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Current Situation
- After a chaotic return to Waterdeep, the Maybesitters find themselves in the common room of their tavern, Barrett resurrected from the Mythallar seed and the power stored in Elyana's gemstone, a bloodied-then-healed Ander who is a few years older, somehow, than when they last saw him, and Elminster due to arrive any second.
Session Summary
- Elyana, after the panic and pain of the seed restoring Barrett, sprints out the front door of Trollskull. She has not yet seen that Barrett is alive. Z and Dhann see Tabitha flee the room, white as a sheet, and might have run to her own room, but Barrett hasn't moved from the puddle of goo he appeared in when he fell out of the massive Mythallar seed that grew from the smaller one Elyana originally held.
- Ander, aghast, didn't expect this to happen and is clearly having trouble holding it together. He runs out to check on Elyana in the courtyard.
- Erky reacts first, running from behind the bar and asking what's happened. Z asks Erky to help him, and Erky checks frantically on Barrett. Barrett's not sure if he, himself, is alright. Dhann looks about for a blanket, cloak, something, and Erky snags a tablecloth, ripping it from beneath the dishes cleanly, before it all crashes to the floor.
- Bundled up, Barrett is assisted into a chair and Erky mentions to Dhann that the Monk is very weak, so Dhann and Z keep Barrett upright in the chair while Erky digs in a cigar box for something.
- Erky can't tell what exactly is wrong, and Barrett says that he feels a memory of pain and like he's been turned inside out, and Erky asks Dhann if he can figure out what the issue may be. Dhann, checking, can't quite put a finger just on what might be wrong, either, besides that Barrett is weak overall. Erky asks Dhann, "Do you think it's strength, he needs?" Dhann replies, "I think it's more his constitution..he looks a little sickly." At this time, Erky then sprinkles diamond dust over Barrett, greatly restoring Barrett's constitution to normal.
- Erky can't do more than that for the day in terms of magic, but then bolts off to begin making a hearty dinner. Z asks if Barrett wants to go upstairs to his room, and Barrett asks if someone can prestidigitate some of the goo off, but he's not sure where Ely went. Dhann comments that Ely may need a moment, so cleaning will have to be done the old-fashioned way, and that Barrett can use his room for the time being. Barrett's hammock was among his gear lost, and Dhann's room is a bit closer to the stairs. Z and Dhann help Barrett to the second floor. "I've got towels!" Erky chimes in, and then several bar towels are flung over the top of the bar. As the Bard, the Cleric, and the Monk head upstairs, they lament the poor layout of the manor having an exterior staircase.
- Outside, Ander approaches Ely. It's so strange seeing him in person, because he's still the boy they know, but he's clearly older and more mature. He puts his arm almost around her, comfortingly, and says, "I'm very sorry, I didn't know it would do that...um...Well, I guess there's a lot of things I don't know. I've been, well- very surprised at the things I can accomplish and sometimes forget things don't go how I plan." Ely asks him, "So this was your idea?" And Ander responds that it wasn't, but it was a possibility that could be tried. And he didn't want Barrett to go. He didn't think he could have done it if he hadn't been in the right place at the right time or Ely have the seed.
- Ely, confused, asks Ander what he means, because Barrett is gone. Ander says he's back, and Elyana expresses she's very confused. Barrett is dead. When Ander says no, he's alive, Ely scrambles to her feet and sprints back into the tavern.
- Everyone gathered in Dhann's room, Barrett of what he remembers, and Ely comments she had a vision of Barrett in a boat with Yelqen and that she took that to mean he was gone forever. Barrett asks how long he's been gone, and Dhann explains that the battle with Drezlin over the Mythallar lasts fourteen days, but Barrett has been gone from the material plane for seven days.The group spends some time recounting the battle, and then it's notices Tabitha is still absent.
- At this point, Dhann decides to go to check Tabitha's room, and also pulls Ander aside and lets him know that Maran is also in tavern and would probably like to see him. He also says to Ely, pointing to his forehead in reference to the gem, "It's dark now," and tells her that she was overtaken with pain and when she collapsed, that was when Barrett made his reappearance. Ely says she remembers only some of that, and notices that the gem feels no different in her head, even if it's gone dull.
- Ander lets the group know that Elminster had other plans for the seed, but Ander took it for himself to try this with Barrett. Ely chastises him but he seems a little indifferent, even if he is a little worried Elminster may be mad at him.
