Shadows of the Past IC 10

[Chimaera]

"Im not from this city and have never been to this park you say, mr. Griswold. Nice to meet, I'm Lady Lysa Silentwhisper, a wandering bard looking for the Primal Song and former student of Steiner the Wandering Minstrel", she introduce herself and watch the students discussing about Flora Felicitas musicalis and wonder if they refering to her, but just stare them instead of asking. " And an astronomer as well", she adds still looking at the students.

She smiles playfully and invade the student mind, "Pixie will do, homo sapiens sapiens".

She folllow the rest flying in her wings, happy Connor wasnt around.

[Frendle]

Tonel smiles at the effort made by the archaists to appear frightening and powerful. “Still, I suppose it keeps the peddlers away.” He thinks to himself.
With an inward chuckle he concedes that good manners and decorum must be maintained.

With a smile and a bow Tonel replies, “Tonel Carth, a faithful servant of The Sky Lord Phaulkon humbly requests admittance to the academy grounds.”

[Niwrad]

Archadious nods in understanding as he hears about Silas and Xanders' letter to their master.

Yes, I know Silas and Xander quite well. They are good friends and they have told me about Master Terili. I presume he is here in this school?

He then gestures to his companions besides him.

Indeed, my companions here are also practitioners of the arcane. Keera and Lysa here both utilize innate arcane magic. I however, am a wizard in full. A conjurer specialist if your will.

I have heard about this place and have traveled far to get here I wish to further my knowledge in the arcane. Ultimately, that is my purpose for coming here. Although... I do have a more immediate purpose.

This campus is not subject to Conners laws regarding magic usage correct?

In that case, I have several spells I wish to cast.

Glancing at Bhadriya, he turns to her and continues.

One of which happens to be a dispel to remove whatever magic is preventing this Marid from returning to her home plane. Is there somewhere with slightly less people where I may cast?

If Griswold leads them to somewhere with less people, Archadipus switches to draconic and addresses the princess.

Princess, if you would be so kind as to show me the mark, I would like to see if I can remove it.

(Assuming she shows him and Griswold is okay with it)
The elf quickly activates his belt to improve his chances of dispelling the mark, then he targets the magic with a powerful abjuration.

Spoiler: dispelling cord + gr. dispel magic

Show

DISPEL!! - (1d20+18)[30]

[AlanBruce]

@Lysa: Griswold bows.

"A pleasure, Miss Silentwhisper. A bard, you say? We do have some bards that are currently enrolled here. As I mentioned earlier, Runestone prides itself in diversity. If you choose to enroll here, you will find kindred minds.."

The old abjurer goes in thought.

"Steiner Lacore? That name rings a bell. I believe he attended here, but that was before I was even born! We do keep records of our graduates or even students in passing. As for Glenndale Park, I would suggest you pay a visit. It is a beauty to behold."

Then, you decide to use the powers of a Mindbender to address the smug little know it all, as the student stares at you and raises an eyebrow, while looking at his fellow students.

Did she just…?

@Archaidous: Griswold stops in front of the single largest tower in campus.

"The Grand Tower of Magi. It is here that our students come to expland their minds. As for Master Terili? No. He is a very talented wizard, but he teaches at The University, in Geoff. Many schools of the Arcane in Oerth are connected in some way or another."

Groswold turns to look at Lysa and Ke'era.

"Innate sopellcasters? I could've told Miss Silentwhisper was one. It was difficult for me to tell whether the Lady Tiwele was as well… sorcerer, if I had to guess? And you are a conjurer specialist… that is actually very good to hear, Mister Archaidous. Let us go in."

Griswold opens a tall stylized white door and pauses as it is about to open.

"A phaulkonite here? Tonel Carth? Odd. rarely do we get clergy to visit. Definitely not Phaulkonites."

Griswold looks at one of his students.

Please go see what a Father Carth wants. Then, report to me."

Once inside the tower, you all lookk around and, unsurprisingly, the place is much bigger inside, than it is outside, with a large fountain shaped like the Great Wheel and tall colored windows with prisms as students sit by the fountain and review their books and notes as they wave at Griswold, who waves back.

