Comfy chairs are sat upon by comfy mages reading assorted copies of scrolls. Some are making notes. Occasionally denizens leave, forgetting to return the books to their rightful place and a tutting librarian returns them to their home.

The troll leads the invalid into reading room and sits him down. The smell of decay swiftly starts to clear the room of patrons.

The Invalid Speaks to the troll

Thank you Rothgar. Could you please go and ask the kitchen staff for some freshly crushed cloves? Umbrial has done rather too good a job with the smell.

The troll nods and goes of to fetch the cloves.

The Invalid speaks again.

Now Trelaine this matter sounded serious. Where are we needed and why?

The tutting librarians raise to a crescendo, as if conversing whether to endure the stench or leave for a quick hot chocolate break.
The smell of hot chocolate follow the horde of librarians leaving the reading room with some haste.

'I have recieved a scroll from one of my old students in the Lizardkin lands, he describes creatures that have been found that match what I would describe as Juggers and Blacks. Many have been lost already and they fear that they have only met an advance force. Undead also have started to appear in places and their is a possibility they have a new weapon against the T'cra able to defeat juggers in battle. I ask for the Prodigeens aid for the rings are the only reliable way to track and destroy the blacks. I also fear that if we do not defeat this threat soon we will be on the new frontline between the two dark armies and the protected zone will not last long in such a case. While I ask for general aid another has asked for Soots specific aid, I do not think to name him out loud would be wise even in this protected place.'

The Bandage swathed Invalid

Soot takes his responsibilites very seriously. A person would only have to look at his work in Golashkanev to see that. I am certain you have his support. As for the rest of the prodigeen I think we only need to wait for them to catch up.

When you say another has asked for Soot's aid. Would that be Jy'Emra?

'indeed, he has asked the lizardmen to make special effort to find Soot as he himself put it. I know not the reason for Soots importance to him in this venture but I would prefer his wisdom to be easily accessable if this truely is a shifting of the battlelines.'

<Tellos enters, looking very flushed and breathing heavily>

Hi Trelaine, <Sees the bandaged man>, good day to you sir.

I've left a message for the other Warriors of Light to join us, have you requested the knights presence, they are very useful allies to have.

Now can somebody please explain what all this fuss is about.

<Sits down heavily>

Isobel comes in looking lost
Sorry for the delay i,v not been here before and there was nobody at the desk to direct me.

The Bandage swathed Invalid

In brief Trelaine has been told that the T'cra and undead have been sighted near the lizard kin lands and we shall need to investigate. I'll let Trelaine go into more detail when the others arrive.

Has anyone seen Trevellian? I don't think he knows that anythings wrong yet.

'Prehaps it would be easier to read the full document so you have all the information I do.'

*taking the scroll from his bag*
'Trelaine

We hope this letter find you swiftly for we are in need of your assistance. You may have heard of the bodies found in our lands. However, what you do not know and nor will anyone out side our Guard units, at least for a while, is that we have encountered some live ones as well. These creatures are terrible, some can disappear from sight as you try to engage them, others are the size of siege engines and can smash rock and stone as easily as parchment. So far we have only encountered these strange creatures in small numbers and we have been able to deal with them albeit with some casualties. There is little we will be able to do if they start coming in groups.

This news is bad enough but you also must consider something else. Something is here and is killing these terrible creatures. No-one has seen what is killing them only that these creatures are killed in a savage and messy fashion and that there seem to be no casualties amongst their attackers. This means that whatever these terrible creatures are, there is something out here that is bigger and nastier than they are. We suspect undead involvement as a number of them have been spotted in the area and it would explain why there is no sign of casualties amongst the attackers for they would simply have been reanimated.

Scouts tell me that whatever these creatures are there are more of them out there. You and your friends are know to travel widely and you are friend to the lizard kin. Can you help us? We need to know more about these creatures and where they are coming from if we are to defeat them. We have already sent for Jhy-Embra he has sent word that he is coming, I am told that when these creatures were described to him his look turned dark and he made to leave with all haste, leaving only one instruction “Find Soot”

With the new laws regarding demons and their kin we did not think it wise to contact Soot directly but hoped that you could bring him with you if you knew his whereabouts or at the very least get a message to him. For whatever reason its important to Jhy that Soot be there.

Can you and your friends help us?'

*finishing off trelaine returns the scroll to his bag.*

'The first part seems to describe some of the types of T'cra we have fought before which in itself is not to much of a shock, we knew they would come here. The fact the undead are mentioned in the second part and prehaps a new undead weapon indicates we may be a new battleground for the forces. I am also concerned in case the parasites infect the lizardmen and cause them to act erratically, they already have those who worry about their activities reguarding the skin traders and I'd hate a few well placed parasites to trigger a civil war in the protected zone. Not to mention what abominations they could turn the monsterous carnivores into if they had the chance.'

<Walks in as Trelaine is reading the scroll, and listens intently>

Walks in behide Daniel while scroll was being read

"I'm in"

She runs in after Avian, to get the general gist of the letter.
"I can't attend this jaunt, I've raised my profile far too much recently against the T'Cra and undead with this whole Troll city thing. Far too much of a liability, they'll know somethings up if I turn up there."
"Any info on this new potential threat would be eagerly received though, heck, if you can find a new ally that would be even better."

'I would say your profile is high enough just by being a prodigeen, but prehaps all eggs in one basket would be unwise especially if they are mustering an assualt on the protected zone. Their is the possibility that this may even be an elaborate trap to draw the prodigeen and those who have fought with you out to battle. How better than to appear on mass on our doorstep.'

