Dodecahedron HQ

Grynn gives a brief tour about the place. Then takes Eredil back to the study.
See these maps? There are continents other than Faerun across the seas. This one is where the Red Wizards of Thay originate. From what I've read, their magic flows differently from ours, they may have crossed the sea to help stabilize Waterdeep, or to overtake us in this time of weakness. Their symbol matches that crescent.

Angron said he was captured here, at Dragonspear Castle. From the asthetics of that hand-shaped bond I can only guess Bane's followers still work their schemes.

As for the animal hide with the rune, there is only mention that brave warriors long ago put a beast to rest, and to pray it doesn't wake.

She looks around in open wonder.

This is an amazing collection. You have quite the sense for useful information. It will take me a few days to go through it all.

But where to start? If it is wizards we seek, perhaps we should attempt to contact Brighteyes. She would know magic users better than anyone.

That strange rune... something about it makes me feel uneasy. That may be because we know next to nothing about it. These books only refer to it as a beast? Could we start there? Perhaps they contain references to other works that might give us more clues.

Yes, I see what you mean. It would seem large settlements attract monsters. We can exclude the named ones at least, narrow the search. *Opens several books up on a nearby table.* Knowing what the Bonds do may help as well. I hope to find mention of an entity that could possess bodies. Or force a person to act against their will.

Could you ask Soekk to make some strong tea? This make take some time.  

I'll do that.

Grynn clears a spot on a table for the promised tea, then clears a corner of the room of all but a single table and chair.

I'll need some space to tend to my weapons, would hate to see they've rusted to their scabbards.

Chuckles at the thought, knowing how well made they all are, and leaves the room.

Soekk had just finished prodding through the rooms and was busy testing the divinity of the pool. He dips a finger into the pool and sticks into his mouth.

Hmm... This might work.

I see, that makes sense. Does your ancestry come with other perks?


*takes a sip*

This is amazing! I can feel a tingling warmth deep in my chest. Hantanyel órenyallo, Soekk. We'll have to bring as much of the water with us as we can.

Ah... while you're here, would you mind helping me a little more? Could you try and make sense of Filani's notes? I can't do that and research our bonds at the same time.  

Translation:

Soekk takes a sip of his non-diefied tea.

Other than the more known perks, nothing much else comes to mind. But as for Filani's notes: Yeah, I can look over them.

Grynn shifts a rock from a hole hidden in "her" room which is rather sparse aside from the hammock strewn across. Here she pulls the old Bag-of-Holding. She brings it down to the study and begins taking inventory of the various weapons and materials shes acquired over the years.

A few hours, (Maybe a day?) go by in a flash. Books end up strewn all across both the desk and floor.

*Stands up, stares intently at a few of the maps. Heads back to the table, stares at a book.*

That doesn't make any sense...

Grynn! I think I found something. This volume mentions an old legend told by the ogres of Thar. It talks about a powerful general know as The Lord of the Ruins or the Possessing Spirit. This general was said to have led "the Riders out of the Waste," to conquer the kingdoms of Barze and Horreb. Do those names mean anything to you? I can't seem to find them on any map.  

Barze and Horreb, Barze and Horreb, where've I read those names...
Puts down the gears of her bow she'd been cleaning, and picks up a tome near her table. "Crusades and Conquests: Volume III" Flipping through the chapters she comes across the mentioned battle.
Here, I can't lose track of the pieces I'm working on right now.

*With a grateful smile*Thank you. Now, to put the clues together.

Sets three large works on the table below the oldest of the maps. "Crusades and Conquests: Volume III", "The Power of Myth", and a libretto titled "The Wyvern's Spur."

*thinking out loud* Let's see... this battle took place nearly a thousand years ago! It appears Barze would have been west of what became the Galena Mountains. Horreb was somewhere further south. Having the locations pinned down is a great help.

Strange. The ogre legend doesn't speak much of the monster's defeat, only that it was put to rest. But the details match up with a human opera of all things. It concludes with the great evil being sealed away inside a sunken city. Bane's Black Blood! It's still vague.

Where could we learn more? The Halls, Candlekeep? One of the baelnorn might be old enough to have fought in the battle, but...   *visibly shudders*

Turns to address both Grynn and Soekk.

Should we call the others together? We could prepare some food and decide what to do next.

Grynn puts the last cog in, picks up the bow and it spring to its full size.
My things are battle ready.
She coaxes the 8 foot long monstrosity back down to its 3 foot long travel form.
She stretches her shoulders and follows Eredil out of the study. Staring about at the Gnomes handiwork, she's still impressed by how the many angles of the walls seem to bounce the light coming through the glassy ceiling around the entire structure.
I still can't believe the old group only ever used this place once.