"Why not?" the Librarian says, half to himself.  "I had started looking into that recent incursion to the Inn.  But it will take a long time before I can get anywhere with that.  So how can I help you?"

"Does that kind of thing happen often in these parts?" Varlian considers offering to help with the research, but decides to stick to his initial purpose instead. "Forgive me - I'm sure my skills are nowhere near yours," he says, bowing his head respectfully. "Although I am quite capable in that area."

He lingers there for awkwardly before finally he continues,  "I recently went to Falcon's Hollow to help with the outbreak of a strange illness and I met an extraordinary woman who asked me to gather some rare herbs: elderwood moss, rat's tail - a root, not actually the tail of a rodent - and ironwood mushrooms. To our amazement, the mixture actually worked! When I asked her where she got the recipe from, she told me it was written down by her grandmother in a book of remedies. I asked if I could borrow it and took as many notes as I could. That brings me here - if I can put this material together into something useful, like a collection of old folk remedies, would you be interested in keeping it in the library? It would be a tragedy if this disease returned and people didn't know how to treat it - and there's always the possibility some of these other recipes are more than just folk cures."

Having achieved his main goal, the cleric eases into a more comfortable demeanor. He produces an aged book from his traveler's robe. "This a prayer book written in an old dwarven dialect. I discovered it while excavating an ancient dwarf forge. It documents the rituals and worship of Droskar so I thought it might be of interest to someone who studies dwarven history."

"No.  It doesn't happen very often.  However, a small demi-plane, such as Netherworld, does attract the attention of all sorts of creatures.  Some by intent, as you saw at the Inn, others by happenstance."  he shrugs.  "Those things happen everywhere.  I remember a tavern in ...  errr .. I forget the name of the place.  I was eating dinner when a horde of bandits broke in and demanded we hand over all of our purses.  It was a bit touch and go, until the town watch arrived.  Everything worked out OK in the end.  Just like it did earlier."

Reassurances out of the way The Librarian turns his thought to the young clerics second comments, although, perhaps, not in the way he is expecting.  "Of course.  Information is always useful.  However, is it your aim to be known as a great sage?  Researching and experiencing life, then recording it? Or is it a more casual thing, that can earn you a bit of extra money?

Nothing wrong with either approach, of course.  I've done both in my time.  I even started out with a book of spells, remedies and minor spells from an old halfling religious book.  Had to learn halfling first ..." he adds with a grin.

Varlian takes a few moments to contemplate his own wishes. He finally speaks, "To the best of my knowledge I am in a unique position: I was raised in a monastery and always thought I'd stay there, until one day I found myself at the intersection of eight roads outside. I had prayed to Fharlanghn for the ability to travel more, but this certainly wasn't what I was expecting. Someday I would like to embark on my own Eternal Pilgrimage and be the first of his followers to record such a journey with all its sights and people along the way. I don't care much for any recognition, and I've been pondering giving up all my possessions for some time now. I simply want to document these things so that others may experience some of the greatness we're seeing, or so that those distant in the future might know what our life was like."

"We are all unique," The Librarian responds casually, "And we must all follow our own paths, and hope that they will lead to ...  whatever we expect them to lead to."  Then he adds, "And it always the unexpected turn that leads to wisdom and enlightenment."  He pauses for a moment and takes a sip from a small cup close to his elbow.

"Personally, I have always found poverty unenlightening.  Perhaps not for the first little while, as you learn to cope without money or, in your case, equipment.  However, eventually, I suspect, you will learn that both travelling, learning, and even defending yourself, is easier when you have both money and the right gear with you."

He finishes with a smile, "I certainly appreciate my home comforts, and my books, now-a-days."

Varlian smiled back at The Librarian, grateful for his insight. He understood the significance of having enough resources to travel and defend oneself, but he also believed in the power of simplicity and detachment.

"This reminds me of an old fable regarding an old man and a young boy who were on a long journey." Varlian remarked, his voice soft. "The youth was surprised by how little the man carried with him, only to be shocked when they reached a river crossing: the old man waded across it easily while the boy was swept downstream, losing all of his things, and ending up miles away from his destination."

He continued thoughtfully, "I have seen how material items can take us away from what is really important in life, so I want to free myself from those attachments. I have faith that if I give up everything, Fharlanghn will provide for me during my travels. Plus, after my journey ends, I might reconsider my lifestyle and adopt more luxurious items."

"Nevertheless," Varlian went on after some deliberation, "I haven't taken such a vow yet, and it is essential that I suit up properly for this mission. Therefore, I believe 50 gold pieces for this ancient dwarven prayer book is fair – if you are interested. As to my notes, they aren't worth much yet. However, if you believe that I could organize them into something of use then I am determined to do so."

The librarian considers the fable for a moment, Then smiles.  "And did the fable say that the old man learned how to cross the river before he gave up the use of equipment, or after?" he asks lightly.  "Now, I travel with almost nothing.  I don't need weapons, or armour, nor use ropes to climb cliffs, or drown underwater.  But many years ago, I needed a plethora of equipment to achieve those things.  And without those things, I would not be here to spend so much of my time in this fine library."  Then he turns to the prayer book.  "It is written in Dwarvish, you say?" perhaps deliberately, he reached for a magnifying lens as he pulls the book towards him.  With a slight smile he adds, "I still use some tools, of course.  This one not only magnifies text, but it has the added advantage of translating it into a language that I can read ..."

