Farian returns Lantamori's look, rubbing the dirt from her eyes. "Buno and the main guy retreated into the shack, so we should follow," she says, advancing into the structure with her mace held up like a torch. "I don't know how people operate like this. So much shadow in their language and hearts. I feel like I need a bath from even trying to speak their 'language'. I am sure that they meant to rob us rather then give any information."

"Where is Narthian?" the elf asked, following the light wielder with a glance over her shoulder at the two recumbent tree people.

Dante tried to keep track of the direction in which they traveled, at least relative to the town. He took note of the house at which they arrived, too, in case he needed to be able to recognize it again. The numerous servants he eyed with more curiosity as they left the carriage for the house; were they guards disguised as servants? Or was Firvian living as a lord in truth?

Judging from the mansion's interior, Firvian truly was interested in books. Dante had never see so many in one place. He drifted once around the room, trying to determine if there seemed to be a theme to the contents -- antiquities, expensively ornamented? -- before joining the others by the fire and accepting a glass of wine.

"If meddling means offering such hospitality," he tells Pelas with a lift of his glass, "I can't easily imagine that anyone would object." He gives Firvian a nod. "You are much more of a scholar than I've ever dreamt of becoming. It must be a true passion for you." Glancing over at Dellas, he asked the halfling, "Have you ever seen such an impressive collection, Dellas?"

"I'm not sure. He is as resourceful as any of us, though. I am sure that eventually he will find my light."

Volsh is not mindless under his wolven pelt as he quickly turns to the undead that had attacked Thunder. With a snarl, he launches himself at the zombie that hit the wolf, ramming his spear in deep.

OCC:
Charge giving me a +2 to hit, but a -2 to AC til my next round.
If I can't charge, I'll still move up and attack the same zombie, but it'll be a 25 and no -2 to my AC
20:28, Today: Volsh son of Vor rolled 27,8 using D20+12,d8+5.  Attack/damage.

Thanks for reminding me Volsh!

Thunder yips in pain, snarls and bites back, but more as a warning then a serious attack.

19:15, Today: Narthian Goldleaf rolled 9,5,20 using 1d20+7,1d6+2,1d20+2 ((2,3,18)).

Dellas was worried about Vish as they travelled through the streets, trying to send a general hide feeling to Vish. He had not even noticed their travel until the carriage came to a stop, being ushered inside he looked about the room full of books. Quickly noting what tiles he could read from his position. He nodded slightly to Dante as he moved towards the books "May I?" he asked to their host.

Outside the Jade Rose Inn



The prince's sword flares brightly as Bruneor slashes down at the first of his undead foes.  The blade parts the wet flesh of the creature's chest and neck, and it drops at Bruenor's feet!  Now only one more foe is in Bruenor's reach...



Volsh turns away from the two undead attacking him and instead goes after the one Thunder has downed.  With wild strength, he thrusts Widowmaker hard into the prone undead, pinning it to the cobblestones!

The two undead Volsh left behind stagger after him, hands extended to grab and tear.  The one remaining facing Bruenor claws at him, but fails to find a gap in his armor.



Thunder is able to keep his foe on the ground, by no more. The undead tries to bite Thunder, but the wolf is too swift for that.

Rand's voice raises in intensity as he keeps the group surrounded by encouraging music, guarding the door against further assault.



Haazheel, you can see that there are two foes in battle with Bruenor, one undead prone next to Thunder and Volsh, and two undead who had staggered over to try to engage Volsh.  There are some fainter moans from down the street, and dull thuds, like fists banging on a door, but no screams or sword clashes or other sounds of violence.  You are definitely startled, though, when something nudges your ankle!  Looking down, you see Vish behind your boot!

