Chapter 2: Rites of Passage

[Jeff]

Phorem indicates the book. "This book has only a minor enchantment upon it that protects it from basic harm, but if a magical blade is used upon it, well then, I expect it would be destroyed. At, as easily as a magic blade would upon any book. But...from what I've seen of this...text, they are merely notes for something larger. If a book with simple diagrams can summon lemures, I fear for what the spells this book was meant to develop could do. Destroying the book may solve your problems...or it might worsen them. If this is your only clue to the author, perhaps you should use it."

The old wizard strokes his beard and considers the book. "If Malov really is behind all this...if this book is his work, then it may be the only ones who know the kind of spellwork he studied are the mages of the Arcane Congress. I have no contacts with them, however; as a member of House Orien, my schooling came from the the Twelve. Quite a rivalry exists between the two."

In the wake of the battle, Matheu has perched at the edge of the table and prims his scales; there is a cat-like posture to him. You might consider, also, where you received the book. From the other changeling, yes? The one you call Gurend, or Gur. What was he doing with the book? Was he running from his erstwhile associates? Consider the man's role. Was he your ally or your enemy. If he was your ally, if he was running from the same enemies you're running from, then you must assume he is your ally. If he is your ally, why didn't he simply destroy this book?

Grafth heads downstairs, leaving his shredded coat behind, where Streko takes it hand. A short prayer to Olladra restores the majority of the coat's tears. There's still a few scratches, but it's good enough to serve.

In the "ground level," Grafth finds Dhaz seeking air. As the dark-haired shifter approaches the double doors, the latter swing open, admitting a gentle wind.

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* Based in Aundair, the Arcane Congress is a council of wizards and sorcerers who study magic and test the limits of the arcane arts. It is the last remaining vestige of the great magical study project undertaken by King Galifar I long before the Last War fractured the kingdom. The Congress is based out of the the floating towers of wizardry above the village of Arcanix and teaches and mentors young wizards and magewrights. In addition, the Arcane Congress advises Queen Aurala on arcane matters.

Note: It was suggested that Oss had studied at the Arcane Congress.

[Josh]

The breeze eases the assault on Grafth's olfactory senses as he catches up with Dhaz.

"Very proficient fighting, back there. You seem to prefer unarmed combat... I must admit, it's been a while since these claws have had much use."

[Joe]

"Are you suggesting that we travel, with this book, to Arcanix? How can we trust THEM not to just take the book and use it for whatever purposes they might concoct? Further, and not to step on any toes here, but how does keeping this book serve us? It seems to me that there are TOO many individuals and organizations that know about this book and want it for their own nefarious ends for it to be allowed out and about. If I may be bluntly honest, I fear what this book can accomplish in the wrong hands...or the right ones, as the case may be. Your demonstration with the infernals is just one more sign that keeping it is dangerous...too dangerous for us. I am not a coward, my friends, but rather, one who feels certain that our days are numbered should we continue this quest blindly...as it would seem we have been doing up to now. We must understand who, exactly, wants this...and discover a way to disuade them of their desires...or at least minimize the multiple threats we seem to be encountering at the tone of every bell."

[Jeff]

Phorem sighs deep. "I'm not suggesting that at all. It is yours to do with what you will. If you wish to destroy it...do so."

As I see it, Matheu interjects, their intent to reclaim it could be to prevent you from destroying it. Or it could be to prevent you knowing what they're up to.

Below, Dhaz offers Grafth a grim smile. His canines have receded. "Thanks. Haven't had much use for fighting like that in the last year. Grown blunt. I...need a drink. Care to join me. Need something....less winey."

Just as Dhaz gestures out the open doors, Grafth sees an skycoach nearing the ledge.

[Joe]

"My apologies, Master Phorem, Matheu. I do not mean to be...argumentative. I am simply tired of being a target for so many different groups, from Malov to the Emerald Claw to possible renegades within House Deneith and/or House Orien, to those who employ the undead and demons from other planes to do their bidding. I would simply like answers to some questions, not more questions. Oh...and to not be attacked. That would be nice. Above all that, my sister is still missing and we still have absolutely no idea as to what is really happening here. Olladra may very well be the goddess of fortune, true, but I believe that we are taxing my patron's good will to have survived as long as we have, considering what we seem to be up against!"

