The Pilfered Papers of Anthur-Ro

In the course of The Assault on Anthur-Ro, The Ladies' Hiking Club came across a number of documents: some scrolls they nabbed from the cell guard they brutally murdered and two items from the library: a detailed schematic and a battered, leather-strapped old copy of Wodeborn's Anthology of Phylacteries. Upon opening the latter, they found a series of fresh parchments folded into a bookmark.

Mechanism Schematic

The schematic is somewhat alarming, at least on an initial glance by a layperson. It seems to depict any number of needles, saws, blades and other implements of torture and instructions for affixing them in various places to two three-quarters-reclined gurneys with five-point restraints. The gurneys are stacked one atop the other, and there is a tremendously complicated clockwork device above the head of the top gurney and a large crystal at the foot of the lower one. There are pages and pages of description for the clockwork associated with the head device, and 24 pages of Yishanim script detailing the enchantment of the crystal.
On the first two pages there are also anatomical diagrams of a number of humanoids including detailed illustrations of their circulatory and nervous systems. On the last page there is an indication that two humanoids are loaded into the final apparatus. In the first image they are being strapped in, and in the second the one on the bottom is helped up and the one on top has its tongue hanging out and is heaved into a fire. Cheery.

Wodeborn's Anthology of Phylacteries

As the title suggests, this book is a collection of a number of treatises, instructions, theories and (primarily) folk tales about phylacteries. Fresh folded parchment was placed inside the book at Page 411, being halfway through a description of the Lanterns used to contain Naraoch and more specifically the traces of enchanted blood that were not fully drained from her by St. Astras. It's a second-hand artificer's description and contains quite a bit of supposition. It was written about 200 years after Salvation Day, and appears to be an attempt by a master artificer to try to reverse-engineer what Bo Blackchin came up with in the heat of the moment as he scrambled to put these, his masterpieces, together. He cheerfully admits failure but expresses the hope that others will build upon his life's work.

Minutes of the Council

The fresh, folded-up parchments appear to be pages pulled from the confidential minutes of the Council for the last few meetings. Upon inspection, they each bear the watermark, "Sourtongue" diagonally across each page. The five pages read as follows:

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL

Councilors' Eyes Only

Present: Breadbasket (P), Heartsblood, Green-Eye, Kingfisher, Sourtongue, Placer, Coleman, Celerity Regrets: Third
Quorum confirmed.
SECRETARY
1. To approve the minutes (Placer, Kingfisher)
Passed (Unanimous)
TREASURY
Report: Purchasing underperforming this year, Reghyxesh insists adventuring is down in favour of mercenary work on the Portavian front. Bottling wait times up markedly since the war began. Holiday and festival costs steady. Material costs for alchemy lab and garden becoming burdensome.
2. To raise prices on bottling services 4% (Green-Eye, Sourtongue)
Passed (Unanimous)
Reason prevailing: Higher prices will reduce wait times
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Report: Test scores are up among the novitiates but down among journeymen. Enrolment in Divination courses still unacceptably low. Continued complaints about lunch options. Ongoing demonstrations and vandalism at the Rightfin gates.
3. To make Divination II mandatory for initiate promotion (Heartsblood, Coleman)
Defeated on Division 5-2
Reason prevailing: Further exposure to Master Stratus is not going to win anyone over, return with fresh proposal
4. To hire a Halfling chef (Coleman, Placer)
Defeated on Division 5-2
Reason prevailing: Previously addressed in Summerfall session
5. To redeploy justicars from the cells to the Rightfin gates (Green-Eye, Sourtongue)
Passed on Division 6-1
Reason prevailing: Misallocation of resources
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Report: Troubling buildup of Illinsi warrior-monks at Nessardine. Local agents have no information, apparently imported by local crime lord. Kuzoh continues to fit troops for an assault on the Black Sun tribe. Marshal of the East is calling banners in case of overflow into Tenth territory. Skirmish at Bridlip two days ago, concerning coincidence, awaiting report from embedded agent.
6. To dispatch Archon Merefeather to confirm Lighthouse security
Passed (Unanimous)
JUDICIAL MATTERS
Report: With acquittal of Journeyman Ironbar, tribunal is in recess pending trials of Safiya Judur and Althea Tanishi. Recommend Archons Chefskiss, Brown and

