"...I think I am needed here more than elsewhere. I am sorry," Sariel replies. She then shifts her gaze to the half-orc and gives him a nod, "But I can still help. I believe I know just the thing."

Elayne bows to the party, saying, "So, I take it you will be going to the arcane tower, then? I wish you the best of luck."

>>3652
Expecting a sarcastic remark from Sariel, the orc looks a bit surprised, and then he reply to the Elayne.
"... Actually, we haven't discussed it yet, but I'm not sure if going to the Shadowfell is a better idea"

Sariel takes the materials that Sureiya offers, and tells him, "It will take some time to enchant the bracers. Why don't you finish any other business you have, then return?"

With this, the party makes to leave the Arcanimus. Immediately upon exit, they are confronted by a familiar golden-haired male human sorcerer in luxurious-looking black and gold robes. Valanor addresses you immediately, "Ah, good. Thelkra informed me of your return. I wanted to discuss the matter of the wizard cave with you..."

"Ms. Sariel, I have a request as well ..." The shaman opens her inquisitive's kit, and pulls out a pair of goggles. "Can this be made more useful in combat situations?" Goggles of Aura Sight.

Before the party departs, Sariel also accepts the shaman's request, with the materials the shaman provides.

>>3654
"The tower?" Sureiya replies. " We were informed of a wizard tower. Do you have any information of it to us?"

"Well," begins the rather handsome human, "I'll let you be the judge of whether or not my information is useful. Actually, I knew an associate of Gallard's. He was... well, I wouldn't call him a friend, exactly. More of a rival. in any case, his name was Halvangh. When Gallard departed Baldur's Gate, I noted that Halvangh did did not depart with him."

Valanor loses himself in thought for a moment, pacing slightly, then slowly turns back towards the group and says, "I am curious as to his current status. We may not have gotten along well, but it would behoove me to keep an eye on the old fool regardless. In any case, I ask that if you happen to encounter Halvangh in the tower, that you show him this." With these words, the sorcerer holds out a small pendant. Its design is a golden triangle bearing a sort of stylized dragon design, attached to a thin iron chain. It appears to fit a medium humanoid well enough. "This should prove that you are friends of mine. It would behoove you to inform him of the situation at hand--he worked closely with Gallard, and even if the eladrin himself is not present, Halvangh should be able to help you locate what you need amongst the numerous tomes and artifacts that are certainly filling that tower."

>>3660
Sureiya analyze the proposal for a second, and then ask.
"Is possible for Halvangh to be living in that tower? Considering the foul creatures that could be living around there ...
And furthermore, Did you mention the word "rival" just a second ago? Wouldn't showing the pendant to him cause to react in a improper way?"
The orc make a brief pause and then continue: "I'm not trying to be distrustful, but the situation is a bit confusing"

"Ah, of course" Valanor replies, still holding out the talisman. "No, you are right to have concerns. Allow me to put them to rest. Yes, I did say 'rival.' However, Halvangh is not a target of mine, and thus he has no need to be concerned. We are not enemies. He was never much for battle, at any rate. This talisman is a relic from the pre-Spellplague era--it bears the symbol of the Dragonsworn clan, from before the unification of the tribes into Many-Arrows." The sorcerer nods at the talisman he is holding, and says, "If you show him this, and tell him that you are friends, it should be enough to convince him to aid you."

The Dragonsworn symbol?

"Mr. Valanor, could you tell us how this came into your possession?"

The human sorcerer nods. "Certainly. I obtained this particular relic from a deceased orc, who had tossed it aside. I thought it might come in handy someday. You see, Halvangh studied the Dragonsworn clan due to its proximity to the leyline which Gallard was researching. I am to understand that many of the rituals of the Dragonsworn clan were kept in the tomes within that tower."

>>3671
...Just how old is he?

Accepting the talisman, the shaman asks,
"A deceased orc? Could you tell us in detail?"

