Day 103 - Open the box or take the money

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**Investigations & Explorations**

**Days 103 (26th May)**

**DM Note: You took over the lease on the house on the 17th May, it expires on the 31st. The 10 day uber bless on Bazin and Umar expires on the 27th (evening)**

The party has a number of threads to deal with and is busy most of the day pursuing various lines of enquiry across the city.

## RSVP – Kind Of

Frances, Brokev, Umar and Wun make their way to the Sands of God before dawn in order to drop off the parties response – addressed to Sir Cagrun. The party has no seals other than Francis', but the temple will seal the letter if required.

Clerk: “This will go out in the next hour, however we have no information at this time as to when the next courier will come in from Northlake. So I suggest you check back in with us in a week or so.”

A similar note is lodged at the consulate for the attention of Vinmira.

Wun then returns to the villa, whilst the others ride out to the old campsite.

## The Campsite (or Bombsite)

The group makes good time to the area of the old campfire where Vinmira II met its end. In the week or so since you were last here, spring growth is already obscuring the area. However there are some clear tracks visible through the new growth, plus four large prints.

Investigations and comparing notes lead the group to the following conclusions:

* About a week ago, a group of about 10 horsemen were here. They dismounted a way away from the campsite and spent some time investigating the campside carefully. The group then rode north back towards White Beach;
* About 2 days ago a large drake was here, the prints are similar to the White lady, but Francis is convinced that these belong to a different drake. There are just four prints, with heavier indentation on the rear legs – probably from a spring into the air, the Drake was facing NE when it took off;

## Preparations For Opening The Box

Caradoc and Quercius meet up with Feathertouch to discuss the logistics of opening the compartment under Onwens bed.

Feathertouch: “So basically what we are proposing is an Anti-Magic shell, plus expert lockpicking and trap removal with the intent of resetting all traps and locks once the compartment has been re-opened. From the sounds of it, the wards are serious but the mechanical protections are decent but not masterworks. Still, we would need backups and a plan ‘B’.”

There follows an extended discussion around options and costs, in the end the plan settled on is:

1. Primary Anti-Magic Shell
	1. 14th lvl Mage + 2 Bodyguards for 3 hours 7gp 10sp
	2. 1 Casting of Anti-Magic Shell 3gp
2. Backup Anti-Magic Shell (Only in case of time running out – 50% refund if second AMS not needed)
	1. 12th lvl Mage + 2 Bodyguards for 5 hours 12gp
	2. 1 Casting of Anti-Magic Shell 3gp
3. Disarming/Unpicking/Relocking/Rearming
	1. 1 x 12th lvl Thief, 1 x 10th lvl Thief + Bodyguard for 5 hours: 10gp 10sp
4. Deposit (refundable if nothing goes wrong) 72gp
5. Perceval Guarantee Scheme 2gp

The deal is agreed and the deposit and Perceval guarantee fee handed over.

Feathertouch: “I understand that you want some discretion here, obviously it is difficult to get in and out of your villa without being noticed. One option we have is that you are selling some of the wine in the cellars I believe? Put a notice up in the square tomorrow first thing, inviting serious viewers. Our group will turn up a midday, a rich merchant plus 9 attendants……who knows, you might sell the wine as well!”

## Talking To The Trees & The Bards

Following discussions with Quercius, Joshua considers the Oak tree and decided that maybe paying a visit to the Bardic College, Halls of Song, is the way to go. Normally he would simply seek to remove an unhealthy or crowded branch from the tree in order to secure a cudgel, but somehow here it doesn’t feel quite right.

The “Halls” is actually in the singular, a large central hall, with multiple balconied tiers looking down onto a large performance stage, currently vacant. Within the grounds there are multiple small building, each obviously acting as a classroom and from which can be heard singing, narration, instrument playing etc. One building, near the entrance to the performance hall is signposted Enquiries and Administration, and so Joshua heads there.

After a few seconds of attempting to explain to a bored looking clerk as to what you are requiring….

Clerk: “Another one for Phinon I guess, particularly since Hjiim is now occupied…”

…and the clerk gives you directions to another hut in the grounds of the college.

Following the directions is straightforward, despite the confusing network of pathways through the grounds, and you soon find yourself outside a small hut. You knock at the door…

Voice: “Hang on a minute.”

A few minutes later the door is opened and you are confronted by a middle aged Ariel male with ink stained fingers carrying a quill pen in one hand and a scroll case in the other.

Ariel: “I am Phinon, I would guess that the clerk sent you?”

Joshua: “Yes he did, my name is Joshua and I would be interested in engaging your services.”

Phinon: “Ah ok, well go on in please, make yourself comfortable.”

Phinon comes outside and motions you to enter, he then whistles piercingly and even as you enter the hut you see an Ariel female come running up. Phinon hands the scroll case he is carrying to this Ariel.

Phinon: “Can you please see that this is registered and copied, bring the original back here please as I will then have to deliver it to the customer.”