--

Woodview - Firvian's Estate




As Averdante circles the room, the books, scrolls, and folios he sees seem to be in excellent shape, though it's clear many are quite old.  There is a variety of languages - Common, Dwarven, Elven, Gnomish, even Draconic (even if you don't speak those languages, the lettering is enough to identify its origin).  The titles you can read seem to point to primarily historical and natural history books, various wars from differing perspectives, reigns of notable monarchs, biographies of various figures (political, magical, famous, and notorious), overviews of various religions (some gods or sects being entirely unfamiliar - "Ashfae the Darkhidden", "The Scarlet Stars", "Norgula of Broken Teeth", "The Wavering One"), journals of explorers and adventurers and their travels and travails, and books on flora and fauna of different regions of Low'verok.

The quills and pens in small cases on the wall, each one labeled with a name, seem to have been a pen owned by a particular person, some of who were the authors or subjects of some of the books on the shelves.

Firvian nods graciously at Averdante's compliment.  "My thanks for your praise.  It seems a waste to not use the education my parents gave me; they each had their own scholarly bent, and my mother brought some rare books with her in her dowery. Now, the elven book with rosewood covers and gilt pages you spoke of.  If I had something of that nature, it likely would have migrated to my private library, so you shall have to pardon me for a few moments, my guests, whilst I go on a hunt."




"Of course, Dellas.  Just treat them gently.  I shall be back soon."  Firvian nods and turns to pace out of the room, heading back towards the hall and the stairs.

Dellas can examine the books and finds a few in the Draconic tongue that speak of the magical practices of certain monstrous races (harpies, minotaurs, nagas, merfolk, amongst others) as well as a peculiar slim folio entitled, "My Interview with Markcifilius, a Beholder Most Grand".

In perhaps a half-hour, Firvian returns wearing a pair of kidskin gloves, and holding a book-shape wrapped in red silk.  He goes to a table and unwraps the package upon it, revealing a rosewood-covered book with gold foil pages, the spine marked with Elvish script - "Memory".

"Ah, I found it.  Recently acquired, quite rare, a real beauty.  It's not often one can find a book written from the perspective of an elf about elven mental disciplines.  It's a rather niche subject if one is not an elf," he says with a slight nod at Averdante.  "Being as such things are more useful for an elf's trance state and less useful for a human's sleep, but sometimes such things can be helpful nontheless, if one has the patience.  Is this the volume you were seeking?  May I ask for what purpose?"

--

The Secret Cove



The boss and Buno are illuminated in green light, making the boss snarl and Buno curse.

"I sees you have no wantin' to be a gennelman about this," the boss says, his voice thick with a low-city accent.  "Runnin' an honest crook out of business, makin' him talk about his folk."  He spits off to one side, and says, "Brought into the harbor in wine barrels and firkins.  I gets some, others get others. We gets them where they need to go, we get paid."


Buno, now glowing green and his boss apparently about to sell him out, runs back the way he came.









Sir Aberlayne rolls to her feet and pulls out some lengths of rawhide.  "I'll make sure these two don't go anywhere, and keep a weather eye out for any more surprises," she says, briskly tying the treefolk hand and foot.

As Farian turns to the hut door, a glowing green figure runs out from within, banging straight into the priestess!  Buno shouts and goes top over teakettle over her, then struggles to get back to his feet, pulling himself towards the steep staircase down to the cove!

Bruenor tried to cleave the undead horror in twain, but in his haste to escape its vile grasp, he stumbled backwards, the swing going wide, as the creature's broken fingernails rakes across his very expensive armor.   He shuddered.
"....by the gods.... I'll be hearing that scrabbling sound in my dreams tonight for sure..."

Gritting his teeth,  he brought The Prince's Sword across in a back swing, trying to strike down the dead man.

OOC: 04:34, Today: Bruenor Sedricson rolled 4 using 1d6.  Fire damage .
04:34, Today: Bruenor Sedricson rolled 16 using 1d8+9.  2nd damage .
04:34, Today: Bruenor Sedricson rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  2nd power attack .
04:33, Today: Bruenor Sedricson rolled 11 using 1d20+10.  1st power attack

Volsh continues his assault on the downed zombie completely ignoring the two that were behind him.

Full: Attack x2

07:09, Today: Volsh son of Vor rolled 24,8,12,11 using D20+11,d8+6,D20+11,d8+6 ((13,2,1,5)).

