Idrianthe gave her background as well. Hers was that of an Elf torn from her family at a very young age, only to find a new one among the Dwarves underneath the Nether Mountains. When her adoptive father died, she then conscripted into the Order of the Witch Knights, an organization of chivalrous warriors and scholar-errants. It was, however, long dissolved and scattered, as the Time of Troubles sent Witchholm, their stronghold, to the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Lightning. Over the next centuries the Witch Knights found themselves with a new, final purpose – to empty the library of its tomes. When it was finally done and the Witch Knights were no more, she sought out the Ten-Towns where once again a deity walked the earth.

Harai found it surprising, then, that he had never heard of the Witch Knights. "It shouldn't be," Idrianthe told him. "Our presence was as subtle as it was old. It is increasingly likely I am the only one left."

"For worse, the White Dragon Arveiaturace . . ."
"You did?" Harai interjected. "If you're speaking of the White Dragon I think you are, I have no doubts Maccath the Crimson would be interested in a retelling of your encounter. She is the Tower's leading expert on Dragons and has been in extensive contact with Arauthator, the mate of Arveiaturace. She returned from Icewind Dale mere months ago."

On the topic of the date, "ah, it isn't quite Nightal yet. It is the 22nd of Uktar."

---

Harai Perception to see if he spots Astre [9]: Contested by a Stealth check from Mallory.

Astre's Poison Sense: While some of the alchemical components Harai kept on the shelf were Poisonous, the tea contained no Poisons.

Astre's scan for any invisible objects: There are no invisible objects nearby.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:15, Wed 18 Oct 2023.

"Enormous White Dragon, flies around the glacial waters with an Undead rider on her back, eats people?  Hard to miss, really." Mallory grimaced at memory of that terrifying encounter.  She wasn't certain she had much to tell that Maccath person, but any chance to make a helpful connection was one worth exploring.  For all she knew, the sighting alone might be valuable information.

With the mention of the date, Mallory gave a relieved sigh.  "Oh, thank goodness.  That means there's still time to lay poor Apple to rest before the Feast of the Moon.  Not to mention the upcoming observation of Orbar." she made a mental note to herself to help recall the passage of days going forward.  "Honestly, there's no helping it in Icewind Dale these days.  The entire region in is a state of perpetual twilight from the weather; there's no telling day from night anymore, and you hardly see the stars for the clouds and snow in the way.  Hopefully I can find a good Gnomish time piece while I'm here...

With the coming Winter Solstice, I can only imagine things will be far worse if the population of Auril-worshiping druids rile themselves up more than they already have."

---

Stealth
Mallory Bonheur rolled 6 using 1d20+2
Don't know if Astre specifically being out of Line of Sight/Behind Full Cover applies any sort of bonuses at all, since I don't know what kind of senses Harai may have.

"Head to the Half Moon Street in the southern district and look for Colmarr's Fantabulous Contraption and Magical Errata. It's hard to miss. If you can find a proper timepiece anywhere, it will be there," Harai said after he added a wad of honey and took the first sip of tea. "Good," he commented. "A subtle smoky flavor. I find it quite pleasant." ¹

It wasn't long before Vellynne made a reapparance, not quite as irritated as she had been when she had left. She pulled off her jacket and folded neatly on a nearby chest, only having now found the time to doff her winterwear. It was undoubtedly too warm, but not unbearably – while the Ten Towns were frigid, Luskan was still chilly.

"Welcome back. How was your meeting with the Overwizard?" Harai asked as he effortlessly reached a long arm for a fourth cup.

"Constructive, surprisingly," Vellynne commented as she found a seat within the relatively small study, exhausting the supply of stools. "We discussed matters inappropriate to repeat here. How has the communion gone? I trust you've already begun, yes?"

"We have. The spirits continue to be as truthy as they are enigmatic," was Harai's answer. He then looked to Mallory and Idrianthe to gauge whether or not they wished to expand upon it. "I believe we have one left, Lady Mallory?"

---

¹ Insight?
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:40, Tue 31 Oct 2023.

Insight
Mallory Bonheur rolled 16 using 1d20-1

---

He likes the tea :)

"I'd be happy to leave you with a sampling of a few teas I have on hand." Mallory seemed quite pleased to hear Harai's approval.  A bit of tea time was just what she needed to feel like a civilized person again.

