The look on Naerth's face when he realized what he was looking at troubled Mallory.  Not because of anything in his particular manner but because she felt a momentary beat of satisfaction out of it.  A person of her abilities could cause remarkable damage to those around her with barely any genuine effort; it was something she lived each day being keenly aware of, and cautious of, yet she still found a singular point of grim satisfaction in that moment of selfish cruelty.

"I haven't shown this particular moment to anyone else.  They don't need to see it... they bear no responsibility for what's happened, so they shouldn't have to bear something like this.  Unlike us." Mallory spoke distantly, as if more to herself than just Naerth.  "I don't regret acting on the side of justice, you know.  Saving Herve from the gallows.  But every time I close my eyes, this is what I see.  I can still taste the sting of blood and hoarfrost in the air.  And I realize that, if my foresight had shown me this before, if I somehow had the chance to go back and do it all over again... I'd let him hang.  Because even a child orphaned is better than a child butchered."

Her gloved fingers clenched tightly into a fist and the illusion vanished away instantly, snapped out of its pseudo-existence just like that.  "A man in your position and career surely understands well that there is always a difference between fault and responsibility.  Kaltro alone is at fault for this atrocity, but you and I bear responsibility for it as well."  The generous pay offered for the pursuit of the murderer-at-large wasn't what drove her, it seemed.  Those dark eyes lifted once more to meet Naerth's in a long, hard stare laden with intent.

"I understand the... impossible... position you find yourself in, Naerth.  The pressures and expectations that weigh on you from people like your associates.  I want to help you, for both our sake, and to see this cooperation of ours continue on well beyond Targos." her tone maintained its level even as she clenched the edge of her cup to the point that her knuckles audibly creaked.  "But you need to appreciate the fact that this is not merely 'one unfortunate incident'.  This is not something to be tolerated and swept aside; it is a line crossed and it will be crossed again, and again, and again.  Whether Kaltro remains a worthy asset may not be your decision to make, but you surely must convince those who would still bear a monster like him of their folly."

Naerth folded his arms and listened on to Mallory's preaching. "You don't think I've considered all of this? Kaltro poses not only a significant problem, but a significant threat. He is subservient to The Frostmaiden first and foremost. But if the Network still determines he cannot go away just yet, then my hands are bound." His stern gaze intensified. "You have my proposal. Two thousand gold pieces. No small sum. If he dies you get nothing, but he'll no longer be a thorn in my side. And if the third outcome comes to pass — if he just so happen to fall into the wrong hands — say, Duvessa Shane's — and is sent to Revel's End because of your involvement, then I can guarantee that our cooperation will not extend beyond Targos". He sighed and shook his head dejectedly and waved toward the door. "If that was all, you may leave. Have a good night, Miss Bonheur."

---

Outside, Astre sprung into existence above the snowy rooftops, just in time to spot Moyrah arrive by Rhydd's side and Xhar prepare for departure, pouch in beak.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:08, Sat 14 Aug 2021.

In reply to Moyrah the Mutt (msg # 71):

Rhydd hear Moyrah's voice behind him, and he turned to face the Half-Orc. The hood of his bear-skin coat was pulled up, and his face was hidden from sight.

"Saw something flit by the window, and came out to take a look," he replied to her inquiry.

He gestured back over his shoulder with a gloved hand. "Turns out it was Xhar -- Arkemos' raven. Seems that it has a delivery for either Ethen or Naerth -- payment for a debt owed, it said -- but it doesn't want me to pass it along."

Mallory did indeed rise from her seat... but not to leave.  Instead she shifted over nearer to Naerth and rested herself against the edge of his desk as he did, half-slouched in her posture and her drink set aside nearby.  The intensity that filled her in her lecturing seemed short-lived at best and immediately gave way to tiredness; the sort of dead-end frustration that someone in public office like he was surely understood all too well.

"I'm sorry, Naerth, I truly am.  I know this isn't any easier a situation on you and it's unfair of me to pressure you, especially after how understanding you've been since my arrival in Targos.  Today has just been very... very troubling for me." she offered with a heavy sigh.  "I hope I haven't made you loathe of my company.  We could have a very fruitful relationship going forward and I'd hate for foul circumstances such as these to get in the way of that.  I know I perhaps haven't shown it as well as it deserves, but I respect men of your ilk.  Conviction and capability are very admirable, and something I find lacking all too often in the company I'm forced to keep in my travels."

