Date: 2/4/96

Players: JC, Kathy, Chris, Richard

Characters: Rio, Raagnar, Elrinith, Dre

Start in 'The Singing Sword' tavern discussing what to do. Rio DOES NOT want to stay within the city. Dre remembers a Sacred Grove in the north end of the city and suggests it. It's sacred to Sylvanis and Mielikki. We leave the Singing Sword and travel toward the north end of town. It is a lovely place (with lots of chattering animal life within) and Rio does not have a problem staying in one of the large oak trees. Rio meets with an older woman in one of the small huts and offers any assistance that may be needed. She replies that the grove is OK and that the druids of this world have not been put in nearly as bad a way as everybody else. Indeed nature is the rock on which we all stand. Choosing the largest of the oaks Rio changes form into a small barn owl and settles in for a good, well deserved sleep. A large brown squirrel settles in next to him and the two sleep soundly using each other for warmth. The others go to some inn. The Sleeping Mandrake I think they said.

The night passes. 10 days until High Harvest. At roughly 6:00 in the morning Rio flies above the city for a good while and gets a good aerial view of Waterdeep. When he gets back to the grove the old woman (the Great Druid of this hemisphere) is singing with a young human female by her side. It is a ceremony to Nature. There are 13 druids here. They've gathered during this time of troubles to hold the power of this world together. Rio meets many of them including the Druid of the High Forest. It is a glorious morning.

The druid shows up at the groups hotel the next morning for breakfast. The squirrel follows. She is actually the young woman that was in the ceremony with the Great Druid.

The group heads for the Temple of Mystra to return the book Raagnar has. It is interrupted by the 'Circle of Skulls' who wishes to speak with us. It says that it knows us and that we shall find what we seek by traveling to the bowels of the earth. The squirrel has followed and Rio, in human form, picks her up and carries her. We get to the temple. It has been heavily damaged and repair attempted. A magic mouth and eye relay our presence. Raagnar gets impatient with the wait and bashes on the door. They let us into a waiting area. Black smoke rises coalescing into the Magister. He hears Raagnars story and withdraws to gather the rest. We meet these survivors, clerics and then wizards including the 'First Seeker of the House of Mystra' and then a few bards. Raagnar tells the story of the Temple in Silvery Moon. Obviously the folks here are greatly disturbed. Raagnar gives them the book saying that he was told the book will help them. They reward us for the book. It makes those who care about money happy. Hey... whatever works I guess. Rio says that word for the group can be left for Rio at the sacred grove.

We head for the Olde Monster Shop to try and identify the creatures that attacked and killed Cherri. The old man there says it seems to be common 'magebane' but when we tell him the story he's surprised at the aggressive behavior and will need some time to examine the remains in detail. We leave the head and tails and go to the Yawning Portal for lunch.

Rio speaks with the owner talking of things past and to come. He seems very interested in what Rio, the OtherWorlder, might say. The group also defers the decision to Rio, as to what to do with the near future, and we decide to stay in Waterdeep through High Harvestide. Rio wonders if maybe that is what he was brought here for. While we wait we'll investigate above and below for information on Angstrom, Elminster and the happenings of the day. We also have some books that could be sold for a good price.

The group splits up each having business to attend to. Rio returns to the Sacred Grove and speaks with the young girl. The listens intently in squirrel form at lets me know that her name is Glow, she can speak insight. She is a human with psionic abilities and the ability to assume the squirrel form. Rio is willing to allow her to travel with him. He tries to emphasize that the path of an OtherWorlder might be dangerous but she seems enamored as well as excited about the prospect.

We meet back at the Singing Sword for dinner. Elrin says that people he knows might be able to locate Angstrom if Rio was willing to help. It seems that a firsthand description is helpful and since Rio has actually seen Angstrom (so long ago in the wood between the worlds) he might be able to really focus the magic.

The information broker joins us. He says he could draw us a map to Angstrom and tell us of his defenses for 1000 GP. A little later a group of City Guard arrives saying that the Lords of Waterdeep wish to speak with us. Rio doesn't understand the reaction this has on the rest of the group but agrees and follows the guard out. They lead us to the castle where we meet with the Lords. We tell them of the book we returned and they summon the black smoke guy who hands over the book to the Lords at their questioning. We tell them of our belief that Angstrom wants the party killed and they agree to finance any action against him.

END SESSION - pick up next time waiting for word from the Monster guy.

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