Vellynne had retreated to her room to make the preparations. As stated, casting the spell was a simple matter of drawing up the short sequence of glyphs specific to the Host Tower's permanent Cirlce, which she did with glowing, light blue chalk on a large wooden board she'd leaned against the wardrobe. To make it easier to step through, the circle had been made oval. "Vectra nos visenti . . ." she drew a deep breath and spoke upon its completion. Not much proceeded to happen to the naked eye, but faint ripples on the surface of the board began to appear. Then it began to shimmer as the ripples intensified, the candlelight dancing upon it, and Vellynne reached a hand inside to reveal the surface was now but an ethereal film without form or substance. Like liquid dye floating atop water. She waved parts of it away to reveal the room at the other end.

The walls, ceiling, and floor were all black as the night, cast in what seemed like stone imitating the natural curves and bark-like texture of a tree. The entire room arced into an ascending staircase and was quite luxuriously decorated. A fine carpet, fit to the curve, led from the portal and up the steps, and embellishing, florid sconces carrying supernaturally lit candles bathed the room in a warm light and gave it far friendlier atmosphere than the architecture and material inspired.

"Here we are," Vellynne said after they'd all stepped through. She'd put on most of her outerwear not because it would be cold – the temperature difference was rather striking, actually, as Vellynne's room hadn't been kept particularly warm – but because she wouldn't be able to retrieve it. Likewise she was wearing a backpack and carrying a bag with the rest of her possessions. Mercuri flew inside and perched on her shoulder. "We'll be heading to the Southern Tower where we will meet with our interpreter. Do take care not to touch anything unduly."
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:30, Tue 05 Dec 2023.

Mallory was awhirl in conflicting feelings and thoughts as she waited for the spell to be completed.  Excitement, concern, anticipation, curiosity, some underlying current of panic that was thankfully a low simmer.  For as eager as she was to be away from the brutal cold of Icewind Dale even for a short time, she found herself fretting in Rhydd's wake and had to consistently remind herself to stop worrying.  He'd lived his whole life doing such ranging tasks, after all, and he had all the others alongside him in company.  Skilled and capable, each and every one of them.  You've nothing to worry over, she told herself.  And had to keep telling herself as Rhydd's absence from her side - for really the first substantial time since they'd met - was felt so keenly.

Finally, off they went.  A deep sigh passed Mallory's painted lips as she felt the air warm around her; even if it was in the dead of winter, it'd still be warmer than Ten-Towns!  She looked forward to shedding her heavy coat for once.  Without Farwalker to carry the heavy items for them, Mallory had borrowed a small handcart - normally reserved for helping to haul heavy preserving jars in and out of storage - to load with their cumbersome samples.  She'd felt rather off about putting the bundled corpse of poor Apple on there alongside the Illithid and other assorted remains, but there was no helping it.  Just one more thing to compartmentalize away under detached necessity.

"Of course, certainly.  There's a good reason I've left Astre napping so far." Mallory sighed at mention of keeping one's hands to themselves.  The last thing she needed was her willful Tressym seeing something sparkly and causing mayhem.  She glanced about in hopes of a window, keen to see scenery that wasn't just blighted white snow everywhere.  "Where are we, precisely?"

“We are currently in what we call the Roots,” Vellynne answered as she began to move through the narrow corridor. “I hope you don’t mind climbing stairs.” The way she grimaced indicated it would be more of a challenge for her than for the guests of the Spire.

The curved corridor ended in a door which led into a larger corridor of a similar nature – deep, winding, and dark. There wasn’t much of interest here, just the same sconces carrying the perpetually lit candles, and a myriad of doors identical to the one that led to the portal winding downaward seemingly forever. Steps were interspersed so that it slanted upward, and it eventually ended in a doorway looking out into a great foyer.

And great it was. Eerie, echoing, and veritably massive. The architecture here was more rigid, though the walls still carried that bark-like texture, and the doorway Vellynne, Mallory, and Idrianthe had emerged from was one of five, all arranged in a hexagonal pattern. A distinct corner contained the main entry, an enormous double door one could question any ordinary person could push open with mundane might. Perhaps that was why it stood ajar. A marbled courtyard could be spied beyond it, and rifts of stained glass allowed the natural light of Luskan to seep through, but it and similar windows on the walls was inadequate to properly illuminate the gloomy interior. So to aid it and the candles by the ground level, balls of light resembling marigolds in both color and shape hovered in midair, interspersed in semi-random intervals up to the fifty foot high ceiling. In the center of the foyer was a spiral staircase which exhibited that throughline of natural, arboreal quality in the imperfection of its coil.

Two figures were present at the time of arrival. A short wizard, who seemed more corpse than man, was levitating a few inches above ground, engaged in muted conversation with an extravagantly clad noble wielding a cane. They both noticed the presence of Vellynne and her guests, but resumed their talking soon thereafter.

