Looking for Information on the Chronosphere in Serraine
=======================================================
**~morning 1027/02/02**

What Tess is up to after being in the Cage:

The 2nd month of 1027 is spent preparing for Grey's conference.
The other thing Tess wants to do is hunt down the locations of those bandits.

Tess tries to find someone knowledgeable about artifacts for info on the 
Chronosphere. Saporific would be first choice I guess, although he might want 
to find a more famous bard. T'saz suggests the following sources for
information: firstly, Hurrack the sage, right here in Serraine; secondly, the
Serraine library of course; thirdly, Baron Skyborn in Norwold is said to be a
great collector of obscure knowledge and the like. The baron is human, so the 
skyborn bit is probably a misnomer.

Tess thanked T'zaz then went to see Hurrack the Sage. Hurrack's place is in 
the nicer part of town, near T'saz' place. A small sign in the window says 
(including in Alpahtian): Hurrack the Sage. When Tess taps on the window, a
curtain moves aside and a small cat like creature peers out at Tess. Tess will
nod his head to the cat respectfully and wave a hello. The door opens, and the
cat like creature is sitting on the floor looking at him curiously. Tess will
enter and say hello in Alphatian. The cat like creature cocks it's head, and 
then scampers off further into the house. Tess will wait, unless the cat 
looked like Tess should follow it. Shortly afterwards a stunted creature 
looking a lot like a vulture in robes shambles in. "Hello, I am Hurraaackk," 
(yes, it's a bird like noise it makes).

Tess: "Greetings good sir, I am looking for information on two items: the 
Staff of Life, and the Chronosphere of Lagos." 

Hurrack: "Hurck, rare items these are. Let me think... I know little of the
staff of life, although councillor Cloudmantle's sister's people were 
researching about it a while ago." (Lani's last name is Cloudmantle.)

Tess pays 10gp for what information Hurrack has about the chronosphere. 
**paid** Hurack settles into a chair, gestures at another chair. Tess will sit 
down happily, thanking Hurrack. "Any refreshments? Worm juice? Water? Carrot
cake?"

Tess: "That's fine, thank you, I don't want to be any trouble."

In summary, Hurrack says: The chronosphere is an artifact (duh!) which allows
time travel. From what he has heard, it allows time travel into the past and 
back again, but always a specified duration back. He isn't sure how far back.
It is similar to another time related item he has heard, a magical house. That
allows time travel, but always back to the same time period. The house has not 
been seen or heard of in a very long time. Apparently some adventurers used it 
to go back in time. They said it was a dangerous place they went to, full of 
intresting adventure possiblities. They then stocked up on a bunch of items, 
and went back to where this house was. They were never heard from again. Some 
say they stayed in the past. They didn't say where the house was though. The 
adventurers were Glantrian knights, who mainly adventured in the south.
**should follow up on the Glantrian knights if want more info on the house**

Tess heads to the Serraine library and rents out some of the Alphatian reading 
glasses for 4gp/day (or 2000gp to buy). Tess will pay the 4gp and start 
looking for info on the Chronosphere of Lagos. (Untrained knowledge check at a 
+4 bonus.) After the 1st day you haven't uncovered anything of use.

Tess pays a researcher at 5 gold per day to help do research. Some of them 
are on retainer and work for this group or that group when they need something
researched. **9gp paid** After a day, your researcher uncovers a mention of it 
in a tome entitled "relics of Mystara and other fanciful tales". The tome 
thinks it was a gift from an unknown deity of time to Lagos, a powerful mortal 
ruler in Glantri. Apparently Lagos used the device several times, but was then 
assasinated by unknown creatures, who dragged him and his entire castle 
somewhere else. All that was left was a creater. 
(Other artifacts are mentioned in other tomes should you feel like researching 
those.) Master Engineer Skyfarer paid another group of researchers to
investigate the Staff of Life. Did they find out any info about side effects 
of using the Periapt of Pax or Staff of Life (I think we know that the Staff 
has no side effects, and periapt effects may be aging). They found nothing 
about about those unfortunately, although they belive the above as well.
**two days in Serraine 1027/02/04**

Looking for Information on the Chronosphere in Glantri
======================================================
Tess teleport to the Glantrian School of Magic. A caretaker comes out to make 
sure you didn't stawberry jam yourself, but leaves you alone when you flash 
your student id. Tess will thank the caretaker. 

Tess spends a day going through the Glantrian School of Magic library. It's a 
lot smaller and better organised than the Serraine library. (The Serraine 
librarians still talk in hushed whispers about the book sorter, and ask if you 
find any page parts to please take them to the front desk. About a thousand 
books went into the book sorter before they managed to shut it down.)

