The following is a heavily edited log of the Riddles of Bellula event. I'm sorry for the length. Thank you very much to the players of Morlen, Talmoon, Nefis and Azettie for helping with the prep for this one, and a huge thank you to everyone who came out.

Summary: Mazrian, Ghust and Aharilyn solve Bellula's riddles and Mazrian acquires a silver crown. Azettie arrives from Lasika's hidden cave with a chest containing a coded message that she gives to Tirost. Totenus attacks Tirost, but Tirost manages to escape with the message.

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[Arthe Hollow Inn, Secluded Corner]
A pitted brass sconce bearing a sputtering candle casts a cheerful glow upon this cozy niche. Nestled close to a small oak table is a wooden chair with a colorful soft cushion tied to the seat with bright orange twine. Securely attached to the acanth wood paneling is a sturdy shelf.
You also see a small sign.

Bellula just arrived.

You glance at Bellula, a female Halfling.

You see Bellula, a Halfling.
She has a round face, almond-shaped ale-brown eyes and a small nose. Her grey hair is shoulder length and curly. She has wrinkled skin and a plump figure.
She is short for a Halfling.

She is wearing a white bonnet, some steel-rimmed spectacles, a berry-stained shoulder tote, a blue cotton dress, a periwinkle polka-dot sweater, some tan silk stockings and some black slippers.

Bellula adjusts her steel-rimmed spectacles into place.

Bellula asks, "Are you the ones I'm supposed to meet?"

You say, "Yes. Thank you for coming."

Talmoon lets out a hearty cheer for Agalea!

Bellula peers quizzically at Talmoon.

Talmoon smirks at Bellula.

Bellula says to Talmoon, "Can you keep it down, tart snatcher. No need for hootin' and hollerin'."

Talmoon laughs!

You chuckle.

Bellula asks, "So what do you want?"

You say to Bellula, "We were hoping to ask you some questions..."

Bellula squints at you.

Bellula asks, "About what?"

You ask, "About Lasika. Do you mind if we wait a little though? To see if more of our friends come?"

Bellula sighs.

Hanryu searches around for a moment.

Ghust peers quizzically at Bellula.

You smile at Mazrian.

Ghust says to Bellula, "Oh, um ah don' take other peoples tarts from em."

You say, "Thanks for coming."

Ghust bows to you.

Bellula says to Ghust, "Good."

You bow to Ghust.

Ghust says to you, "Thanks fer invitin everyone."

Mazrian says, "Hello, everyone."

Iskra just touched a small table.

Iskra leans against a small table.

You say, "Of course. I'm glad to have you here."

Kaelie gently kisses you on the cheek.

You smile at Kaelie.

You bow to Kaelie.

Mazrian smiles at Bellula.

Mazrian says to Bellula, "Ma'am."

Talmoon leans against a small table.

Bellula asks Mazrian, "And you must be Mazrian, eh? The warrior mage?"

Talmoon takes a bite of the tart.

Bellula adjusts her steel-rimmed spectacles into place.

Bellula gazes at Mazrian.

Ghust says, "Ah grew up here, til ah was 13. Ah never realized there was a small library in here."

Talmoon motions toward a silver tray overflowing with slices of taffelberry tarts which is on a small table.

Mazrian says to Bellula, "I am."

Bellula beams at Talmoon!

Bellula takes a bite of the tart.

Talmoon takes a bite of the tart.

Bellula says, "Oh, that's quite good."

Talmoon nods at Bellula, obviously agreeing with her views.

Bellula asks, "So, now that more people are here. What do you want?"

Agalea says to Mazrian, "Nice to see you again, seems I am always seeing you at meetings."

Hanryu takes a sip of his ale.

Mazrian says to Agalea, "I try to stay busy in my retirement."

Iskra's ears droop sleepily as she lets out a huge yawn.

Remedi asks Mazrian, "Retired?"

You ask Bellula, "Do you know the Prydaen Lasika?"

Mazrian says to Remedi, "I keep trying."

Bellula says, "The name's not unfamiliar."

Bellula folds her arms across her chest.

Ghust asks Agalea, "Um, not that it would be bad or anythin, jus askin, is yer wife comin?"

Bellula adjusts her polka-dot sweater into place.

Sea Ranger Lorwryn just arrived.

Mazrian smiles at Lorwryn.

Lorwryn waves to Hanryu.

Hanryu clasps Lorwryn's hand and rests his other hand upon Lorwryn's shoulder.