- Tabitha's room is empty, and Midnight is also absent. Z locates her by her hat, and Z follows, catches up, and asks what's what. She says she needs time, and obviously is upset or shaken by all the happenings that have just occurred. "I just need a minute. It's a lot." She assures Z she'll be back, and he returns to the tavern.
- Everyone settles in for a much needed long rest, and the night passes quietly. Dhann wakes first, and heads downstairs early in the morning to go and purchase diamond dust. Erky is already busy making breakfast and it smells wonderful. On his way back to the tavern, Dhann is approached by Irna Remsie and she looks quite tired and a bit teary-eyed. She explains to Dhann that Tabitha and Marnic have left suddenly for Neverwinter and, handing Dhann a very recognizeable, plain, iron key, tells the Cleric that Tabitha is with child. This comes as quite the shock. Other than that, she is assured by Dhann that she is still employed, and she mentions there are a few folk she can recommend as new hires at the tavern, now that Marnic has left. Dhann thanks her, and Irna heads home.
- By the time Dhann comes back to Trollskull, everyone is gathered in the common room for breakfast, and Dhann, key in hand, breaks the news to everyone as to the situation with Tabitha and that they now have the key she was originally keeper of. There's a bit of a discussion as to whether or not the key should go in to the Bag of Holding, or into Z's astral locker, with Dhann expressing, "I mean - I can hold it, but I would prefer Elminster just get here already." With that, a loud, booming knocking sounds at the door.
- Answering the door, Z lets in Elminster and he's very welcome into the tavern. He looks exhausted, however, and haggard, but greets everyone warmly, and humbly asks for breakfast. Elyana can pick up that he seems to be delaying some news, but is still genuinely Elminster. Dhann fetches a plate for Elminster and Erky piles a plate high.
- Elminster immediately downs breakfast; it's clear that he either hasn't eaten in some time, the food is incredible, or a combination of both. Done eating, he's asked if the group has seen Mirt. When the answer is no, he expresses concern that Mirt hasn't shown up at the tavern yet. Sending Mirt a message, there's no reply. He asks after Durnan, who hasn't come by yet either. A send to Durnan brings the answer of Durnan himself, entering the door moments later. Durnan and Elminster both have concerned countenances and it's clear there's much to catch up on.
- Asking after the seed, Elyana explains to Elmnister what happened to, and with it, and Elminster - with no offense to Barrett - expresses frustration at the seed being gone. The Trollmates catch Elminster up on the fight with Drezlin and the restoration of their original powers. Elyana also comments that "I wasn't myself for a time," and interestingly enough, Elminster doesn't seem to have been effected by this span of time at all. He never forgot Ely.
- At the mention of the summit, Elminster is nothing but irritated and annoyed at the thing. "Who has time for these meetings?" In the meantime, Dhann casts Greater Restoration on Barrett, restoring the Monk's strength to normalcy. Z explains to Elminster - watching this with a bit of confusion - what happened with the seed and just how Barrett was brought back, through Ander's machinations.Dhann gives some diamond dust to Erky, who also performs a Greater Restoration and Barrett is back to normal. Dhann gives Erky an extra diamond, and another 100gp to keep his own components stocked.
- Down to business. Elminster says the group at some point needs to travel to Myth Drannor seek out powerful magic. Elminster can get them part of the way with magic, but the road after will be quite long, and magic encountered, somewhat unpredictable. At this time, Dhann mentions Tabitha being pregnant, gone, and that the group now has her key.
- Drezlin seems to be acquiring items, including the keys, and he may have figured out a way to free Cyric using fewer keys than originally needed. With a few magic items collected, it's also possible that Cyric may be able to create an avatar for himself to enter the material plane. This cannot happen. One item is in Waterdeep, the Cyrinishad. Cyric is also definitively working to escape his prison.
- There's also a rumor he has twin sons, Risque and Muse. They may be in league with Drezlin, but there's no way to know without following Drezlin and seeing if that leads to answer. Half gods, nothing short of demons and very powerful, if they do exist. There's also the need for the The Nightstone Shard and the restoration of the Nightstone. The other three Creation Stones are going to be needed, specifically by Ander. "I don't know how, yet, but he is involved in the solution to this grand puzzle."
- Z asks what Elminster recommends the group do next, and Elminster says he thinks the recovery of "the book" is the first step. It's called the Cyrinishad, once used by Cyric, and is a tool to gain followers for Cyric. It's not certain quite how it works, but it's absolutely back at work. The appearance of so many new acolytes for the Church of Cyric can attest to this. The book is one of the four items needed by Cyric to wreak havoc. "His magic items" as Elminster calls them. The other three are his ring, his medallion, and his sword. There may be more, but it's unknown at this time.