Then, almost grinning, he says, "Rather than fifty gold pieces, I will arrange credit, to the same value, with any of our traders here in Netherworld ...  As to your collection of folk remedies, keep working on it.  Why not mix in some folksy advice as well?  Bits like that fable you just quoted, other things that you learn during your travels.  Make it a diary of your travels with useful information sprinkled through it?  Record what you see, hear and learn, for that will add to your own understanding, and allow you to put your journey into an overall context.  In years time, when you are on your fifth volume, you will be able to read back over the early part of your journey and see just how far you have come."

Varlian bows his head in appreciation as he listens to the older man's words of wisdom. He was pleased by The Librarian's kind offer and sound advice.

"Thank you for your help, sir. I shall be sure to keep your suggestions about recording my journey in mind. And your offer of credit is truly generous."

Continuing on he says, "One more matter before I take my leave and leave you to your research, unless you have anything to request of me: I gathered one of the herbs that the apothecary asked me to collect, but it has been quite some time since I was here, could you please remind me where he might be located?"

"You need to see Esmerelda.  Straight across the hub, then right as you get to the 'countryside'."

He scribbles a quick note and hands it over to Varlian.  "This should be good for the credit I offered ..."

Check the game map for a plan of Netherworld, the Wiki has Esmerelda's details and items list.

Varlian thanks The Librarian and takes off.

Alton arrives at the library to meet with Jabe for research and measurement for what he recalled the man referring to as "toys" though perhaps something so intricate, and specific had demand for near perfection.....

Alton finds the common area, and lays out materials,He thinks that perhaps the librarian will show up as well, sense the reference materials must be carefully collected, the acupuncture points identified, and verified upon his person, and everything sorted and planned....

The library is impressive....
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Fri 14 Apr 2023.

Jab shows up a short time later, coming from deep inside the library, along with a servant carrying a pile of books which are placed on a convenient table.  "I saw the Librarian briefly," he comments to Alton, "And he helped me select these volumes.  There is one here on the anatomy of elves and this one," he says pointing to a text bound in dirty white leather, "Contains a series of detailed drawings of Drow anatomy.  It appears that Catromias of Jent, was particularly interested in drow anatomy, and acquired a few corpses for dissection."

Laying the books out on appropriate tables and then unrolls a large scroll revealing a detailed drawing of a human ear, with various markings and unusual looking signs. "Sylvan." he says casually.  "Apparently there was once a Centaur with similar interests to us ...."  Taking a small silver device from his pocket, he proceeds to measure Alton's ear, and then makes notes of positions and draws a quick sketch of his own. "That should do it ..." he comments finally.

"All the information seems to agree also insomuch as which points are better for peircing and those where simple attachment makes the most sense....I went ahead and as well as I could marked the points on my ear.  I see you have measurng to the most precise option, so now it is just a matter of recording the numbers and then of the build itself.  Anyone observing would be bored quickly I should think."

He notes the mans sketch, and his own...
"Is every information source in accord?"

"It appears to all match up, we just have to hope that we have managed to convert human ear locations to drow ears correctly.  If so, we should have a working device, before very long."

Jab closes the books and stacks them neatly, before nodding to one of the library assistants.

"Right.  I had better get back to the workshop ..."

“Should we meet back here, or should I drop into your workshop in a few days?”

Alton likewise gathers his materials keeping his notes and returning the borrowed tomes to the assistant’s cart

"I need to start work on the clockwork, so drop into the workshop in a few days."  Jab responds as he takes his leave.

Alton nods and leaves the library as he has more to do…

A small tired looking witch with a cane makes her way to the library...
Looking into the care and feeding of a shocker lizard...and a bit on how the thing makes the shock, and a bit of magical research.....

"You look tired." the Librarian says when he sees Esmerelda, "I gather that you are just back from that trip to the keep?  Nishka tells me that you  were successful in your endeavours.

When Esmerelda asks about the care of shocker lizards, The Librarian furrows his brow for a moment or two, and then sends an assistant to get the tome titled Reptilia Exotica, which he passes across to the gnome.  "From memory, I think that is all we have ...."

"Oh my this might be a bit more difficult than I thought....I need to look into the magic of electricty, perhaps they have need for others who have charges to balance themselves and have moods in order..."

"The magic of electricity?  Interesting ..."  Rising, the librarian goes to a wall then reaches straight through it.  "Part of my private collection." He confides as he lays a book on the table.  "I am afraid you can't take it away with you, but I can offer you a quiet space to read through it, if you wish.  Although I am not sure if the contents will help you all that much.  It used to belong to a mage that I knew, quite a long time ago."

Esmerelda takes the manageably sized traveling tome to a table to go over it...

"Grandera Brehanden, Lightning...."
She begins to leaf carefully through the pages....

"Yes this will do nicely....A cantrip, The keeper keep us."


She studies the text...."Reveal your secrets to me.."
She coaxes...the book
This message was last edited by the player at 22:24, Thu 19 Oct 2023.

After some extensive study, Esmerelda learns the rare cantrip and brings the book back to the librarian...

"I was not sure you were aware, but there is a rare orison contained within the pages of this book.  I plan to keep it to myself.  Should you ever come across a bit of rare magic in the library, let me know."

"Indeed."  although it isn't certain whether he is acknowledging the fact that there is an unusual cantrip in the book, or whether he is agreeing to keep Esmerelda appraised of any other unusual spells that he comes across.

"I have to get back to the brewry...As always I appreciate your assistance."