[Game Thread] The First Steps are the Easiest

[Elucidus]

OOC Haven't you realized yet? I know everything. lol. Sorry, it is just the way things unfolded. I get ...wait bad form? Really? If the DM can't handle a little criticism, he is in the wrong job. My form is fine, thank you very much.

[MCP]

"I am Kreighton Shaine. Master of Scrolls for the lodge. Though my fortune lies beyond these walls." A low sigh on the elf's part, he looking skyward before continuing. "Much as explosions or the love of a god can sate one's hungers for their passion, so too do my passions wax for the cloaked and the forgotten. Many questions lie in the scattered ruins of the siege castles that form the city of death between us and the centaur. One of these questions lay in a book of truths that was once held by Taldan fingers just east of the Spire of Nex in the Cairnlands. Therein is a well-ruined siege engine dubbed at the time the Red Wolf of Taldor. The outermost reaches are akin to bones in the sun. Bleached and picked clean." It's only then that dreamy eyes come down to mark each of you in turn.

"Within those bones is the heart, still beating. A book of truths named the Codex of Dangerous Arts. It is not a very dangerous relic but many things held within are not for those of weak constitution. I would advise you not to open it or read what is held within. This--" He says, producing a small crystal flower set onto a bronze disk "--Is the key to the inner sanctum. I will advise you that powerful wizards died within that structure and their spirits will not part with what allows them to linger without a disagreement. If you should discover it, or should find it absent, or fail in your venture, return here with the key and the book. Again, if you find it. Are there inquiries as to my venture?"

[Finder of Paths]

Neji tries to stifle a giggle at the strangeness of Shiane's speech, but fails to do so and snorts out a quick burst of laughter. Trying to pretend she saw an initiate fall over, Neji struggles to get her laughter under control. "Okay so...to the Cairnlands? I've never been there! What's it like?" Ancient treasure, guarded by the ghosts of dead wizards, now that sounds exciting! I better pack an extra load of reddust, or maybe two...oh and I need a new sparker, hmm maybe the new shipment of vials is in too, I wonder if they got the green ones I asked for!

[Chiima]

Isana is already considering how to keep the more... inquisitive members of the team from opening and reading the book. With such a distraction, she almost misses the exact details of the investigation. Almost. "The Spire of Nex? I don't know if I'm disappointed or thrilled that we're going somewhere nearby it, as opposed to inside." Her lips curve into a smile. The almost mile-tall ediface is apparently visible at the edge of the horizon right here in Absalom, but for now, it's just another item on the list of things Isana has never seen. Thank Sarenrae that may yet change. "This Red Wolf of Taldor must have been quite a sight, if it's as you say. It'll be a pleasure to investigate what remains. Are there any known hazards in the area from previous explorations? Another Pathfinder's journal we could reference?"

[DineDel]

Kamir smiles taking mental note of studying Bear's Endurance to be cast on Gian before tricking him into opening that book.

"What does that book contain?" The keleshite asks with a strange bright in his eyes, in his strange world, Dangerous Arts means Arcane Magic of Unspeakable Power. And Unspeakable means big, very big.

[MCP]

A low shrug and a dismissive wave at the bevy of questions signal nonchalant indifference to them, even while Kreighton answers them in turn while closely inspecting but not touching in any way the leaf he's currently silently interrogating as to its tenacity. "The Cairnlands are the communal graveyard for a dozen nations' worth of troops and siege weaponry. Every assault against Absalom ever launched has failed, from the Osirian empire to the Dread Baphon and even older still. Their bodies and bones of wood and steel still mire the harbor and muddy the landscape's beauty with their failure."

Eyes pass over the cloudy-eyed Keleshite with a wistful smile. "Many initiates and newfound members such as yourselves are fond of plumbing the Spire. Adril Hestram specializes in bringing fledglings out with him to cut their teeth on the minor hazards the city guard do not bother with, if you seek knowledge of the hazards of the wastes he will be conducting shield training until noonday." Several of you are familiar with the jovial, heavily-bearded Ulfen man known best for his drinking songs as he is mentioned. "The Red Wolf of Taldor was a bastion of grace and terrible beauty when she was launched. Covered in red steel plate and bearing a battering ram with the visage of a snarling wolf. When she fell, her armor and head were taken as trophies. Likely melted down and used. The head is now a Maw."