So, with the nat 1, that's only 8 potential damage

Haazheel picks up Vish, looks the familiar in the eyes, and says Lead me to him. He hods Vish lightly to feel which way the familiar wants to go.

"Do we need to stop him?" Lantamori asked idly as she watched the glowing man attempt to flee.  Had he eaten the wrong kind of fish or something?

In response, Farian utters another spell, reaching a hand out as if grasping a tiny version of Buno in it. "[Language unknown: Of preic Foalos it artro Usmi Lartedard, onus blethoare no wees!]"

Casting Hold Person, Will vs DC 15."

Dellas walks among the stacks of books, picking out particular interesting ones, glancing through them before placing them back. He was mostly interested in what Arcana may be present, but the interview with a Beholder. He's heard rumors of one of them, Interesting he thought and he picked up that book and was skimming through it as their host returned.

There seemed to be no unusual preparations going on outside, which seemed to support Dante's suspicions that Firvian is an end buyer more than a fence. With two libraries in his home, he was clearly dedicated to acquiring books. So had they approached him with the book, knowing his interests, or had he arranged for someone to go and retch it for him?


When Firvian returns, Dante gets up to look at the book. "That does appear to match the description," he tells Firvian. Looking up at his host, he continues, "If I return it to my grandmother, I'll get the promised reward... and make my cousin look even more of an idiot than losing it did. He smiled slightly and added, "Also not a bad reward, as it happens."

Dropping the smile, he studied the book a few moments longer, then looked back at the half-elf. "Of course, that all depends on whether or not you're willing to part with it. You said you'd recently acquired it, and it's obvious you take your book collection quite seriously."

"Yawn," Narthian literally says. "This we know already. How do you think we found you? Look, you obviously didn't get on well with Farian, and she's the nice one. Surely you can appreciate your current position, and that we couldn't care less about your status at the end of this discussion. If you won't tell us now what we want to know, we'll ask your corpse later. I think I'll call my wolf brothers now..."

Spontaneous Cast Hold Animal as Summon Nature's Ally II, summoning 1 growling wolf behind the Boss.

13:46, Today: Narthian Goldleaf rolled 1 using 1d3 ((1)).

Intimidate?: 13:48, Today: Narthian Goldleaf rolled 14 using 1d20+1 ((13)).

Thunder rips into the undead flesh.

14:14, Today: Narthian Goldleaf rolled 23,5,3 using 1d20+7,1d6+2,1d20+2 ((16,3,1)).

Outside the Jade Rose Inn



Bruenor's second swing catches the undead, tearing out its soggy throat and tossing it to the ground.  For the moment, no foes are near him, and the closest he can see are the two who have converged on Volsh, and the one at Volsh and Thunder's feet.



In his fury, Volsh stabs down with Widowmaker again and again, missing the undead entirely the second time, but wounding it further with the first.



Thunder aids him, teeth ripping at the creature and finally succeeding in tearing the undead's throat out!

The two remaining undead claw at Volsh with mindless hunger, their claw-like hands pulling at his limbs, armor, and spear, but are unable to get through to the tender, bloody meat they so desire.



Vish squirms out of his grasp and goes up onto Haazheel's shoulder.  The weasel nudges Haazheel's head to the side, towards the interior of the island, and then nudges his chin up, until he can see lights from an estate partway up the steep hill above Rooton.  Vish chitters, pointing with his nose at the lit windows dimly seen through the mist in the hills above.

--

Woodview - Firvian's Estate



Inside the folio the author, a minor noble called Baron Ilwild Wendare, was apparently a traveler and gadabout sort of person. Despite warnings to the contrary (which he dismissed) he approached the beholder Markcifilius in his lair on the Border of the Unexplored Lands, and through supreme self-confidence and judicious application of flattery, managed to have a conversation with the beholder, rather than be turned into a statue, disintegrated, eaten, or otherwise killed in some spectacular fashion.  Baron Wendare then self-published his folio, mostly to other nobles.  The interview seems to be mostly gossip and trading stories about how to keep one's staff and minions in line, along with some travel stories and name-dropping from unusual creatures that Markcifilius had met in his journey (Yarkax the Jade Terror - a green dragon carving out a territory in the west, Janrisha the Delicate - a medusa artisan, Tel-De-Ra - a chimera who haunted the Unwanted Desert). The folio is signed by Markcifilius himself, which does make it rather valuable on uniqueness alone, regardless of its content.




