As he views the five tattoos, Vintal's countenance grows more and more worried. Finally as he reaches the end he goes downright pale. By all the books in the Library of All Knowledge, it can't be! Zooey, I need to see the Head Lirarian's book. Bring the original and one of the copies.
As the color returns to his face Vintal explains. I'm familiar with all of these markings, but the one second from the end is one of grave concern. I'll explain the others first.
The first is the mark of Moander, a dead god of corruption and decay. He pauses, looking at Dominic, It doesn't appear to be news, at least to your associate. To what you may have already heard I'll only add that the cults of Moander that've sprung up from time to time have enjoyed desolating natural areas and corrupting plants to serve their foul purposes. You would do well to be prepared and ready to counteract such tactics if you come face-to-face with them.
The second sign is that of the Fire Knives, which was an assassins' guild that plagued this area about 15 years ago. They had their sights set on the royal family, but the Purple Dragons and War Wizards got wind of the plot and the guild was rounded up and put to death for their multitude of crimes against the crown. If this lot has reemerged, I can't imagine the trouble it'll cause for the princess!
The middle marking is a bit puzzling to me. At first it appeared to be the mark of Elminster, the famed Sage of Shadowdale, but looking closer there are smaller draconic phrases written within. Rather vulgar sayings in fact, words I wouldn't utter in the house of the Lord of Glyphs, or anyone else's houses, or anywhere in polite company for that matter. Very confusing, to say Elminster would be incensed if he saw his wizard's mark were defaced like this would be an understatement of massive proportions.
The last is a mark of the Zhentarim, the society of traders and thugs who rule Zhentil Keep. This isn't their common sign, so don't feel ashamed if you didn't recognize it at first. It's a more formal insignia used for official business and the like, but it's Zhentarim all the same.
The priest called Zooey, a petite human female, returns with the books Vintal asked for. He nods his thanks and continues. Now, back to the other marking. To start, I need to go back 25 years, when our late Head Librarian Myra was an adventurer in the city of Phlan, or New Phlan as they called it back then. She and her band were involved in the struggle to reclaim the city from the evil that had beset it for so long. An evil that, as she and her company found out, was more powerful than they could've imagined. The forces were led by an ancient servant of the dark gods who wielded magicks both terrible and fearsome to behold. I dare not speak his name, but will refer to him as T; you'll see his full name in the book. Head Librarian Myra bore the full brunt of one of his attacks and barely survived, and she wore the burns and scars of it for the rest of her days. But as it turns out, she and her companions did not defeat T fully back then. As Myra discovered when she read this book, T's essence lingered on, for they had not destroyed it completely. This book describes how T came into being, some of his powers, and most critically, what must be done in order to destroy him once and for all.
Vintal picks up what appears to be the original book. The information in this book is of vital importance, for if T were to return, as I fear seeing his mark on your arm portends, all of Faerun is in grave danger. When we found Head Librarian Myra's body, her leg had been pinned by a fallen plank of wood. She was curled in a ball clutching this book to her chest. She died preserving it, knowing the knowledge it contained would be needed when T returned. Now it appears the day has come. He presents you with both the original and the copy. Our first priority when we started rebuilding the House of Philosophy was to make copies of the book. We made two, one to go to our sister shrine in Suzail and one to be kept here. The original we would send to Iron Dragon Mountain in the Earthfast Mountains for safekeeping. But I believe you are in greater need of the book than our brethren in Suzail. Therefore, take the copy for yourselves, and I would ask that you bear the original to Iron Dragon Mountain. It is our greatest library and it will be kept so that all our children and their children will know of T and the threat he poses.
He looks at you. I know this is a lot to take in. What are your thoughts?