You say to Bellula, "I'm told your name is Bellula..."

Agalea says to Ghust, "I believe in her words, She had more important things to do."

Bellula says to you, "It is, tart snatcher."

Hanryu says to Lorwryn, "Greets Ranger."

You frown.

You quietly say, "Gods."

You smile at Lorwryn.

Iskra sleepily says, "Don't be snatching tarts..."

Bellula nods at Iskra, obviously agreeing with her views.

Agalea says to you, "Ghust is at least dirct with his questions."

Lorwryn says to Hanryu, "And to you brother ranger."

You say, "They're pertinent too."

You ask Bellula, "Can you prove you are who you say you are?"

Bellula squints at you.

Bellula asks, "You doubt me, child?"

Ghust peers quizzically at you.

You blush a bright red color.

Ghust whispers, "Aint that a bit rude?"

Talmoon blinks.

You hesitantly say, "It's just that I've been fooled more than once now..."

Bellula snorts, loudly.

Talmoon takes a bite of the tart.

Bellula says, "I'll bet you have, tart snatcher."

Bellula says, "You look pretty foolish."

Bellula laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement.

You feel your face flush with irritation.

Bellula takes a bite of the tart.

Bellula moves a slice of taffelberry tart to her left hand.

Bellula gets a sheet of beige paper with browned deckle edges from inside her shoulder tote.

Bellula shows you her paper.

The paper reads: Be'ort's Home for the Temporarily Demented is proud to proclaim that the bearer of this certificate, should their name be [ Bellula ], has been found clear of all charges of Daftness, Wit-Malignity, Addlebrainedness, Fits of Raving, Irrationality, Reckless Paranoia, and General Non-Magically-Induced Lunacy, and is now in posession of a Clear and Considerate Mind. This certificate is proof that [ Bellula ] has completed their Reintroduction into Society and is now ready to become, if they have not already at the point of your reading this, a Productive and Pleasant Citizen of [ Zoluren ], by oath of Presiding Empath [ Horace P. Applescott ]. Patient's signature below:

Elnoer takes a sip of his cider.

You ponder.

You say, "I see."

Bellula shows Kaelie her paper.

Ghust says to Bellula, "Ah think what he meant ta say was this a good place ta meet."

Bellula nods to Ghust.

Bellula says, "Not bad - especially with the tarts."

Bellula smiles at Talmoon.

Avelia nods at Bellula, obviously agreeing with her views.

Bellula says, "I was given this paper when they released me from the hospital."

Bellula waves a sheet of beige paper with browned deckle edges around.

You glance at Kaelie, a female Elf.

Ghust asks, "Mah ah see?"

Bellula nods to Ghust.

Bellula shows Ghust her paper.

Kaelie smiles at you.

You say to Kaelie, "It does look like the one Lasika had - exactly like it."

You gaze thoughtfully at Bellula.

Kaelie nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

Talmoon quietly says, "Probably stained with taffelberries and illegible."

Iskra sleepily asks, "Whassit, written... on it?"

Bellula laughs!

You chuckle.

Bellula shows Iskra her paper.

Bellula says, "Eh..."

Bellula adjusts her steel-rimmed spectacles into place.

Iskra sniffs at Bellula.

Bellula blinks at Iskra.

Bellula asks Iskra, "You blind, honey?"

Iskra holds up her hand and tilts it side to side in a so-so gesture.

Bellula says, "It says I'm sane now."

Lorwryn whispers, "What does that paper say?"

Bellula says, "Been fully cleared."

Iskra tiredly says, "With or without the blindfold, mhm..."

You whisper to Lorwryn, "It's some kind of medical release paper."

Lorwryn chuckles to herself.

Ghust asks you, "Who is Laiska?"

Lorwryn asks Bellula, "Why would anyone think you insane?"

Hanryu asks you, "How have things been since we last met? Any news?"

You say to Ghust, "A Prydaen friend of mine who started all of this."

You nod to Hanryu.

Ghust nods.

Kaelie asks you, "Is it the same as the one she had or different?"

You say to Hanryu, "I'll fill you in when I can..."

Agalea says, "I met Lasika once."

Hanryu nods.

You say to Kaelie, "This one has her name on it, but it's from the same place - or looks like it, except for all the taffleberry stains."

Bellula puts her paper in her shoulder tote.

Bellula asks, "Now why do you come here asking me about Lasika?"