[Jeff]

I am simply tired of being a target for so many different groups, from Malov to the Emerald Claw to possible renegades within House Deneith and/or House Orien, to those who employ the undead and demons from other planes to do their bidding.

Apology accepted, halfling, Matheu says, unfurling his wings again. My advice is to simply consider them a single enemy and be done with it. Would you consider an assassin who tries to kill you and the wealthy aristocrat who hired him two different enemies? As if his proferred advice were a fine wine to be savored, Matheu lifts his draconic visage high and takes to the air again. Someone comes. A skycoach, Phorem. Perhaps your errant 'niece' come again?

[Jeremy]

Goran is shaking his head.

"All of this is maybes and maybe nots. The only thing that is clear is that none of us actually know anything for certain...about the book, about its owner, its creator, who hunts it and why..."

He looks at it again.

"All we know is that we can be quite certain it has no use for anything but evil and destruction. We can't use it to our benefit...and even were we to discover who there is that might be trusted with it...what could they really do with it? And could we survive long enough to get it to them? We seem a strong band, but we cannot survive these attacks forever. Eventually, we will lose, or at least we will be injured enough that they can take the book...and then what?

I say we destroy it. I will take the risk and use the blade on it."

[Joe]

"Hold, my friend." Streko sighs deeply and shakes his head. "As much as I wish it destroyed, here is the truth of the matter. Without it, we may still be targets for having carried the book. Whoever wishes it may think we carry it's secrets within our heads. We are no safer with it gone than we are with it intact. Intact, it may still lead us to our quarry. May the Sovereign Host forgive me for saying so, and may the Dark Six never hear of it at all, but do we have an obligation to see this through? I'm terrified...terrified that, after so many years of searching for my sister...a lifetime devoted to the search in fact, that it may soon be over and...then what? What of Streko then? Will I be hunted down by the emerald claw to my life's end? Will I bring another House into this melee? Goran, I follow your lead...as you say, so shall I act. However, let us ask the advice of those with us here who know more of these things than I...we've gone on for so long...fought...approached Dolurrh's mighty gates and stepped back at the last moment. But, have we truly asked anyone why? Anyone who might know the answer to the question?"

[Jeremy]

Umm....this seems sudden.

[Jeff]

Jeremy: Huh? Want to clarify?

[Jeremy]

Goran does not understand Streko's sudden turnabout. It was he who was pitching the destruction of the book rather urgently, then suddenly he doesn't want to anymore?

Thus...Goran is confused.

Then again, perhaps it's not so difficult to confuse a rustic half-elf from the Reaches.

[Jeff]

14th floor

The skycoach hovers into view, where Taymra disembarks. Yet the skycoach remains—no doubt paid to do so—and she walks in. "Dhaz, Grafth," she says in greeting, then stops and wrinkles her nose. "What...stinks?"

"Kalarian has found a possible new lead, but he also just might be walking into danger. He might need your help, and soon."

15th floor

Phorem looks to both Streko and Goran. "You needn't decide now. In any case, this book is hidden from magical view, and I shall not tamper with it any longer. I was able to study it without interruption; it was only when I attempted to reproduce one of the diagrams within that the lemures appeared."

Matheu flaps out from the room, spirals down the stairs, then swiftly flies back up. The Lady Taymra has returned, with news to tell of the human dragonmarked.

[Josh]

"What...stinks?"

"You'll see soon enough," says Grafth. "And be sure to watch your step up there. Phorem can explain it better than I can- but essentially that book is a LOT of trouble."

"Kalarian has found a possible new lead, but he also just might be walking into danger. He might need your help, and soon."

At Taymra's words, the shifter frowns. "This sounds like the usual protocol for our group." He turns to Dhaz, "I'm afraid that drink will have to wait for a bit- this matter is too important, and I must hear what Taymra has to say."

