "If given a moment to breath between emergencies, I would have us move to a more proactive stance on these issues than a reactive one.  On that note, let's get moving.  Lead the way, my new friend!"

     Fianna suggests Toc and Mirica rest.  “I’ll stay up and alert to make sure the critters don’t come looking to snack on us.”

     If needed, Fianna will insist, pointing out they both need more rest than she in order to recover their spells...  and assuming the beasts are no trouble she may even get enough rest while on watch anyway.  Fianna will stay awake during the watch but will largely be resting, assuming the more cooperative critters (lion and pseudodragon and boar, oh my!) would cause a ruckus before the beasts got too close.

In a pocket universe all to itself, Fianna sits, calm and thoughtful on the front porch of the log cabin. Occasionally she spots the two cats that prowl through the forest..they seem quite satisfied to roam the world on their own, while staying nearby.  Inside, Toc sits cross legged, meditating on a pad on the floor, while upstairs in a room to herself, Lacy sleeps, and Mirica dozes in another room. She absently wonders how her allies are doing.

----------------------------

Chen thinks Ezhia is holding something back, but Jahren can already figure it out. As Verdant Cloud's operative in the city, Ezhia may not have attacked the caravan, but someone must have told Verdant Cloud where Chen had gone. Ezhia was likely the only one to be in a position to do so....and his omission of his role in the attack makes the truth strikingly clear. Jahren's eyes dart to Chen, unsure how the Dragon Kin would react to the information. 

Ezhia clears his throat, seeing Jahren's knowing eyes scan him, and seems relieved to change the topic quickly, "Marzin? His group operates out of a place called Temple Acheron, south of the Tilverton Scar and Gnolls pass."  He stops....hesitating on the second piece of information. Jahren suspects he's wondering if, once revealed, his life will be forfeit but he rightly decides he has no choice either way, and starts talking. "She has recently re-laired. Her lair used to be in the Moonsea, some underground caves off the coast to the east. But...now she has some lair beneath the ruins of Myth Drannor. There are two entrances. One is some magical teleporting picture. In some ruined building there...a fresco of a ship entering a harbor. Requires a magical password that I don't know.  The other way in, is the way I have gone, which is by crawling down into a tiny crack amidst the rocks...its within the ruins. Its hard to describe where it is...I think I'd need to show you."

"You will get rest here whether you want it or not, and the beasts... as fey as they are, they are steal beasts and this is a new place to explore. Do not think they will give us any trouble," smiled Mirica to Fianna, but did not insist for the elven girl to drop her watch. She, herself went to the lake first: there was a place a few dozens yards away from the main path, where the rocky forest brook entered the lake, forming the slow eddying pool with the sandy floor and water cleaner than any crystal. The water was not magical, but half an hour in that natural spa could rejuvenate both the body and the spirit, and if they were going to stay in her place tonight, Mirica as well could use the full rest.

((All in all, Fianna has nothing she wishes to accomplish during this time except rest and allow the others to do so as well.  If it is possible for Toc to sketch out the sigil sequence of the teleportation circle from his house and Fianna to learn it that way, she would of course be interested in doing that.  She would also inquire if he had other such that he would be willing to share...  But not sure if there is more involved, such as actually being there to see it in person or such.))

Jezun nods seriously, pretending to have understood everything Jahren said. He then focuses more on Ezhia and plays with his ethereal hands, getting used to them.

Chen nods and grimaces darkly, making a mental note about Kevin Marzin, Daja, and Temple Acheron, and resolves to pay them a visit after dealing with the dragons. Vengeance had never been a huge priority for the gentle barbarian, but then the death of the innocent caravanners, including the squires of the paladin, had hit him harder than any blow from sword or spell, and he intended to hit back with prejudice.

Jahren gives Chen a nod when they receive more information about Marzin and the caravan attack, a silent conformation perhaps that the bard understands the importance of this to Chen and will even likely aid him in pursuing this when the time is right.

When Ezhia shares the specifics of Verdant Cloud's lair, Jahren replies "thank you, friend."  "Do not worry, I don't plan to kill you now that you have been so helpful, nor am I in a rush to see your legs broken."  He tries to show Ezhia that he knows his mind and will not be fooled by this agent of Verdant Cloud.  To that point he adds "it is very good that you had absolutely nothing to do with the caravan attack, as I fear Chen would take much more than just legs" with plenty of hinting that Jahren and Ezhia both know this isn't true.

Having all of the general intel he wants for now, he prods Ezhia to lead them to the Sythe trading office.

