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<blockquote data-quote="Elemental" data-source="post: 851829" data-attributes="member: 7931"><p><strong>Part 5:</strong></p><p></p><p>Part 5: </p><p></p><p>The investigation of the destroyed village proving frustratingly inconclusive, and since no other leads presented themselves, the group returned to the college. Over the next three days, Usha kept an ear out for news of any likely culprits, but nothing useful came from that direction either.</p><p></p><p>In the meantime, they had the same access in the college as a junior adept, and things got into something of a routine. Hergal would talk with each of them individually about various things, centering around their knowledge of, and experiences with, their draconic parents. Usha related her own experiences.</p><p></p><p>“I grew up on a little rock in the south of the Moonshae Islands, with both my parents. His name was Meron, a human. He’d been shipwrecked there a few years before, she was called Ahle, she was a brass dragon, and had lived there for a while already. No, I don’t know how long. Never felt the need to ask. No, there wasn’t anyone else living there. We had some visitors once in a while, but it was just us living on the island….”</p><p></p><p>She was leaving out as much as she actually said. Notably her brother of sorts, Khalid. It wasn’t relevant to what the questions were, and there were a few things she didn’t intend to share just yet. If ever.</p><p></p><p>Unexpected things began to happen on the third day. Usha spent a bit of time practicing archery in the morning, as usual, with Estivan noisily practicing sword fighting elsewhere. Carudan was with Alibon…apparently, he was learning unarmed combat. Silver was meeting the other sorcerer that had been mentioned, the centaur called Ferila. Blue was….sneaking around.</p><p></p><p>When she was done, Usha went up the stairs to Hergal’s study. However, she stopped outside the door, on hearing the sounds of an argument coming from the other side. One voice was the gnomes, the other she recognized as the dean of the university.</p><p></p><p>"What do you mean by that?!” exclaimed Hergal. “I'm THIS close to being finished with the book!" </p><p></p><p>"Yes, and how many times have I heard this before? 3 times in the past 2 years, mostly ending with you going off on another 'field project’!” said the other one.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, but what about all of this!" (thud, sounded like someone pounding on a book)</p><p></p><p>"What of it? All I see is some chicken scratches lumped together and connected by metal bands! I'm sorry, but if you haven't noticed, we're trying to survive, with the Rainbow Robes in Baldur's Gates, the Great Waterdhvian University, and not to mention the countless Thayan embassies scattered across the lands. We can't be throwing money in little pet projects."</p><p></p><p>She decided this was an apt time to knock on the door.</p><p></p><p>“What?” snapped the dean.</p><p></p><p>Hegal opened the door. "Oh Usha, is it that time already? I'm sorry, I sort of forgot, it was just Dean Ogerud had to talk to me about..."</p><p></p><p>"Your folly," said the other.</p><p></p><p>“It's Usha. We were supposed to be talking right about now? If I'm interrupting something here I'll come back later."</p><p></p><p>'Not any more!" Ogerud declared, "I'm tired of these freeloaders just wandering around the grounds as they please. I want them out of here, and I want you back to teaching basic beast and aberration anatomy!”</p><p></p><p>“Ogerud.... That's a really silly name, you know. But fair enough. Pay up and I'll be out of here."</p><p></p><p>Hergal shuffled his feet together, "Well, I had the money, but when you said you all wanted copies I got several books and bindings for it, pretty much using all of my money. But my salary was coming in tomorrow so I could pay you then and give you the book, except for this snag..." </p><p></p><p>"That and the fact he put your room, board, and pay on to the school's account, which is immediately suspended, as of now."'.</p><p></p><p>“Why not just let him finish the thing? I promised momma a signed copy. And when she gets angry, she gets—“ (gestures indicating growl, snarl, whoosh of flame), “-you know?"</p><p></p><p>“Well I'm sorry to disappoint Moma Scaly, but there will be no book, and there will be no money, and no room for the rest of you. I suggest to you go tell your friends that they have been evicted..."