"The upper levels of the Tower serve not only as classrooms, but also, the offices for the Eight Grand Teachers. As for the Grand Inquisitor… I would like to say that his interference is nil, but that isn't the case. Ever since Connor took over, he has placed Cuthbertine agents in the school to monitor our movements. Mainly where money is involved. Our students can leave the school at any time, but with Connor's strict laws on magic, those who graduate, usually leave town altogether, free from his edicts. Those who have not graduated yet, prefer to stay here, so that they may not be tempted to cast something in the city and be subject to his Eyes in the Sky- which incidentally, were made here, at Runestone, using our brightest minds to draw the blueprints. Had we known they would be use to monitor us… at any rate. If you wish to help Lady Bhadriya, we can remove whatever keeps her attached to this plane. We do have quite an assortment of abjurers and, well.. I am the Head of Abjuration for a reason, but if you prefer, follow me."

Griswold leads both of you to a small room with some paintings showing Runestone as a flat piece of ground with a single small house. An old painting and most likely the very first building this powerful school had. A pair of comfortable couches and a coffeebook greet you as Griswold allows both to sit down.

"Being school policy, I must be present for this, but just to make sure the spell is cast. I can identify abjurations by voice, after all."

Griswold covers his eyes as Bhadriya sits uneasy on the couch and lifts her skirt, allowing you to look at the shark tattoo, which seems to have faded into a grey color.

Then, you activate your own magic items and place your hands less than an inch from Bhadriya's thigh as you mutter the abjuration and the room is filled with a green light as a sharks shadow swims around, causing Griswold to open his eyes and look around at the menacing shape before it swims into a corner of the room and disappears.

"By Rao… what on Oerth did you dispel?"

Bhjadriya looks at her thigh and then at you. And then at her thigh again as she embraces you and gives you a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm free! I'm finally free! No more enslavement or capture. I can swim my own seas again… and I owe it all to you, Ke'era and the others. Mister Grsiwold, can I use my magic here to go home?"

The old abjurer smiles.

"Of course. You are going to greater plane shift, am I right?"

"That I am."

[Chimaera]

"Father Carth is a friend of us, been sailing through the Ossean Way with him. He's a vey nice guy", Lysa let Griswold know before following then and watching the tattoo being dispelled.

"And the tramp stamp Shark is gone!", she exclaims as finnally things went good.

"So you'll be getting home now? It was a pleasure to meet you, Bhadryia "

[AlanBruce]

@Tonel: The great stone gate opens as white runes appear on its surface and a short scrawny human youth dressed in white robes greets you as a large campus filled with wizards and all manner of spell flinegers fly around in what would seem complete arcane freedom.

"Welcome to Runestone, Father Carth. You are with Master archaidous' party? Please follow me."

You are led by the scrawny wizard through the mage filled grounds as the wizards look at you and some mumble amongst themselves while others plainly ignore you and prcatice their craft.

The Eye in the Sky watches the campus from far above and stays hovering.


Then, you reach a very tall tower and the young mage opens the door for you.

They are inside, Father Carth.

And true to his word, inside a maginificent tower filled with more scholarly wizards, you find Lysa, Ke'era, Archaidous, Bhadriya, and an elder man with a blue tunic and a sword by his side.

"Father Carth? Master Itharr Griswold. Miss Silentwhisper says you are friends with them? Welcome to Runestone."

@Lysa: Bhadriya exhales a big sigh of relief as she stretches her arms.

"It's like I have been constrained for who knows how long. You must come with me to the Pearl City. My father would want to meet those that saved his daughter."

[Chimaera]

"Sure! I always wanted to wander the planes! ", Lysa tell the marid and look at the rest, "What you say? Let's visit the City of Pearl?"

[Niwrad]

Archadious sighs with relief as his abjuration seems to work, and successfully dispels the mark the Shark had left on Bhadriya. He even begins to wonder if this meant that he even had a possibility of dispelling Slyvains mark.

