Silthras just stares at Usul for a moment, "Noone here heard that. As a rule of thumb, in friendly territory the gathering of information is useful, gathering more than that, unwise."
He turns to Sybil, "I have mentioned to her Ladyship that we some of us are not accustomed to the ways of palace life. I hope she will forgive any indiscretions. Usul has certain valuable skills."
Satisfied that you seem to have cleared the Baroness herself, Bertrand seems to deflate, clearly relieved by the news. Nodding his head, he answers Silthras' question. "As I said before, he's a very private man. The tension you sensed is most definitely present, though with this turn of events, it may be fore more reasons than most suspected."
He gestures over his shoulder, "Lidae was one of those who gave House Astre no trouble - though not out of fear from being conquered. From what I understand, his relationship with Valerius Astre is as close to an equal partnership as you can get in an empire. Yes, Valerius holds the higher title, but most everyone understands that Lidae's Kingdom would have been nigh unconquerable."
"While King Lidae himself was accepting of this union into Evanciea, many nobles around him were less than satisfied. Lady Anet is from that category, and her general unease with Calmaius stems from that."
At the gnome's suggestion, he begins to say something and then stops, instead turning to Sybil. "I think it best if I take my leave now. If you have need of me, you know where to find me. But I think it wise that from here on I know as little as possible." The soldier nods understandingly at Bertrand, clapping him on the shoulder as he stands to leave. Once he's gone, she turns to Silthras and Usul.
"Calmaius has quarters within the keep. I would recommend starting there if you're going to sneak around." She pauses, eyes moving to the right corner of her head as she tries to recall information. "Somewhere on the northwest corner of the third floor."
"Though be wary, the Baroness may not be in a position to forgive such behavior if you are caught - even if she wanted to."
Silthras nods, "We will be careful. A private conversation with the Baroness might be very interesting." He looks over at Syl, then back to Sybil. "I wonder if Calmaius was behind her slow response to recent events."
"In any case, it's probably time to brush up on court etiquette...and consider what to do with the books..." He grins sheepishly. "...we...ah...forgot to mention them in out meeting today. Perhaps we should leave some with you?"
He looks at the others, especially Velyra and Kal, for suggestions. "We will continue to benefit from studying them, and I would hate for them to be confiscated."
Kal pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to think through their situation. "Things can't ever be straightforward for us can they? This all just seems so strange. And I don't like not having a clear idea of who our enemies are."
"As for the books, didn't Velyra have some of her colleagues on the way? I like the idea of leaving most of them with Sybil to pass onto them, while holding a few for ourselves. At the very least, I'd like to learn more about Iven."
Silthras nods, "Book 14 -- Iven's; Book 13 -- the most recent complete one, and Book 1 -- the first.Those seem to be the ones we will learn most from." He turns to Sybil, "Is there anyone in town who might scribe a scroll for us? Comprehend Languages would be a great boon, especially with the first book."
As he waits for her reply, he turns to look at Velyra, wondering if she has any other ideas about how to treat the books.
Velyra closes her eyes for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I think that's the best way. Those three stay with us, and we leave the rest for the party en route from the Astrium."
"I will warn you, once they get them, the word will be out. It may be difficult for us to get our hands on them again after that. There will be hordes of scholars, nobles, and others getting in line to get their hands on them."
"I don't think we should tell anyone about the three we're keeping, for now anyway. As far as the rest of the world will know, they're presumed to be lost."
"Oh! I can help with that!" Syl breaks out of her silence suddenly as talk of sneaking about tonight starts. "In more ways than one actually." Digging through her pack, she pulls out the crystal found earlier. "We can keep a line of communication with this...And I can make you unseen for about an hour. Both of us actually. So I would be able to follow a bit behind to increase the range of our communication.. I can act as a sort of in-between for Usul and the rest of you."
“We’ve never snuck around with anyone else before.” Usul says, clearly both a bit excited about the chance to explore the keep, but also a bit nervous. He then pulls out a small wire and says, “We’re already able to send messages a short distance with this. Though being unseen would definitely help!”
"I don't think you need worry so much about etiquette. Under normal circumstances perhaps...But now? Just be mannerly enough to keep up pretenses." Sybil says. "Whatever you want to do with these books, I'll make sure they're safe and reach the proper hands. As for someone to scribe a magical scroll..." She shrugs, "there's Elixyr of course. Besides that, the only other I can think of would be the arcanist in Lady Anet's court."
Silthras grunts, "I was thinking of young Usul's explorations. Youthful exuberance and all, if he were discovered in a place he should not be."
If noone has anything to add, Silthras will agree that handing books 2-12 to Sybil is probably the best course. "We can always say we left them with you, if we are asked. But with luck, noone will ask."
When they are done he will go in search of Elixyr once more to she if she is still around and may be able to inscribe the desired scroll...
