The Longest Night

[*Darkrob]

John would be up long before the light began to awaken the city. He, and Ben, would be fed and alert, ready for the tasks ahead. His first stop wouldn't be the inn but would be the alley where he tracked the Yaun-ti. He would look around the area for the invisibly obviousÂ… beggars.

He would be highly alert and prepared. Much like he would be while in an enemy city, during a war, collecting information as his past job required. Attention would be (quietly) focussed on his flank.

His bow (slung very loosly over his shoulder) would be strung and his quiver would be uncapped. Ben would be wearing his harness... which (for a trained animal) meant it was "on duty".

If a beggar was found (or several) he would carefully walk over and drop a coin in his cup.

"That might buy you breakfast... but you might find use in a couple of other meals as well... if your words contain enough value."

[*Midnight]

John does not have to look for long he finds a goblin with a crutch one leg and a begging pot sitting at the end of the alleyway. He flashes a grin filled with sharp pointed teeth as he hears the coin drop into his mug. The diverse nature of the teeth suggest they may not all have originally been his. He begins to laugh judging by the smell on his breath he has been drinking strong bub already.

"Well then cutter. What would you like to hear?"

[*Selebius]

Finishing his breakfast Norman then heads out to the Bazaar again, searching for Minerva's stall.

"Good Morning, Miss. How much does a scroll of Cure light Wounds cost.. and what can you tell me about this strange spell? Magic Jar? Do you, perhaps, know something about its uses and function?"

[*Darkrob]

John smiles slightly, not enough to show amusementÂ… just enough to remain non-threatening.

“There’s a door at the end of this alley… a way out of the city. I need to know what opens it.”

He drops another coin into the cup.

[*LiquidDreamer]

Thist follows Norman, quiet leaving him to do the talking.

[*Midnight]

The goblin grins.


"They all drink from a bottle or a skin or a cup when they go through. Filled with clear water. I know something else about the portal too."

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Minerva considers for a moment and then seems to decide there is no harm in sharing the information.


"It allows the caster to remove their soul and place it in a container typically a gem. They can from there go on to inhabit the body of another being placing that bodies soul in the container in their stead."

[*Selebius]

He gets nervous as he hears this news and it shows in his voice.

"Is there a way to protect somebody from this possession? How can it be ended? How detected? And the soul... is it harmed?"

[*Darkrob]

Another couple of coins are dropped in his cup. John patiently waits while still minding his surroundings. A firm, yet almost unnoticeable, tug on Bens harness to ensure he remains highly alert.

[*Midnight]

"It can be warded against by a simple protection from evil spell, but an intelligent caster will catch their target unawares."

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The goblin raises a hand beckoning John closer.

"Come here cutter I'll tell you."

The goblin waits for John to lean closer.

"I see people come, all kinds of berks, rich berks poor berks tall berks skinny berks, they all come through the portal, but no one comes out."

[*Selebius]

"Alright....this is easy enough. But ending the spell... is there a way to get the soul back to where it belongs?"

Norman glances at Thist, not hiding his nervousity.

"I do not like this... we should tell our employers I think."