Reports of a Drow Arch Mage

Nadin would check for any signals of fight, residues of magic or other clues. In case of lack of fight signals demonstrate use of magic or someone know and maybe thrustfull for the girl, he would think.

((Spot 12, spellcraft 27, search 10 (this may vary 1 up or down, not in home to check, sorry - should be buffed for +2 with heroism) ))

Before you set off to the seething hive of scum and villanry that was Freehaven, under the pile of clothes Kira finds a very crudely drawn rune of protection, it clearly was done by a child, and actually close to being correct. Unless the party remains and does anything else you all arrive in the freehaven slave market a fey hours later, and see Scumfang talking to a stunning beautiful human female. (please see the shadowdale thread for description)

DM Defiler wrote:

Before you set off to the seething hive of scum and villanry that was Freehaven, under the pile of clothes Kira finds a very crudely drawn rune of protection, it clearly was done by a child, and actually close to being correct. Unless the party remains and does anything else you all arrive in the freehaven slave market a fey hours later, and see Scumfang talking to a stunning beautiful human female. (please see the shadowdale thread for description)

Kira shares this information with the party and tries to Hide in Plain Sight (36/36) by dressing subtly and unobtrustively over her thin Mithral Chain Shirt, shuffling about the crowd within mutual viewing distance of the party.

((Is this a thread merge with the SD thread, then?))

(for your party yes)

Nadin feels very out of place in this city he never visited before, he would remain silent and following close Arjay and Steffan (for whom he ask tips about how to act in the city before reach it), his features as partially hided as possible by a hood.

(so, should our party stop post here and go to Scumfag post? Thx)

Norlamin would follow them back to their camp, and explain to them the recent occurences with the missing children. He would also detail an encounter at the crossroads in which a drow was slain and shifted into an elf.

He would inquire with them as to what they had seen or heard lately, especially anything regarding missing children.

The old man returns from shadowdale and, not knowing of the other group - begins to pursue his own method of tracing down the mage and his lair.

For hours he vanishes in his alchemist laboratory, mixing and matching various ingreedients and potions that seem to combine a longlasting healing magic ((vigor-Potons)) with the broken down components of various power-essences.
The goal being to create a magical "beacon" potion that lays a perceivable trace of magical energy once consumed.

He tests the potion on various small animals that he lets run free and then traces by sensing.
Once he is able to find the test-subjects without error over long distances and is certain the potions have a positive effect on their health still he creates a larger number of vials and has his students of the right age drink them in the evening-class.

He also documents and instructs any of the mages in the Hall of Echoes in the exact procedure to manufacture and the skill of sensing the tracer-potions. He shares no detail of their existance with anyone who has no clearance for the Hall of Echoes though - reasoning that this sort of traceability should not get into the wrong hands.

Should one of his students vanish in the comming days he begins the magical tracing imidediately, requesting a group of rangers to accompany him along with any adventurer willing to aid.


((Zulons skills (unaugmented):
Craft Alchemy: 1d20+34
Heal: 1d20+29
Lore: 1d20+24
Spellcraft: 1d20+33
Survival: 1d20+32))

The old man after a while of research would perfect the mixture, but also he might notice a pattern in the children, all of them seemed to be taken from broken or and poor homes that upon closer investigation could barely pay for food. another odd thing is, it seems selective now, as recently in the case of another child, a Tom Blunt and his sister Sassy Blunt, Tom was taken but she was not.

In anycase as he continues with his rather brilliant plan he would discover that one of his poorer students would indeed go missing. A young half elf girl of nine seasons name Asha Starsong.

Upon investigating the scean of her abduction a simply caravan near the Northen Shadowdale Farmers Market. once again, there was no sign of magic and the ingering magical residute of trancemutation, extra planna magics would be detected as well as a note.

"To whom ever knew this girl.

Know that she will be safe, well looked after and given a better life than she ever could of had here, her removed will be painful for a few years but it will fade."

As for your attempts on magical locations, the child is no long on this plane of exsitance, what do you do next?

Noting the selectiveness of the vanishings now - especially that the boy was taken and not the girl of the same family he looks over the numbers again - especially the ratio of missing boys vs. girls, as well as the racial propotions and if they are evenly matched.

He also compares the locations - Shadowdale, Myth Drannor and any others for the ratio of taken children - all to track down the possible next victims gender, race and location.

