Interlude: With Strange Aeons...

[Ebiris]

placeholder for loot and XP (if any)

[Ebiris]

[15:15] <Ebiris> The day after she and the rest of her family are brought back to life, Amarysa leaves the city limits and teleports away early in the morning, returning shortly afterwards to the inn where the rest of the party are having breakfast and looking fairly downcast.
[15:15] <Ebiris> She still hasn't had a chance to buy new clothes, only wearing a somewhat baggy brown peasant dress with a wool cardigan over it. Smiling wanly to the group sat at a table in the corner of the inn's dining room, she sits down tiredly next to her husband. "Well, it's gone..." she sighs, running a hand through her thick blonde hair and leaning back.
[15:15] <Ebiris> "What's gone?" Marjorie asks around a mouthful of bacon and eggs, sitting rather close to Amonet. She's probably going to put on a few pounds with how much she's been eating ever since she was resurrected. "Are you going to tell us what all that was about, now?"
[15:16] * Alveria is a little distant from everyone else, leafing through the pages of a black-bound book and apparently lost in thought.
[15:18] <Amonet> "Yes, please do!" Amonet echoes Marjorie.
[15:20] <Ebiris> Amarysa rubs the back of her neck briefly before looking up and regarding the group for a long moment. "I suppose secrecy is moot, all things considered... it's a long story, though. One you may have trouble believing," she prefaces. "I assume you all know the story of how Mystryl was created in ages past by the battles of Selune and Shar?"
[15:20] * Gourash shakes his head, not knowing anything of the sort.
[15:21] * Amonet happens to have heard of the story during her education, and nods slowly.
[15:24] * Alveria doesn't actually appear to be hearing what's being said, given her interest in whatever that book happens to hold.
[15:24] <Ebiris> "Well, the story that is known... is not the full story," Amarysa steeples her fingers, leaning on the table. "As Selune tore out part of her essence and flung it through Shar, the resultant mingling of energies created Mystryl, true. What is less known, however, is that the void left within Shar took on its own form and identity, creating a sister to Mystryl."
[15:25] <Gourash> "Nothing turn to something?"
[15:27] <Ebiris> "Yes," Amarysa nods to Gourash. "That void became a Goddess of purest Entropy - a portfolio Shar has since taken back, amongst all her other domains. But this forgotten Goddess, in the days when the world was young, represented the void, annihilation, the end of all things. Tempered neither by love nor malice, she sought the end of creation with more zeal than Shar ever had or has since."
[15:28] <Amonet> "She was stopped, wasn't she?" Amonet asks, frowning. "The world is still here, after all..."
[15:29] <Ebiris> "It was in the time of legends, when Aber-Toril was yet young, that she found some way to consume the Prime material into nothingness. It started small, deep underground, eating outwards, eventually consuming vast areas of the Earth beneath our feet - it was possibly this act that formed the Underdark."
[15:29] <Ebiris> "When the people realised what was happening, as the nothingness bubbled up from the ground, consuming great cities into the void and laying waste to vast stretches of land, a great conclave of wizards was formed. From the races of Elves, Dwarves, and Men, they feverishly worked to find a solution. And with Mystryl's help, they found one," she pauses for a moment, letting her words sink in.
[15:29] <Alveria> "A deific sphere of annihilation?" queries Alveria, suddenly paying attention.
[15:32] <Ebiris> "That is a good way of putting it, Alveria, yes," Amarysa nods. "And so, with Mystryl's blessing, however, the great conclave called upon magics far greater than even the folly of Netheril - they temporarily erased the very concept of Entropy from reality, and even more, it wiped the name of this Goddess from the minds of all, mortal and God alike. For ten days, nothing died, nothing withered or rotted or decayed - instead creation bloomed, desperately filling in the new void in the world."
[15:32] <Ebiris> "And in those ten days, bereft of both worship and the very concept that defined her, the goddess fell in upon herself, rending entropy to the only thing she could..."
[15:32] <Ebiris> Marjorie is silent through all this, staring with wide eyes at her mother, mouth hanging open slackly.
[15:33] <Ebiris> * instead creation bloomed, desperately filling in the new void in the world."
[15:33] <Alveria> "And then, did Shar reclaim her portfolio?"
[15:37] <Ebiris> Amarysa nods again. "She did, though with all her scheming and hatred, she simply lacked the pure will and drive to ever accomplish what her daughter came so close to doing." She takes a deep breath, marshalling her thoughts, "Lord Ao was... displeased, at mortal magic being used to slay a Goddess, no matter the direness of the situation."
