Brief Recap: Last turn ended with Bibi giving up the Wizarding Stone. Egmund told the company that the Guild is in turmoil, and paranoia is rampant. Humphrey has been excommunicated.

Galay and the Guild of Magic

Mog stoops to pick up the Wizarding stone from the floor. It is yet a different shape, like a rough oblong stone. The runes are still visible on it. "And who will take this?" he asks.

Bibi remains deep in thought and does not answer Mogs question.

Blade scoops it up and it diasapears with a flick of his wrist. "I'd say that it reverts back to me since I'm the one who gave it to Bibi. Unless of course anyone has any objections? " he says looking a t Humphrey. The wizard had made no attempt to explain his trickery and any trust that had formed between them was now shattered. This wizard was just as duplicitous as all the rest of them.

Humphrey leads the company to the next chamber as Egmund suggested. Oorialith arrives a short while later. He introduces himself to the company and asks to see Bardock. He does not appear to recognize Nepal, as he introduces himself to the disguised Humphrey as well as the rest of the party. Oorialith is an old man, even by mage standards. A white beard stretches to his pot belly, and his back is slightly bent. A felt cap sits atop his bald head. His robes are light blue and he carries a twisted wand in one hand and a black satchel in the other.

"This is a potent rune," says Oorialith. "We have seen others like this, though we are not to speak of it according to the recent Guild Proclamation. But since you've seen it for yourselves already, I suppose there is no harm telling you about it.

"We don't know for certain who's uses these marks, but there are some who now believe it's an ancient talisman used by a forgotten race that once dwelled here, long ago," he says as if he is lecturing before a body of students. He pauses to apply a salve from the satchel to Bardock's neck, then continues speaking. "You have probably never heard their name uttered in your care free lives, but they are called the Githyanki, and if you were to face them in battle, I daresay even the hardiest among you would flee. They are reported to be potent spellcasters, and some legends claim they have mind powers that are distinct from magic. Of course such claims are foolishness, but one cannot fault the midwives for spinning yarns.

"But what I find most disturbing is that this is not the first time we have seen such a mark in recent history. Reports from the Mages of the Long Towers claim that such a mark was seen in Rasheman just over twenty years ago. And I myself saw this very mark on an apprentice here in the Guild, not three weeks past." He removes a case from the satchel and draws a small lens from it. He holds the lens over Bardock's rune and peers intently through it, murmuring and making noises as if what he sees is unusual.

"Very interesting," he says as he straightens up and puts the lens away. "This rune appears to have been placed on this man many years ago, perhaps when he was a child. Its power is still very active. Tell me, what is his behavior when he is awake?"

Bronk looks at the others and says.."OOOOO....KAAAAAAY.....?"

[After someone answers him, he continues:]

"I have placed a salve on him that will suppress the effects of the rune, but it is not a permanent solution. The only way we can think to dispel the rune is to slay the person who made it. Do you know who made it? The maker of this mark is a powerful cleric or mage, that is certain.

[Anybody answer?]

"The salve will only be effective for twelve hours, give or take. Here," he says, handing a small container to Bronk. "It contains the salve. It is magic stuff, so don't waste it. There is enough in that container to last half a year, if used sparingly." He gives Bronk instructions on how to apply the salve.

Bronk looks at the wizard and says.."Thank you"

Oorialith pulls the felt cap off his bald head and gives a slight bow, saying, "I see a family resemblance between the two of you. I am sorry, son, that I can't remove the mark, but removing the mark killed the apprentice we found who had it. That salve will keep him from their influence indefinitely, but do not forget to apply it regularly. At least once every twelve hours. He will never be free of them, I'm afraid, until the maker of the mark is slain."

[NOTE FROM DM: As far as the party knows, Bardock was serving Eclavdra, who apparently died when she tried to use the fake Obsidian Stone--aka the Wizarding Stone.]

[Please add to this conversation as you like, and I will respond as Oorialith.]

Bardock stirs and opens his eyes. He looks around, at first disoriented and confused. He then puts his face in his hands and begins to sob.

Bronk looks at his brother and says "Bardock...it is me...Bronk!!" Bardock looks up and realizes that it is his brother. "Your older...and...and....UGLY!" Bardock replies.

Bardock smiles and says..."The creatures....they are gone?" "Nope...But we've hurt'm". Bronk replies. "It's good to see you brother...WELL MET BARDOCK.....RASHEMAN WARRIOR!!!!" and holds his hand out to his brother. Bardock stands up and Grasps his brothers forearm and says "WELL MET BRONK......RASHEMAN HERO!!!"

They hug each other and start to walk out the door talking while doing so. Bronk starting to explain what happened to Bardock and his sister. Bronk stops!!! He turns and looks at the wizard and asks "You said that you saw another marking just like his....somewhere in here." Bronk stops for a sec.. "A female?"

Oorialith replies, "No, a teenage boy. But you say you are from Rasheman? The mages of the Long Towers spoke of such marks found on the people there, decades ago. We have not heard from the mages in many long years. Have you news from your homeland?" "No sir...I do not...I have not stepped foot in my homelands in over 15 years." Bronk says. His eyes glaze over. He looks squarely at the mage and speaks with anger that even gives Oorialith a cold chill. "I shall not return there until all....ALL...Gith are dead. Not excluding the one who did this to my brother and to my sister. If he is still alive.....then she must be too..and I WILL FIND HER!!!" Bardock looks at his brother and realizes at that moment what truely has happened. He says in a proud defiant voice similar to his brothers. "His quest is mine!!!"

