---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avenar has appeared in the Traveller's Rest to explain an ancient book has been
discovered within an underground chamber.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Main Hall of the Travellers Rest
Walking into the Main Hall you are hit by a wave of sound. People
laughing and shouting, dancing and generally having fun are everywhere.
Many tables are dotted around the edges of the room, but plenty of space is
left for the dance floor. A large stage has been placed against one wall,
ready for the regular musician to perform when required. Tapestries and
paintings decorate this luxurious hall, along with the expensive looking
candelabras that light the room. The floor around the wooden dance area is
covered in a thick, rich red carpet that looks like it cost the owners a few
pennies. To the north stands the bar, and to the south the restaurant.
Eastwards lies the entrance to the Inn, and to the west is a hallway.

A large sign reads "Performance List!"

[Exits: north east south west]
A long oaken table has been set up here, laden with food for a feast.
A comfy looking leather sofa with room for six people sits here.
Grelly the Grand Master of Seasons is here.
(Charmed) A curious majestically-antlered jackalope is here, looking quite mischievous.
Vargan the Grand Master of Larceny is here.
(Invis) (Charmed) A stalking, black panther is here, quietly serving its master.
(Invis) (Charmed) A hooded drow is here, looking for her next target.
Militha the Unholy Lady is here.
Clemenzo the Grand Master of Larceny is here.
The inn musician stands on stage here, singing away and playing a lute.

Clemenzo says 'So where's this book?'

Skurm walks in.
A young basilisk walks in.

Foggledonk walks in.

Bonfo walks in.

Clemenzo says 'Sir Bonfo, you are looking good as ever.'

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Bonfo says 'My moustache grows thick and full.'

Esmondt walks in.

You say 'Welcome all who have chosen to be here.'

You say 'A book has recently been discovered in the underground chamber.'

You say 'This way.'

A Cloakroom
As you close the door you feel the warmth coming from the Main
Hall. You are currently standing in a cloakroom, where people leave
their coats and cloaks before going on further into the Inn. The two
walls are lined with hooks and have quite a lot of coats and cloaks.
This Inn seems popular. On the window sills next to the door are
two well-watered and very healthy flowers, one a red carnation and
the other a blue tulip. The smells of cooking are stronger in here,
and it DOES smell rather appetizing..... You can return to the forest
through the door to the east, or enter the Main hall by going west.

[Exits: north east west]
A dusty welcome Mat lies here inscribed with the words 'Close the door please!'.

The High Herald's Courtyard
A somewhat spacious and surprisingly peaceful courtyard is nearly
entirely surrounding you here. A serene sylvan pool ripples here to the
touch of the soft breeze. Smooth paving stones line the ground here between
the Travellers Rest foyer to the south, and the small courtroom to the
north, and a few rough-cut stone benches serve to allow waiting plaintiffs
while the High Herald is offering judgement in other cases. Several ferns
and other assorted potted plants line the perimeter of the courtyard, each
appearing to be well taken care of.

[Exits: (north) south down]
A stern-looking bailiff stands here guarding the entrance to the courtroom.

An Underground Chamber
A dimly lit room with walls of smooth gray brick rests here beneath the
courtyard. From the weathered stones and still air, it feels ancient, dug
out of the ground long ago. The room has been constructed with cube-like
symmetry, save for the low, slightly arched stone ceiling. A set of small,
nearly invisible stairs are carved into one of the walls and from the decor,
they are the only component of the room that appears to be of newer
construction. Silent burning torches line the walls, placed into
elaborately carved black iron sconces. The carvings each seem to depict a
scene of some kind, as if they tell a story through images. Dominating the
center of the room is a large granite table cut from a single massive slab.
Its polish has long since aged to a dull sheen but it still reflects a
surprising amount of firelight. The table is surrounded by nearly a dozen
chairs of dark oak, each neatly tucked under the massive piece of granite.
The far wall of the room is entirely covered with bookshelves stretching
from ceiling to floor, filled with books and parchment both antique and new.

[Exits: up]
A large stone table is here with an open book on it.
Clemenzo the Grand Master of Larceny is here.
Foggledonk the Sage of Arcane Power, Oracle of Physical is here.
(Charmed) A spiny young basilisk is waiting here.
Skurm the Captain of Assault is here.

You say 'The book is upon the table.'

l table
There is an ancient looking book on the table flipped open to a page:

One and Two, pairs through and through, each falsehood now has a true.
Three through Fifteen, a new objective. With these you must be selective.
East, East, South are your directions, after which you make corrections.
Follow these words to the letter and you will end up somewhere better.

