NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 910028" data-attributes="member: 6783">BustedThe next morning the Count’s visitors took their leave of Parlfray Keep and made the journey back to Thurmaster.  The trip was uneventful and passed quickly, with the group reaching the sleepy little hamlet just after highsun.  Once back in Thurmaster the five companions bid goodbye to Captain Peresten and his crew.  The good captain was sorry to see them go, but he consoled himself that he was saving on the expenses.After arranging for rooms at the Hounds and Tails the five companions went to see Tauster.  Unfortunately they found a note on his door explaining he was busy and that anyone who disturbed him had better have a good reason.  Looking at each the five made a collective shrug and made their way back to what passed for an inn.  None of them enjoyed the prospect of staying at the Hounds and Tails for the night.  Jallarzi lightened the mood considerably when she showcased one of her new spells and magically cleaned and de-ticked their rooms and bedding.  It wasn’t a powerful spell but she earned everyone’s appreciation that night.Later that afternoon, close to sunset, they paid another visit to Tauster’s cottage and found that he was now available.  He looked tired but greeted them with a mixture of awe and pleasure.  His news was good.“The bow from the bandits and the ring are both magical.”  He affirmed.  “The bow’s enchantment is minor but useful.  The ring however…”  He trailed off for a moment.  “The ring is of a power I have seen only a few times before.”  The old man held up the small platinum band.  “The wave pattern is obviously a reference of water so that is where I started.  A basic divination revealed three facts.  The first is that the ring will allow someone to stand over water; walk on the stuff really.”  Tauster shrugged.  “A useful ability but it highlights the second fact which is that there was obviously more to the ring as the spell is only moderately difficult.  The final fact revealed by the spell is that the ring is fractured.  Tauster turned the ring so the inside of the band was displayed a bit more prominently.  “Here.”  He pointed.  “A hairline crack has developed here that circumnavigates half the ring.”  He shook his head.  “I’m not sure what caused it, but based on the power of the ring itself it’s almost certainly the cause of New Mire; a small leak from the Plane of Water.”  Tauster smiled reassuringly then.  “However it’s obviously a slow leak and shouldn’t cause any short term problems.  Just don’t move here.”  The old mage laughed at his little joke.  “At any rate I was interested enough to dip into some more magics and was able to confirm what I just told you.”Naturally this interested everyone greatly.  They were even more interested to learn that the ring had potentially even greater power over all things of water, but the crack rendered those powers unusable.  The gray-haired mage agreed to write a letter to Lord Carmen certifying what he had just told them.  Kestral accepts the ring back from Tauster and with the quiet assent of her friends, puts it on.Later as they bid themselves good night, Kestral stays behind and chats with the old man for a little while longer.  She ends up making a friend of the old mage and discovers that he has settled in Thurmaster due to some conflict with an important person at the Library.  Tauster is mostly philosophical about it now, saying he’s happier outside the politics; but Kestral detects just a hint of fear when he speaks of his falling out.  It’s a late night but eventually she leaves the man in peace and finds her bed at the Hounds and Tail.The next morning the five companions begin their journey back to Milbourne, stopping overnight at Kupier’s farm again.  The former Imperial Scout is glad to see them again and the group enjoys yet another pleasant night before moving on to Milbourne the next morning.Once in Milbourne they promptly head to Lord Carmen’s house and present Tauster’s letter.  The aging landowner looks at the letter with some suspicion but Tauster’s reputation is good in the shire and so Lord Carmen opens his coffers and carefully counts out a measured number of coins and jewels.  That night there is some celebration at the Baron of Mutton.The next day and a half followed pretty quietly.  The group restocked supplies at Rastifer’s General Store (though for some reason they passed up the pickled eel rations) and spent the first morning planning on what they should do next.  It was a toss-up between going back to the abandoned mine where the ogre was taking up habitation or in exploring the Thornwood where the flying bandit had escaped.   Eventually they decided on the mines, but Ashimar and Kestral insisted on waiting for something just outside of town the next morning.  Kellron was the only one of them unaware that Lyntern was due to meet them.  Suspicious, he agreed, deciding to take a wait and see approach.When the morning came, gray and overcast, the five friends left the sleepy little town of Milbourne and made their way to a small glade about a mile east of town.  There they waited.And waited.By sundown it was clear that Lyntern wasn’t coming.  Ashimar and Kestral looked at Kellron.“We have to tell you something.”  They said, almost in unison.“Sarath.”  Swore the Paladin.  “What have you two done now?”</blockquote>

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