The gem: its cursed. (-2 to saves). Forge has the curse until removed, with or without the gem. (I will give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume no one else touched it.)
On returning to “town”: As a gentle reminder…you may not recall clearly, given the “excitement” of the last week, it took 2-3 weeks to make the journey from Borivostok to the Tomb, and that was with horses, and possibly better weather (and 1 more wizard). And of course, it took a month long sea voyage to get to Borivostok from more civilized lands.
On the reward: a reward of 400 gold was promised, presumably provided by House Brandt through their local agent (what was his name?). Again, the ship, the Siren, left Northall, stopped in Dussleberg, and then went on to Borivostok. With the last bit being thanks to your crewing, the whole crew, all but 1, killed by dopplegangers. (and there is the "dwarf fortress"--the opening by the pass, and, maybe, owlbear eggs).
On the whole business of “linked portals”: The ritual does not allow travel to other Worlds, the Aether or places there in, the Maelstrom, or the more distant realms across the Sea Beyond the Stars. (though if one was in one of those places, it may allow for some local travel therein). Other, more difficult rituals, allegedly do.
Lucian: you know well a circle hidden in the basement of a tavern in Low Temple in Northall. All the time wasted there, well, at least until now. Should be clear, at least the basement. You would bet your bottom silver noble that the Hare and Cap has a few, but never had time to find one. There is also, of course, the public one in the Seven Pillared Hall in Thundspire Labyrinth. Don’t know if the Mages of Saruun would mind.
Nar-Heru: Obviously,
obviously, you remember the great common circle on the Rightwater, across from Wanderer House (so..full..of..themselves..) and the Melkar House circle hidden behind the west alcove in the arched vault in the sub-basement. And,
obviously, a few more, but maybe not well enough to use.
On trading, magic items, (making an investment?) etc: Even Forge and Ghen probably know that this would be easier in a big city like Northall or, maybe, a college full of wizards. Though there were those hags, and Krondos the merchant.
(Ooc 1: there is no end of adventure for these characters, they did triumph in the Tomb of Horrors after all…and the XP reward for returning to “home”, wherever that might be, is the same no matter how you do it)
(OoC 2: I have made a treasure clarification on the OoC thread)
http://www.enworld.org/forum/talking-talk/308400-legacy-death-ooc.html