</p><p></p><p>“Or....we could talk business. All those enemies you mentioned, surely you could use a mercenary with low prices, who incidentally, charges real low to take out Red Wizards. I can't speak for the others, but you've got to admit, you're letting some talent go to waste here.”</p><p></p><p>He didn’t reply, but just walked out. Usha turned to Hergal after a moment. “He’s not much of an employer, is he?”</p><p></p><p>"No he's not..."</p><p></p><p>She thought for a moment. I feel bad about this....actually, I don't, since I didn't have anything to do with this. But is there a way I could help here?”</p><p></p><p>He sat down rather heavily on a stool. "Please close the door when you leave, I won't be a pretty picture..."</p><p></p><p>“Well....if you do think of anything, tell me. If it is as bad as it seems, you could always come along with me. Think about it." She closed the door behind her, and shook her head sadly. She headed down to the Bestiary to share the bad news.</p><p>When she got there, she found Silver talking with the centaur. </p><p></p><p>"We've been fired. Pack up your stuff, be out by dawn, don't claim any cash or even your free copy."</p><p></p><p>"The way the stars dance in elven cities, the gentle rustle of the wind across the wild plains, the statues men and dwarves build, each have their own...say what?!"</p><p></p><p>"Our sponsor has run out of money, and had the funding dropped."</p><p></p><p>"Ah, well that is most unfortunate. It was a fun little stop in the road."</p><p></p><p>Estivan came in, leading his horse. “What was this about funding dropped?”</p><p></p><p>"Just wish there was something I could do to help. Or at least that I could find out who torched the village. That's still bugging me...." said Usha.</p><p></p><p>The knight glared at her. “Hold on, what is happening?”</p><p></p><p>"You don't think it was the faux pseudodragon?" asked Silver.</p><p></p><p>"They don't breath fire. And in any case, the footprints don't fit."</p><p></p><p>"No woman, I heard you say something about funding, what on Toril do you mean?” snapped Estivan.</p><p></p><p>"I said, our sponsor has run out, and isn't getting any more."</p><p></p><p>"So you are saying that the gnome is out of money and can't pay use or finish his work?"</p><p></p><p>Give the clever little puppy a bone. “That’s right.”</p><p></p><p>Silver looked to Ferila and whispers. "Ignore the lout's shortcomings. He is useful as a moving shield but rather deplorable in his treatment of the fairer sex."</p><p></p><p>"Where is he now?"</p><p></p><p>"In his study. He asked to be left alone. He's a bit cut up over this, and no wonder."</p><p></p><p>Estivan pulled out several clanking pouches, "I shall go and see if I can cheer the good gnome up. After all his endeavor is rather noble and hate to see such unfinished.” He left.</p><p></p><p>"So, unless the dean has a change of heart, I guess I'm done here.” mused Usha. “Do some more looking for those folk that wiped out the village, then maybe go south....."</p><p></p><p>A couple of minutes later, Blue came running up, expression unreadable under the omnipresent mask. "Hey, guys, Carudan wants us to meet him in Hergal's office. They cut the funding to his project."</p><p></p><p>Then Ogerud came in. "Alibon, I need to ask you about this odd rash on my hor..." He then noticed the other people there. "Oh, it's you..." with a bit of a sneer. Silver looked at him rather strangely. "Well, getting ready to head back to the mountains, or swamps, or where ever you guys come from?" </p><p></p><p>Alibon leant over the stall door, "Come on, why are you so hostile?"</p><p></p><p>Usha’s reply was cut off by Silver. "Good sir, I do believe you are rather ill so your commentary that makes Estivan seem truly nice will be ignored."</p><p></p><p>What?</p><p></p><p>“Miss Ferila, do you know any spells for removing mental commands?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, I do... just a general dispel, and I definitely feel something wrong too..." the centaur said. </p><p></p><p>Usha’s hand wandered, oh-so-casually, towards her weapons. "Have I missed something here?"</p><p></p><p>"Magic can be used for more then armor and energy blasts and becoming a fairy dragon. It can effect the mind. This gentleman has had that happen probably when he was asleep."</p><p></p><p>Ogerud sneered. Well there is magic all over this place, you're probably just picking up the residue from some of my spellcasting, that's all!"</p><p></p><p>"Nobody could be that much of an ass without magic assistance, huh?" said Usha.</p><p></p><p>"And who would do some thing like that?" asked Blue.