[IC] The Golden Way (Land of Thesk)

[sarge67]

The chilled breeze of an early winter morning fills your body with goosebumps. The smells of different cultures cooking exotic foods at their street vendors inviting casual visitors to partake, the shouts of advertisements, the music and dance of street performers fill the streets of the town center. Vendors selling an assortment of goods out of parked wagons or open walled tents.

The trade city of Phant, a melting pot of conflicting cultures which somehow have choreographed a synchronized lifestyle that no other kingdom in all of Faerun could imitate. Every aspect of life has been influenced by the same accepted diversity and it is openly expressed for visitors to experience.

Buildings with the more westernized architecture stand next to sandstone structures and exotic eastern establishments. The marketplace is hustling of the same mixed cultures with the aromas of exciting new spices being used at the street food vendors. Merchant wagons line up along the edge of the street peddling a smooth, delicate material in exquisite gowns and tunics. A few shops selling porcelain containers and dinnerware, mixed with smoke shops, public bath houses, yueji parlors, taverns, and Inns. The western shops held general survival goods, a heavier considerably warmer line of clothing which was more appropriate during the winter months.

People navigating through the thick crowd, shoppers glancing at the new arrival merchandise from the caravans. The ringing of bells to announce new deliveries from the river port, family groups excitedly chattering about a new product, the shouts from managers to workers in order to fill a job order. It appeared quite chaotic, but mysteriously operates in an organized fashion.

Other shops just blocks away from the central marketplace stood cobblers, bakers, butchers, leather workers, smiths, brewers, pharmacies, glassblowers, carpenters, mason shops, tea houses, and moderately priced Inns. A few alleys led down eerie paths to locked doorways. The muffled shouts from the other side of the barred entrances reveals gambling halls that while not illegal, are looked down upon by the actual residents.

Job postings were placed on the various boards lining through the market place. Job 1 'Help clear ancient tombs on Mount Nirg, 2. Merchant Shou Gun Jei hiring guards to protect his three wagons to the Dragon Coast and Nathlekh City, 3. Bingwen Wei hiring security to escort a twenty wagon caravan to Kara-Tur. 4. Merchants of Telflamm seeking privateers to capture/kill pirates from the Pirate Isles.

[dantiesilva]

In the predawn light of day Agaros awoke, his protective servant alerting him that it was time to awaken. It was a habit the wizard had never really broken, while most of his peers were often up early eager to begin the day, Agaros enjoyed sleeping in quite often and thus had to make a habit out of waking up. “Open the curtains please, and fetch me my spell book please.” The wizard said to the unmoving figure as he himself stretched and began to move from under the sheets only to feel the chill of the winter air. “And add another log to the fire please.” The wizard added as he quickly used his powers to bring his crimson robe over to him.

When at last dressed, in his traditional robes the wizard smiled before looking around to make sure no one was able to see him through a window or anything else, before slipping off the glove he had worn to bed. Beneath the simple leather garment was a bony, skeletal hand, a reminder of his past and why he didn’t play the games others of his kind did. In truth he could have had a cleric of bane or any of the many others in Thay no doubt fix his hand, even give him a new one; however it was a scar he wished to keep. To remind himself what his people were capable of if they believed you were in their way, and with that thought in mind he placed on a more elegant glove, of the same crimson color of his robe, however it had stylized golden thread worked into it drawing attention to it and making it seem like it was his way of standing out rather than a way to hide what lay beneath.

As Agaros finished getting dressed the cloaked figure that stood slightly shorter than he, clothed in hide armor with its hood drawn over its head even now creating deep shadows under the hood hiding what lay beneath, stood patiently, a rather small (by wizard standards) and unremarkable book in its outstretched gauntlets. “Thank you, please go fetch me my breakfast and see if Master Ectyna has replied to our message.” Agaros instructs the figure as the wizard takes the book as if it were his most precious possession and begins strumming through it as the cloaked figure leaves. This was how it was most mornings, and those in the enclave were used to the strange duo and rarely asked questions given that Agaros was often willing to help them if they requested it so long as it involved creating something to sell or researching information.

The sun was fully up when Agaros acknowledge the cloaked figure once more, noticing the food in its hand, however no letter the wizard grabbed the plate of food and began to speak. “I take it no letter. Odd I would have expected Master Ectyna to have translated that all by now. You don’t think something happened to him do you?” he asked the figure, it was a habit he had picked up after spending a lot of time in abandoned ruins searching for clues about the ancient Netheri people. After all the mercenaries often hired were about as smart as the skeleton below the cloak, so why not speak to something that didn’t say anything stupid.