[15:37] <Ebiris> "Preventing entropy from claiming her sister completely, he chastised Mystryl and had her deliver his decree to the conclave - the mortals would guard the keys to her divinity, split into six parts. Two would be guarded by each of the three races, Elves, Dwarves, and Humans."
[15:37] <Ebiris> "Each key possessed immense power in its own right - a true fragment of a Greater Power. Held together, they could have the power to finish what the Goddess started, or perhaps even resurrect her outright. Mystryl cautioned the conclave against ever using their power, however, saying only that nothing good would come of it."
[15:37] <Ebiris> "The six archwizards of the conclave agreed to her will, and seperated their ways, each one striving to keep their key hidden so that they would never be reunited or used for evil."
[15:39] <Alveria> "But then, Mystryl died thanks to the Netherese archmage, Karsus," whispers Alveria, suddenly feeling very cold. "Another case of mortals grasping for divinity..."
[15:41] <Ebiris> "Some might have called it poetic justice for her previous interference in allowing the death of her sister... if enough remembered the tale to begin with," Amarysa agrees with a light shrug.
[15:45] <Alveria> "That would leave those keys as... Kossuth burn me, but I can think of nothing stronger. Even at the height of Netheril, they would have been the greatest artifacts to exist. And they've been lost to the *Drow*?"
[15:47] * Gourash tried to put it together. "Drow trying to revive death goddess, basically?"
[15:47] <Ebiris> Amarysa looks down and nods. "Yes. I am the latest... the last, in an unbroken line of wizards that has guarded our key for millenia. I do not know how the others were protected - perhaps in death filled dungeons, or on other planes... But my line decided that obscurity would be the best defence. A few powerful illusions and enchantments, in an area few would ever travel anyway..." she shrugs helplessly. "For thousands of years, it was enough."
[15:48] <Ebiris> "Either that or they foolishly seek to use that power for Lolth's benefit," Virgil finally speaks up in response to Gourash. "I do not believe the Spider Queen would be pleased at her servants working to bring back another deity."
[15:48] <Ebiris> * it was enough."
[15:51] <Alveria> "I will not allow drow to keep a hold on such a weapon," growls Alveria, her voice thick with hatred and regret.
[15:51] <Gourash> "Drow hard to fight, sneaky folks," Gourash frowned. "They'd bring it deep into their cities.  It'd take an army to get through there."
[15:52] <Amonet> "Is there a way to get in contact with other... descendants of these archwizards?" Amonet asks.
[15:54] <Ebiris> "We have our work cut out for us if we ever hope to retrieve it... I can only hope that none of the others have fallen into their hands, but *something* has to have been responsible for them discovering what I watched over," Amarysa concludes almost frantically. "I just... I just don't know..." she sighs heavily, before making an effort at collecting herself.
[15:54] <Ebiris> "Perhaps... perhaps? I know their names, at least. Perhaps in some great repository of ancient lore we could find out what became of them, though I'm sure they took pains to hide themselves, as my predecessor did."
[15:56] <Amonet> "If you are all being hunted down, we should at least make the effort to warn the others," Amonet says, still frowning.
[15:57] * Gourash frowns. "We should let big mages of Silverymoon know as well."
[15:59] <Alveria> "They would not be able to aid us directly without the secret reaching many ears," murmurs Alveria. "Clearly, we do not want this."
[16:00] <Ebiris> "Candlekeep could be a good place to start... I don't know much about dwarves, I'm afraid, but perhaps you might know where to find out about ancient elves, Alveria?" Amarysa ponders a moment before glancing at the elf.
[16:00] <Ebiris> "Yes, if this gets out, it could cause a mad scramble by all sorts of groups wanting that sort of power for one reason or another," Virgil nods sollemnly. "That could only make things worse."
[16:00] <Gourash> "We should anyway," Gourash shrugged. "What if we fail?  Big problems should get known."
[16:00] * Amonet nods unhappily. "Can you tell us more about the fragment that was in your possession, Amarysa?"
[16:03] <Gourash> "Like how we find which drow have it?"
[16:03] <Alveria> "Cormanthyr," replies Alveria, sighing. "The ancient elven court lay there, along with many records. There is also Evermeet, but I do not-" She makes something of a strangled sound- "-wish to return."