</p><p></p><p>"The obvious answer? Someone who doesn't want this book to come out. Either our buddy from the swamp or another enemy. Everybody's a goddamn literary critic!"</p><p></p><p>"Only an idiot would cast mind influencing spells on himself.” said Silver. “Blue Dragon, could you examine his sleeping quarters to see if our spell caster left any clues? Remains of his spell components or the like."</p><p></p><p>"I warn you, I won't have you freaks tossing spells all over this place. And I surely not allow you to defile my room!" At this statement, he and the centaur began casting a spell simultaneously.</p><p></p><p>Silver had proven himself to be a man of great perception and wits with noticing the enchantment like that, but any goodwill that had built up fizzled when he went for the man with claws outstretched. Because when you’re dealing with a good man who’s been enchanted, you want to use lethal force. Fortunately, he cause more than a scratch, and more fortunately, disrupted whatever spell the man had been casting. Usha selected the whip, and sent it whipping out to try and wrap round his ankle and trip him, but couldn’t get a hold. Blue vanished up the stairs. The centaur cast her spell. There was a sound like breaking glass, and Ogerud stopped, and looked confused. "Why you... Wait... Why did I call you all those things, and why was I so hostile to you?"</p><p></p><p>"There's a gnome you may want to apologize to.” said Usha. “But firstly, do you remember anything odd happening? Anyone odd?"</p><p></p><p>"Sorry we had to rough you up but you were most unwilling to let us dispel it and began casting something.” said Silver. “I was too busying trying to make sure that didn't happen to really determine what."</p><p></p><p>"I remember everything, but why I went off on you and why I wanted you out and thought dragons were such vile, creatures..."'</p><p></p><p>"But do you remember when you started feeling like this? And anyone who was casting something when that happened?" pressed Usha.</p><p></p><p>"Well it was mostly this morning. Before that I do have to admit that I got this strange feeling, but one gets so many strange feelings around here.”</p><p></p><p>"Well, you're the head of this place. Who here could cast magic like that?"</p><p></p><p>"Well it must have been an enchantment. It doesn't really surprise me. I'm an evocation wizard and don't know the first thing about enchantment. But I know no wizard around here would dare to cast something like that on me. And why would they want to get rid of you? Damn, what could have done this! What ever it is, I think you should see to Hergal. What ever did it, seems to have something against you, and most possibly him..."</p><p></p><p>Usha nodded, and then hurried up the stairs.</p><p></p><p>She arrived in the hall outside Hergal’s office, to find Estivan and Carudan standing amongst the corpses of about five humanoids with fish-like faces, thick, rubbery skin, and a foul odor. Or maybe that was just Estivan. Carudan turned, yelling "Hergal, check on Hergal!"</p><p></p><p>"Where is he?"</p><p></p><p>"Don't know, we discovered these three on the way to his office. Don't know if he's there"</p><p></p><p>Usha opened the door to see Hergal crouched behind an upturned desk, looking fearfully out. Silver had flown up to the window outside. "What the hell was that?" asked the gnome.</p><p></p><p>"Calamari. Are you all right?"</p><p></p><p>Blue came up and threw another dead fishman on the floor. “I found him sneaking around the Dean’s room.”</p><p></p><p>Hergal stood up. "Well thank you, but where did they come from? What did they want?"</p><p></p><p>"Well, for our part, the Dean seems to have been enchanted. He's better now, and you're back in business." said Usha. She had a look at the feat of the attackers, out of interest. "Not our arsonists. They had no tail."</p><p></p><p>Blue spoke up. "I think I know where they came from." He held up a note. “I also found this. It says something about taking the dragon book, killing the gnome, killing us, and stealing the Deans stuff."</p><p></p><p>"Why they want the book, and the dean's things?" asked Carudan.</p><p></p><p>"No idea. But I think I know how they’re getting in. Well, earlier today when I was...well when I...lets just say I was walking around I found a secret door in a basement storage room. There was slime all over the place much like these thing give off."</p><p></p><p>“Did you look beyond?”</p><p></p><p>"Couldn't get it open."