J S E M I D Y R G A N P C K F V X T B L Q Z H U O W
S Q D O C P I H M N J B K T A X R F Z V E L G Y W U
J U H J A E D O L M E W L I A P Q Z J H W G I Y M G
H E F K O Q E U N L H A I J E D A O L M Y H E W K V
F W O M A K W I M P I J W H M E S G O Q K F S D E J
G M E J A D E W F T R L J S I R G L E O V A I E J D
S F E I J R F H J F O E K I J W P Y N B V U Y K E I
J O A L E M Y B I O M I O L E A J I Y N Y G O L V R
F J A E J H U F E W L A T Q O B D I E Q F K G B E A
I A K R G H L P E F N I F A J V R X P Z T U R E S B
U H E W F K L M V E N B A E L Y M I O I N M F W D W
Y I P W E J B I F A D L U W S T Q P X P S X J E A N
K I W U H B G W G K E Q N O V H K G A I X K L E F Q
W P J H F U D O E L R E M I C Z O I W H D S M D R G
U I E L O G W U O A L E O H R Y S T L Q I V J E O R

Vargan says 'Need a food.'

Vargan blushes.

Foggledonk utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
A magic mushroom suddenly appears.

Vargan says 'Juniper?'

Foggledonk utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
A cream tart suddenly appears.

Skurm rubs his head.

Vargan gets a magic mushroom.

Foggledonk utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
A cream tart suddenly appears.

Foggledonk utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
An apple crumble suddenly appears.

Clemenzo says 'Hmmm.'

Esmondt says 'So south south.'

Esmondt rubs his hands together in greedy anticipation.

Vargan says 'Pineapple?'

Grelly says 'Mama never taught Grelly how to read... What 'r we doin wif this book?'

Clemenzo says 'Where are you getting that?'

Vargan blushes.

Clemenzo says 'With the souths.'

Esmondt says 'Just a guess.'

Clemenzo says 'I'm looking for east and south in the riddle.'

Clemenzo says 'Or book I suppose.'

Vargan says 'What we search.'

Vargan peers around himself intently.

Skurm says 'This is making my head hurt.'

An Underground Chamber
A dimly lit room with walls of smooth gray brick rests here beneath the
courtyard. From the weathered stones and still air, it feels ancient, dug
out of the ground long ago. The room has been constructed with cube-like
symmetry, save for the low, slightly arched stone ceiling. A set of small,
nearly invisible stairs are carved into one of the walls and from the decor,
they are the only component of the room that appears to be of newer
construction. Silent burning torches line the walls, placed into
elaborately carved black iron sconces. The carvings each seem to depict a
scene of some kind, as if they tell a story through images. Dominating the
center of the room is a large granite table cut from a single massive slab.
Its polish has long since aged to a dull sheen but it still reflects a
surprising amount of firelight. The table is surrounded by nearly a dozen
chairs of dark oak, each neatly tucked under the massive piece of granite.
The far wall of the room is entirely covered with bookshelves stretching
from ceiling to floor, filled with books and parchment both antique and new.

[Exits: up]
A magical spring flows from the ground here.
An apple crumble is here.
You see 2 of a cream tart here.
You see 3 of a magic mushroom here.
A large stone table is here with an open book on it.
(Charmed) A curious majestically-antlered jackalope is here, looking quite mischievous.
Vargan the Grand Master of Larceny is here.
Esmondt the Adventurer is here.
Grelly the Grand Master of Seasons is here.
(Invis) (Charmed) A hooded drow is here, looking for her next target.
(Invis) (Charmed) A stalking, black panther is here, quietly serving its master.
Militha the Unholy Lady is here.
Foggledonk the Sage of Arcane Power, Oracle of Physical is here.
Bonfo the Master of Moustache is here.
Clemenzo the Grand Master of Larceny is here.
(Charmed) A spiny young basilisk is waiting here.
Skurm the Captain of Assault is here.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Grelly says 'This book hurts Grelly's eyes teh look at it!'

Vargan says 'What we look at for.'

Vargan says 'A tome?'

Skurm shakes his head.

Skurm says 'This is confusing.'

Vargan says 'Let me get that cat outside roublesome..'

Foggledonk pokes Militha in the ribs.

Vargan mutters something quietly to himself.

Skurm waves happily.

Skurm walks up.
A young basilisk walks up.

Foggledonk says to Militha 'You're the smartest one here! What's the answer!'