[16:05] <Ebiris> "Ah, of course," Amarysa reaches over to take her husband's mug of tea and takes a long tired gulp, before she waves her free hand negligently over the table, causing a blackish-purple fragment of crystal to appear. Part of it is smooth and rounded, like it was shattered from a crystal ball, and curious jagged teeth-like outcroppings dot the mangled part.
[16:05] <Ebiris> "That's what it looks like... to be honest, I never studied it much, I only maintained the wards. Gave me a headache whenever I tried to detect magic around it."
[16:06] <Amonet> "That is the actual size?" Amonet asks in surprise.
[16:06] <Alveria> "You should know well enough by now that size isn't a constraint for magic," remarks Alveria, pointedly.
[16:08] <Ebiris> It's about two feet at its longest, and just under one and its widest. "Indeed," Amarysa nods. "Because Mystryl forbade us from ever making use of them, none of my predecessors ever did much to study it, either. I'm sure an imaginative mage could think of hundreds of uses for it, merely as a power source, however."
[16:09] <Ebiris> "Um..." Marjorie shifts a bit closer to Gourash, "If we could find some sort of book with pictures of Dark Elf house insignias, I could probably tell which ones it was," she tells him, occassionally glancing sidelong at the illusion her mother is generating.
[16:10] * Gourash nods.  "Maybe Alvie will know," He nods, glancing at her.
[16:11] <Alveria> "The houses of the drow are many, split across dozens of cities throughout the underdark. Studying their houses seemed a waste of time," she admits. "Yet such a tome will surely exist within Candlekeep's walls. The only issue will be entering."
[16:15] <Ebiris> "Hmm... they charge a rare book for entrance, don't they?" Amarysa murmurs thoughtfully, biting her lip and letting the illusion vanish. "I might be able to find something, actually."
[16:17] <Ebiris> "Or we could just, y'know, ask real nice?" Marjorie suggests with an innocent smile, wiggling her fingers in the air.
[16:17] * Alveria smiles a little for the first time all day. "The keepers of Candlekeep are quite serious in their oaths, regardless of how foolish such laws can be."
[16:18] <Amonet> "It wouldn't hurt to ask, anyway," Amonet muses. "And they might not be the only ones to know."
[16:19] <Alveria> "Nonetheless, we have a great deal of research to do, and Candlekeep would be the most suitable place to do it," replies Alveria. "We will have to see about getting them a book. If you know of one already, it would be the quickest way."
[16:20] <Ebiris> "Well, oaths can be relaxed for an emergency, even if it does take some magical prodding," Amarysa nods, smiling warmly at her daughter. "But lets see if I can find something first - I have some things scattered around that I need to gather up, which'll help pay back your generosity as well," she inclines her head graciously towards the adventurers.
[16:20] * Gourash blinks, looking a bit unwell at the thought of research.
[16:24] <Alveria> "Well. It seems we will certainly be busy for the forseeable future... ah, but I am curious. Did Mystryl's sister have a name of any kind?"
[16:25] <Ebiris> Amarysa nods. "Of course, but the same spell that slew her did so in part by erasing her name - all memory and record of it simply vanished. Perhaps only Lord Ao knows it, now."
[16:28] <Alveria> "We will be.. busy, then, for the forseeable future. I had hoped to take a rest, but there's no telling when the drow will work out the secrets of their new toy, if any are brave enough to try."
[16:29] <Ebiris> "It's been twelve years already... I suppose we're fortunate the world hasn't ended in the interim," Virgil comments wryly.
[16:30] <Alveria> "If I know anything about the drow, every time some cleric has tried to figure it out, some other cleric has killed her and started anew," snorts Alveria, wryly.
[16:31] <Gourash> "Tweleve years..?  Short time for drow.  Maybe they too busy killing each other over it."
[16:34] <Amonet> "So our plans, for now, are to research the other descendants, and the particular drow house that has your fragment?" Amonet summarizes, addressing the others.
[16:34] <Ebiris> "Well, regardless, we need a lot of preparation before we even think about going into the Underdark," Amarysa states firmly. "So, yes, we can research and gather our resources and strength for now."
[16:35] <Alveria> "Yes. Though, I have other tasks I must tend to, including the creation of your items..."
[16:36] <Amonet> "Do you know how they found you, Amarysa?" Amonet asks, then. "Were you betrayed, or was it a stroke of misfortune?"
[16:37] <Ebiris> "I wish I knew," Amarysa shrugs helplessly. "Myself and Virgil should have been the only people who knew of what we guarded... but from what they did to Marjorie," this elicits a shudder from said young girl, "Clearly they knew exactly what they were looking for."
