14 Nighthal
At dusk, four cloaked figures were attempting to slip through the people, many were workers heading to their evening destinations, whether home or night festivities, others to drown sorrows and pain. More street children were about as the day was ending, taking advantage of the distracted crowds to fill empty bellies and pouches. Back again before the Orlesithek Estate gate, the entry process was much quicker, and they were before Lyra.
"Very good. I expected a bit more trouble," Lyra sipping her wine as the group sat on the plush chairs before her, "My agents confirm the gnome's disgrace and I assume you have the real research?"
The papers were set on the short table in front of them along with the empty vial. The calishite woman appeared from the shadows to take up the papers.
"all of them? including the copies?" looking to the two males first then the females to read their reactions. The tabaxi's tail was swishing giving away nervousness.
Zyne sighed, pulling forth a parchment and setting it down with a hmph.
Lyra smiled and nodded to the other woman who half bowed and departed the room. A shadowed figure remained behind in the corner, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Every time anyone directly looked, they only saw the deepest darkness and powerful radiating magic mingled with a sense of dread and fear. Jinx looked to the others to see if they felt it, noting Zarae distracted with staring into that corner. The tabaxi leaned over to whisper, the drowess just shook her head.
Scanning and shuffling through the pages, "word on who helped the gnome?" as she noticed the additional markings in clearly different handwriting.
Jinx walked over to point to a word on a particular page- Warryn. Lyra nodded her thanks as she continued skimming the research.
"Anything else you discovered?"
"Can you get us in the Tunnels?" asked the tabaxi to the puzzlement once again of her companions.
"Why? you think this is connected with this Warryn?" thinking as her eyes remained on the papers, "I could get you into the Tunnels. But unless you are in need to rid less than legal items or gain them, it might not do you much with so little information."
"a mole took out a merchant, I think he was, Imsh?"
"I had heard about him getting taken. I could use some help if…"
Interrupting with frustration, "we did our part," Zyne started, then all bluster flown from him as he looked into the bard's eyes. He also didn't want to be involved releasing a justified arrest. And considering what they been working with, he could assume.
After a few moments, Lyra looked up from the pages, slightly annoyed but let it go, "about the location of this Vale, we have as expected, found little direct information. You will need to check with more libraries and piece together the entirety."
Interrupted by Jinx, "we figured that much. We need a starting point. Something we don't already know."
Managing to hold her temper, "you don't know how many are hunting you down. How powerful they really are or how they are attempting to complete their true task now with the setback. So let me finish," the smile had faded, but she continued, "you need to begin researching high magic."
Tahlethar was taken aback at this, "Arselu'Tel'Quess?" incredulously.
She looked back to the figure in the corner who gave a light nod for her to continue, "I think forming a way to the Waymeet can be reopened by collecting powerful magic 'seeds' and creating a mythal. As simple as that sounds…"
"Selu'taar," whispered, then translated for the non-elves, "high mages, are rare and dying out, and with the rules of Mystra, this is nearly impossible," Tahlethar added for her.
A nod of agreement from the white elf.
Zarae looked back to the shadowed power in the corner, now she was feeling a strong sense of curiosity from it to match her own, "what is the Waymeet?" eyes blazing violet as her gaze returned to the albino and cleric.
"If it truly exist," Tahlethar gave the impression he wasn't sure he believed it, "The Last Mythal of Aryvandaar," he answered, "it was a powerful interplanar mythal created by Aryvandaar mages during the height of their rule, linking the elven realms and other planes. But that is old lore barely spoken of and that is all I can tell you about it." Though he hid his thoughts about it still surviving this long. Mythals were living magic and thus potentially become corrupted or destroyed. Reaching deeper into his memory, he thought he heard about a powerful high mage destroying the Waymeet or access to it. But if they could create a path to reopen it…
"What about the Cult then?" Zyne asked, thinking more practically.
"You stole the clue from them that was etched in that human's flesh. But it will be a matter of time before they discover the need to create a passage also in reaching the Vale." She hid a smirk of knowing.
"so, to clarify," Jinx trying to get her mind around this, "creating this mythal to provide the way to a Waymeet which provides a portal to the Vale. Our rivals believe this Vale can provide knowledge, access, or a means to get to the tarrasque, if it even truly exists?"
"Good summary."
"Do we know why they want this beastie?"
"Other than power and destruction? Have to ask them," Lyra seamed to think about it as she was reading their reactions, "Yall do have an advantage over them."
