Fire Shield, Haste, and Evard's Black Tentacles

Krackor

Uldred shakes his head. "That house belongs to the Battlewake family. Jhax is an ornery cuss, and would close the doors to everyone not kin, but fortunately his brother is head of the family, and the watch is traditional. But they own everything underneath their house, same as everyone else here. Our cellars are already dug and deep; we don't want to undermine our own foundations with grand new works."

Oakengrove Abbey

Gannon smiles at Kali. "Sylvanus has been kind to the vintners these past two years, and as you can see, we are not many here. I would be honored to give you a cask. All I ask is that you share it, and speak well of our Abbey."

Corym

Neldor takes your letter and your description of Elorfindar and Karilla's father and nods. "I've never been to Evereska. I've heard it's lovely, with a very different geography than Cormanthor. I'll get this to him. It may take me a day or two, depending on how tightly they have the city and temple warded, but I'll get it there."

That's understandable, so would have to be something, some space to build into the cliffside. Obviously you have miners and stoneworkers here, having those help out, I'll try get more funding sourced just in case.

It had been 'one of those days' for Krackor. He had tried to work out how to create a tunnel that opened up into a cave, making the tunnel end and sides look natural whilst the part in front looked pristine.  He decided to talk with Corym when he wasn't so busy with that Scroll.

Was this how it was going to be now or was the voting for new captain over due?  Not that he wanted the job, not by any means, and not that he didn't want Corym to continue, but the contract said it needed to be voted on and it was only fair for another to take the role on.  He was stuck as to whom to choose.

He searched for Kitheras and the Kora to ask each individually the same thing We are over due the vote for a new Captain, a "New Captain" implies someone different and I don't want the job.  Would you be interested?  Corym has done a good job and if able, I'd vote for him to continue but it is written in the Company Contract, 1 year.

Think about it.

Finding Corym he asked Corym, it's past time for the Vote for a New Captain.  I know you have enjoyed the role and done a great job at it, the company contract says 1 year.  I don't want to job, I mean that so please don't think I'm trying to get you to put my name forward.  What I would like from you is, for you to design the tunnel and entrance to the Temple of the Bronze Mask.  What say you?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Fri 15 Oct 2021.

Corym considered what Krackor said, and realized that he never intended there to be a term limit when he wrote the document. Someone that did well and earned the respect of the Company should be enabled to continue.  But neither did he ever expect to be the first Captain of the Company.

Corym began a dissertation--mentally--regarding these matters but then took a deep breath.

"I think its clear that my passions are not always aligned with the majority of our members.  That so many have gone along with my ideas for so long, I have taken as a sign of great respect.  But this mantle was never mine, and I resign it now with gratitude for the lessons it has taught me and the experiences it gave me."

He bows and takes a step back.

"There are those among us born, bred, and educated to such take up such mantles though.  I nominate Kitheras Sunblade as my replacement."

Kitheras only half-caught the nomination initially. He found Kali to be intoxicating with her rare beauty, boundless energy, and graceless curiosity, and it was she that held his attention at that moment.

The awkward pause at the end of Corym's nomination is what grabbed his attention.  As he looked up and noticed the eyes of the company on him, he played back the last few seconds in his brain and then he heard it anew. Nominated.

His training kicked in.

He inclined his head slightly to Corym in repayment of the compliments, and took a step forward.

"Thank you for your confidence, Corym. But thank you also for your leadership, your ingenuity in contriving our charter, and the successful navigation of boundless perils during your term." He pumped his fist into the air,  "Three cheers for the Captian!"

After the cheers subside, Kitheras, addresses the companions.

"Corym calls upon my breeding to qualify me for this position. Nobles are born to govern those whom they have been born in superior position to, which does not qualify me to be a first among peers.  Though my house is an honor to me, please disregard it as a consideration for your vote."

The difference between the two elves was stark.  Corym an idealist and intellectual and possessed of every strength and limitation of the avant-garde aesthetic that only he could envision.  Kitheras, born of the same country and possessed of the same genius lived fully in this world, knew its perils, applied his genius to the careful management and negotiation of the real.

"I am happy to serve and lead. Will another put themselves forward so that the election may have a choice."

Kali bowed her head slightly at the generous offer.

"I kindly thank you for your generous offer. Since you will not allow me to buy the cask out right, would you then permit me to make a donation to the temple? Truth be told, it would ease my conscience. I would hate to think that your god might look upon me with dissatisfaction for taking advantage of your kindness."

The last thing that Kali wanted was the negative attention of a god. It would be terrible for business.