Vargan says 'Err..'

Vargan nods.

Foggledonk boggles at the concept.

Vargan says 'Apple!'

Militha says to Foggledonk 'Smartest but not wisest.'

Foggledonk snickers with Militha about their shared secret.

Militha shrugs helplessly.

Grelly sniffs the book.

Vargan says 'Open book.'

Esmondt says 'Sem... '

Vargan says 'So many letters..'

Clemenzo says 'Do you know where this book came from, Avenar?'

Esmondt says 'Semidy.. maybe not.'

Aphrux flies in.
Some ectoplasm solid flows in.

Bonfo says 'There are 15 rows to the table...'

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Vargan says 'A word is placed inside the ridde we must seeks..'

Foggledonk nods at Aphrux.

Clemenzo gasps in astonishment.

Aphrux bows deeply.

Foggledonk says to Aphrux 'Examine the table here. We're trying to crack this riddle!'

You say 'This book is from many many years ago, from the time of the Alliances.'

Militha says 'I see the word "turf" aligned in the manner written on the table.'

Militha says 'The f is three left and four up from the lower right corner.'

Militha says 'One letter, another one east of that, another east of that, then one south of that.'

Militha says 'Could mean anything.'

Militha shrugs helplessly.

Vargan says 'The weird thing is it is so easy and right before our eyes.. yet tough to understand and see...'

Vargan mutters something quietly to himself.

Aphrux speaks into your mind 'I see the word 'glen', like a narrow valley.'

Militha nods.

Vargan says 'I can see only letters.'

Vargan mutters something quietly to himself.

Militha says 'I see it too now that you mention it.'

Clemenzo says 'Perhaps we need to remove letters to read the message.'

Foggledonk says 'Find the signal in the noise!'

Vargan says 'Eggscooked'

Vargan scratches his head, looking very confused.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Clemenzo chuckles politely.

Clemenzo says 'Maybe we are looking for pairs in the first 2 rows.'

Aphrux says 'Things with a falsehood becoming true?'

Clemenzo says 'And something else in rows 3 through 15.'

Vargan says 'My neck hurts..'

Vargan mutters something quietly to himself.

Aphrux says 'Try stretching it some.'

Militha says 'Do an ax el...?"'

Militha says 'Regarding the first two rows.'

Vargan scratches his head, looking very confused.

Vargan says 'Wu grant sm ake?'

Vargan says 'Ale.'

Vargan scratches his head, looking very confused.

Bonfo says 'In the first two rows, JSS are diagonal from each other as are ANN and VXX and OWW.'

Militha says 'Oh, maybe it's a cryptogram?'

Foggledonk sits down and thinks deeply.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Militha says 'Though that could mean anything.'

Aphrux gently rubs the brain in thought.

Vargan says 'Ale has to be a word, since we all need one more..'

Esmondt says 'Ok 15 rows.'

Aphrux nods.

Vargan says 'I have no clue..'

A peacemaker longsword pierces into the ground nearby with Kedaleam attached to the hilt.

Varliv rides in on a fat little donkey.

Esmondt says 'So 1 and 2 refers to the first two rows.'

Esmondt rubs his hands together in greedy anticipation.

Bonfo buries his face in his palm with a heavy sigh.

Foggledonk says 'Alright.'

Bonfo says 'It's so obvious.'

Bonfo walks up.

Bonfo walks in.

Bonfo says 'Joking.'

Foggledonk says 'After much pondering.'

Savanti enters the room.

Esmondt says 'Semi tax? '

Varliv chuckles politely.

Esmondt groans loudly.

Militha looks at Savanti.

Foggledonk says 'The first two rows are some sort of key to a cryptogram.'

Savanti nods at Militha.

Militha nods at Savanti.

A miniature chess piece transforms to form a wee little monkey!

Varliv pats a wee little monkey on its head.

Varliv nods.

Foggledonk says 'J equals S, S equals Q, E equals D.'

Varliv boggles his eyes at some ectoplasm solid.

Vargan says 'And I do not even know what is a cryptogram..'

Foggledonk says 'What I just stated there is not exactly accurate.'

Esmondt says 'Oh ok.'

Foggledonk says 'But I believe it's on the right path.'

Varliv looks at some ectoplasm solid.

Foggledonk says 'East east south are your directions.'

Foggledonk says 'Then you must make corrections.'

Foggledonk says 'That is a hint as to which letter represents which letter.'

Foggledonk says 'And therefore the key to the cryptogram.'

