Of the Marvels of Ironpeak: Chapter 9

I wish I had slept better, but first some necessary improvements to my chain mail and then Bean's vision kept me up for quite a while. Yesterday evening she supposedly had a vision about me, which visibly shocked her when she had it. She told me that it contained a stone city with a massive fire in the middle of it, and a wizard holding a huge yellow crystal. I fail to understand why this would be upsetting to her, but it seems that behind the friendly appearance of the coffee witch lie some deep secrets. I've also used the early morning to take inventory of our newly acquired goods, some of which would be quite suitable for tinkering projects. As got increasingly clear today, this land isn't as protected as I'm used to, and we'll need all the means to defend ourselves against its many dangers. I have a few ideas already, but will hold off on specific plans until we reach a town with a decent forge.
 
During breakfast, our travel took yet another unexpected turn when Torben revealed to us that his deal includes the retrieval of some lens that can detect magic and illusions out of some tower. A tower, I must add, we were specifically warned about. As we found out today, the rumors of it being haunted seem to hold some truth to themselves. None the matter, the deal was still decided to be acceptable by Kniv and the others, so we made way towards Diobri with our newfound companions. During the journey, we had quite a weird encounter with a sudden rain cloud exactly over our wagon. It would almost perfectly follow us for quite a while before disappearing as quickly as it appeared. I wasn't able to identify what the origin of this is, but I suspect that some of the items the warriors left us yesterday may be cursed in some way. It would be advisable to get rid off these baubles as quickly as possible.
 
In the afternoon, we arrived at the tower where we encountered a bunch of vagabonds, which were also trying to get into the tower. The situation was already quite tense but after Orin found the emblem of one of his murdered friends, things were on the brink of escalating into a fight. Bean asserted her authority (which came really unexpected from the elderly, innocent-seeming witch) and we resolved the situation peacefully. It seems these bandits simply looted the equipment that was left behind after Orins friends died, but they claim there were no bodies, blood or sense of a fight. It makes Zephyras' existence even more mysterious. We must reach an arcane expert or priest as quickly as possible. Who knows if his condition is dangerous to him or the ones close to him?
 
Back to the tower: The bandits hadn't planned for entering the tower, Torben did. While they climbed some vines and entered through a window, we used the passphrase (written in Infernal? Did Ironpeak use this language commonly in the past?) to unlock the arcane barrier guarding the door. We explored the tower, finding evidence this tower goes back for centuries. The architecture of the Magi Empire is distinct to anyone versed in history, but a small flag that I collected confirms this. Additionally, we found a spellbook that I can't wait to transcribe tonight, if the paper survives my touch. While we didn't find the lens, we were able to trade it in exchange for a gemstone with the bandits. It's chipped, but perhaps the material can be repaired? Yet another thing to do in Diobri, I guess...
 
Most interesting was the main floor of the tower, where a giant crystal lays on the ground and Zeph (and only Zeph!) could communicate with a ghost, wo claimed it was her reason to still be in this world to protect the tower and restore the crystal, which enabled this tower to communicate with other scout towers of the empire. How many of these things are scattered out there? I'm not sure if we could construct some machinery to get the crystal back in its upward position, but it would take days to do so. I'm curious about what would happen, but with so much suddenly in our minds, I fear we won't find the time to help this ghost to pass on.
 
After exploring the tower, we decided to set up camp for the night. We should arrive in Diobri tomorrow before midday, and we should plan what we intend to do there. I'm excited to see the forges I've heard so much about with my own eyes!