Making a mental note to try that next time he was in Bludhaven, the elf turns to look at the others.

Magic by a very powerful entity. I am merely glad that succeeded.

When Tonel enters the room, the elf turns to the cleric and recalls his earlier message. His smile disappears as he inquires regarding Alex.

Ah, Tonel, glad you could join us. First, what happened to Alex? Who took his body?

He then hears Bhadriya's offer and pauses to consider it for a moment.

I am glad that whatever magic was cast on you is now gone.
But as much as I would like to see the Elemental Plane of Water and your fabulous Pearl City, I have waited a long time to come to this Academy and I do not wish to leave just as soon as I have made it.
I also have a few sending spells that I wish to cast, and they are more likely to succeed if I stay on the Material.

Perhaps the three of you might wish to go see her father?

Archadious asks, turning to Ke'era, Tonel and Lysa.

Bhadriya's plane shifting ability might be personal use only, but I think I have an idea for the three of you to follow her there.

Master Griswold, is there a scrying mirror nearby that I may use?

The elf asks, turning to the abjuration master.

[AlanBruce]

@Archaidous: Bhadriya's face saddens when you mention you won't be going.

"I wish you could, Archaidous. Who knows when you'll have a chance to visit my home again, but I understand."

At the mention of who the mark belonged to, Griswold tugs at his beard in thought.

"I have seen and dealt with many marks of power imprinted upon fellow colleagues and students and, well… the mishappen fool seeking our services, but never one that had this much power. As for scrying? We certainly do have divination equipment, but that falls under Mistress Lindebrook's authority. We would have to petition for her to allow use of her labs."

[Niwrad]

Hmm, if the three of you wish to visit the Pearl City, I have an idea on how you can get there. Tonel, you have a plane shift spell prepared? And Ke'era, you can teleport with your rune staff correct? If thats the case, then all I need will be to find a scrying mirror...

The elf turns to Griswold.

Mistress Lindebrook of divinations I presume? Do you think you could take us there? Or at the very least direct us to her divination labs?

I must say in this regard, clerics and druids have it slightly easier. Only needing a small pool of water rather than a large expensive mirror.

[Chimaera]

"Before you go looking for renting a mirror, Arch, let's buy one ourselves...", she look at Griswold, "Is there anyplace we can buy magic trinkets around?"

If she is given direction to such a place...
Lysa move toward a merchant (or maybe an student? Or both?) and ask him.
"I'm looking forward a few magic trinkets... Do you per chance have a scrying shard?"

[AlanBruce]

@Archaidous: Griswold looks up at the stairs and nods.

"She would be the Headmistress of Divinations, yes. A reclusive caster, she rarley even dispenses class, but her abilities to divine are unparalleled in Halmathan. Shall we go see her? It's been awhile since I knocked on her door."

Bhadriya, finally free and tired of waiting, looks at all of you.

"I shall be expecting you in the Pearl City. Do not take long."

And with that, the marid princess is awash in arcane water and disappears.

@Lysa: Griswold points to a door with the symbol of Delleb on top.

That would be Master Sinio's office. He deals with monetary transactions. Tell him that you have spoken to me."

The office is rather spacious, but bereft of windows, in place, having large paintings shoiwing what the outside would look like.

Master Sinio sits behind a desk stacked with paperwork as a second man, garbed in inquisitorial attire and bearing the badge of the Cudgel, stands up from his chair and looks at you with crossed arms.

Master Sinio looks at you through his glasses and wrinkled brow. An old gnome, to be sure.

"You are looking for a scrying device? Fragments we do not sell, but we do sell the entire mirror…"

The Cuthbertine clears his throat.

"… with the Halmathan National Tax, of course. You will also be subject to filling out this form. A formality, to ensure the purposes for the transaction."

@Archaidous: You climb up several flightf stairs that go round and round until you recah not even half way to the tower as Griswold catches his breath.

"Ok, this is the Divination Floor. her door should be here…"

A large purple door with pixie sized ioun stones of different colors have been embedded on it and as Griswold is about to knock, a tiny female's voice can be heard from outside.