Dominating the room and in front of the entrance stood a hulking stone statue resembling some sort of Golem. It knelt on the ground, one hand rested atop a knee while the other held a sword whose tip was firmly planted to the ground.

“~Vellynne Harpell,~” an omni-present voice suddenly boomed in everyone’s mind. “~Overwizard Jendrik the Blue demands your presence in his study~.”

Vellynne pursed her lip and muttered an inaudible protest underneath her breath. “Fine,” she conceded, “tell him I’ll be with him in a moment. I have to see our guests to Harai.” She aggressively moved towards the spiraling stairs, past the conversing wizard and noble.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:55, Fri 15 Sept 2023.

The spiraling staircase went on for long. Several hundred of feet and longer than it had initially seemed. Above the foyer were a myriad of rooms, some closed and some open, until a larger landing was reached with four distinct halls extending in the cardinal directions. Vellynne led the way south.

There weren't many people here, mages or otherwise, going by how the corridors were mostly empty. One Tiefling with deep red skin hurried by, too absorbed by a parchment she was reading to pay Vellynne, Mallory, and Idrianthe any attention. Teaching rooms and audience halls were passed, and eventually more spiral stairs had to be climbed. Occasionally, windows allowed a glimpse of Luskan, its sprawling walls, and the North cut by the river Mirar beyond. The City of Sails basked in late fall, orange, dark, and sharp. The Tower, for those who knew, was located on the largest and centermost island at the mouth of Mirar and had since its reconstruction dominated the cityscape.

After what must have been an additional hundred feet, in a smaller, more cramped section of the Tower, Vellynne knocked on a door. A "please, enter!" sounded, and Vellynne opened it to a busy study. Full bookshelves lined the walls, alchemical equipment was arranged on a table, and ingredients sat stacked on a shelf. In one corner, by a mirror, was what appeared to be a shrine comprising a stone slab overlaid with a beige cloth, a branch, and some macadamia nuts. The room wasn't particularly spacious and so appeared fairly busy, but there was a tidiness to appreciate. Everything was neatly arranged and in its proper space, even though said space was contested. The only window was open, allowing in the briskly chill and salty wind of Luskan.

The resident of the study was a bespectacled Orangutan-like creature¹. He had sat by his desk with his legs drawn up to him, penning a tome, but he quickly put the quill down and went to the window. "I apologize, I'll close this. I have some stools by the cupboard, let me get those for you,"

"Good evening, Harai," Vellynne said. By the way her irritation gave way for a smile it was clear she was fond of this creature. "Thank you for allowing us to see you on such short notice."

"Oh, not at all," Harai answered as he put forth the stools. "I'm always happy to help, especially with such an intriguing project as yours, Madame Harpell. To whom do I owe the pleasure?" He extended a hand to shake Mallory's and Idrianthe's.

---

¹ That'll be a DC 15 Nature check to see if either of you know the race. Alternatively Arcana DC 20.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:33, Sun 17 Sept 2023.

---

Mallory's Arcana to recognize Harai's race [25]: Aside from Humans, there weren't any intelligent Simians native to Faerûn. Those species who would in earnest be referred to as Ape- or Primate-like resided in Kara-Tur, the Eastern Realms, and Mallory knew of a couple. There was the Hadozee, perhaps the most known, though they resembled more of a crossbreed between a Baboon and a Human, with patagial wing flaps like a Bat's or a Flying Squirrel's. Then there was the Saru, an evolutionary enigma who grew into prominence on the Malatran Plateau only a couple of hundred years ago. Their appearance would typically be described as that of a Gorilla's and occasionally an Orangutan's.

There was also the Hengeyokai, intelligent natural shapeshifting animals, who similarly dwelt in the jungles and on the fringes of Human land. Only the magical eye could discern them from ordinary animals.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:40, Wed 20 Sept 2023.

Never would Mallory have thought she'd have been happy to see Luskan of all places.  She'd actually made sure to take a route that avoided the city itself on her way north in the first place but, after the endless winter and lowly excuse for civilization that was of Ten-Towns, even somewhere like Luskan was a wonderful sight to behold.  She was at the point that she'd even risk a visit out into the city itself... so long as she could manage a guard detail from the Host Tower first, at least.

The Tower itself was worth marveling over as well and it was a genuine struggle for Mallory to not fall to the same habits as gawking tourists when they first came to Neverwinter.  The various arcane towers of prominence throughout Toril were well-known but rarely visited, so to be on assignment for the Arcane Brotherhood was a unique opportunity worth appreciating.  She'd come north in hope of rebuilding her family fortune; while she'd yet to be able to connect with her uncle on the initial plan, building avenues into the Brotherhood could be a vital tool to take advantage of.  One she was not keen to squander.

"Lady Mallory Bonheur of Neverwinter." she took the offered hand in greeting with all the graceful etiquette she'd been hammered with her whole life long, paired with a half-curtsy and charming smile.  That Harai was such an exotic being didn't surprise her in the slightest, though she was naturally intrigued.  A conversation for another time, hopefully.  "And my most capable of partners; Dame Idrianthe of House Mar.  It's quite the pleasure to meet you.  Madame Harpell's assignment has given us quite a number of fascinating opportunities to study, and I'm eager to see what else we might explore together."