IC:Once Kali is given the cask, she excuses herself for a moment and when she comes back, the cask is no longer in sight.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:11, Sun 17 Oct 2021.

In reply to Corym Ildroun (msg # 95):

Corym
Your mind has been so distracted of late, I see no reason for you to not take up the matter once more next year.

If I have understood your words and the charter, please forgive me. My stance is we have things to do and creating a base here is different to creating a home. We could all do with a home to come back to, Myth Drannor's secrets are so vast that we could be here years, maybe eventually you or Kora could create some portal to travel from here to our other places, like Oak Home.

Krackor knew there was more to do but wanted, felt he needed to let his God know he was determined and secure in his faith and duties.

"I take no offense, Krackor.  My personal goals have become obsessions, it will be good for me to step back.

"I agree that building lasting relationships here in Glen would be a good use of time.  We are unlikely to be done with Myth Drannor soon, and I would covet the opportunity to design your temple."

"Gatecraft--indeed even the creation of even simple scrolls and potions--will elude me for a decade yet perhaps.  That's not what my magic is for.  With her new teacher, Kora will doubtless outstrip me in that Art before then."

"But who else shall put their name forward.  Kitheras has not refused my nomination.  Kora will be occupied in her studies with Neldor for some time yet.  By seniority, Elorfindar or Karilla would be next but they are absent in convalescence.  Krackor has denied interest.  Tarron? Kali? You are new, but you are full members. Will you give us another name to consider?"

"Taking the title of captain should be earned, not requested." says Tarron, clearly not interested in putting his hat in the ring.

Kali was fascinated by the lack of intrigue in this group. She doubted that it was feigned interest since it seems that power was the least attractive aspect of the position for the people involved. Interesting.

She had noticed Kitheras studying her intently before he spoke about his nomination. Kali was unsure as to his motives since she knew little about him besides for the fact that he was a wonderful dancer. She knew that she had a habit to captivate people with her flair which she welcomes until she realized that they were either terrible people or incredibly boring looking to live vicariously through her. That probably wasn't the case here, but she decided to get to know him better in the future to get a feel for his actual character. Especially since he it looked like he was going to be leading this troupe.

"I have numerous skills, darling. Leadership can be one of them, especially if a trade deal needs to be struck. However, I would feel more comfortable to be held by experienced hands when going into deadly ruins. Kitheras is more than acceptable for that position."

"Then by default, Kitheras is the only eligible nominee." He begins to dig out the company accounting log and charter to turn over to the new captain.

Kitheras raises a hand to prevent Corym from handing over the paperwork.  "It's not good for a leader to be his own accountant.  I delegate you to continue marking and assessing the company inventory and accounts."

Kitheras continues, "I first propose to stay the course in terms of our immediate business.  My Ranger's oath causes me to seek wealth in other commodities than coin.  I've had many an occasion to save lives, but never to restore one. Neldor will shortly be providing us the means to acquire the magic necessary to restore Talindra.  All in favor of pursuing this avenue for the time being, say aye."

"Aye." says Tarron, agreeing to help the others.

"You'll hear no argument from me, my dear."

Group

Shortly after dawnfry three days after Corym shared the news of the scroll's decryption with Neldor, Rethusra knocks on your door. The grinning dwarven maid who works part time as Neldor's factor gives you a formal bow when you open the door. "Fortune bring you joy. Neldor sent me to ask you to meet him. He says he's located the item you were discussing."

You gather up your gear and troop across town to Neldor's store. The alchemist is waiting for you in the front room. Rethusra waits by the door as you enter, and when you're all inside she gives you another bow and closes it, leaving you alone with Neldor.

"You asked me to find you a wish spell," Neldor says, jumping in without any preamble. "That is not an easy task. Few wizards are capable of casting it, and few of those who can would go to the expense and effort of transferring it to a scroll. But after two days of fruitless searching, I realized I knew where you could find one."

He spreads a map of the eastern-most stretches of the great forest of Cormanthyr out on the counter. It's a fairly new map of human make, tracing the River Lis from Ylraphon north to the Moonsea and Elmwood. Harrowdale is marked, but the forest itself is just a mass of undifferentiated green. Neldor has marked a particular spot on the Lis's western bank in red.



"This was Eueurarlor. My home. It was older than Cormanthyr, older than Rystal Wood. It's gone now, destroyed in a terrible day of monster-infested spell battle. It used to be a beautiful city of crystal towers, but as I left I felt ours start to buckle..."