For those familiar with the song-and-dance of politicking and business, hollow flattery could be easily spotted for what it was.  But there was a softness in Mallory's manner, in her apology, that showed a clear difference from the professional facade they'd both worn in their earlier meeting.  She offered a faint smile that was tired but not forced as she canted her head his way.

"Besides, there's still other matters of business that require our attention.  The schedule of when I can access the Trolls' remains, for instance, or how we may keep in contact if I travel amid the Ten-Towns.  And there's the case of our wayward cultist."  An idle shift of her eyes was given to lead Naerth's attention to his window once more.  "I've learned more of his reasons for being here, but his pet bird is in the alley outside, right now, with a pouch of coin to pay for his inn debt.  Which means the man himself is very likely nearby."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Sat 14 Aug 2021.

"I hope I haven't made you loathe of my company."
"You've done no such thing." Naerth gave ground, sighing. "I apologize. Your insights are appreciated, and though the matter is settled, I should not dismiss them so harshly." As to the rest of her spiel, Mallory's predictions rung true — he did not seem particularly taken by her compliments, one way or the other. "I have contacts scattered throughout Ten-Towns. I will have them reach out to you if need be. We'll settle the matter of Trolls tomorrow, they're not going anywhere. You can meet me in the square at morning. As for the cultist, I am afraid I know very little myself. He wasn't prone to spilling information, nor did I see the need for Skath to interrogate him."

He stopped, as if suddenly recalling something. "There is one thing — I spoke to Skath after he'd questioned the guardsmen who manned the gate when the Trolls struck. One person was seen near dawn, leaving Targos. I had suspected it to be Kaltro, as it's no surprise he would have left, but now I am unsure. Are you certain Arkemos would be nearby? Why then send his raven?"

---

Xhar fluttered and took flight, not caring for any idle chatter between fools. He did not notice Astre perched on the inn's roof, tracking him with keen eyes.

---

Xhar Passive Perception [11] contested by Astre's Stealth [15]: Astre remains unspotted.

Mention of someone having left at dawn put a scowl across Mallory's painted lips.  "That must have been Kaltro.  He surely struck in the dead of night; with no reason to remain and every to leave, of course he would make haste." An unpleasant deduction, to be certain; with a full day's head start, Kaltro could've made his way to any of the neighboring towns even on foot.  He'd left Easthaven prior, however, so it was unlikely he'd double-back there so soon...

"Arkemos has reason to fear for his safety here in Targos, it seems, and that's put him ill at ease.  He's not going to linger.  But for whatever personal reason he chose to pay his debt to this Inn first." Mallory noted as she cast her eyes momentarily skyward, as if once again seeing something that only she alone was privy to.  "His raven is an intelligent creature, more so than any normal bird, but it is still a bird in body.  It can't bear a pouch of coins for very far without exhausting itself, let alone in these bitter winds.  He'll be nearby to collect both his pet and coin alike."

The noblewoman fell silent for a moment of focus as she let her eyes droop half-shut, once more taken by darkness that spread from their center outward.  "It's on the move now.  If your other serpent is particularly swift, I'd suggest you send word to Captain Skath at the gate to keep alert on the perimeter."

---

Outside on the rooftop, Astre remained low amid the snow-covered edge where he blended in quite well to the surrounding fluff.  As Xhar took to the sky, he watched intently - silent messages relayed themselves back and forth between his own mind and that of his companion still inside - quick to form a plan.

Still silent as ever, the Tressym pushed a bit of snow off the roof's edge to pap down onto the ground by Rhydd and Moyrah; just enough to alert them to his presence and let them realize he was there, before he leaped and took flight in stealthy pursuit of the fleeing Raven.

---

Astre will pursue Xhar from a distance and keep Mallory updated as long as he can remain within range.  He's set purely on scouting duty for the moment so he'll stay as far and high back as he can, so long as he can keep eyes on his quarry.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:06, Sun 15 Aug 2021.