"I am sure," Harai commented as he greeted Idrianthe in turn. "Madame Harpell has told me you wish to commune with the dead. And that you have requested the Sending of a message?"

"I will leave you to it," Vellynne said from where she was lingering in the doorframe. "Jendrik wishes to speak with me. Likely about the funding from Longsaddle. How he knows I am here already I don't know. Did you tell him?" she asked Harai.

The Orangutan answered efficiently moved a stool to stand on to reach the higher shelves containing his alchemical ingredients. He took a jar, opened the lid, and sniffed the contents. It seems it was to satisfcation. "I did. The Overwizard asked, so I told him."

"Hrmh," was all Vellynne uttered further on the matter before she exited and closed the door behind her.

"Devices and politics and secrets and games . . ." Harai lamented as he went climbed down from the stool. "Oh, do I pine for the days when a researcher was simply left to his research . . ."

"An unfortunate reality of any formal organization, I'm afraid." Mallory offered a sympathetic smile for Harai's sake.  She felt such woe herself as she recalled her early days of study, when her education was fresh and exciting.  Being bogged down with the inner politics of the academic institutions she was part of always seemed such a tiring distraction from what really mattered.  Things were no better in the average daily affairs of nobility either.

"If I may, what is your field, sir?" she asked as she turned to address the many belongings and samples she'd stowed in that handy handcart.  Convenient as it had been, hauling it along the stairs was less so.  They had a lot to go through, but at least some of it would be best delayed until Vellynne returned from her task depending on how costly the spellwork was to perform.

"Wild Magic," Harai answered as he returned to his desk and put aside the tome, the inkwell, and cleaned his quill on a cloth. "Specifically divinely derived Wild Magic, though that constitutes the bulk of the practice. Did you know that since the Time of Troubles it has been by far the most widespread form of magic? A myriad of religious doctrines and the Gods they worship have adopted it into their portfolio since. My own body of work focuses on expanding the breadth of our knowledge on it. Of course, the very nature of Wild Magic is unpredictable – though that in itself is debatable – so my primary aim is to catalogue various cultures' usage of it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:43, Sun 24 Sept 2023.

"Wild Magic."

On that statement, Mallory inconspicuously took one long step back to put the cart in between herself and Harai while she continued to sort through things.

"Indeed, right alongside the generational increase of those who have innate Wild Magic affinity.  It's far from a steady expansion amid the population but it certainly is undeniable.  Given that Wild Magic was formerly the purview of arcanists alone, seeing it spread outside of conventional control is rather fitting a development." Despite her cautiously affording herself a bit of cover at the very mention of unstable mage craft, it was undeniably a fascinating subject.  Her own traditionalist schooling in magic always looked down its nose at Wild Magic's unpredictability and lack of cohesive control, which left her many tutors hardly bothering to mention it other than when speaking with disdain.

Naturally, a younger Mallory had been quite excited to study it however she could as a result.  The only thing more enticing to both a mage and teenager alike than knowledge was forbidden knowledge.

"Personally, I've always followed the theory that Wild Magic is simply a natural derivative of Raw Magic where it's been able to seep through the filtering presence of The Weave without wholly sundering it.  Given that it allows access to magic outside of Mystra's dominion yet still with some structure through her influence, it makes a very tempting subject for other divine forces who may begrudge her hold over magic in its entirety." the young noble was so delighted in being able to speak on such topics that it helped hearten her against the grim work at hand.  She gently gathered the still-bundled corpse of poor Apple with a pitying sigh and laid it out onto a nearby table space.  "I can only imagine there are quite a few Druidic circles out there keenly observing the shift of arcane power appearing outside of classical schools of control and back into the natural world."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:11, Mon 25 Sept 2023.

"You're familiar!" Harai exclaimed. Though the excitement built in his intonation, his movements remained calm and pointed as he made a return-trip to his shelves. "Many of my colleagues hasten to declare my efforts futile, so I am happy to have found another likeminded individual. Yes, the Rifts are a big reason for its surge, and by my estimates they are more numerous than anyone originally anticipated. Especially in Kara-Tur, where there's a new one every tenth tree." On a wooden tray, he gathered parts of an incense burner kit – the burner, a bottle, a seal, a spoon, a press, a shovel, a mold, and a scarf. "But fret not, I am no longer a practitioner. Now," he said he returned with the tools and arranged them by Apple's corpse, "tell me of these spirits we will confer with. It is important to know them so one can best choose one's questions."
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:17, Mon 25 Sept 2023.