Grafth will follow Taymra into the building and regroup with the others.

[Jeff]

Taymra leads Grafth and Dhaz quickly back up to the top floor. The Orien heir stairs, befuffled, at the sick puddles of lemure muck. She looks at Phorem's injury.

Gesturing to the puddles, Phorem says, "Nothing your new friends didn't make quick work of, my dear. What is your urgency?"

Taymra faces everyone. "I dropped Kalarian off at the Deneith enclave for a short while. When I returned for him, he had with him two Blademarks—members of the mercenary guild of House Deneith—and a Sentinel Marshal* with him.

"He has a lead. Evidently the Sentinel Marshal captured one of the Emerald Claw soldiers who attacked you on the road back to Fairhaven—the one you left alive? Together Kalarian and the Marshal have interrogated this man, who said that there is an Emerald Claw cell hiding in this city. I didn't like the sound of it...it seemed to easy, too simple. I fear a trap. But Kalarian was insistent upon pursuing this now. I told him I would inform the rest of you, who may want to go there as well. He said if he was unable to strike at them efficiently, he is unable to strike at them, he said he would wait for you. But they are only four men."

Taymra looks at the group expectantly.

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* The Sentinel Marshals are the international "police force" of Khorvaire, the universal law enforcers. Though associated with House Deneith, they operate somewhat independently. They are the only organization inherently authorized to pursue criminals across national boundaries.

[Josh]

"That most definitely goes against our initial plan," Grafth says, scowling. "And I was under the impression that the Emerald Claw cells were independent- that they didn't share information between groups. I admit a limited knowledge of terrorists, but they are typically willing to sacrifice everything to keep their secrets, including their lives.

"I can't say that this path sounds like the right one."

Grafth picks up his coat and inspects it, then looks at Streko, questioningly. He seems pleased to see that the tears have been mended.

"And what's more, Kalarian did agree to follow our original plan. I say we stick to that."

[Jeff]

"I don't think Kalarian planned on this, either," Taymra says. "It was an opportunity, and perhaps a very strong coincidence. Nevertheless, he may be walking into a trap."

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All right, guys. I'm off to GenCon. I might be able to check in once or twice, but otherwise, consider me out until next Monday night!

[Joe]

"Goran, my friend, I apologize for the abruptness of my thoughts. I find that, when confronted with certain issues, such as demons and the undead, my initial reaction is to run screaming into the dark woods or go into a berserker rage and destroy the object of my ire if all else fails. Those foul creatures filled me with such disgust and hate that I fell upon my base instincts to rid the world of them and said as much out loud. I spoke before thinking, the words streaming from my heart, not my mind. In a perfect world, I couldn't agree with you more about destroying the wretched instrument of evil. However, Phorem's point if well taken. It is safe here, unscryable and out of the hands of our enemy. Perhaps it should remain here, guarded by our new friends, while we continue our investigation or assist our impulsive d'Deneith companion. As Phorem says, we don't HAVE to decide the books fate now...although I can't muster much enthusiasm for allowing it to remain intact once we have solved this puzzle. For what it is worth, I think that you are the one who should dispose of it when the time comes and will champion such a deed. In the meantime, duty and action once again calls our beleaguered names. I hope my explanation soothes your concerns to some extent."

[Jeff]

Matheu alights on the wall, crawling up as easily as a cat up curtains. I offer my services, temporarily, to this commonwealth, the pseudodragon says. To deliver messages. To observe. To report. I am faster than you all and quite able to take care of myself.

"Thank you, Matheu," Taymra says. She looks to the rest of you, without judgement. "Shall I go alone to assist him?"

[Jeremy]

"Let's go." Goran replies with a tight smile, stowing the dagger and giving the book one last glance as if to say:

"...unfinished business, you and I..."

[Josh]

Grafth is impassive. "I will remain here, to finish what we started. We still have not secured the book for travel, or made any decisions in that regard. I will assist Phorem in obscuring the book, and will be ready to continue on— to see the man described in the note— upon your return.

