Not looking up from his setting up his book & scrolls Larias said, "Whatever you bring with you or hunt for i suppose - anything else?"

Mimi, the ever-adaptable mimic, observed her surroundings with a sense of curiosity and excitement. She detected through her thermal energy checking up on one person to another in the room. She found herself amidst a diverse group of meat snacks, each with its own unique characteristics and motivations. The man's words hung in the air, and Mimi, being the opportunistic and adventurous mimic that she was, took them quite literally.

A mischievous grin curled across her fanged mouth as she looked at the others, a playful tongue twist, happened soon afterward. She didn't see a room of potential threats; she saw companions for the journey ahead. "Eat the meat that you bring with you," she mused, interpreting the statement in her own whimsical way. Her voice dripping with the playfulness she felt the words merited. "Well, if that's the rule, then I'm in for a feast!"

With a quick shift of her form, She shifted, into a Teddy Bear, giving, Shandri a comfortable place to get, up as her excitable nature, was prepared to leave. She might have appeared as a chair-like entity moments ago, but now she was a plush Teddy Bear, soft, and comfortable to the eye. She stretched her limbs, testing her newfound mobility, and let out a chuckling sound, which seemed to echo around the room.

"Let's get to it before the road walks away!" Mimi chimed, her tone oddly cheerful for someone about to embark on a potentially perilous journey. She wobbled for a moment, still getting used to her transformed state, but then steadied herself with a newfound confidence. After all, she was Mimi the Mimic, and adaptability was her forte. With a playful twirl, it was clear, she was prepared to go on the journey, as she twirled around, with almost child-like glee.

Larias looked up to the speaker as he was now done laying out his materials on the table. He scrutinized the newly formed Teddy Bear and its enthusiasm for the open road. He adjusted one of the lenses on his spectacles to get a better close up look at Mimi.

"Ah, you must be the Intelligent Mimic known as Mimi - you will definitely find the expedition of import...If you can all look at the scroll I've laid out on the table please."

You see the map on the table Larias has unfurled and shows the Ardeep Forest to the South of the city and an "X" marked on it in red to its Southwest interior - Larias pointed to the red X.

"This is the location of the Nandar Lodge - it was owned by the now long dead House Nandar of Waterdeep over 140 years ago. The local Moon Elves took umbrage with the Nandar's hunting in the area and attacked the lodge only for the Nobles to come back and reuse it - sadly this dispute is lost to time but the Lodge was eventually abandoned by the family. During my research into the area, i believe that the Guild of Naturalists, a guild of Myth Drannor studying magical creatures, had an outpost near or on the grounds where the lodge was located. I have recruited you to enter the forest, help me find the entrance to this outpost and explore it to further the cause of Denier and add knowledge to the Font's library of its existence - my claim of what we may find is scholarly, so any Scrolls or Tomes we may find i would like to take as my share plus 20 percent of any treasure found...Any questions?"

Shandri spoke. "I'd like to request that if there are any works related to psionic knowledge, I receive either the book, or if nonmagical a copy of it," she said. "I don't mind if the knowledge reaches Candlekeep, but my compatriots in Riatavan are making a detailed study of the Invisible Art. Would that be alright?" There probably wouldn't be, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Aldred slowly moved forward after Larias had outlined his plan and inquired once more as to any questions the group might have. His eyes soaked in the map as he stared on silently, his interest apparently piqued.

"Does the Guild of Naturalists still exist?" he asked quietly, and although he looked to Shandri's request, he merely nodded. It was highly likely that the boy did not even know what "psionic" meant.

Black starfields were eclipsed as twin stars of purple bloomed in the newcomer's eyes. "Oh my," she said in a voice that rang like bells as it twisted through the air. "I have been here for many centuries, and never once have I encountered a being like you," she said as she walked over to the capering Mimi. "It is a rare thing for me to be surprised."

She leaned over and looked Mimi over as the purple gave way to warm gold. For just a moment the Mimic could feel the regard of something vast and ancient then the feeling gave way as the tall woman extended a hand. "We are well met, Mimi. I am Annastarria but please, call me Star."

You want an equal share of any treasure plus any scrolls or tomes? That seems to weigh heavily in your favour, little one. He projects while sitting up on the warm cauldron. His tail wraps around his front feet as he yawns widely revealing many sharp teeth.
What happens if we find nothing but historical records? He asks while raising his eyebrows.

Larias looked up at Shandri.

"I see no problem with that - provided the scribes at the Font can transcribe them."



Larias regards the Peudodragon for a moment.

"Im giving up 80 percent of any treasure - to me, knowledge is its own treasure and reward - but the Font is nearly complete in its construction and any additional income brought by Priests like myself is welcome and crucial to its full completion."



"Sadly its main halls lie in ruin and its members long dead in the Devil infested city of Myth Drannor although i have heard of a similarly called guild operating in Cormyr founded a year ago but they have no relation to each other', he answered Aldred.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:37, Fri 03 Nov 2023.

On the contrary, you are giving up eighty percent of nothing if we don't go. You say that knowledge is it's own reward but still want fifth of the treasure, plus the knowledge. He slowly walks forward and wraps himself around the pot once before walking to the edge of the table where he stares directly into Larias's eyes. The effect would be very intimidating if he were actually a dragon but at his size it looks more like a cat playing with a mouse.
A more equitable arrangement would be to include the cost of the scrolls and tomes in the total treasure and then you get first rights to them. As you said, any additional income is welcome.