"Of course, I am a modern witch, after all.  My seniors may be content to dismiss expressions of magic that operate outside their standards, but it is the true spirit of research to explore every avenue and take nothing for granted." Mallory chirped.  "With how many times The Weave has been disrupted and reinstated over the ages, along with some remnants of the dimensional integration of Abeir lingering in our world post-Spellplague, it's utter foolishness to ignore such tidings in favor of tradition.  Things are changing, as they always are, and we're best served by meeting the new and unfamiliar with open eyes.  I actually have a few samples here with my you might very well take interest in, with that in mind.  Very unusual magical formations."

The matter at hand, however, brought Mallory's mood back down to a more somber tone.  She uncovered the Halfling's face from amid the wrappings - still well-preserved thanks to the cold of Icewind Dale - with eyes having long been shut by hand.  "To be completely honest, I'm afraid we know very little of any of these souls initially.  The first two are a bit more personal and outside of Madame Harpell's project.  But, seeing as how she's indisposed presently, best we address them first and wait until she returns for her input on the more relevant remains."  A gloved hand stroked across the corpse's brow to brush away bits of hair from its face.  For as much as Mallory chose to compartmentalize and detach from sentiment where corpses were concerned, it was a hard thing to manage when it had been sympathy that drove her to pursue the lost adventurers in the first place.

"This was a mercenary named Apple, hired to seek out a Netherese ruin with two companions.  She died as a result of a wound and infection, cloistered within the ruins, alone.  She was long dead before we reached her yet... I still feel as though I failed her.  I never knew her in life but had tasked myself with finding her.  At least I can learn of her final moments and how she'd wish to be laid to rest.  Halflings always have family, after all... there must be someone left behind to tell." she hated to be the bearer of bad news, but it was a responsibility she'd taken on and would see through.  Harai was offered an apologetic shrug.  "I'm afraid that's all I really know."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Thu 28 Sept 2023.

"I actually have a few samples here with my you might very well take interest in, with that in mind.  Very unusual magical formations."
"Certainly," Harai answered. "I am eager to be of assistance in any way I can."

He regarded Apple's lifeless face as Mallory explained the circumstances in which they found her. "A deeply tragic ending for one so young," he bemoaned, "but it is said no Halfling fears the gentle hand of Urogalan. I hope you can find comfort in that you did what you could and that perhaps someone somewhere appreciates she wasn't destined for eternal entombment in a strange and adverse place."

What followed was the delicate and pensive process of preparing the incense. The white, fine ash that served as the base for the incense to burn on was flattened in the burner before the mold was placed atop and the powdered myrrh was filled in by shovel. He kept a long stick wooden lighting stick next to him, but did not touch it to a candle flame just yet. "How she met her fate and how best to put her to rest . . . what else do you wish to learn about Apple? Once the spell has been cast, I am granted the ability to ask the vessel five questions. No more, no less."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:37, Wed 27 Sept 2023.

Harai's comforting words were of some value to Mallory.  She'd had a long ride back to Ten-Towns to dwell on Apple's fate and try to come to terms with it all, so she was able to appreciate his kindness honestly.  She accepted it with a soft smile and nod, but otherwise gave no further word on the matter.

"I'll leave the phrasing to you, given your expertise with the spell."  That particular form of magic was beyond her scope, though it didn't stop her from observing the ritual with keen interest.  Even if she couldn't employ such magic, it didn't mean there was nothing to be learned from studying it.  "But as for three remaining queries... Hmm...

First: the ruins were covered in a strange fractal pattern throughout.  I'd like to know whether or not those patterns were already present when Apple arrived, or if something she did while there caused them to form.

Second: when we found Apple's corpse, it had an unusual gem clutched in hand.  I'd also like to know whatever she knew of it, particularly if she found it in the ruins or whatever she knows of its nature.

Assuming that bit doesn't take up two questions all on its own... hmm..." Mallory paused a moment in consideration to drum her thumb against her chin.  "Well, I'd like to know what her favorite food and drink were.  After I lay her to rest, I'll raise a toast in her honor."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:22, Thu 28 Sept 2023.

"A fine five questions," Harai said as he reached for the stick to light the incense. "Although you are correct in assuming your fourth question would be better suited split. The vessel tends to get confused if a question is too complex, resulting in jumbled answers. And do bear in mind that some of the answers might be cryptic and will perhaps seem unsatisfactory, regardless of the clarity in which the questions are posed. Usually it is due to the limit of the deceased's knowledge, but I often find that pondering them reveals a hidden truth." In addition to the incense, Harai had prepared a sheet of paper and his quill to record the responses.

The myrrh began to burn with a resinous, earthy aroma. Harai drew a breath once it began to burn properly, twirling the smoke into a dance with his palm. "Lhuuc an ac akuul'dec shuulkokec . . ." he incanted. He then guided some of the smoke toward Apple's face, letting it fall and gather by her eyelids and mouth as a faint flicker of light appeared underneath.

"We awaken thee in thy slumber," Harai continued, "o' honored vessel, to ask thee these questions five. What didst thou experience in thy final moments?"

