Searching for dragons. Part I.

[Kredine]

The books in this room are almost entirely spell books, and through your searches you see no mention of dragons. You carefully avoid the spine of the trapped book, glimpsings only the words "I prepared .... .... morning", but not enough to trigger the spell.
You do however find four books in languages you do not recognise. The final of these is the nausea inducing book. At each end of the spine is a golden shield, with words you cannot comprehend between them.

[Orran]

Spellbooks are completely worthless to the sorcerer, so he naturally ignores them. This nausea inducing book seems to be the likely target, afterall ashala did say he would know it when he saw it. He puts it into the haversack and leaves the rest of the bookshelf alone.

Turning to look at the chests, he faces a tough decision, they are clearly protected, but is it worth investigating them further. This is a robbery after all, but the temptation to slip in, grab what he came for and slip out is pretty strong. In the end he decides to leave them, there's one more important thing to do first.

Leaving the bedroom almost entirely untouched, he heads back to the first room, takes down 'the history of the greater dragons' and 'the eternal dragon war' and sets them on the floor in front of him. Then he gets out his writing materials, and uses the amanuensis spell to start copying the books. The process takes 1 minute per 250 words. On a whim, he also decides to try and copy the magical book.
Amanuensis is unable to copy magical text, so if the text itself has magical qualities, his attempt should fail. Success would indicate that the spells magical aura is an imitation.

Kane flies to the hallway and hides next to the window, keeping an eye out, ready to warn strixi through their empathic and telepathic links.

[Roll="Hide"] 1d20+14 [/roll]

[Orran]

Let's try that again.
"hide" - (1d20+14)[19]

[Kredine]

The first two books copy without issue, filling the provided books appropriately.
The third one also begins copying, but as the pages fill, they begin to erase almost as quickly.

The books take roughly forty minutes to finish copying.

[Orran]

Satisfied with the progress, Strixi returns the books to their positions, stashes the stolen book and their copies, and absconds the way he came in. Kane accompanies.

He returns to the worthless rest and more specifically his room, flying in the window if possible. If not he dismisses his spell and goes in the main entrance. Once there he takes the book out of his haversack and attempts to identify it. (As the spell)

Kane has a nap, he's worked hard today.
Timecheck?

Spoiler

Show

Spellcount
Cantrips 0/6
1st: 3/7
2nd: 6/7
3rd: 5/6

[Kredine]

[Time ~230pm]

You attempt to identify the item. Normally the knowledge of an item would flow through your brain, like a rush of ecstasy filling your brain with information.

This identify is not normal.

Every inch of your head screams in agony, as though the book itself opposes you with all its might. You sight is engulfed by a white light before you drop to the floor.

There is a girl kneeling before an alter.

The room spins around you, you sense rebelling against you.

She is praying. Chanting an old tongue

A high pitch ringing invades your ears. Your stomach convulses.

From her back spreads two, beautiful angel wings

Liquid spews from your mouth. There are knocks at the door.

Light surrounds her

"Strixi?!"

Something stirs behind her

"Strixi!!"

And then it leaps

Your room door bursts open, Ashara rushing to your side.

Eventually your senses return. You are sat up against the bed, Ashara tending to the fluids spilled from your mouth.

"I should have warned you about that ey?" She says, laughing, but not earnestly. "My apologies little kobold"

[Orran]

"What? No, I just ate too much meat for breakfast. Must have caught up with me during my siesta." he says casually, like being found throwing up on yourself is completely normal. "Oh what an interesting book, I wonder where it came from." he adds conspiratorially.

[Kredine]

"It comes from long, long ago little kobold. From the very beginnings of this great city"

Seeing you awake, and arguably okay, her attitude picks up.

"But that's not important now is it?"

She walks over to the book, picking it up and throwing the papers towards you.

"If you find anything marked with these golden shields, I would avoid casting magic on them in the future."

She walks out of the room muttering to herself.

"The old ways do not like the new ways"

She's about to close the door when she turns and says

"Oh, tonight's room is on me."

[Orran]

"Much appreciated Ash, one more thing though. I'll be up here for a couple of hours studying, soon a stallkeeper looking for me should come in, could you send word when he does please?"

Assuming she does, the kobold sets to work reading through his new reading material, just getting a feel of it for the moment, working out what sort of times the books cover, and how close the authors were to the source material. Perhaps if they're still alive, visiting them could be a logical next step.

Kane fiercely continues his nap.

[Kredine]

[Current date 4th day of the 6th moon, 4335]

The first title, 'The history of the Greater Dragons', was published in the year 4303. The book seems to mostly a collection of other people's information. The author - Periast Dregary - has however collected information from many, many sources.

The second title, 'The Eternal Dragon War' is more recent, published in 4314 by a one Lieutenant Reeoshkin. The book details many first hand accounts of incidents between the forces of Bahumat and Tiamat, as well as a wealth of secondary research. The author however is a Dragonborn of Bahumat.

[Time : ~ 3:30pm]

You are not expecting your guest for another few hours at least.

[Orran]

Pleased with his fantastic finds, Strixi has an idea, taking a note of the authors, he stashes away his books and goes downstairs.

"Change of plans Ash, I'll be back in an hour or two."

He takes a quick look at his new papers, then heads for one of the libraries he was told about. Attempting to stay out the way of anymore guards if possible (take 10 on hide for 20.)
Question: do the papers describe the bearer at all? (Would be pretty useless if not)

[Kredine]

[The papers of passing describe the bearers name, race and reason for having the papers. The papers also describe where you can access in the city. Yours gives you free movements through the Common Grounds and the entire middle circle, excluding the Eklion District and the King's Market. The ones Ashara gaves you had these details filled in, describing you, when she gave them to you.]

