((XD We never did figure out where we're spending the night did we? What time is it?))

Lazlo waits patiently for the doors to open, trying to look sufficiently pious and guilty for something.  "This should be fun..." 

Kallista takes the book and leaves the shop, not really sure which way she should go to try and find everyone else, and not really sure if they decided where they were spending the night.

Ooc: I’m not sure at all but I think we planned on all staying the night at Thomas and Edna?’s farm? Wander around until you stumble accidentally in a bath house!!

Aelar nods in thanks and understanding.  He considers for a moment whether or not to tell them about the other voice but, they had never tried to deceive him and holding back some things out of caution did not count.

"Inside, where I talk to Raia, I once heard another voice, when this happened." He gestures at his chest.  "A wise voice, if a voice can be wise, and ancient and...matronly...if a voice in your mind can be those things too.  It said 'I know your blood. The forces of...that name you don't want me to say that starts with an O...shall not take you from us. When you are ready... seek me out, my child.'"  He pauses to let that sink in then continues.

"You say no one can train me but I'll ask again about the knowledge in this room.  Is there anything here that could help me?  If not about warlocks, then about magic in general, how it works, what it can and cannot do?  Any information would be useful and I promise to be careful, not just with what I learn but with the things, physically speaking."

Balgrim

Balgrim nods in agreement and understanding as he listens to Ranik.  When Ranik finishes Balgrim replies, "It sounds like just tha distraction I need after all tha misery that befell us back in Hon.  And if it be for tha good of tha common folk...all tha better!"

((It's currently early evening. About 7 or so. Those who worked on the farm worked until about 4 or so. It hasn't been that long since the group met with Sister Daar. All things considered, Kallista would have only spent a few minutes in Grim's shop. In the timeline, she could have easily caught up with the rest of the group as they moved towards the saloon, if you want to join Lazlo, Leon and Kina. It's up to you. Kina's kind of hard to miss and Kallista can fly. ))

((XD for some reason I thought that would have taken longer))

Holding the book to her chest, Kallista spreads her wings with a little trepidation and takes off into the air, searching for Kina and the others. Once she finds them, she lands near them and quickly goes about correcting her clothes if they got messed up in the flight.

Barna nods in agreement.
"That is a weird little thing. Let's see what we can find..." she whispers, creeping around the book shelves and searching through various tomes.
"I think I remember seeing something about wildlife over here..."
Barna hands several books over to Hyre to look through while she has a short pile of her own to browse.
(Hyre, roll perception!)

Carmine looks back at Lazlo and winks.
"It will be if I have anything to say about it, you cute lil--"
The gate creaks open and a round, bald-headed man with a rather impressive amount of tattoos adorning his head skin peeks out from behind it.
"Yes? May I help you all?" he asks in a gentle, calming voice.
"Good sir, my friends and I have been... frivolously wasting our time and talents in these difficult times. We want to come inside and reflect on our choices, so that we may focus our efforts more productively." Carmine says, bowing her head.
"Indeed? Hmmm. I believe I have seen you here before. Perhaps the waters will not help you find the answers you seek." the priest says.
(If anyone wants to roll deception or persuasion, be warned there may be consequences if you don't pass a DC of 10. Otherwise, if you want to stay silent, Kina looks like she's about to say something)

Brother Geldor rubs his chin, and looks to Sister Daar. They exchange a look to one another and have apologetic faces.
"The magicks that you're asking about are not our specialty. We invoke magic through our faith, it is gifted to us by the gods we serve. The discipline of spell crafting is a difficult, intensive art. This archive here is largely historical, dealing mostly with OUR history in Aden. I don't think there's much here that can help you, but I CAN give you some answers." he states.
"The voices in your mind is largely how the dragons communicate in their native forms. They can't speak like you or I, at least not in a range that we can hear. It seems however that you have been contacted by the very spirit of Baha herself. Exactly why... is not my place to guess, but I can tell you that she does NOT simply converse with anyone. She actively used her influence to guard you and your friends." Geldor explains.
He searches through several old brass tubes before he finds what he's looking for, and unfurls a very, very old text with an illustration of the great 12 titans of Aden.
"In the world before us, there were twelve titans that we can still see today, such as 'Thunderbeast pass' and Blackwater Lake. It is said that they had a terrible and bitter war, with six of the twelve wishing to create new life, and the others seeking to keep the world as it was. Baha was one of the creator titans. She, along with the five other creators, seeded the land with life that eventually became us when their bodies perished. Her body created the Deep, the traditional roosting grounds of all dragons... and it seems that's where she's inviting you to go, eventually. I suspect she will speak to you again." he says.

