-9- Loose Ends

It was four weeks since Bosch set out for the northern lands, and at the start of the fifth week, Clausius received a message. Thanking the kenku courier once again, Clausius opened the brown envelope and scanned over the letter written hastily on parchment. "Is that from Bosch?" asked Arrhenius as he stood nearby packing away the contents of a shelf. "Yes, and it is very good news that I must share with everyone." Clausius pulled himself up atop his desk and stood out over the main collection. One by one, the Keepers turned to acknowledge him as he cleared his throat and read the letter out loud: Keepers, I cannot begin to explain how, but I have reached the end of the Long Road where I now am given word that there are several abandoned mines available for our cause. I have also met an interesting individual who has joined us in hopes that we can help him out as well. He is a podrikev of exceptional intellect and command of the weave, and I am certain that with his help, we can have the archives reassembled very quickly. I wish I could give more detail, but Dagon and I are preparing to leave for the mines as I write this to you. By the time this reaches the archives in Myth Drannor, we will have found a place and will most likely be on our way back to help in any way we can with the move. An appropriate spell anchor will be left for our transportation needs. With warmest regards, Bosch Muffled conversations erupted from the Keepers as Clausius lifted his hand to gain their attention once again. "I have communicated with the Wizards Council and they have concluded that Bosch is who he claims to be. Success in his quest has proven him to own a true Keeper spirit, and I would now ask that the faction discuss the terms of his reinstatement as leader of the Keepers of Antiquity." The conversation resumed among the faction as Clausius stepped down from the desk. As he made his way through the collection, he passed the rows of boxes and displaced artifacts. "It is rather sad to see the archives in such a state," commented Traelith as Clausius passed by. "I sympathize with you Trae, but greater things necessitate change. All of us working together now offers the resources to create something more splendid than ever dreamed of before. We just need the courage to uproot ourselves from how things are." Traelith nodded as Vaishu broke into the circle. "Clausius, dont you think one month is not enough time to have all of this moved and resorted? I mean, we can get it there in a week, but putting it all back together is going to take some time." Nodding, Clausius replied, "And that is where we have been very lucky to have found a podrikev. With Dagons help, we will have it assembled very quickly." "And what future does this place have once it is empty?" asked Dusk. Clausius stopped at this question and turned his head. "There are some loose ends to tie here in the ruins. I have an appointment with my dreams."

-8- Sleight of Hand (Pt. 2)

A small lantern hung from the center support pole of the tent. A tall man with a pointed moustache sat across from Dagon, who crouched to meet him eye to socket. Bosch took a seat on the small crate which was nearby, watching as the man began to set up his table. "Branam must think highly of you two to offer you admittance. I am Suglios the game leader, and I am here for your amusement" he said as he dusted off the table and smiled. Reaching from beneath the table, he pulled out three tortoise shells and a small ball of string which he placed in front of them. "The game is simple: I will shuffle the ball beneath one of the shells, and when I am done, you tell me where it is. If you guess correctly, I will offer you my help. If not, then you will offer me your platinum." Suglios smiled and covered the ball with one of the shells. "And despite our hospitality, we do not take kindly to those who try to skip out on a deal. So what do you guys say?" Bosch stood up, but Dagon quickly pulled him back down. "I can do this Bosch," he said. Though Bosch knew this was a scam, he also wanted to trust Dagon, and reluctantly agreed to the terms. "Very well gentlemen!" Suglios said as he began to shuffle the shells about. "Watch the ball carefully as it moves from one end of the table to another..." Suglios began to ramble as Dagon watched his movements intently. Bosch paid little attention as he sat there rather unimpressed at the display. After what seemed like a long time, Suglios stopped moving the shells and leaned back proclaiming, "Now tell me which shell the ball is hiding." "The middle shell," Bosch whispered to Dagon. "I saw him put it under the shell with that chip at the bottom." Dagon shook his head. "No, the middle is too obvious. It is not the middle shell." Bosch sighed. "How much platinum do you have on you Dagon?" he asked. "Just a few platinum bearings in my waist. Why do you ask?" "Well, I sure as hell am not paying for your wrong guess. You had better not need those bearings." Dagon let out a puff of smoke. "Well gentlemen? Have you made a decision?" Suglios asked. "Yes. I would like to tell you where your ball is." Dagon replied. Bosch covered his face. "Go on then my metal friend." "The middle shell would be too obvious a choice, so I would then guess it is either to your left or right. Seeing as how you are left handed, I can assume you would pull the heavier shell, and thus the shell with the ball, towards your strong arm, but you made twice as many moves to the right as you did to the left. That leaves the right shell. But on the other hand, is your left hand, which was too busy holding the ball to pull the shells any more than necessary to keep the ball hidden." "I beg your pardon?" Suglios asked in astonishment. "Your left hand, where the ball of string is conveniently tied. You pulled it right out from beneath the shell in the first move to the right. That is where your ball is located." Dagon proclaimed with satisfaction. Bosch looked up to see the troubled face of Suglios searching the face of the podrikev which had no expression to give. With a sigh, the man opened his left hand to reveal the ball of string. Bosch could do nothing but laugh. "You two are the first to beat me in seven months. I am humbled to say the least." Suglios cleared the table and leaned forward with his hands folded together. "As I am a man of my word, tell me what you need of me and it will be done." Dagon began to explain their situation and how they needed to reach Mirabar within a few days--something that both knew was near impossible. Suglios nodded with a smile, "Say no more, for I have the answer you need." Reaching over, Suglios produced a jewel-encrusted box. He placed it on the table and unlatched it, turning it towards them. "There is your answer," he said as Bosch pulled forth a golden horn from within the box. "What is this," he asked. "It is a unicorn's horn. Wizards such as yourselves would know what to do with such a rare and valuable thing. Cast your gate spell while holding it and you will not fail." Bosch and Dagon thanked Suglios and Branam for their hospitality and entertainment. With the unicorn's horn, they would reach their destination before the coming of the next day, bringing the Keepers that much closer to finding a place for their cause.

