R.E.B.O.R.T. waits uncharacteristically impatiently for the kiln to finish. Finally, after many hours of baking and cooling, the kiln opens up to reveal a tiny little man. Standing at approximately three feet tall and covered in runes, it twitches slightly as R.E.B.O.R.T. reaches for it. On its own, it stands up and hops out of the kiln. It looks up at R.E.B.O.R.T. and speaks in a foreign tongue. "Si nkyorl dout meage, pliso."

"Follow me. There is much to accomplish," he replies back to the miniature construct.

R.E.B.O.R.T. heads back to the badger while mini-R.E.B.O.R.T. scurries behind him.

His new buddy looks something a bit like this:
https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cd/a...3348bd94f994721b.jpg
This message was last edited by the player at 14:30, Wed 25 Oct 2017.

Sypher closes his book and wipes his face and hands clean.  He thanks the servants and heads down after Beloc.  At the ground, he changes directions and heads to the Badger.  "Evening, gentlemen.  Have they brought you food yet?"

Shiaran finishes off her sandwich allowing the bird to finish off the seeds she bought.  "You wanna come along?"  She proffers a shoulder to the bird.  "I need to go talk to a couple of bookworms."  She smiles at the raven.

"Hey-o Sypha, roight as rain they did. Never had elvish stuff before. Could use a bit a' meat if ya ask me" says Krem.

"You'll be fine Krem. If they can survive hundreds of years on it, you can make it through the night" replies Darius.

"Yeah.. I reckon. So wots the plan Sypha? We treckin' off in tha dark or should we get comfy in the ol' Badga?" asks Krem.

As he finishes his question, Rebort walks up with a funny little construct in tow.

Beloc in the meantime is nowhere to be found.


Meanwhile, over on the other side of the city...

Shiaran's walk to the magi tree doesn't take long. Her new raven friend has taken up a perch on her shoulder. With the fading light of the day, the glowing blues and purples of runes etched up the sides of the tree stick out like a sore thumb. At the base of the massive redwood is an elderly looking elf, sitting cross legged with his back against the trunk, with a long pipe in one hand and a book in the other. He doesn't seem to notice you as you walk up.

Sypher shakes his head and chuckles.  "I have no idea.  Shiaran blew up at Beloc and took off.  Beloc is gone."  He shrugs and looks chagrinned.  "I just work here."

When Rebort shows up with the little construct, Sypher's eyebrows rise in surprise.  "What's this?  A new friend, Rebort?"

Shiaran positions herself where the elf would easily notice her, but chooses to remain silent.  This is partly out of politeness, but partly out of some instinct not to seem hasty.  Something about the elf exudes patience while demanding it at the same time.  Instead, she idly scratches the raven's chest as she waits.

After minutes that feel like hours, the old elf finally looks up and sees Shiaran. His puff of smoke catches in his throat given his surprise, and he begins a fit of coughing. "Jehoshaphat woman! You nearly startled me out of my mind!". He stands on wobbly legs, and Shiaran notices a long cane - not long enough to be a staff but longer than the one Darius uses. His robes are blue, and he wears a wide brim hat with a pointed top. In the process of standing up, his pipe rotates around, pointing down and dumping hot ash in to his grey beard. The entire beard goes up in an unnatural puff of foul smelling smoke. "Blast it all" he mutters. "I'm all out of ghindra root for another beard brew". He stands there looming sullen for a moment at the loss of his unnatural facial hair, before remember Shiaran is standing in front of him. "Oh, goodness me. You're still here. My apologies miss, ah, can I help you with something?".

Shiaran works hard to hide her amusement at the old elf's antics.  When his bumbling ends, she beams him a cheery smile.  "My name is Shiaran.  We are guests here tonight.  I was hoping to talk to someone with a library or access to spells.  We are out in the field and I am feeling a bit adequate with the few that I know."

The old elf's eyes light up, and he appears to completely forget his previous conundrum.  "Oh, a fellow student of the arcane I see? Well by all means my dear, follow me. Up we go. My wife and I don't get many visitors. Our friends and neighbors think our library is "a queer hobby" to quote the latest backhanded slight". He reaches out to place his hand on a glowing rune, but stops short. After waiting a bit, and remarks "Well come along, take my hand, unless you'd rather take the stairs".

Shiaran steps forward to touch the rune with the old elf.

As Shiaran's hand comes in contact with the rune and elderly elf's, her entire world goes black. Over the course of what feels like several seconds, stars, meteors, and entire spiral galaxies speed past her vision in a blur and deafening silence. With a slight pop, she finds herself standing in a warmly lit room filled with books upon books, curious objects and artifacts, and more glowing runes. Despite the structure being grown and shaped from living wood, a small fireplace sits in a corner, quietly burning tinder and sending puffs of smoke up the chimney. The wood around the fireplace is dark in color, though it doesn't appears to be burned. It resembles the same hue as Beloc's armor.

An elderly female elf sits in a rocking chair, a book in her hand, the same as the male. She looks up at with smiling eyes, and then to her husband. "Well I suppose if you're trying to replace me, you picked a pretty one" she says with a chuckle. The male elf laughs in turn. "No, at least, not this time" he pokes back. "This, is err... what was your name again dear?" he says, looking completely confused.