"Turns out it was Xhar -- Arkemos' raven. Seems that it has a delivery for either Ethen or Naerth -- payment for a debt owed, it said -- but it doesn't want me to pass it along."

"Ugh, that disgusting, good for nothing bird..." Moyrah spat on the ground before continuing, "...If I was you, I would have put an arrow through its skull". The disdain she harbored for the dark-feathered birds was prominently peppered throughout her words, and once the familiar flew away, Moyrah had a tough time trying to hide how glad she was that it was gone. "Oh look, I scared it away, now let's get back inside before we freeze to death. Astre will catch up to the raven, no doubt about it." The letter Akremos left before his departure, was enough to settle Moyrah's curiosity regarding what happened and who Akremos might have owed his money to, and the bone-chilling winds were definitely not helping her want to stay outside anymore.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:33, Sun 15 Aug 2021.

Naerth rapped his fingers on the drawer, contemplative. "He could have learned of his presence in the town and hid. Did Arkemos fear Kaltro? If so, why?"

---

Xhar climbed above the rooftops, disappearing amid the night to anyone but Astre, who took to the sky once he knew he could maintain a safe and covert distance. The cultist's familiar cleared no more than fifty feet before landing on a sharply sloped rooftop angled toward the north-western perimeter of the city walls. Just as it made contact with the shingles, a puff of faint, magical mist formed around it, and in place of the raven stood an small, red Imp, leaning on the slant. He tucked his leathery wings close and grabbed the pouch in one sharply clawed hand before sliding down. Once he came halfway he disappeared, though the track on the roof kept going. As did his footsteps once he landed on the ground below.

---

Give me another Perception check for Astre, Mallory! Apply his Keen Smell Advantage.

Rhydd turned when the snow slid down off of the roof, but relaxed when he spied Astre. He nodded his approval when Lady Mallory's Tressy took off and followed Xhar, although seeing as how his head was deep in the recesses of his hood, he doubted that anyone would have noted.

"Aye," he replied to Moyrah when the Half-Orc mentioned putting an arrow into the raven.

"I tried sweet-talking it into giving me the pouch, but I'm not much good at that sort of thing. Shooting things with arrows, on the other hand . . ."

He glanced towards the spot in the dark sky where the two flying creatures had disappeared, and saw only wind-blown snow. "Lady Mallory's Tressy is a smart one. If there's anything to be learned, I expect that Astre will suss it out. Might work out better this way -- not sure what we would've learned from a pouch of coins . . . assuming that's what was what Xhar was carryin'."

He turned towards the door of the inn. "An' ye're twice right about getting back inside, out of this weather."

"He was here on other business, allegedly.  I feared he may be an accomplice, as his raven interfered with--" Mallory began, only to cut herself short with a gasp.  Dark eyes went momentarily wide in surprise, though narrowed quickly back down again into a glower of consternation.  "So that's what you are?  No mere cultist, indeed... That answers one question and raises five more."  She seemed to be thinking aloud at that point as she shifted away from the desk and walked blankly toward the far wall of the room to lean her shoulder to it.  A pensive gesture in and of itself, though Naerth was likely unclear of its true purpose - to allow Mallory at least a few strides nearer to where Astre was in the town beyond, to maintain her connection that much longer.

It was perhaps odd for someone on the outside looking in on Mallory's method; Naerth had a glimpse here and there when a vision of the future took her before, but it was another matter entirely to see her flush in the midst of deduction.  Her awareness seemed scattered - not entirely gone from the present moment, yet tossed about elsewhere in the world and through other moments as she pieced together disparate bits throughout.  Far more than simply a woman helplessly adrift on proclaimed ripples of divine insight.

---

Astre's own eyes widened and narrowed just as Mallory's had, though if anything he felt more annoyed with the revelation.  He preferred the bird.  In the back of his awareness he could feel his companion's niggling worry flitting through his thoughts; an Imp was dangerous.  Though he was confident in his own abilities as a covert operative, Mallory's insistence won over in the end...

The snowy Tressym tucked down into a slow, gentle dive to maintain his bead on the bird-turned-fiend.  As he went, however, a cool shimmer rippled across his form as he faded from view entirely; two could play at the invisibility game!

---

Mallory casts "Invisibility" on Astre, using the Familiar Casting feature.