Fianna is relieved from her watch by Toc who is done his meditating...and lets her go get some rest. Mirica passes by, well soaked in natural spring water and looking rather refreshed but still ready for a nap. A few more hours pass uneventfully and the group gets their sleep. Soon enough, everyone is up, and appetites are present. A banquet of scrambled eggs, sausages, ham, several juices and warm toasted bread slices, along with a generous assortment of jams, honeys, and peanut spread is available.  As they sit about quietly eating, Fianna and Toc discuss magical circles. "Sure, I know several locations I can provide to you. I need to teach you the combinations of arcane symbols unique to any one circle. I'm happy to share several I'm aware of, though some are for Elves only, and some others the rules forbid I teach. I'm inclined to follow the rules for many of these. Unknown users who attempt to land there will often be magically interrogated to give up who taught them the combinations...and both flagged. Anyway, let's start with my circle....it'll take about an hour of study to learn." 

About an hour later she's memorized the sigils needed.  "I also know one for the standing stone at the main crossroads in Cormanthor, one for a tavern in a way station just a mile north of Arabel. There's also one for outside Baldur's gate about one mile east at an Inn called the Elfsong..."  He begins teaching you the arcane symbols for each of those. 

"So, what is our plan. It's morning. We need to find a safe location for Lacy, and you'd like to put these cats somewhere. I can find a spot for them if you wish, but it's temporary, and not very large. Or I can drop them in the middle of the forest. Though honestly, they are not kind or good creatures. They are fairly well known for their bad tempers and inclination to kill for sport and then leave their kill.  The two of them could take down small groups or individuals traveling the forest paths. If you can return them to the Fey, then that would be my preference."  He turns to address Lacy, "I would like to have you spend a bit of time in Semberholme, with the elves, until this all blows over. Are you ok with that?" 

-------------------------------

Ezhia nods and Jahren casts his spell. Ezhia seems to submit as he becomes Ethereal along with Jezun, Chen and Jahren. The world around you fades into a strange black and white haze that vanishes in all directions in a dark fog. Everything seems hazy and blurry and seems to dance as if a strong wind could blow all of reality away. The sounds of the real world seem to come as if through a tube....echo'ing and hollow. To yourselves though, you all seem quite substantial, though much of your color is muted you don't seem to have that same hazy, blurry aspect. Jahren looks to Ezhia, and he nods, he walks to the door to leave, but his hand just floats through the handle. A bit of exploration and he realizes he can just walk through the wall..or a barrel, or in fact it would seem anything. You walk out onto the quiet Hillsfar streets, though with only a sixty foot view before it fades into darkness, it's has become an ominous and threatening place, with buildings and people emerging out of the black fog around you without warning. Ezhia pushes forward. He leads the group around, taking a few moments to double back from locations as he gets a bit disoriented. Eventually however he finds his way to a shipping office in its own building on the main pier. A guard sits at the door on a small bench, his head resting against the back wall....but he is still awake and shifts occasionally. Same as the others you've passed in the street, they seem unable to see or hear you and indeed Ezhia has put his hand through a few folk without notice. He steps through the wall into the office building.  There seems to be a large open room with many work desks, and then several small offices and a large office at the top of the stairs with windows looking down onto the main floor and others looking out across the pier and water. Ezhia attempts the stairs, and then just "wills" himself upwards, floating up into the office with the rest of you in tow. 

"Well, this is Bolis' office. We chatted in here about the plan. Not sure what you hope to find 'ere." 

     “But of course.  I’d not expect you to teach me any secret or guarded sigils.  I’ve enough troubles without popping up someplace unwanted and unexpected...” Fianna assures Toc.

     Regarding the beasts, Fianna will indeed try to send them to the Feywild.  She explains to Toc that if it works as she hopes that she will see him back on the normal plane.  She needs to hop to the Feywild with them in order to send them together, and once that is done she’ll need to rest, then go back to the sigil at Toc’s she just learned...

     She will once again try to speak to them, in common and in elvish, and explain the plan.  “I shall cast my spell and we’ll go to the Feywild.  There you shall be free...  Ezhia may return to collect you, if he wishes.  But more importantly if you wish!  The choice is yours...” Fianna then casts Plane Shift and attempts to send the beasts and herself to the Feywild...

(Sick, always wanted to travel to the Feywild!)

Jahren immediately starts going through the office carefully.  Although he can't necessarily move papers around or open drawers he'll learn what he can about this Bolis, other contacts, and whatever else he can read on any papers, maps, etc. that are available.

The bard also ponders how dangerous Myth Drannor might be to his Ethereal spell with all of its mysterious magic.  He'd hate to get halfway into the dragon's lair and have something mess with the security the spell provides.  Otherwise, they could potentially fly or maybe teleport there and learn of this backdoor Ezhia knows.

Arcana? 19

Jahren, Chen, and Jezun move around the office looking for any clues. Unfortunately it would seem that there's no bloody blade so to speak laying around. You see maps of trade routes across the Moonsea, manifests of shipments of all manner of goods, including fine furs, dragon's breath brandy, faceted gems, fine cloth, and plenty of worked wood, both cut timber, and finished goods such as furniture, wood doors and frames, fencing, farming supplies...the lists are extensive, also showing raw goods coming in including raw lumber on barges, raw furs, uncut gems, and a lot of other raw materials.  It would seem that Trading house Sythe focuses primarily though on gems, furs, and finer produced goods. There are numerous filing cabinets all around, but without an ability to flip even a single page, your search is rather limited. 

