Locating Part Four

…concerned about the things that they had found below Helm’s Hold, the party immediately sought audience with Chief Speaker Amarandine upon returning to the surface. They were told, that she was unavailable, and were directed to the Captain of the Guard. Seemingly immediately upon seeing Becket, however, the Captain seemed to disregard anything the party had to say. Instead, he focused upon the fact the party had trespassed beyond the blockade in Scar Alley, and demanded that the party leave the town immediately. Washing their hands of the ungrateful Captain, the party happily complied… and (perhaps not so) secretly wished the shadow mastiffs would pay him a visit.

Upon returning to Westhill, the party took a couple tendays to follow up on their individual interests. Pix copied some of the new spells he had found and pursued other arcane studies. Thaminor did some research and made a donation to Sister Garaele to expand the Shrine of Luck. Molish tended the local burial ground. T’Sai caught up with Zesstra, and disappeared with Elsa and their child for a time. Becket spent some time with the Tresendar Talons, and decided to join their ranks.

Using the power of the Rod, Pix determined that the next segment was far to the east.  In order to get a more accurate baring, Pix recommended and led the party through the Harper Portal Network to Evereska.  Pix was, of course, quite happy to see Azier again, and did his best to charm the sun elf tavern keeper… who was less than amused.  Desiring to recharge their Simul Stones, the party booked rooms at the Halfway Inn for the night–all the better to sample the Inn’s famous Elquesstria spirits.

In the morning, Pix’s divination with the Rod led them to teleport to Sundabar, then take their stagecoach south along River Rauvin and into the High Forest.  Shortly after entering the ancient woods, the party was attacked by Fey’ri along the road.  During the encounter, an earth elemental joined the fight, pummeling the demonic elves with fury.  Once the battle was over, the elemental burrowed toward the party, launched out of the ground, landing just in front of them–and transformed into a solid, moderately built wood elven druid with slicked back green hair and green eyes. He wore crusty clothing in natural hues, carried a wooden antler staff, and wore two pinky rings. Introducing himself as Leoneiros, he agreed to travel with group for a time. Further down the dilapidated road the party was beset upon by more demonic kin as a group of gnolls attacked from all sides… though it was not long before they would never attack another creature again.

High Forest: Click for Detail

Fey’ri

Fey’ri

Gnolls

Soon, the party passed through the northern entrance into Mhiilamniir and began to make their way through the once great city’s ruins.  Half way through the city, a couatl approached the group and T’Sai moved up to speak with it.  The couatl warned the party that it was watching them, and that it would not tolerate thievery within the city.  Swearing that they would comply, the party continued to follow Pix’s directions towards the southeastern corner of the city.  There, they found a stone-and-open-air structure with a three story tower in the back.  T’Sai took the lead, and Pix went invisible for his investigations.  Upon entering, the first several rooms checked were found to be immaculate living quarters covered in a fine layer of dust.  The next few rooms contained study desks, a lecture hall, and a shrine to Angharradh.  The party began to find elven ghosts going about their “lives” throughout the complex.  When Thaminor attempted to engage one in discourse, the ghost bluntly told him to shush and refused to answer the questions asked.  Further in, T’Sai and Pix found more study rooms, a courtyard, and that the tower was the central library, with all walls covered in bookshelves.  As Pix made his way up the stairs, T’Sai picked up a couple books and began heading towards the tower himself.  Immediately, the elven ghosts from throughout the complex moved to surround T’Sai, and an undead elven wizard came swooping down the center of the tower to approach T’Sai, and demanded the books be returned.  No sooner had they been handed over when the wizard’s head snapped back towards the tower and he flew back up…

…for, on the third floor, Pix had found the next segment of the Rod, suspended in a blue light, and attempted to retrieve it…

Mhiilamniir

Couatl

Mhiilamniir’s Great Library

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