Searching for dragons. Part I.

[Orran]

Strixi wakes up suddenly, feeling little better than when he went to sleep but unable to face further sleep. Kane has already come back in and is napping comfortably on a pile of papers on the desk. At least one of them slept well.

Deciding to make the most of the day Strixi meditates to regain his spells before getting all his gear together, dressing in his usual shorts and hooded cloak, Kane resting gently in his hood. Finally he casts his two defensive spells.

Heading downstairs, strixi grabs a quick breakfast either in the rest or one of the cafes nearby and heads off to one of the libraries he hasn't yet visited. It could be another long day yet.

[I plan to visit all the remaining libraries that I can today and follow a similar plan to the one in sister's court, checking for any relevant books by Dregary, asking the staff if they have any other suggestions. Up to you what seems a sensible place to start and we can either roleplay through the whole way or fast forward past irrelevant parts.]

[Kredine]

The Rest is offering a continental breakfast buffet this morning. Whatever that means.

After breakfast you realise, through some divine intervention, that you have nothing to copy books onto, and decide to swing through the market quarter to pick up some blank books. Costing 1gp per book you buy as many as you please. From the Market Quarter, the closest library is 'The Order Archived', which contains one of the nine titles 'Dragon Disciples, A Further Study'.

You make your way for the first time into the Temple District. Even from the entrance to the District you can see the Tri-shaped shaped Temple of The Order, towering over the rest of buildings. The rest of the district is a mix of churches, temples and shrines devoted to many different gods, the size of each indicating their presence within the city.

The Order is the official religion of Osamth City, though any non-evil god is accepted.

Located near the Temple of The Order, is a building that appears to be a renovated church, with a plaque stating "The Order Archived."
You enter the building after a quick 'papers please' from a standing guard.

This library is much smaller then the Sister's Library. Rows of books stand where church pews may once have rested, with a small selected of books on a raised platform towards the back of the building.

Near the entrance where a font of water may once have stood, is a desk with an elderly gentlemen.

"Why hello there little one. How can I help you today?"

[Orran]

Strixi goes heavy on the books, buying 15 books, along with writing materials and storing them in his haversack. [20 gold marked off]

Strixi is impressed by the size and opulence of the various temples, paying attention to any devoted to the dragon god's. While a temple to Bahamut might be a good place to get leads, the risks involved make it an unattractive prospect. As he's getting more used to the overbearing constant presence of the order, Strixi is not surprised by the lack of Evil temples. He is also not particularly religious.

Strixi enters the Archive and is pleased by the decor, a converted church is an appropriate place to house an old dusty library. Many people will tell you the big shiny, clean and well ordered libraries are more useful, but there's nothing quite like finding a rare edition tucked at the back of a crowded shelf.

"Hello Sir, I am looking for a book called," he consults his notes "Dragon Disciples, A Further Study by Periast Dregary. I would also appreciate if you could recommend any related titles, I am specifically looking for modern history or records of dragon sightings. Can you help?

[Kredine]

The temple of Bahamut is one of the more central temples, holding quite a many followers among the city. The temple is made of a smooth rock, with Platinum embellishments across the stone work.
Atop the steeple is the Star of Bahamut. Near the Temple of Bahamut is the Church of Tamara. Smaller than Bahamut's Temple, this Church is made of white marble, with Silver embellisments, and the Seven Pointed Start above its doors.

The gentlemen looks down on you.

"Hmm. Let me check my files. Its getting harder to recall things in my old years."

He looks though some index cards for about a minute before looking back at you.

"You'll find that book in the fourth row to the back. In regards to your other query. It doesn't look like we have anything recent about dragons. But we do a have a tome regarding history clashes between The Order and dragons, if that is of interest to you?"

[Orran]

"Thank you sir, I'm sure that will be helpful. Could you also tell me what your policy is on copying books?" Strixi waits patiently, the historic tome could still be very useful, many of the dragons mentioned in there could still be alive.

[Kredine]

"Well, aren't you the politest kobold. I guess the Broken Isles tribes must be teaching some manner."

He chuckles to himself.

"We can give you a copy of the book for 1 gold be book, or, if you're copying the book yourself the fee is only 1 silver. These costs pay for the royalties and go towards maintenance of the library. These costs are uniform across the city."

"The other book you're looking for, titles 'Draconians, a bloody history' is in the sixth aisle on the right hand side."

[Orran]

"Yes sir, we learn to be respectful to those more powerful than us. Here in Osmath I have to assume that's nearly everyone!"

Strixi listens intently and then goes to have a look at the books. While there he has a quick look at the books around them to see if any are relevant. Once satisfied he checks the contents and indexes of the books to see if they are relevant. Assuming they are he takes them to a table and gets out his reading materials.

Not wanting to waste any time today, Strixi gets straight to work, casting his first Amanuensis of the day and beginning to copy the books down.

