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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 25, 2018 7:25:18 GMT -5
A wave of laughter, and the mixed smell of pipe smoke and ale washes over you as you open one of the double doors that leads into The Wayfarer's Rest. Guardsman Jackson at the gate into Clifton suggested this inn, saying, "If you need a place to stay, the Wayfarer's Rest is a great place to find a bed. Tell Old Borris that Guardsman Jackson sent you, and he will give you an ale."
A few steps into the common room and the cooking smells coming from the kitchen make your mouth water. The inn itself is a fairly large three story rectangle, the exterior recently white washed, and the windows and doors are bordered in chestnut stained wood. The common room is quite large, with twin fire places set in opposite walls. A dozen round tables cover the center of the room, with several long tables with benches along the outside. A few more private booths line the back wall.
A surly, well muscled Dwarf stands guard just inside the door. His arms are crossed and his hard eyes look you up and down as you enter. Apparently you pass his scrutiny, because he goes back to watching the room for trouble. Groups of men sit at all the round tables, laughing, dicing, and listening to a fellow play the dulcimer. A pair of guardsmen chat idly with their backs to the wall, frothy tankards of ale in their hands. As you pass by the Dwarf several people look up from what they were doing for a moment before going back to what they were doing before. One fellow even nods a greeting.
The closest server brushes past you with a laden tray, "Find a spot where you can, someone will be with you soon." The woman is wearing leather armour that is so form fitting it leaves little to the imagination. As she leans over to unload her tray, conversation at that table dies. Each man at the table stares into the mountain of cleavage the woman presents. The analytical part of your brain doesn't understand why she would bother wearing armour that exposed so much of her chest, but another part of your brain simply doesn't care.
Another server finds you almost immediately after you find a spot, this one more modestly dressed with a pristine white apron over a lovely sky blue dress, "What can I get you hun?" After placing your order, you spot another fellow entering the common room from the back where the servers have been coming and going. The front half of the man's head is bald, and the rest is graying. He's wearing simple white cotton, and a leather belt strains to contain his considerable girth. Over the rest he wears a pristine white apron. One of the guards shouts, "Innkeep!" and the man heads to their table. He must be the Old Borris that Guardsman Jackson was speaking about.
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Post by Greyling on Oct 27, 2018 13:50:45 GMT -5
Accepting the first server's suggestion, he finds an empty, comfortable seat. Placing his pack and supplies at his feet, and his large book on the table.
Pulling his hood back, off his raven black short hair. He offers a smile, his blue eyes maintaining eye contact, "a simple meal and a glass of water would be appreciated, fair lady. I prefer to keep my wits sharp. On a side note, would there be an Old Borris here? I was directed by a guardsman to find him here regarding lodging."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 28, 2018 5:46:59 GMT -5
She smiles sweetly, her eyes drifting to your book as you open it up on the table, "One would need sharp wits to tackle a tome like that." She then bobs a small curtsy, and vanishes into the crowd. Within a minute or so a glass of cool water sits on the table. She must have just reached out and dropped it off, because you didn't even see her this time. A few minutes later and the heavy set, balding man arrives at your table with a plate of food, "Here we are then." He says, placing the steaming plate of chunked marinated pork, on a bed of long grain rice before you. "That Jackson is better than me sign outside at sending me custom." He says with a smile as he switches a silver protector from one pocket to another, light glinting off the knight on one side of the coin. "Was there something you needed from me my friend?"