Soon enough the young man not long since graduated from his wizarding school left his room with the cloaked figure in tow. “Any work today?” he asked one of the circle leaders, however it seemed his help would not be needed this day and so he quickly left the main entrance to the enclave before they could change their mind. The sights and sounds of the trade city of Phant still surprised him and filled him with wonder as he walked the streets, seeing what each of the different vendors had on sale, always keeping his eye out for that special something that may relate to his work.

In truth however Phant was simply a stop among many for the young wizard, he had come to the city as it was the closest to civilized land he could get since his last discovery, and the fact that there was a small enclave their made it so he could easily work for his bed and food instead of having to pay an inn for lesser quality. “Your right my dear friend we should check the job postings today, who knows maybe something may be worth a look at.” Agaros says to his cloaked and well disguised skeleton as they walk through the city market over to one of the job postings. “Seems like your average stuff to me, I don’t know if any of this is really worth our time.” The wizard says before he watches with an amused grin as the skeleton shakes the bag of coins they have left, barely enough to buy rations he thought to himself. “I guess, what about this one? Who knows maybe we might find something in the tomb worth our time.” The wizard says pointing at the sign.

Spoiler: Important Stuff

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Taking 20 on Disguise check (aided by the thick cloak and hide armor) to hide that the figure walking besides him is a skeleton for 20 before whatever modifiers you believe to be relevant.

Knowledge Geography (1d20+6)[11] to know about Phant, and if one of the floating cities or other such things from Netheril are in the area

Knowledge History (1d20+6)[16] to aid the above roll as well as learn some history about the place he is

Knowledge History on the ancient tombs on Mount Nirg (1d20+6)[20]
Geography on how far Mount Nirg is from them now/ the terrain around the area (1d20+6)[23]
Arcana Ancient tombs on Mount Nirg (1d20+8)[12]

[wkwkwkwk1]

A dwarf, somewhat tall for one of his kind, walks over to one of the job postings, offering a nod to the two fellows already there. He steps up onto a small wooden crate, still munching on the remnants of some exotic piece of food from the stalls. He scans the job postings, grumbling something about humans and their putting everything above eye level.

"Tomb seems interesting, does it?" he says to the man in crimson. "Could do with some time underground, too. Too much... sky over these parts, if you ask me."

"Don't know why anyone with a right mind would get on a boat, either," he shivers, after a glance at the last job offer. "He your friend?" he nods at the cloaked figure.

[dantiesilva]

" To be fair orcs, elves, half-orcs, and others are all roughly the same height. Now think how hard it would be if you were a halfling or gnome, even that crate wouldn't help." Agaros says turning to take in the dwarves features for a moment. "Would that be ancestral armor or perhaps one you created yourself?" he asks curious as he looks over the figures armor seemingly oblivious to the mans question at first. "Well yes, these traders I doubt will have very little to do with my area of expertise, and I have no doubt about the type of people who will be applying for such jobs being more skilled then myself in fighting bandits. After all I'm a scholar, I hire people myself to fight bandits and grave robbers while I am out on expeditions, so I can say with a good amount of certainty they would pass me over in a heartbeat for someone that even looked half as well armed as you do." he explains as if he had thought this all out in his decision making process, though in truth he had just put those pieces together at this very moment.

"As for to much sky, well I am sure to one of your kind that is correct. However to one such as myself who is trying to study the ancient Netheril and recreate their floating cities it seems an adequate amount. After all it could be raining, or given the time of year, snowing." the wizard remarks as he gives a visible shiver as if even the thought of such cold weather bothered him. "As for the baot, I tend to agree for the most part. For trade, with the right amount of skills to make sure your ship doesn't sink I think it is a lovely way to travel, at least from what I have read. To actively look for pirates in the middle of the water with no clear direction or purpose in sight, its only asking for trouble and a good chance of dying. At least with tomb's or caravans you can study the area and geography around it to determine where you may be..." and so the wizard continues in a long discussion about ambush spots and properly planning for different situations would always lead to arriving where you were trying to get safely.

