After meeting the imposing Ancient One underneath Sierrona and saying good-bye – for the moment at least – to their new friend, Experiment, the group decide to spend some time in Sierrona. The four of them spend a few weeks around town attending to their own business as well as meeting up from time to time to catch up with each other. Some of their stories over these few weeks include:
Cade commissioned some research about the green dragon he heard about in the Gleaming Sea. His research tells him:
• The dragon lives on a jungle covered island; and the centre of the island is a mountain atop the mountain sits the dragon’s lair.
• The island is a three-day sail from Bordai (trading post in the Gleaming Sea).
• It is a solitary creature that does not tend to surround himself with minions or followers but there are other creatures and dangers that occupy the island.
• Ships visiting and passing the island have been known to disappear and never return.
• The dragon’s name is Nassandrial
~~~~~
Cade, Dolosius and Elric all visit Raziel’s shop to pick up some gloves that Elric was having enchanted. Whilst there Elric also picked up some enchanted studded leather armour and Cade commissions an enchanted shield (wooden) to be made. Elric also manages to pick up a couple of spell scrolls for him to learn and Dolosius purchases a gilded flower to use in his spell components.
Cade asks Raziel if she knows Ezra and if she would make an introduction for the group to pay him a visit. Raziel agrees, as long as they don’t embarrass her, and magically sends a message to Ezra. It seems Ezra has agreed an Raziel give the group his location
• Ezra Esponosa: lives on a loan island with nothing but a dock and a small dwelling south of Bordai.
~~~~~
Lotty spends some time at her father’s shop, sometimes helping but largely working on her own project – she manages to upgrade her wrench to a more powerful weapon, albeit a slightly less useful tool. She spends some time with her Aunt Ella, as Lotty’s mum died before Lotty really remembers she’s always looked up to Ella as a mother figure and so her sons, including Arnon, were like brothers. Knowing how upset Ella is, and that she seems to be drinking, about Arnon leaving in the way he did Lotty lets her know that someone has seen Arnon through a scrying spell and that he is safe and unharmed. Ella find little comfort in this and wants to know where he is, she even threatens Lotty with a vile of some kind to tell of his location. Relying on mother’s love to overrule anger Lotty refuses to tell but promises to do what she can to bring Arnon home.
• Lotty tells her Aunt Ella she will do what she can to bring Ella’s son, Lotty’s cousin, Arnon back to Sierrona.
~~~~~
Cade, Elric & Lotty visit Mordin’s Histories and Mysteries book shop, they find the shop being run by an old elven gentleman, balding, smoking his pipe, nose in a book and fairly disinterested in his new customers. Cade asks for books containing information on green dragons; Mordin points out some books by magically nudging them from the shelves, Cade rents some time with the books before purchasing the one he feels will be the most useful. Lotty is looking for some fiction and asks for a recommendation; Mordin seems a little more interested in engaging now and suggests a novel based on the story of two Emperors. Lotty buys the book for 50gold, a bit more than few silver she’s paid for trashy pulp before but took Mordin’s word for it that it was worth it as it was a first edition. As Lotty went off to see if Cade needed any help with his research Elric asks for books on vampires and fallen gods; Mordin seems like he may have cast some kind of spell on Elric but he didn’t feel any effects so, maybe not. Mordin asks what Elric’s intentions are for seeking out books on the fallen gods and he explains he is just curious on the truth of the stories. Mordin magically locks all the doors and windows, the shop goes a little dim and he produces a book his describes as the Demononicon and Elric parts with 2,000 gold.
• Cade purchases a research book on dragons
• Lotty purchases a first edition novel
• Elric purchase a research book on vampire and Demononicon
~~~~~
Dolosius spend some time asking around the docks and people who look like they have been travelling to try and find out more information about Portas. He finds out:
• Portas is run by two Tieflings – Kharis and Kolemos
• The rule of the town/island is acclaimed
• The economy is booming and sees frequent trade
• Portas is currently located three-days south of Palarino.
~~~~~
Cade, Elric and Lotty visit Maga for some shopping and free muffins
• Healing potions
• Water breathing potions
• Philter of love
~~~~~
The group go to visit Rhone, he’s working so they keep it brief but are happy to have the chance to catch up with an old friend. Cade explains the group were thinking of heading out to see and with Cade’s fear of water they wondered if Rhone might have come across any good ship’s Captains he could recommend; or perhaps ones to avoid given Rhone’s line of work. Rhone suggests seeking out Captain Craze, or “one-eyed-Craze” as he’s known behind his back. As long as the group don’t mention the eye he’s a safe Captain and Rhone’s happy to say he made the recommendation.
• Recommendation for sailing from Sironna docks: Captain “one-eyed” Craze (don’t mention the eye)
~~~~~
Elric hears back from Fallah on some research he commission on the cult the group has been learning about. He learns:
• Cult of the Deceivers
• Located on a jungle covered island south west towards the Wildlands.
• Little is known about the cult as they value their secrecy.
• They use arcane warriors and allied created in defence of the island.
• They will occasionally act with third parties in order to conduct business and conceal their identity.
• Connection with the fallen god Deas – the whispering one.
Elric also discovers:
• Norric has left his lair for the first time in five years.
~~~~~
Cade researches his book on dragons and learns:
• Dragons like to cluster their enemies and overcome them with brute force.
• They are difficult to fight when they are in their lair but they will rarely leave them.
• Legendary creatures.
• Breath weapon.
• No known weaknesses.
• Green dragons are immune to poison.
Elric researches his book on vampires and reads the Demononicon and learns:
• Vampires have sunlight sensitivity.
• Cannot enter a dwelling unless they are invited.
• Running water damages vampires.
• Higher level vampires will turn to dust is killed and reanimate – to prevent this their body(remains?) must be destroyed.
~~~~~
When the group next meet they notice Elric has dark black circles with spider like lines extending around his eyes, concerned the group ask what had happened? Elric shrugs it off, says he feels fine but he noticed it after reading a book, maybe he strained his eyes or something. Cade attempts to heal and restore Elric but to no avail, still Elric doesn’t seem concerned and says he’ll get it seen to.
As the group go their separate ways Lotty heads back to Mordin’s book shop to find out more about the vampire books she know Elric bought and read. After handing over 2,000 gold and feeling cheated twice by the same man he relents and tells Lotty that some books are enchanted. He explains that some particularly powerful books, such as the Demononicon, can contain parts of powers from gods and their champions that can become absorbed in to the reader to form a symbiotic relationship.
Cade has gone to see Raziels to ask what she knows about cursed books, thinking ahead to the possible Tulli heist. She suggests that a book that is cursed should first be dispelled to remove and wards that may be protected the curse, then and remove curse spell can be used.
• Cade purchases 2 spell scrolls – remove curse.
Fuming with the new knowledge she has purchased Lotty rampages around Sierrona until she has summoned the group and confronts Elric about what she has learnt. Elric shrugs it off again, suggests that Lotty identifies the book to check that it is harmless which she does and does find anything. Cade does detect magic on the book but can’t identify any particular harm. Elric explains that there’s no danger in the book and agrees to let Lotty carry the book for now and she places it in the bag of holding. Lotty pushes for quite an interrogation, asking Dolosius to use his mind reading powers on Elric which although Elric agrees to on principal he will not remove his protective necklace to allow it to happen. Eventually, after some heartfelt words from Elric the group back down and agree to move on and that Elric will seek out a Cleric if it doesn’t go away.
• Elric makes a wise decision and reads and evil book
• Elric has a symbiotic relationship with an unknown entity that is speaking in his head and influencing his thoughts into manipulating his friends.