- At the mention of a sword, Dhann speaks up that they do have the sword in the Bag of Holding, in two pieces. Arkhon (Krale's Remnant), too, is in the Bag. Elminster is delighted to hear of both items being held by the group. He wants to see both items, immediately.
- Elminster summons Arkhon from the Bag, and promptly unwraps it from the blanket and the eyes immediately start rolling around. Elminster casts some spell, and the eyes literally pop, splattering more goo across the breakfast table. Behind the eyes, cavities are left in the design, and Elminster comments the eyes will grow back, but begins to spin the hammer, and slams it once, spins it again on its head, and four chambers open up on the head of it - the ends, and the sides. He looks inside, and asks what the group has done "with the stone."
- The group says they didn't do anything with it, as they didn't even know the hammer opened. Dhann comments that in the Per Historia Arcandor Materia the stone is gone, but the hammer was being used by a construct of shadow and rock to reforge the sword. Elminster comments that eventually, the group needs to get the Shadow Stone, too. However, having Godsbane puts them ahead of the game and further ahead than the enemy may think. The amulet may already be in Cyric's possession, leaving both the book, and his ring, out of either party's hands. There is no known location for the ring, however. If the Trollmates can gain the book, that puts at least two of the items out of Cyric's grasp. Elminster says they may be able to dismiss the ring. Barrett asks if it's a ring of Mind Shielding, and Elminster says there's no telling what kind of ring it is, but that it gives Cyric a grand source of power, and that it was a personal ring. Either of Drezlin's rings may be the one Cyric used to use.
- Getting the group in to get the book poses the biggest challenge. "Seniors" are acolytes seen with silver trim on their robes. Durnan comments that there are a number of them already. Dhann says they seem to be looking for something, "Long and thin, perhaps the sword." Elminster agrees, and then laughs, "But that's neither here nor there, because we have the sword! They're not going to find that! Speaking of which, can I see it?" Passing off Arkhon, Dhann rewraps it and it's placed back in the Bag of Holding.
- Barrett and Ely get into a slightly warmed exchange on whether or not Barrett is "allowed" to summon Godsbane from the Bag, and Dhann comments that his hands are gloved so he can pull it from the Bag. Ely allows Dhann to take it from the Bag as Ely continues to talk to Barrett. Elminster lays the pieces of Godsbane on the table, leaving a small gap between them, and stands back to admire the weapon. "You know, as evil as it is, it's hard not to...well, admire such a weapon." Scooping up the pieces, he thrusts them back at Dhann, saying, "Just keep that in there!" And Dhann replaces the pieces.
- Barrett asks Elminster if there's a place they can put the second chest of Shadow magic from Mintarn and Elminster says yes, finding a place to store it would be good, but they should definitely keep it. Elyana reminds Elminster that last time they had a box of Shadow, a Shadow dragon attacked and Elminster nods, saying for now the best place to put it would be in the Bag for now. Durnan reminds Elminster that he has the first one, from Nihiloor's caves, hidden deep in the Portal. He gives no more detail than this.
- At this time, Dhann pulls Tabitha's key from his sleeve and asks what they should do with it. Elminster says it's troubling the keykeeper gave it up, and he'll have to think on it, but it should be alright in the Bag for now, but may fall to one of the group, and he glances over at Z in a knowing way. Z grimaces. However, Mystra should be consulted on that.
- Elminster again asks where Mirt is, and Durnan is getting concerned too. He hasn't answered either of Elminster's Sends. Durnan says he was having some sort of party last night, or the night before, but at any rate, it was a party that he wanted to show off a new bard at. Dhann offers to Send to Mirt, and does so, stating that Lady Nandar is at Trollskull in an attempt to elicit a response from Mirt - alas, none is received. Elminster asks Durnan to follow up with Mirt if he can.
- Barrett expresses that he's not sure how the group is expected to accomplish all of these tasks being set before them; the book may be able to be gotten but everything else seems out of their league, or if someone with useful skills for the group can be supplied. Elminster scoffs a bit and says, "Yes, well, I'm surprised you've all gotten this far and that's why I have absolute confidence in you." Mystra seems to have deemed them the right ones for the job, though, and has so far been correct. "And, Ander is getting stronger by the day, and soon, I feel he'll be a big help." At the request for someone to join them, Elminster and Durnan say they'll see what they can do. Perhaps Sheroon?
