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Message: <blockquote data-quote="VicsHacienda" data-source="post: 9573665" data-attributes="member: 6965574"><h3>No </h3>Leaving the less agreeable proxies behind, we discuss who to visit next. We ask around regarding Dene and find that its proxy, Archibald Whitworth, is nowwhere to be found in the city. A young urchin points out the home of Proxy Whitworth and on its columns we see the design of the murdered man in the ice. We realize that we have the head of the Proxy in our Bag of Holding, which I never really felt comfortable with. Guess what we won't be showing to anyone?We need to determine whether to inform anyone of what we know, while avoiding the very sensible suspicion that we were the ones who did away with him.We look toward Timor and Melanie Ursin, in the Fey Field.<h3>There Sure Are A Lot Of Books Here</h3>The Stacks is a for-profit library where one can rent books. Skylights let light into the huge room from vaulted ceilings. I step timidly onto the herringbone wood floor, trying not to make noise. Folks stream in and out with books. A box of tattered leftovers is available for the taking.<img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfxj8EFCbvmJ5HPrvFrvAJaBbPp5pp6qapdCUyr6Mx-LuuqQwWidPmTTRy2pizFG3-uCn62ndUCWadncYgX-H6MkxbLZTnN6xmtGxlYsXCeApH4SuumrpUEf6wwChj-h_ZPHKVi?key=jA3QLkk_W2nN52fE-9C4vg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />Melanie looks up from her book. She is petite with striking eyes, and seems young. "Please, have a seat." Her guard looks us over, hand on hilt. I eye him right back.Fafnir introduces us. "We are essentially refugees from Gate Pass, and journeyed south through Dassen, and have met Timor's wizards as we battled monsters together. We are here to ask your thoughts on the Ragesian invasion and subsequent goals for Seaquen.""Well met, Fafnir and companions. We are of course concerned about the Ragesian aggression, especially the scourge as they round up magic users. The Lady herself is quite adept at the arcane arts, and is most troubled by the scourge." We notice the book she is reading seems to be about the magical arts.Trevor summons some of his noble oration ability. "We were ousted from our home, and I don't want that to happen to your country.""Luckily, Timor is protected by the mountains. We do enjoy that, but the Lady is appalled by Ragesia's actions.""Could we rely upon your help in convincing the king to rethink his non-aggression pact?" asks Trevor."Well, she has sworn fealty to the king...""We don't ask to renege... but to guide, to offer wisdom. Can we rely on your vote, on the suggestion to help?""There are others who feel the same," Fafnir offers."The Lady does recognize Seaquen as a refuge for wizards, and might well be interested in knowing more about that. I don't know if Seaquen is willing to share its knowledge of the arcane with others. They can be secretive, or even unhelpful.""We have contributed to Seaquen, and resolved some of their mistakes of the past. We have already spoken to Damien Roland, who indicated the desire for an apology from Seaquen," says Fafnir. "We intend to do our part to ensure those relations can be healed. Other proxies have suggested a wait-and-see approach. Others favor stopping the Ragesians. It may be worth noting that the Fire Forest is quenched... so that area that was impassable is now open. While they might not push a whole army through the mountain passes, you are no longer as isolated as you were.""Yes," she agrees, biting her lower lip and fidgeting. Fafnir and Trevor believe she is unsure of herself, perhaps nervous. However, she seems keenly interested in Seaquen and magic and changing its ways. She furrows her brow at mention of the forest. "I've heard of it no longer burning... this is true?"Trevor speaks up, mentioning that his family home was in Innenotdar, and that we had brought about the quelling of the fire. He draws forth the Living Blade. "This was the relic that maintained the fire for these past decades. I am now its keeper, and it keeps the forest and its Seela inhabitants safe."Melanie looks surprised and interested. The guard too is interested. "Is it any good? It's made of wood.""It is a finely crafted living blade that serves me and the seela well," Trevor says. The guard raises a skeptical brow.Fafnir mentions that we have contacts within Lyceum, and that Seaquen owes us a debt for saving their city.Melanie perks up. "I will tell you that the fire provided us some sense of security, as people did not travel through there... but perhaps now is an opportunity to connect with Gate Pass, though it be under attack. What if Ragesia