[16:38] * Amonet pats Marjorie's hand, looking at her sadly.
[16:39] <Ebiris> Marjorie gives Amonet a grateful smile and squeezes her hand back, trying to look brave and mostly succeeding.
[16:41] <Alveria> "Are you.. sure you wish to accompany us, nonetheless?" asks Alveria, directing her words at Marjorie. "We will undoubtably become targets for the drow... I am not sure any child should be risked if we can help it."
[16:42] * Amonet looks at Marjorie as well expectantly.
[16:43] <Ebiris> Marjorie nods determinedly. "Maybe I might not go into the Drow city if you go that far, but I still want to be with you and help however I can," she insists. "Besides, I'm not as helpless as I was back then - even if I can't do some of the stuff from when I was a ghost, there's a lot I still can do!"
[16:45] <Amonet> "Our ship should provide ample protection," Amonet muses, glancing at Alveria.
[16:46] <Alveria> "We will have to look into that. Our ship will not be terribly useful during our research, but we must still look into finding a crew for when we require it."
[16:47] <Amonet> "It would be a good idea to recruit a few specialists in addition to the sailors to crew it," Amonet adds.
[16:48] <Gourash> "If we be sailing it.  If it just docking somewhere... paying folks isn't good."
[16:48] <Alveria> "In fact, as long as we can teleport, the ship is little more than vanity on our part... it is useful if we require moving a great deal of people or items at once, at least."
[16:49] <Amonet> "Or in peaceful negotiations, Alveria!"
[16:49] <Alveria> "I do not understand."
[16:50] <Amonet> "It will be very impressive."
[16:51] <Alveria> "It certainly has military worth," admits Alveria. "Well, it must be as you say."
[16:52] <Gourash> "If we fighting inland.  Let just leave ship docked.  Worry about it later."
[16:53] <Amonet> "It seems we will have to meet with highly-placed people on this quest," Amonet continues. "There is a certain prestiege one should have to hang around in those circles, and a strong fighter like Gourash as well as a fine mage like yourself would make double the impact if they travel abord such a vessel as they seek an audience."
[16:56] <Alveria> "That such a vessel will be used primarily as a showpiece amuses me..."
[16:56] * Gourash scratches his head. "Talking with royals is tiring.  They like big sargeants."
[16:56] <Amonet> "Well, it's not like I can change society itself," Amonet says defensively.
[16:59] <Alveria> "They are simply people with a difficult job to fulfill," replies Alveria, shrugging.
[17:00] * Gourash grumbles, something along the lines of thinking he'd gotten out of having to deal with stuffed shirts.
[17:01] <Ebiris> -----------
[17:04] <Ebiris> A few days later, the party goes to visit Rhyester's Matins, the grand temple to Lathander in Silverymoon. Gleaming spires arc upwards into the clear blue sky, while acolytes tend to the glorious rose bushes that surround the temple grounds, blooming despite this being the closing days of Winter...
[17:04] <Ebiris> The large oak doors stand open, various worshippers coming and going, interspersed with the odd adventurer leaving with an armful of potions and a lighter purse.
[17:07] * Amonet goes inside to look for Hahn!
[17:12] * Gourash tags along, curious enough about their churchly fellow.
[17:12] <Ebiris> Hahn is easily seen, chatting with a pair of finely dressed (everyone except the odd scruffy adventurer type is finely dressed, here) nobles. Before you can even reach him, however, a pimply faced young man in the red robes of the clergy accosts Amonet! "Mornlinglord's blessings upon you," he gushes, looking at the aasimar with obvious approval of what he sees. "I am Dawngreeter Barnard, how can I help you on this fine morn?"
[17:14] <Amonet> "We're here to see Hahn," she says apologetically, trying to let the pimply man down gently.
[17:14] * Gourash snorts, eying the man.
[17:15] * Alveria isn't even paying attention, as she's intently reading that book again.
[17:16] <Ebiris> "Of course, fair lady, I will get him for you," the Dawngreeter bows before scurrying over to interrupt Hahn's conversation.
[17:16] <Ebiris> Meanwhile Marjorie leans closer to Alveria. "What'cha readin'?" she drawls out cheerily.
[17:16] <Amonet> Marjorie's words draw Amonet's attention over to the book as well. "Yes, you seem most interested in it."
[17:16] <Alveria> "It's a book about my ultimate destiny," replies Alveria.
[17:17] <Amonet> "Ah." Amonet is not quite certain how to respond to that. "Is it a pleasant destiny?"
[17:17] <Gourash> "They write those in books?" Gourash wondered.
[17:18] <Alveria> "It was a metaphor," explans Alveria, patiently. "The codex of the inconceivable lead me to it. I would have to say.. no, it isn't a pleasant destiny. Have you heard the name of Larloch?"