Militha says to Vargan 'A cryptogram is replacing letters with letters on a message.'

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Vargan says 'Oh well.. I have no idea.'

Esmondt says 'Ok 26 in a row.'

Savanti says 'Hmm, a cipher.'

Aphrux says 'So, if we change the letters to with the cipher, where does the east, east, south come in?'

Esmondt says 'So either the key is the row under or letter after.'

Foggledonk nods.

Skurm walks in.
A young basilisk walks in.

Vargan says 'How can one participate from outside of the world.. I hardly can read the letter.. all I can see is a mixup.. '

Foggledonk says to Aphrux 'I believe east, east, south means your movement along the letters in the table.'

Vargan says 'Hard...'

Esmondt says 'Where the word begins.'

Esmondt shrugs helplessly.

Vargan says 'Now my neck really hurts, after trying to figure out a sentence...'

Vargan mutters something quietly to himself.

Varliv chuckles at his own joke, since none of you would.

Skurm looks at a large stone table.

Skurm says 'Nope. Still confusing.'

Skurm waves happily.

Skurm walks up.
A young basilisk walks up.

Varliv lets out a hearty laugh.

Vargan says 'Meow was all I could up to as my cat just told such..'

Militha says 'The other thing...'

Militha says 'With the first two rows, we don't which direction is which for the translation as far as I can tell.'

Militha says 'I'm trying to figure that out.'

Vargan says 'Maybe backwards to read?'

Vargan scratches his head, looking very confused.

Militha shrugs helplessly.

Varliv patiently twiddles his thumbs.

Esmondt says 'Ato or and.'

Foggledonk says 'All twenty-six letters of the alphabet are represented in both the first and second row.'

Foggledonk says 'It is my certainly a key.'

Militha nods.

Foggledonk coughs loudly.

Foggledonk says 'Most certainly.'

Militha says 'That's what I figured out.'

Esmondt says 'Ands... '

Foggledonk says to Militha 'Apologies. Deep in thought!'

Vargan scratches his head, looking very confused.

Aphrux says 'If only there was an was easier way to scribe everything over.'

Varliv nods in enthusiastic agreement with Aphrux.

Militha says to Aphrux 'I know what you mean.'

Esmondt says 'Andso.'

Militha takes out a scrap of parchment as though in illustration and copies the table's contents.

Vargan says 'It is so hard to figure out.. I got my theories, but they hardly work and give any hints.. wise enough.. grr.'

Vargan says 'All I can see is random letters I cannot out together..'

Vargan says 'A fine riddle indeed'

Vargan frowns.

Varliv patiently twiddles his thumbs.

Varliv speaks between coughs 'Brain fried....'

Varliv chortles at his own joke. Don't bother.

Vargan blushes.

Vargan says 'I am stuck..'

Vargan says 'At least the next game shall be more easy than this riddle!!'

Vargan says 'Dear lord..'

Varliv speaks hoarsely 'Yes?'

Varliv speaks hoarsely 'Ma a Judge dough....'

Varliv shrugs helplessly.

Vargan says 'I cannot put no letters into order from such table.'

Vargan says 'Grr..'

Varliv speaks hoarsely 'That was uber nice.'

Varliv looks at his hands.

Vargan says 'All misplaced letters.. oh my!'

Esmondt says 'I think I got it.'

Varliv speaks hoarsely 'Hmmm.'

Vargan scratches his head, looking very confused.

Vargan says 'Reading words backwards only makes me sick..'

Vargan mutters something quietly to himself.

Aphrux speaks into your mind 'Hmm.'

Bonfo snaps his fingers.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Clemenzo sits down and thinks deeply.

Bonfo looks excited.

Esmondt walks up.

Militha says 'Ah, I see the letters 'oale' appear twice in a flat row in this cipher.'

Savanti shakes his head in confustion.

Varliv looks at a large stone table.

Militha says 'Might be a coincidence.'

Savanti says 'I will study this some more, but I must step out. I have a young one I will be squiring, and then I must be off.'

Militha nods.

Militha curtsies gracefully to Savanti.

Savanti bows deeply.

Vargan says 'My head hurts already to trying figure out those misplaced letters.. dear lord..'

Savanti says 'I will puzzle over this as I can.'

Savanti salutes you briskly.

Savanti leaves up.

Militha nods.

Vargan bows deeply.

Aphrux says 'So, after we apply the cipher, if that is our intend route, what next?'

Varliv smirks at Aphrux's saying.

Aphrux says 'It doesn't make much sense, just another jumble of letters.'