"Oh yes, that there is my bodyguard, lost his tongue in a war and well lets just say he doesn't have the kindest view on most people. Loyal though, and thus I have never seen a need to replace him." Agaros says, patting the cloaked figure on the shoulder as if in a friendly gesture to help sell his point. However the figure beneath stays unmoving as if awaiting its next order. "Well my name is Agaros, scholar of all things regarding the Netheril. May I ask your name? I am sure if given enough time to properly study your features, armor, weaponry, and fighting style I could perhaps narrow it down, however who really has all that much free time when they are looking for some coin." he states, as if it were an obvious answer.

[wkwkwkwk1]

"Nay," Grundar sighs when asked about his armor. "Just some scrap pieces cobbled together, I'm afraid. No fighting ancestors, and no smithing skills myself. Maybe there's some ancestral armor in these here scales, heh," he chuckles sadly, rapping on his armor.

His eyes widen at the mention of flying cities, as he tries to process the idea that anyone would want to leave the surface of the world.

He barely spares a nod for the bodyguard. "Well met. I am Grundar, paladin and servant of Moradin."

[dantiesilva]

Hearing that the armor was of no special quality or family made quickly made Agaros lose interest in it, after all he had study, briefly, under a dwarven smith and was curious to see more of their work. "A pity, I have always admired dwarven creativity, and some of your best craftsmanship is in the form of weapons and armor you make."

"A paladin you say, always found them to be a bit to....well paladiny. All black and white for them, never any areas of grey. You seem a bit more level headed however, so I take it you are looking for some extra coin as well Grundar? If your willing, myself and my bodyguard could always use some extra hands and we would of course split the shares equally, well equal between the two of us, my friend here only asks for 10%, he calls it medical payment and survival gear, I say he just likes to look at the gold." Agaros says with a bit of an amused smirk, thinking of his own joke given that a skeleton would stare at just about anything unless told to do something.

[wkwkwkwk1]

"Indeed, our craftsmen are renowned for a reason," he puffs up a little at hearing praise for his kinmen. "An' I never heard of a dwarf that would turn down a coin, paladin or no," he smirks. "Justly split, a' course."

[dantiesilva]

"Why don't we go find a booth to talk and get to know one another a little better while we wait to see if any other interested parties come to this here sign looking for a job?" Agaros asks as he looks around the area looking for a small stall selling food and drink, or other simply a bench to sit.

"For example I am a red wizard of Thay, and before your face scrunches up like most peoples, we are not all that bad. Just those who wish to climb the social ladder of our country, and they tend to either have a big reputation following them around, thus their way to rise the ladder when they return to Thay, or stay close to Thaymount to keep playing the game. A game I have no part in, nor wish to have a part in." he adds making it clear he is not one of those evil vile wizards the world hears about and stories about his homeland.

[sandmote]

"And often yet, those who avoid such games still defend their use," notes a human peering at the board over Grundar's shoulder. "Not to say I oppose abandoning them," he continues, giving Agaros and his guard a wary glance, "just that my refusal to play such a game didn't stop the others."

"Sanya," the man adds as introduction.

[dantiesilva]

As the stranger joins the conversation between Grundar and himself he makes a quick look at the clothing. "Am I going to be surrounded by religious folk? the man thinks as he sees the monk and lets out a sigh. "The moment you agree to play is the point in which you lose to those who have been playing longer than you. I prefer to study and create with my gifts then to control others and destroy things." Agaros replies noticing the figure looking at his guard. "So what would a monk know of the game of wizards?" he asks trying to bring the mans focus off of his skeleton minion before he began to look to deeply, after all he had not yet had the funds to by it a mask and mostly relied on the deep shadows of the hood mixed with people being uncomfortable hearing that the "man" had lost his tongue in the war and couldn't speak.

"The name is Agaros by the way, and the man with me is doesn't seem opposed to the name Nekada. Then again since he lost his tongue I doubt even if he did he would be able to say so. He is loyal however and doesn't like people staring, finds it rude." he adds hoping the small ploy would convince the man to stop looking.

[Jopustopin]

Major

Major had sat patiently a little ways away looking for the right mix of people. An experienced looking man in his thirties that seemed to have shrugged off many of the hardships in life leaving him with a youthful and happy appearance which he wore to great affect. The group gathering had caught his interest and with his ever observant eye he had discretely watched them for a bit before deciding that it was time to make some friends.

Major stepped out of the thick crowds, a tall athletic looking human in his thirties. His equipment seems to favor movement with a spear and shield strapped to his back. "Gentlemen", he says in common with the local Damarian accent, "I hate to interrupt but I've been looking for some brave men to help me with those ancient tombs listed here." He glances at each member briefly before continuing, "I go by Major; adventurer and luck-bringer extraordinaire at your service. Perhaps this job has peeked your interest?"