Ghust says to Bellula, "Why would anyone think you were insane? Ahm addlebrained mahself, but no one tried ta make it so I was stuck somewhere."

Bellula gazes at Ghust.

Talmoon quietly says, "Not for lack of trying, though..."

Talmoon smirks.

Elec searches around for a moment.

Bellula asks Ghust, "You ever seen a necromancer, tart snatcher?"

Bellula asks, "A real one?"

Lorwryn says, "I'ma need a drink."

Lorwryn gets a tall glass of Surlaenisan jewel garnished with curled coconut shavings from inside a padded leather libation caddy hung from a woven grass strap.

Lorwryn takes a sip of her jewel.

Agalea says, "I have met a few myself."

Agalea hums to herself.

Kaelie chuckles at Lorwryn.

Lorwryn winks at Kaelie.

Ghust says to Bellula, "Yes ma'am."

Bellula asks Ghust, "And you really want to know how I ended up in that horrid hole in Riverhaven?"

Bellula adjusts her steel-rimmed spectacles into place.

Ghust frowns.

Ghust shakes his head.

Bellula exclaims, "Well too late, tart snatcher!"

Ghust says to Bellula, "Ah'm sorry,."

Avelia raises her hand.

Avelia says, "I do."

Bellula says, "My son was killed."

Bellula says, "Murdered right in front of my eyes by a necromancer."

(Bellula's lip quivers.)

Bellula frowns.

Avelia looks with concern at Bellula.

Bellula adjusts her steel-rimmed spectacles into place.

Iskra's ears droop for a moment.

Bellula sadly says, "And after he was dead..."

Lorwryn pats Bellula on the back.

Mazrian frowns.

Bellula says, "He got back up. But he wan't the same."

Bellula shakes her head.

Bellula says, "No he was not."

Bellula frowns.

A tear runs down Bellula's face.

Aurayn asks Mazrian, "Then just nudge me if I nod?"

Bellula adjusts her steel-rimmed spectacles into place.

Emryn frowns.

Bellula says, "He..."

(Bellula pulls down her sweater to reveal a discolored scar running down her throat.)

Ghust gasps!

Ruea just arrived.

Bellula says, "My own son stabbed me with a skinnin' knife."

Ghust frowns.

Bellula sniffles.

Ruea raises an eyebrow.

Ruea says, "Odd moment to arrive."

Bellula says, "And I..."

Mazrian frowns at Bellula.

Bellula frowns.

Bellula says, "I just couldn't take it, and they say I lost it for a while, so they took me to that dreadful hospital."

You gaze at Bellula.

You frown.

Talmoon quietly says, "You had to kill 'em in self-defense. Sad as that may be, it was perhaps the only way for you to survive."

Talmoon nods.

Ghust says to Bellula, "Ahm so.....honestly ah aint got words that would sum up to help the sorrow you have. You ain't gotta talk about it, if its too painful."

A tear runs down Bellula's face.

Bellula rubs her cheek.

Bellula clears her throat.

Bellula says, "Anyhow, that's how I met Lasika."

Bellula asks, "Does anyone have anything strong to drink?"

(Iskra topples gently into Mazrian with a light snore.)

Mazrian leans over and scratches Iskra's back.

Bellula asks, "So why are you so interested in Lasika after all these years?"

Mazrian pokes Iskra in the ribs.

Avelia leans forward and rests her chin in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Iskra quirks her ears outward in surprise.

You say, "She found something... a piece of a silver crown..."

You ask, "Do you know anything about that?"

Iskra sleepily exclaims, "Whzzt!"

Bellula slowly says, "Perhaps..."

Bellula says, "But I think you should prove yerself first, tart snatcher."

Ghust says, "Thats fair."

Bellula says, "I can't give anything to any old fool - 'specially after holding onto it for so long."

Iskra tiredly says, "Mister Tirost, stop stealing tarts now..."

You blush a bright red color.

You say to Iskra, "I'm... I'm not."

You say, "I don't know why she keeps saying that..."

Bellula walks over and kicks you in the shin!

You blink.

Mazrian says, "Perhaps you remind her of someone."

Bellula exclaims, "Pay attention, tart snatcher!"

Bellula laughs!

Bellula says to Mazrian, "Something I left in the outhouse."

Bellula grins.

You squint at Bellula.

Ghust laughs!

Talmoon ponders.

Bellula says, "I will put a few riddles to you. If you guess them right, you can have what Lasika left with me."

You smile.

You say, "So she did leave something with you after all."