Firvian looks troubled.  "Well, yes.  I had heard of this volume nearly three decades ago, and have been looking for it for quite some time.  I was given to understand it was in different private collections for a time, and when it came up for sale, I was very happy to make the acquisition..."


--

The Secret Cove



Buno doesn't even spare Lantamori a glance as he keeps trying to scramble away.



Farian feels her blessing loose and fly towards Buno, but it seems his fear is stronger for the moment, and he keeps scrambling away down the path.

Sir Aberlayne starts after Buno, moving as fast as she can on her short legs.  "I don't want to be left here without a boat, and I think he has some things to tell us!" she says, scooting down the path after him.



"The Throne!" the boss snaps out quickly, as Narthian begins his chant.   "Cap'n Vardun of The Throne. He brings stuff in in the firkins on his ship, we get it to buyers. Lots of rich sorts come 'ere for out spices and stuff, and some got deep pockets. It's a quiet place fer business!"

Seeing thr big barbarian in trouble,  Bruenor rushed over to help, not wanting any of his friends to fall prey to the filthy undead.
He swung his sword at the back of one of the creatures

OOC:  07:26, Today: Bruenor Sedricson rolled 1 using 1d6.  Flame.
07:26, Today: Bruenor Sedricson rolled 17 using 1d8+9.  Damage .
07:26, Today: Bruenor Sedricson rolled 14 using 1d20+10.  Power attack

Haazheel says Message received, Vish. He starts off at a sustainable trot.

Agreeing with Sir Aberlayne's synopsis, Lantamori sets off after Buno as well.

"Stop or get an arrow in the back!" she shouted at the man as she pulled her bow around as she skipped down the trail after him.

Thunder snaps at a "fresh" undead leg, looking to help is wolf brother.

To Hit, Damgage, Trip STR check: 19:38, Today: Narthian Goldleaf rolled 16,3,9 using 1d20+7,1d6+2,1d20+2 ((9,1,7)).

---

Narthian completes his chant anyway. "Easy, Yele Draug," he says to the wolf as it appears and eyeballs the Boss. "He's not worth eating yet." He ponders for a moment. "I guess you better come with me for now. Yele Draug here will listen to me, the rest of the pack might, or they might not. You'll be safer with me for a while." Narthian motions back towards the dock.

Bluff: 20:04, Today: Narthian Goldleaf rolled 11 using 1d20+1 ((10)).

Sense Motive: Lying? 20:06, Today: Narthian Goldleaf rolled 12 using 1d20+3 ((9)).

"Feel free to shoot him!" Farian says to Lantamori before chasing after Aberlayne.

Dellas giggled as he read different excerpts from the beholder book, before he closed it and gently returned it to it's resting place "A wonderful collection you have here." Dellas commented as he continued on down looking for any books on cooking. He was listening to Dante's conversation intently but was trying to conceal it as he did so by looking and skimming books.

Firvian's words on how he'd come to acquire the book sounded rather different than Dante's wholly spurious tale of an inner family rivalry, although it had gotten him this far. But perhaps knowing the book had ended up here was enough? An end buyer on the smuggler's chain?

No one had paid them to buy the stolen items back, and he had no intention of spending his own coin doing so without a certainty of being repaid. What he needed was a lead on whomever had sold Firvian the book.

Tilting his head, so he could appear to still be looking at the book, but also be watching Firvian, Dante mused, "Maybe it's a different book, then? I was told what it looked like, but books are not of particular interest to me. Is there an inscription dedicating it to Torian Silverleaf in the front? Because if there isn't, I must keep looking. Perhaps speaking to your broker could be a help."


17:37, Today: Averdante rolled 3 using 1d20-1.  Bluff check.
LOL He still sucks at lying!