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Six From Gate Pass - Chapter 3: Shelter From The Storm

"I have always had these powers, but they have been growing. Faster and faster, in recent months. I'm not sure, but the other thing is that I have powerful dreams. I dream a LOT."

"The dreams have been getting stronger as well, and I think they are related."
 

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Back at the Inn

Hrimr claps for Kirio's fine performance, he is always amazed by the Bard's talent. He calls Kirio back to his seat and picks up the discussion about the parties' next move.

"Excellent performance Kirio!

I was thinking. After we are settled in our new lodgings I'll will head back to the Lyceum and talk with the druids there. They may give us some insight about the Druid in the swamp, the dragon, and possibly some other information.

As for Lars' plan to infilitrate this thieves guild, it does have some merit. If need be I can transform into an animal to keep an eye on him and assist him if things go wrong. I do wonder though, should we start this plan now or after we come back from the Druid?"
 

Kirio smiles sadly at the dwarf "Thank you for your kind words Hrimr, but that was... disappointing. Last night was so much more.... I was in touch with the emotions of the crowd; able to let the music flow and ebb and bring them right along with me, bringing them and myself on a.... journey..." he sighs "my words fail me. Tonight was... technically proficient, but nothing more."

"Knowledge is needed in both cases. I certainly think we should remain together when we seek out the druid. But I can see no reason for not gathering information on both missions concurrently."
 

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Lars...

"Strange and powerful dreams are a relatively normal occurrence for users of magic," says Theal, "and they can sometimes provide clues as to where your link to magic stems from. For example, a priest may have strange prophetic visions in his sleep about a divine entity or mystic realm that can eventually be linked to his ability to receive powers from said entity or realm. Another is a sorcerer, like us, who dreams of fire in his blood, or soaring on great leathery wings or slumbering in great lairs which can signal his draconic lineage. As a sorcerer grows in power his link can begin to manifest itself physically or mentally, say like developing claws or wings, or access to strange new magic. But I digress on this. Lets return to the issue of your dreams. You say they are potent and increasing in frequency along side with your magical abilities? Are they also increasing in detail and clarity? What do you dream about Lars?"
 
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Lars listens to Theal speak and his eyes open wide in surprise. He answers in a subdued voice, "Yes, you must sense it. I dream of dragons, of flying in dark caves, of great wings beating around me. In my dreams, I am sometimes known as a Child of Trilla." Lars looks carefully at Theal's eyes and face when he says this.
 

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Lars...

[sblock="'for Lars"]Your gut gives you no hunch as to whether he is telling the truth or not.[/sblock]

"I am not sure I sense anything at all my friend," says Theal with a smile, "as it is extremely common for sorcerers to have some kind of draconic lineage, if that is indeed where it stems from. You see, dragons are inherently magical beings. As they age, they begin to be able to manifest different magical powers and spells through their own natural connection to the weave. Young dragons may only have a few powers, but an elder dragon or great wyrm of say, one thousand years of age, could potentially rival archmages in terms of spell casting ability. Some of these dragons, and our ancient history books seem to indicate this, changed forms so that they could walk among the lands and communities of humans, elves and other humanoids. Some took lovers or established relationships and produced offspring that carried strong draconic lineage. Over thousands of years of generations have thinned those bloodlines, but the power in the blood remains. Many do not know their ancient history or genealogy and so it is generally a surprise when one manifests strange magical abilities, usually at a young age." Theal takes a breath before continuing. "But there are other sources as well: creatures from other planes such as angels or demons, fey creatures such as dryads or nymphs, nature, weather, or even dreams themselves. Take me for instance, I still struggle to master my own heritage and the power it brings. Clearly my face shows you that I am the product of an Orc and Human - I know that my magic is somehow connected to my Orcish heritage and I have difficulty in holding back an unnatural rage that is drawn forth when I use my more powerful magic." Theal pours himself a drink from a pitcher of water on his desk and sips it in silence. "Ahhh, that's better. My mouth gets dry when I expound. Anyway, the name you are called in your dream does not offer me any real clues, for I know not what Trilla is, or what it means to be a child of one. Do you dream of anything else? My advice would be to try and remember what you see and experience in your next dream, perhaps even attempt to reach out to it while it is taking place. Perhaps that will shed more light for you, or even give us something else to work with. Ultimately though, know that what you experience is, while unsettling and strange, likely a product of your lineage coming through as you develop your magical aptitudes."
 

Arnir wanders from the conference room into the library and pokes his head in and out of study carrels, seeing what the various students are up to. It has been some time since he has learned in a setting such as this, and though he enjoys adventuring, he feels a few hours of quiet study will be a tonic for his soul.

Before he knows it, 11 hours have past and he makes his way back to the inn just in time to hear Kirio finish up. He sits down happily and hungrily attacks some of the cheese and ale, listening to the others speak. Arnir hacks off a piece of sausage with his finely crafted dagger and as he finishes swallowing some cheese, he says "Let's get on with it then! Let's go see this druid - the longer we wait, the less time we have to prepare for the Ragesians. If there's a reason why he hasn't delivered it, we'll have to encounter it at some point anyway. It's just on the edge of the swamp anyway."

[sblock="for DM"]Arnir casts read magic on three pages, one titled "Steal Voice", "Deep Slumber" and "Lightning Bolt". Using spellcraft, he tries to comprehend the spells before copying them into his own book.[/sblock]
 
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Kirio smiles at Arnir's brashness "HA!, very well, let us set out tomorrow after we settle into our new home, and see if we can find out why this druid has been unable or unwilling to deliver..."
 


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