I know it is you, Itharr… and you bring company. Come in.

Griswold turns the handle to the door and inside you see a large room with an oval window and tapestries depuicting the Great wheel covering the walls and rugs showing the world as is known finely embroidered on the ground.

A large circular table with a blue cloth stands in the center and behind it, a cloaked halfling with several ioun stones plays cards alone as censers waft incense in the room.

"It has been awhile Master Griswold. How may I help you?"

[Chimaera]

"No scrying shards? No deal", Lysa say and give her back to the inquisitor and the gnome.

It seems they'll need the whole mirror...

[Chimaera]

Archadious look at the halfling and proceed with his request.

"I'm in need of some scrying mirror focus to locate a friend of mine. CAn I use one from your labs?"

[Business Scrub]

Ke'era shakes Griswold's hand. "To be honest, I didn't exactly expect to be here until this morning. But your establishment is lovely all the same. Master of Abjurations, you say? I would love to hear more, some time: sorceresses don't specialize as... officially as you wizards do, however i have devoted much of my talents to abjurations as well."

Again, she is overjoyed to see Bhadriya free. "I would love to visit you're Pearl City, Bhadriya. My friends and I shall be there shortly."

She follows the others around the college, enjoying the sight.
"Fascinating... Where I'm from, one's arcane abilities are more of a private affair: let to foster by oneself rather than in a community such as this.

Even if we would not be able to purchase a scrying shard, perhaps we could pay for the services of one to scry for us? It seems to be the most convenient way of relocating Lady Bhadriya currently."

[Frendle]

Tonel smiles and bows to the young mage who escorted him to his friends, “Thank you for guiding me through this large and impressive place. May Lord Phaulkon bless you with clear skies throughout your travels.”

Then he turns to those assembled in the room and listens to the greeting given him by the elder wizard.
The bedraggled Priest bows, “I thank you for your greeting Master Griswold. I am indeed Tonel Carth a humble servant of Lord Phaulkon. Yes, I am indeed friends with these good folk, and with one other…..”

Tonel turns to the others, and his throat catches. Then when Archadious asks for a recounting of the events of Alex’s death he is overcome and weeps. He finds a chair and absently fills it with water and drinks it. Composing himself he looks up at his friends.


“Alex and I had gone, as you know, to see what was happening to the druids in the Park. As the storm came up, we witnessed several Sea Devils in an alley slathering whatever inocents they could catch.” At this the Sky Priest stands up and an expression of anger crosses his face as a thundercloud. “They were...., I helped a women who had been stricken unto death, and Alex ran down the alley alone bidding me join him when I revived her. There seven of the beasts were, looking about for more victems, well of course the brave warrior called to them and suggested they pick him as their next target.”


Regaining his composure again, Tonel continues as the flash of anger departs as quickly as it appeared.

“I joined him, gathering the storm I made use of its power to strike several of them with lightning.Then a mage and a cleric joined the Sea Devil warriors and the later charged and surrounded us. After being temporaily denied flight by the cleric’s dispelling magic and being struck by the mage with a ray reducing my agility to nearly nothing. I used the power of my Lord to quickly rise up and from a vantage point on a nerby roof and uing magic and my bow I was able to slay the mage.

However, by this time Alex was surrounded by the four remaining enemy warriors and was wounded severely.”

At this point Tonel looks at each of them in turn, “It was my fault that he was so beset upon, in my pursuit of killing the mage I left him alone and he was overwhelmed. I dropped down from the roof and healed him, but by then the foul priest had joined the battle and we were both overwhelmed, I went down first to the blades of the devil warriors, then after slaying all but the cleric, who was sorely wounded, and one of the warriors Alex too was mortally struck, but with his usual strength and devotion with his last breath he healed me and bade me return to you all and protect you, for he would no longer be able to.

Tears again well up in the Priest’s eyes, “Then he died.”

It is a few moments before Tonel can continue, “I used my Lords power and dissipated to nothing and slipped between a crack in one of the buildings in the alley. Intent on healing myself and getting back to the fray, I cast my best curative spell and slipped back into the alley, but in the scant moments I was away the beasts had taken Alex’s body, or so I can only assume, and there was no trace of him to be found.”