[dantiesilva]

Spoiler: OOC

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Just starting 3rd shift so getting used to my new posting schedule

As Major makes his way up to the growing group of figures at the board Agaros nods his head slightly to the man, taking note in the fact he called himself an adventurer. Only people who did that were fools thinking to make a quick coin or those actually skilled at the job, both were useful in his eyes. "Greetings Major, and indeed Grundar and myself," the wizard says indicating the dwarven paladin, "were just talking about such an expedition. My name is Agaros Riqinn, scholar of ancient Nethril and I believe we could indeed help one another." the man says kindly turning towards Sanya who so far had not stated his intentions besides looking at the board and commenting on a conversation he had been having with Grunda.

"I take it you severed in some military rank and the name stuck? Or is your name actually Major?" Agaros asks curious if the man had any form of training or if it were simply a name given to him."Would I happen to know about any of your exploits as an adventurer?" he adds, his Thayian accent very heavy given how new he was to traveling, he had yet to lose his homelands accent.

[sandmote]

"And yet if you don't play, they don't need to beat you," Sanya muses. "Oh, and I just picked these up off a friend. Student of the arcane myself," he says.

Turning to Major he mentions, "I'd planned to head further east, but a stop in some tombs doesn't sound bad, particularly for pay."

[wkwkwkwk1]

Grundar seems more intrigued than revolted upon hearing of the red wizards. After all, they weren't a frequent topic of conversation back in his homeland.

He offers a nod and a grunted greeting to each of the newcomers.

[Jopustopin]

Major

Major smiles warmly at Agaros and replies, "No to all your inquiries good sir.". His eyes do not so much as glance at the companion of Agaros and instead turns to Sanya and, perhaps out of habit, rubs his holy symbol of Tymora while replying, "Astounding, two of the arcane here to aid us."

[dantiesilva]

As Sanya continues to talk about the game it is clear Agaros is starting to get agitated as his left hand that has remained gloved all this time seems to vanish into his robes sleeve. At the same time the figure Agaros described as his bodyguard shows the first signs of movement as it lifts the spear it had been using to support itself and gets into a relaxed guard, as if expecting trouble."Spoken like someone who has never lost anything important to them. Take it from me those who play the game play to win, and if you are in their way or seen as a threat you and those you care for are the targets. And my people are not known for playing by any rules. Winning is the only rule." Agaros says not impressed in the slightest when the man said he was a fellow arcanist.

When Major responds to him, Agaros visibly relaxes a little as the tip of his glove can be seen just poking out of his left sleeve. "So never served in the military, your name itself is not Major, yet you introduce yourself as such. I would not have heard of any of the exploits you have done yet, meaning they are either not worth mentioning and thus the lucky part is merely a part of the flair, like a wizard and their robe back home, or you went by another name and are perhaps hiding/running from someone or something." the wizard says intrigued. "Then again their are a few more outcomes, however each less likely than the one before it, and all less likely than the first."

"Are you a cleric?" Agaros asks as he notices Major rub his holy symbol, he had not pinned the man as such however he was unfamiliar with most religions besides those most commonly practiced in Thay, thus not recognizing the symbol however from seeing how priests wore such items guessing at its significance. "As for two arcanist being in the same place in a trade city it is not so unusual honestly. However I will warm my magic is more built towards exploring forgotten tombs and ruins, and less helpful in a straight up fight."

[sandmote]

Sanya bristles, losing his cool. "As you say, all seen as a threat are the targets. Not merely the others to play. This is my warning, from my own experience; guard yourself even if you don't plan to seek victory. Although I suspect you're in for a fall shortly, and I'm wasting my breath till then."

He turns to the others, and tries to take a calming breath. "I'm afraid after the cause of my position on this case with Agaros, I have been focusing more of defense, and I'm less familiar with exploration. I do hope one of your would be able to heal?"

[Jopustopin]

Major

The human man wears some amount of amused humor on his face as the two arcanist quarrel but when addressed he shrugs off the abrasive inquiries and replies, "Healing might someday be my reward for the years I have trained as a cleric. Yes, to your question Agaros, as I said I was a Luckbringer... perhaps you have not heard this term before? Priests of Tymora are often referred to as such; especially by those who risk life and limb for reward... Not all priest can heal mind you, but I am a cleric of hers nevertheless."