A pleasant chat and refreshments made for a lovely way to spend the time it took for Vellynne to return.  While the elderly patron helped herself to a stool to take a load off, Mallory gathered up the kettle and filled the cup Harai supplied so they could show her a little hospitality together.  "Indeed, I'm quite grateful that you and Mister Harai here have given me the opportunity.  I have a path ahead of me worth walking, thanks to you two."  The actual information learned from both Apple and the Illithid was no secret as far as Mallory was concerned; were Vellynne to ask for a review, the young noble would supply it readily.

As for matters of the remaining interrogation, Mallory nodded and gestured to the trio of skulls she'd set out.  She explained their relevancy to Vellynne the same way she had to Harai prior, even as she picked the Netherese skull from the batch in hand to bring it front and center.  It was the most likely to have the sort of information Vellynne was most curious about, after all.  In addition, she retrieved a small, carefully folded bundle of fine, aged cloth from the cart that was similarly coated in that strange fractal pattern, just as the skull itself was.  "This skull here was retrieved from a private study within the ruin.  Given that it's the only occupant and there was only one bedchamber as well, I would presume this to be the Netherese arcanist in charge of operations there.  This robe and the personal effects we found in that chest prior all belonged to them." Mallory explained as she set the garment aside if either Vellynne or Harai wished to examine it.  She didn't know if any such details would be useful, but better to give full disclosure than not.  "The corpse was missing its ring finger as well, though there was no trace we could find at the time.

"In any case, I'll leave the subject of inquiries to you, Madame Harpell.  I've currently got a linguistic spell in effect on myself, so I can help translate whatever replies the spirit may offer." If she was correct in assuming the skull was a scholar or arcanist, it would surely speak in the loftier sister language of the Neth - Loross.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:14, Thu 02 Nov 2023.

Vellynnne seemed listened intently to Mallory's explanation as she sipped the still-too-hot tea. "Mmh," she began when Mallory offered to translate, "that will be useful. I shall be able to pose the questions myself, but some of the finer details of Loross is occasionally lost on me. It can oft be a tricky tongue. And I will not be questioning the scholar's skull," she stated, ignoring Mallory's recommendation, "but rather this." She pointed to the three-eyed, malformed aberrant skull. "I believe you are mistaken in your analysis and that this is the more likely Master of the tower. Many of the residents and prisoners in late Ythryn were Nothics. With any luck this being, Nothic or otherwise, was even a High Wizard, I suspect of either Conjuration or Transmutation. Though the scholar may surely tell us something of value, so I hope we'll get to them in time. The Thri-Kreen skull is less interesting."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:50, Sat 04 Nov 2023.

The revelation that the misshapen skull of the trio was that of a Nothic made Mallory flinch away from it on reflex.  Immediate worry and fear flashed across her expression, but she calmed after a moment as reasonable thought eased in over instinct.  "This was a Nothic?  I've only seen them in illustrations, and even then hardly ever.  Let alone their skeleton..." the young noble grimaced as she regarded the skull warily.  Another thought crossed her mind and she gave Vellynne a sour glance.  "If you knew about the presence of Nothics ahead of time, I would rather you'd mentioned that before sending us into those ruins."

What's done is done, Mallory inwardly figured with a sigh.  She and her companions were all well over the time frame for symptoms of Arcane Blight to manifest, so clearly none of them had been infected.  If there even was trace of the disease still in the Spire to begin with.  It was entirely possible that not even a magical malady could endure such a hostile environment as the deep freeze brought on by Auril.  Or having its host being enveloped in the baleful acids of a Black Ooze for who knew how long.

Mallory drummed her gloved fingertips on her cheek thoughtfully.  "So the ravings in the journal may well have been as this poor soul fell to madness brought on by the Arcane Blight.  That's an intriguing line to study all on its own.  Would this other scholar have been an apprentice, perhaps?" she pondered aloud.  "Whoever they were, their replies are likely to be more... coherent... than what the Nothic may yield."

Given that Harai only had a single casting of the necessary spell at his disposal for the time being, it would seem either their stay would be extended at least a day, or the two Netherese skulls would remain with Vellynne to access at her leisure.  Well... so long as a fair sum could be agreed upon, Mallory had no qualm with that.  Especially if she could manage some line of communication with the Host Tower herself for future studies into what odd secrets the skulls' spirits might have to share.  Mention of the Thri-Kreen skull being of no real concern got a conceding shrug from Mallory.  "Certainly fair.  To be perfectly honest, I was really more interested in using it for crafting materials.  Thri-Kreen are innately psionic beings, so their carapace is of great use for enchantments that safeguard the mind, once rendered into a fine powder."