</p><p></p><p>“But how did they get here with out being detected?” asked Carudan. “Is there a maze of entrances through this place? We should alert the guards and the other wizards, and see if any of them have noticed anything fishy going on"</p><p></p><p>"Well this college was rebuilt over the ruins of a previous college that was demolished for several decades. There were some catacombs that were turned into storage areas or rooms, but some of the more rough areas were simply sealed off." said Hergal.</p><p></p><p>"Well, it should be obvious they've got at least one quite powerful spellcaster working with them." said Usha.</p><p></p><p>"Yeah the note says something about a boss snake mage" replied Blue.</p><p></p><p>This guy is full of surprises. thought Usha.</p><p></p><p>Estivan headed off to sound the alarm, worried there might be other of these things (Apparently, they were called “Skum.” Apt, though once you gave a race a name like that, what choice did they have but to become foul and slimy?) around the building.</p><p></p><p>Blue read out the note, which was in Aquan. "Look nasty dragon book. Find gnome. Kill. Find nasty dragon people. Kill. Find Head-Man, loot but live. Come back to Boss-snake/mage."</p><p></p><p>"The snake-mage and the Boss might be two different people." pointed out Silver.</p><p></p><p>Usha smiled brightly. "I say we take the fight to them. All in favor?"</p><p></p><p>Estivan did another of his glares as he returned. "Do I even need to answer that?”</p><p></p><p>"Yes, you do. What do you think they'll send next time, pray?" asked Usha. He didn’t have an answer.</p><p></p><p>Carudan had a look at the note, after uttering a brief prayer to Torm and invoking a spell. "It sounds like these skum serve a "Great Magic Serpent, so that answers the question as to how many people it refers to.”</p><p></p><p>"And whatever this Great Magic Serpent is, it sent only five of these things?” asked Estivan.</p><p></p><p>"Are they referring to a dragon?" asked Carudan. He seemed genuinely angry at the thought, Usha noted. What was with him? He turned to Hergal. "Are there any sentient serpents that are known to command these skum-things?"</p><p></p><p>"I'm not sure, I know that they are common slaves of aquatic underground powerful races. So I don't know, a Naga, or a Yuan-ti?"</p><p></p><p>"We might want to do some quick research, narrow down what we might be walking into and see if there's an exploitable weakness... but we have to move fast,"</p><p></p><p>Usha shrugged. “Agreed.”</p><p></p><p>"Alert the guards, ask the animal expert. We should have a few of us at the door incase more come through or try to go back." said Silver.</p><p></p><p>"If I can get some help opening the door I could do some advanced scouting while you find out some info." said Blue.</p><p></p><p>"Seems a bit risky. We'd better go in together." said Usha. Part of the reason she said that was concern for his safety, and part of it was hope that there might be something valuable down there, and she didn’t quite trust this shady character enough to give him first pick.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Elemental, post: 851829, member: 7931"] [b]Part 5:[/b] Part 5: The investigation of the destroyed village proving frustratingly inconclusive, and since no other leads presented themselves, the group returned to the college. Over the next three days, Usha kept an ear out for news of any likely culprits, but nothing useful came from that direction either. In the meantime, they had the same access in the college as a junior adept, and things got into something of a routine. Hergal would talk with each of them individually about various things, centering around their knowledge of, and experiences with, their draconic parents. Usha related her own experiences. “I grew up on a little rock in the south of the Moonshae Islands, with both my parents. His name was Meron, a human. He’d been shipwrecked there a few years before, she was called Ahle, she was a brass dragon, and had lived there for a while already. No, I don’t know how long. Never felt the need to ask. No, there wasn’t anyone else living there. We had some visitors once in a while, but it was just us living on the island….” She was leaving out as much as she actually said. Notably her brother of sorts, Khalid. It wasn’t relevant to what the questions were, and there were a few things she didn’t intend to share just yet. If ever. Unexpected things began to happen on the third day. Usha spent a bit of time practicing archery in the morning, as usual, with Estivan noisily practicing sword fighting elsewhere. Carudan was with Alibon…apparently, he was learning unarmed combat. Silver was meeting the other sorcerer that had been mentioned, the centaur called Ferila. Blue was….sneaking around. When she was done, Usha went up the stairs to Hergal’s study. However, she stopped outside the door, on hearing the sounds of an argument coming from the other side. One voice was the gnomes, the other she recognized as the dean of the university. "What do you mean by that?!” exclaimed Hergal. “I'm THIS close to being finished with the book!" "Yes, and how many times have I heard this before? 