Find Familiar:

When you Cast a Spell with a range of touch, your familiar can deliver the spell as if it had cast the spell. Your familiar must be within 100 feet of you, and it must use its Reaction to deliver the spell when you cast it.

Invisibility:

Range: Touch
Duration: Concentration, Up to 1 hour
A creature you touch becomes Invisible until the spell ends. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is Invisible as long as it is on the target's person. The spell ends for a target that attacks or casts a spell.

Astre - Perception w/Advantage
Mallory Bonheur rolled 22 using 1d20+5

It's worth remembering that Astre has an innate "See Invisibility" because of a racial feature.  It does have a visual range of 60' though, so Xhar would fade in and out of sight if he was on the edge of that radius.  Astre's going to try and remain within line of sight.  Now, being Invisible as well, Astre should be a bit more secure against others' Passive Perception checks.

"What?" Naerth asked, momentarily befuddled. When he realized it was simply Mallory's divination kicking in, he took a step back and let her focus on whatever her magic showed her.

---

The Imp skittered along the ground, making sure to tread where he left the shallowest footprints, or, preferably, underneath the eaves of the roofs where he left none at all. His efforts did little to deter Astre, however, who could see his reddish form through his spell of invisibility. Xhar was bound for one of the buildings near the outskirts of the docks. A sign swung gently in the winds above the door — Gallaway Trade Depot. Though it seemed entirely abandoned — while it was not unusual for the lights to be out at this hour, there were planks barring several broken windows. Xhar stopped and jumped, flapping his wings for leverage to reach a windowsill, before nimbly ducking underneath the shattered glass and slipping inside.

---

Going on our earlier measurements, Astre would be just out of the 100' communication range. To get through the window I'll call for a DC 11 Acrobatics Check, or he'll end up taking 1d4 points of Slashing Damage.

"It's heading east, toward the docks... Gallaway Trade Depot." Mallory mused aloud.  She trailed off though and, in short order, her eyes once more regained their focus on her immediate surroundings.  Whatever vision she'd been linked to seemed to leave her once again and allow her to return to the present moment.  "I daresay if we wish to speak with Arkemos himself, we best make haste.  It seems he might take his leave by way of the lake rather than the gate."  With the Lake Monster dealt with, it was a safer escape route by far...

---

Though Astre felt the distant awareness of his companion vanish from his mind as they trailed too far apart, he remained resolute.  The hunt was on!  He circled wide and slow while Xhar made his way inside before returning to his pursuit once more.  Where the Imp scrabbled his way through, Astre alighted himself ever so gently to squeeze in through; all his fluffy fur spared him any jagged prickling as he shimmied through inside.

---

Astre - Acrobatics
Mallory Bonheur rolled 12 using 1d20+2
Hoo!  Just made it.

"Well, then we know where he is," Naerth said. "Skath has Targos on lockdown, between the Trolls and the situation with what's-his-name," he waved a dismissive hand and shook his head to express his annoyance with the entire incongruous event, "Gam. The exit to the lake is guarded. And while I expect him to periodically exchange the men due to the cold, I trust him not to leave any windows our cultist can exploit."

---

The inside of the trading coster was like any other, except entirely abandoned. Every shelf was empty, and the soft whistling of the wind outside reverberated as every little sound bounced unhindered between the empty walls. Astre had momentarily lost sight of Xhar, but it wasn't difficult to spot his tracks in the cold dust that had settled on the floorboard. There were multiple footprints, many not belonging to Xhar. The imp's red, invisible form, shimmering against the darkness, headed for a narrow door that led to an even narrower staircase. Flickering light from the cellar peeked out the creaking door as Xhar made his descent, and Astre's ears piqued to sound of someone speaking.

"At last. Did you complete your errand?" The voice was not Arkemos'. It was springy and light in tone, and unlike any Astre had ever heard prior.

"No," Xhar responded. "It was not the innkeeper nor the Speaker who answered our call."

"Does it matter?" the sprightly voice shot back. "Just leave it at the entrance."

"And risk a rat skittering off with it?"

"No matter." That was Arkemos's voice, and Astre got a visual confirmation as he stepped silently down the stairs with feline grace. "We've lingered long enough. It is time we depart."

