Varen steps to the long boat, fingering a pair of copper pieces in her coin pouch, ready for the fare if required.

Is that an actual undead creature, or just a humanoid who's a bit... guant?

Perception 15

Elavor looks sideways at Ronegan. Then over to Varen who has just gotten aboard... "I've seen parts of this city few can even image or dream of... NEVER have I seen this. The shop above isn't any particular place I recall...This sunken city..  Are both of you all right with this voyage? You're both familiar with .. umm.. magical stuff. So, if this type of "skeleton-ferry man with a forgotten city" thing is normal...." Elavor breaks off... considering for a moment. "Wait, I wonder if this connects at all with.." 

 He follows Varen on to the gondola... noticing her hands at her coin pouch, he smiles. And follows suit, better to be prepared for a transaction than worried about a debt. 

(During the voyage, curiosity would get the better of him, and he'd check his maps. If he could find a map readily enough, and connect it with where they were, he would inform the others. )

Ronegan stares in unabashed wonder and delight at the things he sees as he comes down to where the gondola waits. He bounds onto the boat enthusiastically after the others, beaming.

"This truly is...spectacular. " The halfling says, absolutely enthralled.

Varen it is indeed a gaunt human that gives the impression of something not exactly alive but not categorically undead. The party gets inside the gondola and the gondolier takes no payment. Moving through the water towards a pinpoint of light ahead of them they then pass through an invisible veil revealing a spectacular ruin teaming with life!

At the docks the party discovers a myriad of races and a bazaar that almost mirrors the one that must be above! There are shops and kiosks dotting the bazaar ahead with several magical creatures, bipedal and on all fours, moving about freely with the known races. The sight is dazzling to the eyes!

Ronegan grips Elavor's arm with an increasing intensity and excitement, the wizard positively quivering. "This...this is what I've dreamed about uncovering. It...is..incredible. I mean, the possibilities of knowledge that exist here! The things we could learn. THE SPELLS! By Gods, man, the spells." Realizing what he was doing, he hastily lets go of Elavor's arm. "I wonder if they have any kiosks that sell food? What do these creatures even eat?"

He rushes ahead of his companions, calling out to them behind him. "Come on, you lot! There is so much knowledge to be gleaned from this place.

Ronegan will look specifically for any kiosk or stall that specifically caters to the arcane -- spells or magical items in particular. He wants to speak to someone about the wasting sickness, the Darkness and healing magic, and NEW SPELLS!

Investigation - 10

Varen gives a whistle of amazement as the ferry passes the veil. "I wasn't sure what to expect... but certainly nothing to THIS scale! Ferryman, does this place have a name?" she asks, seeing if the creature is capable of response.

As Ronegan leads his excited charge into the arcane bazaar, Varen follows, keeping an eye out for two locations - a place she can buy additional components for her mutagens, and signs of her Order. If there is a place to find information on arcane matters, the hunters there will have it.

Investigation 24

Varen's questions to the gondolier go unanswered.

Ronegan is far too overwhelmed by sights and smells to focus on a certain person or shop looking around but notices a group of elves speaking to a centaur carrying satchels. Meanwhile Varen discoveries a ruined stone building that has a sign with the blood hunter symbol:

There's a piece of black fabric stretched over the top of the ruined building creating a makeshift roof. Outside Varen can see a gathering of leather and metal armor-clad individuals. There are three of them: a leather-clad person with cat-like features who is speaking animatedly to a pale gray gnome in scale mail and a human man with short dreadlocks pulled into a top knot wearing a breastplate with Medusa's head emblazoned on it!

Varen motions Elavor over, looking at Ronegan. "Keep an eye on him... he's so excitable he's half likely to explode! I'll be over there," she says, motioning to the tarp-covered ruin with the red-and-silver sign.

Varen approaches the trio, taking a closer look at them. "Greetings, Brothers." (OOC: And if the cat like person or gnome is female, she will add in "and Sister.") "I am Varen, an Ironblood of Deephallow Keep and Bhil Durahl. I'm newly arrived, and am hoping the Order has some information on recent events."

Does she recognize the Medusa symbol? History/Arcana 6

Elavor nods at Varen. He was uncommonly silent during the boat voyage, and smiled when the veil was lifted and Ronegan excitedly gripped his arm. It's always nice to be around those that value knowledge. How could he never have known this place existed?? His eyes start to become overwhelmed with the overload of information as he tries to remember everything he is seeing... 

Varen motioning to him breaks him out of his reverie, and he readily agrees "I'll make sure there aren't any explosions... I hope." 

Elavor then walks and follows Ronegan, keeping an eye out for anything interesting... either readily at hand, that he could lift. Or any signs or symbols that might catch his attention (OOC: Using Thieves Cant) ...  "I wonder if any of these places have daggers... or .. Ronegan! I bet there are some VERY old maps here... SOMEONE has to have them... "  

Perception? 18

Investigation? 21

Almost overheated with excitement, Ronegan wills himself to focus on the centaur and the elves in discussion and wander over to hear the discussion, trying to judge from their body language and the tone of the conversation what precisely is going on.  "Hello friends. I am a newcomer to this...wondrous place. Can you direct me to someone who deals in spells or, perhaps more importantly, is knowledgeable about such matters. I have need of such an expert."