"Ah. Well, something like that would have to rely on your...Deceptive skills I suppose. Best to not get caught in the first place though." Sybil will take the books once you all hand them over, briefly disappearing into her bedroom. You hear a lock being messed with, and then chest being opened and closed. She reappears shortly after. "If you need anything else, let me know. And good luck."
As you leave, a voice pings in Velyra's head. The now familiar drawl of the man on the other side of the sending stone. "Anything of theirs you found, we'll take. We have a way of honoring our own."
After making your way to the edge of the city where Exliyr's shop was, you find the little now completely bare. Even the sign has been taken.
If the door isn't locked, Kal will open up and step into the shop. "I didn't expect her to clear out that fast...Is she really completely gone?"Glancing briefly at the others, he'll take a quick look around to see if anything at all was left behind.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kal Perception: 22
The door opens easily, shutting behind you with a click that echoes through the now empty store. From a quick glance around, there's nothing left. You check behind the counter and find nothing. In the storeroom, there is a large circle of arcane symbols on the ground in the middle of it. When you tell the others, Syl and Usul would easily know you were looking at a permanent teleportation circle.
Sylnora shakes her head, "no. That's just a normal teleportation circle. Nothing particularly nefarious about it. She did say she was moving out, and she is an arcanist." Glancing at Velyra,"she can always contact Elixyr to make sure."
"Give her time to make it to the ruins. I don't think we've misplaced our trust. If we don't hear from her in a few days...Then we can start to worry." Kal says, more worried about the problems facing them tonight."For now, it looks like we'll have to wait on that spell scroll. Maybe come up with a rough plan for the night instead?"
"Do we just wait until everyone goes to sleep and then send our little friend on his merry way through the keep?"
"I'm not sure if it's that easy. Who knows how light of a sleeper that advisor is. We may have to find a way to get him out of his quarters first." Velyra chimes in. "Or I suppose Usul's familiar could scope out the room first."
"We're pretty sneaky when we need to be. And if you can make us unseen that should be even more fun!"Usul says, grinning. "Finding what we're looking for is usually harder."
"You may find nothing at all. I doubt he would be so careless, but if there would be a piece of correspondence of some kind..." Kal shrugs. "We'll find out later tonight I suppose."
Silthras just stares at Usul for a moment, "Noone here heard that. As a rule of thumb, in friendly territory the gathering of information is useful, gathering more than that, unwise."
He turns to Sybil, "I have mentioned to her Ladyship that we some of us are not accustomed to the ways of palace life. I hope she will forgive any indiscretions. Usul has certain valuable skills."
Satisfied that you seem to have cleared the Baroness herself, Bertrand seems to deflate, clearly relieved by the news. Nodding his head, he answers Silthras' question. "As I said before, he's a very private man. The tension you sensed is most definitely present, though with this turn of events, it may be fore more reasons than most suspected."
He gestures over his shoulder, "Lidae was one of those who gave House Astre no trouble - though not out of fear from being conquered. From what I understand, his relationship with Valerius Astre is as close to an equal partnership as you can get in an empire. Yes, Valerius holds the higher title, but most everyone understands that Lidae's Kingdom would have been nigh unconquerable."
"While King Lidae himself was accepting of this union into Evanciea, many nobles around him were less than satisfied. Lady Anet is from that category, and her general unease with Calmaius stems from that."
At the gnome's suggestion, he begins to say something and then stops, instead turning to Sybil. "I think it best if I take my leave now. If you have need of me, you know where to find me. But I think it wise that from here on I know as little as possible." The soldier nods understandingly at Bertrand, clapping him on the shoulder as he stands to leave. Once he's gone, she turns to Silthras and Usul.
"Calmaius has quarters within the keep. I would recommend starting there if you're going to sneak around." She pauses, eyes moving to the right corner of her head as she tries to recall information. "Somewhere on the northwest corner of the third floor."
"Though be wary, the Baroness may not be in a position to forgive such behavior if you are caught - even if she wanted to."
Silthras nods, "We will be careful. A private conversation with the Baroness might be very interesting." He looks over at Syl, then back to Sybil. "I wonder if Calmaius was behind her slow response to recent events."
"In any case, it's probably time to brush up on court etiquette...and consider what to do with the books..." He grins sheepishly. "...we...ah...forgot to mention them in out meeting today. Perhaps we should leave some with you?"
He looks at the others, especially Velyra and Kal, for suggestions. "We will continue to benefit from studying them, and I would hate for them to be confiscated."
Kal pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to think through their situation. "Things can't ever be straightforward for us can they? This all just seems so strange. And I don't like not having a clear idea of who our enemies are."