Jahren considers his Ethereal spell and travel through Myth Drannor. Honestly, given the rules of the Mythal around it, it's almost impossible for him to know. The elven mythals are so strange, they change the rules of magic inside them. Plus, as Toc mentioned, the one around Myth Drannor seems damaged, which means it's malfunctioning. The Mythal itself seems to be spawning strange magical disturbances....and creatures such as those have a reasonable chance of being able to interact across the threshold of the ethereal...they don't follow any normal rules. Unfortunately he's probably going to have to just try it to see what happens.

-----------------------

Toc nods to Fianna, "Well, maybe Lacy and I can go with you. Then I can bring us all back from the Feywild without any required delay. If you want to stay a while, that's different of course. I wonder, if Mirica come with us, if this little world of hers collapses, or if we could magically travel back into it. I suspect it collapses, and don't know what would happen if we tried to travel to a plane that was collapsed. Could end up on the Astral without a tether....which could be disastrous." (Mirica can let us know if she comes with them or stays and returns to the Hillsfar alley by herself.) 

Then Fianna tracks down the two cats, and tries to reason with the angry animals. Their tails twitch, their ears move constantly, and their fur fluffs out a few times, but eventually they seem to understand that the others need to come close enough to touch, and then she'll take them someplace safe.  Well fed, rested, clean and feeling happy, everyone joins hands with Fianna as summons magic. The lush landscape around you twists and warps as Fianna's powerful spell pulls you all into a swirling vortex of color and chaos. A vast twisting motion and an ear popping "FWUMP" and you clear your head as you glance around at the fantastical terrain around you. You seem to be on a rolling landscape of lush green grass...with the pointed exception of massive, twenty foot shards of purple crystal that jut out of the ground around you like a forest. The crystals are imperfect with cracked edges and glassy breaks through their large surfaces, the stones sprouting up at irregular angles amidst the lush grass. Above, the sky is a smear of orange, red, pink and white...an odd sunset but without any particular direction of light...in fact, no sun is visible. The two cats immediately dance away from the rest of you....and, moving around dance between the crystals. They seem to get further away, moving amidst the crystals, before finally stopping forty feet away and regarding Fianna and the others. A look of understanding passes between them and Fianna. Gratitude. A world that they feel in tune with. Then the two dart away and are soon lost amidst the purple stone.

This place, called the Spring Stone Vale, is familiar to Fianna, which is why they appeared here. Lacy looks around in wonder at the strange landscape. Toc takes it all in as well, though in a quiet, less amazed way, more like someone studying it. Then he glances to Fianna, "Did you want to stay here for a time, or are we departing immediately?"

     "My only business on this trip was to release the beasts," Fianna answers him.  "Some day I shall return to explore but we don't have the time for that now..."  Fianna bites her lip, wondering if releasing the beasts here was truly the right answer, but also knowing she would never really know.  Sometimes you just have to do the best you can and then let things work themselves out.

"I would rather go with you," answered Mirica to the question about traveling, "That place will be here as long as I am here - for some time, but it's days. Still, though you can leave freely, you can not come back without me, that is the very idea of this place magic. If your spell allows all of us to move to all the places - we better pack up and go. Not to meantion, I would not mind to see Feywild myself".

And she did, not hiding her excitement and curiosity. "Is it safe to touch them? The crystals?" Should they be here just on a fun trip she would not ask, but the pressing matters did not leave much room for pure carefree explorations.

Jezun looks around briefly, trying to just notice anything interesting that Jahren might miss, distracted as he might be holding onto the spell.

Perception: 26

Then he starts to really deeply look into things... in drawers and closets by putting his head inside, turning upside down and looking at the bottom of desks, into the wall to look just behind file cabinets, anything. He's mainly practicing acrobatics and trying to be helpful. He also doesn't want to let Ezhia feel too comfortable, so he'll float down into the floor and then rise up quickly right in front of Ezhia's face. "I'm always watching," he says, head slowly tilting and eyes squinting intimidatingly. (He's not always watching.)

Investigation: 13

Chen doesn't really take to the concept of etherealness very quickly. Despite the constant passing through walls, he still ducks his head under doorways or flinches away from obstacles. In the office he chuckles at Jezun's antics but can attempt nothing more adventurous of his own than pretending to 'hit' objects in the room with his hammer. Unsure of what Jahren is looking for and how to help, Chen instead spends most of the time on the rather pointless activity of 'lookout' duty, keeping an eye on Ezhia and watching for anyone approaching.

(Perception: 16 if needed)