Spell count:
3rd level 5/6
2nd level 7/7
1st level 6/7
Cantrips 5/6

[Kredine]

A more mobile member of the library staff collects the silver from you and lets you get on with your business.

About half way through the process the gentlemen comes and sits besides you.

"Searching for a specific dragon? Or just curious about your kin?"

[Orran]

[2 Silver marked off]

"A little of each. I would like to find my progenitor, but I'm certain I could learn a lot from any willing to teach me. I like to think I could offer some services back, for instance training their young in the arcane arts. We'll have to see about that though."

If the man seems eager to continue, Strixi is happy to indulge conversation on his favourite subject. Alternatively he will make some small talk about this being a smaller and quieter library and the man's role here.

[Kredine]

The two of you talk for the remaining time of your spell.

He indulgences your conversation of dragons, eventually leading into discussion of the building. He tells you that he has been the safe keeper of this library for twenty years. He manages the staff and oversees maintenance of the building, and as often as he can, which is admittedly less then he would like these days, he mans the front desk.

The next closest library is the Auderran Library, one district over, bearing three of the books you seek.

[Orran]

Strixi enjoys his conversation with the old man as much as he can while primarily focusing on his spell. Once complete he politely thanks him for his time and collects his things.

With a potentially long day ahead of him he moves on to the Auderran library quickly.

[Kredine]

You make your way into Auderran park.

It is quite out of place amongst the city. Where the rest of Osmath is mostly greys and whites, this district is green throughout, with many other colours permeating the canvas. There is grass and flowers and trees in every direction, with only a very few building to be scene. Throughout the park you can see a number of food vendors similar to the other districts, but more sparse. It is a warm day in Osamth and many has flocked to the grass to enjoy the sun.

You make your way to the library. It is one of the larger buildings in this district though not too large, and not very similar to the other libraries you have seen.

Auderran Library is a two story building. The ground floor seems to not have any walls or doors on three of its sides, with only the two supporting pillars at the front of the building. Chairs and parasols are dotted around the building, with customers drinking cold beverages while they enjoy a book. On the ground floor you can see that most of the room is taken up with a cafe with more chairs. At the back of the room you can see a collection of books, as well as stairs leading up.

[Orran]

Strixi strolls through the park, appreciating the warming effect on his scales. In some ways it reminds him of home but having this amount of greenery around would be wildly lavish in the desert.

He is shocked at the library that doubles at a cafe, he is used to dusty old libraries like the Order archived. Having so many people around socialising must get in the way of proper study.

Hoping to avoid most of them he approaches the back of the building and heads up the stairs, unless he meets anyone who appears to work there first.

[Kredine]

[Time ~9am]

You see some staff re-shelving books at the back of the shop but none of them stop you from heading up the stairs.

The first floor is more like a typical library, though the front of the building has large windows to allow sunlight through onto a set of tables.

There is a central desk here much like the other libraries, where a young looking half-elf stands. She wears brightly coloured clothes and has blonde hair with a pink streak.
She looks taken a back as you come up the stairs, but smiles widely at you.

"Good Morning! How can I help you today!"

[I'm not gonna keep coming up with book names, your research will be evaluated as a whole rather then a book by book basis]

[Orran]

Strixi is also taken aback by the woman's appearance. A few seconds pass with the two just looking at each other before he remembers himself and speaks "Good morning, I am looking to make copies of a few books." He shows her his list, pointing out which ones. "If you could also advise me of any similar works I would appreciate it" Strixi smiles back at her.

Once Strixi has the relevant info, he pays the three silver and sits down in the sun by the window, using his second and third amanuensis (if needed) to make the copies.

[Kredine]

[Wrapping up research post!]

You wrap up your time at the Auderran library, potentially involving an interesting back and forth between yourself and the bubblegum half elf. You spend the rest of your day exploring the libraries of Osmath and return to the pits with 13 tomes for your effort. Thankfully 3 of them were short books else you would not have had enough cantrips to finish copying them. (13 silver total cost, including the money already knocked off)

Although you have not had time to properly inspect the books, you do notice one thing. The most recent of these books was published 21 years ago.

[Orran]

Strixi heads back to the rest with his haversack full of books, glad that he doesn't have to carry their weight. He even looks forward to reading a couple of the more interesting ones.

Spending a day exploring the city and the various districts had certainly been an interesting experience. A large city like this has no end of interesting characters and even though they may not be particularly useful to him it was nice to see they treated him fairly.

Strixi notices that one of the books has only been published recently, finally a good lead! Assuming the book is written by Dregary this means Strixi's theory about him still being alive could be correct.

If there is still enough time in the day, Strixi makes a diversion back to The Order Archived to ask the old curator there. Of all the people he's met so far he seems most knowledgeable of the scholarly arts.