You glance at Kaelie, a female Elf.

Talmoon raises an eyebrow.

You say to Kaelie, "Reading all those cursed notebooks was worth it."

You grin at Kaelie.

Kaelie grins at you.

Bellula asks, "Are you ready for the riddle?"

You nod.

You glance at Talmoon. His features are hard to make out.

You ask Talmoon, "This an Olvi thing?"

Talmoon raises an eyebrow.

Talmoon quietly says, "All things are."

Bellula exclaims, "It's a smart person thing, tart snatcher!"

Bellula smiles at Talmoon.

Bellula nods in agreement.

Mazrian folds his arms across his chest.

Bellula says, "All good things, anyway."

Bellula says, "Hmmm... here's the first riddle. This is an easy one."

Bellula asks, "I a dragon wed, but by my own father was assasinated. Who am I?"

Talmoon blinks.

Talmoon quietly says, "Can't be solved."

Avelia ponders.

Mazrian says, "Mm."

You nod at Talmoon, in complete agreement with his views.

Agalea giggles a little oddly.

Iskra sleepily says, "You're Bellula, I think, that's what I heard before I fell asleep again..."

Bellula kicks Iskra!

Iskra lets out a high-pitched yelp!

Iskra falls over.

Aharilyn rests her hand on Iskra's arm with a soft smile.

Emryn blinks.

Bellula exclaims to Iskra, "Pay attention, tart snatcher!"

Ghust ponders.

Mazrian asks, "That would be Nissa, wouldn't it?"

Bellula blinks at Mazrian.

Bellula nods to Mazrian.

(Iskra gets comfortable under the table.)

Bellula says, "You are correct, Mazrian the Warrior Mage."

Ghust says, "Oh right! She's part of one of th' empath spells."

Kaelie rubs Mazrian's left hand.

Bellula says, "Nice to know someone knows some history."

Bellula snorts, loudly.

You say, "Oh, ok."

Ghust blushes a bright red color.

You ask, "She was married to Lanival who is called the dragon, maybe?"

Ayrell sighs.

Bellula nods to you.

Talmoon quietly says, "Hrm, that makes sense, I guess."

Bellula says, "Indeed she was, and killed by her father..."

Bellula frowns.

Bellula says, "Like... my boy..."

Bellula covers her mouth with her hand.

You gaze at Bellula with a sympathetic look on your face.

Bellula shakes her head.

Avelia pats Bellula on the back.

Bellula says, "The next riddle..."

Lorwryn asks Bellula, "What was your boy's name?"

Bellula adjusts her steel-rimmed spectacles into place.

Bellula says, "Taud."

Aurayn yawns expansively.

Aurayn leans on Mazrian.

Bellula says, "I miss him very, very much."

Lorwryn nods to Bellula.

Lorwryn pats Bellula on the back.

Bellula says, "Now, on to the next riddle."

Ghust says to Bellula, "You did what ya had ta do. An ah bet th' god's have his soul, an he's lookin down on ya, as proud of his mother as kin be."

Bellula sniffles.

Bellula asks, "I am short and sweet and world renown, and often wear a berry crown. What am I?"

Ghust says, "A berry tart."

Bellula asks Ghust, "What kind...?"

Talmoon nods to Ghust.

Bellula peers quizzically at Ghust.

Ghust blushes a bright red color.

Ghust asks, "Blueberry?"

Aharilyn asks, "Taffleberry?"

Bellula laughs!

Bellula points at Aharilyn.

Aharilyn smiles.

Ghust says, "Ah was close."

Ghust ducks his head.

Bellula exclaims, "You were, tart snatcher, but she got it!"

Ghust nods in agreement.

Bellula says to Aharilyn, "Well done."

Aharilyn says, "Thank you."

Bellula says, "Very well, very well, tart snatchers. You've proven yourselves very clever. If you can solve this riddle, I will give you the piece you seek."

Avelia praises Aharilyn.

You watch in breathless anticipation.

Lorwryn blinks.

Bellula asks, "I am large and hairy. I hate the sea and often lie. What am I?"

Ghust whispers, "Maybe we need some sort of guard around this place "

You nod to Ghust.

Mazrian says, "A mammoth."

Itesi says, "A man who can not swim."

Aurayn nods to Mazrian.

Bellula blinks at Mazrian.

Talmoon quietly says, "A regular mammoth makes sense."

Bellula says, "By the gods above, Mazrian. You are very, very clever."