Within the city there are many libraries. There are two in the Common grounds, one in the Temple District, one in Auderran Park, one in Sister's Court and one in the Eklion District. Given the size of the city, the only one you are likely to make it to, search through, and return in time is the one in the Sister's Court.

Updated Osmath Map : http://imgur.com/Yt3Uah6

[Side Note. Traversal time across the city may fluctuate until I have things nailed down.]

[Orran]

[Perfect]

Strixi heads to the sister's library, in his native form, which is no slower than a normal tallfolk. Overall he's feeling good about how things have gone so far. With one small exception, he hasn't had any issues. The humans weren't even as bad as expected, one day they could even come to appreciate dragon rule, as kobolds do.

Definitely still much to do though.

[Kredine]

As you are leaving the bar you are confronted by two armoured men.

"Excuse me Sir. We're looking for a Kobold who escaped Red custody earlier today. Could I see your papers of passing please?"

[Orran]

"Of course, is he considered dangerous?" the kobold asks as he produces his papers.

[Kredine]

"Thank, er, Strixi. We have yet to ascertain his motives, but we cannot risk putting anyone at risk. Even you good folk in the pits."

He passes back the papers.

"Well everything seems to be in order with you. Good day"

[Orran]

"I thank you for your concern, good day gentlemen." he says, feeling a little smug. Assuming there are no further interruptions, he makeshis way to the library.

[Kredine]

You make your way to the Sister's Court. Unsurprisingly, you are stopped at the entryway to the district. Two ladies, clad in shining armour stop you.

You notice each of the ladies has two white shields adorned on their armour.

"What business do you have with the Sister's kobold?"

[Orran]

"I merely wish to visit your library for research. There is an author I have an interest in and I hope you have some of his works." Strixi says, entirely truthfully, adding "I have papers of passing."

[Kredine]

One of the ladies takes your papers, examining carefully.

"Hmm. Everything seems to be in order here."

She passes the papers back.

"The Court is a highly regulated area, you will have to be escorted while you are within it"

She touches the shield on her chest before saying to the air

"Escort to the Sister's Library"

Within a few minutes another armour clad woman arrives.

"Follow me please Kobold"

[Orran]

"Very well. It is only a short visit anyway." Says the kobold, and follows the sister. As he walks, he examines his surroundings, curious about the areas purpose. After a while, curiosity gets the better of him.

"Tell me sister, what is your role in this city? Religious leaders?"

[Kredine]

"New to the Zeta Isles?"

She says, looking at you curiously.

"Religous, yes. Leaders, no. We are part of the Order, though we act independently from the council. The sister's court is the central command for the sister's across the isles. Any other questions little one?"

[Orran]

"In a way, it was only recently I left my tribe. We are very isolated and our home is far removed from politics with humans." from what he had gathered, differentiating himself from the kobolds who followed this 'kredine' would only make him look better.

"I see. In our society everyone answers to the all-watcher, acting independently is not generally encouraged. Unless a great scaled one patronizes us, then some of our greatest serve directly."

When prompted for any other questions a thought strikes Strixi "When I entered the city, I met a dragonborn named Baldeen. What can you tell me of him, is he one of yours?" If he was to be escorted, he may as well make small talk.

[Kredine]

"I See. The broken isles I assume? As for Baldeen, if memory serves he's a captain in the law enforcement division. A green to most. You'll find no men in the sisterhood, though there are some which wear the white shield. "

[Orran]

So the shields represented the guards' divisions. That must be what they had meant by red custody. Although custody seemed a bit optimistic.
"That makes sense, are there any other divisions that are often seen around?" Strixi asks, whiling away some of the journey.

[Kredine]

"There are five major divisions of the Order, though you'll likely only see three of them around the city. The Sisterhood of the Lightbringers - the whites, the military - the reds and Law Enforcement - the greens."

[Orran]

"I actually chose this library due to proximity. I'm in the city for research, do you know which of the libraries would be best, for arcane or general purposes. Come to think of it, is there a center of magic in the city. So to speak?" He figures there's still a few areas that he could use information on.

[Kredine]

"Hmm. I'm not versed on the arcane side of magic. I fear the Sister's Library will yield few results for you. Most of the tomes are religious, historical or political in nature, though I myself have not spent a great deal of time their. The priests and loremaster's there may be able to give you a better idea though. As for magic, besides the divine casters of the Sister's and Temple District, there is little in the way of organisation. The Arcanum Obscura does not hold an official location in the city, though there are many magic dealers throughout the markets of Osmath"

[Orran]

"At this point I'm only really checking for other works of known sources. If this turns out to be wasted time, I can handle that." Idly flicking his tail around as he walks, an exaggerated form of the natural motion of walking.
"I've not been here long, but it appears there are regulations governing everything, is there anything in place for the lesser races." realizing he has been very vague he adds "I mean for their representation, any of us in respected positions around the city?"

[Kredine]

"Well those who attend to the library should be able to help you with."
She chuckles at your next statement.
"Well there is a reason we're called the Order after all. Rules and regulations kinda come with the title. As for non-humans, they're not uncommon within the Order. Many have skills directly applicable to work with the reds and greens, and those so inclined oft find themselves in the service of the blues and purples. They are rarer amongst us whites, though not unheard of. In the city however, they are few and far between. Since the recent wars the common folk have become more and more distrusting of non-humans, as so they tend to find work across the rest of the Isle instead."