To Serve The Cause Of Law

[*Selebius]

After locking his office and putting the money provided by the Fraternity in an extra purse Hasclaan makes his way to the Hall of Records.

He enters the place with the familiarity of someone who spent hours searching for tomes or records in this halls, the mage no stranger to this place.

Approaching the clerk in charge he smiles politely- but of course as usual his smile never reaches his eyes.

"Greetings.

I need some good and new maps of the region known as the Shield Lands, on the Prime of Oerth. Also if there are any books that describe the current political and religious powers in that area I would be grateful to borrow it."

While still speaking he puts the required papers as well as the usual fee on the table- and of course a few jink more.

[*Midnight]

The record keeper examines the paper's count the jink and then pockets the extra with a smile.

"Brogin, Brogin!"

At the calling of its name a rather subdued looking Kolbold steps out from behind a bookshelf.

"Fetch these for mister Guunt please."

Hasclaan is shown to a table where after some time Brogin returns laden with a large rolled map and a very heavy book. After glancing over the map Hasclaan would see the Shield Lands occupy the centre of a large land mass named Flanaess.

After briefly scanning the history, and it would take months to read it all in detail; he learns that the government is a commonwealth of lords the leader of whom is always whoever is the current knight commander of an area called Walworth isle.

The capital is called Critwall and here are two other towns of note namely Brigt Setry and Admufort.

After sifting his way through all of this Hasclaan would finally reach information that may bare relevance o his mission. The official religion is Heironeus though St Cuthbert is popular as well, the reason for these militant faiths as well as the areas name is because it borders a nation called the empire of Iuz. If he is not a native of Oerth has may not quite know what this means but the history implies that the people of the shield lands find themselves at war with demons frequently.

[*Selebius]

He nods politely to the Kobold, then studies the books and maps he got, sometimes taking notes, sometimes copying parts of the map.

Soon he regrets that he has not the cup of wine that goes so well with studying and her gets up, stretching his body, thinking.

The churches are both known for their support of order and law- and also for their smite happy orders of holy warriors.

Iuz... Iuz.... well, while he is no native of this Prime his recent studies of the birth and death of powers of course led him to this name.

But he does not know any details which of course makes this assignement somewhat interesting. He might find out something about this Iuz.... and he has the opportunity to study the forces of Law in their struggle with Chaos.

Well motivated now he calls the Kobold again, signs the necessary papers, pays the fee (and a bit extra- but not as much as the Kobold's superior got of course) and requests a book containing information about this.... Iuz.

[*Midnight]

Brogin returns dragging a book which would be far too heavy for the kobold to carry. The tone of it would suggest it is written by one of Iuz's disciples. As such it is very difficult to believe anything it says. Hasclaan can from his years of examining the ravings of madmen content himself the following fact's are true; Iuz was once a cambion the son of Graz'zt and Iggwilv. He was horrifically scarred when caught in a battle between his parents. He sought godhood and to some extent achived it in doing so came across a great many heroes and monsters. He has fought beings as terrible and powerful as Vecna and Mordikain and has predictably been defeated and slain many times only to return. His last such venture started a conflict called the greyhawk wars. This saw Iuz defeated and pushed back to the area of Oerth just north of the shield lands. The author of the tome claims that Iuz the greatest power of his time is simply consolidating his power waitin to strike again. Hasclaan being an intelligent man and reading that although Iuz has a priesthood he makes his home on a prime would probably get the impression that he is more a demi power licking his wounds.

[*Selebius]

Again he takes some notes- then he gets up, getting a meal before returning to study the books and finish his research.

Then after a while he gets ready to return to his home, to prepare himself for the journey.

((BTW- if anyone wants to join in feel free to approach Has during his research. Everybody welcome here.))

He takes his usual adventuring gear, adds some blank books for notes and makes sure his home and possessions are kept safe during his absence.

Then he returns to the Hall of Records and opens the portal to the Outlands from where he then opens a Gate to the Prime of Oerth.

[*Midnight]

The gate opens and Hasclaan steps though it. He is met with a pleasant warmth the setting sun and the chirping of crickets. The scene the an indication that a warm summers day is giving way to a long evening. He comes out at the foot of a cliff and before him is a rocky out crop which hides a cave. Most would miss it but Hasclaan has been here before. He knows what lies within.

[*Selebius]

He lets the gate fade, casting his usual protections (persistant haste, death armour, blindsight and normal greater resistance) before entering the cave.

He uses no light, relying on his Blindsight spell to guide him to the Shrine hidden in this cave.

Of course he is careful- he is no fool and knows well that noone here owes him any favours nor would they hesitate to harm him if they have an advantage in doing so. So he is careful in his approach.

[*Midnight]

As he progresses through the cave he would descend gradually down and the slope would eventually give way to man made steps. Hasclaan would pass several runes carved into them both arcane and divine, magical protections against good. It would seem he has not gone unnoticed and at the bottom of the steps two hooded robed figures meet him. They are unarmed, this is a good sign. Behind them can be heard the roaring of an underground river, the eaters dark and murky. The sunlight and warmth of the surface a distant memory.

"You have returned we see."

[*Selebius]

He politely inclines his head. "Greetings. You knew I would return- it is hardly a surprise, it is hardly a secret.

Once again I want to call upon your knowledge... but shall we first go where we can talk?"

Hasclaan seems rather comfortable in the dark, almost at home. For him darkness is a mantle do don for protection, a shield from prying eyes and many harms. So while alert he is not afraid- and rather relaxed.

[*Midnight]

They gesture him to a boat that sits upon the river. One stands at the front the other sits in the rear with a pair of oars. Hasclaan sits between them. The muffled oars of the boat propel them quickly down stream the strong current hastening them. There is after a while a light ahead on the water. A stone ziggurat structure sits on the water. The boat pulls up in front of it. A wizard of Hasclaans ability can nearly taste the magic it radiates and its slimy algae covered steps are bathed in a sinister glare.

"The keeper of the shrine is within. She is expecting you Hasclaan plane walker."