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Post by Greyling on Oct 29, 2018 23:52:14 GMT -5
"Lodgings. I will need somewhere to sleep. What are your costs?" He closes his tome, "any discounts if I plan a lengthier stay? Which will depend on how things at the mage guild." Without breaking eye contact, he notices the hand he left on his tome has been absently retracing the relief rune markings on the cover. He lays one upon the other to still them both.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Oct 30, 2018 9:20:56 GMT -5
Old Borris take a chair from a nearby table, and spins it around so the back of it sits up against the end of your table. He seats himself backward on the chair, so his elbows rest upon the back, "If lodgings is what you need, than you have come to the right place." He goes on to explain that the bulk of his inn provides comfortable rooms, although he does have a couple modest rooms, or a suite for the wealthy. He sounds like a man that takes great pride in his establishment. Once you tell him which room you're interested in he quotes the price, and provides you a key and a room number. "The staff here are like family, they will take care of everything so you can focus on your studies. I believe you mentioned the Mage's Guild, do you need directions?" If you ask he provides the required information. One of the servers calls him from behind the bar, and he turns to you, "Was there anything else you needed my friend? An innkeeper's work is never done." Link: Lodging Details
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Post by Greyling on Nov 9, 2018 16:45:54 GMT -5
He pays for a modest room, which should suit his needs for now. After getting directions for the mage guild, he confirms there is nothing else that he needs at this time.
Securing the key in a chest high coat pocket, he finishes his meal (including paying if he hasn't already), collects his belongings and leaves the establishment to seek out the guild.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 9, 2018 18:29:48 GMT -5
(Just dock the 1gp from your sheet.)
You make your way through the hustle and bustle of the city of Clifton. As soon as you step foot into the flow of people, you're swept away. From time to time you're jostled back and forth, and a few times you actually miss a turn as the press of bodies prevents you from getting to where you needed to be. You make your way South to toward the High District, the docks, and the Duchess' Palace. Each of those districts is separated from Commercial District by one long wall. To the South-West and up on the cliffs bordering the sea, the Duchess' Palace towers over all other buildings. A monument to her power and influence in the Empire. Also up on the cliffs, but this time to the South-East the roofs of the guild-houses, the splendor of the Pelorian Temple, and the tower of the Mages Guild can be seen over the walls. Splitting those two districts is the docks, with a long road descending down to the sea. You only recently passed through that gate when you arrived here.
As you approach the gates to the High District the crowd thins somewhat, and you're no longer jostled. It gives you the chance to take note of two pairs of guards on either side of the portcullis at ground level, and another pair of faces looking on attentively from the arrow slits above. The men all wear a tabbard bearing the Imperial insignia paired with the Duchess' personal crest over their chainmail armour. The men watch the steady stream of humanity pass through between them.
The Mages Guild itself is a large perfectly round white sphere. There is a long cylinder sticking out of the roof at an angle. The sphere seems to be made from a single piece of stone, without a seem or join to be had. A few people come and go from the building every few minutes, and by your math if the floors are standard height, it must be really cramped in there.
As you approach the building you can feel the weave like it were a lute string recently plucked. It’s vibrations passing through you in waves. Opening the door itself, you’re greeted by a ten foot long hallway. There is a window set in the wall in front of you, and a door to the left and right near the window. A placard reads ‘Reception’ under the window.
As you reach the window, you see a Tiefling woman wearing a shirt so tight that her modest chest pops distractingly. You could see how a man might be so distracted that he might not notice the jet black horns sweeping back, and tapering to sharp points about eight inches later. She glances up as you approach, and says in a perky high pitched voice, “Good morning. How can I be of assistance?”
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Post by Greyling on Nov 11, 2018 14:16:34 GMT -5
A strange hypothesis occurs to him as he gets swept away in the sea of citizens. As physically close as they get to each other, many likely kept something from the neighbours. Secrets of varying sizes creating a mental and/or emotional distance to counter the lack of literal distance they displayed.
Comfort soothes as he first spots his destination - the Mage Guild tower. Then, approaching brings the sensation of the weave, music to his psyche.