If he finds a pattern he downs one of his own potions, instructs the mages of the Hall of Echoes to keep someone focussing on his presence at all times..then asks the assumed next victim to be taken into the dead-magic zone of the Dwarven halls and exchanges position with them - borrowing some clothes and spending a few hours to perfect the transmutation into a child-body on himself.

Then he settles in the kids bedroom - alone..and waits.

((Zulon is a spontanous shapechanger - has wildshape ability, Shapechange spell, natural spell and Minor Shapeshift feat to alter even the smallest details of his appearance to match the kid))

One morning, a young girls bedroom is empty..the child having vanished like the other kids. And the old man seems to have vanished of the face of the world.

After leave his companions Kira and Arjay in Freehaven, later in Myth Drannor Nadin and Karovir join Zulon's plans. After all set, now the el'tael seeks for Araevin to ask for a spell he needs to learn, the scry spell - he hopes the High Mage can help, since he said before if Nadin had need of one specific spell he would provide him with it.

- I pray to the Seldarine this works, for the sake and best of these children.

Word starts to spread that the disappearence of children has stopped, however no one knows why or what this means.

A severe magical disturbance can be felt near the gates of Myth Drannor - about 100 ft. infront of the recently built walls - well within sight of the gate-guards a planar gate forms and for several moments just looms silently.

While the guards carry the word to the city one of the previously vanished children steps through the gate.. then another and yet another until there are 6 of them. After a long pause an adult elven figure - and at last the familiar shape of the old wanderer Zulon leaves the portal which he then waves his hand towards to close it shut silently.

Within less than 5 minutes the spectacle is over, and the two adults and 6 children walk towards the gates.

The old man folds his hands behind his back neatly - though quite apparently drained from the gate magic and addresses the gateguards:

Good evening. This is professor Greenthorn of the planar academy and her students. She is my guest. May we enter? I believe there is much to discuss..

Nadin was waiting at the gates and promptly answer the old man with a smiling face

Your friend is welcome as you are sage, good to see you and with such great news. Come, I suppose some rest and tea are welcome while we discuss what is necessary.

Still smiling the elf looks concerned about the children and will assist any in need, or instruct the guards if more help is necessary

After being told about it by the guards Karovir lets out a relieved sigh and sends a few guards to the gates to escort the newcomers to the refugee camp. As soon as he is done with whatever he was doing he makes his way to the walls to talk to Zulon and his friend.

Professor Greenthorn looked around in awe of the place.

"I had forgotten how breath taking my peoples citys were, oh this is wonderful, simply wonderful, dont you think children?" she her self was wearing a green robe and in hand was a simple staff, all of the children who looked well fed and happy were wearing grey robes and wore a curious amulet around their necks.

The Professor would follow her host into the city.

*the old man gives a grateful nod, asking the professor to take a good look around, while asking Karovir and Nadin to assign her two honorguards as guides*

He explains to the greencloaked elven lady:
Welcome to Myth Drannor. Please feel free to wander abit and meet it's people. The two here will be glad to show you the sights and guard your visit...in everyones interest. Your arrival here will raise many questions and i would rather people do not overrun you with them.
Many are interested and quite worried about their childrens' whereabouts.

When you are ready, please meet me at the school.

*The children - all local kids from the orphanage or families in the camp are sent to see their friends or family if they so wish, and also asked to attend class in the evening hours at the school - much as it were before their disappearance.

Zulon himself finds a quiet place by the fire and begins to pen several letters after answering whatever question the people might have. He makes especially clear for those worried parents who had children taken or fear for theirs that everything has been settled and no more children will go missing.

In due time he promisses the children will be back to see their families. He asks just some patience as this requires organization that doesn't come overnight.

At long last he sends letters for the council, asking for an audience at the earliest oportunity. Another letter goes to the High Mages tower and the coronals office, asking for a joint meeting with the two later.

Message sent on July 27, 2012 to (among others) the Coronal, the Keeper, DM Defiler and Sunflower:

Quote :

[message edited to remove OOC information]
A caravan is currently on its way to Myth Drannor, protected by Ironhouse dwarves and human guards. They are bringing back the children and families of Myth Drannor to their homes.

A few days later (long ago), the caravan arrived safely to Myth Drannor.