Sapphire:Sessions:20151205
Another probe pings off of Branamin's ward. After putting on an Illusion Disguise, he goes to the Mages Guild. Introducing himself as "Grum from Eimoor," he speaks with a dark-skinned woman regarding learning more about Scrying and related spells. He pays a silver piece for a scroll that should reveal the source of the next "ping."
A street kid arrives with a message from Rory to Chalker requesting his presence at the Dolyenan Embassy.
Shawna heads to the University and busies herself in the library doing research on the jasper figures. The cracked bell is described as a unique artifact discovered in some ruins within the Calventine Empire less than a hundred years ago. The writing upon it was indecipherable at the time, but it is not Venettian. It is described as having a "multi-worldly" and "ageless" feel. Its symbolism is unclear; one scholar speculates that the bell itself might represent "warning." Shawna finds references to other jasper artifacts found in the Troubled lands, including a yellow scarecrow, a sword, an eagle, a ladder, and a dark blue X standing upright on a base. She tells the librarian that she will pay up to four university students to do further research on the jasper artifacts and have their findings delivered to her within the week.
Mid-afternoon, Ahn-Lee leaves Yasser drinking at the Boar's Head and seeks out Kalid. "I got bored and decided to come on out." Kalid begins a training session in two-man work and also acting.
At 4:00pm a young man (later described as a 'fancy royal courier') enters the Boar's Head, looks around briefly, then goes straight to Yasser's table. After verifying that he is 'Master Lalo' the youth produces a sealed note in elegant script and explains that it is an invitation from Baroness Sylan Giles to a party being given that night. Yasser, who has never heard of the lady, says as much, adding, "Too suspicious for me, friend." Courier: "Oh, the invitation is for yourself and any companions you wish to bring." Yasser, sarcastically: "This is totally not a trap." Courier: "Why would my mistress want to trap you?"