Our Various Pursuits

... Despite Killians attempt at negotiations. The thieves don't seem interested, a very curious gamble as we are not restricted by law in the same way as the Forest guard. Perhaps we're not just dealing with common thieves ?
 
[Lairion casts 1st level Bane spell and engages the group in melee, engaging one of the minions, Killian casts the Toll the Dead cantrip from short range, engaging the minions and the leader and Krod from the opposite side of the engagement casts lightning bolt catching one of the minions and the leader]
 
... Are we taking these guys dead or alive... Ahh ! Damn !... Sod it ! We'll worry about the details afterwards...
 
[Lairion takes down on of the minions and engages the others, Killian re-engages the minions and the leader in melee and Krod becomes engaged and surrounded]
 
[Between Lairion and Killian the group of minions are slain except for one minion and the leader who surround Krod. In defense Krod unleashes a 1st level Thunderwave to blast them away. One of the minions dies and the leader is left by themselves wounded]
 
... Get away from me you cretins !... Oh ! That was unexpected... Wait ! Don't let him get away !... Get the guards !!!
Note- Elemental Thunder not only generates damaging sound waves to the mind but the force of the waves themselves can shatter physical matter as well... Hence the obliterated corpse of the bandit I struck.
 
[Killian and Lairion give pursuit while Krod goes through what was left behind. Among the stolen goods from the market is a crudely drawn map of the sewage system of Rel. Then catches up with his companions to discover they are in a stand off]
 
... Oh no ! He's taken a small girl hostage. One wrong move on our part and she dies... I don't know how long we can keep this up. We're running low on magical potential and we're quite injured. We can't risk the girl...
Note- As cold as it sounds. The Bandit leader cannot risk the girls safety too, she is his only bargaining chip and if any harm comes to her. He wont want to be arrested... So its best to let him get away for now... A decision I don't feel very comfortable admitting.
 
The assailant makes his way into the sewers through one of the manhole covers, a crowd has formed in response to the situation. The looks of desperation in their eyes is soul destroying and not welcomed especially after we've risked our lives to help with their problems.
Lairion has already jumped down in pursuit, commendable and selfless, I am humbled by his determination but we cannot pursue further ! If we continue the pursuit we'd end up dying ourselves to possible traps and ambushes and our failure would result in the girls death.
Ah ! Thank goodness the guards are here now. Despite our standing within the forest guard, we're technically classed as Ximena's mercenary's and operate outside the law. It's only right the forest guard take over and deal with this officially. We brief them on the situation and I hand over the map. I hope they manage to succeed.
Note- I try to memorize the map before handing it over, just in case the guards don't manage to save the girl we can take over. I will also collect up the stolen goods and take them back to the Forest Guard HQ. Again it is important that we do not appear to be above the law.
[Approximately 10 minutes pass before something happens]
 
...What on earth ! A crowd is forming in the market square... Was that a scream ? Oh please no !... Oh thank goodness ! The guards that went in pursuit have reappeared with the girl in tow...
At a glance the girl seems to be a bit dirty, possibly bruised and shaken but not injured. It turns out the girl Ayla Stoneweaver is known among the Forest Guard, she often accompanies them on patrols and helps them out wherever she can. It's better that she was saved by them than us. Her trust is with them and not 3 strangers.
The crowd immediately give all credit to the guards. A bitter experience as we did most of the investigation and engagement but it's as it should be. A knowing look at my companions confirms this. We suck it up and head over to congratulate the guards personally. Killian put on a performance for the crowd, Lairion gives the guards some healing and I inquire with the most senior guard to reacquire the map so that we can give a full report to Ximena.
 
We stick around until the crowd has dispersed and the guards have gone back to their business. Between the three of us, we know we're going to have to investigate this matter further. This issue isn't over. I have a feeling this small group of thieves were just a small representation of a larger organisation. We decide to just scout the area where the girl was recovered out and not get into any engagement, any more information we can gleam is a needed for this type of investigation.
We decide to go through the sewer entrance the assailant went through. Following the map we discover traps that guards triggered whilst in pursuit. Eventually we reach the area where the leader of the group was slain, it appears he was intending to head further in.
As expected as we make our way through the intended route of the leader before he was slain. I go on ahead whilst the other two hang back. I discover what can only be two lookouts or sentry's guarding an area further in. We know now that we have more work to do down here...
Note- With this many entry's and exits, goods and individuals can easily be transported though in and out of the town with ease. I shall be making a copy of the map recovered and add additional points of interest to it. After our experience in Blaising Del an escape route out of a hostile town is invaluable... Worst case scenario of course but I like to be prepared for any possibility.
 
[The group discover the sewage system is vast and the exit taken ends up taking them outside of the town]
 
... After the day we've had we all agree to head back to the Broken Axe Inn to get cleaned up and take some must needed rest. Magical cultist lairs and thieves organisation in the sewers. Ugh ! I'm done for today...
 
...
 
We reconvene at breakfast and we all decide to report our findings to Ximena and ask if she'd like us to investigate further as we're not the official authority...
Note- I do have a request of my companions which I hope they let me pursue. I made an appointment 2 days ago to take classes in scroll crafting at the Silver Quill with Elven owner Elanor. The opportunity for enhancing Artificer skill set not only fulfills my personal mission of knowledge but helps the others too. However first things first.
 
We manage to catch Ximena heading off to settle a matter in the Infernal Forest with a group of the Forest guard. We report all of our actions and findings, returning the stolen possessions to then be returned to the owners.
Ximena officially deputizes us under her command within the Forest Guard. I don't know about the other two but a massive sigh of relief washes over me as we can now operate with some minor authority within the town without fear of a reprisal. Definitely unexpected but certainty not unwelcome.
She gives us her blessing to continue with any situations we're investigating. Ximena's responsibility is for the betterment of the town as the guard are restricted by the law and can only do so much.
Note- We have been given an official badge. I shall look into making a cloak over the badge either through physical and magical means, perhaps a magical mechanism of some kind to be revealed under a command word or gesture only to the holder. The best way to utilize this is to actually not keep it on show. It may actually hinder some of our pursuits in the future if we have it on show.
 