"I agree With Umbrial, I think it would be wise for her to stay behide. Especially if it is a trap.. But even if it is a trap we need to check this out. If the T'cra have found a way this far in then we need to find out how and shut them down"

<listens to Trelaine thoughtfully>

It sounds like a similar foe to what we faced in Escavon, Undead that disappeared and left no bodies. Perhaps they are more of the Undead Knights raised by Sorric. Has anybody contacted the Knights? They proved very effective against them at Escavon.

As to Trevellian, I know he's in Prodigio because he has contacted the Warriors of Light about something, perhaps Captain Daniel knows more.

The Bandage swathed Invalid

I'm worried about these thinigs that are managing to kill Juggers. A jugger's blow can usually make it impossible to reanimate a corpse. Afterall how do you reanimate dust or mincemeat? If it is an undead it is exceptionally durable.

You are right Trelaine the parasites and other insidious methods the T'cra use are just as much risk as the juggers. I do not want to think what they might do if they decide integrate they Lizard kin into themselves.

Who's going to be coming then?

I'm in!

"Of course, people in trouble and undead, how could I not go?"

<Rummages in his satchel for Trevellians letter, then reads it>

"Oh..."

<Turns to Tellos>

"Looks like we were the last ones to see Ral Morga, back in Escavon..."

'Any who do not wish to travel the swamps would proebebly do well to take the lead to Elmet, if we are to devide our strength we might as well begin investigation into other matters. What of ferret and trevelian as well are they still part of your number? Once the prodigeen have decided on their action we should do well to invite as many others as well to join on the two paths.'

The Bandage swathed Invalid counts on his fingers arthritically

The full list of Prodigeen is; Jack, Soot, Avian, Umbrial, Trevellian, Isobel, & Ferret.

We need to make sure that all the Prodigeen are aware of what has happened. Even if they don't head to the Lizard kin lands straight away they may be needed to carry on what the first group can't finish.

We should send someone to the Knights Chapter house to ask for their assistance.

'I had been trying to get ahold of the nobodies for a trip to elmet but they seem to be difficult to track down at present. No doubt they have found something to drink or kill more likely half and half. The knight indeed would be useful but we must travel with urgency and they do take so long to get their armours polished to a level where they are happy to march.'

<To Daniel>

Oh Bugger!! We could really do with talking to him!!

I also have commitments I cant get out of, I,m still on the trail of my father and if i lose the tread now I will never get to the bottom of what is happening and as you say if it is a trap it would be better that some prodigeen stay behind.

I have a good standing with the knights.. I'll go and get them, if we don't meet on the road then I'll meet you at the lands of the Lizard kin Trelaine!

With that Avian turns and leaves for the knights

The Bandage swathed Invalid

Before we go our seperate ways to prepare we had better get a firm idea of where we are going.

Rothgar. Can you please ask one of the Librarians for a map.

Rothgar wanders off and returns fairly shortly with a roll of leather. He unrolls it on a nearby table

Map of the protected zone.

Thankyou Rothgar
Continues to speak facing straight ahead in his chair.

There are three lizard kin lands. The South Eastern one is where their King lives. I have heard reports of strange creatures to the North West so that is where we go. It is not so far from Elmet as the crow flies.

*nods farewell to Avian*
'North of Frailoak and close to Elmet, hmm if I wanted to cause a problem between various races they couldn't of picked a more central location to large populations of all the major peoples.'

'Not to mention that such trouble there would draw guard forces to the furthest possible location in the protected zone from the Wall.'

The Bandage swathed Invalid

Yes its a vulnerable spot thats for sure. The western elven town is called Traileat. With Elmet, Hatel and Dimlit town also nearby the elves are especially at risk after the lizard kin. Elmet may need broader investigation as the gateway to the Elf and Dark elf Capitals.

I am rooting around Elmet anyway so I can help out with information gathering if that helps

'So we can count on at least Soot, Tellos, Daniel, Myself, Avian and Myself on the trip to lizardkin lands. Isobel shall lead to Elmet with the knights who are travelling there anyway although if we ask they may be able to spare one of two warriors to show willingness to assist. We also need to see if we can get any of the nobodies if we can contact them, and i'm sure at least the idea of a good ruck as he puts it would get uthens interest.'

Also Ferret and Trevelian would be of assistance, although if this is a trap for the sake of the development of soul power in the protected lands it may be wise for him and me not to be in the same group. It would be a pity if we were both slain at the same time, could knock soul power research back several years.'

'Has anyone seen elsquare or alasse recently? additonal scouts and healers would be most useful on this venture.'

The Bandage swathed Invalid

It seems we are now at a point where we can each make our own preparations. It would probably be easiest to use the messaging service to contact anyone who is missing at the moment, so they can be brought up to speed.

Umbrial if I may I'd like to leave a couple of bags in your keeping.

After that I had better get back to Golashkanev and finish up there.

"Certainly." She grins to the stinky invalid.
"Who else needs contacting?"

'Then I shall see you all when preparations are complete.'

*Trelaine leaves the room in a fair hurry*

I'll see who I can find loitering who could be of use.

<stands and leaves>

The Bandage swathed Invalid

If we make sure all the prodigeen are aware and round up who we can from the inn that should be sufficient. I'm sure the Knights are already aware but best make sure they are up to date.

He slowly gets up out of his chair.
Rothgar can you please give the bags to Umbrial?

Rothgar unslips the bags from his shoulder and holds them towards Umbrial at arms length.

And then we'd best be going.

Umbrial takes the bags with grim expression.
"Who of the Prodigeen is unaware?"

The Bandage swathed Invalid
I don't believe Ferret followed us and we still haven't seen Trevellian. I dare say others will see they are informed but it is best to be sure.

Goodbye I hope to see you all soon

And with that Rothgar takes his arm and the pair shuffle out of the library and across the courtyard.