Phinons hut is rather small, but extremely well organised. There is a central desk, at the moment clear apart from a small pot of ink and a piece of blotting paper. The walls are lined with shelves, covered in scroll cases and books.

Phinon: “So what can I do for you young hobbit?”

Joshua begins to explain that he is looking for a speak to plants spell and the associated circumstances.

Phinon (interrupting): “Are you with a young female Druid named Quercius?”

Joshua indicates that yes he is part of the same group.

Phinon: “Perfect timing then sir! Yes, more than happy to speak to that Oak Tree again, an extremely interesting tale. Also if you are prepared to wait an hour we can go together, since I have a document to deliver to Quercius that she commissioned.”

Phinon: “Would you care for something to drink?”

Joshua decides that waiting here would be profitable and nods his assent. Phinon takes a small bell out of his desk and waves it. Despite no sound being heard, within a minute a human enters the hut.

Phinon: “Some refreshments please.”

The conversation with Phinon actually lasts a good couple of hours before the Ariel female returns with the scroll case for Phinon. The bard is extremely good company, obviously knowledgeable about a broad range of subjects. The discussion is wide ranging and yet despite that, when it is time to leave, Joshua realises he hasn’t actually learnt anything of value. Also, trying to ‘read’ Phinon is extremely difficult, he is extremely expressive in his speech but seems to have no ‘tells’ that indicate if he is lying, exaggerating or evading.

Phinon: “Anyway, the day is passing Joshua, let us go and have a talk to your tree again – shall we?”

The journey back to the villa is slow and meandering, passers by are constantly stopping to chat to Phinon and he seems more than happy to engage in small talk – no matter how trivial the subject. Eventually however, you do reach the villa……

Phinon: “Right, lets go have another chat to this tree, I have a few theories I would like to try out as well.”

Joshua: ”Would we be allowed to take a small branch of the tree”

Oak: “For a price”

Joshua: “What is the price”

Oak: “Arm for an arm”

Phinon sniggers a little at this…..

Joshua: “Is your child the young sapling we have transplanted?”

Oak: “Yes”

Joshua: “Do you know of Ilriana?”

Oak: “No”

Joshua: “Where is Mother”

Oak: “No Mother”

Joshua: “How many summers have you seen”

Oak: “Not many, more than you have fingers, less than you have teeth”

Phinon is openly grinning now….

Joshua: “Have you had many visitors, of the two legged kind”

Oak: “No, few”

Joshua manifests Kirsten next to the Oak

Joshua: “What is this animal please.”

Oak: “Dog”

Joshua: “and….”

Oak: “Just dog, real dog”

Phinon: “Tree, when we last talked, you said you would die soon….. how many summers do you expect to see?”

Oak: “More than you have feathers, less than he has hairs, soon”

Phinon: “Master Oak, when do you take up your duties?”

Oak: “Soon, Onwen was told and told me.”

Phinon: “In which case Master Oak, I should not disturb you.”

Phinon ends the spell and turns to Joshua and the other party members present.

Phinon: “Well, nice to see a tree with a sense of humour!”

Phinon: “Looks like White Beach might be getting some pilgrims soon, I wonder what shrine is destined to fall?.....”

Joshua: “Explain?”

Phinon: “I am convinced that this tree is destined to replace one of the Wyldwood shrines. Somebody foresaw the destruction of one of the existing pilgrimage sites and the Church has obviously been preparing a replacement. Already the Oak is gaining in intelligence, and since none of us are on the Wyldwood pilgrimage it is not exactly being cooperative. I do wonder why it wants a sapling taken away though. No it isn’t the White Tree, but it is extremely powerful, so I would suggest that taking a branch might not be a good idea, unless you are willing to pay the price it asked, and given that the tree is developing a sense of humour…..of a sort….. well I would be careful about messing with it.”

Phinon then goes off with Quercius for a discussion.

## Other Ranger Career Options

Asking around, both at the Halls of Song and also with the city militia, Francis is able to get rumours of two other potential development paths for a Ranger, although both very specialised. One is very much nautical focussed and termed ‘Navigator’, not much is known about it in White Beach you would probably need to visit a major population centre with a focus on naval power. The other path, termed ‘Delver’, is Dwarven in origin and as you can guess has a specialism with underground travel and survival, the obvious place to follow this option up would be Hightower.

## Day Return To Sallahan Please

A visit to the noticeboard reveals that the Sallahan bounty has already been claimed, somehow it is no surprise when enquiries reveal that it was a gaudily dressed dwarf again.

This time you decide to follow up a little bit, asking around you discover that there is a sandbar south of the Sallahan Island that can be landed on safely. At low tide, a causeway to the island is uncovered. Over the past years, numerous small boats have accepted commissions from small groups or individuals to cross over to the island. Most of the ferried parties have returned, but not all., but the boat owners regard these as lucrative commissions. More recently traffic to the island has dropped off dramatically, but the gaudily dressed dwarf is well known on the quayside from his recent trips to the island. His most recent trip was this morning, and he is not due to be picked up until 5 days hence.

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