Marquanthis shakes his head. "Unfortunately, no. I'm not a master of binding rituals so I do not have the knowledge required to reverse a binding. Especially one designed to be permanent. And the one master I knew of is long in their grave."

He pulls the teabag from his cup and sets it on the saucer. 

"I apologize that I am not more help in this situation. But if you need assistance in the future, I will do my best. We all want this famine to end. We all need this famine to end." He looks between Jade and Vesta. "Was there anything else I could possibly help with?"

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Vesta accepts the journal back, her expression tightening as she scans the page.

“Given what this ritual’s already done…” she murmurs, frowning, “I think it’s best left as dead knowledge.”

She closes the book partway and turns her attention back to Marquanthis.

“You said it’s one time use...” A slight pause. “Would you know of any way to reverse something like this? To unravel a binding designed to be permanent?”

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Jade retrieves the notes back from Marquanthis.

"Not with that attitude."

Jade hands it back to Vesta.

"Maybe this particular ritual is spent, but who is to say we couldn't remake it? Through magic all things are possible."

Jade sighs.

"Thank you for your time though."

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Marquanthis sighs. "None living that I know of."

His fingers trace a sentence and he tries to sound out the words listed there. He shakes his head.

"I can tell one other thing based on what I'm reading here." He looks up at the women as he reaches over and lifts the teabag, dipping it and removing it over and over while he speaks. "This ritual was written for a specific purpose. A one time use, if you will." He looks down at the pages. "I can't tell you what it did but I can tell you that we won't be repeating this ritual."

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Jade listens and crosses her arms. She stays silent and tries to think.

"Is there anyone you could point us to who might be able to read this?"

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Marquanthis takes the journal and begins reading. Or trying to. His eyes scan the page but they can tell he's reading the same thing over and over again. He tries to mouth a few words, testing them out. He clicks his tongue and lowers the journal.

Marq turns around and spots the small table by the resurrection circle. It is small enough to seat two. 

"If you wouldn't mind ladies. This may take me a moment. It's incredibly... Old." He chuckles and walks over to take one of the seats at the table.

He lays the journal on the table and flips to the next page, then back again. He hums to himself as he focuses on the pages.

Not long after he sits, Claire returns with a steaming kettle. She places it carefully on the table and Marquanthis looks up. "Ah, thank you, dear."

He reaches down to his belt, where he has a holstered cup and saucer. He slides the cup and saucer out of their holder and then reaches into another pouch and pulls free a small satchel. He pours water into the cup and drops the satchel in. Then returns to the journal while he lets his tea steep.

"This is... Very very old. Nearly too old for me to decipher." He taps the page. "I can tell that this was a ritual, as you said, and that it was some... Sort... Of binding ritual? I can't read every word but yes, it definitely seems to be a binding ritual of some kind. For what purpose? I am unsure. "

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Vesta pulls her worn journal from her bag, flipping through the pages until she finds what she’s looking for. She turns it outwards and offers it to Marquanthis.

“These are the runes that were on the bones.” Her finger hovers over one symbol. “I know that one says ‘anchor.’ We’ve seen it repeated on several pillars.”

She withdraws her hand and takes a polite step back, giving him space.

“There are a few pages of additional notes as well. Things we’ve uncovered, sketches, visions.” She motions softly. “You’re welcome to look through any of it.”

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• Leib Olmaiin soldiers continue to attack people on roads and remain on the outskirts of Volaire using guerilla warfare tactics to continue their assault on the city.
• Queen Zinna’s caravan was attacked by Leib Olmaiin soldiers outside of the city. What happened to the Ramtovi in her caravan? In fact, what happened to Queen Zinna?
• Baroness Jade arrived with a massive army to annihilate the attackers within the city of Volaire. But where did this massive undead force come from? Whispers say she has been turning townsfolk against their will to serve her.
• Seshtau forces were observed defending Volaire from the Leib-Olmai onslaught. Where were the other baronies in this time of need? Can we even count on the king himself to hold his nobles accountable for the safety of the public?
• Guild mistress Lyra has passed away. Some say she was killed in the recent hostile take over of the city, but some say it was a coup of convenience. What better time to dispose of leadership and rise the ranks? Eyes turn towards Sylvia and Zuiigrii.