Ranik pats Balgrim about the shoulder.
"Aye, that's a proper dwarf's response! We'll have to get ye a proper worker's outfit. If ye be joinin' the order, tis only fitting if ye wear the colours, too." he says. "Come on, I'll get ye fitted. Just be sure t'keep it clean fer this job, yeah? Bastards in the Nest will know something's up if ye aren't perfectly presentable. Then, when ye do other chores, ye can get it proper covered in soot and burns from hard work like the rest o' us." he says, leading Balgrim into the temple of the Hearth.

((Guessing ive caught up then? Just clearing it up for my own sake))

Aelar is stunned at this news and makes no effort to hide it.  He stands, wanders around for a few minutes trying to get his bearing.  Finally, he turns back to the dwarf and Sister Daar.

"Thank you for the information, Brother.  You're probably right about Baha.  If you think of anyone who could help me, or another place that might have books that can help, please let me know.  If you don't mind, I would still like to come here and read some of these books  I may learn something specific and my cousins, the ones who raised me after my parents died in the illness, the ones...who are missing, well they used to tell me time spent learning is never wasted.  I work the mornings at a farm and that will hone my body.  Coming here will be a start in honing my mind.  I've a feeling a strong mind and body will come in handy in the days to come."

After Brother Geldor replies, Aelar turns to the Sister.  "Would you take me to the tavern the others went to?  They may not be there anymore but, still, I'd like to try."

((Yep, you're all caught up. If you want to join in the bathhouse, you can, or do anything else you want.))

Brother Geldor nods.
"If you want to study our archives, you're more than welcome. Perhaps studying the life of Father Relnar will provide you with some insights as to what may lay ahead of you." he states. "Though, it may be a little less relevant to you, as it largely concerns dwarfish matters. It IS the Hearth's archives, after all. You could always try the college or the supposedly 'public' library, should you be able to find your way into the Hawks' Nest." 

Sister Daar, meanwhile, is quite confident she can find the rest of Aelar's friends. She flicks her reptilian tongue out.
"Don't tell Kina I said this, but her scent is especially easy to track." she says. 

Perception: 12

Persuasion: 6

Lazlo does his best to look introspective, so he sligtly crosses his eyes. He then remembers a word he was taught... People said it was a magic word! "Please? Please might we come in?" and then adding another magic word "Sir?"

ooc: awwwwww 

"Thank you, Brother," Aelar replies with a respectful nod of his head.  Turning back to Sister Daar, he says, "Let's follow Kina's scent, then.  And on the way, please tell me about this college, if you can.  That sounds interesting."

Behind Barna, Hyre notices that one of the trinkets lining the walls has moving eyes, a small pewter bird of prey, and they're following Barna's movements. Nothing else is happening, the mechanical bird is just watching. The trinket is close to the old display case, so perhaps it's just part of the security system. It hasn't raised an alarm or anything.
Barna has already begun flipping through one of the books, tracing through some entries.
"Show me the egg again.. do you have it on you? If it has small holes, I think I might have something." she says. She's completely oblivious to being watched.

(I'm not going to be harsh because you missed by 1.)

 (Going to save this response and will wait on Leon)

Sister Daar tells Aelar about the college as well, how it seems only the wealthy can get in, it's in the rich part of town, class divide, they've all got massive sticks up their asses, yadda yadda yadda. I'm sure you've read the other posts from other characters describing it already. She does, however have something else to say.
"That's not to say that there is NO way into the college." she states. "You'd be surprised at how far artful flattery and a little groveling goes with the arrogant. They seek power because they want to FEEL that power over others. If you provide that freely, it's surprisingly easy to be allowed into their circle.... if you can stomach it." she comments.
She flicks her tongue out a few times, and points to a street that's less populated.
"This way." she says, slithering down the street leading towards the bathing pool retreat.

Kallista follows behind everyone, but avoids eye contact with the seeming to be holy people who run this place.

"Here it is." Says Hyre as he gives her the egg. For a moment, he looks at the bird and decides to ignore it. Barna had been here many times and wasn't caught, she probably knows what she's doing. Or does she? After all, she explained that the place is guarded with magic. You can never be too careful... "Barna, look over there. Can you see that metallic bird? Has it always watched you as it does now?"

Quote from KinaJardine >>

"That's not to say that there is NO way into the college." she states. "You'd be surprised at how far artful flattery and a little groveling goes with the arrogant. They seek power because they want to FEEL that power over others. If you provide that freely, it's surprisingly easy to be allowed into their circle.... if you can stomach it." she comments.

She flicks her tongue out a few times, and points to a street that's less populated.
"This way." she says, slithering down the street leading towards the bathing pool retreat.

 Aelar smiles and Sister Daar, perhaps to her surprise, the wolfish nature of it.  "I can do that, Sister.  My mother, and later my cousin taught me.  It's a performance, an act, and they had to act and perform often to make sales or get favorable trade terms.  I watched and they showed me and I even did it myself a few times.  You show me who I need to grovel for, and I'll do my best.  If they choose to believe it, well, I guess we'll both get what we want."