12/18/03 (Real world)

<Note: All text hereafter, except the heading, is written in a coded form of Draconic>

IF THIS JOURNAL IS FOUND, THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL REWARD FOR ITS RETURN TO HANREL TANNISON, IN THE CITY OF ERDAENOS

To: Hanrel Tannison
Order of the Erdaenos Collectors
Library of Erdaenos
City of Erdaenos

From: Dain Lonair
Housed with consent of Ne-Chardeth, Steward of the City
City of Gahanis

Re: Mission Report 10

Date: 30 Fifthmonth 1757

This day went well, and we all look forward to some time off from a long and tiresome, but rewarding, adventure. We met in the morning with Ne-Cardeth, steward of the City of Gahanis. At first, the man seemed quite suspicious of our story. However, after a long discussion, he eventually came around to liking us. We sorted out the bandits, ending up with 5 live ones, including their leader Odthow, and 11 dead ones, including the witch, for which we received a total of 2100 gold pieces reward. We also received a reward for the three names we turned over to Ne-Chardeth of the Bandit spy's written on the parchment we found, for which we were paid 600 gold pieces. Finally, we turned over substantial evidence of their various banditry activities, such as the maps, diary, parchments, etc.

It took quite some time to sort through the various items we retrieved on our adventures. Eventually we were able to identify what was stolen by the Bandits from their victims, and what was actual fair-game as loot recovered under general salvage rules of the city. We turned in the following items to the Steward for return to their true and rightful owners, in exchange for a 30% reward fee: Numerous bolts of silk (120 gp total), 20 jars of rare spices (50 gp total), Various bits of jewelry and trinkets (500 gp total), 12 pairs of fine leather shoes (10 gp total), An ornate but empty picture frame (12 gp), A bone comb (1 gp), A silver tankard (3gp). I wanted to turn over the child's ring, but Iyri really wanted to keep it, so she did.

I moved on to the Jaren's guild, which was a rather short and curt meeting. They were pleased with the book. They asked me to recount everything we had seen, which I did. However, I left out that we had found the orb. Prior to the meeting we had all prepared for intense questioning, or even the irresistible coercion of a Compelling Question spell. Sniktari had taken the orb from me, and run off to parts unknown. Therefore, I could honestly say I did not have the orb, nor did I know where it was. It was a risky gambit, but it turned out it was unnecessary. The Jaren did not really ever ask if I knew where the orb was, or if I had seen it. I did, however, describe the fresco I had seen depicting the orb, and the black pillar with the section carved out of it. I could not even tell if they were interested in this.

The Jaren paid me their reward, without much comment. In addition, they gave me a private message for Sniktari which was rather confusing to me. It said he was being hunted, and this didn't sound good for my friend.

They then told me that Nefenr had left for Lothis. I wasn't surprised. It looked like a trip to Lothis might be in our future.

They gave me another message, this one directed at me. I was about a magic mirror , which they handed to me as well. The mirror would allow me to contact any one person I could concentrate on while holding it, for 30 seconds. The mirror would not function after I used it, so I should use it wisely. I thanked them kindly, and left, slightly disturbed by their generosity. I hope I do not have to deal with the Jaren ever again, despite their "gifts".

Next we moved on to the county auction house, to auction off those goods we knew we did not need (except that which we left in the temple, for future use, such as the barrels of beer, oil, arrows, etc..). Between the auction and the Jaren reward, we had an additional 4582 gold pieces.

Finally, we went to sell some of our horses. We found a ready buyer, who paid us 400 gold pieces for the 10 horses we decided not to keep. We held on to the 6 best of the lot, for the ride back and future use (though Sniktari distained riding horses).

In addition, we were able to find the rightful owners of the Giantish Mask and Large Diamond Righ, for which we received a 40% reward on the total value of those rather precious items. Finally, the local library was interested in the books we found (excluding of course the Inmagis Libellum), for which they paid 420 gold pieces. In total for these three items we received 1500 gold pieces, and a total of 6886 gold pieces for these three items plus the other rewards for returning stolen goods and the rewards for turning in the bandits.

