Stormgrove Manor, 4:45 p.m.:
Falen awakes with a start. His brain continues to contemplate the encounter with the Dusk, the mercs, and the monster.
How could Oakfirst not be concerned with the tunnels and their links among buildings, and undoubtedly the sewer, which might grant access to anywhere in this section of the city, if not the entire city?
He lifts himself up, sore despite the healing potions and spells. The nap is more restful than nothing, but not as rejuvenating as a hammock at home. He stretches and looks out of the window at late afternoon (3:30pm). Marine layer is creeping into the edges of the city closest to the water.
“And why do our opponents display such an unnatural morale?”
He dresses his armored shirt and tunic, and sits for an hour studying his spellbook. It’s difficult to muster his full attention, again after-effects of the enchantress’ spell attack.
Falen notes to himself that he’d like a look at the enchantress’ spellbook. Perhaps the spell she used on him would come in use, or some utility spells. He also meditates for a bit, carefully making headway on a new skill or two.
He then collects his things, repacks his haversack, and sets about searching for his compatriots and perhaps some food and drink at Stormgrove, and if not there, perhaps at a nearby tavern if open.
He also intends on delivering the leather belts to a craftsman to craft a proper expanded bandoleer for potions & weapons, particularly daggers. He has a belt and scabbard for his short sword, as well as a makeshift clip to secure his bow to his haversack and keep within reach. But with the addition, even temporary, of additional daggers, he wants to wear them properly.
He is careful to leave little to no trace of his nap save the basin and washcloth, and he steps out (4:45pm) to see if he can catch a leathersmith or cordwainer to assist him. Food at Stormgrove on the fly if possible, and if not, after he finds his leathersmith.
Stepping out of his room, he finds that several of the other Exemplars are wide awake and relaxing in the manor's great hall. There is food and drink that the manor's staff has laid out for everyone, including the Dark Lanterns. Rockhorn is still going strong while Tuck comes in 15 minutes later.
"Sobla and Mutt are still sleeping," he says. The kobold urban ranger fills a plate for himself while the manor's young footman, Puck, goes to add wood to the fireplace in the sitting room.
Akos enters the hall soon afterward. The food is good fare. Simple and well thought out. He greets the others and tells them he's heading to do research at the Teacher's Library.
Falen remembers that Oakfirst had given him a message for the others. That the lord commander would like to see them just after supper. But, Falen has the sense that each of them has things that they want to get done before then. Hopefully, Oakfirst won't mind waiting.
The Teacher's Library, 6:00 pm.:
Neurotic said:
{After} greeting everyone he meets in the manor, Akos happily goes to the library to do some research.
Akos heads to the Temple District before Tim and Vincenzo get up. Vitus asks to go with the Loremaster to help; he still has time before he has to be back at the embassy. A gate guard at the Lilal Gate offers to go with them, but Akos rebuffs the guard's offer of protection. The guard isn't insulted and instead salutes Akos like he's a Regulars' commander. It seems the news of Oakfirst plans to dismiss some of the Regulars and create a new order of Exemplar Knights has many of the guards on their best behaviour. He and Vitus gets a similar treatment from the Elites at the Temple Gate.
Compared to the streets of Old City, the Temple District is a lively place with lots of colour and sounds. Music plays and there are dancers in the streets. Akos and Vitus avoid the somber Street of Sorrows on their way to the temple and library of the god known as The Great Teacher. The god has many names of course, The Wizened Sage, The Historian. The god has two ancient aspects known as Dylona and Olius. Dylona was an ancient goddess of magic from before the time known in Bluffside as the Great Sundering. Olius was an ancient god of teaching and patience.
Everything is prepared for the Loremaster when he arrives. The entire third floor of the library has been set aside for him and dozens of references have already been prepared. Yet, there are some issues. The archivists tell him that they are having trouble finding some of the book they know he will want to see. They are quite upset about it but promise they will find the books...
"We just need a little more time," a young woman says. "We found everything we could on the goddess you wanted to know about. Please start with those books there." She points to a large stack on one table. She bows and rushes off to continue the search for the 'misplaced' books.
Akos engrosses himself in the texts about the goddess that shifted Sobla and Mutt to the Shadowstar Sea. It seems that she isn't one of the Seelie, nor an Unseelie. Rigantona is one of the Fey Ones but she is her own goddess with her own realm in the Faerie. Most of the texts about her a quite old and very dusty. And, quite informative. Some of the tales say she was once a mortal queen. She also has a strong connect with the large island northwest of Kanpur known as Gwyrdhyn. The books talk of a shining kingdom know as Ealdur and sidhe lands known as Aarithas and Lliacladria.
Soon, an hour has passed. The archivist come to remind him of the time and tell him about other things they've learned about the goddess. But, no matter how hard they search, they cannot find any references to the well.
"It's history doesn't exist," one scribe says. "Are you sure it's real?"
"This cannot be!" A male scribe yells out from the nearby stacks.
"Oh, the horror!"
"Roderick! Please do not yell," the woman archivist who had spoken to Akos earlier says harshly. "you will disturb the readers on the second floor."