3 times in the past 2 years, mostly ending with you going off on another 'field project’!” said the other one. "Yes, but what about all of this!" (thud, sounded like someone pounding on a book) "What of it? All I see is some chicken scratches lumped together and connected by metal bands! I'm sorry, but if you haven't noticed, we're trying to survive, with the Rainbow Robes in Baldur's Gates, the Great Waterdhvian University, and not to mention the countless Thayan embassies scattered across the lands. We can't be throwing money in little pet projects." She decided this was an apt time to knock on the door. “What?” snapped the dean. Hegal opened the door. "Oh Usha, is it that time already? I'm sorry, I sort of forgot, it was just Dean Ogerud had to talk to me about..." "Your folly," said the other. “It's Usha. We were supposed to be talking right about now? If I'm interrupting something here I'll come back later." 'Not any more!" Ogerud declared, "I'm tired of these freeloaders just wandering around the grounds as they please. I want them out of here, and I want you back to teaching basic beast and aberration anatomy!” “Ogerud.... That's a really silly name, you know. But fair enough. Pay up and I'll be out of here." Hergal shuffled his feet together, "Well, I had the money, but when you said you all wanted copies I got several books and bindings for it, pretty much using all of my money. But my salary was coming in tomorrow so I could pay you then and give you the book, except for this snag..." "That and the fact he put your room, board, and pay on to the school's account, which is immediately suspended, as of now."'. “Why not just let him finish the thing? I promised momma a signed copy. And when she gets angry, she gets—“ (gestures indicating growl, snarl, whoosh of flame), “-you know?" “Well I'm sorry to disappoint Moma Scaly, but there will be no book, and there will be no money, and no room for the rest of you. I suggest to you go tell your friends that they have been evicted..." “Or....we could talk business. All those enemies you mentioned, surely you could use a mercenary with low prices, who incidentally, charges real low to take out Red Wizards. I can't speak for the others, but you've got to admit, you're letting some talent go to waste here.” He didn’t reply, but just walked out. Usha turned to Hergal after a moment. “He’s not much of an employer, is he?” "No he's not..." She thought for a moment. I feel bad about this....actually, I don't, since I didn't have anything to do with this. But is there a way I could help here?” He sat down rather heavily on a stool. "Please close the door when you leave, I won't be a pretty picture..." “Well....if you do think of anything, tell me. If it is as bad as it seems, you could always come along with me. Think about it." She closed the door behind her, and shook her head sadly. She headed down to the Bestiary to share the bad news. When she got there, she found Silver talking with the centaur. "We've been fired. Pack up your stuff, be out by dawn, don't claim any cash or even your free copy." "The way the stars dance in elven cities, the gentle rustle of the wind across the wild plains, the statues men and dwarves build, each have their own...say what?!" "Our sponsor has run out of money, and had the funding dropped." "Ah, well that is most unfortunate. It was a fun little stop in the road." Estivan came in, leading his horse. “What was this about funding dropped?” "Just wish there was something I could do to help. Or at least that I could find out who torched the village. That's still bugging me...." said Usha. The knight glared at her. “Hold on, what is happening?” "You don't think it was the faux pseudodragon?" asked Silver. "They don't breath fire. And in any case, the footprints don't fit." "No woman, I heard you say something about funding, what on Toril do you mean?” snapped Estivan. "I said, our sponsor has run out, and isn't getting any more." "So you are saying that the gnome is out of money and can't pay use or finish his work?" Give