Insight (or Perception -- It's the same bonus): 14

Varen you're not really sure of the gender of the person with cat-like features, they seem androgynous, but approaching and calling out they pause in their conversation turning to you.

"Greetings Iron Blood," the cat-like person replies. "I am called Bane of the Darkness in your tongue," they say with a curt nod. "I am guided by the Great Old One and seek out abominations on this plane," they add.

The gnome nods and the human man grins. You have never seen the Medusa symbol on his armor before but you know of the great gorgon it depicts!

"New," the human begins. "The high king is dying and the church has decided on a new crusade against the Darkness.  Which we all know means anyone who doesn't conform to their ideal for living and worship. This tournament is a distraction! Did you come with a house," the human man probes curtly. "I am Ramsey Pedryas...yes of house Pedryas," he adds holding out his scarred hand to Varen grinning a toothy grin! 

"Beware the handshake," the grey skinned rock gnome retorts smirking, "he bites," the gnome adds as Ramsey sighs rolling his amber eyes. "Tobias Blackwood ghost slayer," introduces himself.

Meanwhile...

Ronegan and Elavor approach the group of elves and the centuar who all give you both curious looks.

"Welcome to the Umbryl Arcana," a dark haired male elf replies. "Plenty of places to find what you're looking for," he adds gesturing around at the shops and kiosks. "Works of magic can be found for sale just about everywhere but the real collection of magical learning would be found in the grand library just there in the four corners," he explains pointing towards a far away point where Ronegan and Elavor can see the bazaar is transected by four roads converging on the tallest ruin. The roads are about a cart wide lined with shops and stalls as well as hundreds of people!

"For fair prices my brother's shop isn't far," the centaur speaks up. "That is if you're in a hurry and don't have time to petition the library for membership," he adds.

The painted horse bodied centaur with black and white patches who's board chest wears a fine shirt and his braided hair adorned with jewels. He's also wearing a drum on his back.

Elavor you notice a cartography shop not far off the plaza from where the centaur points out his brothers shop.

Varen gives a nod to Bane as a response, and flashes a slight grin to Tobias as she accepts a handshake from Ramsey. Her right hand is clear of scars, but she keeps her left more observable than she typically does. "Seems like all our different... techniques... are represented here. I call House Firstforge my home."

She looks to Ramsey as she speaks. "We were attacked by those wearing the sigils of other houses -- Caelano, Marshfield, Turco. I expect you met the same, Ser Pedryas?"

History 15 -- Where does Ramsey rank in the Pedryas family?

Edit/OOC: rolling REAL hot on these history rolls :(

Ronegan's eyes are now the size of dinner plates, and he turns to look at Elavor. "The grand library..." He says in a hushed, reverent whisper. His eyes follow to where the library is.

"We can't, surely? The King will expect us back soon enough and we do not dare keep Ran waiting, right?" He seems to be trying to convince himself more than his half-elf companion.

 Ronegan thinks for a moment and straightens up. "There is time enough to visit that library. Let's go shopping my friend. Can you imagine the maps they'd have in that shop?"

He will walk towards the shop the centaur pointed out, watching the library with a wistful look every step of the way.

Elavor joins Ronegan in his march towards the centaur brothers shop... when he sees the cartography shop he nearly stumbles a step.   "Ronegan... friend. An entire store. OF MAPS." He slaps Ronegan on his shoulder, almost hard   " Listen, if I duck in there, meanwhile you go to the centaur's brothers shop, and THEN we go to the library... we'll be ok on time, right?! I mean, I'll just be a couple minutes in the cartographers and then I'll come over to the shop you're in, and then off to the library... which looks oddly ancient... and then we meet back up with Varen... and... " Elavor takes a deep breath, smelling the night air in this odd ancient underground city, his eyebrows furrow and he looks at Ronegan...  "Say, am I being bewitched or something?" 

"I was exiled by my family Ironblood so no I wasn't attacked on tbe road," Ramsey says. "I heard my cousin narrowly escaped a blood bath but I'm not surprised whomever did attack them tried swiping their stinking line from Embera," he adds gritted teeth. "All I know is my cousin is probably more devout than ever," he adds.

"Ramsey...please remember your temper," Bane says stroking his arm lovingly. 

Turning to you.

"So the rumors were true. All houses were implicated no?" Bane of the Darkness asks with a curiously cocked eyebrow.

......