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL

Councilors' Eyes Only

Autumnfall 866WA (Special Session)

Present: Breadbasket (P), Heartsblood, Green-Eye, Kingfisher, Sourtongue, Placer, Coleman, Celerity, Third (Remotely)
Quorum confirmed.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Report: Multiple concerning events on Corran border with Hundred House. Breach of the Bridlip lighthouse. Lantern intact, relic secure. Phylactery reported to have escaped custody during siege. Archon Merefeather has taken embedded agent, Justicar Spearhead into custody on charges of treason, allegations of collaboration with Kuzoh, aiding in phylactery escape. Illinsi presence continues to escalate. Kuzoh's assault on the Black Sun tribe has begun, multiple successes and defections. Rumours of civil war breaking out in light of skirmishes between the Marsher Lords.
5. To confirm identity of prisoner (Third, Celerity)
Defeated on Division 7-2
Reason prevailing: No reason to doubt word of Archon Merefeather.
6. To demand immediate return of Archon Merefeather with prisoner (Kingfisher, Third)
Defeated on Division 5-4
Reason prevailing: Too many unknowns, permit Merefeather to investigate.
7. To recall Impresario immediately (Kingfisher, Third)
Passed (Unanimous)
8. To dispatch recovery team (Placer, Kingfisher)
Withdrawn
9. To commence scrying of Phylactery and to place recovery team on standby (Placer, Kingfisher)
Passed (Unanimous)
10. To resume scrying efforts in Kuzoh's camp (Celerity, Coleman)
Defeated on Division 6-3
Reason prevailing: Risks antagonism, continue to rely on live sources for intelligence, no basis to believe all agents are compromised.
11. To consult Q. (Green-Eye, Heartsblood)
Defeated on Division 6-3
Reason prevailing: Premature.

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL

Councilors' Eyes Only

Autumnfall 866WA

Present: Breadbasket (P), Heartsblood, Green-Eye, Kingfisher, Sourtongue, Placer, Coleman, Celerity, Third
Quorum confirmed. SECRETARY
1. To approve the minutes (Placer, Kingfisher)
Passed (Unanimous)
TREASURY
Report: Demand for bottling remains high, along with wait times. Alchemy garden upgrade complete, material costs for alchemy lab rising to unacceptable levels. Alchemy department will have to forego the second distiller or find savings elsewhere. Uptick in purchasing inventory, Reghyxesh to be commended.
2. To raise prices on bottling services 2% (Green-Eye, Sourtongue)
Passed (Unanimous)
Reason prevailing: Higher prices will reduce wait times
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Report: Insufficient enrolment to offer journeyman-level Divination courses. Continued complaints about lunch options. Activity down at Rightfin gates with redeployment of four justicars.
3. To prevail upon Master Marbles to return to teaching Divination III (Heartsblood, Green-Eye)
Passed (Unanimous)
4. To hire a Halfling chef (Coleman, Placer)
Defeated on Division 4-4 (Sourtongue Abstaining)
Reason prevailing: Previously addressed in Summerfall and Summer sessions
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Report: Further events surrounding Bridlip lighthouse. Corran royal delegation arrives in Bridlip, response to Kuzoh's incursion uncertain. Intelligence reports small detachment of XVI Legion present, suggesting Sylvio Overmere taking direct interest. Scrying efforts on Phylactery successful but abruptly terminated at Lakeshore. Archon Merefeather has taken Master Sturges (ret.) into custody on charges of treason, interfering with Council investigation and interests. Phylactery location unknown.
5. To demand immediate return of Archon Merefeather with prisoners (Kingfisher, Third)
Passed on Division 5-4
Reason prevailing: Investigation is taking too long, Council requires answers now, Merefeather not the right person for fugitive recovery.
6. To consult Q. (Green-Eye, Celerity)
Defeated on Division 6-3
Reason prevailing: Premature.
7. To dispatch Councilor Placer to reconnoiter and/or recover Phylactery (Placer, Celerity)
Defeated on Division 6-3
Reason prevailing: Justicar Trousers a preferable option; Councilors not to be risked; Placer of inappropriate temperament.
8. To dispatch Justicar Trousers to reconnoiter and/or recover Phylactery (Kingfisher, Celerity)
Passed on Division 8-1
Reason prevailing: Trousers is most skilled agent available.
9. To instruct Archon Merefeather to proceed to investigate the Lighthouse and speak with Corran authorities, sending the delegation south without him.
Defeated on Division 6-3
Reason prevailing: Inadequate security for prisoners in the absence of Merefeather.
JUDICIAL MATTERS
Report: Trial of Althea Tanishi set down for 14 Springfall 891WA. Preliminary inquiry of Impresario Muratori set down for date of arrival.