the clever little puppy a bone. “That’s right.” Silver looked to Ferila and whispers. "Ignore the lout's shortcomings. He is useful as a moving shield but rather deplorable in his treatment of the fairer sex." "Where is he now?" "In his study. He asked to be left alone. He's a bit cut up over this, and no wonder." Estivan pulled out several clanking pouches, "I shall go and see if I can cheer the good gnome up. After all his endeavor is rather noble and hate to see such unfinished.” He left. "So, unless the dean has a change of heart, I guess I'm done here.” mused Usha. “Do some more looking for those folk that wiped out the village, then maybe go south....." A couple of minutes later, Blue came running up, expression unreadable under the omnipresent mask. "Hey, guys, Carudan wants us to meet him in Hergal's office. They cut the funding to his project." Then Ogerud came in. "Alibon, I need to ask you about this odd rash on my hor..." He then noticed the other people there. "Oh, it's you..." with a bit of a sneer. Silver looked at him rather strangely. "Well, getting ready to head back to the mountains, or swamps, or where ever you guys come from?" Alibon leant over the stall door, "Come on, why are you so hostile?" Usha’s reply was cut off by Silver. "Good sir, I do believe you are rather ill so your commentary that makes Estivan seem truly nice will be ignored." What? “Miss Ferila, do you know any spells for removing mental commands?" "Yes, I do... just a general dispel, and I definitely feel something wrong too..." the centaur said. Usha’s hand wandered, oh-so-casually, towards her weapons. "Have I missed something here?" "Magic can be used for more then armor and energy blasts and becoming a fairy dragon. It can effect the mind. This gentleman has had that happen probably when he was asleep." Ogerud sneered. Well there is magic all over this place, you're probably just picking up the residue from some of my spellcasting, that's all!" "Nobody could be that much of an ass without magic assistance, huh?" said Usha. "And who would do some thing like that?" asked Blue. "The obvious answer? Someone who doesn't want this book to come out. Either our buddy from the swamp or another enemy. Everybody's a goddamn literary critic!" "Only an idiot would cast mind influencing spells on himself.” said Silver. “Blue Dragon, could you examine his sleeping quarters to see if our spell caster left any clues? Remains of his spell components or the like." "I warn you, I won't have you freaks tossing spells all over this place. And I surely not allow you to defile my room!" At this statement, he and the centaur began casting a spell simultaneously. Silver had proven himself to be a man of great perception and wits with noticing the enchantment like that, but any goodwill that had built up fizzled when he went for the man with claws outstretched. Because when you’re dealing with a good man who’s been enchanted, you want to use lethal force. Fortunately, he cause more than a scratch, and more fortunately, disrupted whatever spell the man had been casting. Usha selected the whip, and sent it whipping out to try and wrap round his ankle and trip him, but couldn’t get a hold. Blue vanished up the stairs. The centaur cast her spell. There was a sound like breaking glass, and Ogerud stopped, and looked confused. "Why you... Wait... Why did I call you all those things, and why was I so hostile to you?" "There's a gnome you may want to apologize to.” said Usha. “But firstly, do you remember anything odd happening? Anyone odd?" "Sorry we had to rough you up but you were most unwilling to let us dispel it and began casting something.” said Silver. “I was too busying trying to make sure that didn't happen to really determine what." "I remember everything, but why I went off on you and why I wanted you out and thought dragons were such vile, creatures..."' "But do you remember when you started feeling like this? And anyone who was casting something when that happened?" pressed Usha. "Well it was mostly this morning. Before that I do have to admit that I got this strange feeling, but one gets so many strange feelings around here.” "Well, you're the head of this place. Who here could cast magic like that?" "Well it must have been an enchantment. It doesn't really surprise me. I'm an evocation wizard and don't know the first thing about enchantment. But I know no wizard around here would dare to cast something like that on me. And why would they want to get rid of you? Damn, what could have done this! What ever it is, I think you should see to