"Our good looks?" Zarae retorted sarcastically, then answered more seriously upon the scowl from Lyra, "darthiir on our side?"
Tahlethar, and Zyne assumed she meant Lyra and agreed. Jinx thought it might be closer to the group and was referring to the cleric with them.
"So where do we start on that?" Jinx asked her companions.
The bard leaned back in her seat, "I believe seeking tel'kiira, lore gems. Possibly consider exploring Myth Drannor's library." Looking to each of the group and ending on Zarae, thinking whether to give the next piece of information, then decided the risk would be worth it, "if you happen to travel to Cormanthor, I would consider speaking with House Jaelre in Minauthkeep to talk with an elder priest with knowledge of the Great Art."
"A drow house?" the cleric narrowing his eyes at Lyra with suspicion, "there cannot be Dhaerow," then clear his throat in a partial apology to Zarae, "drow, who are capable of such discipline. The need to work together in such an intimate way?" the whole idea of drow being able to work such magic was outrageous to him.
"These are not Ssinssriggorbb, Spider-Kissers," Lyra was quick to add not hiding the anger that bubbled forth, then remember needing to be careful how much more she should say around the elf. "As I said, it is a suggestion," calming down, "here," then handed the young drowess a small black metal ring on a chain, "this should help with negotiations if you go that route."
"Why would we trust these drow? House Jaelre are not followers of the Dark Maiden so that leaves only a few options left."
"That ring of mine, several of the members there will know well. I make many partnerships and allies. As Lady Aunrae knows." A reminder of her connection to the Eilistraeen community. "I nearly forgot. There is a dark elf Selu'taar in Rhymanthiin on the High Moor. I believe his name is Q'arlynd and his daughter Xunrae are, or were at the School of Ancient Arcana."
"I seriously doubt this Q'arlynd is a castor of such Art," he said more to himself.
"Believe what you will."
"the high Moor is a blasted wasteland," Zyne added.
"mostly still is. There has been developments by goodly dark elves and a host of other powerful mages in rebuilding."
"I heard about an attempt to start rebuilding the ancient kingdom of Miyeritar," Tahlethar said thoughtfully. "but that was mostly passing rumors. I assumed."
"why does that sound familiar?" Zarae asked.
"elven history, Crown Wars, the Dark Disaster. Better discussion for another time," guessing the drowess' knowledge would have to be corrected anyway.
"any other places we need to visit besides several elven libraries?" asked Jinx, then looked at the cleric, "or those mages?"
"If you are taking a land route, not too far from here is Monastery of St Final with their extensive library of the region," the szarkai suggested. "Aunrae asked I find an elusive ally of hers," handed a small parchment to Zyne with a map of the Wealdath forest. "I could point you to several other mages, but the more you get involved, the more potential dangers of the Cult getting information.," looking to see if she should continue, "Aneksi in Ularith, Anauroch, Red wizard Jesket Kizzaf,"
a shake of the head 'no!' from Zyne. He would not seek any red wizards and that was final, a cross of his arms to emphasis his point.
The white elf then looking directly to Zyne, "You will not want to visit 'Mage Slayer' Abalajar Ocerat, but he is a powerful diviner."
"Mage slayer? Sounds pretensions," the scout commented.
"…or ironic for a mage," the rogue added.
Watching as the four were thinking through their next steps, "I could 'divine' more information for another job," Lyra asked.
Zyne answered before the others could, "if we deem this man worth breaking out of jail, we might consider helping ye," eyeing her suspiciously.
"He has a family, if that helps?"
"Ha. So do most people who deserve jail."
"where's the job?" the drowess asked.
"A jail near the docks, Primary Rehabilitative Institution Saving Outlandish Ne'erdowells (P.R.I.S.O.N.).
"oh, that jail?" Tahlethar replied sarcastically. Then as everyone looked to him to explain, "just the most secure in the city."
"I would settle for information gleamed from among my lower ranks. Merchants in the Tunnels. You," motioning to the tabaxi, "were asking about them anyway. Two rabbits with one arrow."
"what about Fin'are Nhaendrin?" Tahlethar asked as they were leaving the estate gate while the dwarf was studying the map he had been giving. Zyne handed it to the elf who studied the map. She doesn't make it easy does she, the elf thought to himself. Then noted that Fin'are might be near one of the elven settlements or even former Myth Rynn.