"A rosy sickbed . . ." a voice from Apple's corpse rang ethereally. "a distant land, aflow with milk and honey . . ." The echoes of the voice lingered chiming. ". . . peace."

Harai adjusted his spectacles as he dutifully noted the words. Then he proceeded with the next question. "How wouldst thou best be laid to rest?"

"Under the shade of my rooted tree . . . in Easthaven, by my Geese . . ." was the answer.

"The fractal pattern – was it caused by thee or by something or someone else?"

"Ever present, contingent not on my presence . . . a simmering broth, brought to boil generations past . . ."

"What dost thou know of the unusual gem that came to be in thine possession?"

"A soothing melody waiting for me . . ." the voice rang, ". . . a promise . . . a symphony grander than the very cosmos . . ."

"I see," Harai said, noting it down. "Didst thou find the gem in the ruins?"

"I found it . . . and it found me . . ."

The dancing smoke rose from Apple's face as the spell's hold on her body faded.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:01, Mon 02 Oct 2023.

There was an analytical part of Mallory's thoughts which always tried to dissect what she witnessed where magic was concerned.  She'd seen such a spell performed by others prior and it was always different in method, yet produced the same result; a feature of it being so deeply entrenched with the divine, she assumed.  The behavior of the animating spirit was always such an oddity though.  She'd seen some spirits be brutally literal in their reactions, to the point of "wasting" the caster's questions, while others spoke in obtuse riddles even they didn't seem to understand.  Such a curiosity... was something lost in translation, or was it some quirk of speaking with an echo rather than the soul itself?

Regardless, while the scientist in Mallory's brain muttered and simmered in the background, her thoughts at the fore were on Apple.

"Geese?  Was she a farmer, perhaps?  Or just fond of a particular lakeside?" the young noble pondered.  Migration patterns in Icewind Dale would've been absolutely ruined by the perpetual winter, so she was uncertain what the case might be.  Still, it was a concrete goal.  "Easthaven, then... she'll be known there, surely.  Very well.  I can ask around for the rest."

She lapsed into silence for the rest of the questions and, once the magic had faded and Apple's presence left, slowly hung her head.  The sting of muddied emotions and uncertainty still held within Mallory and, despite herself, she wasn't sure if they would ever truly go away.  But the ritual had brought to her some sense of relief as well.  An unspoken prayer passed her lips as she regathered the wrappings and once more shrouded Apple's remains from view.  "...thank you, sir.  Truly." she lifted her eyes to Harai with a grateful nod, then gently gathered the bundled corpse to take aside back to the cart again.

Another bundle was gathered in its place - another small corpse carried in the woman's arms.  She laid it gingerly down but didn't move to uncover it as readily.  Not without preparing Harai first.  "This next corpse is one of the samples I mentioned before.  While my group were exploring the ruins, we were quite surprised with the arrival of a pair of Illithids.  Why they were there, of all places, is a total mystery.  Yet even more unusual was their nature." she gave prelude before finally uncovering the tentacled face of the Aberration, withered and sunken in death.  "Successful Ceremorphosis of Gnomish hosts.  We also encountered a somewhat stable yet grotesquely mutated ceremorphic Bulette - I brought some of its remains with me, if you were interested in a look.

In any case, these Illithids actually did speak a verbal language rather than exclusively in telepathy, which just adds to the strangeness.  But it was a very unusual tongue.  I'll need a few moments to prepare a spell for translation first; may I borrow a bit of ash and salt, please?"

---

Assuming Harai loans her the necessary components, Mallory will ritually cast "Comprehend Languages" on herself before moving on with the rest of the conversation.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Mon 02 Oct 2023.

The Orangutan-esque arcanist scratched his round chin. "She sounded quite smitten by this gem. May I ask what it was?"

An obvious unease overcame Harai when the Illithid corpse was presented. Not only because of the subject matter, but also because the corpse was quite unsightly with its splattered, collapsed skull. Had Mallory not stated it was an Illithid, Harai wouldn't have been sure what he was looking at.

"That is . . . unnerving," he said. "And outside my purview. At the risk of showing my lack of knowledge, does this look like a complete case of Ceremorphosis to you? Unless I am mistaken, the process is usually flawless, producing a perfect Mindflayer each time." The hairs on his body stood on end as a shiver overcame him. "Should you wish to seek an expert on the matter, Dendybar of the Northern Spire is knowledgable about all things Underdark."

After a quick trip back to the shelves, the requested components were handed to Mallory – some white ash contained in a small vial, and a bag of coarse sea salt.

"I believe this corpse and the gem actually share some kind of connection.  I'd like to confirm my suspicions first though." Mallory certainly couldn't hold Harai's revulsion at the display against him.  She would've been in much the same way had she not seen the whole mess in the original heat of the moment... albeit late to the battle as she had ended up.