[17:18] <Ebiris> OOC: knowledge arcana or history if you want
[17:18] <Ebiris> Marjorie shakes her head dumbly.
[17:19] <Amonet> roll 1d20+5
[17:19] * Hatbot --> "Amonet rolls 1d20+5 and gets 22." [1d20=17]
[17:20] <Alveria> "He is a lich, I believe, one who holds sway over many other undead spellcasters, each one more than twice as potent as I am today," continues Alveria. "I will have to live and study for centuries before I am ready to face him..."
[17:20] * Amonet seems confused. "Why would you yourself have to face him, Alveria?"
[17:20] -> *Amonet* Larloch is a completely insane lich that rules over a cabal of liches and other undead somewhere on the Sword Coast. He used to rule a city in Netheril, and is considered to be one of the most powerful beings in Faerun.
[17:20] <Alveria> "Because I am the only one who can! Didn't you read as such in the Codex?!"
[17:21] <Gourash> "It her destiny," Gourash guessed.
[17:21] -> *Amonet* Rumours say that he has powers approaching that of Old Netheril, which Mystra permits in exchange for him leaking new spells to persistent adventurers.
[17:21] <Amonet> "Not... quite. I read about other things, it seems."
[17:22] <Alveria> "Yes, it is truly an intriguing manuscript," murmurs Alveria.
[17:23] <Ebiris> As the party discusses Alveria's destiny, Hahn finally approaches. "Hail, friends," he smiles warmly. "I'm glad to see all of you, hopefully feeling well?" he asks, looking at Marjorie in particular who grins and nods.
[17:24] <Alveria> "Better than ever, thank you."
[17:24] * Gourash nods.  "Gourash fine."
[17:25] <Amonet> "And you, our friend?" Amonet asks him in turn.
[17:27] <Ebiris> "I'm glad to hear it," Hahn nods earnestly. "Oh, I'm fine, thanks for asking," he goes on, gesturing expansively, "It feels like everyone's faith has been rejuvenated ever since that sign from the Morninglord. I expected I'd have some trouble from the more experienced priests, but everyone's been wonderful." He leans in close and adds more quietly, "Haven't even heard a peep out of Count Prestin, thank Lathander."
[17:28] * Gourash nods and grins. "It's all about the right signs."
[17:30] <Alveria> "Should you have trouble, however, please let us know."
[17:30] <Amonet> "We would be most happy to help a true servant of the Sun," Amonet affirms, nodding.
[17:31] <Ebiris> Hahn nods. "I thank you for your kindness - I know I wouldn't even be here if not for you, so you can be sure I wouldn't call on you for anything trivial, but it is good to know I have friends I can rely on," he smiles. "And of course, if you ever need help that I can provide, you only have to ask."
[17:36] <Amonet> "It is not help, really, but a proposal we have for you and this temple," Amonet tells him. "We are embarking on a fresh quest, and have a vacancy on our ship. If there is an acolyte or two eager to go out and see the world, experience it as adventurers and travelers do without losing their indentity and calling, we would be interested in offering them a spot."
[17:39] <Ebiris> "A ship, eh?" Hahn absent rubs his clean-shaven chin. "Never was fond of water myself, but tell you what, I'll ask around to see if any of the younger clergy are interested... What sort of adventures do you expect to see, so I'll know not to send anyone too green?"
[17:40] <Amonet> "It is hard to say," Amonet muses, "though we would not take with us into dangerous situations people who couldn't handle them."
[17:41] <Alveria> "We are apparently more concerned with appearance than anything," notes Alveria, wryly.
[17:41] * Amonet chokes at Alveria's words.
[17:42] <Ebiris> "Looking more for someone to lift the crew's spirits and maybe cast the odd spell or two to make sailing easier, then?" Hahn muses. "Alright, I'll ask around - can't promise anything, since we're not exactly much of a maritime faith, but I'll see if anyone's at all interested in getting out and seeing the world."
[17:47] <Alveria> "Please. We won't be departing for a month or so," replies Alvie. "So there is no hurry."
[17:47] <Ebiris> "Very well," Hahn nods. "If you return in a few days or so I should be able to tell you if there's anyone interested."
[17:48] <Amonet> "Thank you ever so much," Amonet tells him politely, smiling again.
[17:48] * Gourash eyes Alveria.  "Alveria has book learning to do.  Thanks, Hahn.  We'll keep them alive.  Send for us if the count acts up."
[17:49] <Alveria> "Oh, Gourash," recalls Alveria, frowning. "I need about a litre of your blood."
[17:50] <Gourash> "Eh?"  His confusion evident. "For?"
[17:52] <Alveria> "That vest you wanted. The power within it will synergize more potently with your blood than mine," replies Alveria. "Try to store away a little a day, it's alright if it's old. You may want to keep it chilled to keep away flies."