Current Character Description - Dagon

A relic of rarely mentioned Podrikev experimentation by an ancient group of gnomish tinkerers.  This oddly built contraption is much smaller than any ordinary Podrikev, seeming to be designed to support the energies of the brain contained within rather than as a machine of brute force.  He was built with the brain of a deceased gnomish wizard in an effort to preserve his powerful magicks.  His physical form is decidedly weak for a typical Podrikev, and green and blue arcs of energy leap and dance across the center of his form.

-8- Sleight of Hand (Pt. 1)

Bosch and Dagon traveled the Long Road on foot, as neither was very fond of horses. It was five days since the two left Rassalantar, and their journey had taken them through two more towns and out of the protection of Waterdeep, where the land was lawless. To the east, the Hills of Jundar rolled into the horizon and to the west the edge of the Sword Mountains gave way to long stretches of plains and forest. This was one of the longest stretches of the road, where two days were required just to reach the next town of Triboar. They were aiming to be at the gates by morning. "Do you think the Keepers can help me?" Dagon asked as they walked. "I think if anyone can help you, they can," Bosch replied. "Some years ago we found a wizard's text in the Ruined City of Myth Drannor that detailed spell formulae for golem magics. I spent the better part of a year deciphering them with little success, but the text along with my notes should still be at the archives. If we can finish the work, then I know we can help you out." Dagon smiled as podrikevs do in the most peculiar manner. "Then I will do my best to help the Keepers and their cause. If we keep on this road and at this pace, we will reach Mirabar in another week, and there you will see these mines I speak of." The dwarf swore at Dagon's assessment of the situation. "We don't have a week to get there, much less get there and back. We are going to need some help." "Maybe Branam can help us," Dagon replied. Bosch stopped and turned back to see the podrikev reading a wooden sign. On the sign was painted the words 'Branam's Traveling Show' and it pointed to a small path down to a group of tents in the distance. Before Bosch could consider it any longer, he turned to see Dagon halfway towards the tents, talking to someone. "Well do consider my offer metal fellow," the man said as Bosch sprinted towards the two. "I will pass Branam, but thank you. Me and my friend need transportation to Mirabar. Do you know where we can find such a thing?" The man laughed as he swirled his cane. "Well, I can tell you to try hitching a ride with one of the caravans that run the trade route from Waterdeep, but without platinum, you have about as much of a chance getting them to agree as you would have if you were a troll." Bosch glared at Branam, who stood a good foot taller than him. "C'mon Dagon. We're wasting our time here." "Whoa, now wait there fellows. I never said I couldn't help you. Step into the booth of chance, and my friend Suglios will make you a deal you cannot resist." Branam pulled back the opening to the nearest tent which sat beneath a battered, wooden sign that read 'Suglios' House of Chance'. Before Bosch could reply, Dagon was already inside sitting across from a tall man in a black coat. Reluctantly, Bosch joined him.

-6- The Broken Machine (Pt. 2)

"Ahh. A dwarf! Such a long time since I've seen a dwarf!" Bosch had seen at least two more since his arrival in Rassalantar and considered asking it if it had lived in a cave its whole life, but then the answer may very well have been yes. "Yes, I am a dwarf, and would I be right to guess you are a podrikev?" It bobbed its head in agreement. "There are not many of your kind left in the realms. Is there any particular reason why you were crawling around beneath my innroom?" he asked. The podrikev looked down. "It is cold and dry there, and while it can postpone my eventual failure, I had to find other means. I am broken." Bosch looked the podrikev up and down. It was shorter than most he remembered and badly rusted, though its brain seemed to be working normally. In fact, it articulated speech very well for most. "How are you broken," Bosch asked. The podrikev shuddered as it rose up from its resting position. With a loud grinding sound, it moved its arms and legs until smoke began to rise from them. "I am seven years due for maintenance and three years past my life expectancy. It was my hope that expending the energy to come up to the surface would afford me the opportunity to find someone who could help. Do you know golem magic?" "I think I know some people that may be able to help you out," Bosch said after a moment. "How fit are you to accompany me north?" The podrikev looked northward and then back at Bosch. "I think can make the journey. How far are we going?" Bosch smiled at the question, because he didnt have a good answer for it. "Your guess is as good as mine how far I need to go, but I cannot return without finding something." Bosch looked out over the Long Road as it disappeared into the darkness. The moon rose high in the sky as it waited for the sun to chase it away once again. "Tomorrow at first light, I will set out. If you are here then, I will tell you more about my quest and you can accompany me. My friends can help you." In reply, the podrikev bobbed its head and let out a whirl. As Bosch walked back to the inn, he turned to ask the podrikev his name. "The gnome who built me gave me the same name as the gnome who I once was. The name was Dagon. You can call me Dagon." "Well, Dagon. I will see you shortly then." "Shortly, yes."