Bellula gets a supple doeskin pouch from inside her shoulder tote.

Lorwryn praises Mazrian.

Iskra sleepily exclaims, "A fat cat!"

Ghust asks, "How does a mamoth lie?"

Bellula says to Mazrian, "I must ask you some questions before I give this to you."

Bellula gazes at Mazrian.

Mazrian says, "On its side, usually."

Talmoon quietly says, "A mammoth is well-known to be a liar."

Mazrian nods to Ghust.

Aurayn says, "On its belly."

Ghust says, "Oh."

Aurayn gives Mazrian a gentle poke in the ribs.

(Iskra's nose dips down into her cup of Taffelberry fizz. It bubbles a while before she jolts awake again.)

Mazrian says to Bellula, "As you like."

Mazrian smiles at Bellula.

Bellula asks Mazrian, "What will you do with this once I give it to you?"

Bellula peers quizzically at Mazrian.

Bellula adjusts her steel-rimmed spectacles into place.

You glance at Mazrian, a male Elf.

Mazrian says, "To be truthful? I don't know."

Bellula squints at Mazrian.

Bellula asks, "Let me ask this question then: are you in league with necromancers?"

Mazrian frowns.

Mazrian says, "No, of course not."

Ghust says to Bellula, "Um, scuse mah impertanace, but th' item should go ta Tirost."

Mazrian dryly says, "I am in a league of my own."

Ghust blushes a bright red color.

Iskra sleepily says, "Mister Mazrian can't be trusted with stuff... Lady Eluned gets mad at him."

Mazrian says, "Sorry, sorry, I kid."

Avelia chuckles at Mazrian.

Ruea raises an eyebrow in Ghust's direction.

You place your hand over Iskra's mouth.

Hanryu chuckles.

Bellula glances at Iskra.

(Iskra licks Tirost's hand.)

Ghust says to Bellula, "He is th' one who has gone lookin fer an answer an made alot of sacrifices."

You edge away from Iskra.

You say, "Eww..."

You frown.

Mazrian says, "I will probably find a historian who can verify its authenticity, and if it's genuine, try to reunite the pieces."

Bellula nods to Mazrian.

Mazrian says, "Or help someone do the same."

Mazrian says, "If it's the genuine relic, it belongs in a museum."

Talmoon stretches out a hand imploringly to Bellula.

Bellula says, "Very well. Then I am happy to rid of it. Tell Lasika to come and vist me when you see her."

Ruea chuckles.

Bellula says to Mazrian, "Come with me."

Mazrian nods.

Bellula goes out.

Mazrian goes out.

Elec shakes his head.

Iskra wobbles, looking a bit faint.

Talmoon scratches his head.

Iskra snores.

Talmoon quietly asks, "If current associations don't matter, what do former?"

Mazrian just arrived.

Mazrian gets a supple doeskin pouch from inside his black backpack.

Mazrian says, "Well that was certainly..."

You ask Mazrian, "What happened?"

Mazrian opens his doeskin pouch.

Mazrian rummages through a supple doeskin pouch, pausing once in a while and then quickly resuming the search.

You ask, "Did you get it?"

Avelia peers quizzically at Mazrian.

Agalea says to Talmoon, "Well if you believe like the guard does, it always matters."

Mazrian says, "She gave me this pouch, told me to keep it safe, then left."

Mazrian gets a silver crown from inside his doeskin pouch.

You blink.

Ghust says, "Wow."

You nod.

Mazrian says, "This...definitely looks like a complete silver crown, actually."

Lorwryn asks, "The entire crown?"

Ghust's jaw drops.

Mazrian squints at a silver crown.

Ruea raises an eyebrow.

Ghust asks Mazrian, "Kin ah see?"

Ruea says, "Intriguing."

Ayrell gazes at Mazrian.

You ask Mazrian, "Keep it safe for now?"

Aurayn asks, "Were you expecting the wole thing?"

Mazrian shows Ghust his silver crown.

Avelia fixes Mazrian with a serene, lofty stare.

Hanryu points at Totenus, ruining his hiding place.

Ghust says, "Wow."

Lorwryn growls ferociously!

Lorwryn searches around for a moment.

Aharilyn says, "Also a crown, not a circlet."

Mazrian says, "Vorclaf's crown was described as a circlet."

Mazrian nods in agreement.

You chuckle.

Mazrian puts his crown in his doeskin pouch.

Mazrian puts his pouch in his black backpack.