After finishing his recounting of the battle, Tonel slumped back into the chair and does not speak again or look up for a long time, lost in his grief.

[AlanBruce]

@Lysa: You look at the gnome and inquisitor and clearly state that there is no deal to be had as the gnome shrugs and keeps stamping paperwork as the Cuthbertine agent raises an eyebrow and watches you leave the room.

@Archaidous: Mistress Lindebrook listens to your request and flips a card on the table.

Although you cannot see her face very much- it's covered in a hood- you can see the lower part as her mouth opens slightly in what could be interpreted as shock.

"The void… Oh, what? Yes. Yes, of course. We have mirrors specifically used to scry. The grand Inquisitor in his 'righteous mind' has ordered a Cuthbvertine agent to oversee scrying. He believes it could be a way for people to invade the city."

The halfling gets off her chair and walks with both of you around the tower's floor as her multiple ioun stones orbit around her.

Griswold sighs.

"Has Dean Crowell filed for a pledge to be filled regarding this intrusion? There is such a thing as a code of honor and trust."

The halfling diviner fidgets through a large key ring.

"Connor trusts nobody, Griswold. He detest arcanists like us and has nothing but cintempt for other races than his own. Maybe he'll listen to Crowell, or you. I have not even bothered to cross town and request an audience with him. Here we go."

With a click, the door turns and inside, you find a multitiude of mirror and a lone Cuthbertine agent eating a meal on a student desk.

"Mistress Merla! The room is secure and lawful…"

The diviner sighs.

"I'm sure it is. We are going to run a scry spell."

The agent wolfs down his meal and fumbles through his pack as he takes out a form.

"These are lawfully appointed papers by His Holiness, Grand Inquisitor Connor of the Cudgel. It is stipulated that the user of such spell must indicate exactly what the scrying is for. There is also the Halmathan reclamation tax, for the benfit of the King's Campaign."

Griswold scratches his head and grimaces as merla Lindebrook removes the cloth on a large obsidian mirror.

"I can cast the spell for you, or you can cast it yourself. regardless. Focus and the Inquistor's tax price must be paid in advance."

[AlanBruce]

@Ke'era: Groswold shakes your hand and smiles.

"You practice Abjuration as well? Very good! Adventuring companies must always have an abjurer at hand. It is one of the finest schools of Magic. And curious that you should mention that you are a sorcerer. We have a sorceress as Head of Enchantment- Mistress Fyrune Dalast. As I mentioned to Archaidous earlier, Runestone is all about diversity. No more are we going to adhere to wizards only: all arcanists are welcome. In a way, Runestone has become like a sanctuary to them. What with the Inquisitor's laws oppressing them outside."

Upon mentioning that arcane practices are a private affair, Griswold chuckles.

"Well, right now they are! This is as much magic as you will see, virtually unimpeded. Any magic seen outside the school is through oceans of red tape, courtesy of our new ruler."

@Tonel: Griswold helps you to a chair as you recount Alexander's fate.

The man had fought to protect the innocent. And in doing so, he fell. And now, who knows where his body is.

The master abjurer dries his eyes at your tale.

"I did not know this man, but he seemed to be very important to all of you. I shall pray to Rao that his soul finds peace. What intrigues me, though, is that you'd mention sahuagin involved. I got word earlier that the druids in Glenndale Park were to blame. Connor even called it a terrorist attack. This does not bode well. Not at all."

[Chimaera]

Archadious hand the money for the focus plus taxes and then write in the form: "Request scrying to locate an old friend who is waiting for us in jer home city".

He the begin call Ke'era, Tonel and Lysa before scrying on Bhadryia.

Once the divination is done, Lysa look at Tonel.
" Let's go to the City of Pearl!"

[Frendle]

Tonel bows to Ke’era and with a smile to the assembled, “All who wish to go to the Pearl City, or somewhere near it actually, join hands in a circle.”

