"No time like the present! And I don't need protection from evil or detects to examine the portal and the gardener. Maybe Master Custodio has one ready?"
"I do have several detection spells available to me today, but none for detecting evil," Custodio replies. "I can cast
detect magic,
detect poison, and
detect undead. Most of my other current spells are protective."
Neurotic said:
Akos immediately starts after the Lord Commander
"Finally, something to do, this standing around and waiting is terrible on the health."
Custodio waits for Relgar to finish scribbling his latest equation and when the matharcanist doesn't notice right away, Custodio clears his throat twice. It is his signal to Relgar that the group is heading out to the Gardens. A preemptive they agreed upon before Relgar delved into his equation. His responsibility handled, Custodio picks up the glass case with the bloom and follows Akos out of the hall into the manor's anteroom.
"My poison detection spell could be of use in helping to determine what is wrong with the dragori gardener," he says to Akos. "At the very least, it could rule that out."
Neurotic said:
He thinks as he goes through the phrases in his mind
"Open portaly! silly ofcourse...lets see.
'Vrata ludila, otvorite se!' with grand gesturing
'Dome, slatki dome' plus the unlocking movement with the flower
'delCannitha nasljednik ulazi, otvori se' and simply walk toward the wall without flinching - this could hurt if I don't simulate the blood somehow...maybe it's any blood and I need to prick myself on the flower..."
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The phrases are in my native language in order:
Gates of madness, open!
Home, sweet home
delCannita scion coming, open! <-- maybe delCannitha scion passing through
Still need two more.
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Custodio listens to Akos musings without entirely understanding.
Akos thinks some more about the portals he knows about and especially the ones created specifically for or by a single caster.
"Is there anything this wacko loves or prefers above all else? We know he wants magic-users to rule over the rest of the people...what cantrips does he know?"
"He does seem to like fire magic, from what I know of him and experienced first hand. He's used the fireball spell of several occasions including the trap at the Golden Lantern," Custodio notes. "And he has an obsession with the Far Realm. The markings in the Growers' Tower show that as a certainty. While I'm not a student of wizardry, I suspect he leans towards evocation, and probably conjuration. And if his mind is lost in a dark place, he probably lies shadow magic. But as I said, I cannot say for certain."
Neurotic said:
Akos considers the last two phrases. But there are so many uncertainties.
"Magična moći, zasjaj! while casting his favorite cantrip?
Magijo, prosvijetli nam put!"
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Magic-power, shine! or The power of magic, shine!
Magic, enlighten the way (or illuminate) the way
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Custodio continues to listen without true understanding knowing there is an end goal in Akos' words.
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By going over the phrases, Akos is fairly certain that illumination likely is the trigger, but it won't a light in the dark but an intense flame under a dark moon. Something to do with flames touching bloom and madness around the eyes (either literal insanity or a performance).
Custodio's information about evocation magic makes Akos think of the dancing lights cantrip but that might not be powerful enough. the 1st-level spell, burning hands, might be a better choice, but Akos thinks any low-level fire spell will do to ignite the bloom and open the portal. He has a sense that the powerful the spell chosen the longer the portal will remain open. However, if the flames are too hot, the bloom will be consumed.
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Tuck shrugs. "Whether or not a troll haunts the tunnels beneath the Gardens is not really the point. The possibility of someone unleashing monstrosities into the City, is."
The kobold wants to say more, but his dog Big Mutt barks once, then with a wagging tail starts towards the front door as if eager to get to the Gardens.
"Sorry, I need to walk my dog," Tuck says apologetically, as he follows the canine as quickly as his little legs can carry him -- which is actually pretty fast for someone of his small stature. "Want to come along?"
Mutt is soon heading out of the manor just ahead of Akos and Custodio with Tuck close behind. The dog stops and sits just outside the front door and sniffs the air. The dog watches as dozens of citizens of Old City walk by on the street going in both directions. A young man pulls a cart full of flowers and other goods up the street and around the corner. His destination is likely the Sublime Bazaar.
Just as Akos and Custodio step outside, Tuck scampers past to find Mutt sitting and staring at an old cat hiding up in a nearby tree. The cat is eyeing the big dog with concern but Mutt doesn't bark back. Instead, Mutt turns and looks at his brother and is soon standing up and wagging his tail in anticipation.
JustinCase said:
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What time of day is it? If it is night or evening, then we can get go find some of these fake guards. If not, Tuck will do some simple exploring of the Gardens and come back at dusk.
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It is just after midday. The sun is out the sky is bright blue, and the weather is warm without being stifling. It's the perfect day to visit the Gardens.
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Big Tim offers to come along. He will go fully armed and armored, in case of trouble.
Big Tim chuckles, "I suppose you want to walk him in the gardens?"
"Possibly," Tuck's voice fades as the kobold moves further and further from the room. "Never know where Mutt wants to go."
That last statement seems increasingly accurate as the kobold follows the dog, without any sense of control over the animal.