"But, but, Miss Vera, look at this," he holds up the book for her.
She faints dead away.
The book, no, tome the man is holding up has been vandalized. An entire section of the book has been torn out. The damage to the book is not subtle. Whoever did it, they didn't care about the content of the book at all. Other pages are burnt with acid and a map of the planes of existence has been doused with ink. For the archivists and scribes of the Teacher's Library, it is great tragedy.
Once Miss Vera has been revived, she begins to cry uncontrollably. "who would do such a thing?"
Akos immediately knew that the Renegade was guilty of this crime.
The scribes lead the woman away to rest and recuperate. The rest of the temple's staff goes into a frenzy trying to find any other books and reference that might be damaged. They find dozens. Most jammed into dark corners of the library on the fourth floor or have been gutted and left under loose floorboards or behind old timber walls in some of temple's storage areas.
Worst still, other books and references are just gone. All of damaged and stolen books are references on the planes beyond. The Elemental Planes, the Ethereal, the Outer Planes, Spireguard, and the Shadowstar Sea.
"How are we ever going to tell him?" An elder archivist asks out loud. 'Him' is Pennant Hassenforth, the head archivist. and, it isn't long until the commotion brings the up from the main floor. Akos and the archivists break it to him as gently as possible. He nearly goes into a rage.
"Those damn Loyalists! That damn Renegade! How did they get in here again?"
Akos helps takes stock of everything that is missing and damaged while Vitus goes back to Old City to see Lord Casca.
At the Palace, 10:30 p.m.:
Akos takes time with Falen and Vincenco to identify items when opportunity presents itself.
Four and half hours later, while Vitus is still waiting for his lord, Akos and the other Exemplars have finally all rested and gathered together at Stormgrove. The captured items are still at the Palace and they have learned that Oakfirst wishes for the Exemplars to come to the Palace to help with the identification and to speak with him about what to do next.
Tuck leads the way through Old City. The streets are quiet and calm. It is the first night days that the Dusk and Loyalists have remained hidden in their holes, or just hidden. No one challenges you as you travel through the district. Instead, several of Elite patrols walk with you on parts of their routes, hoping you will protect them long enough for them to relax a bit. The guards tell you that the situation at the barracks has been handled and the Regulars are back on the job, although Oakfirst had to agree to give many of them several nights off.
Instead, it is the Elites and Sectarians taking the lead this night. And, the Dark Lanterns, from the shadows.
Near the Palace, Old City is as still as the sea on a hot, windless summer's day. Both Burchard and Emelia are there to greet you. They look like they haven't slept. They escort you to Palace's storage area where everything has been prepared. The lord commander isn't present, but...
"He couldn't wait for you any longer," Emelia says. "He went to talk to The Five. He should be back in an hour or two."
Burchard introduces you all to the Palace's head barrister, Emrys Kneller. "He'll help us sort through everything, so that noting is missed."
The man is short, barely 5 feet tall and pudgy like a pot-bellied pig. He wears oversized spectacles and carries a ledger. "I'm glad you are here to help," he says in a strangely deep voice but with a hint of foreign accent. "I will make note of everything. There is a fee for my services and for the storage of the items. It's only 2% of the value of these items, but it must be paid."
Several of the guards who fought with the Exemplars are present, as is Ela. They present their items for identification and wait in the wings while you work. The process is time consuming and little tedious. Vitus arrives at the Palace before the process is done. It takes three hours to go through everything. The barrister doesn't miss one coin, gem, or item.
"Quite the haul," he says once he's finished his figured. He hands out copies to everyone. It is a lot, especially for the guards. "Hopefully, you will all come to reasonable agreement, hmm? I shall leave you with my team to help you."
"Later, it seems," Ela says when a woman comes to whisper in her ear.
"The lord commander has returned."
She leads the way to the building's chapel. There, you find Oakfirst standing with a man to his right who looks like he's a cleric. The man has been woken up in the middle of the night and isn't happy about it. Standing to Oakfirst's left is Lady Pomander. Her arm is in a sling, but she is standing on her own.
"It seems I will have to give you more time to sort things," Oakfirst says.
"But first, The Five have given their permission to have the captain resurrected. Mr. Irnas..."
"
Doyen Irnas," the cleric snaps.
"Yes, Doyen Irnas of the Temple of the Ethereal One has agreed to help bring him back," Oakfirst says. There is a touch of irritation in the commander's voice.
"I didn't know I was going to have an audience. I would have charged more," the cleric chuckles.
"Just do it!" Lady Pomander commands. She's not taken her eyes off of Camburn. She moves to the man and kisses him on the forehead. "Please, come back to us, my friend. The city still needs you."
The cleric shrugs and slithers over to the dais and begins praying over the lifeless form of Captain Valentine Camburn. While the process should be nearly instantaneous, the Doyen makes it a spectacle. It is painful to watch. He finishes with a flare and then a quick cantrip for effect.
The captain's wounds are instantly knitted and life flows in his body. He gasps for breath and opens his eyes. The cleric steps away, takes his payment, and leaves.
"Welcome back, old friend," Oakfirst says solemnly.
"Did we win?" Camburn ask.