The four were heading twords the dangerous Cuttback Kat Alley; it was full dark, the sun set and the city alight with lanterns. The relief of the harsh sunlight was welcome for Zarae, though she still walked about completely covered. They arrived in the district deemed the Slums. Several shady people watched with suspicion as the unusual band made their way through. The streets were dark and poorly lit as they wound through them. From the shadows, cold, appraising eyes watched them pass. They couldn't help but draw attention, dressed far above the average member. A woman in dark robes headed down the street twords the four. She was joined by two others, coming in from behind and the left side. The drowess well aware what was coming sighed, hand moving to the hidden daggers in her bracer. They had been warned that just wearing the wrong cloth and stitch can bring down a load of trouble.
"You lot look a li'l lost," a male straightening his tunic and drawing forth a large dagger.
"More like being somewhere you don't belong," a younger male added from behind.
"We already went through this the other night. Left some dead. Really do not have time for this," Jinx hand going to an arrow in her quiver.
Zarae threw her cowl back, allowing her silvery hair and ebon skin to show. Two of the ruffians went wide-eyed, pausing in their pursuit.
The other one, steeled himself as he drew a shortsword, "you owe us for being in our territory."
Another two were made visible as they stepped closer to the group, crossbows at the ready. "We outnumber you," the male who wasn't afraid.
"Masked Shadows," she name dropped, hoping to bluff, "won't stand you impeding our work." Zarae then called upon the natural shadows around her forming it into a draconic shape. While it wasn't super large, it had the effect she was going for. The shadow figure slinked around as commanded to grapple the one of the ruffians. Three of the six decided the group wasn't worth it. These were not just rich merchants wandering into the wrong area but seasoned adventurers.
"Who outnumbers who now?" the drowess stepping forward as menacingly as she could, closing her fist and directing the shadow to tighten its hold as she played on her hated heritage. She had to hide the exertion controlling the shadow had on her.
The male backstepped as the drowess closed the gap between them. The shadow softly dropped the woman to the street, unconscious. The action was enough for the male to take his eyes off Zarae; she used the opportunity, calling on the shadows again and then was suddenly behind him, blade on his throat. "I suggest you leave us to our Guild business," she whispered harshly in his ear.
Zyne was starting the motions of a spell as Jinx, arrow knocked and aimed, was flanking the male. Ther elven cleric stood, arms out in a challenge, playing up the powerful guild stereotype. The man seeing he had little options, agreed and when released from the blade of the dark elf left the four adventurers to themselves; they werent worth it, especially if they were apart of the Masked Shadows. The remaining ruffians too slinked back into their hidey-holes and left the companions alone. But eyes continued to follow the companions.
Brom and the wolf were back at Lyra's estate by noon. They had rested from their 'adventure' in a Sune Temple for a few hours, waiting to see if they were going to be hunted down. The two were rather conspicuous in Almraiven. Lyra was to keep him from retaliation, planting false information about the intruders. but he truly couldn't rely on her to keep up that part of the bargain. The crowds had given them a wide berth while traversing the streets as they headed into the Kingscourt district.
The albino lead them into the conference room and offered refreshments, which Ariali was eager to enjoy. She hadn't realized how hungry until she sat to eat. Brom refused to partake, eager to get the information from her and get back to his boss. The tome he fetched from the Fingers' was set on the table, but he did not remove his hand from it.
"you want this, I suggest you speak, elf."
Lyra reclined casually, seemingly unconcerned. She nodded to the aasimir acknowledgement of fulfilling his end, acquiring the documents and confirming Jacq's demise. A motion of her hands and speaking the spell, an image of a map appeared above the table. It wasn't anything Brom recognized nor anything that would appear on any maps of Faerûn.
"the only way I can find reaching the Vale you seek is hunting down the Nexus Waymeet. That will provide a portal to the plane the Vale exist on."
Brom tried to keep his face expressionless but couldn't hide that he had no idea what this was. There was no way of knowing what Helmyn knew, and it wouldn't be good for him to not get the information if she didn't. Lyra smiled, understanding his conflict. She waited for him to decide to hand over the tome in his possession for more. Brom hadn't been able to open the magical book, nor did he learn anything further from it; he gave in, slid it over to her.
"the Waymeet is a interplanar gate system of ancient Tel-quess. I suggest you seek the elven libraries or…" she paused as if to think about it, "or The Black Library."