"This was indeed a complete Ceremorphisis though.  There were two of these Illithids we encountered.  One could be considered a fluke, but two is indicative of a process.  I intend to perform a thorough dissection of my own to see the full extent of its altered physiology.  I'll certainly look into speaking with this Dendybar as well, thank you." she said as she took the offered containers of components and busied herself with meting out a careful portion of each into her palm.  "Normally only certain species are compatible subjects for Ceremorphosis.  Gnomes are not one of them and every known instance has always resulted in the immediate death of both host body and Illithid spawn together.  Whatever bizarre circumstance or method made this possible is worth uncovering.  If Illithids have developed a means of expanding their range of potential hosts, the implications are frankly nightmarish.  Given the innate connection the Gnomish people share with the Feywilds, there's some possibility Wild Magic could factor in - either as a component or counter."

A grim subject all around and not one Mallory held any joy in discussing, despite the macabre fascination it held.  With luck, the Gnome Ceremorphs really were nothing more than a one-off fluke and not indicative of some grander problem lurking just beneath the surface.  Of course, the Frost Maiden might well have spared them all some trouble if there were more such entities in the Nautiloid she'd frozen.  Though Mallory could hardly thank her for the save when she was likely just snuffing out an obstacle to her own destructive pass time...

With the ash and salt mixed together, the young noble smudged careful lines of arcane intent across her gloved palm with a fingertip.  One stroke at a time was all it took to form a simple glyph that was quickly raised to her lips as if tossed into her mouth like a morsel of food, to infuse herself with a minor spell of incredible usefulness.  "There, that should last for a good long while.  Now then, to business:

First, I'd like to know where this Illithid came from; whether there is a hidden Illithid hive that it might have come from.

Second, I'd like to know for what purpose it came to Icewind Dale.

Third, I'd like to know whatever it knows of the gem, if anything.

Fourth, I'd like to know of its connection to the entity Hadar, if any.

Finally, I'd like to know whatever it knows of the processes that resulted in its own unusual Ceremorphosis.  Illithids share a hive-mind within a certain range; what one knows, they all know.  So if another Illithid developed a method to expand the capabilities of Ceremorphosis that resulted in this creature, it would presumably have that knowledge itself."

"A harrowing prospect," Harai commented when Mallory began explaining this new, previously unsuccesful form of Ceremorphosis. "I am uncertain if it was wise to bring this here as it could potentially be cause for a security risk. But nothing to do about it now."

Still not at ease, Harai prepared cast the spell again. "I am able to cast this twice more for the day." He stirred the smoke into motion, forming the reflection of eyes and mouth on the Illithid.

"We awaken thee in thy slumber, o'honored vessel . . ." There was less conviction in his proclamation of reverance this time around. "To ask you these questions five. From where hast thou come?"

"Prbt-frrt-brrrl . . ." was the nonsensical, at least to Harai, response. "From the sixth world, across the vast black . . ." Harai handed the quill and paper to Mallory after shaking his head.

"Why didst thee come to Icewind Dale?"

"To pluck and transmogrify its fruits . . . and mend our engine . . ."

"What dost thou know of the gem the Halfling Apple found in the ruins?"

"Nothing . . . of stone or being . . ."

"What art thy connection to the entity known as Hadar?"

"Fearful curiosity . . . a slumber carefully not disturbed . . ."

"And what dost thou know of the process which has turned you into a Ceremorph?"

"Irregularity . . . anti-magic fields woven by Thornbacks . . ."

In all honesty, Mallory wasn't entirely certain the spell would even work.  In theory there was no functional difference between an Illithid and any other mortal creature, but she was unsure if they actually had a soul from which an animating spirit conjured by the magic might reflect its recollections.  Under normal circumstances, the host body was most certainly long dead by the time the Illithid spawn implanted within it had matured, but what of the spawn itself?  Though with the sample being a bizarre Gnomish exception, it could hardly be taken as demonstrative of other Illithds' nature...

The young noble was quick to take notes with the offered quill.  Hurried scratching along the parchment to take down the words verbatim, though the responses were less than she'd hoped for.  Rather, she expected conspiracy and ended up with coincidence.  There was a part of her that felt dismayed over the confirmation that the Illithids had not been somehow drawn by the Pearl of Hadar... the idea that they just so happened to end up there at the same time was terribly unsettling.

The final words of the Illithid's spirit, however, made Mallory gasp sharply and nearly drop the writing tools in a reflexive flinch away.  It took her a moment to parse over the whole context before she calmed herself, though her brow remained knotted in upset over what she'd learned.

"Well now, that is... hm." she chewed at her lip in dismay.  "No immediate sort of threat, thankfully... likely not even an eventual one either, but rather simply unfortunate happenstance.  It appears these Illithids became stranded here with their ship in disrepair.  They were simply unfortunate enough to encounter would-be victims that could fight back.  To my knowledge, Illithids generally don't throw good coin after bad, so to speak, so I doubt their hive will be looking for them."

