In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 36):

But the barrier into the vault has been lowered? What is to stop another band of brigands or adventurers from coming in and removing its contents, or being grievously injured by a trial they would otherwise not have been able to access? Surely if we could figure out how to remove their defenses, why could another not as well?

While I see the wisdom in seeking additional information, and in recollection of the lackluster response my previous attempt to leave Cassandra to her fate invoked, it seems ill-conceived to abandon our quest here in deference to a lack of knowledge and in fear of prisoner safety and integrity.

One learns more by continuing the adventure, not by stopping to reconcile with the librarians.

I've known some very wise librarians in my time.  Do not underestimate the librarians.

In reply to Maeve (msg # 38):

I would never dream of it. Without librarians, who would curate and disseminate my tales to the eager masses? Just some half cocked bard in a bar? Please.

The library is my first stop in every town. The maiden crone running the establishment. Long in years but still wet behind the ears from so much life unlived in service of the public good and society's preconceived obligations of decency. A brief introduction. A harrowing presentation of arms. A charming offer to dinner. A high level overview of my current exploits. Discussion of said librarian's occasionally memorable but often poorly written private erotica. Sir Giles insertion (Ba-Zing) into said erotica.

And then boom, another librarian in another town making sure children hear tales of Sir Giles as a pretense for her to fantasize about the one magical night we spent together, which I view more as a discretionary business transaction.

..Oh. Right. You were just being sarcastic and weren't looking for an actual follow up.

Sir Giles shrugs his shoulders.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Wed 16 Oct 2013.

In reply to Giles Thistleworth (msg # 37):

No one's abandoning anything, Giles.  This vault has been undisturbed for centuries, despite the attempts of a master magician that eventually cost him his life.  I am not concerned about some random group of brigands breaking down its defenses.

We have so many additional concerns right now, and we could use the counsel of those older and wiser than us.

"Besides, this place is pretty well hidden and defended even without the barrier. We had a hard enough time getting in. I don't see anybody lining up outside to take a shot at it themselves.

We can set a couple of traps to discourage them, too.  Not that they would be any more deadly than what lies ahead, I'm sure.

Regardless, we should be moving on.  We've tarried too long already.

"Sure. Though I hope of the non-lethal variety. Keef, are you ready to venture forth? As for you, Giles, I would advise against underestimating the ferocity of the librarian. Anybody who has spoken a shade too loudly the the Great Library of Hae'driel knows what it is to incite the wrath of the archivists, which is a terrible and frightening thing to behold."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:58, Wed 16 Oct 2013.

As I recall, not all librarians in Gaelia were 'maiden crones,' as you put it.  Many were quite attractive, in addition to of course possessing the very highest intelligence and quality of character.

The cats though.  So very, very many cats. . . .
This message was last edited by the player at 18:04, Wed 16 Oct 2013.

In reply to Maeve (msg # 44):

Cassie fidgets as Chomper playfully runs circles around her legs, a bundle of energy amid the otherwise drowsy crowd.

Interesting that they're waiting on the boy to cast his vote, though he does possess the Everstaff, she muses to herself. And they came all this way, only to turn back without accessing the Vault?  Madness...

In reply to DM (msg # 45):

Keef rolls out of bed groggy and moves about his morning routine phlegmatically.

After staring at his books for some time and gazing wistfully at his weapons without touching them, he stands up and looks around.  He watches each of his PARTY members moving about, talking and preparing to leave.  Slowly his expression changes and he seems to make up his mind.

Violently, Keef yanks the crown off of his head.  This he shoves into the bottom of his bag.  He then wraps the Everstaff in a blanket and lashes that to the side of his pack.

He then scoops up Chubbs and plops himself down indian-style with all of his books opened, lost in study.

Finally he snaps them shut and shoves them into his bag as well.

I think I figured it out... it's old magic... my master said it was practical though and you thought it was a good idea.  What of our treasures do you want me to look at?

In reply to Maeve (msg # 44):

Intelligence and Quality of character are not "Desired traits" on the Sir Giles spectrum of bardic perpetuation.

..I do carry some light training materials if you're interested in hearing more?

"I had heard that in Gaelia cats were at least at one time worshipped as gods, and many statues and icons were erected in their honor, often annotated with pithy witticisms and proverbs. Is there any truth to these tales?"