Brom scowled, his irritation at the riddles and bites of information she was dropping. Lyra decided to give him a little more, explaining they should search in the Library of Tarchamus about Netherese magic and mythallars specifically. The library was not going to be an easy find. But since the recent fall of the City of Shade on Myth Drannor, there could be refugees to speak to. Lyra had left out the fall of Myth Drannor with the previous group intentionally. Feeling generous, or perhaps a hidden agenda, Lyra offered more she'd found. The best place, in her estimation, to create a portal to the Waymeet was in the Great Desert where magical energies and earth nodes met; this would require seeking from old lore of the Nethrese to pinpoint the exact location. She however intentionally left out any information about high magic creating a means to the Nexus. It was going to be interesting pitting the two groups against each other. She did inform the aasimir that she already spoke to the rival group and they had a head start. It was interesting to her to see the warlock thinking through and plotting his next moves. He absentmindedly was petting the wolf who was clearly not enjoying the touch.
"What elves would be willing to speak with us about this," he asked aloud thinking through the information she had shared. He knew she was holding back but had little else he was willing to barter at the moment.
"mage Q'arlynd at school of Ancient Arcana in the High Moor might be willing."
"and why would you share this willingly?" he asked suspiciously.
"I may have reasons. Nothing to damage your Cult. Assure your lady of that. I have an invested interest in you finding more."
"your interest doesn't provide much information."
"How much more than you had since you lost your first clue?"
Touche
Ariali was stepping through the portal, followed by Brom, into the gloomy stoned chamber. They left Lyra's place with the next best clue since losing the fortune teller. As Brom took a seat at is desk, he pondered the information the bard had given him. How much of it was genuine and how much was she speaking with half-truths? The warlock sensed she was holding back, intentionally toying with him. With what he had, he wasn't sure if he should take it to Helmyn just yet. The old tortle was rather volatile and unpredictable lately. He wanted real substantial information that could be acted upon then and there. The setback with Eris had cost him a lot of her good graces. Finding this library might should be his next step; but the aasimir wasn't looking forward to study and research. Another idea came to him. If Lyra was playing the two competing groups, as he suspected, then perhaps he could get what they knew. He looked at his pet who had obediently returned to her place as was routine. He debated with himself, deciding he would go with it.
Up and walking over to Ariali, "I have a better idea." Calling on the power of his primordial patron, she felt the powerful magic flow through her. "I want you to insert yourself into the group of companions that mage elf spoke about. Stay with them and alert me to what they know and where they go. You will not speak aout this. Remember what can happen if you disappoint me?" the geas spell taking effect.
He inserted a pebble sized gem into the leather of the slave collar, chanting a few words to activate the spell. The gem momentarily grew in blue brilliance then faded back to a dull blue-grey. It was a sending stone allowing her to send and receive messages from him.
A sad sigh-whine from the black wolf. But she lowered her head in acknowledgment of this mission. At least he wasn't sending her to assassinate them yet.
"yes use your best means. But know, you are mine. And I will know," pointing to his neck. A reminder of the deep gnome who was killed from the collar removal. "we need to find the most opportune time. I suggest we wait for them to depart Almraiven. I think I know how you can. Too many dangerous creatures outside the city."
Brom left his wold in the chamber and headed to his own room. He began rifling through his tomes and scrolls of his extensive library. Seeking something about the Netherese. Most of what he had was generic information about the people who resided in the ancient magocratic nation of Netheril. The warlock did see a passage about how some of the people of Low Netheril coalesced with the native Tethyrian tribes. Another tome recounted basic history, how the Netherese were introduced to the Art by the elves of Eaerlann, the height of their power, and their fall due to Karsus, causing most of the flying cities of Netheril to come crashing down. That reminded him of Lyra's information about the City of Shade's recent fall. After checking out the Black Library, he'd head to Cormanthor.
His research was interrupted by a summoning. Helmyn's voice was heard through the scrying device seeking to be updated on what he learned from the elven witch. The tortle warlock, having been in search of the Black library for some time, informed Brom about its possible locations she narrowed it down to. The library was secret and nearly impossible to find. But she was certain it was hidden deep inside the Nether Mountains. Before Helmyn departed from the scrying, she suggested Brom speak with Bevurth Ossabish, the white dragonborn astrologer that led one of the Cult cells nearest the High Forest.
After informing Brom what she knew of the library, "We have been searching ancient libraries for years. So why do you think this one has information?" the tortle asked, surprisingly in a good mood.
"We did not have anything about the Nexus portal system. We know the Netherese mages took queues from the ancient elves."
"did she reveal anything further?" the tortle asked.
"Send Reyxidor to an elven mage, Q'arlynd, in the High Moor."
"you realize how large the Moor is?"
"if it is an Arcane school, shouldn't be hard to find on the blasted plain."