[Bronk has not been to Rasheman for nearly 15 years himself, having left as a young teen. Feel free to answer Oorialith and continue the conversation or ask him questions. He may have information.]

[Rob, if you want you can insert a brief piece wherein Bardock awakens free of the influence of the Githyanki magic. He will be dazed but will remember everything. He will no longer be hostile, and he will recognize Bronk. I would write it but I don't think I have a right to describe the mighty Bronk Beareye blubbering over his brother. I will if you make me.]

Egmund returns that evening, heralded by a soft chiming. Mog answers the chamber door and admits Egmund. He sees that Bardock is now awake.

"Nepal," he says, "I have been in meeting with the others on the Council of Sages, all except Thaddius, who is absent. The council is one of the few groups who would be your ally in this. As I alluded to before, the Guild is in some turmoil. There is evidence we have been infiltrated, and some of us believe this infiltration runs to the very foundation of the Guild's hierarchy. An apprentice was discovered with a mark like Bardock's, and he killed himself rather than be captured." Egmund pauses here as if to offer a silent prayer for the apprentice.

Egmund continues. "There are some in the Council of Sages who think the Guild Assembly itself has been compromised. But without proof, we cannot know whom to trust or whom to accuse. The enemy seems to have begun its conquest of us already."

"Have you come to a decision on the Wizarding Stone?" Egmund asks.

Mog [assuming he still has it?] draws it from his pouch, and says, "It is here. What do you suggest we do with it?" Egmund looks at the Stone as if not hearing Mog, then looks up and says, "In other circumstances, I would suggest that you destroy it immediately. However, in this case, that might be more dangerous than keeping it. I believe it is an ancient Githyanki artifact, that seems evident. Perhaps we can use it to discern more of our enemy. It could be an advantage we cannot afford to let go to waste. What say you, will you give me the Stone so that I can discover its powers? It will not take long for us to examine it."

[We need to answer him here.]

"What say you pay me for it and you can call it yours?" says Blade

Egmund smiles and says, "You do not know what you offer, warrior. The Githyanki forge powerful magics, and if this one belonged to Thae- Rune Ibn, there is no telling what its power is. I'd be happy to give you many thousand gold for the stone. I know just the project that could use such a source of power--"

Mog interrupts the old mage: "All of us risked our lives beneath the Fire Giant's mountain. Mog will let Egmund read the magic of the stone, but it does not belong to the mages." The orc's tattooed face creases into what might be a smile or a grimace, showing his pointed canines.

Egmund gives a nod and says, "As you wish. I am your ally in this, good shaman. I admit I have my own motives of course, for the politics of the Guild are particularly dangerous at this time. But I recognize the threat we all face, and I will aid you in your quest."

Egmund takes the stone and says, "I will begin study immediately. I don't know how long it will take, but I should know something of the stone's abilities within a day or so.

Bibi trys to not look interested but she listens intently to find out exactly what it was that she cast away.

Mog says, "Egmund, we cannot remain here long. King Ozrik does not know of our failure to stop the summoning of the Dark Queen. He must be warned. Do you have a means that we can use to travel there quickly?"

"Unfortunately, we cannot teleport you to the Northern Kingdom. Not only are there no mages in our ranks who are familiar enough with the region to make the jump safely, but the Magocracy's wards prevent our powers from extending very far to the north, past their domain. They are like a darkness that envelops our sight when we look north. But that is another story. In short, you must make your own way to the north, though we will certainly provide you with mounts and any supplies you need. I will personally see to it that the keep's stores are made open to you."

[This isn't a very good ending for this scene, so if anyone wants to continue this conversation or ask questions, please do so. Please also post any supplies you take from the stores. I will assume everyone takes: a mount, rations for 3 weeks.]

(what type of magical items are available?)

After Bibi has finished gathering her supplies she goes just outside the city and removes her horse from it's hiding place and returns him to his former size. She then spends an hour or so riding about to refresh his training.

As the party prepares to leave Galay early the next morning, Egmund returns with the Wizarding Stone.

"The Stone is of the same making as the rune on Bardock's neck, there is no doubt of that. Githyanki runes are unique. This one had a spell cast on it, a wish spell in fact, to make it perform as the user believed it would perform, I suspect to make someone believe this stone was something it was not. In any event, the stone has many powers which I do not have the time to explore. It is a matrix for spells which I do not recognize, and I believe it can absorb magic spells, though I can't figure out how to activate that power. The primary power of the stone, I believe, is as a navigation device. It appears to allow a user to discern space and time in the various planes of existence. It would be invaluable for someone who travels the many planes.

"It would also, I hesitate to mention, be of extreme use in the project I spoke of earlier. The stone has the power to regulate time, and to measure its passage as a traveler moves from plane to plane. This would solve a problem I have run into on my project, which deals with time travel.

"None of you will be able to use the stone, not even Humphrey. Not without knowing how to use the Githyanki runes, which will take months of study. If you leave the stone with me, I can try to use it in my own device. If I am successful, we might have a solution to the Githyanki problem. What say you?"

The party sets out to the northlands two days after their conversation with Egmund. Humphrey's identity was not discovered, and they were able to take what supplies they needed from the Keep stores. They leave Galay by the northern docks. Humphrey sees the beauty of the city he has lived in all his life as the party crosses the channel, and he fears it may never be his home again.

Posting Instructions: Post early and often!

More combat in a few turns.

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