Now Departing Silvanost

Lorraine's House of Healing 

10 Hiddumont 348 AC (1351 DR)

Ra’ziir accepts the potion and tucks it into the folds of his robes “Very generous of you…” he offers before shifting then conversation back to Ladonna and the Order.

“I am curious how the three Orders interact, and what, if anything specific motivates them. What can you tell me of the Order I’ve chosen and its leader that I did not learn at Wayreth?”

The muscular, dark-haired elf replies, "Were I to come into conflict with a wizard from I rival Order out in the world, be we competing for some lost relic in a ruin or on opposite sides during a war, we would most likely try to kill each other. But on neutral ground, such as the Tower at Wayerth, I could find myself in a lively and perhaps productive debate. That same mage and I would likely at least be on good terms, if not friends. As for Ladonna, there are rumors that she and Par-Salian are on rather more intimate terms than their positions may otherwise suggest."

”Fraternizing amongst leadership is not uncommon, and a bit blasé to be honest…”

Ra’ziir presses the “Dark Elf”, “During my Test I learned of one known as the ‘Queen of Dragons’, but the information was limited and somewhat obscure. Can you enlighten me as to why she may be of interest?”

Feal-Thas stops for a second, "Really?" His tone indicates surprise. He resumes his walking, "I am no expert on religion and hesitate to answer. Know that this speculation but hazarding a guess, I would say that she would want the same thing any commander would - to add a weapon to her arsenal or deny it to her enemies."

“Interesting… I’ll consider that as I ponder the events of my Test.”

Ra’ziir continues walking, “I take it that you are one of the Order of Black Robes, and given the armor you wear, that you must blend the martial and arcane arts?”

"I do. Like most of our people who practice both skills, I have spells that enhance my physicality or augment my defenses and others that enable me to strike from a safe distance," Feal-Thas replies.

Ra'ziir shares a few of his own thoughts on the matter and carries the conversation for a time, making more idle chit-chat before stopping short…

“But I have taken too much of your time already and surely you must have important business that you are tending to. I can take my leave if you like, or continue to your destination if you would prefer.”

"That will not be necessary. I have the information I sought and will be departing forthwith unless you would like for me to accompany you. For reasons I am sure you will hear about later, I am less-than-welcome here. It was nice to have a conversation with someone that wasn't laced with suspicion."

Ra’ziir will take his leave and provide Cedron the chance to follow the elf to his destination.

Once clear, Ra’ziir quickly casts a spell that allows him to see invisible objects and creatures to track Cedron's progress from a safe and unobtrusive distance.

The minstrel-priest continues to follow the Dark Elf. Feal-Thas stops at an inn and retrieves a valise from his room and heads outside. He stops in the street, gazing down the road toward the Speaker of the Sun's palace and shakes his head. He mutters a single word, "Idiot," followed by a quick arcane phrase and vanishes, disappearing into a cloud of green smoke that reeks of fish oil.

“Well that was uneventful, but perhaps Ra’ziir’s conversation will bare more fruit.” The minstrel-priest casually makes his way back towards the group, pulling his azure hood back in a casual manner.

Back at Lorraine's House of Healing...

Shadow looks around and says something about “stealing a ring of regeneration” to his familiar and constant companion, Spewer. The lizard is perched on his back and leaned over his shoulder. 

Grotto's mood changes from agitation to glee upon hearing the others ready themselves. Grotto's mind is singularly focused on goblin genocide!

Grotto nods at Kysek and smiles, "My plans for the goblins begin and end with the blade of my axe! Let us plan the best way to help these vermin be a part of the story!"

Grotto loudly cheers Raven's suggestion.

Knives says "I take no joy in the death of beings of any race, I take joy only in treasure, women, and preventing evil things from happening to good people".

Kysek shakes his head slightly and smiles at the scarred dwarf. “You’re insatiable.”, he says with the slightest chuckle. The gold elf looks upon the map attempting to discern any type of pattern that can be noted across the sightings. Perhaps something that may suggest a gathering of sorts.