Despite the assurances, Mallory herself still looked concerned over what the Ceremorph had revealed.  She truly didn't believe there would be any coming danger from that specific encounter, but the greater context troubled her.  Honestly, she wasn't even certain of who to warn of such matters, let alone if literally anything even could be done about it.  "Thank you again, sir.  There are three remaining spirits to interview, but if you've only two castings left in you then best we pace ourselves and choose carefully.  The remaining two should be Madame Harpell's decision, as well as her line of questioning." she hurried to rebundle the Illithid corpse up once more, if for no other reason that to at least mask its awful visage.  "I won't trouble you with the details of what that creature said unless you'd like to hear them.  Perhaps it'd be better to rest yourself while we wait for Madame Harpell to return?  If you'd like, I have some lovely tea leaves from Neverwinter I'd be happy to share."

". . . but if you've only two castings left in you . . ."
"One," Harai corrected Mallory. "Three in total. And no, I would not like to hear what the Illithid here has told. Forgive me, but I am already involved enough upon just the communion . . . I would, however, love some tea. Let me put on the kettle. I'll be right back." He scurried out the room and headed down the winding corridor.

"Could you remind me, Lady Mallory, which skeletons we were to interrogate?"^* Idrianthe asked. After her initial introduction, she had taken a backseat to the communions as Mallory seemed to have it more sorted than she. It was her lot to remain fascinated, by both spell and Spire. The differences between this Host Tower and Witchholm were plenty, and yet the similarities just so. Except, this remained a trove of knowledge where Witchholm was emptied.

Harai returned soon with a tray carrying a set of teacups, a kettle with boiling water, and a jar of honey. He set a small table, letting Mallory prepare the tea she'd brought to steep. "It's been long since I visited Neverwinter, and I failed to try their tea then. A grave error – a fault on my character, even. Although I was skeptical at first, I now find the Sword Coast's way of tea quite delectable."

---

Maybe Idrianthe would have known, but I don't.

"Oh, I apologize for the misunderstanding.  I daresay that might well decide for us, then, given our options." Mallory noted as she returned the Illithid corpse to the cart and shuffled further about for other remains less gruesome in nature.  Still rather grim, however, as she retrieved a trio of skulls to set in a row along the table where the other bodies had been laid prior.

"The first and most likely candidate would be this skull here; it belonged to the Netherese scholar who lived within the ruins itself during its heyday.  The truest source of information we're likely to get, and surely the one Madam Harpell will wish to speak with.  I imagine we'll be conversing with this fellow many times to come, as availability allows." Mallory explained for both Idri and Harai's sake before she gestured wider to the two more monstrous-looking skulls to either side.

"This is the skull carapace of a Thri-Kreen that had been captured and held prisoner within the ruins, presumably by said Netherese scholar.  Likely a test subject of some kind.  An unlikely source for much information, surely, but it may have some insights to support whatever can be learned from the scholar's spirit." she said as she motioned a gloved hand over the insect-like head with its hollowed, dome eye lens and mandibles still intact.  To the other, a warped skull with knife-like teeth and three eye sockets; the center-most being large enough to bridge the space between the other two smaller gaps.  "And then there's this creature... which, honestly, I'm unsure of what it even is.  Some Aberration.  We found its remains in the midst of Black Ooze.  It might be another test subject, or perhaps some unfortunate monstrosity that wandered in somehow.  No way of knowing other than to ask.  If nothing else, I'd like to see if anyone here might be able to identify it in case there's some applications for the remains to be put to."

At last, tea time!  It was a wonderful distraction from all the trundling about in Ten-Towns, where even being seated in civilization there was still a rough experience.  A brief interlude, perhaps, but it was a lovely return to normalcy that Mallory found herself quite excited for even in the face of greater arcane opportunity.  Sometimes one just needed a cup of tea to set them right.  She'd packed light when she left home for the north but could never have dreamed of not bringing along a few of her favorite tins of her preferred teas for the sake of keeping herself sane for want of a good, familiar brew.  Normal travel rations might feature a tea brick of one was lucky, but a few slim tins of well-preserved and dried leaves were more her style.

"It's been months since I've been home and, in full truth, I've missed it dearly every day I've been away.  Hopefully there's a reliable courier in this city; I'd like very much to write to my family now that I'm nearer." the young noble cast her gaze southward, as if she might somehow see the distant skyline of Neverwinter through the wall.  She picked out one of the various containers of tea leaves and poured a small portion to fill the kettle's strainer with.  Rather than just let it steep all its own, however, she gingerly flexed her fingers over the bubbling water to enforce a little arcane influence onto it.  The most minor of cantrips, yet one that served endless uses as she carefully controlled the temperature of the water for the sake of that perfect cup.  "To be fair, the profile of local teas has changed quite a bit in recent decades thanks to the prior eruption of Mount Hotenow.  Though I personally find the heartiness of volcanically-enriched rooibos quite pleasant... one of the few good things to come of that disaster.

No need to mull on unpleasant topics one after another though.  Do tell, sir, what of your home beyond the Sword Coast?  A place like Luskan is quite the odd spot to end up in, arcane studies or otherwise."

