Muirfinn's diary (Moore)

[Nephrite]

Then he'll get Filbrez to appraise it! Not necessary for value but just what it is. Unless there's another stone expert around.

[Anastasia]

It's easy enough for Filbrez to take a look at it. He comes back out after a few minutes, "Moore," Filbrez says coolly, "Are you familiar with sedimentary rocks?"

[Nephrite]

"A little." Moore answers. "I mean, it's so different depending on where you go, but usually the basic principles are the same."

[Anastasia]

"The basic principal is that sediments are deposited together and become a new type of stone, yes. I'm curious, what do you think is in the stomach of a slaad?" The mercane asks.

[Nephrite]

Moore considers this for a moment. "I'd think anything, really... Far too many possibilities to ever actually quantify with a number."

[Anastasia]

Filbrez begins listing off, "In no particular order: shale, granite, sardonyx, ash wood, oak wood, a wood that magic couldn't identify, several hairs from Hanna, apples, cooked chicken, raven feathers, corn, tin, ivory, more oak wood that's somehow meaningfully different enough to be listed separately by magic, tyrannosaurus bones, a hair from Afina, sand and finally diamond."

Afterwards Filbrez takes a breath, his voice cool before and cool now. "That's all that's within that stone. As for value I have no idea whatsoever."

[Nephrite]

Moore scratches his head. "He said that he wanted me to take it. Clearly it has some significance that I can't quite see... I have a feeling the components of it are somehow significant... well, maybe not the apples and cooked chicken, but..." He shakes his head. "I guess I'll just have to think about it as I do research and see if I have an epiphany."

[Anastasia]

"You do that," Filbrez says with a sigh, "Please bring me something better to appraise next time. Gold and gems are always good."

[Nephrite]

Moore laughs at that. "I'll let you know if I happen to run across an abandoned castle full of lost gold and riches. The best I can do right now is this mask, though." He says as he withdraws Cloud Dancer's Mask. "I'm not sure you could really put a price on it, though."

Woof, I'm not sure where to go from here. I guess go to the library and research Vaaliel.

[Anastasia]

You go to the library. Once you do, Elena pops up, "Hi!" she says, "You're looking for information on Vaaliel?"

[Nephrite]

"Yes, that's right." Moore nods. "Have you heard of... him? Her?"

[Anastasia]

"Sylvie knew something about him, I think it's in Muirfinn's diary," Elena says, "Did he write much about it?"

[Nephrite]

Moore shakes his head. "Yes, that's where I heard the name from originally, I was hoping to do some research and see if their name came up anywhere -- it sounds like a divinity of some nature, so I was going to check Celestia-related books if we had any."

[Anastasia]

"Good luck then," Elena says, "Call me if you need anything."

[Nephrite]

He'll look a little weird, but wearing Cloud Dancer's mask gives him a nostalgic feeling of joy and hope, so he dons that, rolls up his sleeves and gets to work.

Scholar's Touch, Divine Insight, Comprehend Languages, Lore of the Gods (realize this doesn't stack with Divine Insight, but in case he needs more than one check he'll have this as a backup) and then he'll try for basically any books that detail the upper echelons of Mount Celestia, since he's guessing Vaaliel is an archon or something of that nature.