You leave the Spire without issue and a short walk brings you to the House of the Arcane. Eight tusk-like towers are embedded in the walls of this monumental building, their spires arching over its shattered roof like the teeth of some ancient beast.

This grand academy looks like it once trained mages, guiding each one toward the school of magic that would define their life’s work. Now the place lies broken and open; you slip inside through one of the gaping holes in its outer walls.

The study halls and towers are empty—nothing of value remains. But the auditorium still holds something of interest.

Eight stained-glass windows, cracked but glowing with faint arcane light, overlook the ruined space. Rows of frost-glistening benches lie broken and scattered, all facing a raised lectern at the front. Upon the lectern rests a bejeweled goblet. Thin wisps of steam rise from its contents and vanish into the cold air.

The dwarf keeps a firm grip on his hammer, ready to use it, as the Fellowship leaves the Spire and makes its way toward the House of the Arcane.
When the group reaches the auditorium, Krom gestures toward the goblet. “What do you think we’re supposed to do?” he asks his companions. “Pour some beer into it and drink? Touch it?”

(Kazri fetches Oli on their way to the House of the Arcane)

"Your guess is as good as mine Master Krom." Kazri keeps her shield and sword at the ready.

"It's a goblet.  I think you drink from it." Chill remarks in answer to Krom's question.  "The book said empowered by the goblet"

Chill looks to Rhogar for confirmation

"I take that to mean you need to drink from it."

Even once the group reached their destination, Rhogar remained on edge. As the lack of activity felt more like the calm before the storm than anything else. But with the silence broken by Krom's words, the dragonborn first exhaled, releasing some of the tension, and then looked to the others. "You would have the right of it, Chill. Or at least, so things should be. Though for all we know, whatever is making that wisp steam could very well need be poured on our heads for the magic to work." He said with a small smirk, then looked more seriously at the goblet. "Alas, as powerful as I am, a deeper indentification that magic might provide is currently beyond me. So, let us be on with it." If no one stops him, Rhogar began making his way to the lectern with a resolute look about him, and every intent to at least take a sip of whatever remains of the goblet's contents.

Chill watches as Rhogar takes a drink.  If it looks safe and Rhogar doesn't get turned into anything ... unnatural... then he'll drink next.

Krom watches with attention as Rhogar drinks from the goblet. If nothing happens to dragornborn and the tabaxi, he too will also drink.

Rhogar steps to the lectern and takes a closer look at the goblet. The goblet is embedded with eight colored crystals that Rhogar surmises represent the eight schools of magic. The liquid inside it looks like hot water. His spell reveals an aura of divination magic on the goblet and indicates that the liquid carries auras of all eight schools of magic. The liquid isn’t poisonous or harmful, and it never runs dry as long as the goblet remains in the auditorium. He also learns that one who drinks from the goblet gains a supernatural charm.

Seeing that it is safe Rhogar takes a drink.  The liquid looks like hot water and tastes the same. 

7

Chill, seeing no ill effects and Rhogar not reporting any, also drinks

8

He passes the goblet to Krom who also drinks

4

Both Rhogar and Krom feel the power of the Charm of the Abjurer. This charm allows you to cast the blade ward cantrip as an action at will. After 24 hours, this charm vanishes from you.

Chill feels the Charm of the Diviner. This charm allows you to cast the true strike cantrip as an action at will. After 24 hours, this charm vanishes from you. 

Rhogar smacks his lips a little, forgetting for a few moments to pass along the goblet while trying to focus on discerning any noticeable taste to the liquid. "I do not know why, but I half expected it to taste a little more... minty But, it's refreshingly hot at least." He scoffed, shrugged, and then stared at the goblet with a half amused look about him. But at any reminder, be it gentle or not, Rhogar would smile apologetically while finally passing over the goblet.

Despite to some extent having learned what the goblet could do, the dragonborn still watched as the others drunk from it with a faint and lingering sense of worry. One that only appeared to ease as the others came out the proverbial other side appearing still hale and hearty. "Now it's just you, La-... *ahem*... Kazri. Once that's done, we shall tarry not a moment longer and immediately for the door again."

“That was a bit strange,” Krom says after drinking from the goblet. “Rhogar,” the dwarf adds, turning to the dragonborn, “do you think I should drink from it again after Kazri?”

He pauses, thinking. “It occurred to me that the potion I drank had the same hue as the one you did. The script in Draconic mentioned that three or more people empowered by the goblet in the House of the Arcane must be seated correctly in the Chamber of the Ebon Star. If my interpretation is correct, it should be enough for Kazri to drink a different colour from the one we already drank to unlock the chamber.”

Chill tasted the water. "Just hot water, interesting.  I want expecting mint but certainly something more than just hot water." he said after Krom had also drank some and Rhogar spoke.

Hearing Krom's comments he nods in agreement.  

"Yes, I think Kazri must also drink.  I think we will need 3 different effects for the goblet to do the job properly."

"Hmm... My only concern, Krom, is that it's unlikely to have any affect until after the first empowerment fades. And at worse, overindulgence might cause some harm to you." Rhogar confesses. "By all accounts neither should be the case, but if it comes down to it, someone will certainly have to take the chance as Chill here-" He makes a sweeping gesture towards the Tabaxi. "-has rightly ascertained, if indirectly so. It is a shame, but to the best of my knowledge, there is no other way to assure the right enchantment is taken in."

Kazri hesitates for a moment before taking the goblet from Rhogar. She is not necessarily wary of poison, but really from anything of magic in nature. Since all the companions were fine, she drinks from it as well.

6

Kazri drinks and feels the effects of the magic of the goblet.

Charm of the Transmuter. This charm allows you to cast the prestidigitation cantrip as an action at will. After 24 hours, this charm vanishes from you. 

As Kazri drinks, Krom watches the colour of the goblet's contents closely. "It's a different colour," The dwarf says, "Now we should have what it takes to open the secret door in the Chamber of the Ebon Star. Let's head back with haste my friends." Krom gestures towards the exit and readies himself to return to the Spire.

"Indeed. And while we're at it, we can ask our not so, uhh... the brain piloting that suit of armor about the names of the other tower masters or what-have-you. Just in case it matters going forward." Rhogar pauses, and then while scratching his cheek smiled a little sheepishly. "And admittedly, the, uhh, academic in me is a touch curious. Never mind that it would behoove us--er, me to bring something back for Vellynne. Even if it's not much." He said with a chuckle, before then making his way to the exit. 

The hair behind Kazri's neck tingles with the charm coursing through her body. So, it seems that she now knows a little bit about magic. Then she hears Rhogar mention bringing something to Vellynne. It seems so long ago now the last time she saw her in the frozen garden.

Chill looks up at Rhogar.  

"What are you going to bring her?"