The two weeks passed in a busy whirl as all of you spent time with the teachers willing to help you build on your experience. At the end of the two weeks you felt you had refined your skills and added a feat or two that would help you as you explored. The pleasant spring weather makes it a good time, with the cool breezes coming from the nearby mountains and warm, but not hot temperatures during the day. You looked forward to a break from your routine on the 19th, the Day of Fellowship. So many sweet goods to choose from but somehow you managed to find your favorite sweets and enjoy the break from your training.
The group decided to stay in Cillamar for another couple of weeks, in order to finish shopping, relax a bit and enjoy your new found wealth. During this time, you were called to a meeting with Delra Torrak, the dwarven wizard who greeted you when you first met the council on your first day in Cillamar. She has asked to meet with you in order to share what little information the council has gathered.
Delra says “Greetings and congratulations on your success in destroying these slavers and freeing their slaves. Many people in Cillamar and the surrounding farms were rejoicing that day as their loved ones were returned to them. There are many people who consider you hero’s, your group is beginning to be known here in town.”
“However, there are still people missing. Of the Genth family, only the children were found, the parents were taken somewhere else before you rescued the slaves. There is also a wizard’s apprentice, Lyssa, who is still missing. For the Genth parents, it is feared that they are dead but Lyssa’s familiar is still convinced that she lives and is somewhere close to the castle area. Based on your report of entrances that go further into the mountain we are concerned that more of the slavers still operate at the castle. It appears that they were trying to mine for gems, perhaps the other missing people are further down, being held captive to mine other gems or precious metals.”
“Because of this, we ask if you would go back to the castle to continue searching for slavers. Based on the journals you recovered it appears that there is an extensive amount of slaving going on in the castle but the number of slaves you brought back do not equal the number recorded in the journals. We ask you to go and see if there are more slavers still practicing their foul trade in the castle ruins.”
“In addition, there are forces here in town that are covertly working to cause chaos among the people. You have probably noticed the shortness of temper of people you have talked to. They are short of temper because many people are worried for their security and their lives here in Cillamar. While some of the unrest is due to the rapid growth of Cillamar in the last two years, there is the feel of more going on underneath the surface. The death of Ankiel, who posed as Umberwood the undertaker and the death of the two ruffians who attacked you, reinforces this feeling. Since you seem to have attracted notice, we would also ask your help in trying to find out more about the unrest in town.”
Delra pauses for a moment, then speaks again, with a slight smile. “And of course, being young people who are seeking your fortune along with adventure, I suspect some type of monetary reward would increase your interest in both of these requests. If you choose to go back to Castle Whiterock to look for slavers, the Council will give you 200 gold pieces, each, for daring to go back to the castle. We will give you 100 gold pieces now, so that you might be able to purchase items that could help you in your explorations. For information about Cillamar, we will offer some amount of gold pieces for each bit of information, depending on what the news is about.”
Delra now turns to Aramil and speaks to him “Aramil, I understand you have met with the Companions of the Black Osprey and have obtained some help from them. I talked with and worked with Euphrosyne in setting up the Companions and starting their research. I also know of your frustration at the lack of magical materials here in Cillamar. I am also frustrated and Euphrosyne is also experience frustration now that he has located here. There seems to be someone or some group targeting magical users and stealing scroll materials, specialty component items, spell books, familiars and bonded objects. Anything that might aid a wizard is being targeted and stolen.”
“The Companions have now setup in an old abandoned temple and are starting to rebuild the items needed for magic but it is slow going. Somehow our magical defenses are being defeated and even using rogues to secure our items has not always been successful. I want to tell you this because you may be targeted so guard well your spell books and other items that you use for your magic. Being at the castle should help, as the thefts seemed centered here in Cillamar but when in town, guard your things well. No wizard here in Cillamar has escaped a loss of some kind. The Companions will continue to provide as much aid as they can. The only thing they request is that when you can, help them out by loaning spell books you might find or giving them spare magical items so that they can help all of the wizards here in town in the defense of Cillamar.”
“And Quis’Ari, clerics are not always immune to these thefts and shortages. While arcane casting seems to be the primary target there have been some thefts of holy symbols and relics from the temples in the high quarters. You should also keep close guard on your holy items that you use to call for your goddesses help.”
“In the meantime, your stay at the tavern will continue to be paid for by the council. There are also houses for rent here in the town, if you decided you would like to make a place more of your own during your stays here. Check with the House of Nigel the Bald if you are interested in a house to rent. Thank you for your time and watch your backs.”