Vargan nods at Aphrux.

Bonfo says 'Sands of sorrow.'

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

You say 'Fascinating. Then perhaps something is there that wasn't before...'

Bonfo nods.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Foggledonk sits down and thinks deeply.

Varliv looks in a rip in the fabric of reality.

Kedaleam creates a peacemaker crossbow, hops in and fires himself away.

A peacemaker longsword pierces into the ground nearby with Kedaleam attached to the hilt.

Foggledonk says 'To the Sands of Sorrow!'

Foggledonk beckons for everyone to follow.

Varliv chuckles politely.

Kedaleam says 'I want no wrong steps.'

Foggledonk snickers softly.

Grelly says 'Always wanted to see a desert!'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The party was off, searching the Sands of Sorrow for signs of something new.
Finally, they stumbled across something...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Farynril, the elder blue dragon yells 'Don't steal my babies!'

Farynril, the elder blue dragon yells 'Time to die, Grelly!'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That wasn't the right something. These quests can be quite dangerous!
Later, they stumbled across something else...
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An underground pool
This large, underground cavern is shockingly cool and humid. The huge
underground pool must be the source of the oasis in the desert outside, and
serves as the cavern's occupant's primary water source. The pool appears to
be quite deep, and stretches to the south and west.

[Exits: south west]
Kesaria the faerie is here, hovering merrily about.
Clemenzo the Grand Master of Larceny is here.

Clemenzo looks at Kesaria.

Kesaria says 'Hello!'

Kesaria says 'What a wonderful surprise!'

Bonfo walks in.

Clemenzo smiles happily.

Foggledonk walks in.
Grelly walks in.
Varliv rides in on a fat little donkey.
Kedaleam walks in.
Aphrux flies in.
Some ectoplasm solid flows in.
Vargan walks in.
A majestically-antlered jackalope walks in.

Clemenzo says 'Greetings.'

Vargan says 'I rather give away things, than have them on me..'

Kesaria spins around to face you in a swirl of glittering golden dust that floats slowly to the ground around her. She clasps her hands together in whimsical excitement.

Kesaria says 'Oh my, I didn't see you there! That is of course an absurd statement as I saw you coming all the way back at the mountain entrance. But feinting surprise is entertainment for everyone!'

Clemenzo says 'What is that cipher you hold?'

Kesaria says 'I am ever so impressed by your mental alacrity in your journey to find me. Did you know it was me? Of course not. But I do have something special for the sharpest of you who solved my riddle.'

Foggledonk says 'Shall we kill it?'

Foggledonk says 'It holds a cipher you say?'

Grelly shrugs helplessly.

Clemenzo nods.

Grelly says 'What we killin it fer?'

Bonfo winks suggestively at Kesaria.

Clemenzo says 'Let's not leap to violence.'

Kesaria gives a puzzle cipher to Clemenzo.

Esmondt walks in.

Clemenzo smiles happily.

Foggledonk nods.

Clemenzo looks at a puzzle cipher.

Bonfo bows deeply.

Esmondt walks west.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Aphrux gives Kesaria some magical sand.

Esmondt walks in.

Clemenzo gives a puzzle cipher to Foggledonk.

Bonfo says 'What does it say?'

Kesaria says 'This cipher I hold? Oh just a little toy from Acadia.'

Vargan says 'Oh, how I wish to be dead alrady.. yet such group makes me refine my intentions.. can one say such..'

Foggledonk looks at a puzzle cipher.

Clemenzo says 'Perhaps use it on the book?'

Foggledonk examines a puzzle cipher closely.

Clemenzo says 'One set of the alphabet printed on the cipher is stationary, but the other can be twisted to align any letter with any other.'

Vargan says 'I can hardly breath..'

Grelly says 'What's a sai fer?'

Foggledonk sits down and thinks deeply.

Aphrux speaks into your mind 'A tool for decoding messages.'

Foggledonk looks at a puzzle cipher.

Foggledonk says 'Who wishes this cipher?'

Clemenzo says 'What is the cipher for, Kesaria?'

Foggledonk says 'I have examined it.'

Grelly says 'Gimme.'

Foggledonk gives a puzzle cipher to Grelly.

Kesaria says 'The cipher? I would hold onto that.'

Aphrux says 'I would like to see it as well.'

Grelly looks at a puzzle cipher.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Kesaria says 'Might be useful later.'

Esmondt says 'Good luck.'

Vargan says '...'

Esmondt waves happily.

Clemenzo nods.