wins, and can come through that valley? You overestimate the strength of our army.""But with the help of spellcasters, you could close that pass. Your greater concern is if the army passes through Gallo," Fafnir says. "That Seaquen is concerned but Dassen is not is a concern. The Shahalesti wants Seaquen, Ragesia wants Seaquen, and to give it up would be a terrible mistake for all. Ragesia would capture and kill all spellcasters, then move on to Shahalesti.""Do you truly believe that Seaquen would come to our aid if needed? That they would train our people in the arcane arts?""We do. It is filled with refugees, many with magical ability, waiting to do something. Those people would help. They are looking for a home, and if Timor could provide that, Seaquen would be more than willing to aid," Fafnir assures her. "They seek allies and would be open to suggestion."She considers us. "I hear your earnestness and your story rings true to me. The arcane arts are important to my Lady. She is keen to see them flourish, and if Seaquen can promise support, then yes, we will support you when the time comes.""That is all we can ask, lady," Fafnir says.<h3>Less Words, More Action, and What Is Up With Our Artificer</h3><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXchLCDmvnOSGoSyTWAdRmGwn2gtIsg3CgEMcIvfbwByg-Vo88hQHFIyCy85EoSmVcgHHKc-8Mn6voKgsmFXt88XoC1ELhNNFSOGhoDH_cM-2JEMUmiFZQ1KkCbUe4lf0q04f72IFA?key=jA3QLkk_W2nN52fE-9C4vg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " data-size="" style="" />Viggo enters to join us, and we notice a priestly person look up from his book, gazing intently at Viggo, then get up and leave. I quietly move toward the entrance to follow. Viggo walks out with me."Do ye recognize that fool?" I ask, taking long strides along the cobblestones. We track the man, who has stopped to speak with a woman and point back at us. We peer carefully. He seems to wear religious regalia.I sit on the edge of a well, somewhat hidden. I don't think he's seen me. Behind me, Trevor exits the library and runs quickly forward toward me. Fafnir follows. They must have wrapped up their meeting with Melanie Ursin.Viggo dashes forward, catching up to the man and waving. "Hello, friend! I saw you in the library. Do I know you?" Both the man and the woman turn, and I can see they are startled and a little scared. Viggo can be a little startling if you're not used to him.Fafnir catches up to me, clanking, and I can see him preparing some kind of spell. He continues past innocently, toward the gathering, failing to deceive anyone, as he is the largest and most well armored individual in the street.Viggo throws a barrage of words at the man. "I am so sorry if I don't recognize you. I am missing half of my turnip, and would like to learn more. Would you like a brain?" He offers him a turnip. "Do you ever wonder how the brain moves? Do brains have toes?"The man leans close like he's having trouble hearing. "I can't believe you're alive... and can't believe you're here, after what you've done!"The artificer freezes.Trevor catches up to me, asking what's going on. I point out the man and our current observing hobby. He sits and hangs out with me.The man takes out a holy symbol, a mallet over a sword. "May Goibhnio send you back from whence you came!"Fafnir's jaw works in confusion. Did that man just try to turn Viggo, as if he was undead?The man, seeing his holy symbol do nothing, turns to retreat. I rise from the well I've been sitting on and move around the corner to keep an eye on him. The woman also flees, past me. I glance back at Viggo, wrinkling a brow."I have no idea. I'm from here, but I don't remember," Viggo says, worried.Fafnir runs after. "Friends! Do not flee! Viggo may not be what you think. He's lost his memory, and may need help. He is not evil. Perhaps you can give us some insight?"Even more terrified, the man and woman vanish into the crowd."Forget him. I don't care," Viggo says, obviously troubled.Trevor walks up. "What the naughty word? You look like you've seen a ghost. What's going on?""Some guy thought he recognized me, and ran away!""So do we need to keep an eye on ye?" I ask. "Do ye remember where you lived?""The details are foggy, but I think I used to be a big wizard, maybe did an experiment, and it went awry. I lost my wife, and half my brain. So there might be people who recognize me... I did not think they would be afraid of me."Viggo changes the subject. "So you remember the king's family being murdered might be a power struggle? We could go back to the library and study, and see who gains if Steppengard's line is no more."</blockquote>

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