- Dhann expresses concern that Ander is "training," but it seems more like he's running wild across the planes, and Elminster says that there's lots to know about that boy that even he doesn't know. Ely asks Elminster if he was the one who sent Ander on this "training," and Elminster says yes, and that Ander needs to improve his skills. Elminster didn't really specify to Ander what this means, and took it into his own hands. Ely comments that Ander seems to lose control of his powers when he's emotionally compromised, and Elminster can only agree.
- Ander has Dunamancy, control over time, space, gravity, and it's not a trainable skill. It's not a regular magic. Elminster has instructed Ander to use his magic in ways that he finds interesting; using it with his affinity for animals, for example. Druidic traditions, melee projects, that sort of thing (and those, Elminster doesn't really prefer - Ander seems to get hurt a lot.
- Circling the conversation back to the summit on the 14th, Dhann brings up the issue of magical items being banned, and that the group has items they either can't, or refuse, to be parted with. Durnan says these things are often ceremonial, and there should be some items to be turned over when requested, but it is very unlikely there will be a true seize of items if...some...are turned over. Elminster asks if he can receive an invite, but then disregards the idea of invitations entirely by inviting himself and damning anyone who may try to take any of his magical items.
- It's proposed that the group try and get the Cyrinishad before the summit. Durnan mentions there are three Harpers on the inside of the Church, posing as followers of Cyric and funneling information back to the outside world. Inside the Church is a portal to the Underdark, which explains how so many followers can fit inside of the warehouse currently posing as the front of the operation. It's a multi-leveled cave system, four floors. One can only gain access to certain floors with certain ranks. The book is most likely on the fourth level down, and the Harpers have only been able to get to the second floor.
- The book imbues the feeling that Cyric is "the only path," but it's not sure how the magic truly works. It also imbues in the followers that returning Cyric to power is of the utmost importance. Interestingly enough, Drezlin seems to be trying to bring Cyric back, but is working independently. It's thought that perhaps he once read the Cyrinishad. He loved collecting magic items and it may have been early in his life. Mirt might know better. Perhaps he was able to read the book with no ill effects, but as the power of the book over more and more people grows, he is becoming impacted by it and it is beginning to drive his actions. Still, though, it doesn't feel like Drezlin and the Church are working together for the time being.
- Dhann asks if a ring of Mind Shielding would protect Drezlin from the Cyrinishad, and yes, that would very likely protect him from the mind control reading the book would instill on an otherwise unshielded mind, unless he read it years ago.
- Ely asks how Durnan thinks they should keep themselves safe from the book, and Elminster says do NOT read it. Take it, and leave. Apparently, though, it is always open and on display, either on the fourth floor, or during the ceremonies of initiating new acolytes. Just avoid reading it is really the most one can do at the moment. Dhann asks if they should destroy it if they can, and Durnan likes that plan. The Cleric also says he doesn't want to bring the sword into the Church, and Elminster asks if the group would be alright with him taking Godsbane and placing it in his own Bag of Holding. Z asks if he'll take Arkhon too, but Elminster refuses that, saying it's better for the group to hold onto it as he says, "You'll be needing that soon." Dhann, concerned, asks, "For what?" And Elminster responds, "For the Shadow Stone that's supposed to be in it. You'll need to go get that."
- Ely allows Elminster to take the sword, and he admires it for a second, a bit disappointed at its evil, before slipping it into his own Bag.
- Lastly, the Nightstone will need to be restored. Z asks if reuniting the two pieces together will actually help, and Elminster has full faith that placing the broken shard back into the monolith will restore the Nightstone fully.
- Ely asks after Myth Drannor and how far Elminster can move the group along the road. It would be by teleportation, and going to Myth Drannor isn't as high up on the priority list. Z mentions he'll have to finish his flying carpet when Barrett comments that without Tabitha, most of the journey will be by road, even if Elminster helps set them a good distance for a start.
- Speaking of stones, Dhann asks if Elminster has any more information on the poem found in the cave near Screeching Sara Webwhistler's domain. Elminster mentions there are four stones. The Night Stone, Shadow Stone, Sun Stone (also known as the Moon Stone), and an unnamed fourth stone. The Moon Stone is currently held by the deity Selune, and the group needs to somehow gain the stone from her. In the poem, the line "bound in stone" seemd to refer to the Creation Stones, while the "she" in the last line seems to be Dunamancy itself. Mystra locked Dunamancy and Shadow magic away and clearly the latter has been unlocked.
Welcome back, Barrett.
Next time on...
Information fills our adventurers' heads even as they come up with more and more questions. Elminster and Durnan will continue to offer what answers they can, and where, in the nine hells, is Mirt?!