As the magic soaks into the bones, there is a slow, growing trembling that radiates through the ground beneath your feet. The trembling becomes quaking and the bones begin to rattle and shake. They rattle for several long moments and then suddenly fall still and the quaking beneath your feet fades away.
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When you approach the section of skeleton that had the runes and sigils on it, nothing appears to be changed.
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[Confirmed with Zuiigri that passage through his home would be allowed.]
After several hours of travel, they would arrive back at the skeletal graveyard. As far as you can tell, the skeleton of the dragon is whole and intact. It extends through most of the graveyard.
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Maximilian's eyes scan him up and down for a moment. Then he shrugs.
"Office is that way." He jerks his chin in the direction of her office and then leans back in his chair and turns his gaze to a parchment on the desk.
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When Balasar enters the embassy, people are busily going about their daily tasks and chores. No one really pays much attention to him as he enters and walks through. He's given the occasional 'morning' or 'hello' but overall, no one stops.
Sitting at the desk is a purple skinned man with horns. He lifts his gaze as Balasar approaches. He says nothing and simply stares at Balasar expectantly.
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Dawn breaks over Volaire, painting the besieged city in hues of pale gold and bruised purple. Despite the Leib Olmaiin forces encroaching upon the borders, the city clings to the stubborn, comforting rhythm of mundane life. Citizens hurry through the cobblestone streets on their morning errands, and the local tavern roars with the familiar din of the breakfast rush. It is, by all accounts, just another morning.
Until the ground begins to tremble.
It starts as a deep, subterranean rumble that rattles cups on tavern tables and vibrates through the soles of boots. Then, a terrible, agonizing creaking rips through the crisp morning air.
At the edge of the city, the wrought-iron gates of The Cemetery of Lost Souls begin moving. The ancient, thick ivy that had bound the iron shut for years snap and tear like brittle bone as the massive doors force their way open. The metal scrapes and shrieks—a menacing herald of what was to come.
From the widening black maw of the cemetery pours a thick, heavy mist the color of freshly spilled blood. It does not drift; it cascades along the ground with an unnatural, fluid grace, moving faster than any natural fog. Within seconds, the crimson tide floods the streets of Volaire, turning the cobblestones red and swirling thickly around the ankles of the paralyzed citizens.
Through the bloody veil steps Valyrie Dreadmage.
The Lich of the Graveyard moves with an effortless, lethal elegance. Her long burgundy hair caught the morning light, contrasting starkly with her deep green tunic and dark pants. In her hand, she holds a wicked staff, using it casually as a walking stick. She does not walk alone.
To her right stands a woman shrouded in a heavy blue cloak, her long dark hair falling like shadows. To her left looms an imposing, hulking suit of heavy armor, and beside the steel giant stands a deceptively small girl with long pigtails. And behind her, two other small females stand at the ready, resembling elves. Their hair is different but they look much the same as though they were twins.
Valyrie pauses, her gaze sweeping over the stunned, mist-drowned city. A knowing grin curls her lips.
“Shalltear. Cocytus,” the Lich commands, her voice slicing through the heavy silence. “You will lead my army and assist the Baroness of Seshtau in the defense of Ariad.” She strikes the butt of her staff against the stone, the sound echoing. “Eliminate Leib Olmai and The Shifting Scales.”
The towering suit of armor, Cocytus, bows deeply, its heavy plates grinding in grim obedience. Beside it, the girl in pigtails beams with a terrifying, innocent delight.
“As you wish, Master!” Shalltear chimes cheerfully.
“Aura, Mare. You have your orders.” Valyrie says and the twins look to one another with wide grins and giggles before they slowly fade into the shadows.
Valyrie raises her staff high, and the cemetery behind her erupts into motion.
A nightmare tide pours from the open gates. Skeletons with rusted blades, shambling zombies, ancient vampires, and drifting, ethereal wraiths flood the streets of Volaire. Yet, as the massive legion of the damned surges forward, they completely ignore the terrified, cowering citizens. Moving with calculated, lethal purpose, the horde immediately splits into two distinct columns.
The giant armor, Cocytus, turns his heavy steps toward the Seshtau embassy, an elite guard of the undead falling into perfect formation behind him. Shalltear pivots towards the city outskirts, leading a ferocious swarm toward the front lines.
As her undead army crashes like a necrotic wave against the forces of Leib Olmai and The Shifting Scales, Valyrie watches on. The Lich stands amidst the red mist with her lone companion remaining at her side, and smiles.
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The guard looks to his partner stationed at the other side of the gate. His partner just shrugs so he turns back to the fox beastkin.
"How far out is your camp? Leib Olmai is still posted out there but if you stick to the main road and follow it to Kog'Thrak- the little Orc village?- you should be fine." He shrugs. "Just don't go wandering too deep into the forest. Leib Olmai is still hiding out there and I've heard the rumors about what they do to young girls. It ain't pretty. Be careful."
The guard steps aside.
[OOP: This road will lead to Kog'Thrak which is being patrolled by Volaire militia but the area around Volaire is still not safe so if you choose to venture beyond the guarded perimeter... We'll roll to see if you encounter any enemies! 
]
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He shrugs. "I can check around for you. Maybe one of the higher ranking members knows something. Just stop by some time and I'll let you know if I've learned anything. I'm usually here at the front now."
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As the fox reaches the city gates, a guard steps in her path.
"Excuse me miss. You should stay within city limits. It's still dangerous beyond the walls. We've got Leib Olmai pushed back a bit but it's still risky." He sighs. "It's still your choice... I just... Wouldn't recommend it."
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The young member sighs. "Well... It's a lot of busy work for the lowest ranking members. Cleaning, organizing, and fetch jobs. Like getting components for the guild and things of that nature." He shrugs. "I'm only a full fledged member as of a few months ago myself and they posted me at the desk. Since you're one of the heroes... I imagine they'll send you to gather things most likely. And helping to cast rituals is also another way to help out. If you possess that knowledge."
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[The missive sends successfully and I have deducted 6 silver from your bank]
The young mage's guild member returns Balasar to the front desk and smiles. "Was there anything else I could do for you?"
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The young man nods. "I'm sure we can."
He stands from his seat and steps around the desk, then gestures towards the hall. "Please, come with me and we'll deliver your missive."
[OOP: I can deduct the silver from oracle for you. Just submit a ticket with the missive information and who it is being sent to. He's working on setting up missives for you guys! Remember that you can only send a missive to someone if you have met them and know their name.]
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The young man at the desk lifts his head from the parchment he's scribbling on. "Oh. Uh. Certainly. You're new right? But still a member. Normally it's a gold piece to send a missive what with components being so hard to find. But for us members, it's 6 silver." He leans forward and lowers his voice. "But that's just because of how hard it is to get components. It's normally not this expensive."
He sits back again. "Unless you have the component yourself? It's an owl feather."
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The mage's guild member nods and accepts the stack of letters. "Right. Follow me then."
He leads her back to the circle for phantom missives.
About an hour and a half later, all the missives are sent.
The mage's guild member returns to the front desk, escorting Vesta and her companion back to the front of the guild hall. "Is there anything else I can assist you with today, ma'am?"
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