Session 63: The Apprentice Report

General Summary

With their work in the eastern wilds complete the Scales used their Scroll of teleportation to arrive in the city of Minduin upon Velthanor, seeking the new Tower of High Sorcery. As they emerged from the spell a great tower dominated the skyline. At its peak it was clear construction was still underway, as was much of the city itself. Being rebuilt from an ancient ruin, shanty towns of workers could be seen as well completed city scape as well as city still under construction. Entering was done with ease as there was no gate or formal guard, the Scales made their way towards the tower. Finding an Inn near the massive mage tower which served as library, arcanum, labratory, and university, they next went to seek entry. As they moved thru the city, the mix of human, elf and aelfar became most apparent. Despite the free cities dislike of elves there seemed to be many of them here, mostly refugees of Tallaine. While the city was not guarded, the Tower had a full gate and curtain wall, clearly enchanted for protection, as well as being tall and formidable. At the entrance a young Aelfar and a Human stood guard, lightly armored, with blades at their sides they would challenge the Scales and ask their business. Being granted entry the two magical warriors would trace runes in the air which grafted to the shoulders of the scales clothing then vanished. "These will grant you access to the grounds, check in with the tower for further access as you need, enjoy your studies."  

Within the school the scales would be granted access to the libraries they needed as well as securing a reluctant appointment with the Towers Head Mistress the Lady Kathlynn. The library would still be in much disarray, new tomes were stacked awaiting filing, ancient damaged books from Tallaine were being evaluated, copied if possible, combined if necessary, a great restoration effort with a fraction of the cities former knowledge. After several hours of research and little new to show for it, a woman in white silken robes would arrive looking for A'lar. As he would step forward she would frown light, "Aren't you late for an appointment?" He would frown suddenly having forgotten the meeting arranged with Cal'Brand, a compatriot of Kathlynns, "Well with respect he never did set a time, is he there?" She would nod, "He said something about taking the first steps to find you?" A'lar would grin slightly amused, "Yes well, I will reach out, but we are here to seek your guidance on finding items of power..." A'lar would explain their goal in changing dragon nature and if her knowledge of the Towers resources could identify magical items of the various powers to conduct the ritual. She would agree but would need 3 days to compile some options for them. During this time the Scales would busy themselves in various ways while they waited. Indalell would strike out into the city to gain information on current happenings, intrigued by the generally racially hostile Free Citizens present and their co-operation with the elves. A'lar would take in what he could of the city. Adalon and Ayrien would take the time to rest along with Ismaril and Sildaenar. Long Wei would put himself to work in the Libraries, helping the magi sort but also keeping an eye out for interesting tomes. Here he would find a histories of the Age of Wonder of Ioban, including the exploits of a young Saellryth as she studied to become an acolyte of the goddess of Time.  

On the third day as the Scales would descend the Inn to the common room, they would find it filled with aspiring musicians and performers all seeming to be warming up and waiting for someone. Ismaril would lean over to a young woman and whisper, "What is going on?" The Woman would look over and excitedly whisper back, "There is supposed to be a great Bard, A'lar Starfall staying here, and he is in town looking for an apprentice, so well I and these others are hoping to catch his eyes before his show and auditions!" Ismaril would raise an eyebrow and pull A'lar over, "Well allow me to introduce you to A'lar! A'lar this young woman and these young people are eagerly awaiting to show you their talents to become the apprentice you have come here to find!" A'lar would seem very confused for a moment but then gain his composure quickly, "Ah well yes...how ambitious of them...Bliss, collect a list, I will begin interviews and auditions shortly!" Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, A'lar would spend the morning and afternoon to see if there were any worthy to be an apprentice while the Scales met with Kathlynn. The day would end with the scales having 2 options to seek for each primordial power source and A'lar would have a new apprentice to take back with him to Ioban.  

Kathlynn would deliver them to the First Steps, scattered about the large tavern complex Indalell would arrive along side A'lar while the others were in various places. As they started to make their way out, Indalell would nudge A'lar and point to a patron shuffling towards the stairs, their clothes beneat their outer robes seemingly dripping wet, "Your staff offering showers?" A'lar would shake his head seeming confused. Indalell would activate true seeing and the figure would be reveal itself as a drowned corpse, "Something seems amiss," he would offer to A'lar. As they pursued the corpse downstairs, Ayrien who was joined by Adalon would note another strange figure walking or perhaps dancing awkardly almost as if their limbs had been broken or dislocated. Ismaril would cross the tavern finding a strange individual sitting alone she would slide into a seat by them, "You seem to be waiting for someone." The figure would blink and look to her, "Yes, waiting alone..." Ismaril would smile seeing the discomfort, "Well no need to wait alone, I am here now, who are we looking for?" The man would sigh, "The propriator should be arriving soon." Ismaril would nod, "Indeed, I know him well in fact here he is now, well two of him." She would nod over to A'lar who would tried to disuade the undead he was following with an illusion of himself, tho it seemed not to care. Soon several dripping and shambling figures were moving upon the stranger in the corner.  

A woman would stand from a nearby table and suddenly shriek, "Murderer and traitor!" Whatever illusion was in place would fade as drowned corpses and those with broken limbs would surged towards the stranger beside Ismaril. To his credit the man would spring to action quickly a Greatsword glowing with sacred light would appear in his grip. The shrieking woman, a living corpse of some kind would lash out at him with barbed chains. The Scales jumped to action quickly as patrons of the first steps fled in panick. The battle was brutal and brief, the undead surging to swarm the stranger while the scales attempted to protect him, heal him, and dispatch the undead. Heavy blows were exchanged by both sides, but eventually Adalon would slay the apparent Revenant that was hunting the stranger, a strage dark energy surging into him. The Stranger breathing heavy would dismiss his magical blade and frown down to the elven womans corpse that had attacked him, "I did not ever expect to see her again...I suspect I had best introduce myself, I am Cal'Brand"