Tim will follow Tuck, no matter where he (or Mutt) decides to go. He will try to stay alert as they go, watching for anything out of the ordinary.
Big Tim steps out of the manor and notes the beautiful day. It's one of the few he's seen since being brought to this world. Bluffside tends to get lot of rain. but then, so did his homeland during the wet winters. But here, the rain is often wet and bone-numbing. So, the sunny day is a nice relief.
Several minutes later, Relgar follows them out of the manor. He is counting on his fingers and stuffing papers into his ledgers and then his bags. Ink stains the tips of his fingers and there is a bit of dust on his sleeves. He looks at Custodio and the young guard gives him a nod once he's caught up to the rest of them.
Mutt and tuck lead the way. At first, Tuck thinks that Mutt is heading right for the Gardens, but once you all leave the old Oakfirst Manor behind, the dog's destination becomes obvious. He's heading to the Sublime Bazaar. tuck manages to get to the edge of the bazaar alongside the dog and reign the animal in just enough to make sure Mutt doesn't dive into one of the stalls selling sausages and other assorted meats.
The bazaar is busy buy not overly crowded. This is Old City, after all, and not New City or the Undercity. People are more, reserved, here. (Tuck would call it stuffy.) While the bazaar isn't the largest marketplace in Bluffside, it is stocked with almost anything you can imagine, if you were a fancy noble with coin to spend -- exotic flowers, fine meats, rare vegetables, delicious sweetmeats, the finest clothes and jewelry, mantle knickknacks, strange clockworks, brightly painted toys, and heady spices that fill the entire bazaar. It is a cacophony of sounds and a visual wonderment.
Big Tim finds the bazaar's aisles and tight corners a bit crowded while Tuck finds his way through the throng with ease (most of the nobles move out of Mutt's way). A few of the locals stop Akos, wish him well, and ask for his blessing. Most of the patrons give Custodio a wide berth, as he has become a bit infamous due to his previous companions. Most simply don't see Relgar either accidentally bumping into him or not encountering him at all.
It isn't a chore not to buy anything as most of the prices are astronomical!
Eventually, you come out on the other side onto the wide avenue that leads to the Garden Gate, the main entryway into the Gardens. The avenue is packed with people heading to the Gardens to enjoy the day. It seems the worries about the Renegade won't keep the locals from enjoying such nice weather. Of course, it is midday and not dusk, so most likely assume it is safe to visit one of Bluffside greatest attractions. Most of the garden-goers appears to be making a day of it. There are families and young lovers, as well as elderly couples with picnic baskets.
The guards at the main gate are out in full force, but it next to impossible for them to stem the tide. Custodio recognizes most of them and tells you they all look legitimate to him. They are cordial to him, but he isn't greeted with much warmth. He isn't one of them, right now. you watch his exchange with the guards and wonder if he will ever be welcomed back into their ranks.
Still, they don't hold him or any of you up. They cannot hold anyone up on this day. Young children swarm by into the Gardens with fancy kites, bouncing balls, and a lot of energy. Several of them notice Mutt and their eyes go wide with wonder. A few gather around and ask Big Tim if they can pet his dog, assuming such a big dog belongs to the half-ogre. When Tuck correct them, they are both shocked and excited. They start asking if Mutt is Tuck's noble steed.
More questions are asked as you all pass into the Gardens by both the young and old. Many in the city know who Big Tim is and how he came to be in Bluffside. It was hard to keep a secret plus there is his connection to The Five. Most of the questions are friendly and don't involve the Renegade. A few of the more powerful nobles Tim has met do ask about the investigation but don't go overboard. No one wants to ruin the day.
Eventually, you find yourself in the Eastern Gardens where the foliage is denser. There are less people in this part of the Gardens. Ahead of you stands the Ascetic's Temple where dragori gardener is known to live with the other druids and adepts of the temple. There are a handful of buildings used for sleeping but there are hammocks tied to trees and sleeping cots in an open grassy area too. you are surprised to find the dragori not in a deathbed but meditating near the center of the temple. If he is sick, he doesn't look it.
A half-elven druid nods to you and welcomes you to the temple. "I am Huverel. News has come to us through the Regulars that you with to speak with our brother, Sylemis, about his illness. We welcome any aid you might be able to grant, although we have tried a number of remedies both mundane and magical." The druid looks at Sylemis with great concern. "He swears he is in no pain, but his movements say otherwise. He is being quite stubborn about this affliction. Saying it is his penance for past failings."
Looking closer, you note that the dragon-kin is indeed unwell in some fashion. His coloration is all wrong and his breathing is ragged. He wears the trappings of a monk but only so much as needed for modesty with a staff across his knees. Other people's modesty not his own. After several minutes of waiting, he opens his eyes and immediately notices Tuck's presence. He smiles at the kobold as he stands up and leans on his staff.
"Ltl' Tuck, you come for another visit, I ssee, and you're brought Mutt with you thiss time. Good, I wass hoping to meet your brother," He looks at the rest of the group. "And who are your friendss?"