He trails off into silence for a long moment, then shakes himself. Next to the map, he places a flat, opalescent stone the length of an elven thumb. "Our treasury and most valuable lore library was hidden in an extra-dimensional space on the fourth floor of our tower. One of the enchanted swords was a luckblade with at least one active wish. We were too busy evacuating people, or fighting, to empty the vault. Whoever destroyed Eueurarlor was searching for treasure like our vault, but I've confirmed that it's still intact. This Imbran wardstone will let you see and enter the extra-dimensional space."

Neldor looks around at you. "Eueurarlor was destroyed one hundred and seventeen years ago this spring. I have never returned. I do not have the skills, and I cannot bear to look upon it. And I have never met a group that I trust to hold my family's lifeblood and not run off with it. But I trust you. Take my wardstone and go to my home. Bring back everything, or as much as you can. Do that, and you can have the luckblade, and I'm sure there will be a few other old Imbran things I can share as well. What do you say?"

Kali clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Sounds like a grand adventure! When shall we head out, oh fearless leader?"

Kitheras considers the story.  "A tragic tale, and one that we'll happily work to salvage.  What were the nature of the invaders, and do you know if they yet linger?  We need to be prepared as best we can."

"Another thing--will we need to access the space 40' feet in the air, or will it have fallen with the tower?  The minimum enchantment to do the trick would be Levitate and that's a lot of casting to take care of everyone.  Do you have scrolls we could use for this purpose?  And what we can bring back will be significantly assisted with something like a Bag of Holding or the like.  I've used the Item spell to great effect as far as that is concerned, but it has its limitations, and I can only carry one such spell at a time."

"I would reunite you with as much of your heritage as is possible, Neldor."

Neldor shook his head. "I don't know who destroyed the city. Not precisely. We'd been attacked three years earlier by a group of humans, but they were killed easily. There had been other probes by various Moonsea cities, and we had been sending children and elderly out of the city while we determined how serious the threat was. But that attack was something different."

He shivered. "I didn't see much. I was in our family tower when the explosions started. I heard the roar of monsters, of dragons. My sister shouted for me to get people out. I saw some wizards out of the window, but whether they were human or elven, I couldn't tell. I spent maybe a quarter of a bell teleporting the people of House Imbran away before something big hit the side of the tower and it started coming down. I got myself out, and that was the last I saw of Eueurarlor."

Neldor turned to face Corym. "The vault was keyed to a door in the house matriarch's working chambers, but it would have remained where it was when the tower fell. Which means you'll need to go up to reach it. I'm afraid I don't have anything that can help; I've always relied more on my Art than on items of frozen fire. Though I'll remind you that while useful, the Art is not the perfect tool in all circumstances."

"How will we know which ruin is your family tower?  Are there symbols, or unique composition?"

In reply to DM (msg # 106):

Patting Kitheras on the back Time to shine again young lordling.  Lead us well, you have all our support.  Krackor was glad that nobody had put his name forward as they were going to do for the first such vote until he put his name against Corym's.  He was safe for another year at least.

Before setting off on a new adventure, Krackor spoke to the towns people, the leaders he trusted, letting them know he was off to see if anyone needed saving and that they would be back later in the year but may hear from them way before their return. When we return next, it will be to start crafting our home.  We shall not forget you and will bring enough money back to help the people of Glen prosper as well as to help us fund such an endeavours.  They had supplies and spells to suppliment.  He was ready.

Tarron had spent time learning some new spells from Neldor that he thought would come in really handy. Given the exploration and intention to haul back equipment, the Deeppockets spell seemed most invaluable. Hallucinatory Terrain would provide ample opportunity to hide the group while they rested, whilst the ever useful Wizard Eye would go down well for exploration purposes.

He winced at the thought of having to choose which one to cast with his available spell power. There would only be the option to use one of these daily. But he also considered that he would be able to share these with the others in the group if they had the ability.

He had very little to say to the townspeople, but he wasn't rude about it. He just kept himself to himself.

Neldor laid another map on the table, over the one of the Dalelands. This one was crude, just a series of lines on a piece of paper, drawn by someone with a steady hand but no skill at cartography. "I made a map of the city as it was," Neldor said. "The city was built on a low rise a mile west of the river. Most people lived in the great towers of the six noble clans, though there were many smaller towers scattered around them like saplings around a shadowtop.

"I've marked the six towers on the map. Tor Imbran was in the center, and was a mix of turquoise and opaque clear crystal. Each tower's coloring was unique; you shouldn't have any difficulty finding it once you're there."

He looks around at you. "Any final questions?"

((ooc: Eueurarlor doesn't have a published map, and I'm not the artist able to make it. So this venture will be very much theater of the mind. If there are questions about the city or its layout feel free to ask.))