Similarly to the main floor, the cellar was mostly empty. There were a couple of empty wine racks, one of which the now visible Xhar had huddled atop, and a few barrels its proprietors had not brought along. An arched wooden door was situated against the back wall. The owner of the unfamiliar voice was someone with the stature of a Halfling or a Gnome. He was holding a candle and wore a green, fur lined top hat, and a friable, patchy coat. On second glance, he was more likely a Halfling, going by the size of his moccasins. Arkemos stood near the door, his hood back to reveal his sharply kempt black hair and goatee.

"One last time — are you certain you want this?" the Gnome or Halfling said, looking Arkemos' way. "It is a rather permanent solution to a problem that may very well be impermanent."

Arkemos' nodded. "I am certain. I trust the payment is in order?"

"Indeed, it was as you said. A pendant like this could fetch a steep price in these trying times," the gnome said, fishing out a gold-chained amulet with a pitch black, sword-shaped gemstone. "Finding a buyer will not be a problem."

"Be careful who sees you with it," Arkemos said. "Avarice might send to retrieve it."

"Yes, yes, The Black Cult," the fellow with the top hat said, tucking it back into his coat pocket. He then proceeded to step up to the arched door as he got out a ring of keys and sifted through them. "They are not as eminent as they make themselves out to be. Now, remember, you will be called 'Clueless' and 'Berk'. And a Berk you are, for the record. You will find yourself in The Lower Ward." He slotted one long, rusted key into the keyhole. "I advice you to find The Madame. She will help you."

"You have my gratitude," Arkemos responded.

The Halfling opened the door and paused to sigh. Astre was only able to get a glimpse of what laid beyond, and it wasn't dissimilar to what the cellar looked like. "Once more — are you absolutely certain you wish to do this? Once you step through that door it will not lead back to Targos."

"I am," Arkemos said and stepped through the door, Xhar fluttering in after him.

Mallory shook her head in quiet dismay.  "From what I've seen, Arkemos seems to be more than just a follower of your usual profit-seeking nonsense cult.  Normally they're just get-rich-quick schemes that prey on people in poor straits, lacking any real validity at all.  But every now and then one actually manages to get the attention of a genuine mystical Patron and a sliver of their essence... it appears that's the case with Arkemos." she realized she'd slipped into a bit of lecture mode once more; really, she should've taken her mother's advice and gone into teaching at one of the lesser academies back in Neverwinter.  "That is to say, he has unique magic at his disposal.  He may very well vanish into thin air, gates and guards be damned."

---

Astre paced along ever so carefully in Xhar's wake, cautious to step only where the Imp itself had stepped to mask his own footprints in the snow and dust.  He sniffed about along the other prints as he went in search of a scent but, in time, focused more on the conversation at hand.

An accomplice, an exit, and an escape... despite an immediate, reflexive desire to pursue Arkemos and Xhar through that strange door, the Tressym remained low and silent where he waited instead.  The cultist ultimately wasn't a lead he could chase very far.  But this new Halfling was.  Where one lead ended, another inevitably began!

---

Astre's going to give up the chase on Arkemos and tail the Halfling instead, if possible.

Also, Perception check for any stand-out scents or details worth notice amid the footprints, area, etc.
Mallory Bonheur rolled 18 using 1d20+5

Naerth listened to Mallory, tilting his chin upward in acknowledgement. All he could do in this situation was lean on Mallory's expertise — magic was not his forte. "From what we can tell, the cult in Caer Dineval is utterly dysfunctional, and it's seeped into the management of the whole town. But I happen to agree with your assessment on Arkemos, the man did not give off an air of incompetence. I suppose that could be why he defected."

---

We'll be looking to wrap up this segment for the sake of pacing. Right now, only Mallory's character is engaged in this scene while the rest are idle, waiting for the new day.

---

The Halfling closed and locked the arched door behind Arkemos and Xhar. He slipped the key back into his pocket, took a few steps toward the narrow staircase, and stopped, staring Astre's invisible form head on. "Ah." He then removed his top hat, laying bare a mostly bald head adorned with a few wispy strands of blonde hair, dropped the key into it before twisting it back on, and headed out with a lit candle in hand.