"I am certain a courier can be found in the city proper. As a matter of fact, Madame Harpell might be able to arrange something for you, as the Tower typically employs a few," Harai said as he helped Mallory prepare the tea.

"I am from the lands of Kara-Tur," Harai began as the leaves were left to steep. "More precisely from Malatra, the jungle south of T'u Lung. I was a young Shaman for my tribe of Saru, who was wedged between the conflicts of the Purang and the Kuong Kingdom. The Purang tribes fought valiantly against the crusade of the Priest-King, but in the end the will of the Lords of Creation remained unyielding. My tribe was slaughtered in their homes, and those who weren't were driven from the Plateaus . . . A tragic tale, but one I am afraid is far too commonplace in the region." He let a somber silence linger. "But this was many years ago. I have traveled far since, learning of magecraft from many folks and civilizations. First I was captured by the Tuigans of the Hordelands and sold as a slave to the Mulhorandi in Neldorild. I was fortunate enough to have a benevolent Master who occasionally allowed me to pursue magic. But he and his family fell on hard times, and I was sold to a Clergyman from the Dragon Coast who set me free. I then aided the sturdy folk who resettled Starmantle. Finally, I was sought by the Harpell for academic tenure in Longsaddle due to my expertise on Wild Magic, and ever since, I have been involved in the revival of the Brotherhood, an opportunity for which I am forever grateful. And all this way, Chee'ah has guided me." He placed a thumb atop his forehead. "And if she's willing, I plan on living out my later years in peace here in Luskan."

At the conclusion of his tale, Harai poured the cups for everyone. "And what of you? What brought you to Icewind Dale? These days, it is hardly a place fair on fair Ladies. Adventurous spirit?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:11, Tue 17 Oct 2023.

The tragedy of Harai's past was one that Mallory took in with keen interest, seemingly as fascinated simply by the fellow himself as his tale.  She had questions that immediately rose to mind, curious for little tidbits and trivia, but knew better than to interject.  Oh, but she could pick the brain of such an exotic foreigner for days if only she had the opportunity!

"While I certainly hope you get your way, I would suggest at least visiting Neverwinter should you get the chance, especially during the holidays when the foot traffic really floods in.  You're exactly the sort of far traveler who'd find himself the talk of the town."  Under any other circumstance, she'd have been the one to extend an invitation to host him herself... but with the state of her House, Mallory had no such leisure to spare.  A matter which was pointedly in mind as Harai rounded the conversation over onto her own situation.

"Business, actually.  Though I'm an arcanist and scholar by nature, I'm a merchant by nurture.  House Bonheur is a trading family; we've routes all through the Sword Coast and even manage a small outpost near Chult."  While she was not one to boast, there was obvious pride in her voice as she recounted her family's success.  Though, as unpleasant thoughts drew clouds behind her eyes, her smile faltered ever so subtly at the edge before she masked it with a shrug.  "My uncle had gone north last year to establish a trade office in Bryn Shander but, for the life of me, I've yet to actually find the silly old stray.  It's always been in his blood to wander, certainly, but I've trekked across half of Ten-Towns without so much of a whisker!"

Of course, she didn't want to fill the chat with whining about her situation and spared Harai a retelling of what got them lost to Targos in the first place.  Though, given everything that had happened of late, some level of well-meaning whinging couldn't be denied.  "Honestly, it's been one disaster after another.  Trolls and backwater bigots and awful monstrosities aplenty.  But... I suppose it hasn't been without its good sides as well, despite everything." she offered a sidelong smile Idri's way.  "I've met Idrianthe and many other wonderful companions there.  I've been able to do a bit of good as well... oh!  And I've met the most novel creatures!  For worse, the White Dragon Arveiaturace - that was a terrible afternoon, indeed.  But, for the better, I befriended a group of the most darling Chwinga one could imagine, and a magically awakened Plesiosaur, of all things!  That was a very odd day, I assure you... ah... actually, now that I think of it... what day is it now?  I've totally lost track of the calendar because of the state of Icewind Dale's weather.  Is it already into Nightal?"

Meanwhile, as Mallory chattered away, the space on the floor immediately behind her shimmered faintly.  Hidden from view thanks to the drape of her coat off the back of her seat, Astre manifested silently into existence and sat with his head lifted to quietly sniff at the air a few moments, glanced about, then promptly disappeared once again.

---

While she's chatting, Mallory will covertly summon Astre out of sight.  Tressym can innately detect the presence of poison through scent, taste, and touch, and see Invisible things, so Astre is doing his usual job of sniffing out anything amiss from the tea set Harai prepared or if there's anything Invisible (such as a Scrying Orb) in the room with them, reporting to Mallory telepathically, and then going back to his pocket space regardless of the outcome.  Not sure if a Perception check is required here given the proximity, but Astre would roll for poison detection at Advantage from his Keen Smell ability.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Tue 17 Oct 2023.