The gift of ash

[Anastasia]

"It's best to assume he may  know a varying amount," Sylvie agrees, "For my gold, I suspect he knows almost everything. He wouldn't make this move unless he holds all the cards."

"Probably," Jetina says, "Fiends tend to think like that and daemons in particular."

[Nephrite]

"So then what's this about?" Moore asks. "He has some artifact but needs a bard to unlock it... so whatever it can do must be of some significance to him, right?" He says, tapping his chin. "Hm... but... actually, that doesn't make a lot of sense... I mean, you have to know how to use a wand, right? So... I question what it is that a bard could do with this item that would still give it value after the fact."

[Anastasia]

"Something attuned to a bard?" Cresiel suggests, "It's the logical answer."

"Or in some way sealed by one," Sylvie points out, "Don't rule out a particularly ironic or inventive curse."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "Yes, that makes sense, it's probably something that needs to be unlocked by a bardic talent in some way - or perhaps something that's inert now and once it's 'on' it just works again." He says with a nod. "With that in mind... well, it's still interesting to consider what other options The Adversary had... or didn't have. I think we can rule out anyone in Arborea or Brightwater who would've offered their aid to him..."

He taps his chin again. "Or should we consider the possibility that this artifact belongs to someone else who has the same talent as I do, and... he -couldn't- ask someone else?"

[Anastasia]

"It's not impossible," Sylvie remarks, "There's very few who fit that bill, however."

[Nephrite]

"Right, Lliira, and... well, I'm sure there are a few others." Moore says. "I wonder if we should put a few feelers out and see if we can pinpoint what the artifact is? Does that even help us much if we know what it is?"

[Anastasia]

"Knowledge always helps," Sylvie's response is instant, "Better than going in blind."

[Nephrite]

Moore nods. "I'll work on it. In the meantime, what else can we think of that may be of some help?" He asks.

I'm not sure what an appropriate check would be here, K:R? Basically - 'who are other deities notable for having bardic talent'? It's sort of an OOC question but I hope it's allowable!

[Anastasia]

K:R sure.

[Nephrite]

Take 10 for 122.

[Anastasia]

Lliira is the big one, though a few others have some skill here.

Selune has a little bit, but she's not a great talent.

Morwel and her consorts always have bardic ability.

Oghma is a bard of great skill as well.

[Nephrite]

We can either handwave him asking or I can do it official-like to each one, your call.

[Anastasia]

We'll mostly handwave, but which order are you doing them in?

[Nephrite]

Lliira, Oghma, Selune, Morwel. If any of them suggest someone on the way we'll stop the order and go with any that are given to us.

[Anastasia]

Go ahead and give me a summary of how you're phrasing this and asking them? I don't need a ton, just enough to hang a hat on.