He went for the trading post's front door, which was unbarred, unlocked it, and traversed the darklaid streets of Targos. Without realizing someone tailed him, he utilized a snug back alleys to arrive deeper into the residential districts. A bit north of Troll carcasses, he unlocked and entered a small building nestled between a couple taller than it. It was yet another trade depot of sorts — Triglio's.

---

Astre would have momentarily slipped into Telepathic range while he followed the Halfling.

Astre tensed up for a moment when the Halfling seemed to lay eyes on him despite his supernatural shroud, yet eased when it seemed to just be a case of happenstance.  With a few last sniffs around to take in the Halfling's scent specifically while it was fresh, he stealthily made his way in the man's wake to see where he'd leave to.  If he had another strange doorway for himself, there'd be no helping it...

Thankfully it wasn't the case.  If he was going to use magic to spirit himself away somewhere else, he would've done it already.  Instead Astre took in the apparent resting destination for the stranger - Triglio's - and finally wheeled back toward the Luskan Arms' general direction.  Unseen to all, the Tressym only had to fly a short ways before he simply poofed out of existence, spared another flight through the cold as he returned to his hideaway between realms.

---

"I can only speculate to some degree, but Arkemos was certainly acting on someone else's orders... he was here to investigate Maer Dualdon itself, though to what end and who's presence threatened him to flee his task, I'm uncertain." Mallory tucked two fingers beneath her chin as she worked to deduce what she could.  "I understand if this may be difficult to believe, but Arkemos is in league with Fiends; they are the source of his magic.  I recall the wizard Morienus's tower stood and fell on the banks of the lake just north of here in centuries past... it was due to his foolish use of Fiend summoning that led to The Great Thaw and his downfall in the first place, so perhaps there's some connection."

Another moment of insight seemed to strike the young noble as she paused abruptly and her gaze went unfocused.  Naerth could see a string of emotions flicker across her face; surprise, annoyance, and finally a sort of surrendering acceptance.  "Well... it's of no matter.  Arkemos is gone for good, now.  Whatever scared him from this place has driven him to escape to another Plane entirely - one he may very well never return from." As her eyes refocused she offered Naerth an understanding look; she knew full well how much she was asking him to take at face value, but hoped she'd proven her reliability thus far.  She once more raised her hand to conjure another illusion; the image of the unknown Halfling fellow.  "This man is Arkemos' accomplice and was the one who facilitated his escape from this Plane.  He's gone to another building nearby; Triglio's.  Arkemos is beyond our reach, but I suggest you send Skath and his men to apprehend this fellow for questioning... covertly, after he's taken to sleep.  If a capture is too obvious, he might escape the same way Arkemos did."

---

Insight Check on Naerth, to see if anything about the description of Arkemos' investigation of Maer Dualdon seems to register.
Mallory Bonheur rolled 8 using 1d20-1
lol naw
This message was last edited by the player at 18:52, Wed 18 Aug 2021.

In reply to Rhydd Maldhon (msg # 80):

"Like the Tressym's owner, the critter has surprised me in many ways with its capabilities. Who knows what would have happened in its absence." Once again, back in the comfort and warmth of Luskan Arms, Moyrah has taken off her coat, folding it in two over the back of her chair, before taking the spot she previously occupied. With her hands rubbing continuously, she turned to the ranger to satisfy further her curiosities. "How does this latest trip to Targos fare, in comparison to the previous ones? It has been a bizarre couple of days, for me at least, and as you probably know, it's not usually like this around here, apart from the hangings, there isn't much that shakes up the stagnation. Have you heard about the caravan you came with leaving tommorow? Are you going with them too?"

Naerth resumed leaning against the drawer, tapping his fingers as Mallory laid out the information. Nothing about any mad mage, Maer Dualdon or Arkemos’ investigation on it seemed to stir him, but then he could simply be skilled at keeping a straight face — his profession would even necessitate it. The information on Arkemos’ flight, however, did seem to register. Very much so. “I see. I have a suspicion as to his destination then. I will have a chat with Triglio tomorrow. Now,” he said, looking very sternly at Mallory, “tell me everything you saw related to our cultist’s sudden departure.”

"I'll do you one better; I'll show you." It didn't seem as though Mallory was of a mind to try and maintain secrecy of what she'd learned.  At least not in regards to the facts themselves... the method of their acquisition, however, was another matter entirely.