Once he is certain that all the travelers are holding hands, Tonel takes out a small tuning fork and striking it just so the sound it creates begins to oscillate visibly before their eyes. Taking hold of the group Tonel wills the circle of sound to take them to its aligned plane, the last words heard as they fall through the sound vortex is Tonel’s cheerful voice, “And away we go!”

[AlanBruce]

@Archaidous: Once payment is established, the Cuthbertine takes the entire pouch of money and takes out a notepad and quill as he writes down the entire process.

Merla stands back and crosses her arms as you call forth the powers of the Multiverse to allow you to glimpse into another Reality altogether and see Bhadriya.

It takes awhile, as the surface of the mirror becomes like a pool of water…

Then, a shape takes form.

It's Bhadriya, unaware of you scrying on her, and she looks happy, very much so, as shapes move around her.

Big blue shapes.

You can distinguish Tall alanbaster columns in the background, but not much else.

Merla Lidenbrook nods.

"You used a Universal spell to mimic a Divination- even knowing that doing so would be costly to your arcane power. Why?"

[AlanBruce]

@Tonel, Ke'era & Lysa: You prepare yourslef for the trip ahead as the Phaulkonite twnags a small silver tuning fork and the image on the mirror undulates in harmony with the fork.

Griswold and Merla watch you as the lab room becomes engukfed in water, and the Cuthbertine agent, archaidous, and the two senior mages become swirls of water as the entire room gets submerged in it and rhe tables float around you like a vortex, only to become explosions of bubbles.

Within seconds, the class is gone.

Runestone is gone.

Halmathan is gone.

Oerth is gone.

To define a place like this would be to compare it to the biottom of the ocean, whgere you have spent a long time. Wuth the exception that here, there is no bottom. There is no surface. whatever light shines above like the sun most come from some other source.

There is only water. water as far as your eyes can see, with patches of coral islands that float idly and catch the light from above and disperse it in a multicolored hue as titanic silhouettes of planar whales, twice the size of Halmathan, swim below you, blissfuly unaware.

There is much life in this place, but it is clear that you do need to breathe water to be able to truly enjoy it.

Of course, there is the matter that Tonel did not exactly send you to Bhadriya';s palace, in the City of Pearl.

You are in a different Plane, lost in an endless oceanic abyss…

And who knows what swims here.

[Business Scrub]

Ke'era looked around at the endless water. Normally she would be at home here, but being a halfling surrounded by endless choking water, with naught but the periapt to help her, it was a bit startling. All the same, she motions for the two to move closer to her and holds out the staff, teleporting them (hopefully) to Bhadriya.

Spoiler

Show

Teleport! (1d100)[69]

[AlanBruce]

@Ke'era: You move your legs amidst the endless water of this reality.

Sapient Soya once told you that merfolk were descendants of ancient tribes from this very realm, adapted over millennia.

Normally, that would be reason to look around, but with breathing cut short, it's best to find Bhadriya.

Calling on lysa and Tonel, you have them place thier hands on your shoulder as something very large comes rushing at you from the darkness below.

Rows and rows of teeth, followed by a tentacled tongue.

And a the creature is aboput to close its massive jaws on all three, you envision Bhadriya, safe in her home and the water bubbles about you and your allies as you shut your eyes…

@The Party except Archaidous: It's a sparkling festival of lavish decor that which greets you,

The Pearl City of the Padishah, home to the most powerful Marids in the Elemental Plane of Water.

This city sustains itself on top of a carefully crafted senser made of oyster shells, polished together into a round sculpture resembling a turtle. The turtle itself is the size of a small nation, and the city on top, made entirely of sea crystals and pearls, with mosques reaching up and ending in large ovoid rooftops crowned in minarets of giant sized pearls.

The entrance to the city is guarded by massive marid guardians armed with golen halberds and fine jewelry around their bodies.

The genies watch you and stand taller than any of you as one walks towards the three and addresses you in Aquan.

"Who would dare come to the Padisha's Citadel uninvited?"

They are not uninvited, guard. They are, in fact, expected.