The fellow Keleshite man receives a knowing smile. "Do believe me. I am loathe to open the tome but it must be filed among the dangerous literature. I would advise you to be just as much."

[Elucidus]

When he mentions Ulfen her mind goes immediately to his favorite drinking song and the lyrics of the chorus pop in her head.

Jump, jump jump, here ho we go
Dump, dump, dump, how high you go
Fill that drink and tip the Mug
Leave no more left
Chug, Chug, Chug

Anyone who is observant can see her little feet move for a split second like the dance she made up to go with that song, but ever so slightly.

[DineDel]

"I hope he isn't in a garden" Kamir says slowly.

Then, sighing even deeper, he asks "Ok, so, we are after a hidden ancient book in the ruins of ancient war machinery without knowing what it is about. We could find useful a description of some sort, unless it's also dangerous literature..."

[corporealself]

"Let's not concern ourselves with the contents of the book. If it's truly that dangerous then we stick it in a bag and bring it back here. Ignorance is bliss if you will. When we return we can learn all about it from people better equipped to inspect the book than us."

Already he was thinking about the ghosts and the best way to fight them. Obviously they needed some consecrated items, much of it would be holy water most likely. There would probably be more mundane members of the undead and scavengers among the ruins. But his side, the one with the hand print, twitched as he recalled the part about ghost wizards. Those would be the problem and Gian felt a little chill of dread knowing that they were the true obstacle.

"Thank you Master Shaine. We will do our best to retrieve the book," he bowed slightly towards the Master of Scrolls and turned to his companions, "I think the best course of action is for Kamir and I to talk to Master Hestram while Inaya, Neji, and Desi prepare or purchase anything that they can to fight undead, wizards, and ghosts. Any other thoughts?"

[Chiima]

"We'll just bring all the books we find, I can't imagine there are that many in a war machine," Inaya suggests to Kamir with the lightness of amusement coloring her tone.

"Master Shaine, thank you for your confidence in us. I trust since this is a retreival to file away the book there is not a specific urgency to hurry? The ruins of the Cairnlands are just outside the walls of Absalom, so I don't expect we'll be long either way." After thanking their advisor for the mission, Gian's advice sinks in. She turns to him with a look of startled reaction to the idea that she alone is supposed to supervise a shopping expedition with Neji and Desi. Slowly, trying to flatten the reaction from her voice, she suggests: "Oh, don't think it will take too long to talk to Master Hestram. We should stay together."

[Elucidus]

"We should stay together, we may pick up on things, your ears may miss." Insists Desi.

[DineDel]

Kamir was about to say something clever to Gian, but Inaya's remark left him without speech.

You... You... lead the way! Finally says to the Chelish man

"I'm a moron" he thinks "A description? A dusty cover with some pages inside!"

[MCP]

Shaine himself seems quite lost in thought when you say your goodbyes to him, pondering something that you hold no doubts about as far as depth of meaning or absence of logic. Should you seek the large Ulfen man who knows more about the Cairnlands, he will be in one of the training rooms. Likely the shield training room laughing jovially as he abuses the poor shield arms of the martially-inclined Initiates. Should you simply go to the requisitions master, he can be found near the front of the lodge down a short hallway that leads to the stables.

[Chiima]

Inaya's blind eyes catch the expression on her countryman, and her hand touches his arm in a quick acknowledgment. She recognizes how her words affected Kamir, and she's not holding his words against him.

She follows Gian as he leads the group, and it's a polite: "Master Ulfen!" that she greets with as the new Pathfinders interrupt shield training.

[Finder of Paths]

Neji can't help but giggle at the exchange between Kamir and Inaya, but tries to blame it on another initiate falling over. "I think they just get bored of sweeping and fall asleep...not that I never did that though!" Actually I'm pretty good at sweeping! We have to clean the west wing lab all the time when things blow up, or someones mixture overboils, or an initiate drops a load of red dust. Already carrying everything she would need, Neji follows Inaya and Gian to the training rooms to find Ulfen.