Aldred nodded to Larias, a hint of appreciation in his expression, but the back and forth about the hypothetical spoils seemed to encourage him to retreat a step.

He looked more inclined to stay than he did before, but not completely "sold", although if he had any other prospects it was difficult to say.

"I was under the impression that groups like this just split everything equally?" He posited to Larias quietly.

Shandri nodded to Aldred. "I'm pretty sure that's the usual arrangement, unless it's one boss hiring the rest of us at a flat rate. I don't mind Deneir getting as much knowledge as possible out of this, but we do need to be sure we get our fair share if it comes to that. I'm not especially driven by avarice, but lore about my own interests is rare and expensive."

Aldred nodded to show that he understood and appreciated Shandri's explanation, but it seemed he had little to add.

He leaned back out and paced just a bit at the outskirts of the room as the discussion continued, where he looked over the stranger occupants of the room with covert glances.

Larias returns Scriostus gaze but it was a more neutral one and not one of challenge.

"My offer stands...All expeditions have a modicum of risk and reward - tis the life of an adventurer or researcher."

Larias looked at all in the room.

"I would like us to begin the journey tomorrow morning. We should reach the Ardeep forest by Highsunfeast and after a short rest, proceed into the forest till we find what is left of the lodge - before sundown by my estimate."

"Tomorrow morning?" the young man seemed surprised, or perhaps it was just that the expedition had suddenly become very real to him. Given his tender age it was likely that he had only been on a few if any at all.

It was already four bells after all, maybe five now. The merchants would be closing up for the day and there was still so much to do, so many preparations to make.

"Where should we meet you? And at what time?" he asked, his mind obviously racing, as if he was trying to calculate just how long he had left before they set out.

Larias looked to Aldred and noted the surprise in his voice.

"We wont be leaving very early - i thought to have Morningfeast here in Gondalim's. I convinced the High Priests at the Font to provide rooms for you all here for one night but if you wish lodgings elsewhere at your own expense, there are a few nearby - the Inn of the Dripping Dagger i believe caters to Adventurers and is further up the High Road."

Shandri nodded. "I'll see you all in the morning, then?"

Aldred nodded a few times to Shandri and Larias, the youth still in mild shock at the prospect of leaving the next day. "That's my plan, there is still so much to do..." he said aloud as he gravitated towards the door, one arm tucked protectively against his chest while the other covered his mouth.

"If there are no other questions please enjoy the hospitality of the food and drink before you - i shall arrive tomorrow morning for Morningfeast in Gondalim's ground floor common room."

Larias began rolling up his papers and collecting his things he had laid on the table.

With a roll of his head and a slow blink that might be mistaken for a cat smile he snaps his wings out and flaps them a few times to take flight and drifts over to Shandri's shoulder. May I? He projects politely before alighting on her shoulder. (Unless she refuses in which case he hovers nearby) Perhaps an ale in the common room? He suggests It wouldn't hurt to know a little more about each other before we head out.

Shandri smiled and nodded to the dragon. "You may," she said. "I don't mind the idea, certainly. What about the rest of you?"

The young man seemed to have the presence of mind to follow the conversation next to him. When Shandri and Scriostus suggested that they take some time to get to know each other before they set off in the morning, he hesitated but eventually nodded. "That's a good idea, I should eat something too...it's been a long day." he sighed, his mind still burdened with all the thing he should be doing ot prepare for their departure but for the moment he seemed inclined to stay and join them.

Day: 4th day of Hammer (Jan 4th)
Time: 7 bells (7am)
Place: Gondalim's; Common Room

You are all awoken by a servant at the door to your room in the employ of Gondalim's, made aware of the time and that Morningfeast is served downstairs in the commmon room. As you all eventually make your way downstairs, you are greeted by Larias who has already gotten his plate of food.

"Well Again", he says in greeting. "Please, eat your fill and we can discuss our journey."

Aldred came down the stairs with his downy hair still mussed and his eyes still glossy as he stifled a large yawn with one fist in front of his mouth for the sake of politeness.

He was dressed much as the evening before and his chain hauberk jingled with each step towards the common room. The only addition was a thick black cloak with gold trim, the cowl of which had been gathered up to one side and pinned with a handsome brass clasp in the shape of a shield with the reflected moon sigil of Waterdeep set in lapis lazuli within.



"Good morning sir" Aldred greeted Larias sleepily and took a plate at  the mans urging and began to pile up food upon it.

As he joined Larias at the table he glanced up at their organizer as he took a spoon full of porridge. "I was not quite sure that yesterday was not a dream when I woke up this morning. It's an interesting group that you've put together."

Star had been awake for some time now, sitting by the window to watch the sun rise which was something she always took joy in. She followed the servant down and smiled at Aldred and Larias. She was dressed as she had been the previous night-in a gown of deepest black in which seemed to swirl galaxies and other heavenly bodies which matched the unearthly gaze she turned on each of them before making a plate and taking a seat at the table.

"Indeed, but I can assure you that you are quite awake, Aldred Thurun," she told him, giving him a smile before she tucked into the meal before her.

Shandri had also been awake for a while, but her time was spent meditating and practicing her psychic focus. She hadn't yet managed to sustain herself solely on psychic energy, however, so when the servant came, she ambled down to the common room and took her plate.

"It's not my usual sort of dream, if so." She glanced over at the patterns on Anna's dress. "Aside from that dress, which seems like it might be made of dreamstuff of some kind."