Inside he walks up the reception window, and is greeted. "Are you a sorceress? My understanding is that they use their charisma to manifest magical effects. Though that charisma can come in different forms, I suspect your physical qualities afford an abundant amount of influence." He tilts his head as if a thought distracted his inquiry, "sorry. Theory can supersede my manners. Good morning. I am a wizard seeking membership with the guild. My name is Ezra Eridruin."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 12, 2018 9:57:56 GMT -5
"A sorcerer? Me?" She points at her sternum, but the movement only draws your attention back to the exposed pale flesh of her chest. Her smile broadens, as she leans forward conspiratorially, "I know a little bit about the arcane, but I don't know that I would call myself a sorcerer." She gestures behind herself toward the fireplace, and the room dims as the fire place seems to shed less light than before. The mood in the room seems much more intimate with the reduced lighting, and her smile seems so much more inviting than before. You become aware of something warm and softer than you thought possible touching your hand. You realize that she has touched your hand with hers. “Here deary, take these forms and go through that door.” She gestures to your left. You’re handed a sheef of papers, and a small sample box.
Opening the left door you proceed where directed. You feel a strong magical tingle as you pass through the threshold, and find yourself in a ten by ten unadorned room. In the center of the room is a writing desk, with all the tools needed to fill out the paperwork she provided you.
Once seated at the desk you read over the paperwork. The basics are as follows: it is illegal to cast any sort of magic within the walls of Clifton without first registering with the mages guild. You don’t have to join the mages guild, but you must be register to cast. Registration consists of filling out your basic information — in triplicate — trimming your nails into a small provided vial, a few strands of hair into another, and lastly a few drops of blood into yet another vial.
Another form details joining the mages guild. For 10gp a month, you gain access to the guilds sizable library for research purposes. Additionally, you gain access to the various labs, so you can perform your own experiments. You can earn income by lending your magic to the guilds item creation industry, working jobs for Clifton, or doing quests for other guild members. There is quite a bit more in the forms, did you have any specific questions?
(The receptionist has a Cha of 20 if that helps put things in perspective.
You can use your reaction as she cast the spell to make a DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check to try and identify which spell it was. You get advantage on this check because the spell cast is on your spell list. Assuming you passed the check, then you know that she cast the cantrip Control Flames.)
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Post by Greyling on Nov 24, 2018 22:47:36 GMT -5
"Fascinating. In your experience, other men must be so easily distracted by their base carnal nature." He had let her lead his gaze out of curiousity, but now elevates his eyes to her eye level. "I respect your ability to lead vacuous minds, while saddened that there may be so many." Removing his hand from under hers impassively, Ezra accepts the paper and box.
Making a mental note to examine how the magical weave was woven through the structure after yet another twinging feeling. He sits at the desk, and fills out the forms in triplicate and provides the samples.
"I would like to join, but find myself just short of the 10 gold. Perhaps after I find work. Would you have a recommendation on where one might begin that search?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 25, 2018 19:55:31 GMT -5
(I guess you weren't interested in knowing what spell she cast.)
She raises an eyebrow at your fascination, "I don't really know much about the carnal nature of men." She says with an innocent expression, "I'm going to take that last one as a complement, and agree with you on the number of weak minded individuals in the world." She shrugs then, gesturing back to the door that you are to go through as she retakes her seat.
After you finish the paperwork and dispense with the required samples, you take the collection back to the receptionist. She pops up with smile, and takes what you've brought her. She quickly checks over your paperwork with a well practiced eye, and makes a couple notations here and there. Once she has finished, she responds to your statements, "Your dues would be collected at the end of the month, so you have time to get your finances in order." She tucks your sample box onto a wheeled cart, and adds your paperwork to a file on the same cart before turning back to you. She hands you a sheet of paper, "Sign the bottom, right there" She points to where you should sign, then adds, "Now that you're a full fledged member of the mages guild, if you want to contribute your arcane prowess toward the guilds goals then you can start making some coin right away. Thoughts?"
(I will need a knowledge Arcana check to assess your knowledge of the weaves about the place)
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Post by Greyling on Nov 25, 2018 21:27:07 GMT -5
Ezra nods, pleased to have a grace period for which to earn the membership dues. Then signs the form where instructed.