Varliv speaks between coughs 'Yus can let ma old it....'

Varliv snickers softly.

Grelly gives a puzzle cipher to Bonfo.

Varliv drools all over himself -- making a TERRIBLE mess!

Grelly says 'It's just got them letters on it.'

Bonfo looks at a puzzle cipher.

Aphrux says 'Might I, Bonfo?'

Varliv speaks hoarsely 'May haps it tastn good...'

Grelly says 'Mama never taught me nuthin could do with letters.'

Bonfo gives a puzzle cipher to Aphrux.

Aphrux looks at a puzzle cipher.

Kesaria says 'I am so happy that the mortals of this realm were not utterly obliterated by the demons.'

Aphrux looks at a puzzle cipher.

Vargan says 'My back currently hurts so much I do not want to complain..'

Foggledonk says 'Perhaps we take it back to the book?'

Aphrux concentrates deeply.

Vargan peers intently at Aphrux.

Clemenzo nods.

Kesaria says 'No that book I left for you is a silly little thing. Nothing to worry about in there anymore.'

Kesaria says 'What you should be worried about is the Rin Arcanix.'

Foggledonk nods at Kesaria in agreement.

Vargan says 'If you find any bad words more I am willing to accept.'

Foggledonk says 'Scratch my suggestion, then!'

Vargan says 'I just cannot figure out such riddle..'

Aphrux concentrates deeply.

Vargan blushes.

Aphrux concentrates deeply.

Clemenzo says 'Have you seen the Rin Arcanix?'

Vargan says 'No!'

Varliv speaks hoarsely 'Maybe...'

Kesaria says 'I am the Great Faerie of Acadia, the Warden of the Mystic Forest, Protector of Secrets Beyond the Veil. I am Kesaria! Of course I have seen the book.'

Vargan blushes.

Bonfo flirts with Kesaria.

Varliv nods in enthusiastic agreement with Kesaria.

Bonfo says 'Where have you seen the book?'

Riding away on his chubby donkey, Varliv disappears into a rip in the fabric of reality.

Kesaria hovers next to each of you for a moment, a finger tapping against her cheek in thought as she does.

Foggledonk says 'Ahhh perhaps you know Valindra Skitterwit?'

Foggledonk says 'Or Olgarda?'

Kesaria says 'I suppose I should tell you why I'm here. I have traveled across the Sparkling Sea, past the barrier between realms, and to this very spot for the food. I assume you brought some?'

Foggledonk says to Aphrux 'What can you make of it? The cipher.'

Aphrux gives Kesaria a magic mushroom.

Kedaleam says 'Only salad.'

Kedaleam utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
A fresh garden salad suddenly appears.

Foggledonk utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
A piece of lumpy breadcake suddenly appears.

Kesaria says 'Oh lovely!'

Kedaleam says 'Nope, no cake.'

Foggledonk utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
A cream tart suddenly appears.

Kedaleam says 'No tarts.'

Kedaleam says 'Salads only.'

Foggledonk utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
A raspberry flan suddenly appears.

Aphrux gets a raspberry flan.

Kedaleam sighs at the sight of Foggledonk.

Foggledonk says 'Not even flan?'

Aphrux gets a cream tart.

Aphrux gets a piece of lumpy breadcake.

Bonfo says 'I yearn for sausage.'

Kedaleam says 'Okay tarts are almost donuts.'

Kesaria says 'Of course I am not truly in need of mortal sustenance. In actuality, I returned to see if Serin survived those pesky demons.'

Kesaria says 'And what sort of Serins survived. Are they mindless murder machines meant mostly for mobid manses? Or can they parse parchment precisely and prestigiously place pen to paper?'

Kesaria says 'You all seem worthy of the tale of the Arcanix.'

Clemenzo smiles happily.

Kesaria says 'Care to hear a story from many years past?'

Foggledonk nods at Kesaria in agreement.

Clemenzo nods.

Aphrux says 'Certainly.'

Bonfo says 'Indeed.'

Foggledonk's ears wiggle and perk up.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Kesaria says 'Our story begins with a wizard named Rin. It is said he was the most prominent of his day and studied under Denadlyr himself.'

Kesaria says 'He wrote a book, a collection of powerful spells he had learned through his studies. This book was the Rin Arcanix.'

Kesaria says 'As the book began to be used in the world, Denadlyr felt its incantations were too terrible and dangerous for mortals. He took the book from Rin and locked it away in secret.'

