Plague Talk

Tenebrae - Thursday, April 18, 2019, 6:18 PM

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-=--=--=--=--=--<* A06: Lower Alexandrian Gardens District *>=--=--=--=--=--=-

The city is divided, unofficially, into Upper Alexandria and Lower Alexandria. The Upper resides further up on the slope of the mountain, and rests to the east of the great river. The Lower resides to the west of it, and if the Lower could be said to have a heart, this verdant park might be its center.

Amid all the bustle of the Lower City, its Gardens District provides a peaceful respite. The warmth of Althea holds sway here, and though Daeus receives the occasional nod, this is clearly Her domain. She shares it with Dana, in the verdant green of this area. Vines and trees, remain green no matter the season and numerous flowers bloom along the park's walkways. Faerie-light lanterns hang from branches and along hedgerows.

A number of shops may be found here, most notably the city hospital, for which the park was originally built. Though now open to the public, the gardens by and large, remain underneath the hospital's care. However, in the Althean tradition, much of the work is provided by volunteers.

Astaren is sitting under a tree, with a stack of leather bound books next to him. The man is clearly researching something.

Mikilos mutters idly to himself, puttering around with a number of small boxes hovering around as he wanders. He's gotten a little better of paying attention to his surroundings while he fiddles with things, hasn't walked into a wall for months, but he does on occasion lose track of where his feet have taken him. Thankfully, the presence of books is almost sure to catch his attention, and the one reading them holds it. "Greetings and salutations."

Astaren glances up to Mikilos and smiles, "What do you know about the void? or necrotic energies? Mikilos right, I think we have met in passing, or have we adventurered together at one point? I do not recall, either way, tea?"

Mikilos laughs and nods, a wave sending the hovering boxes into his pack. "Yes Mikilos, no tea, though thank you. As for the Void, I know a little, but not so much as I might like. Necrotic energies, more than average I think, but by no means an expert. What exactly are you looking into?"

Astaren closes the book he is holding, "Research, and some projects on my table. Helping out with Operation Hampster... well kinda started it but still. Necrotic energies and undead stuff, better ways to fight it and all, and other possibilities into fighting the void is all. How about yourself, any projects on your table?"

Mikilos waves vaugely. "I've always a few ideas floating around, though recently my focus has been on this Black Plague. Did you happen to hear the results of the Faroth-fea ritual we used to try and trace it?"

Astaren shakes his head, "I have heard of this plague, but know little about it. Something about soap and waters I think."

Mikilos grins, and nods. "Yes, soap and water seem oddly effective. Magical healing, however, does not. The plague seems to feed on magic. Enough that the small bit used as a magical focus for the ritual swelled up and tried to grab my face, which was as unplesant as it sounds. But, the ritual did get a few images shown in a vision. Local water ways, and the city cistern, bith of which have been looked into and found infected. There was also an image of a white tower, surrounded by snow and ice, somewhere to the north. I've been having less luck in tracking that down. Towers aren't exactly uncommon, and it's early enough in the year that snow and ice aren't overly distinctive. Though it has been suggested might be the same as an infernal lair encountered a while ago."

Astaren shakes his head slowly, "Flowers, may be something. The tower may seem north, but could be planer set to. Ran into that a few times and all." tapping his chin thoughtfully, "Though overland flight, and some scouting can help verify. Red ridge mountains are quiet large to." putting his book aside.

Mikilos nods. "Scouting is an option, but best used when we've a better idea where to look. Scrying attempts have been blocked, thus far. Might try musceling past whatever wards are in place, but doesn't seem a good prospect."

Astaren shakes his head, "No mind spells typically completely prevent scrying of any type. Dimensional locks and all, prevent areas. Your best bet is to ask friends who are good scouts, and start mapping the suspected areas. Not all solutions need to be magic after all." Smiling faintly, "Do we know what brought the plague to the city?"

Mikilos huffs ever so slightly. "If magic isn't a solution, you aren't useing enough of it. But yes, once we have some better idea then 'north-ish' scouting is the next step. The plague apparently came though the water, but not the details of how. Was some suggestion of an enchanted stormcloud simply raining down infected waters, though I suspect it's more complicated than that."

Astaren holds up a finger and waggles it, "I study both Divine, and Arcane magic. cast of the 7th circle of cleric, and the 8th of wizard. Magic is not a solution sometimes, to many a wizard is dropped by a good blow to the head. Also didn't save me from a draco lich droping on my ass once." grinning, "but going to need it here, if we can narrow down the scope. if this is storm clouds and blocked, means somebody is behind this."

Mikilos nods. "have you kept up with the Black Masks? They say they murder people who are key to spreading the plague, and so attempt to stop it. I have my doubts if they're actually an opposing group, or just a distraction."

Astaren tilts his head at that, "Nope, I have not. Question, are the people they kill actually infected?"

Mikilos shakes his head. "I'm not certain on that. Seems the leader was cornered in battle, fought a couple adventurers to a standstill with a knife coated in sleeping poison. Another person upon whom scrying was ineffective."

Astaren nods slowly, "Another red flag then that something is wrong, and off. Bleeding people to spread it possibly, or putting them to sleep, to relocate to help spread."

Mikilos shrugs. "Perhaps. Or if they really are trying to be merciful, easy enough to slit a throat once someone is passed out and feeling no pain. My instinct tells me the leader means well, but might be misled. Though of course it's possible he's spreading the plague himself. Simply don't have enough information to knwo for sure."

"Fair." offers Astaren as he taps his chin thoughtfully, "Might help to try to infiltrate them, gain some inside knowledge." then shrugs, "But no my area of skill, not good at illusions and all, or hiding, or sneaky stuff in general. I run into to many walls and tree's with my nose in a book for that."

Mikilos grins, and nods. "As do I. Ga'Elian seems to be the one who's been following up on the Masks, I've no idea if infiltration is even possible. If they're a small group dedicated to a short term task, new members might not be an option. Still, an idea worth checking out."

Astaren ahhs and stands up. A snap of his fingers and all the books piled up vanish. "Indeed, small groups are harder to infiltrate, but if you have some items or stuff. You could try scrying those objects or people around em." Then tilts his head, "YOu have the Mansion spell?"

Mikilos shakes his head. "I do not. Keep meaning to expand my collection more, but something always seems to come up. I do have the leader's severed finger for a material focus, but, warded."

Astaren sighs as he shakes his head, "Finger, and can't break the warding. Which means very powerful wizard, and or the No mind skill, which I have yet to really find a way to bypass." frowning more, "That is not a low class thing, and just... doesn't sit well with me." then grins, "As for the Mansion spell, great for when you get lost in the Felwood like I do on a regular basis. Comforts of home."

Mikilos laughs and nods. "I tend to just teleport. Speaking of which I should be taking off, it's about time to close up the shop for the day. But yes, some type of ward. Might be an enchanted item, but seems the group has a splinter sect of Mouners involved? I'm not clear the details on that."

[[Category:|Plague Talk]]