"Partially a Nothic," Vellynne said as she picked up the skull to examine it more closely. It was mostly intact, a few cracks here and there, and seemed to have fared well in the ooze. But skeletons usually did. "Nothics have one eye, not three. I assume this was once a Human skull. And forgive me for not warning you – it was improbable you'd encounter any still-living Nothics. And you didn't. As for the Arcane Blight, I knew of it, but I knew very little about it. Furthermore, I didn't want to dissuade you from the expedition. But should you undergo spontaneous transformation into a Nothic, do document it closely and report to me."

She regarded the skull for a few more moments before putting it down. "That was a joke. You probably wouldn't be willing to report anything in the case," she added dryly. "Although, it is true as you say – the answers it's going to give may or may not be sensible. The deterioration of its mental faculties may be severe . . . how does this work, Harai? Is the spirit we confer with the frozen image of how it was just prior to death? Is it too much to hope that whatever madness beset it in life has either mellowed out or that the Spirit is otherwise offered clarity of thought?"

"Yes, that is unfortunately too much to hope," Harai answered. "The Soul is not actually returned to the body, so it is not the 'true' individual you converse with. The Body is possessed by an animating filament, so it is only the Soul's experiences and memories up to that point, stored in the Body, that you question. The actual Soul resides in whatever afterlife it belongs in, lest it has been reincarnated."

Vellynne pondered it for a moment, glancing from the mutated skull to that of the ordinary – seemingly, at least – scholar. "We shall proceed with the Nothic, or Half-Nothic, or whatever it was. It's knowledge of Ythryn would run deeper than an apprentice's, who likely was new to the Enclave given its . . . humanity. If you would do the honors, Harai. Would you be so kind to do notation, Mallory?" she asked as she shoved the skull nearer the center of the table before detailing her line of questions. Since Harai didn't know Loross, she would have to speak them for him to then repeat and, by the account of Harai, that should work. Although, she did take the time to write them down phonetically over the course of her detailing so that Harai wasn't reliant on memory alone. Not that she doubted his faculties, quite the contrary, but it was best to be safe. First she wanted to ask if the owner of the skull was Master of the Spire it had died in. Then what they, or it, had researched in the Spire, followed by how Ythryn fell and if the research was connected to said fall. The latter was technically two questions, Harai informed her, so she shortened it to just concern the fall. Then she wished to know what likely became of Iriolarthas. Depending on the answer, she either wished to ask for the location of his Phylactery, or the Mythallar's.

The faded incense was lit anew and Harai went through the same motions as he had done in his prior castings. The smoke fell onto the face of the skull, but slipped off its two, normal eyes, leaving only a veil over the larger, third eye, and its fanged mouth.

"We awaken thee in thy slumber, o'honored vessel, to ask these questions five," he began in Common, then he nodded for Vellynne to say her question aloud in Loross, and he then reiterated it as best he could. "Lectus vestibulum mattis velit sed ullamcorper morbi tincidunt?" 'Were you the Master of the Spire in which you died?'

'I was . . .' the Skull answered, it's ethereal voice strained and creaking, like the bowels of a ship lost in a storm, 'Weaver of visions, lord to an Eighth . . .'

'How did Ythryn fall?'

'The Great Spindle . . . and the crescendo of even greater schemes . . .'

'What was the Spire's primary focus of research?'

'Visions . . .' it said again. '. . . and the Kingdom Colossal . . .'

'What became of High Prince Iriolarthas?'

'Forever, eternal . . . rotting in a catacomb of his own making . . .

Harai glanced at Vellynne for the last question, for she hesitated. 'Where is the Mythallar?' she finally said, and Harai repeated.

'Deep in the Well of Answers . . . watched by the former Eight . . .'

The spell's grip on the Body then faded and the smoke turned mundane, while Vellynne was absorbed in thought. Not long thereafter she asked to see Mallory's notation. "I got most of that, I believe. It was rather brief. What do you make of it?" she prompted.

Quick round of skill checks on specific subjects before a proper reply.  Mallory's Arcana and History bonuses are identical, though I'm not sure which would be apply to any given check.  I'll leave that up to DM discretion/exposition.