My companions agree to indulge my pursuits of knowledge. I'm excited to hear this. We head on over to the Silver Quill and I immediately ask Elanor about the lessons and whats involved. It sounds utterly fascinating, I'm so looking forward to it. Killian actually invests some of his own money to let me take all the lessons basics, standard and advanced... I'm at a loss for words...
 
[Over the course of 6 hours from the early morning to mid afternoon, Krod learns how to Craft Magical Scrolls]
 
Part 1. Understanding the Basics of Scrolls
-What is a Scroll?
A scroll is a single-use magic item that contains the essence of a spell, which can be cast by anyone who meets the requirements. Scrolls allow spellcasters to preserve spells for later use, or even provide non-spellcasters with access to magic.
-Components of a Scroll:
The lesson would explain that a scroll requires three key components:
The Physical Scroll: Usually made from parchment, vellum, or rare materials such as silk or treated hide, which must be specially prepared to receive magical enchantments.
Magical Ink: This ink must be imbued with arcane power and is crafted from rare ingredients like powdered gemstones, enchanted herbs, or the blood of magical creatures. Different spells require different ink formulas.
The Spell Formula: The scroll contains an intricate combination of arcane runes, glyphs, and symbols that represent the spell in written form. The scribe must inscribe these with precision.
 
Part 2. Theoretical Knowledge of Magic
-Spell Transcription:
The character would learn how to transcribe a spell onto the scroll. The key to this is understanding the spell’s structure, breaking it down into its arcane components, and encoding that information into a written form. For higher-level spells, the process is more complex and requires greater magical knowledge.
-Attunement to Magic:
The character must align the magical energy with the scroll while writing. This requires concentration and knowledge of how to channel arcane forces. They would be taught about the delicate balance between the physical material and the magic being infused into it.
-Different Schools of Magic:
The lesson would cover how each school of magic (e.g., evocation, illusion, necromancy) has unique arcane symbols and techniques for transcribing spells onto a scroll.
 
Part 3. The Crafting Process
-Step-by-Step Process:
The character would learn the practical steps for crafting a scroll, including:
Preparing the Materials: Treating and inscribing the parchment with special oils or solvents to make it receptive to magic.
Writing the Scroll: Inscribing the scroll in a quiet, focused environment. Even the slightest mistake in writing a rune could cause the spell to fail or produce dangerous side effects.
Infusing the Magic: This is the most critical part. The character must concentrate on the spell while writing, pouring their own magical energy (or an external source of magic) into the scroll as they transcribe the spell. The more powerful the spell, the more difficult this process is.
Final Binding: Once written, the scroll must be sealed with a final magical binding to prevent the magic from leaking or dissipating over time. This is often done with a wax seal, enchanted ribbon, or magical glyph.
 
Part 4. Risks and Limitations
-Scroll Failure:
Characters would learn that improperly inscribed scrolls can fail, sometimes disastrously. This could range from a simple spell fizzing out, to the scroll exploding in a burst of magical energy, or even corrupting the spell into something unpredictable.
-Spell Level Limitations:
The character is taught that they cannot craft scrolls of spells higher than their own level of casting ability. Attempting to do so can lead to failure, wasted materials, or dangerous consequences.
-Casting from Scrolls:
Scrolls are designed to release the stored magic upon reading aloud the glyphs. Non-spellcasters can read the scroll but may struggle with high-level spells. Scrolls crumble into ash after the spell is cast, leaving no trace of the magic behind.
 
Part 5. Advanced Techniques and Variations
-Scroll Enhancement:
More advanced lessons might cover ways to enhance a scroll’s potency, extend its shelf life, or add protective wards to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
-Specialized Scrolls:
Characters may learn how to create scrolls with special properties, such as those with delayed activation, hidden spells, or multi-use scrolls that can cast a spell multiple times before crumbling.
Part 6. Ethical Considerations
-Scrolls for Dark Magic:
Some instructors may warn against crafting scrolls with dangerous or forbidden spells, such as those from necromancy or demonology. Creating and using such scrolls can have moral implications and draw unwanted attention.
 
Note- During my lessons I discover that Elanor is a member and representative of the Order of Arcane Scribes with in this region. She and others of the Order are tasked to retrieve and secure lost and forbidden Arcane knowledge, whether it be in the form of texts, scrolls or glyphs. To ensure this knowledge used to the betterment of all and kept out of the hands of those who would seek to abuse such knowledge.
I inform her I was trained and tutored under the master Artisan Boris Bronzeteeth, his name carries some weight, she knows i'm serious in my pursuits now, with that in mind she trusts me enough to pass a unto me a quest the Order has tasked her with. Completing this quest for her may prove my worth with the Order and allow for a membership. Meaning for further advancement in my own knowledge.
 
I reconvene with my colleagues in the town square upon discovering they have both had an interesting day in their own pursuits as well... Now its time for business. We need to investigate further into the sewers.
As we approach the junction where I spotted the sentry's or lookouts, Lairion sends his raven forward to scout the situation out. Killian takes the precaution of pulling a creature out of his Bag of Tricks.
 
Lets actually try and be stealthy on this one... Blast it !... Take these guys out quick before they alert anyone else...
 
[Killian, Lairion and Krod engage the guards and manage to slay them before they alert any others to their presence. A acid trap is also triggered with Killian taking the brunt of the acid and Krod catching some of it whilst trying to move past it, being deceived into thinking the trap had been spent]