Aurayn says, "Something feels... off."

You say, "By that courier, yes."

Ghust asks, "So this aint th' right one?"

Ruea says, "Lasika was always one for puzzles and traps."

Mazrian scratches his head.

You narrow your eyes.

Mazrian nods to you.

Ruea says, "One of the two is a decoy."

Hanryu searches around for a moment.

Ruea shrugs.

You nod at Ruea, in complete agreement with her views.

Aurayn asks Mazrian, "Show me?"

Ruea says, "Figure out which."

Mazrian says to Ghust, "I don't know. I couldn't say."

You say to Ruea, "Yes, that's true."

Elec searches around for a moment.

Azettie just arrived.

Ghust asks, "Um, what do we do bout th' necromancer?"

You blink at Azettie.

Azettie's body below the waist is dripping with water. Pools of it are forming all around her.

Azettie asks, "Did I miss the person?"

Mazrian says, "It's not much to look at, honestly."

Ayrell asks Mazrian, "May I see it as well?"

Elnoer asks, "Might I see it as well?"

Elec whispers, "Totenus is here, and someone else I can't quite pinpoint."

Ruea says, "You should see the letters she wrote me, they were all confusing and twisted, just like that journal."

You say to Azettie, "Little late, Azettie."

Ruea chuckles.

Mazrian shows Elnoer his silver crown.

Lorwryn nods to Hanryu.

You nod to Elec.

Elec nods to Hanryu.

You frown.

Azettie says, "Well I got something fun."

Azettie rubs a small chest.

Ruea says, "She wrote me two full pages about a secret diamond once."

Talmoon quietly asks, "Letters?"

You glance at Ruea, a female Elf.

You say to Ruea, "That sounds exactly like her, actually."

You grin.

Talmoon nods to you.

Azettie says to you, "But like I said I am after treasure so if it isn't part of your circlet I am keeping it."

You laugh!

Azettie shakes her small chest!

You nod to Azettie.

You ask Azettie, "You dug that out of the cave?"

Ruea says to Talmoon, "Oh yes, all sorts of odd stories about a diamond that destroyed the black with the white."

Azettie nods.

Azettie exclaims, "I did!"

You blink at Azettie.

Azettie says, "And died."

Aurayn asks, "So who can authenticate Maz?"

You ask Azettie, "THE cave? Lasika's cave?"

Azettie says, "And other such mess."

Azettie exclaims, "There is more than one cave?!"

Azettie rummages through a small chest.

Azettie blinks.

Talmoon quietly says, "Hmm.."

You ask Azettie, "What's in there????"

Azettie gets a tiny indurium shard from inside her small chest.

Mazrian says to Aurayn, "Your guess is as good as mine. The herald we spoke to a few weeks ago was clear Vorclaf's headware was a circlet."

Azettie puts her shard in her haversack.

Talmoon quietly says, "I wonder what that could mean, though..."

Azettie gets a tiny vardite bar from inside her small chest.

Azettie puts her bar in her haversack.

Mazrian says, "So whatever this is, it couldn't be literally that."

Aurayn strokes his mustache in thoughtful contemplation.

Azettie gets a tiny tyrium snake from inside her small chest.

Mazrian scratches his head.

Azettie puts her snake in her haversack.

Aurayn says, "Seems unlikely."

You grin at Azettie.

Ruea says to Talmoon, "Your guess is as good as mine. I still have them somewhere."

Elec whispers, "he needs to give that thing to someone who can go invisible and run."

Ghust asks, "What about focusin on it?"

You glance at Elec, a male Elf.

You ponder.

Azettie says, "The rest is yours."

Azettie nods to you.

Talmoon quietly asks, "So there is deception within deceptions, eh? There exists something else undiscovered?"

Mazrian says, "It appears in every way I can study it to be a normal silver crown."

Elec whispers, "I want no part of it, but theres people gathering to collect it."

Mazrian nods at Talmoon, obviously agreeing with his views.

Azettie gets a sheet of beige paper with browned deckle edges from inside her small chest.

Azettie moves a small chest to her left hand.

Azettie moves a sheet of beige paper with browned deckle edges to her right hand.

Azettie reads her paper.

You nod to Elec.

Mazrian says, "That seems likely."

Azettie blanches.

Ghust says to Mazrian, "Ah can't believe she'd meet us, give us a test, then give us some useless crown."

Azettie says, "She writes so funny."

Aurayn says, "That was my read too."