Arcana/History - Great Spindle
Mallory Bonheur rolled 8 using 1d20+7

Arcana/History - Iriolarthas
Mallory Bonheur rolled 13 using 1d20+7

Arcana/History - Well of Answers
Mallory Bonheur rolled 23 using 1d20+7

---

Mallory's History/Arcana on the Great Spindle [8]: Mallory knew of no such thing, let alone one connected to Ostoria.

Mallory's History on Iriolarthas [13]: There were nearly a hundred different Enclaves in total, all from different time-periods, and many of the High Princes didn't exactly have names that were easy to remember. Iriolarthas may or may not have been among the names Mallory has read of. But then Ythryn was one of the most obscure of the Enclaves, having disappeared from annals of history long before the whole of Netheril fell.

Mallory's History/Arcana on the Well of Answers [23]: Mallory knew of no such thing.

The preparation was the real trick of it all.  It wasn't too different from interviewing the Illithid, Mallory noted, at least as far as the overall framing went.  Both the Illithid and the Nothic were once mortal beings warped into aberrations, with questionable presence of lingering identity and sanity, who spoke alien languages of a sort.  But it was the finer details that were the point of the matter.  Mallory went over the questions Vellynne intended, with a fair bit of time back and forth in conversation amid the three very different mages in order to get everything arranged as intended.  Mallory's own understanding of Loross - both learned and supernaturally imbued - let her identify gnarls in Vellynne's phrasing that could cause issues.  In time, all was set and the young noble waited for the ritual's completion with bated breath.

As the skull yielded its spirit and answers alike, Mallory took rapt notes.  Not with the quill Harai had given her though; she produced her Emerald Pen and scribbled furiously to take down every word.  Though, by the time all was complete and the skull fell silent once more, she wore a look of consternation.  Vellynne's urging for her own appraisal was met with a scowl as she mulled about in deep thought.

"I wish you'd asked their name." she ultimately said with a shrug.  "The exact replies the spirit yielded were... difficult.  I can't quite tell if it was referencing names and terms I'm simply unfamiliar with, or if there's something lost in translation through the way my spell interprets messages very literally.  It doesn't do well with lingo or innuendo, if there was any mixed in there."

Mallory handed over the notes she'd taken to Vellynne so she could peruse them herself.  Though, if Harai looked over her shoulder to peek as well, he'd find the page filled with nothing but nonsense gibberish.  As if Mallory had wasted the entire event on nothing but scribbling.  To Vellynne's eyes, however, the diction was rendered in Mallory's tidy and graceful penmanship with a sharp attention to detail as ever.  "The illusory cypher on those notes will last for a tenday; be sure to copy them in your own code before then."  Mallory advised as she twirled her Emerald Pen between her fingers and slipped it back into her lapel for safe keeping.  "The spirit said it was a 'Weaver of Visions' and a 'Lord to an Eighth'.  These are the Netherese we're talking about, so I'd assume 'eight' refers to the classical schools of magic.  Thus, this person might have been a High Arcanist of Illusion, or possibly Divination.

It attributes the fall of Ythryn to some some kind of 'spindle', though whether this refers to an event or a literal object of some kind, I can't say." Mallory cradled her chin against her thumb in deep thought as she recalled the discoveries made in the Spire.  The notion that Ythryn had been studying the 'Kingdom Colossal' - the Jotun empire, obviously - tracked with the combination of classical magic craft and Jotun chant runes in the Spire's primary artifact.  Clearly whatever Ythryn had been researching, they'd found ways to legitimately apply it beyond mere theory.  An enticing concept, to be certain, though surely one rendered impossible without the might of a Mythallar to fuel the process at the very least.  Perhaps a lesser form could be emulated...?  While she trusted Idrianthe's knowledge of Jotun runes, she'd feel better if she could contact an actual Giant for such a matter, such as a Stone or Cloud Giant as the most likely candidates.  Of course, actually finding one was a whole other matter...

Before she continued, however, Mallory yielded Vellynne a curious glance.  "Tell me, Madame Harpell: what's your interest in High Prince Iriolarthas?"  The fate of a single specific individual stood out to her among the other questions as an oddity.

---

Mallory takes exact diction of everything the Nothic spirit tells them, copying the words both in Loross and translated into Common.  She casts "Illusory Script" via her Emerald Pen, which renders the writing totally unintelligible to anyone except herself, Idri, and Vellynne.  Because the writing itself is an illusion, once the spell ends in 10 days, it'll just disappear entirely.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:03, Mon 13 Nov 2023.