The massive guards turn around and Bhadriya, medium sized and several feet shorter than them, stands proud as both guards kneel in front of the young noble.

"A thousand apologies, Lady Bhadriya! Ishtishia has blessed this city with your return."

"Ishtishia and these fine outworlders. Allow them to pass. Ke'era! take hold of my hand."

The guards move aside as you swim through the lavish hallways, intentionally roofless to admire the many schools of fish that swim through and above the city.

If you had to guess, a single column from this place could make a man on Oerth extremely rich. Maybe the richest man in Oerth's history.

At last, Bhadriya stops in a grand amphitheatre, where several dozen marids, male and female, lay around on golden conch beds and sing and dance as a very large marie- about a hundred feet tall, if not more- sits on a throne made of pearl.

The marid looks ancient, with his entire body tattooed and jewelry that causes him to shine like a sun.

Bhadriya swims up to the genie titan and whispers to his ear as the marid leans down from his throne and looks at all three, while keeping an eye close to get a better view.

"So… you three rescued my tiniest pearl. What are your names?"

[Niwrad]

Once his friends disappear through Tonel's spell to the elemental plane of Water, Archadious turns back to the mirror, wondering how long it would take for Ke'era to teleport them to the Pearl City. Perhaps it would be good to continue observing the scry spell through the mirror until he was certain they had made it there.

As he watches the mirror, he glances at Master Lindenbrook besides him and replies to her inquiry regarding his usage of the limited wish spell.

I prepare the limited wish spell because of its sheer versatility. I know that despite however much thought I may put into the future, I cannot possibly know every spell that I might wish to cast in a day.

For example, I had no idea that I might wish to cast a scry spell today. And in my opinion, it was a more efficient use of resources than to seek out a scroll or ask another to cast the spell.

Once he notices a slightly different group of figures in the background of the scry spell, who seemed different than the massive vague blue giants, he concludes those must be his allies.

Turning away from the mirror, the elf cancels the spell and faces the two headmasters. Suddenly, he realizes that he had not introduced himself to the halfling.

He turns to her with a start and nods in greeting.

My apologies Master Lindebrook. I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Archadious Mithmironel and I have traveled far to increase my versatility in the arcane and it is an honor to meet one versed in the art of divination such as yourself.
Also, thank you for providing me the mirror to use for the scrying.

The elf turns back to the abjuration headmaster.

I thank you for your patience Master Griswold. That was a matter I had to deal with as soon as I could. But now, I can take the time to do what I came to Hamalthan to do.

I have learned quite a bit in the ways of the arcane, but much of what I know comes from actual usage. Recently though, I have been searching for a way to expand my versatility. In particular, I have heard of a group of mages who are unmatched in terms of pure versatility, the Arcane Order.
I was hoping I would be able to find a representative of this Order here in Runestoe Academy, or if not here, somewhere in Hamalthan.

[Business Scrub]

Ke'era looks around in wonder at the incredible pearl city.

When she said pearl city, I didn't think she was being literal.

She takes Bhavyra's hand and wanders into the throne room. Before the genie titan, Ke'era gives a formal bow. However, because she's holding her breath she can say nothing, much to her frustration.

[AlanBruce]

@Archaidous: Merla Lidenbrook listens to your answer and nods.

This may have been just a part of a test.

"The ability to manipulate the forces of the multiverse to suit our every whim is indeed what defines a true arcanist. You could have paid for the scroll or services rendered, but in a pinch, you chose to unravel the fabric of the cosmos and by doing so, found the right solution to the problem. Well played. You specialize in…"

Itharr steps in.

"He's a conjuration specialist, Mistress Lidenbrook."

The halfling headmistress of divination smiles and walks past you as she jangles her key chain.

"Unless you two want to share legal procedures with Connor's loyal watchdog in the lab, I suggest we leave these premises. Students will be here soon."

The Cuthbertine agent sits back down in his desk as Merla closes the door.

"Well, if you are interested in joining Runestone, Master Griswold would be more than pleased to show you around. I have a few cards to play… it has been a pleasure meeting you, Archaidous."