[Kredine]

[The most recently published book was 'The Eternal Dragon War' by Lieutenant Reeoshkin. The most recent Dregary you found on dragons was published 30 years ago, but you do recall seeing more recent titles (not related to dragons) on the set of works given to you by Sister Alendra]

You make your way back to the Order Archived, and much to your relief the older gentleman is still working. Although now he sits at a desk rather then standing.

"Welcome back my friend. Is there more I can help you with?"

[Orran]

"Hello again Sir. I've had a rather busy day collecting books and as you were so knowledgeable before I thought you might be able to help" Strixi shows him the books by Reeoshkin and Dregary. "These books are very helpful but I would also like to contact the authors, they may be able to help more. Do you know anything about Sirs Dregary and Reeoshkin or where I could find them?"

[Kredine]

"Hmm, well I don't have much personal information on them. As far as I recall Lt Reeoshkin is stationed up north in Bahumat's Enclave. I have no information on Dregary's location. I hear he's a bit of a traveller. I do believe he's doing a book tour some time next month though. I imagine he'll be doing signings at some of the local book stores. Does that help you friend?"

[Orran]

"Bahamut's enclave? I'm not sure how welcome a kobold would be there, perhaps that isn't the best of ideas."

"What an interesting character, I'm really going to have to learn how to cast the sending spell one of these days." Strixi says regarding Dregary.

"Yes that is very helpful thank you Sir. If you ever need a hand with anything please feel free to contact me at the worthless rest. The name is Strixi." he says, offering a claw to shake hands with the man.

Assuming nothing further, Strixi moves on from the library. As it has been a fairly relaxed day, he decides to go to the house in the common grounds with the rat problem and see if he can help.

[Kredine]

[Time ~ 3pm]

You make your way to a small house in outskirts of the common grounds.
Assuming you knock on the door, a lady, around 30- 50(its so hard to tell with pinkskins), answers the door.

"Good afternoon. Are you hear to help me with my rat problem?".

[Orran]

"Hello miss, yes I am. I understand the guards aren't willing to help, was there any reason why?" this was what had persuaded Strixi to come. Anything against the guards fit his narrative well so he couldn't help but sympathise.

[Kredine]

"Oh, yes, well. They came to check once but said they couldn't find anything and refused to come back. Thank you so much for coming. Most adventurer's consider this kind of work below them."

She motions you into her house.

"Would you like some tea or fruit juice before you head down into the basement?"

[Orran]

Strixi steps inside when the woman motions him to "Oh no miss, I'm not an adventurer, Kobolds don't do that sort of thing running round ancient tombs and killing creatures. We just have to learn how to defend ourselves. Otherwise someone ends up getting us." He declines the drink when offered.

"Now these rats, you mentioned the guards couldn't find them, do you have some food I can use to lure them out?" indicating for her to show him the way to the basement.

[Kredine]

I'm afraid all of my supplies are in the basement. And I'm quite too terrified to head down there myself.

She leads you to a door.

Down these stairs is where you'll find them. I'm afraid they're going to leave the basement if not take care of. Please help me. Oh, and take this healing potion just in case.

She hands you a small vial with red liquid.

[Orran]

Thank you miss, that's very kind." Strixi says, taking the potion and setting it on the floor next to him with his rod of silence. He then casts his two defensive spells as they have worn off since this morning.

"I don't wish to alarm you miss but I am about to transform in to a dragon." Strixi says shortly before transforming in to a tiny Wyrmling Shadow dragon with jet black scales. He then picks up his rod and the healing potion and hops down the stairs. Kane follows flying in the air, using his blindsense to try and identify any creatures.

Total armour class: 24 (7 natural, 2 size, 4 armour, 1 Dex)
Active spells: Mage Armour, 7 hours, heart of water, 7 hours, alter self, 70 minutes.
Spell count:
3rd level 4/6
2nd level 6/7
1st level 5/7
Cantrips 0/6

[Kredine]

You make your way down into the basement. It appears to have been used as a pantry, though quite a mess has been made. It appears that something have been stealing the food from sacks and crates. Although you can see no creatures in here right now, you see signs of disturbances which lead to a small burrowed hole in the far wall.

[15 Spot vs DC 15]

[Orran]

Strixi takes some of the food and creates a small trail leading from the hole in the wall to the stairs that he had come down. He then climbs on top of a crate with good line of sight to the hole and the stairs and casts prestidigitation. He then uses the spell to create an alluring smell of cooked meat, hoping the rats would be tempted out at the prospect of more food. He holds his position, continuing to create the smell for up to 20 minutes before deciding whether to continue, he and Kane keep their eyes and ears peeled for any movement.

[Kredine]

You wait a few minutes before a you see two rats scurry out of the hole towards the food. They do not seem to notice you [Spot 17 vs Hide 23]