Kesaria says 'He hoped that one day mortals, or perhaps another form of life, would be ready to absorb the knowledge and use it for the advancement of the arcane.'

Kesaria says 'Do I know where this book is? Oh quite possibly. But I'm not looking simply to hand it over to anyone who asks. The right one must present themselves.'

Foggledonk leans in closer. Awkwardly close.

Vargan says 'Ask Ilromie.'

Grelly says 'Mama always told me. I weren't right in the head... So guess it can't be me then.'

Bonfo says 'How does one present themself?'

Vargan scratches his head, looking very confused.

Clemenzo scans all around.

Foggledonk bows before Kesaria.

Bonfo says 'Through fine grooming?'

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Foggledonk says 'I present myself, Kesaria!'

Vargan nods at Bonfo.

Vargan snickers softly.

Grelly says 'How'd you grow that thing Bonfo? Aint no hair ever grown on my face never. Not never not once!'

Vargan says 'Have my hair, who ever wants a longer ones..'

Kesaria says 'The Rin Arcanix is dangerous indeed! Just ask that Mystic what can happen when books not intended for certain eyes are read.'

Vargan blushes.

Clemenzo smirks.

Kesaria says 'You cannot simply yell and have the book appear. Silly mortals!'

Bonfo says 'I grew it because I am Bonfo!'

Foggledonk says 'One-eyed Wylsin?'

Kesaria nods.

Vargan blushes.

Clemenzo says 'What happened to his eye?'

Aphrux says 'It saw something it shouldn't have.'

Vargan says 'Lost one!'

Aphrux says 'Logical assumption given the facts and ominous words spoken.'

Kesaria says 'Books that have been locked away in Acadia tend to well...fight back if they are read by the wrong people you know.'

Clemenzo says 'I see.'

Bonfo nods.

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Aphrux says 'What if one reads it with eyes unseen?'

Kesaria says 'And that is why we must be careful with the Rin Arcanix too.'

Vargan says 'Attempted to open door, but an eye was in the middle..'

Kesaria says 'Eyes unseen...yes, a possible way!'

Bonfo says 'Eyes unseen?'

Kesaria says 'Put simply, I would avoid reading it directly.'

Aphrux says 'What if we read it from a mirror?'

Aphrux says 'So we read the reflection and not the book?'

Foggledonk nods in enthusiastic agreement with Aphrux.

Foggledonk says to Aphrux 'Clever.'

Kesaria says 'There are perhaps many ways to read it.'

Vargan says 'I cannot wait to play cards..'

Kesaria dances around the cave merrily, leaving a golden trail behind her.

Vargan says 'This task is too tough.'

Bonfo says 'How does the cipher play a role then I wonder?'

Aphrux says 'To decode the book, I suppose. Or the way to it.'

Kesaria says 'One way to not read something directly...would be to translate it wouldn't you say?'

Bonfo says 'Ahhh.'

Kesaria says 'Rin knew of the power his book contained, so he wrote it in code.'

Oakwarl arrives through a shimmering portal.

Kedaleam peers around himself intently.

Vargan says 'For me it is quite hard to figure out a crossword of letter unknown, my god!'

Aphrux says 'Which the cipher, can decode. I assume into common.'

Kesaria nods.

Kesaria nods.

Kesaria nods.

Aphrux says 'What can one do to prove that they are worthy to look upon the Rin Arcanix?'

Grelly scratches his head, looking very confused.

Oakwarl looks at Kesaria.

Kesaria says 'Well, by solving the riddle, you have proven that at least you can understand some of how the Rin Arcanix is recorded.'

Vargan says 'My head hurts already, yet I shall be back for the poker tournament..'

Kesaria looks around the room at each of you again, squinting her bright eyes.

Vargan says 'I rather step away, since.'

Vargan says 'There is no use for me for such riddle.'

Vargan blushes.

Clemenzo bows before Vargan.

Vargan says 'See you soon!'

Vargan waves happily.

Kesaria says 'A final test shall be administered soon. This one with perhaps more danger than the last.'

Kedaleam says 'Not like anyone died getting here.'

Kedaleam peers intently at Grelly.

Vargan says 'I shall tag along for a few.'

Clemenzo chuckles politely.

Kesaria says 'Those who complete the trial shall have the chance to gaze upon the book.'

Oakwarl slowly extends a branch to Aphrux.

Oakwarl says 'May I see the cipher?'

Vargan says 'Just that..'

Kesaria says 'Oh mortals die all the time doing the silliest things!'

Grelly says 'I died!'