You whisper to Mazrian, "Can you put it in your vault quickly? People are coming for it."

Ghust says, "There's gotta be more to it."

Talmoon quietly says, "I could...it was all too simple to get the crown, when you think about it, really."

Avelia nods at Ghust, obviously agreeing with his views.

You ask Azettie, "Can I see?"

Mazrian leans over and whispers, "like, coming to take it off of me? That would be a laugh."

Talmoon quietly says, "Lasika might be too clever for that."

Azettie shows you her paper.

The paper reads: Wsyxl sj xli kssh ksex'w qmpo, mr xli lspi mr xli xvii alivi Vmlps erh M lmh jvsq xli fevoc xlmrkw.

Elnoer asks, "Is there a higher ranking bard here, to examine it?"

You smile at Mazrian.

You blink at Azettie.

You sigh.

You say to Azettie, "By Meraud."

Azettie says, "So the paper is yours."

You say, "You've got to be kidding."

Azettie says, "The treasure is mine."

You say, "It's in code again."

Azettie nods.

Talmoon quietly says, "Perhaps there are other clues to the whereabouts of the circlet."

Mazrian blinks.

Kaelie asks, "More code?"

Kaelie wrinkles her nose.

You nod to Kaelie.

Emryn takes a sip of her water.

You frown.

Mazrian says, "More code, apparantly."

Azettie shows Kaelie her paper.

Ruea asks Mazrian, "May I?"

Azettie says, "I can't read it, but I am happy with what I found."

Ghust says, "Ah ain't gonna bother this time. Ah figured it out, an then found out other people beat me to it."

Azettie shrugs.

You whisper to Elec, "Mazrian's confident he can defend it."

Mazrian gets a supple doeskin pouch from inside his black backpack.

Mazrian gets a silver crown from inside his doeskin pouch.

You ask Azettie, "May I keep it for now?"

Mazrian shows Ruea his silver crown.

Azettie nods to you.

You say, "I'd like to show it to Navesi when I can."

Azettie exclaims, "The paper sure!"

Elec whispers, "Well, it's not like the gem was lost due to confidence either right?"

You ask, "What about the tyrium?"

Elec shrugs.

Azettie says, "The metals and treasures I am keeping."

Mazrian asks Ruea, "It's not even something one would wear, is it?"

You wince.

Ghust whispers, "Ah think there is more to this crown that jus a crown"

You glance at Elec, a male Elf.

Azettie shrugs.

Ruea says to Mazrian, "Certainly not I. But I prefer a little glitter."

You nod to Ghust.

Mazrian nods at Ruea, obviously agreeing with her views.

Avelia says to Ruea, "Who doesn't love a little glitter."

Kaelie says to Ghust, "It still amazes me that someone that is not well spoken in common could so rapidly decipher a code in common."

Ghust says to Kaelie, "It wasn't rapidly."

Ghust says, "That's th' point."

Ruea says, "It's dated, I'd say a hundred years? Perhaps slightly more? That plain style went out years ago, and silver hasn't been desireable as a jewelry metal for royal pieces since before Kukalakai was killed."

Mazrian nods at Ruea, obviously agreeing with her views.

Ayrell nods to Ruea.

Azettie says, "Since I missed the other person I will just give it to you and be on my way."

You nod to Ruea.

Azettie sighs.

Agalea says, "Well lightening can strike a tree once and a while."

Ruea says to Avelia, "Oh you and I will get along well darling."

Kaelie grins at you.

Ruea winks at Avelia.

You say to Ruea, "Your knowledge of fashion is... staggering."

You rub your head.

Mazrian says, "That is way more history of fashion than I will ever know but that sounds right."

Avelia grins at Ruea, her dimples flashing into view.

Talmoon grins.

Ruea says to you, "Everybody has to have a hobby."

Ruea waves her hand distractedly.

You laugh!

Avelia nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

You nod in agreement.

Mazrian says, "We know someone has gone to a lot of trouble to lay a trail of clues for us."

You ask Azettie, "May I have it?"

Azettie points out.

You nod.

You drift out.

[Arthe Hollow Inn, Front Room]

The Arthe Hollow Inn has a warm, homey atmosphere, accentuated by the comfortably low ceilings and the acanth wood paneling. The murmur of conversation and a ripple of laughter come from an open archway. Wilibald Burdock, the exceptionally short (even by Halfling standards) and completely round innkeeper, is carefully polishing the paneling to a glossy finish.

Azettie just arrived.