Sat once more alongside Naerth, she flexed her arcane and narrative skills alike in fashioning one illusory scene after another to tell of what she'd learned.  Not just for the sake of clarity, but to help impress the notion of her seemingly supernatural awareness; the images showed precise details of locations - buildings, streets, and the like - that would surely be very familiar to the local Town Speaker but not at all to an out-of-town noble who'd just rolled in the day prior.  It yielded a slide show of sorts; a string of still images one major moment after another as Mallory explained what her visions showed her at each beat.

Xhar leaving the alleyway after Rhydd and Moyrah attempted to hold contact.  A brief fight through the snowy skies before landing down and revealing itself to be an Imp, and its skittering route taken through to where Arkemos waited.  The conversation between Arkemos and the strange not-quite-Halfling, not-quite-Gnomish fellow was repeated verbatim.  When items such as that curious keyring and the sword-shaped amulet appeared in the moment, Mallory extended the illusion to show a more focused version of those in particular.  Once all was revealed with Arkemos disappearing through to an unknown realm and the diminutive accomplice returning to his home, the images finally faded away to nothing but wisps of smoke.

"Rival cultist groups throughout Ten-Towns, The Black Cult, strange magical items, a man who can open a Planar door to Sigil, 'Avarice'... I'd assume a pseudonym, or perhaps a Tiefling given their unconventional naming habits..." she shook her head gently.  "It would appear there's some conspiracy brewing beneath the surface here." Ultimately that was Naerth's problem though.  If he wished for her help, it was something to be requested, not volunteered given the broader reaching baggage of such a situation.  Though she could offer something, at least: "If meeting with this Triglio fellow yields any questionable magical trinkets... or if you have any others on hand... I can examine and identify their specific arcane properties for you.  For a nominal fee, of course.  Either way, I remain at your disposal so long as I'm in Targos."

---

As a matter of course, Mallory is going to resummon Astre in a corner of the room where he'd be out of the way and unlikely to be stumbled across, preferably on top of some shelf or in the rafters (if accessible) where he'll have a good view of the room, preferably well away from the snake cage.  He should still be Invisible, as that lasts for 1 hour and being dismissed wouldn't break that effect.  Mallory will leave Astre in Naerth's office once their meeting concludes to spy on the Speaker for the remainder of the spell's duration, then dismiss him back to his pocket dimension once the hour is up or if he's in immediate risk of being discovered.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Wed 18 Aug 2021.

"Excellent. As simply as it gets," Naerth responded after having witnessed the reenactment of events. "I will call upon you if you're needed. You've been of great help here."

After Mallory's departure, Naerth sat down at his desk and picked up a loose coin, rolling it between his fingers for a couple of moments. He then retrieved a piece of blank parchment from a drawer and began writing. It was no simple task for Astre to find a vantage point to spy the letter's contents — jumping up on the desk meant rustling the papers and notes — but he managed to catch a glimpse when perching atop a dresser. Naerth was writing in code. Completely unintelligible, and likely impossible to decipher from just a simple glance. Once he was done, he sent it out with the remaining Flying Snake before sitting down to pour himself a drink. Astre's time was nearly up, so he was poofed back into his pocket dimension.

---

Mallory's History check on "The Black Cult" [17]: "The Black Cult" is not actually called The Black Cult, it's called The Knights of The Black Sword, and its members swear themselves to Levistus, The Frozen Prince. It did not take long for the name to morph into the far more generic form. For the past few years they've been operating out of the fortress in Caer Dineval, having wrested it from the town's Speaker who now is little more than a mouthpiece for the cult's leader, Kadroth. How the cult has managed to let these secrets slip is testament to its mismanagement.

From the outside, it appears the cultists overarching plan is non-existent. If they wished to widen their influence since seizing Caer Dineval, they've failed miserably. The cult knows The Council of Speakers is aware of their existence and has grown too cowardly to sacrifice anything more than goats or cattle at the risk of repercussion.

No text or tome bear mention of The Arcane Brotherhood's involvement.

