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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Qik" data-source="post: 5692479" data-attributes="member: 6673727">It is the gnome who responds to Saranna's question first.  "All I can say for certain is that I sensed some dark magic in the vision which I received of him, although whether it all emanated directly from Sloh, or was in part supplemented by the aura of that which does his bidding, I cannot say."Phedilo adds, "While I was unable to apprehend much during my imprisonment, I did notice Sloh taking a look through my spellbook when I was first captured.  From where I sat, it seemed as though he was giving it a wizard's eye."At Saranna's entreaty for an identifier for the gnome, the creature shakes his head stubbornly.  "I care far more for my safety, and for the safety of the world which is maintained through the protection of the knowledge I hold, than for trivial comforts of those who insist on ultimately unnecessary social norms.  I am sorry my dear, but to the world, I am simply The Gnome: it is the safest way."  Regardless of the truth or wisdom of that statement, it is clear that the gnome settled the matter for himself long ago.  With that statement, the gnome heads towards his divination room, where he ends up residing for the remainder of the night.  At one point, Phedilo goes to check on him - "Let me do it - I am well-enough versed in such matters that my appearance will not be a grave interruption" - and returns, only to say that the gnome's divinations are not yet complete.  In the end, the party goes to bed without finding the results of his mystic entreaties, which are passed on only with the coming of morning.After waking, the group begins to file into the common room in their own time, where they are met with tray of freshly baked scones, some homemade jelly, and a hot kettle of tea, with Phedilo proudly taking credit for the former to those who ask.  As the group eats, the gnome summarizes his divinatory experiences from the previous evening. "Although I was unable to learn anything new about this Sloh  himself, I was able to pinpoint the location of his lair; once I knew what I was looking for, it was a relatively easy thing to do, since his mark is quite apparentonce you know how to read it."   Leaning in as if to emphasize his next statement, the gnome's voice grows grave. "His is a place of much darkness, children; you must be wary.  Once I saw this darkness, I realized that your group, as strong as you've been, will need some changes, and some help."  Turning to Ioseph, he says, "I am sorry, good man, but the time has come for us to part ways; there are others who will be needed to take your place."  The holy man seems disappointed, but he calmly accepts the gnome's words.  Turning back to the others, the gnome says, "Now then, if you are prepared to go, I shall take you to the place of Emerous Sloh."*  *  *Perhaps to your surprise, the gnome takes the group in the direction of Venza, ending up at where your journey started: the Dunn Wright Inn.  Stopping at the front door, he says, "Wait here; I will summon your new companions." Without further explanation (which, at this point, is hardly surprising), the gnome throws open the door and walks into the inn.[sblock=OOC]Sorry for all the railroading at this point (and all throughout the adventure, really - one of the things I'll need to work on for next time), but in the interest of pacing I thought it would be good to push things ahead.  Plus, our two replacements for HolyMan are currently languishing in the DWI, and I didn't want to keep them waiting.  I'm going to do the recruiting in that thread, and then we'll move things back to here.  Thanks for bearing with me.[/sblock]</blockquote>

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