[Dracos]

Gourash follows Alveria's instructions on placing some of his essence in his new wicked vest of the unstoppable orc =P

Dracos

[Ebiris]

Rat, can you post a summary (or a transcript if you're feeling bold) of Alvie's lecture at the Ladies College, and I'll tell you what you need to roll to achieve your goals?

[Carthrat]

Man, wouldn't the proper way to do it be to roll, and then have me submit a summary of quality equal to the roll? =p

Anyway, never let it be said that I fear public speaking, 'cos I don't. But I'll invite V to sit in on the lecture, if she wants. It might appeal to her!

Interested PCs are free to attend, I hope.

Some general fluff stuff: Alveria's levels in Wild Mage and Fatespinner are quite relevant to each other; both work off the prospect that it's possible to control 'uncontrollable' magical forces- forces that are inherently random. Wild Magic embraces this concept by applying it to all the spells you cast. Fatespinner allows for more direct control- in the form of occasionally raising DCs, and using hasty bursts of magic to change reality nearby (in the form of rerolls).

<->

Sauntering onto the podium, Alveria has done away with her patchwork clothes and ragged hairstyle, replacing them with a neat red dress and a simple tail. Clearing her throat for a moment...

"I'm here today to talk to you about Wild Magic, a topic that has brought about some controversy in the past. However, rather than ignore it or deride it, as some have done, I will provide an analysis of why it should not merely be *studied*, but *used*."

At this point, Alveria murmurs a few words, and above her head, large projections of various mystical tools appear, rotating slowly as she speaks of each in turn.

"A little on the origins of the beast, first. While contempory recognition of Wild Magic began shortly after the Time of Troubles, in truth, it has been around for longer than any can guess. Tools such as Rods of Wonder and artifacts such as the Deck of Many Things are evidence of what most would agree is 'Wild' Magic, but there are other examples, too; spells such as Prismatic Spray, for instance.

"Furthermore, I am sure many of you have witnessed the quite dangerous and random results of improperly reading a scroll- never mind when an unschooled layman attempts to brute-force sorcerous equipment and fails."

Imagery of unfortunate people reading scrolls and suffering an uncontrolled backwash of mystic energy appear. But they are soon replaced by a great archmage snapping a staff in twain- and vanishing in a flare of white fire.

"And I am sure you have at least heard of the danger of using magical staves in retributive strikes. What do all these effects have in common? A great deal of power, followed by a random result.

"This is the beginning of Wild Magic, and as you can see, the results to the unschooled are not pretty. At the one end, scrolls misused invariably bring harm to their reader; such is the price of being unprepared.