"I only hope I can be of more in days to come.  In the meantime, I'll draft a receipt for services rendered that you can address tomorrow morning.  As my father always says; 'If you're good at something, always charge a reasonable rate'...  and as my uncle adds; 'If you're bad at it, charge double up front.'" While she'd been willing to tail Arkemos under the notion that he might've been an accomplice of Kaltro, thus leaving the chase under that larger investigation, all the rest she'd uncovered and delivered had certainly been outside that original agreement.  Sure, Naerth could stiff her on the fee, but that would be poor form and detrimental to their business relationship going forward...

With that, and Naerth clearly looking like he had plenty to attend to himself with all the news he'd learned, Mallory offered a half curtsy in parting.  "I'll take my leave, for now, but I do hope you get some rest sooner than later.  Good night Naerth."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:49, Thu 19 Aug 2021.

Naerth smirked. Mallory's broach of payment for services volunteered was backhanded, but who was he to call the kettle black? "Your uncle is a wise man," he said upon Mallory's exit. "I'm looking forward to a fruitful cooperation between you, I, my associates, and your family. Have a good night."

There was a moment's pause as Mallory stood half out the doorway, halted just so mid-step.  She didn't look back over her shoulder; her expression remained out of sight, though there was a firmness to her tone that would let Naerth readily imagine a return of that sternness in her dark eyes.

"Between the two of us." she corrected curtly.  "My endeavors are my own and if you wish to keep my aid, they will stay that way."

Oh, how she hated the dance.  The back and forth vying for the upper hand, trying to assert control and dominance.  Naerth pulling up her family and the mention in just moment was all too clear.  A promise of meddling at best and a threat at worst.  So it was met with a warning of her own in return; she had no qualms with dirtying her own hands, but her hands alone.  'If you wish to keep my aid'.  A promise of profitable cooperation at best and a threat at worst.

With that, Mallory stepped out into the hall beyond and let the door shut quietly in her wake.

---

I've removed futzing around with copying letters and deciphering spells prior, for the sake of rules discussion of the moment.  It will be added onto this post instead once we have everything squared away.

Astre - Perception
Mallory Bonheur rolled 8 using 1d20+5
lol all this chatter on the ruling and I roll a 3.  XD

Mallory - DEX check
Mallory Bonheur rolled 9 using 1d20+2
If it's just raw DEX or Forgery (which Mallory doesn't have), it's 9.  If it's Slight of Hand, it's 13
This message was last edited by the player at 01:01, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

It boiled down to optics, and Naerth seemed happy letting Mallory leave on one last yip. When he sat down to write the letter, he whistled a perky tune.

---

Mallory was left with a set of unfamiliar symbols angling gently down one side of the paper. They comprised of circles, lines, and dots, interspersed, intermingled, and continuously flowing in every sentence, never divided by spaces periods, and Naerth only ever began a new line when the quill reached the end of the paper. Even if Astre had gotten a proper view of Naerth's writing, identifying and separating unique symbols as she wrote blindly would have been strenuous. It would take an entire team of Neverwinter's best scholars weeks to crack the cypher, especially if Mallory's hasty copy was all they had to work from. But she had something better. After she'd gone through the laborious process of drawing up the circles and chanting the proper incantations, the symbols reformed in her mind to something that bordered on readable.

". . . . frivolousknowIwotmakeittothetemplefortheaforeme
ntioneddea . . . lioswilltravelinmyplaceheand . . . regardi
. . . stthreebagsofscrapmetal . . . hippingintheformofe. . . "

A few long moments of quiet scrutiny were given as Mallory glared into the paper she's scrawled all over; anyone looking in might've thought she'd lost her wits for all the sense it made, be it the action or what was written.  She hummed softly to herself all the while; an unfamiliar tune, but one she repeated again and again until she felt it put to memory well enough.  Ultimately the scribbling was folded neatly and stowed away amid the pages of her notebook.

"Every little bit counts, I suppose." Mallory sighed as she pushed from the bar to turn about in place to where Moyrah and Rhydd had taken their table nearby.  Not a moment later Astre would suddenly stride out from below the table, idly winding his way against their ankles with an arching stroke of his back.  "I don't know about you two, but I'm ready for this night to be over... I learned much about Arkemos, but it's nothing that can't wait until breakfast to retell."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Fri 20 Aug 2021.