He raises an eyebrow with roused curiousity, "and what goals would those be?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Nov 27, 2018 9:43:37 GMT -5
"Well." She says as she takes her seat again, talking up to you while sorting out some paperwork on her desk below where you can see, "Quite a few adventurer types come to the guild looking for items of an arcane quality." She looks up at you smiling, "and we are more than happy to provide said items." She looks back down, and pauses for a moment, her lips moving as she reads something before continuing, "For a modest fee of course. You provide your arcane power to this process, and are paid for each day of work you contribute. Each day being about eight hours of work." She looks back up at you now, this time with a look of curiosity of her own, "But that's not what you were asking now was it?" She smiles again, "I just handle the desk Master Eridruin, if you want to dig into the politics of the Guild more power to you." She offers you a copper ring sized for your smallest finger. "It is traditional to wear the copper ring on your left hand. While wearing that, you can enter the door to your right. The guild owns property all over the city and elsewhere. They've set up a pretty elaborate collection of teleportation circles to get around. If you do well, you can gain higher status within the guild and a better ring." She holds up her hand, and you can see a silver band on her pinky. "Anything else?"
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Post by Greyling on Nov 27, 2018 22:12:09 GMT -5
He lightly chuckles, "I only asked as you mentioned goals. I'm still orientating myself. Thank you, you've been helpful." After removing the glove from his left hand, he spreads his fingers and slides on the copper ring. While putting his hand back into the glove, he strides toward the door on his right.
When he feels the tingle of the teleportation, he wonders what the tielfling had done to elevate her status. By now though it would have to wait until next time. His blue eyes scan the new surroundings.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 3, 2018 20:20:58 GMT -5
You open the door, and see a simple ten by ten room remarkably similar to the one you just filled out all that paperwork in. As you step through the doorway the world lurches, and for a moment you feel like your stomach is left behind. A moment later it catches up, and for a second you feel like you might retch. You squeeze your eyes shut and focus on your breathing until a voice distracts you, "I observe by your continence, that you are a neophyte of the guild." Opening your eyes, you see a bookish looking fellow with spectacles riding low on his nose. Mostly nondescript, or unremarkable features with one notable exception: a tightly braided gray-red beard about an inch thick that grows down to his navel. The man is holding a ceramic pot with a water motif lacquered onto it toward you. After a moment, when he's sure you're not going to throw up he sets the pot aside on a nearby table. This room is considerably larger, but is heavily divided by five foot walls that break the room up into cubicles separated by aisles. (think office building) In the immediate vicinity you see another table with a ponderous book laid open on top, with a fairly comfortable looking chair besides. The bearded man is setting a leather thong to mark his page, before tucking the massive tome under his arm and turning back to you, "Salutations, my autonym is Bryant. I will act as both your chaperon and guide for the next sixty minutes." Over the low walls you can see a fair number of people, most of which are reading or writing at desks inside the cubicles.
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Post by Greyling on Dec 7, 2018 21:08:54 GMT -5
I hope in time that becomes less.... unsettling.
Tipping his head to the bookish fellow, "astute observation, Bryant. I am Ezra. Wizard. Diviner. Though admittedly, I'm still a novice skill level." He looks around the compartmentalized room. "Query. Does the teleportation circle at the Clifton guild tower always connect to here? Or did it sense my desire to earn my membership fee and shunt me here?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 11, 2018 22:06:02 GMT -5
You get the feeling that that experience was more drastic because you were not expecting it given what you could see with your eyes. Next time with updated expectations it shouldn’t be as unsettling.
The man only nods at your introduction. “That fell-blooded female controls the sigils within the reception hallway.” A hitch of disdain catches in his tone as he talks about the charismatic Tiefling behind the desk. He points at your finger, the one where you’re wearing your new ring, “With the copper band you will be able to access this room, the guild’s reception hall, the guard houses that lead down to the docks or any of the town gates. That is of course once I instruct you in the proper sigil sequences.”