Aphrux gives a puzzle cipher to Oakwarl.

Grelly says 'Got a dragon mad at me...'

Oakwarl looks at a puzzle cipher.

Kedaleam says 'Isn't that the truth.'

Grelly says 'Took its egg.'

Vargan says 'Death is beautiful..'

Vargan gallantly tips his hat.

Foggledonk gets a fresh garden salad.

Foggledonk gives a fresh garden salad to Grelly.

Kedaleam chuckles at Foggledonk's joke.

Grelly says 'Salad?!?!?'

Grelly spits in utter disgust!

Vargan says 'See you all at the poker.'

Bonfo says 'What is the trial?'

Vargan waves happily.

Grelly drops a fresh garden salad.

Grelly says 'Grelly aint no bunny!'

Kedaleam gasps in astonishment.

Foggledonk utters the words, 'qcandusahz yaae'.
A savory shepard's pie suddenly appears.

Oakwarl looks at a puzzle cipher.

Grelly gets a savory shepherd's pie.

Grelly eats a savory shepherd's pie.

Grelly burps loudly.

Kedaleam says 'Salad is delightful and healthy!'

Grelly spits in utter disgust!

Grelly says 'Gross.'

Oakwarl gives a puzzle cipher to Aphrux.

Kesaria says 'The trial shall be one that will test if your body and mind can handle the strain that the book will place on you.'

Kesaria says 'That is all I shall say for now.'

Kedaleam says 'Everyone else has eaten salad and not died. Maybe it's coincidence.'

Oakwarl says 'A trial of body and mind...'

Oakwarl looks like a very wise tree as he stands perfectly still and ponders.

Bonfo sits down and thinks deeply.

Clemenzo says 'How will we know when the trial is upon us?'

Foggledonk bows before Kesaria.

Bonfo kisses hi biceps.

Kesaria says 'I will send a message across the land!'

Clemenzo nods.

Bonfo nods.

Kesaria says 'And yell from every rooftop!'

Foggledonk says 'So this could be considered an...introduction to something greater. Yes?'

Kesaria says 'Maybe I will just do the message part.'

Kesaria says 'Oh yes. Since I was freed from the grasp of the Shadow Prince...there is much to do.'

Kesaria says 'Much much to do!'

Bonfo says 'Shadow Prince eh.'

Aphrux says 'Kesaria.'

Aphrux says 'What is your thoughts of the essence left behind from wisps?'

Grelly looks at Aphrux.

Oakwarl says 'Referring to a trial of body and mind might imply that the clue to the next letter of the cipher resides in a place where you must be strong and have your wits about you.'

Oakwarl says 'Winter, the underworld...'

Kesaria says 'The essence has many uses in magical research. Most of which are probably lost on the lot of mortals I have met.'

Bonfo twirls his moustache.

Esmondt says 'We still stuck here.'

Kesaria says 'In any case, I am so excited there are worthy mortals still in the realm! There is hope for you indeed.'

Kedaleam chuckles politely.

Oakwarl says 'Fae, would any one of us be able to find the next clue you speak of or can it only be found by a strong group of adventurers?'

Foggledonk shakes his head.

Kedaleam nods in enthusiastic agreement with Esmondt.

Foggledonk says to Esmondt 'We have learned much.'

Esmondt says 'Put me in coach.'

Aphrux speaks into your mind 'I feel they won't tell us until it is time for the next step.'

Esmondt says 'Where is the riddle.'

Kesaria says 'Always onto the next thing mortals are, taking no time to prepare. Believe me, you will not want to walk into this blind.'

Esmondt says 'I got the first one but hit a wall here.'

Foggledonk says to Esmondt 'At the Traveller's Rest.'

Aphrux says 'How much time will be given before the message is sent out?'

Kesaria pulls a piece of parchment from her pocket that seems impossibly large and begins writing with a golden quill.

Kesaria says 'You shall see something...shortly!'

Bonfo says 'Thank you Kesaria.'

Clemenzo nods.

Bonfo winks suggestively at Kesaria.

Bonfo flexes his muscles...what a stud!?!

Clemenzo bows deeply.

Esmondt walks south.

Clemenzo waves happily.

Kesaria says 'I am certain I will see you all again soon.'

Foggledonk nods at you in agreement.

Clemenzo walks south.

Aphrux says 'May we learn more from your words next we meet.'

Kesaria waves.

Foggledonk bows before Kesaria.

Bonfo nods.

Kesaria says 'Indeed!'

Bonfo twirls his moustache.