[sarge67]

The crowd in the market place continued to expand as shoppers leisurely tasted sample foods, inspected fruits, haggled on craft items, or scolded their children for running away from their side. The sea of bodies momentarily began to part creating a path for two figures in maroon hooded robes heading to the job postings.

Brother Ivor Jedmerek and Sister Durzila Jastram stood at the postings when Ivor ripped one advertisement off and began posting a new sheet. The two conversed softly among each other as the crowd returned to their normal shopping.

Posting :Needed, group of adventurers to clear out the Crypt of Mycontil, see Red Wizard Ivor Jedmerek for further information and a map. Pay 200 GPs:

The wizards paused for a moment before walking towards a local drug den to partake in some smoking pleasures.

[dantiesilva]

Agaros holds his bodyguard back instead choosing to ignore the last comment from the supposed arcanist named Sanya. He had already lost the game and learned to make himself not a target as well as to defend himself, it was why he never went anywhere without his guard anymore. He was loyal and most that would try to use him against him would think he was living at first, and thus fail their immediate attack upon the skeleton's mind which would cost them dearly.

Listening to Major explain that his title was Luckbringer, and it wasn't in fact a nickname but dealt with his religion the wizard noded his head in understanding. "Most of Thay follows Bane, with a few others as well. In truth I spent very little time learning much about religion besides the basics, and even that was more for the divine ties to outsiders. So in this topic you would be the teacher, then again the Netheril never followed the gods, believing them to simply be very powerful wizards. A fascinating theory, though if that were true why can't wizards such as myself learn healing magic? I can name a few times the skill would have been useful." he adds, giving a brief view into Thay as well as the Netheril. Then as if it had just popped into his mind he adds, "Nekada however doesn't trust healing magic and as a heads up will always refuse it. Violently if forced. I believe he considers healing magic a weakness that hides the wounds or something similar." Agaros explains making sure that it was well known early not to try and heal him this way the chance of him being revealed to be a skeleton would be less likely.

As the crowd parts and Agaros notices two of his kin coming to place up a new job posting he tilts his head in the proper respect to them, before waiting for them to leave to look at the sign board once more to see which job was removed as well as look at the new one.

Spoiler: Assuming both the Tomb and Crypt are still up on the board

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As Agaros finishes studying the board he points out to the newest one, "Both this one and the tomb seem to be funded by my kin. If everyone is here and willing to help, we can return to my enclave and ask about the two jobs instead of standing around a sign." he offers to the others, after all most of the jobs didn't have a listed price unlike the latest.

[wkwkwkwk1]

Grundar squints as he tries to follow the heated conversation about an enclave of wizards that he had no previous knowledge of, and is rather surprised to hear that someone might refuse healing magic.

"Aye, we could do that," he jumps in at the idea of moving forward. "...Agaros, was it? Point the way."

[dantiesilva]

Looking around to make sure everyone was of the same mindset as Grundar Agaros nods his head. "Yes Grundar it is indeed Agaros." the wizard says before heading back towards the enclave, his cloaked bodyguard constantly moving to be a barrier between Agaros and Sanya in case the later tried anything.

[sandmote]

Sanya watches the cloaked bodyguard closely with an annoyed look on his face. "Well, lead the way, if you're not scared to have me come along."

He turns to Grundar and tries to look less gruff. "You don't seem too familiar with these wizards either. I traveled here from the Lake of Mists, further down the golden way. Where did you grow up?" He hopes his example and emphasis on the individual means he won't receive a full list of the dwarf's ancestry in return.

[sarge67]

Agoros caught up to the two wizards as they were entering one of the city's drug dens. Next to the door were four 'customers slumped against each other in a comatose state. Ivor and Durzila were laughing and holding hands as they entered the shop, but when Ivor notices the group he paused in the doorway "Is there something I can help you with brother Agoros? Would you like to join us?"

[dantiesilva]

Spoiler: OOC

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Please forgive any grammar mistakes and other obvious mistakes. Just got done working third shift and I'm getting the post up to keep the ball rolling before going to bed.

As Agaros and the others caught up to Brother's Ivor and Durzila he nodded his head respectfully to the two of them, though keeping the drug dens "customers" well out of his reach. "No thank you Brother Ivor, though I thank you for the kind offer. While I was checking the board earlier I noticed the posting you made, and those here assembled with me also showed interest in the job. So we have come to inquire about the details about the job exactly." Agaros explains knowing that the two other wizards knew his skeleton minion well and would recognize it, thus not counting it as one of the party.