He gestures to the host of desks around you as he walks down the aisle, “The multitudinous pupils that study with the guild often make use of these desks for completing assignments given in class, or to complete work hours by practicing inscribing their limited knowledge into scrolls to augment the guilds stores.”
He comes to a stop at a T shaped intersection of aisles, as he turns to face you he points off to your right, “That way leads to the alchemical laboratories.” Gesturing to your left he adds, “and that way leads to the arcane laboratories.” He starts walking toward the arcane laboratories, but turns aside before he enters the hall he pointed toward. “Down here are the classrooms, research rooms, professor offices, and of course the library.” He points out where each of those things are then leads you to a research room.
The room is simply furnished with a couple desks, and shelves, a few music stands that are built more sturdy for the weight of books. Here he explains where the sigils are hidden and how to activate the teleportation circles in each location he mentioned before. “Any further queries?” He says in the same bored tone he has been using for most of the tour.
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Post by Greyling on Dec 18, 2018 1:00:41 GMT -5
Ezra listens intently to absorb the plethora of information. At the end of the tour, "thank you, Bryant. As a new member, and also new to Clifton, it would do me well to earn moneys to cover my guild fees and lodging costs. Any recommendations? Making scrolls? Potions? Other?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Dec 20, 2018 18:41:30 GMT -5
"If you are studious, you could do research for other mages. They tend to pay about a gold a day. The crafting of magical items is big business for the guild, and they pay you a ten percent commission upon the item's completion. Adventurers often hire out mages to fill out their roster. For the higher risk, the guild insists upon a proper split of any treasure acquired as compensation in addition to a three gold per day wage."
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Post by Greyling on Jan 1, 2019 2:37:13 GMT -5
"I'd could help others do some research for a while to earn the guild fee. Does one just wander around asking of others need help?"
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 4, 2019 22:21:42 GMT -5
Bryant looks aghast, "Nothing so intrusive as that. Those that wish to provide assistance in the library simply sign in with the Keeper of Tombs. Most do their own research until they are called upon to help a client." Bryant's eyes keep drifting back to the volume tucked under his arm as you've been talking. He is becoming less and less subtle about it too. It is at this point that you realize that you've been with him for a little over an hour. You also recall that he said he would act as both your chaperon and guide for the next sixty minutes.
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Post by Greyling on Jan 26, 2019 0:52:34 GMT -5
"Well, I should let you get back to your research. Thanks very much for your assistance, and if YOU need any help, I'd be happy to return the kindness." When the two go their separate ways, Ezra looks for the Keeper of Tombs.
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Post by DM-Delfon on Jan 27, 2019 11:00:08 GMT -5
Bryant only nods and walks away, not pushing past you exactly, but more expecting you to move aside for him. He heads back toward where you first met him, quickly disappearing from view. Retracing your steps from the tour, you make your way back to the library. Entering into this massive multi-floor circular chamber fills you with awe. The first floor's outer walls are all shelves filled with books. Most of the area between the walls are filled with long bench tables, or more private carrel desks. The surfaces of those desks and tables have been polished to a shine from years of use. The central fifteen feet of the main floor is dominated by a open concept office, with a placard that reads "Keeper of the Tomes - Sebastian Andromeda." The central twenty feet has been cut out of the floors above, and a wide spiral staircase encircles that opening leading to the floors above. From your vantage at the base of the stairs you can see the three other floors that make up the entire library. From here you can see that the floors above are almost entirely comprised of bookshelves laid out like spokes on a wheel. The amount of knowledge that this place contains is astounding. It does strike you as odd that so much knowledge has been accumulated here. This city is only a century old, how have they managed to gather so much so quickly? This collection seems like it would have taken several lifetimes to collect. Now that you've had a moment to absorb the room itself, you look again, this time focused on who is in the room. On the main floor you see a dozen scholarly looking people with copper rings on their fingers like yours. Most of them are reading or writing at desks or tables. One young woman is carrying a stack of books down the stairs toward you. An elderly Elven woman with a gold ring is chatting to a trio of silver ring wearing pupils. Lastly a well dressed man sits at the desk in the open concept office in the center of the room. Library stairs
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Post by Greyling on Feb 18, 2019 9:13:56 GMT -5
Simply in reaction to the man walking at him, he tries to quickly pivot out of the way.