Valanor nods as the shaman accepts the talisman, but frowns a bit at the question, and replies almost apologetically, "I wish I could, but I'm afraid even I don't know the fate of Ragrim Dragonsworn. I presume he is dead because though I was much younger when I knew him, he was at an advanced age, for an orc. His natural lifespan has long since expired... but the truth of the matter is that he simply disappeared. I'm afraid I can't say much more than that... but do try to hold onto that pendant. I would like to have it back someday, when we next meet."

>>3677
Torinn gives Valanor a stern look for what could be taken as looting, and inquires, "So how did you come to own it after he disappeared?"

"Suffice it to say, it was passed onto me. Someday, I will pass it on as well... though I would rather not talk about it too much, as it's a long story," Valanor replies, seeming a bit overwhelmed by all the questions.

>>3677
This could be important.

"Please, if it's not too much to ask, would you spare just a few details about Mr. Ragrim Dragonsworn?"

"Well," Valanor begins, looking as though he's fumbling over his words a bit, quite out of character for a normally composed and handsome-looking sorcerer, "Ragrim Dragonsworn was the last chieftain of the Dragonsworn tribe. I'm afraid I didn't know him too well... we only met a few times. Not much information remains on him, either." Suddenly, the sorcerer seems to snap out of his daze and smiles at you, gesturing helpfully, "Ah, but I bet Halvangh would know quite a bit more about Ragrim Dragonsworn. I believe he lived alongside the Dragonsworn orcs for quite some time. His library may be one of the last sources of information on the Dragonsworn clan remaining in Faerun."

>>3682
One of the last, huh. "Can you recall your impression of him?"

Insight http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3114645/

Bernkastel (Insight): Valanor clearly seems to be dancing around some uncomfortable subject matter, but it seems as though he is also trying to be honest with his words.

The human sorcerer scratches his head briefly before replying, "He was a very focused individual. When he set on a task at hand, he would not falter for anything. And yet... caring. I believe there were people he cared for, dearly. He was loyal to his draconic allies, and a determined leader to his people. Beyond that, I don't know if I can be of much more help regarding Ragrim."

Seeing the Wizard a bit tired of the questions, suggest a small break.
"Excuse the interruption, but I think our group is quite tired, if nobody else suggest something else we may go to get a good rest.
Even then, we still don't tell the Duke our decision so we got some free time. If we happen to have any other question regarding that tower, is possible to find you again?"

Take a moment to examine the talisman.

"I'm afraid I have important business to attend to tomorrow... but we shall meet again, I guarantee it," Valanor says, bowing apologetically.

When Bernkastel examines the talisman, she doesn't find much other than the appearance of lightweight gold carved into a triangle, with a stylized dragon etched onto the front. She sense no magic within the item, or anything special about it whatsoever.

Torinn watches Valanor leave, then turns back to the group, "I was planning to head down to the market to buy something. Is anybody else coming with me, or are you all going to the inn?"

We are implying Valanor already retired here.
"I don't mind taking a detour, you see I suggested retiring because you were bombarding that guy with questions."

The shaman follows Valanor out of the group's earshot. "Mr. Valanor, just one more thing."

"We should go as soon as everyone is ready, wait a second, where is that suspicious shaman?"
Sureiya noticed "Bernkastel" approaches again to Valanor, and follow her trying to don't be noticed
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3116461/

Valanor faces the shaman with a curious look, inquiring, "Hmm? Was there something else, young lady?" If he's even paying attention to the ranger's attempt at stealth, he isn't showing it.

The shaman glances around for a moment, and after a pause, hands Valanor a note. It reads: 'are you really a dragon?'

minor creation for paper, prestidigitation for the text

Myn continues to breathe regularly, blinking every once in a while.

Sariel quietly rejoins her old party members, looking sullen.

"Say... you guys are headed to that Wizard's Tower, right?" Rather than await an answer, she frantically shakes her head and adds, "It's not that I felt compelled to help my old allies, or something, I just need to go there, too... and, y'know, it'd be safer in a group."