Spoiler: Important rolls

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Crypt of Mycontil
Knowledge Arcana (1d20+8)[15]
Knowledge Geography (1d20+6)[14] (this is to get a rough idea of where it is located and the climate of said area so they can wear the proper clothing)
Knowledge History on Mycontil (1d20+6)[16]

Brother Ivor Jedmerek
Knowledge Arcana (1d20+8)[23] (To determine how powerful he is/well known)
Knowledge History (1d20+6)[13] (On his family to determine if they are noteworthy in any way)

Sister Durzila Jastram
Knowledge Arcana (1d20+8)[12] (To determine how powerful she is/well known)
Knowledge History (1d20+6)[9] (On her family to determine if they are noteworthy in any way)

[sarge67]

Brother Ivor pulled a pouch and a scroll from his pack "Inside the scroll case is a map that leads to the Crypt. Mycontil was a notorious necromancer during the height of the Nether Empire. I believe that a certain staff of skulls is stored in the main chamber, but my duties with the enclave prevent me from exploring. Inside the pouch is 600 gold pieces, we considered there would be about three from whoever chose the job. Anything else you find in the crypt is yours so it will be considerably more than enough payment. Now are there any questions?" he stretches his arm to hand the items over "Now are there any questions?"

Spoiler: Knowledge Checks

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Brother Ivor is one of the very few necromancers assigned to the enclave. He isn't much higher than Agaros and his duties are more smoking the bongs in the den houses than the enclave. He does wash the dinner dishes and sweep the floors so he does have some jobs. Sister Durzila is a conjurer and she cooks the dinners for the Red Wizards, but she also smokes a little too much at times. Neither of them are related to anyone of importance.

[sandmote]

"I suppose any other information you could arm us with would be of use." Sanya takes the scroll and opens it now. "The fewer surprises, the more likely we will be able to locate your staff of skulls, was it?"

[dantiesilva]

Right duties to the enclave, more like you don't want to do the work yourself and are hoping to gain a powerful Nether artifact to improve your standing." Agaros thinks to himself knowing full and well Ivor was not considered much higher in standing then himself, and even then his only duties seemed to be cleaning dishes and sweeping the floor. Anything a novice wizard could do, never mind a slave, or simply magic. However he voiced none of these thoughts as he listened to what Ivor had to say, or more to the point what he didn't say. "And what if the staff is not there as you believe it might be? You get nothing while we get to split everything we find there anyways, seems like we are missing something, well besides the fact that the tomb is no doubt protected by undead guardians as well as other such things that wouldn't mind the climate, nor stop doing their duties in protecting whatever treasures he kept stowed with him." Agaros stated suspiciously.

"Also you stated the pay would be 200 gold Brother Ivor, there are more than three of us here if you exclude my bodyguard there are four, meaning the price would be 800, unless you are suggesting of course that the enclave plans to cover the rest of the tab?"

When Sanya is done with the map Agaros holds out his hand, "May I? I often spend time looking over maps, and with it I should be able to tell what type of climate to prepare for, as well as how many days or weeks it will take us to get there." the wizard says, hoping that by explaining why he was asking to see it Sanya would put up less of an argument about it, unless of course Sanya could read it.

Spoiler: Geography in conjuration with the map

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(1d20+6)[12] This is not including any bonus you include for the map, to determine the above stuff mentioned so we can buy the correct gear for such an adventure.

Also Knowledge Arcana on the Staff of Skulls (1d20+8)[19]

[wkwkwkwk1]

"I am not," he answers Sanya, "We dwarves don't talk much of wizards or lands far away."

"I'm from Haventon, in the Earthspur mountains," he puffs up a little at being asked about his hometown. "Me great-granpa..." he trails off, realizing he isn't talking with a dwarf, "Eh, it's a small settlement you probably never heard of."

When the possibility of a lower payment is mentioned, Grundar unsuccessfully tries to hide his frown.

Spoiler: OOC

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For Grundar's hometown, I just looked at Faerûn's map, picked a suitably faraway mountain range, checked that dwarves lived there, and made up a name, so don't expect to find it anywhere

[sarge67]

Ivor waved his hand at the thought "It has to be there, anyway. IF you are able to clear the crypt out whether or not the staff it present, i will have a location to use while investigating other locations I'm investigating." He pulls a pipe from a sack as he waits for further questions "Yes, you can go back to the enclave and speak with Leofarn for the final 200 gold or you can wait until the morrow when I have time to gather the funds."