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL

Councilors' Eyes Only

Autumn 866WA

Present: Breadbasket (P), Heartsblood, Green-Eye, Kingfisher, Sourtongue, Placer, Coleman, Celerity, Third
Quorum confirmed.
SECRETARY
1. To approve the minutes (Placer, Kingfisher)
Passed (Unanimous)
TREASURY
Report: Demand for bottling remains high, further rate hikes will disrupt consumer sentiment. Alchemy department has arranged for Arcanaeum space to be yielded to Artificers for value, second distiller project is underway. Preparations for Stille'en celebration are underway and on budget. Year-end report is in progress.
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Report: Enrolment in Divination courses has improved. Continued complaints about lunch options. Preparations for Crickball Fall Classic underway, Evocation favourites over Enchantment.
2. To strike the previous statement from the record (Coleman, Breadbasket)
Withdrawn
3. To hire a Halfling chef (Coleman, Placer)
Passed on Division 6-3
Reason prevailing: Traditional menu can be maintained but better prepared
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Report: Justicar Trousers has been dispatched, no reports as of yet. Phylactery status unknown. Impresario Muratori reported in preliminary inquiry that she departed unexpectedly, typically only occurs during pregnancy. Enhanced interrogation revealed Muratori was in the employ of Kuzoh and intentionally antagonized the Phylactery into departure coinciding with siege of Bridlip to facilitate recovery by his forces. Archon Merefeather will return with Sturges and Spearhead within hours.
4. To respectfully request the resignation of Councilor Kingfisher (Placer, Celerity)
Defeated on Division 4-3 (Kingfisher and Breadbasket Abstaining)
Reason prevailing: No indication there was cause for concern, nor indication that indications were missed. The Phylactery and Lighthouse were not an identified priority for Foreign Affairs
5. To consult Q. (Green-Eye, Celerity)
Defeated on Division 5-4
Reason prevailing: Premature.
6. To confirm Phylactery's progeny, if any, are accounted for (Green-Eye, Celerity)
Passed (Unanimous)
7. To dispatch Councilor Kingfisher to treat with Corran officials and share intelligence (Celerity, Third)
Defeated on Division 7-2
Reason prevailing: No.
8. To receive a report from agents in Nessardine regarding the status of the Illinsi buildup (Green-Eye, Kingfisher)
Passed (Unanimous)
JUDICIAL MATTERS
Report: Counsel for Impresario Muratori to be appointed.