The female elf stands and cuts him off. "Her name is Shiaran, you old prune. Weren't you listening at all? And I owe her a deal of thanks for causing you to lose that ridiculous beard". She turns her attention back to Shiaran. "My name if Fhilinia, and my bumbling husband here is Vherban. I overheard that you're looking to pick up a few new spells. You'll be happy to know you've come to the right place".

Shiaran gives Fhilinia a small, respectful bow.  "Thank you for having me into your home."  She looks around the place in wonder.  "I wish I had time to stay here for a while.  Look at all these books!"  She turns back to matronly elf.  "As it is, I only have a few hours at most, and I must sleep sometime."

R.E.B.O.R.T. looks over to the new construct and back over to Sypher when he realizes he hasn't been given a designation yet. He pauses for a moment before introducing his new companion. "This is DW-01. He will be accompanying me for the duration of my time with you. He is a master fabricator, so he will not be much value in combat. His crafting abilities will suit our needs very well while we travel."

Fhilinia nods. "But of course. The need for haste isn't foreign to us, despite being old and long in years. What exactly sort of spells are you looking to acquire? We have an extensive selection of books on illusion and charms if that strikes your fancy. We're also well versed in conjuration too. We keep a few hand written copies of some of our more mundane grimiores, in the event a fellow mage comes calling".

Shiaran's eyes narrows slightly as she contemplates what the elf wizardess has offered.  "I don't normally deal in direct attacks, though one or two wouldn't hurt.  Versatility keeps the guys guessing."  She winks at the older woman.  "I've looked at some of the standard spells, which you are likely to have on hand.  These are spells I have not mastered before, but think I'm ready for now.  I'm considering Dispel Magic, Displacement, Gaseous Form, Clairsentience, Tongues, Suggestion, Lightning Bolt, Fly, Haste, Slow, and Water Breathing." She ticks off her fingers as she lists them.

"I'm not sure what I'll have time to learn tonight, but if I prioritize, I suppose Fly and Haste would come first and I'll go from there."

Sypher kneels down before the little construct.  "DW-01...D'won?  A pleasure to meet you.  I'm Sypher."

The old mage smiles. "We've got just the thing. Honey, fetch her a copy of Grintome's Grimiore, volumes 3 and 4". She looks at Shiaran. "These were written by a brilliant wizard named Grintome. Everything you'll need to know from advanced beginners spells to intermediate sorcery is packed into the pages. We trade in gold or paper, preferably in gold. Each will run you 15".

Shiaran smirks.  "I've heard of him."  She takes a look at the spellbook, searching for the spells she needs.  After a brief search, she finds the ones she wants.  Satisfied, she digs out the fifteen gold coins and lays them on the table.  "Do you have components for these?  If not, I'll find them in the market or on my own."

[Potential MCs:

3 small monacles
3 small ear horns
5 small strips of leather
1 square of gauze
1 bottle of smoke
1 licorice root
5 small fur cloth
5 amber, crystal, or glass rod
1 vial of molasses
5 small snake tongues
1 vial of pepperment or other sweet oil (Fildegarne version of stevia plant?)
1 cup of moldable clay
]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Tue 31 Oct 2017.

"We have most of them, yes, but not all. Most notably the snake tongues, ear horns, and monacles. The first would be frowned upon by our culture - though, for academias sake I have collected them before - and the other two would be better found with humans. Or dwarves for that matter, but aside from our resident dwarf, best of luck getting in contact with the rest of them. We'll throw in the componenents we do have free of charge. A "thank you" for doing business and visiting with us. It's been.. oh lets see..".

Fhilinia cuts Vherban off "... three hundred and twenty seven days since we've had someone visit us in search of arcane knowledge. Thought you're the first human for nearly two whole years".

"It has been my pleasure.  Should circumstances allow, I shall be happy to return for further business and conversation.  Thank you so much for the supplies."  Shiaran gathers her new possessions and stores them in the various pouches and easily accessible places, then gives a slightly deeper bow than before.  "Until then, my new friends, I bid you a fond farewell."

Following any parting words from the elderly elfs, Shiaran will make her way back through the elfin town via the dwarf selling meat.

As Shiaran approaches the dwarven stall for a second time. "Back again so soon eh?".


Meanwhile at the Badger...

Krem and Darius marvel at DW-01.
"Say Rebort, you seem to have a real knack for this".
"Think you could make your nex' wun look loik a li'ul goblin?".

"Just heading to bed now.  Your info was invaluable.  I found just what I needed."  She offers a few seeds to the raven on her shoulder.  "I don't suppose you have anything like a small manacle, ear horns, and snake tongues on hand, do you?"

"Can't say that I do, lass. Bit of an odd request" he says with a chuckle.

R.E.B.O.R.T. says "DW-01", correcting Sypher.

The little construct chirps back up and R.E.B.O.R.T. "D'won. Si hefoc batobot desta. Coi ultroi throdenilt munthrek."

R.E.B.O.R.T. looks back to DW-01. "That's not your designation."

"Si hefoc coi." DW-01 hustles off toward the badger.  "Tairais ekess vehafor wer lab."

R.E.B.O.R.T. looks back to Sypher. "D'won is acceptable."

R.E.B.O.R.T. turns squarely towards Krem and thinks for a moment. "No. A goblin construct does not seem very realistic." He looks back over to Darius. "Yes, of course. It is my primary function."