Merla shuts the door to her office as Griswold leads you back downstairs.

"So you wish to join Runestone Academy? And to become a member of the Scholia Arcana? That, Master Mithmironel, is no small feat. We have many students here, but few are even aware of such an order within Runestone. Let us go to the Hall of Masters. Chances are you will not be able to see many of them, but if you are indeed interested in joining the Academy, it would be wise to get acquainted with who is who here."

You follow Griswold through a few rooms and stop at one with an obsidian door and an intricate Dragon Motif- identical to the one seen outside the Palace Gate.

The old abjurer taps lightly at the door as this one opens wide and you find yourself in a round room filled with paintings as Griswold shows you each one and gives a brief explanation.

Alinda Falanae

Headmistress of the Dark Arts

"She deliberately chose that pose for the artist, who was, at the time, quite terrified of her and would refuse to paint, what with the skeletal minion and all, but in truth, Mistress Alinda is not a foul necromancer… although it is best that our Grand Ruler is not privy of her. At all."

Fyrune Dalast

Divine Mistress of the Muddled Mind

"I did mention to Lady Tiwele that we at Runestone pride ourselves in diversity. Mistress Dalast is a testament to it. Oh, the uproar when she was nominated to take the position! But some of us were reminded that arcane magic is not exclusively for wizards….

Griswold looks at the painting a little longer.

"Perhaps the fact that she's an aasimar had much to do. Shall we move on?"

Inana Roseveil

Mistress of Shadow and Joy

"Chances are you will last see Mistress Roseveil in this painting. The headmistress of Illusion is rarely seen. Some claim that she likes to stroll about the city in a myriad of disguises. If you do strike a conversation with her, I would suggest you avoid the Connor topic entirely."

Itharr Griswold

Of the Ever Present Shield

"I should get a haircut."

Merla Lidenbrook

Of the All Seeing Eyes

"You have met Mistress Lidenbrook. Like many others here at Runestone, she does not take kindly to Connor's new edicts on magic. She also has distanced herself from the student body, preferring to perform studies of her own. Who knows what the cards tell her."

Dean Bartholomeus Crowell

Master of Conjuration

"And this would be our Dean. If memory serves right, the fiftieth in a long line of arcanists. Dean Crowell has been in office for almost thirty years and, to date, we have not been able to find someone to fill his position as Head of Conjuration at Runestone."

Rebgast Caliss

Of the Unnering Force

"Many look down upon the School of Evocation. Rest assured that Master Caliss has had many look up at him after a friendly duel."

Ydalf Cliffstone

Master of the Mystic Tapestry

"Master Ydalf was voted in a hurry. After our former Head of Transmutation… left. Of course, Runestone takes its time, so Master Ydalf has been in office for less than a ten year."

Finally, Griswold stops in front of the largest painting in the room. As well as the oldest.

Valtalis Naruil

Grand Archmage of Halmathan, Founder of Runestone

Griswold puffs his chest with pride.

"The reason why we exist today! It is ironic, though- he was exiled because of who he was. And only time would correct the ignorance of past generations and set his name right upon our hallowed school."

[AlanBruce]

@Ke'era: Bhadriya swims up to her father's ear and whispers to him as the Great Padisha places his enormous hand on top of all three and the water recedes, forming a bubble of breathable air.

"Can you hear me now? Thank you for rescuing my tiniest pearl. What are your names?"

[Chimaera]

"My name is Lady Lysa Silentwhisper, the Love Singer and pixie bard (even though I'm in sirine's form). It a great honor to meet you, Great Padishah", Lysa bow to the titanic marid.

[AlanBruce]

@Lysa: The court of marids looks at you as Bhadriya's father gets up closer.

"But they are so small… and a pixie? What is a pixie, Bhadriya?"

"It's a fey, dad. You know, like the sirines and nereids that swim this realm? Beings of nature- only she can fly, but wings wouldn't do her much good down here."

The enormous marid listens and nods with his massive blue head.

"A pixie… and they defeated that monster. Did you kill Zyanya?"