"Clever, this," Vellynne said, indicating the Emerald Pen and Illusory Script. "Saves us from burning it later." The commentary Mallory proceeding to lay out was valued, and the elderly scholar listened raptly. She did, however, interrupt right at the start. "I'm not sure a name would have been useful. Perhaps for reference once Ythryn can be explored, but I will stake my carrier on this individual being completely unknown. Ythryn's later Cabals weren't recruited from the upper echelons of Netheril."

Once Mallory was done, she found herself overall agreeing with her assessments. Spindle, Ostoria, Schools, all. "Should our records be correct, Iriolarthas was High Prince in Ythryn for the majority of the Enclave's long and influential operation. The scripture mentions he was there when it was raised, and now recent uncoverings from Thulanthar makes it clear he was there when it fell. An impressively long tenure, even by Netherese standards. Iriolathas's history is Ythryn's history."

"It is exceedingly hard to kill a Lich, and many of the High Princes were Liches. This is not unique to Iriolarthas," she explained as she sat back, folding her hands. She'd done naught but stare at the tea, which had long since grown cold. "If he's still present within Ythryn, we'll need to take all manners of precaution."

Mallory bore a very deep sense of disagreement with Vellynne when it came to the relevancy of names.  She made no remark though - she knew better than to mouth off to both her elder and patron on her home turf, but no doubt Vellynne would still catch the look in the young noble's eye.  Perhaps it was just her nature as a diviner that made her bias on the matter, but she believed very much in the value of a name.  Of course, Vellynne had repeatedly spoken ill of reliance on magic, so it was entirely possible she simply didn't know of the sort of power a name could hold to a sufficiently crafty arcanist.

While Vellynne reviewed and mulled on their findings, Mallory returned to her tea and quietly sipped.  The mention of a Lich, however, had her pause mid-mouthful and lips pursed as she silently gawked into the near distance.  She gave a slow, audible swallow and cleared her throat sharply after the fact.

"I'm sorry, a what?" the young noble was by no means hard of hearing and fixed Vellynne with an incredulous look.  She needed a moment to wrap her head around the prospect as she took a long, deep breath, visibly coping in short order with how obvious it was to see the wheels turning in her head.  Weighing the risk-and-reward situation.  "Well, I've already eluded an Ancient Dragon and an irate deity while in Icewind Dale.  How much worse could a soul-devouring arch-mage from the most powerful magocracy of mankind be?"  Her sarcasm was far from subtle.  "This is going to require a considerable renegotiation of our contract, Madame Harpell."

---

Rolled Arcana/History just to verify my own context of Player vs Character Knowledge when it comes to Liches in general.  Apparently Mallory is quite well-read on the subject.
Mallory Bonheur rolled 26 using 1d20+7
This message was last edited by the player at 23:36, Mon 20 Nov 2023.

A less bemused expression befell Madame Harpell. "There is no contract. Need I remind you that we are currently cooperating out of mutual benefit and that I have already paid you handsomely for the information you gathered? And let me clarify, for I spoke too hastily – when I say we need to exert caution once Ythryn is ready to be explored, I mean we, the Arcane Brotherhood. Muscle will undoubtedly be required, but that is unlikely to involve you," she explained. "No offense. You seem talented enough and did well braving the Spire, but it was merely the starter and pales in comparison to the main course. So don't lose sleep concerning yourself with Liches, as that is my job."

---

Mallory's Arcana/History on Liches [26]: You did say the roll was on Liches in general, but there's too much to summarize on just one roll, so let's limit it to the context of Netheril. Assume Mallory knows most of how Liches function; for instance that they are bound to a phylactery which feeds on souls, that the ritual for ascension is expensive and convoluted, and that Szass Tam, regent of Thay, is the most known modern Lich.

It was true as Vellynne had said; the High Princes were loathe to relinquish their statuses and influences, so, when some couldn't simply extend their life through magical means any longer, they turned to Lichdom. Perhaps the most infamous is Larloch of Jiksidur, who seeded his ritual within the Empire and for all time to come.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:15, Fri 24 Nov 2023.