"But what about the other effects? Decks of Many Things can bring about awesome powers, stoppered only by the good sense of those who would draw. And Prismatic Sprays create a variety of dangerous effects, any of which, by itself, could be considered worth of the seventh circle.

"These spells and items channel greater power than is normal for something of their level, calling upon mighty force indeed at the expense of reliability. The traditional schools of magic promote the use of small quantities of force, manipulated in time-tested ways. Yet all these methods are reliant upon the Weave, which provides a mechanism for operating magic."

A depiction of the weave itself appears, seeming to be many, many strands of magic energy, tied together in orderly knots- a common depicition, used in many a young mage's education.

"Yet the weave itself is merely a screen, a door that must be opened to reach magic. Mystra herself, Lady of Mysteries, maintains it, providing a way for mere mortals to reliably find power. But remember that it is a door, a gate- and not the fields beyond. The presence of other styles of magic- such as the Shadow Weave- confirms it.

"'Wild' items reach beyond the Weave itself, weaving strands of raw magic together and using their own arcane methology to create effects. A *limited number* of effects. Their construction is imperfect- it may be impossible to perfect. But it shows that magic from beyond the Weave can be controlled.

"The Weave is still necessary- mortals cannot touch magic without it, or something similar. But we can bypass the laws that Mystra and her predecessors have set down, tearing forth greater power and using it for greater things. We can 'loosen' the grip the Weave has upon our casting- not to the extent of a Rod of Wonder, of course! It would naturally be quite counter-productive to give up all reason and thoughtlessly hurl unshaped magic across the lands! We can't all be the Simbul, after all. But we *can* reach beyond the Weave and cause some variance in our normal magics- substituting a small amount of order and trying to shape magic directly, with our own minds.

"The ramifications of this are that we mortals can gain a deeper understanding of how our magic truly works. The applications? Well, for starters, we are all aware of the Wild Magic Zones that have appeared across Faerun. Similar to Limbo in the effect they have upon our spells, they can cause untold mishaps- or bring surprising gains. If nothing else, the study of Wild Magic can grant insight into the supposed randomness of these areas, allowing, in fact, greater control of our magic once inside. If for no other reason than this I implore you to take what I have said to heart- these zones are increasing in number, slowly but surely, and we must all be prepared to work our magics in uncertain conditions. Mystra is a lady of many burdens- fixing Dead Magic zones surely takes precedence over fixing places where, were we to exert a little effort, we could complete our spells as normal.

"Beyond this immediate necessity are the potential applications. One can exert some control over random items, such as Rods of Wonder, or any with an unknown result. Indeed, insight into Wild Magic can allow a student of the arcane access to quite divine powers, provided they possess the proper tools- scrolls, wands, or staves.

"Our spells can also be cast with a certain random element of power; we cannot perfectly grasp what lies beyond the Weave with our own hands every time. But I can assure you that the odds are stacked in your favour, unlike the gambling halls in Luskan and Waterdeep. One can conjure shields of raw magic that can redirect hostile spells cast against you, and pour forth more potency into their magic, making your spells more difficult to resist and more useful to cast.

"These avantadges aside, there are still two main reasons to learn these arts. Firstly, as I have said, they could allow for the construction of great magical items. Imagine a Deck of Many Things- with no 'bad' draws. Think of what it could do for the world.

"Secondly, I merely reiterate my words on Wild Magic Zones. With careful study and experimentation, we could learn to harness the sudden bursts in power they represent- but they *may be the future of Faerun*, and we have little choice but to master their use. It seems a small trade to sacrifice the luxury of perfect predictability we mages have held for years in order to be able to work our magic reliably at all.

"I intend to give a few more lectures here oyn the details of implementing Wild Magic, and will soon be departing Silverymoon. Part of my journey will consist of finding and studying the zones I have spent my words on; any who are graduating soon, or if there are those who wish to see and learn a little more about both magic and the world- please, attend them, or speak to me; I will be avaliable for the next hour or so, and am contactable through the school of Evocation. My thanks to the arch-chancellor for allowing me to speak, and may Tymora bless you all."

[Ebiris]

Vrischika says she'd be delighted to attend, although you don't actually see her there. Despite the decent crowd, she does stand out, so you don't think you overlooked her.