Having come to speak to the Keeper, Ezra moves to the centrally located desk and clears his throat to get the well dressed man sitting at the desk's attention. "Excuse me. I'm looking for Mr. Andromeda."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Feb 23, 2019 10:23:01 GMT -5
As you clear your throat the man holds up a hand, index finger extended while he finishes making a note in a ledger. Once completed he sets the quill into the inkpot on the desk and carefully sands the page, setting it aside in a three tiered drying rack. Standing the man brushes down the front of himself to smooth out any wrinkles in his clothing. Looking to you, he says, "Master Sebastian Andromeda, Keeper of the Tomes at your service." He says with a surprisingly energetic, but still hushed tone and a small half bow. "The blessings of The Binder be upon you. How can I be of service?"
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Post by Greyling on Feb 24, 2019 7:53:11 GMT -5
The young man removes the glove from his left hand again to displays his copper guild ring. Trying to match the hushed tone, "new guild member. Ezra Eridruin. I'm looking for a place I can be productive in the guild and maybe earn some coin. So, to quote you, 'How can I be of service?' "
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Post by DM-Delfon on Feb 24, 2019 13:00:07 GMT -5
He splays the fingers of his own left hand, and glances down at the band of guild gold encircling his ring finger. He smiles down at it with a look of pride and happiness, like a newly wed bride looking at her wedding band. "Another new member!" He exclaims in hushed excitement, "I've been pleasantly surprised at how many arcane practitioners can be found so far from the center of the Empire." While he talks here, he pulls out a file folder with a few pages written in various hands. "I have several requests at the moment. I have an adventuring party that's looking for information on Myconid. They're thinking about clearing a colony from the Sinkhole, but want to know what they're going up against." He flips the page he was looking at over, revealing the next topic, "One of our seasoned mages is looking to discuss high end Anthroposophy, and if the Boline still has uses in today's society." Another flip, and another topic, "I have a fellow that wants to have his weapon enchanted, but he's been rather tight lipped as to what he wants it to be enchanted to do exactly. I don't want to bring this to one of the enchanters until we know more about what is going on with that." He flips the page once more, and continues, "Some Dwarven adventurer chap is looking for information on Wyvern." He sets aside the folder, and touches the wall of his desk, you hear the sound of paper being touched. For a moment he looks you over silently, seemingly trying to assess something, "If you're interested in something a little more adventurous yourself, I have a squad of adventurers that are looking for an arcanist to translate some runes they found in a temple in the swamps. You're not expected to take part in any combat, just go with them and do the translation." Leaning forward and placing his hands on his desk he looks you right in the eye, and asks, "So what task would you like to take on, on behalf of the guild?"
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Post by Greyling on Mar 18, 2019 11:49:56 GMT -5
Ezra listens to each of the tasks until mention of mysterious runes. "Runes? Seems ideal for a novice diviner such as myself."
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Post by DM-Delfon on Mar 18, 2019 17:07:36 GMT -5
The man's already vibrant smile somehow grows brighter still, "A Diviner you say?" You can even hear the capitol he placed on the word Diviner, "That happens to be my specialty as well." He leans forward yet farther, leaning down on his elbows, while cradling his head with his hands, "Do come back and tell me what you find on your adventure. Do you have everything you need to translate a potentially ancient or foreign tongue?"
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Post by Greyling on Mar 19, 2019 22:24:17 GMT -5
Ezra smiles back, pleased to find a kindred spirit. "I will. I have a spell in my spellbook that allows me to comprehend languages. I can refresh my memory of the spell in the morning. I imagine there will be some travel time to prepare heading to the swamp. Any details on who these adventurers and/or where to find them?" He dons his glove onto his left hand, with the ring secure beneath.
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