"Oh, thank goodness... you're actually one of the sensible ones." Mallory heaved a sigh of utter relief when Vellynne explained that she actually had a reasonable approach to setting up a properly outfitted campaign for Ythryn.  As Mallory had expressed plenty of times before, she didn't consider herself to be an adventurer at all, despite how a lot of influential folk in Ten-Towns had come to think of her.

On the matter of a contract, however - particularly Vellynne's insistence that there wasn't one - Mallory cleared her throat curtly.  She reached into her lapel to produce a small sheaf of papers: the very literal business contract she'd gotten Vellynne to sign and place her signet to when they first arranged for an expedition on her behalf.  When the elderly mage had been reluctant to make such a contract and griped about not seeing the necessity in the first place, that was a clear sign to Mallory - as a merchant - of just how much a contract was thus vital to have on hand.  She didn't want to think poorly of her patron since the Harpells were a reputable family, but her father had always taught her well that verbal contracts were worth the parchment they were written on.  Those who insisted on verbal agreements, especially where money was involved, were often the sort who would oh-so-conveniently forget the nature or existence of such agreements.

"I don't mean to be contrarian, Madame Harpell, but we very much do have a contract that has not yet been fulfilled.  You paid a preliminary sum of two hundred gold pieces and an additional four hundred gold pieces for the report of our expedition, but have not yet settled the actual meat of the fee.  As per our agreement, we would negotiate suitable compensation for the purchase of additional findings delivered to you as they relate to your investigation into Ythryn." she gestured to the Nothic skull in particular, though there were plenty of other elements to be sorted and discussed yet.  With all the talk of magic and history and arcane mysteries about, it was very easy to forget that Mallory was a merchant by trade.  Right up until the ledger and abacus came out.  "Of course, this need not be our only contract.  This entire endeavor - psychological trauma aside - has been a marvelous opportunity.  I would be more than happy to continue working alongside you in your project... as well as with the other tasks you've mentioned prior."

---

Mallory is referencing the agreement she and Vellynne signed back in the early 60s of the Caer-Konig thread.  It's been a long time since then, so it's understandable if anything slipped through the cracks.  Vellynne reiterated that she intended to pay the Party in 200 GP-per carat diamonds as of post #126, but no actual deals have been finalized or wealth traded.

As for the actual reward for the stuff the Party brought back from the Spire or anything Vellynne might want to purchase from their findings, I absolutely am not looking to browbeat or drag things out with a lengthy in-character haggling situation.  Just set whatever is a suitable quest reward and we'll assume the two hashed it out to an agreed-upon fee.

Also, Mallory is not willing to sell the Spellbook/journal recovered, as she wants to keep the original work for herself.  But she is entirely willing to let Vellynne make any copies of the information within and will happily assist her in doing so for the sake of translation and scribing.

The "other tasks" Mallory mentioned is referring things like Vellynne's stolen Professor Orb and other rivals she told the Party about prior.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:47, Sun 26 Nov 2023.

"Hmm," Vellynne voiced calmly, but it was clear she wasn't in particular agreement, "I am willing to purchase anything off of you as stated twice now, but my part of the deal is very much done, girl. Unless you are dissatisfied with my payment? Your presence here is valued and you will be accommodated by the Brotherhood if that is your worry. But that is not part of any contract and will be agreed upon later. I shall warn you however – I do not enjoy being squeezed."

She then stood and waved a hand dismissively. "We are done here. Thank you kindly, Harai, for your continued cooperation. We shall reconvene at a later opportunity," she said as she made for the door, but stopped just short of exiting. "Ah, do you know if a meal will be served tonight?"

Harai adjusted his spectacles, having been more than content remaining quiet on the topic of financial settlements. "I don't believe so. The family Barleywood from the Seven Sails was here for a couple of days a Tenday or so ago while we had some guests from Waterdeep, but they have since left."

---

Edit: I realize I lost some OOC text in the redraft. I'll leave it here.

I had indeed forgotten about the contract. But for Vellynne it was only yesterday, so she would not have forgotten. The details of the contract was left vague as far as I can tell, so we can chalk the misunderstanding up to that.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:25, Mon 27 Nov 2023.

"To be frank, there were quite a few incidentals..." Mallory began.  However, she slipped into a moment of consideration as she regarded Vellynne with a long, quiet look.

