TBSI Episode 3: Planning is Important

## The Story

The storm approaches, lightning arcing and thunder booming, as the party decides to head to The Fangs Respite Library, where they plan to see refuge over night. Valen and Misha spot the duo, that had entered and quickly left The Inkstone Tavern who were working for Lyra. Valen smiles and waves as they duck around a street corner toward the library to let them know that they know the duo is following the party.

Phoebe lets them in by unlocking the sigil and locking it again behind them and then goes to start a pot of tea. Mira enacts her "thunderstorm protocol," which means building a pillow fort because of the thunderstorm, to wait out the storm. Lumi is entranced by the thunderstorm and watches out the window. Valen checks all entry points to be sure they're secure in the Library. Misha tends to some hardy plants being kept near the front desk. Once preparations are made, The Scroll Rods of Viz Kadesh are hidden under a loose floorboard and the pillow fort is built up over the hiding space.

Mirabella fills Phoebe and Lumi in on the details about how they came to have the scroll rods and the group collectively tries to decide what to do with them from within the pillow fort. Phoebe kindly explains to Valen how the library system works. Valen offers to, in the future, track down people with library fines if they need help. Phoebe takes a look at the scroll rods and is able to determine some of what the scroll says. It indicates a religious ceremony and a "culmination of the triad", likely meaning the other two artifact. The end of the ceremony will "bring the winged boon". Phoebe suggests that they make decoys, but the party agrees that the other people looking for it seemed to know right where it was at all times and that it might not work. Phoebe states that it's kind of cruel that this set of artifacts can control a sentient creature without its consent and that even one dragon would be very dangerous. We learn a little bit more about dragons and about how older dragons are more likely to be able to communicate and further their own agendas.

The party discusses what the plan is regarding the proposed block party. Misha suggests transporting it using magic from The Drachenfeld Surveyor's Guild that might mask the artifact. Mirabella does not seem opposed to simply summoning the dragon themselves. Valen has no interest in having a dragon as a pet and suggests they turn it over to The City Guard, as they have been advertising taking artifacts for cash with no questions asked. Misha doesn't think it's a good idea to give it to the guard. Valen once again suggests finding a way to destroy the rods. Misha still wants to pursue reaching out to The Drachenfeld Surveyor's Guild, indicating that they believe Annelle to be trustworthy due to an oath druids take to not lie to other druids. Mirabella and Valen continue to tease Misha about her lunch not-a-date, leading to Lumi picking up the phrase "Did you get Druid married?" Phoebe is very intrigued by their teasing about this romance, but Misha ensures the party that this romance belongs solely in the fantasy section of the library and not in the real world stuff.

A fate point is burned by Erin to make it so that there is a tunnel under The Fangs Respite Library which connects to a network of other scholarly establishments via the Scholar Tunnels. There is a 60% chance any scholarly building has one of these tunnels and a 50% chance that any of these tunnels is part of the Scholar Tunnels.

Because it's getting late, the party decides to wait until they can buy some supplies for an underground adventure and put the block party plan on hold. Lumi takes first watch with Phoebe taking the second watch. Valen sleeps directly above the loose floorboard where the rods are hidden. Fortunately, nothing occurs and the storm finishes moving safely through. They wake up with the sun. Phoebe changes into more appropriate adventuring clothes and goes about giving out appropriate books for each of her new friends. A couple of locals drop books off at the library but don't check anything out before they leave.

Misha and Lumi go out shopping for provisions, getting enough food for two days - a loaf of bread, some cold cuts, some kale chips for Phoebe, etc. They also get Moss Grub Juice, which can be used as a disinfectant and healing agent. Lumi doesn't hear the humming of Lyra's Body Guard but does notice a Blackbird following and watching them. Misha is able to tell that the bird is not a druid in disguise and is just a normal blackbird, which are not common in the city. After a little experimenting at Lumi's suggestion, it is made clear that it's watching Misha specifically, but the blackbird keeps its distance - especially after Misha tries to call to it. The two make it back to The Fangs Respite Library safely. They tell the rest of the party about the strange bird following them. Valen suggests it might be a ranger's familiar but no one can be sure.

Mirabella spends her morning time with Phoebe going over Mira's mental snapshot of the Hall of Marks and going over the names and sigils there. Phoebe has a map to the Scholar Tunnels which has notes on it about things like areas that have been cleared of any traps and pertinent individuals that might know something about the tunnels. Phoebe does some additional research on dragon lore before they head into the tunnels, giving her a few pointers on how not to get lost. She also brings chalk with her.

Phoebe sends a courier with a book with a coded note and a feather from Lumi to Keelo Ornus about where the party is going. Misha sends a courier with a note to Annelle in druid script to tell her when to expect them. Valen sends a courier to Brox that simple says, "Making a bad decision. See you later." As they send their notes, Lumi casts a spell that causes bells to chime in the back of Misha's head whenever the blackbird is near.

Phoebe closes the library after they enter, securing the door and putting up the sign that the library is closed for renovations. The party gathers their belongings and gets ready to head into the tunnels below.

## Notable Characters

* Misha van Dyne
* Mirabella Rosehip Heartblossom
* Lumi
* Phoebe Leandre
* Valen Aloro