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL

Councilors' Eyes Only

Winterfall 866WA

Present: Breadbasket (P), Heartsblood, Kingfisher, Sourtongue, Placer, Coleman, Celerity, Third (Remote) Regrets: Green-Eye
Quorum confirmed.
SECRETARY
1. To approve the minutes (Placer, Kingfisher)
Passed (Unanimous)
TREASURY
Report: Bottling demand has increased in advance of the holidays but not above normal levels. Sales at Arcanaeum have spiked with orders for 500 flying carpets, customer unidentified but payment arranged in tranches. Preparations for Stille'en celebration are underway and on budget. Year-end report is nearly complete.
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Report: Advertisements for Halfling chef have been posted in Chelsea. Evocation is Crickball world champion once more, and all is right with the world. Master Marbles is demanding an increased stipend. Councilor Green-Eye is absent without leave after yesterday's events and his belongings have been removed from chambers.
2. To pay Marbles whatever he wants (Heartsblood, Sourtongue)
Passed on Division 8-1
Reason prevailing: A school of magic may die out in a generation due to Stratus' lecture methods
3. To convene a conclave to elevate a new Councilor (Kingfisher, Coleman)
Passed on Division 5-4
Reason prevailing: Convening a conclave three months away will give Councilor Green-Eye adequate time to reconsider and apologize
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Report: Still no report from Justicar Trousers despite instructions. Reluctantly considering she may have been lost. Enhanced interrogation of Sturges revealed Phylactery was provided with weaponry and armour, as well as anti-scrying amulet. Motive difficult to extract, insists for now he was motivated by sympathy. Enhanced interrogation of Spearhead reveals cooperation with not only General Kuzoh but Sylvio Overmere, liaison with Impresario Muratori, unsuccessful attempt made to release relic from Lantern. Illinsi are to rendezvous with Kuzoh's troops and potentially the XVI Legion in an unknown military operation on the continent. The Phylactery was not properly isolated and six offspring are unaccounted for. Details will be provided at the next meeting.
4. To respectfully request the resignation of Councilor Kingfisher (Placer, Celerity)
Passed on Division 7-1 (Kingfisher Abstaining)
Reason prevailing: Foreign security an absolute fiasco. Most promising justicar and critical asset handler turned by foreign powers, reconnaissance team missing and believed dead, status of critical assets (Phylactery and Lantern) still unknown after months. Apparent conspiracy to bring about a second Omnicide passed without advance intelligence.
5. To accept the resignation of Councilor Kingfisher (Heartsblood, Sourtongue)
Passed (Unanimous)
5. To send an Archon team after Councilor Green-Eye (Coleman, Placer)
Defeated on Division 6-3
Reason prevailing: This is the best-case scenario: benefit of consulting Q is obtained without imprimatur of Anthur-Ro.
6. To demand of Master Kingfisher if any other mages of the Tower were implicated by Spearhead (Heartsblood, Celerity)
Passed (Unanimous)
7. To take Master Kingfisher into custody (Sourtongue, Heartsblood)
Passed (Unanimous)
8. To execute Master Spearhead for treason and as a caution to others as yet unidentified (Coleman, Placer)
Passed on Division 3-2 (Third and Celerity Abstaining)
Reason prevailing: His information has already been taken and others must be restrained from action given the pace of events, a trial is unnecessary where confessions to capital crimes are obtained
8. To commit Master Spearhead to a public inquiry if not a trial (Sourtongue, Heartsblood)
Defeated on Division 4-3
Reason prevailing: These matters are too sensitive for public consumption
9. To expedite the conclave (Breadbasket, Sourtongue)
Passed (Unanimous)
10. To appoint Councilor Coleman Interim Minister of Foreign Affairs
Passed (Unanimous) (Coleman Abstaining)
11. To dispatch Justicars Riverrock, Potholder and Tunes to recover the Phylactery (Coleman, Placer)
Passed (Unanimous)
JUDICIAL MATTERS
Report: Preliminary inquiry to be set for Master Kingfisher. Trial to be set for Master Sturges. Execution date to be set for Master Spearhead.

Guard's Scrolls

Most of the scrolls obtained from the guard's table were maintenance and watch records of no real value, other than to note that the prisoners were as follows:

• Minfi Bellowmane (misdemeanor public drunkenness)
• Althea Tanishi (unauthorized necromancy)
• Harrison Craig (treason, murder, unauthorized planar vortex, unauthorized necromancy, unauthorized blood magic, genocide, unauthorized access to restricted material, &c.) (It actually says "&c.")
• Ushug Idima (murder, abuse of power)
• Safiya Judur (murder)
• Illinsi (no stated charge)

The only other document that seems to have any interesting, non-bureaucratic quality is a set of handwritten notes largely reflecting the summary report of "Bob"'s interrogation. They don't seem to have examined him for very long or in great detail. Still, you note some further scribbling on the reverse side reading as follows:

• Celeste Autheris (Tenthun, Dartwright, Sculpture District)
• Octavia Moltisantum (Correhome, Iford)
• Betty Proctor (Nessardine, Orphan's End)
• Malvaneg (Tenthun, Black Sun Peninsula)
• Violet Verihendrion (Unknown)
• Unknown

Type

Leaked Original