"By accepting this note, and the shard, I have accepted the task as well. Running into a likely trap will not get me anywhere."

[Joe]

"As the resident healer, I suppose I should go along with you and make sure that Lord Kalarian is well. Unless someone has a better option?"

[Lara]

Pel sighs.

"There is no easy option here, Streko. At least not as I see it," she says. "I do not want to leave Phorem alone, given the attack that we just experienced. And I do not trust Kalarian's judgement in this situation with the Emerald Claw..."

She pauses, then turns to Grafth. "I understand your point about walking into a trap, and yet while I can hardly stand to be around that arrogant and foolhardy man... I suppose I feel some responsibility towards him."

She sighs again. "I will go with Taymra to try to aid Kalarian."

[Jeremy]

Goran looks around at the others.

"There is no point in discussing any longer who should or shouldn't be helped. We help each other no matter what. We've all been tempted to throw up our hands and bugger off, but we're stuck with each other now, we can't leave him."

He looks at the book again. His tone softens.

"Having said that, I think at least one of our strong weapon arms should stay behind, so I propose that both the shifters stay, if they will, and protect Phorem. Streko and Pel can go with me and bring their magic too. If I know anything about Kal, he and I will need it by the time we get back."

With that, Goran cinches his belt tight, gathers what arrows he can salvage and, throwing his bow over a shoulder, he leaves.

[Jeff]

Dhaz looks to Grafth. "We'll stay, then."

Phorem holds up one hand. "Now, now, I don't need protecting. I'm not going to go working out any more diagrams from that book. I'll just...read. I'm not afraid of it." So saying, the old mage rests his hand on the cover.

"Whatever," Dhaz says. "We'll stay."

Taymra nods. "Let's go, then. The Emerald Claw cell is hiding out at Coron's Brewery. The owner is sheltering them. I don't know the layout, but we'll approach from a distance."

"A brewery?" Dhaz says, then looks to Goran like an old friend. Bring me back something, eh?"

I will follow, Matheu says.

Taymra leads Goran, Pel, and Streko down to the level below and out onto the ledge, where the skycoach awaits. The pseudodragon leaps into the air and follows lazily behind, looking more like a bat the further away he gets. On the Orien heir's cue, the skycoach pilot steers the flying vessel down toward one of the larger streets in the city: Caravan Avenue, which runs northeast and southwest from one corner of the city to the other. As you drift southwest, you can see beyond the city walls to the vastness of Lake Galifar. Goran's eyes stray there immediately, for beyond the great lake can be seen the green expanse of the Eldeen Reaches.

Yet the Emerald Claw awaits...

[Josh]

As the others walk down the stairs, Grafth shrugs and turns to Phorem, "While you're still inspecting the book, is there anything we can do to help? We'll still need a way to shield it from detection when carrying it."

[Jeff]

Phorem nods at Grafth. "For transport? Certainly. I will craft something for you, good Graft. It is the least I can do for your assistance against those lemures. It was my carelessness."

Dhaz wrinkles his nose and points to one of the diminished puddles of stinking slime. "Got anything to clean with? I'm good at that."

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Hey, all. Feel free to join in the game.

[Josh]

"Lemures..." Grafth repeats... thinking about the creatures that so recently attacked them. "Almost as much of a pain now than when they were alive."

Grafth will also help clean, and attend to anything Phorem might request.

[Lara]

Before departing, Pel adopts the form of the young woman that she wore when everyone first met.

On the transport with the others, she turns to Taymra.

"What more can you tell us about Kalarian's lead? I'd like some better idea of what we're walking into."

[Jeff]

On the Skycoach

"I fear you know about it as much as I do," Taymra says. "The Sentinel Marshal had this Emerald Claw agent in his charge, and the criminal is now in the Marshal's prison. But Kalarian, the Marshal, and two Blademarks in direct service of Kalarian are all headed to this place. Can you think of anything else?"

[Joe]

"So, let me try to understand our situation better. If this is, indeed, an Emerald Claw agent, does that indicate...undead?"

Streko looks both a little nervous and quite angry at the same time.