Turning to Keef, a look of relief comes over him as he sees the boy stow the crown and staff. Zuriel smiles. "Well, I think we all have treasures we'd like to see analyzed. I for one, would like to know what blessing the orb bestowed on my sword, though others may think something else a higher priority? How many items do you think you could examine?"

[Private to Keef: Zuriel leans in as he shows you the gilded blade. In a quiet voice he says "I'm glad you decided to put away the staff Keef. It speaks volumes to your strength of character. I am proud to call you comrade. For the next stage of our adventure, what would you say to meeting the true Wildheart?" Zuriel smiles, winks conspiratorially, and puts a finger to his mouth to indicate the need to keep the exact nature of their plans from Cassie.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:46, Wed 16 Oct 2013.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 48):

If we're magically identifying items, the orb we lifted from Mi'driel is probably the most essential.  It can change the course of a battle in a moment.  After that, probably the sword.

We shouldn't tarry much longer after that, however.  We want to get back as quickly as possible.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 48):

That's a common misconception.  The statues you speak of do exist, but we never worshiped them.  The symbol of the Sultan is a cheetah--that's a type of spotted cat that can run at great speed--and so some architect or other in the far off past sought to ingratiate himself with the royal family by constructing several of those icons that you mention.

Maeve makes a face.

Unfortunately, he was a horrific speller.  You can see a number of his mistakes carved on various cat statues around the capital city.  Some people find them exceedingly amusing.  Me, I've never seen the appeal.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 49):

"I'd never even heard a person use the word tarry in context until this morning, and here Boreas has done it twice in under a minute. My word is this ever an expanding collection of erudite adventurers!"

Indubitably! Boreas replies.

"Fascinating about the cat iconography, Maeve. I should like to see them someday. Perhaps while patronizing Kah'Rehbou's renown coffee and tea emporium. As for our items, I agree the orb is probably most important, and then my sword if you have the magic remaining."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 53):

Lyriel looks relieved to see that Keef had removed the crown and was no longer holding the staff.

Smiling she turns to the group, perhaps it would be wise to choose one or two objects a day for young master Keef to identify for us, we could rank them from most important to least important.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 54):

Cassandra remains quiet throughout the conversation, standing off to one side and periodically closing her eyes for extended periods of time.  She looks a little healthier than you'd expect for someone who was beaten to death and barely revived not 12 hours earlier.

Chomper continues to scamper around the area, nipping at Shep and sniffing Chubbs alternately out of what appears to be boredom.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:07, Wed 16 Oct 2013.

Zuriel sorts through his satchel and the spare bags the party keeps for general purpose items.

"I can only find 70 gold pieces here. Looks like we'll have to hold off on the identification today, Keef. If I understand correctly the ritual requires at least 100 pieces to work properly." Zuriel frowns. "I guess that means we should be getting a move on. I'd prepare something other than identify then, Keef. I'm sure that spell will come in handy very soon, though."


[OOC: It would seem that we don't have the reagents to identify anything. Zuriel is ready to move on in search of the entity that can help them.]

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 56):

Keef looks in much better spirits after your kind words.  Though he does look slightly pallid, it does not dampen his energy.

I have some gold, sir Keef rummages around in his bag and come up with 30 gold.

"Oh, that is helpful! And no need to call me 'sir,' Keef. We're all in this together. If that doesn't eliminate the need for titles, I don't know what does." He takes out the rest of the gold from the party satchel. "Unless there are any objections, I say we get the iron orb analyzed. Boreas?"

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 58):

Maeve tosses 22 gp from her own bag into the party's communal satchel.

No sense in leaving us totally penniless once we're done.

Sounds good to me.  I've got 10 gold to spare, as well.  We should be able to put this thing to good use.  Keef, let's see what your magic tells us, then let's move on.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 60):

Keef collects the requesite 100gp from Zuriel and his own bag.

He then accepts the metal sphere from Boreas and places both on the ground.

Keef then strips down to nothing but his boots, gloves and smallclothes, which he insists is Absolutely necessarily... it's in the books

Keef stacks the coins all around the sphere and moves them to and fro with small clinking sounds.  He hums a tune under his breath, you can make out the words "Who are you?  Who who?...who who?" but nothing more.

As he chants the coins begin to glow.  Finally there is a flash of red light and the coins are gone.

Keef then quickly move on to the sword and repeats the process, though it does take him longer to set up due to being distracted by the way the sword catches the light and cuts the air.

At last Keef stands up.  Done
This message was last edited by the player at 16:36, Thu 17 Oct 2013.