The young noble reconsidered.  Naturally she felt that, given the dangers she and her companions had faced, and the loss of Wifni, that a mere six hundred gold pieces was a rather paltry sum to be split five ways.  She regularly spent more than her cut of the fee on paper and ink.  But, while Vellynne clearly had funds backing her project, they were no doubt personal resources rather than drawing from her family's wealth.  Thus, limited and warily counted for effectiveness.  The elder mage had already endured setbacks as well, and those were always expensive to compensate for.  Whatever Vellynne's ultimate goal for her expedition really was, be it benevolent, selfish, or merely academic, it was likely the case she wasn't in any position to be as generous with her purse as Mallory would have preferred.  Which... in all honesty, was something the young noble herself sorely sympathized with, given her own situation.

"...but I don't like to squeeze, either, and I have no desire to sour our working relationship over mere coin." she ultimately conceded with a nod.  "I feel I may have overreached, Madame Harpell, and for that I am quite apologetic.  To be perfectly fair, taking on work with you has provided me with--" Mallory gestured to Harai and then about the Host Tower in general "--unanticipated opportunities that are certainly worth more than any fuss in fee.  Very well; consider our contract fulfilled and sealed."

No doubt Vellynne was glad to hear she no longer had to be nattered at about red tape that she clearly had no interest in to begin with.  But, for Mallory, such fine details required a keen eye and fair attention.  While the two Brotherhood mages discussed other matters, Mallory drew her pen once more to annotate the contract just above their signatures, marking it as completed on that date for the sake of her own personal ledgers.  She'd worry about making a copy to mail to the banker's guild in back in Neverwinter later.

"Speaking of dinner..." Mallory gently interjected when it seemed none would be served "...I did plan on doing a fair bit of shopping around the city while I had an opportunity.  Are there any local restaurants either of you would suggest?  That perhaps you may like to accompany me to later tonight?" She looked to both Vellynne and Harai with open invitation extended to them equally.  She had imposed on them each in a manner, after all, and felt it best to at least try to make up for her bother.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:25, Mon 27 Nov 2023.

"We shall see," Vellynne said, casting a glance over her shoulder still as cold as present Icewind Dale despite Mallory's concession, "I have matters to attend, matters which have piled up during my absence." She then made her leave, boots clacking on the black floor and the door left slightly ajar in her wake.

"I can join you," answered Harai as he removed his spectacles to clean them with a cloth. "Let us visit the Ghostly Minstrel in Delver's Square. It isn't too rambunctious like certain other establishments in the city, nor is it too expensive. I'll have to arrange a disguise for myself, however, as I don't like to draw too much attention while venturing outside. Should we say in two hours? That would also leave me with a bit of time to finish penning the draft of the section I'm working on." He smiled softly as his hairy hand moved to the large tome he had been caught with initially, with the myriad loose papers he kept within as annotations.

---

If you give me until Wednesday, I can provide a map of Luskan with some important locations.

As Vellynne left the chambers, Mallory just shrugged in her wake.  Well, it wasn't a 'no', so that was perhaps worth something.

"I'd be much obliged for the company." Harai's acceptance was greeted with a polite smile and bow of the noble's dark-haired head.  "If it's not a bother, I'd like to stay put and do a bit of paperwork of my own in the meantime.  I doubt your fellows in the tower would like me wandering about like a tourist."

Whether Harai was content with allowing Mallory and Idri to share his chambers a while longer or showed them somewhere else they could pass their time, Mallory set to her own scribing.  She'd meant to get to it prior but it was difficult writing while traveling out in the icy tundra of Icewind Dale.

---

No problem at all on the wait.  In the meantime, Mallory will scribe the spell "Mind Spike" into her spellbook.  It's a 2nd-level Divination spell, so she gets it at half price/time due to her class feature.  2 hours and 50 GP to scribe in, though she won't have it available for use until later on after her next Long Rest.

Also, I don't know if it's possible to Attune to a magic item while also doing other "resting" actions like scribing into a spellbook.  But, if it is, I'd also like to attune Mallory to the Shield Guardian Amulet she found while in the Spire.  If it can't be done right now, she'll just do it later after dinner.

"You may stay here, but you'll have to pardon my occasional murmur," Harai answered. "In old age I've developed the habit of speaking to myself. So if either of you would rather find some proper quiet, I can show you to the library here in the Southern Spire. It's not too extensive, and most of the restricted tomes are kept elsewhere. But it is nice. A bit dim, but nice. And I am certain Madame Vellynne will arrange a pair of sleeping quarters sooner than later. Heavens know we have plenty to go around."