• A Master Artisan came into town hauling a carriage full of funerary materials and visited the Artisan’s Guild to speak with the Guildmistress. He left several hours later with a rolled-up parchment in one hand, and a bulging coin pouch in the other.
• Baroness Charlotte is cleaning house! And opening her heart? Will we see a new and honorable Forsetidale rise from the ashes of scandal?
• The Vanguard have begun investigating the famine as well. Could this mean they will be coming to Volaire? Reports indicate that they are in the mountains dealing with a horde of beasts so they seem to be tied up…
• The Crown is currently investigating the case surrounding the recent string of gruesome assassinations that have been affecting nobles and high-born citizens around the kingdom. With the King’s best knights looking into it, the criminals responsible will soon be brought to justice.
• Master of Alchemical Sciences Professor Tannor Emberbane of Hallowseeker Academy has reported the preliminary findings of his research. He theorizes that the blight that is affecting the food may soon begin to affect water used for drinking, cooking, and farming as well. What consequences could this have on an already strained kingdom?
• Bandits raided a nearby farming village last week and broke into the grain and food stores. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, they left empty-handed as there was no useable food to steal.
• Kingdom soldiers have cracked down on crime around Volaire proper. The dungeons are filling with desperate citizens who have resorted to lying, cheating, and stealing for their next meal.
• Since the King’s decree that all knights renew their vows, knights around the realm have been taking their oaths once more. With this happening around the realm, Sir Fallin’s fate still hangs in the balance. His trial looms on the horizon and no one knows what will become of him.
• More reports of werewolves in the swamps near the village of Imyr. Traders trying to make their way into the town are having to turn back for fear of their lives.

Claire turns to head deeper into the guild.

Marquanthis smiles at Vesta. "Ah. A pleasure to see you again, Vesta. I've been better, to be honest. But on the whole, I cannot complain. Many are suffering but I'm doing my best to help them."

He looks between the two women and holds out a hand. "May I see the notes? I'll do my best to assist."

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Vesta dips into a practiced curtsy beside Jade, then lifts her hand in a small wave, her smile polite but measured. 

“Hello, Marquanthis,” she greets him. “Hope you’re doing well.”

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"Good evening, Marquanthis. I would say that I hope this isn't a bad time, but all times seem to be bad at the moment."

Jade awkwardly smiles.

"The heros recently visited the Tomb of the Skybone Choir. There was an ancient dragon bone that had some really old script carved into it. When I tried to decipher it I could not read the text, but it read and felt like a ritual. Vesta has the notes. We were wondering is you could decipher them."

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Claire looks over at the resurrection circle as the glowing light fades. The circle lowers and a soldier steps out before being immediately approached by another soldier. Meanwhile, Marquanthis is standing in the center of the circle now.

"Claire!" He calls out.

Claire looks to the Baroness and gestures towards the resurrection circle. "Now would seem to be the time."

She turns and speed walks over to Marquanthis. "Would you please bring a pitcher of hot water? I'd quite like some tea."

He turns his attention to Jade. "Ah. Hello, Baroness. How may I help you?"

 

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Jade looks around at all the sick and injured. She frowns and sighs before returning to the question.

"Is Marquanthis available? We found something we can't decipher. "

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Claire nods and lowers the wards for them. 

Once they have entered the guild, she raises the wards once more. Claire turns a tired smile to Jade and Vesta.

"What can I do for you Baroness?"

The guild is still bustling with activity. There are injured soldiers all around the common room, some are using the wall for support and others too tired to stand are sitting or laying on the floor. The resurrection circle is actively glowing while other guild members are rushing about the common room with bandages, clean water, or healing potions. 

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Jade starts to make her way to and up the porch steps.

"I am aware of your guild's rules. He has commands to wait outside. Just don't kill this one."

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Claire is the first to notice and approach the wards. "Oh! Baroness! Please-" Her voice falters as she sees the massive golem following Jade. "Please, forgive me, Baroness. I cannot allow your... Friend... Inside."

Her eyes remain focused nervously on the golem.

 

Jade waves to Vesta upon her arrival.

"With the war literally on the doorstep of Volaire, I would say so. But he can stay outside during our visit."

Jade walks up to the outer ward and tries to get the attention of the inside members.

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Vesta strolls up to the guild with a lightness in her step than she’s had in months. She dips into a graceful curtsy, her smile warm as it lands on Jade, only to falter as her gaze shifts.

Her nose wrinkles, expression twisting with open distaste.

“Baroness, was it truly necessary to bring that… thing?”

She gestures loosely towards the golem.

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Jade approaches the guild of light with her flesh golem protector in tow. She stands out front as if waiting on someone.