I then went back to Ne-Chardeth and informed him everything we knew about Nefnr. I explained why I had left this information out earlier, and showed him all the proof I had (including the note with the N, the information from the Jaren about Lothis, and the information we had from the two bandits, one under the coercion of a compelling question.) Ne-Chardeth seemed rather disturbed by this news, claiming Nefnr was an honored citizen of the community, and a simple memory artist. I told him about his membership in the order, and that I was disturbed by the news as well. Ne-Chardeth said he would have his men search for Nefnr, but he didn't seem too certain about their chances of finding the man.

Finally, with some time to ourselves, we proceeded to rest, and prepare for some ceremonies. All good adventurers come to an end, and a proper ending deserves a ceremony.

We started with a Ceremony of binding. Each member of the party held hands in a circle, and confessed to everything relevant in their past. Every secret, every fear, and every goal they had which might affect the party was discussed. The admissions are rather private, and I will keep them even from this diary. However, needless to say, this group is rather unique, and there is certainly both danger and intrigue in our future.

I finally admitted to my full involvement with the Order, and the goals of the Order. None were surprised. I explained that I felt the Orb should go to the Order, and eventually they all agreed.

To conclude the ceremony we all held our fists to the center of our circle, and bound ourselves to each other. We would fight for each other, protect each other, defend the principals of the group, and never part without agreement to do so.

After the ceremony, I decided it was time to use the magic mirror that the Jaren had given me. We agreed to travel to Battlehome, for safety of the orb. I then took out the orb, near the jail cells of the old fortress.

I concentrated on the image of Hanrel Tannison, and he appeared. Quick as I could, I spoke the following "I have only a short time to speak. We have decovered Nefnr is evil. He started the bandit organization. He had found the malice morpheum, and had plans to keep it for himself for evil purposes. Send a large, well armed group to battlehome immediately, or teleport here if possible. We have captured the orb and have it here. The Jaren are hunting it."

Half way through my speech, when I mentioned teleport, Hanrel asked me to tilt the mirror to the left, so they could see the room. My speech was cut off after "hunting it.", and after not 30 seconds, a mage of the Order suddenly appeared.

He held out his hands, looking nervous, and simply said "The orb, quickly". I handed it to him, and he nodded and said "Good work, apprentice." He then handed me a similar mirror to the one I had just used, and proceeded to vanish again.

So, no information about Nefenr. No mention by the Order of my information concerning him at all. That was disturbing.but not disturbing enough to use my next mirror to ask them about it. I would have to ponder this further.

Iyri then announced she was undergoing a change, and might not be the same when she finished. No, she would not be the same, but was not sure how she would differ. Odd.

Before leaving Battlehome we proceeded to climb the last tower of the place. There, we encountered 4 similar flying creatures we had seen previously in this place, and easily dispatched them (killing one for each of us, minus Iyri who was absent in her "change")

We found 32 gold pieces, 150 silver pieces, a silver steel mirror, and a round shield which I sensed was magical . Quite a nice find, for such an easy encounter.

After about 5 days, she returned to us. However, now she was flying, and rather tiny! She had become a spryte. How delightful!

After another couple of days of preparation, we went through our remaining ceremonies. I learned how to take advantage of opportunities left by my allies in the defenses of our foes, and can now strike these weak spots with accuracy. Roksha similarly can now fire his bow at a rapid rate. His, however, involved communing with his new hawk, rather than the rest of the party, to learn these new skills.

We will now rest in town, under the protection and hospitality of the guard and town. I will proceed to make some additional alchemical items, as I believe Sniktari plans to do, before we set off on our new adventure. Sniktari seems to want to proceed to Ebonring Castle, and I explained I had some interest in that place as well. Then of course there was Lothis. Who knows where luck and fortune will take us next?

In the name, the word, and the symbol of the Order of the Erdaenos Collectors,

Dain Lonair, apprentice.

<300 experience each>
<75 experience to Dain for Role Playing vote>
<75 experience to Iryi for Role Playing vote>
(They tied)