On the topic of venturing outside the Tower's perimeters, Harai had some advice to offer; "Carry a dagger on you. Luskan can be . . . unfriendly at times. And whatever you do, do not approach the fortifications on the North Bank. The mercantile companies' guards there aren't the kind to ask questions before shooting, and there is a bounty on unauthorized personnel near the Whitesails Harbor. There has been more than one occasion where an erroneous bolt was loosed into the Mirabar District. Trust me, you'd before find yourself in the Undercity. The South Bank is for the most part safe. Still carry a dagger."

---

I'm not entirely sure what we agreed upon when it came to scribing new Spells, and after sifting through some old messages I'm still unsure. From memory, I think we said she could unquestionably do so without a source.

Here is a map of Luskan, with the two locations I have mentioned (Comarr's Fantabulous Contraption and Magical Errata and the Ghostly Minstrel) added. When you decide it's time to venture out, I can set up a new thread. I don't imagine we'll go into much detail at each location or shop she decides to stop by. It'll be more a like a montage akin to how we handled shopping in Bryn Shander.

"I didn't want to be rude and say it outright, but Luskan does have a certain reputation about it..." Mallory conceded on the dangers of traveling the city.  Stay away from the northern districts was the message she really got loud and clear.  "Frankly, I was hoping the Host Tower might have a guard or two who could be spared as an escort?  I'd be much more at-ease with someone who can both guide and defend me while I explore.  Naturally I would reimburse the Tower's coffers for the expense."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Sat 02 Dec 2023.

"Hmm," Harai said and scratched his chin. "That would certainly be wise. I believe we have an arrangement with the city watch, but I would have to confer with either Madame Vellynne or Overwizard Jendrik. I can't guarantee you one right away."

---

Sometime during the next two hours Harai contacts his colleagues and makes the arrangement for one on the rotating roster of guards that keep watch on the Host Tower's courtyard to escort Mallory around. They'll be ready once Mallory steps out the main entrance. There will be no need for Mallory to reimburse the Brotherhood.

Back in the Host Tower, handmaidens had been summoned for Idrianthe and Mallory, and the two guests were promptly showed them to their separate rooms in the upper sections of the Southern Spire. The interior was similar to Harai's room in both layout and size, only they both had access to their own small balconies. The furnishing was scant, but it contained every necessity – bedding, a wardrobe, a nightstand with a mirror, a chair with a blanket, and a folding screen. The decoration was even more minimal, but some would argue the vivid texture of the curving, natural black stone begot the intentional decision. When the guests had been given time to settle, simple foods and drink was provided, as well as a tub with warm water, some soap, and a washcloth.

---

If there's nothing else, I can go ahead and establish a Luskan thread for Mallory's excursion. Idrianthe (the character; I've not heard from the player) is probably going to be joining her.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:51, Thu 21 Dec 2023.

Upon their return to the Host Tower and being shown to individual rooms, Mallory was briefly taken by a moment of internalized worry.  Being isolated in an unknown place didn't sit well with her, but she took it in stride well enough when she realized she was being a mite silly about it.  She'd come north on her own to begin with, after all, and if the Host Tower had any ill-intent for her they certainly wouldn't need to bother with subterfuge to achieve it.  Rather, it was more the fact that Mallory had grown so quickly accustomed to being surrounded by her companions amid Ten-Towns that made the silence of a private chamber seem all the more oppressive.

Still, said private chamber certainly had its perks.  Mallory spent a few minutes in the center of the room with her Lantern Rod raised, set in quiet focus as she conjured her protective bubble throughout the room.  She could re-cast it and move it about as need be to cover wherever she settled but, for the moment, her focus was on isolating the bathing tub.  The most beloved of luxuries for one on the road and having spent so much time in a frigid wasteland such as Ten-Towns.

"Astre, darling - remind me to invent a spell that conjures a bath, or sauna, or some such thing." the young noble remarked as her protective dome manifested and turned opaque to guard all view of her from the outside.

---

All good.  Mallory will spend the evening cleaning up, relaxing, Attuning to the Shield Guardian Amulet, and getting a good Long Rest in.  She'll cast and re-cast "Tiny Hut" as need be, basically keeping a barrier up at all times during her evening.  Idri and Astre are assigned permission to enter the Tiny Hut as they please.

Astre, meanwhile, will be keeping watch throughout the night.