"As for the books, didn't Velyra have some of her colleagues on the way? I like the idea of leaving most of them with Sybil to pass onto them, while holding a few for ourselves. At the very least, I'd like to learn more about Iven."
Silthras nods, "Book 14 -- Iven's; Book 13 -- the most recent complete one, and Book 1 -- the first. Those seem to be the ones we will learn most from." He turns to Sybil, "Is there anyone in town who might scribe a scroll for us? Comprehend Languages would be a great boon, especially with the first book."
As he waits for her reply, he turns to look at Velyra, wondering if she has any other ideas about how to treat the books.
Velyra closes her eyes for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I think that's the best way. Those three stay with us, and we leave the rest for the party en route from the Astrium."
"I will warn you, once they get them, the word will be out. It may be difficult for us to get our hands on them again after that. There will be hordes of scholars, nobles, and others getting in line to get their hands on them."
"I don't think we should tell anyone about the three we're keeping, for now anyway. As far as the rest of the world will know, they're presumed to be lost."
"Oh! I can help with that!" Syl breaks out of her silence suddenly as talk of sneaking about tonight starts. "In more ways than one actually." Digging through her pack, she pulls out the crystal found earlier. "We can keep a line of communication with this...And I can make you unseen for about an hour. Both of us actually. So I would be able to follow a bit behind to increase the range of our communication.. I can act as a sort of in-between for Usul and the rest of you."
“We’ve never snuck around with anyone else before.” Usul says, clearly both a bit excited about the chance to explore the keep, but also a bit nervous. He then pulls out a small wire and says, “We’re already able to send messages a short distance with this. Though being unseen would definitely help!”
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"I don't think you need worry so much about etiquette. Under normal circumstances perhaps...But now? Just be mannerly enough to keep up pretenses." Sybil says. "Whatever you want to do with these books, I'll make sure they're safe and reach the proper hands. As for someone to scribe a magical scroll..." She shrugs, "there's Elixyr of course. Besides that, the only other I can think of would be the arcanist in Lady Anet's court."
Silthras grunts, "I was thinking of young Usul's explorations. Youthful exuberance and all, if he were discovered in a place he should not be."
If noone has anything to add, Silthras will agree that handing books 2-12 to Sybil is probably the best course. "We can always say we left them with you, if we are asked. But with luck, noone will ask."
When they are done he will go in search of Elixyr once more to she if she is still around and may be able to inscribe the desired scroll...
"Ah. Well, something like that would have to rely on your...Deceptive skills I suppose. Best to not get caught in the first place though." Sybil will take the books once you all hand them over, briefly disappearing into her bedroom. You hear a lock being messed with, and then chest being opened and closed. She reappears shortly after. "If you need anything else, let me know. And good luck."
As you leave, a voice pings in Velyra's head. The now familiar drawl of the man on the other side of the sending stone. "Anything of theirs you found, we'll take. We have a way of honoring our own."
After making your way to the edge of the city where Exliyr's shop was, you find the little now completely bare. Even the sign has been taken.
If the door isn't locked, Kal will open up and step into the shop. "I didn't expect her to clear out that fast...Is she really completely gone?" Glancing briefly at the others, he'll take a quick look around to see if anything at all was left behind.
Kal Perception: 22
The door opens easily, shutting behind you with a click that echoes through the now empty store. From a quick glance around, there's nothing left. You check behind the counter and find nothing. In the storeroom, there is a large circle of arcane symbols on the ground in the middle of it. When you tell the others, Syl and Usul would easily know you were looking at a permanent teleportation circle.
Silthras pales a little, remembering recent teleportation devices. "Is that...what I think it is. Might we have made a mistake?"
Sylnora shakes her head, "no. That's just a normal teleportation circle. Nothing particularly nefarious about it. She did say she was moving out, and she is an arcanist." Glancing at Velyra, "she can always contact Elixyr to make sure."
"Give her time to make it to the ruins. I don't think we've misplaced our trust. If we don't hear from her in a few days...Then we can start to worry." Kal says, more worried about the problems facing them tonight. "For now, it looks like we'll have to wait on that spell scroll. Maybe come up with a rough plan for the night instead?"
"Do we just wait until everyone goes to sleep and then send our little friend on his merry way through the keep?"
"I'm not sure if it's that easy. Who knows how light of a sleeper that advisor is. We may have to find a way to get him out of his quarters first." Velyra chimes in. "Or I suppose Usul's familiar could scope out the room first."
"We're pretty sneaky when we need to be. And if you can make us unseen that should be even more fun!" Usul says, grinning. "Finding what we're looking for is usually harder."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"You may find nothing at all. I doubt he would be so careless, but if there would be a piece of correspondence of some kind..." Kal shrugs. "We'll find out later tonight I suppose."
Usul perception: 21
Silthras perception: 8
Velyra perception: 13
Kal perception: 25