As he looks over the map, Raven points at the concentration of red and yellow dots near the Bay of Balifor. "It looks like the enemy is landing troops along the coast. There may even be a supply depot or staging ground located nearby." Motioning to the cluster of dots near the northern central area of the map he asks Ornforithalas, "Is there anything of strategic importance in this area? It looks like a swampy area on the map."

The guard captain looks at the paper, "Those marks are close to Sithelnost, one of our larger cities."

Romulus shoulders his pack. His leopard, Macula, is saddled for the road. "We're leaving for Wayerth. The libraries at the Tower are extensive. This may take some time as I do not wish to reveal our goal to the Order. I will send word when I find the information we need. Be safe and good hunting."

Shadow calls out, “I said find me a ring of regeneration!”

Romulus swings up into the saddle of the white leopard, "I'll add it to the list!" He slips the fingers of his hand into the fur on the back of Macula's shoulders and softly intones, "Maior Lanuae - Wayerth," and the pair vanishes with a pop, teleporting away to conduct their studies.

As Romulus teleports away, Shadow looks around Lorraine's healing house and a question occurs to him. "Lorraine," he begins, "what manner of healing do you provide here?"

The older elven woman smiles sadly, "These days, most of what I can provide are herbal remedies, some midwifery, lancing of boils, and cleaning wounds. Oh, but you wouldn't believe what I was once capable of. I could set a broken bone or purge toxins and illnesses with a simple touch. I once restored the vision of a warrior who had had an eye pierced with the quill of a manticore. All of this was possible through the blessings of E'li. I'd even brew mystical exilirs that our scouts would carry with them so they could treat injuries in my absence."

She stops, turning her full gaze on the drow wizars. She notices how he keeps turning his head to keep his right ear toward her when she speaks. Slowly, she moves closer and asks him to close his eyes and remain still. She walks around behind him and extends one hand, rubbing her fingers together to create a sound not unlike a cricket chirping, first on the right, then to the left. When Shadow does not respond to her second test her breath catches. "I see. This happened during your Test?"

Shadow nods in the affirmative.

"I have a little something in the back, something I have been holding onto for the last two-and-one-half centuries," she tells him as she makes her way back around to face him. "People generally get better on their own so I have worked to avoid using these but in this case, I fear we have no other treatment. I will be right back."

Lorraine departs, slipping into a room off of the main hall. She returns a few minutes later, wiping a glass vial with a cloth. She approaches the drow. "There are precious few of these left in the world. I am giving it to you because I believe that you and your company are about to perform a task that my people have turned a blind eye to for too long."

As Lorraine gives Shadow the vial, he notices for the first time how frail Lorraine's hands are, the age spots, the thinness of her skin, and understands the depth of her loss and the meaning of this gift. 

Shadow cups the vial in his hands and looks up and into her eyes. “My companions and I will do our best to right the wrongs we find. I feel that this may be better served saving a life over my hearing.” He extends it back to her “You are a healer should you not extend your life to help others?”

"This potion will only restore what you have lost. My years are the natural progression of life."

"Very well, I will find a way to repay your kindness.” Shadow then will drink the vial. Placing it back in her hands and sincerely thanking her.

After the map has been reviewed and the party has reconvened, Arthur bids fairwell to Agnes and joins the group. Supplies for the road are gathered and the group makes ready to depart.

"Be careful, Sir Arthur. I shall be looking forward to your return."

Within the hour, the adventurers are on their way, following the Thon-Thalus River north. The walk, yes, walk, is far too gentle to be called a hike. The ground is smooth and largely level, there is no undergrowth or debris to impede forward movement along the path. No branches hang down to snag pants' legs or hats or cloaks. Even the fallen leaves seem to be arranged in artful and thought-provoking piles. Every inch of the woods appear to be manicured, more like an ornamental garden than a forest, a product fashioned by the elves of House Shaper with everything in its place.

The result is breathtaking surreal perfection.

Onforithalas has five of his scouts leading the way and another five trailing behind.