>>3707
Torinn could have sworn Sariel said she didn't want to go. But he's pleasantly surprised she changed her mind, then.

"Understood, and thank you for helping us out. It's good to have you traveling with us again."

>>3707
Michael tries to stifle a grin after being surprised at Sariel's return and can only say, after nodding at her question, as much as,"Well... erm... Nice to have you with us again, Miss Sariel."

>>3708
"I- I'm not helping you out!" Sariel cries, exasperated. "I told you, I- I just happen to have to go there as well, that's all."

>>3710
"...I'll do my best to protect you, then."

>>3707

"Your company is welcome, Miss Sariel. Having the perspective of a second arcanist will surely be of great value in such a place."

Valanor looks at the shaman's paper. His eyes widen a bit, then he faces "Bernkastel," smiles, and walks away.

>>3712
Sariel shoots a glare at Myn. She still remembers him as that sorceror filth, those talentless, cheating, lying bastards who take power by bedding a creature with genuine talent.

Of course, she doesn't give him a response, but instead says to the Paladin, "Just don't forget, I've business there myself, too."

>>3710
"Either way, I welcome you back. You've been a great help whenever you've joined us on an adventure. Hopefully you can find whatever it is you need at this tower.."

...I see.

The shaman returns to the party... "Did I miss something?"

Speak with Spirits + Insight, http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3117462/

Surprised by the Shaman and the Wizard actions, Sureiya end his "stalking" and ask "Bernkastel"
"What was just that? What did you ask to Sir Valanor?"

>>3718
...?? How does he know?

Looking at the ranger questioningly, the shaman responds, "What do you mean, Mr. Sureiya?"

>>3715
"Then as long as you're traveling with us, I would appreciate it if you could enchant something for my companion."

Torinn whistles, a mist swirling nearby. A white horse whinnies and clops out of the mist like a ghost, stopping in front of the dragonborn and snorting.

"I'd like some tougher barding than what he has now. I can give you the reagents necessary for the ritual, or do you need something else?"

>>3721
"... I'll be an hour." Sariel gets to work on making the bardings.

>>3719
"I was looking for you, and honestly I couldn't hear a thing of what you said to sir Valanor but ..." Suddenly, something else took Sureiya attention.
"Is that Sariel?"
"Hey, good to see you around, I didn't know you knew how to use a sword!"

With the reagents and materials in hand, Sariel finds an appropriate spot to begin the enchantments and gets to work. The rest of the group goes about their business in town, before converging on the high-class inn, the Helm and Cloak, where the grand duke had reserved accommodations for the night.

Everyone make sure to subtract the gold for your purchases, I'll be checking your sheets tomorrow.

Bernkastel (Insight): You have an exceptionally difficult time reading Valanor. You only know that you can read his expression as a "knowing smile."

Sureiya quickly forgets about the incident, and try to rest a bit in the inn.

At the inn, Torinn sends his horse to the stables to be cared for before it's dismissed.

In the inn, Sureiya will try to relax a bit making use of the Duke's wine. He consider the guys in the group something more than simple coworkers, and will probably have a conversation with anyone willing to spend some time.

New thread:
>>3744
Michael, you may post the details of your meeting with the courier here or in the other thread, if you wish!

It had been a while since him and the other members of the party had been able to relax in an Inn like this. No sooner than he had started to relax though, he was receiving a knock at the door of his room that he has a visitor. Perplexed that he would have one outside of his party, he answered the door with caution. As it turned out it was someone he knew that worked with him and his Father from the East Rift, sent to deliver some sort of family Heirloom to him. After catching up a bit and receiving a letter from his family, Michael writes one back detailing a little it of the goings on lately and some warnings to be careful or on the lookout from these sort of things. The armor in question is a Magic Scale Armor, which Michael equips now that he's been better trained on how to use them. Tomorrow he's going to maybe ask Sariel to disenchant his old armor and modify the armor he has just received. He sends his friend off with thanks and in the letter he wrote, asks for his family to pay the person who delivered these things a little extra as thanks.