Anyway, make a Knowledge (Arcana) check, and a Diplomacy check. The former is more important than the latter.

[Carthrat]

[23:15] <Postbot> Ebiris has posted to Interlude: With Strange Aeons... http://www.soulriders.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1005095#1005095
[23:18] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+16 mrgh knowledge: arcana check
[23:18] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+16 mrgh knowledge: arcana check and gets 34." [1d20=18]
[23:18] <Carthrat> roll 1d20+3 diplomacy check
[23:18] * Hatbot --> "Carthrat rolls 1d20+3 diplomacy check and gets 17." [1d20=14]

[Ebiris]

Everyone seems quite taken by Alveria's lecture, lots of animated discussion taking place in the aftermath. Indeed, the staff at the college are so pleased with Alveria's insights that they give her access to their library for spells up to 6th level (costs 1,000gp for a 5th level and 1,500gp for a 6th level spell to be scribed) and ask that she return to educate them on her findings as she progresses with her research.

Also, a pair of young half-elf mages seek Alveria out afterwards, wanting to accept her offer of seeing and learning more about the world. Katrina Valielle is an evoker who seems especially excited about the possibilities Alveria expounded upon for wild magic. Her twin sister, Henrietta Valielle is an illusionist who doesn't appear quite as gung ho as Katrina, rather seeming more like she just wants to keep her sister out of trouble.


In other news, one of Hahn's acolytes has bravely stepped forward for the task of looking pretty on the Waking Dream. Kiln Ignatius is a Fire Genasai cleric who is very much a walking stereotype of his people, as boistrous and fiery as they come. Hahn confides in you that he happened to have a lot of arguments with the other clerics, but despite his emotional turbulence his heart is still in the right place. Also, he is rather eye-catching, in a 'dude with hair that looks like it's on fire' way.

[Ebiris]

I think Amonet was the only one that paid for Marjorie's parents to be resurrected, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyway, Amarysa gives Amonet a Ring of Counterspelling and a Pearl of the Sirines (both items in the SRD) as recompense for bringing her and her family back to life.

She also says that she'll be fairly busy gathering items and crafting more of the same before she's ready to go adventuring, so you guys have plenty time for downtime stuff or sidequests before you go to Candlekeep or Cormanthyr or the Underdark or whatever.

Anyway, on that exciting note, I'm compelled to ask what you guys want to do this Sunday so that I have time to plan accordingly.

[Dracos]

Admittingly, I'm more interested in hitting the underdark than candledeep even if candledeep is in our logical progression.  I really only see a few funny jokes there, but then there's always the quest into some  old man's tomb to rob his rare book or something, right? =)

Anyhow, logic says book sidequest -> candledeep -> underdark

Primary interest says Underdark

Gourash says "Humans so squishy."

Dracos

[Carthrat]

Dunno. Mainly I just want to talk to my apprentices.

We spend money as fast as we get it (or in Gourash's case, faster), so I can't say another profit-oriented quest would go astray. But finding a book into candlekeep is also important (and there's no point going to the underdark until we've been to candlekeep!)

[Dracos]

Logic agrees! =p

Anyhow, methinks if we be raiding some long neglected  underground tomb or something, we can always rip both wealth and books from  the undead liches that will undoubtedly make us regret our trangressions.

Dracos

[Corwin]

+pirate encounter. Pirates are cool, and are just the right kind of squishy for Gourash. Also, they have the Ill-Gotten Gains (tm) that we must liberate, surely.

And if we have lots of time, a trip to check up on things in Mulhorand is always appreciated. Perhaps after our LibraryQuest?

[Dracos]

Pirates are cool, pirates are hip...

I'd rather pirates start coming when we start roaming the high seas though.  If we're sailing?  Cool.  If not...less so.  Yes, pirates have advantages on the high seas and all that.  But that also leaves the encounter more interesting than scalawags on land. =)

I'm totally up for the mulhorand trip too, but I was under the impression it was going to be a major arc and we were going to clear out the narrative follow up that Eb's been setting up with regards to the drow first.

Dracos

[Corwin]

We can visit, recruit some hardcore npcs that are so hardcore they stay behind the scenes at exactly the right time, and have our exciting pirate encounter as we sail. Once we kill some drow, we'll be manly enough to return and conquer Mulhorand~