Azettie offers you a small chest. Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it. The offer will expire in 30 seconds.

You accept Azettie's offer and are now holding a small chest.

Azettie says, "Good luck on your treasure."

Azettie smiles.

You get a startling sensation, as some sixth sense barely warns you of an assault by Totenus!

You feel something slash lightly across your right hand.

> go corner

[Arthe Hollow Inn, Secluded Corner]

A pitted brass sconce bearing a sputtering candle casts a cheerful glow upon this cozy niche. Nestled close to a small oak table is a wooden chair with a colorful soft cushion tied to the seat with bright orange twine. Securely attached to the acanth wood paneling is a sturdy shelf.

You also see a golden-pawed white lynx with fierce silver-green eyes that is sitting and a small sign.

You mumble something unprintable.

Ruea says, "They'd look dated and out of style, I suppose."

Lorwryn says, "Well, they wouldn't be making much of a current fashion statement, if they wore it now."

Mazrian says to Aurayn, "I'm a little unclear, too."

You say, "Someone attacked me out there."

Ghust peers quizzically at you.

Hunter Hanryu pads out.

Ghust touches you.

You feel a warmth radiate from Ghust's touch.

You have a brief sensation that leaves your wounds tingling.

You ask, "Kaelie, can you heal me?"

Mazrian asks, "Are you alright? Who was it?"

Kaelie rests her hand on your arm with a soft smile.

You feel a warmth radiate from Kaelie's touch.

You have a brief sensation that leaves your wounds tingling.

Avelia raises an eyebrow in your direction.

Sea Ranger Lorwryn goes out.

Ruea tilts her head inquisitively.

You say, "I think it was Totenus, but it happened fast."

A curious tingling sensation rises within you as the boundary between you and Kaelie melts away, until you feel her body as if it were your own. A bewildering nausea grips you as your mind is assailed by information from a sense that you do not possess. Just as the sensations begin to overwhelm your consciousness, the boundary between you and Kaelie dissolves completely. For a few dizzying moments you seem to occupy the same flesh. A creeping sensation of tingling coldness envelops you as Kaelie seeks to draw the hurts from your body.

The pain of your wounds abruptly ceases, as if ripped forcibly from your body.

The feeling of unity with Kaelie gradually ebbs away.

You frown.

You say to Kaelie, "Thanks."

Elec chuckles.

Ghust says, "Be right back."

Blessed of Katamba Ghust drifts out.

Talmoon quietly asks, "Hrm...so you left Azettie to fend for herself?"

You glance at Elec, a male Elf.

You say to Elec, "So you were right."

Talmoon peers quizzically at you.

You frown.

Hunter Hanryu just arrived.

Talmoon stands up.

Sea Ranger Lorwryn just arrived.

Elec says, "Surprise surprise."

Mazrian says, "You'd have to be a monster to attack Azettie."

You ask Mazrian, "Can you get this to Navesi?"

You tap a small chest that you are holding.

Mazrian nods to you.

Mazrian says, "I can see that she gets it, yes."

Ghust says, "Yeah, he's in hidin."

Antiquary Emryn strolls out.

You whisper to Mazrian, "Meet me inside our guild?"

You put your chest in your storyteller's bag.

Mazrian nods to you.

Ghust says to you, "It ain't safe fer you to go outside alone."

You say, "Thank you for coming, everyone. If we find out more, I'll get word to those who are interested in helping."

Ruea raises an eyebrow.

Avelia asks, "Did he say anything or just attack?"

You say, "Just attacked."

Avelia nods to you.

Agalea chuckles.

Ghust asks, "What if he's tryin ta steal th' crown?"

Aurayn shakes your hand.

You say, "From hiding - just like Nefis."

You say to Ghust, "He was trying to get Azettie's paper."

Lorwryn ponders.

Ghust ponders.

Lorwryn says, "I'm off then, let me know what I can do."

Kaelie asks, "Do you have it now, Tirost?"

You say, "If we can find out what it means, I'll send word to any who are still interested in helping. Thanks for coming."

You nod to Kaelie.

Lorwryn gives Hanryu a brotherly hug, ruffling his hair with her knuckles.

Lorwryn grins.

Hanryu waves.

Lorwryn waves.

Hanryu says, "Safe paths."

You wave.

Ghust asks you, "Okay, this is gonna sound a little odd, but what about splitting th' papers inta two?"

Mazrian nods to you.

Lorwryn says, "And to you."

You drift out.