Hergal. What ever did it, seems to have something against you, and most possibly him..." Usha nodded, and then hurried up the stairs. She arrived in the hall outside Hergal’s office, to find Estivan and Carudan standing amongst the corpses of about five humanoids with fish-like faces, thick, rubbery skin, and a foul odor. Or maybe that was just Estivan. Carudan turned, yelling "Hergal, check on Hergal!" "Where is he?" "Don't know, we discovered these three on the way to his office. Don't know if he's there" Usha opened the door to see Hergal crouched behind an upturned desk, looking fearfully out. Silver had flown up to the window outside. "What the hell was that?" asked the gnome. "Calamari. Are you all right?" Blue came up and threw another dead fishman on the floor. “I found him sneaking around the Dean’s room.” Hergal stood up. "Well thank you, but where did they come from? What did they want?" "Well, for our part, the Dean seems to have been enchanted. He's better now, and you're back in business." said Usha. She had a look at the feat of the attackers, out of interest. "Not our arsonists. They had no tail." Blue spoke up. "I think I know where they came from." He held up a note. “I also found this. It says something about taking the dragon book, killing the gnome, killing us, and stealing the Deans stuff." "Why they want the book, and the dean's things?" asked Carudan. "No idea. But I think I know how they’re getting in. Well, earlier today when I was...well when I...lets just say I was walking around I found a secret door in a basement storage room. There was slime all over the place much like these thing give off." “Did you look beyond?” "Couldn't get it open." “But how did they get here with out being detected?” asked Carudan. “Is there a maze of entrances through this place? We should alert the guards and the other wizards, and see if any of them have noticed anything fishy going on" "Well this college was rebuilt over the ruins of a previous college that was demolished for several decades. There were some catacombs that were turned into storage areas or rooms, but some of the more rough areas were simply sealed off." said Hergal. "Well, it should be obvious they've got at least one quite powerful spellcaster working with them." said Usha. "Yeah the note says something about a boss snake mage" replied Blue. This guy is full of surprises. thought Usha. Estivan headed off to sound the alarm, worried there might be other of these things (Apparently, they were called “Skum.” Apt, though once you gave a race a name like that, what choice did they have but to become foul and slimy?) around the building. Blue read out the note, which was in Aquan. "Look nasty dragon book. Find gnome. Kill. Find nasty dragon people. Kill. Find Head-Man, loot but live. Come back to Boss-snake/mage." "The snake-mage and the Boss might be two different people." pointed out Silver. Usha smiled brightly. "I say we take the fight to them. All in favor?" Estivan did another of his glares as he returned. "Do I even need to answer that?” "Yes, you do. What do you think they'll send next time, pray?" asked Usha. He didn’t have an answer. Carudan had a look at the note, after uttering a brief prayer to Torm and invoking a spell. "It sounds like these skum serve a "Great Magic Serpent, so that answers the question as to how many people it refers to.” "And whatever this Great Magic Serpent is, it sent only five of these things?” asked Estivan. "Are they referring to a dragon?" asked Carudan. He seemed genuinely angry at the thought, Usha noted. What was with him? He turned to Hergal. "Are there any sentient serpents that are known to command these skum-things?" "I'm not sure, I know that they are common slaves of aquatic underground powerful races. So I don't know, a Naga, or a Yuan-ti?" "We might want to do some quick research, narrow down what we might be walking into and see if there's an exploitable weakness... but we have to move fast," Usha shrugged. “Agreed.” "Alert the guards, ask the animal expert. We should have a few of us at the door incase more come through or try to go back." said Silver. "If I can get some help opening the door I could do some advanced scouting while you find out some info." said Blue. "Seems a bit risky. We'd better go in together." said Usha. Part of the reason she said that was concern for his safety, and part of it was hope that there might be something valuable down there, and she didn’t quite trust this shady character enough to give him first pick. [/QUOTE]
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