Ronegan approaches the shop it's a large building of stone ruin with a makeshift wooden roof. There's runes carved outside shimmering with magic warding. There are slits in the stone where stained glass reveals a warm lit interior glowing from the inside out. Above the front doors, carved delicately into an a fixed wood placard the name of the establishment can be seen, Tully's Treasure Trove. Opening the door to the interior of the building it's quite warm and well-lit by lanterns that floated in the air. These slowly gyrating lanterns contained candles within them which flickered together as though a wind was blowing over their flames. The inside the large singularly visible chamber a long table with a few small books laid out, and on a velvet raised platform looked to have been a long rapier, jeweled and gorgeous. On the back wall there was a shelf filled with many books. In front of this shelf is a desk. There us also a glass cases at the far end of the room full of bits and bops for spell components from eyelashes in gum Arabic to diamonds glittering in view. A dappled gray centaur with soft shoulder length hair has their back to you two and is dusting shelves of books behind the long counter.

"Yes. Every house seems poised against each other. The Dahkr and Caelano almost came to blows in the palace over this."

She looks over the other hunters. "There's an entity called the Dark Wanderer. Seems this person is putting the houses against each other. Perhaps to start a war."

She pauses. "A war that could kill thousands, in the end."

"It is the siren song of knowledge, my friend. The sweetest music of all!" He grins broadly at Elavor and practically skips to the shop.

As Ronegan enters the shop, he nods in appreciation, his fingers caressing the books he sees laying out on the table.

"Hello friend. This shop is remarkable! I was told that you are one of the most knowledgeable people to see regarding the arcane in this place. I am Ronegan Gallowglass, and I am...well, I am a wizard." The little halfling starts in surprise. It was the first time he had said it aloud. It felt good. He repeats it once more, savoring the words.

"I am looking for knowledge. Of spells -- and what is truly happening above us. There are people whose well-being is very important to me. I want, or need, to ensure their safety."

Party 1

Once the two paladins have gone, Ran looks down at Petal.

"Well done. They didn't get anything from us and confirmed a few things that were only rumors," Ran says. "They seemed straight forward enough, but if there is someone in the palace behind the Dark Wanderer, we don't know who to trust."

Ran looks around the suite.

"We may want to make sure all other doors and windows are secured. If the Dark Wanderer already has supporters on the island, they may be bold enough to try something tonight before the inquisition tomorrow."

He begins moving through the room to secure any windows but calls over to Kiran.

"Do you know anything about what the questioning will be like tomorrow?"

(Meanwhile, back in the royal apartments...)

Kiran shrugs a little uncertainly, "I'm afraid not, that's not a part I was involved in. My role was bringing them in for inquisition, I was not told what happened after. I would hope, with the whole empire watching this closely, they will be cautious how they handle it. But I'm afraid I've never been much of an optimist."

Ran looks at Kiran carefully when he mentions having brought people in to be questioned.

"Were you told who to bring in or was it your call?" he asks.

Petal smiles up at Ran’s comments of approval. “Thanks, I just....” As they continue on, talking about the inquisition.

She locks eyes with Kiran, nervously gets closer and interrupting in a hushed voice. ”If they find out about me, Ronnie, or he King we’re dead right? But.... wether they execute us or not, we’re dead anyway. We all have the wasting sickness - I’ve sensed it. And poor Elavor has it the worst..... when he went down, I begged the land to help him and.... even though  I knew the land was poisoned by the darkness, I had no idea that it would pass it on to Ellie! It’s my fault, and without the help of the church.... I don’t want to think what would happen. I need to make this right, so please Kiran.... the church trusts you. I’ll do anything, I’d even join the church - is there anything you can do to help save my friends? When they question me tomorrow..... I’ll tell them everything they want to hear, can you coach me please?”

Ran listens as Petal bares her soul to Kiran. As she speaks, he realizes that it's easy for him to act brave and stoic. What does he have to lose in all of this? He wasn't touched by magic, whether from the Lightbringer or from other sources. He was going to live out his life without the constant threat of the wasting sickness looming over his head. But every day for Petal was a struggle yet she kept going, being brave, and with a smile. She wasn't a soldier but she had his respect.

While Kiran ponders how to answer, Ran asks a question that has been on his mind since the talk of the wasting sickness and the Dark Wanderer began to dominate.

"I thought the Lightbringer and his minions defeated the Darkness before," Ran starts and looks to Kiran. "But did they? Or did it just go away on its own? Because if it did, it's possible it just decided to come back on its own too."

Ronegan smiles broadly. "I need protection. If I am to help those I care about, I need to make myself much less of an easier target, it seems." He pats his belly self-deprecatingly. "If you have any defensive spells to make me a bit of a harder target, I would be very grateful. Or..." he adds, eyes glistening, "Anything that gives me some sense of foreknowledge. That is something of my...specialty."

As Tully is looking for the spells, Ronegan will lean on the counter casually, and say. "I am sure you know, but research into the arcane, the Darkness and healing magic is, well, frowned upon is too gentle a word. Are there any especially learned folk down here who are studying these questions? I would like to consult their expertise on behalf of someone important. He is a...friend of those who dwell down here."