According to the libary, mortals are currently unable to time travel, although
some archmages of the past have built devices which enable time travel. These 
are rare in the extreme. Incidently these archmages ruled nations so far back 
in time that the people worshipped them as so called 'gods'. Sometimes these 
archmages use their time travel devices to come to the future, where they 
continue their pretence as gods. Some people still believe they are gods. 
[Fits in with a Glantrian atheistic view of Mystara.] In Glantri they are too 
knowledgeable to believe in this claptrap of course. It doesn't mention the 
chronosphere of Lagos in particular (that you have discovered), but it does 
mention Lagos briefly as a ruler of a barony (now a principality) in central 
Glantri. He was amongst the first of his people to come to Glantri from 
whatever distant plane they came from. It mentions Baron Lagos dying in a 
magical accident.
** a day in Glantri 1027/02/05**

The great school doe shave some history works (it's part of the teachings) but 
it's mainly slanted towards magic of course. Tess will do some further 
research here then. This is the best Glantrian library that Tess has access
to. Some private family libraries will be better, but Tess currently isn't in 
good with any noble families here.
** 4 days in Glantri 1027/02/09**

Tess finds a letter from the time talking about Lagos. It is written like the 
writer and the recipient have soem secret knowledge in common. The writer 
expresses his regret at the death of Baron Lagos and the complete destruction 
of Lagos keep. Trom the letter writer (a mage), the person they are sending it 
to (another mage), you get the impression the writer misses the loss of Lagos' 
books more than Lagos himself, and that whatever it was Lagos was playing 
around with was pretty powerful. The letter is signed. This line leads to the 
obvious conclusion...until the writer casually mentions the loss of the 
chronosphere as well. Whatever it is that they are intrested in, it's not the 
chronosphere. Clearly the writer doesn't know the cause of the destruction, 
and is nervious that it will happen to him (or the recipient) It is not 
apparent what the writer or recipient or Lagos were interested in. It is never 
mentioned, but you get the idea it is there. The letter was written in 396 AC.
** Tess makes a copy of the letter. **

Tess will go and talk to his history professor. Tess will chit-chat a bit then 
ask about Lagos. "Lagos? Baron until his untimely death in 396 AC?"

Tess: "I'm curious what the research was."

He chuckles. "Sure you want to be getting involved in that kind of thing Rael? 
To be honest, I don't know. From what I recall, his keep was dragged away into 
the nine hells by demons." Regards time travel, "Well, according to rumour, 
some mages knew the secret of time travel by spell rather than by device. 
Since there is no sign of their notes, let alone spells, that seems to be a 
rumour though. Those were interesting times. The flaems had just arrived from
another plane, everything on Mystara was new to them. The Flaems had just 
arrived from their homeworld a year before, and had spent the time getting 
settled. Shortly after this, in AC 400, they discovered their archenemies the 
Alphatians had settled here as well. It was a turbulent time. The other 
settlers from other places and  planes hadn't arrived yet, such as the de 
Ambrevilles, house Crownguard, and the like." The history professor believes 
that Lagos probably brought he chronosphere with him, unless he found it here,
which is possible.
**assuming the chronosphere always takes one back to the same period of time,
it must be back to before 396AC, unless the amount backwards clocks forwards
with time passing**

"D'Ambrevilles and their vassels, such as house Sylaire, came from a place 
they called Old Averoigne. What plane that is, they aren't telling. Not that 
house Sylaire see themselves these days as their vassels. That was well after 
this though, in 728 AC. House Crownguard came through later, from the same 
place, in 743 AC.

Tess: "Has anyone tried returning to the place where the Homeworld was?"

"Not to my knowledge. The Flaems were fleeing it's complete destruction, so I 
don't think there would be any point in returning."

**Thoughts: Lagos doing weird research. Had a decent sized library from the 
original Alphatian/Flaem homeworld. Library was destroyed along with Baron 
Lagos' Keep. Lagos probably pissed off someone major and got taken down for 
it.**

Tess shows the professor the letter. " Unfortunately it's not clear. Perhaps 
he was destroyed because of the chronosphere? Those ancient mages knew many 
secrets that have since been lost in time though.

Tess: "Though the wizards discussing Lagos seem to think that the 
chronosphere is an incidental point."

Professor: "Yes, yes, I agree."

Tess: "Is anyone actively researching that material now? 

"These days any of that type of knowledge is tied up in politics. The princes 
dole out their secrets to their followers. Unless you have enough to enter 
the game yourself...which it looks like you do, or will do."

Tess: "You haven't heard anything of time travel research? I figure if 
mortals were able to do it, people would still be interested. Forwards is 
possible of course, but backwards is the interesting bit."

Professor: "I've heard of people that are intrested, but it appears 
impossible. There are no records of anyone actually succeeding even in a 
small fashion. Believe me, I looked. Back in my wilder days." (He looks like 
he is imagining wild book orgies, people chugging whole book lots at a time, 
etc.)

Tess: "Ever heard of circular gates that could be keyed for different places 
to travel? Are there any in Mystara? when were they created and by who?"

Professor: "Oh yes. Not that I know of any. They do exist though." The 
professor holds up his hands, "Sorry, I don't know." Tessrael thanks the 
professor and goes back to the library to research further.

Further research in the library: 

Tess finds a few mentions of time travel. Some person was reputaed to have
the ability to time travel in 710AC (until they dissapeared). Some other 
person spent their entire life on it in 910AC - to no avail. You do find a 
mention that the chronosphere was discovered here, but no details at all 
about where or when. Lagos was called a firemaster, a member of the 
Brotherhood of Fire. This could be one of the secret groups of mages in
Glantri that practice strange magics.

Tess teleports to the coastal fortified city of Alpha in Norwold. The southern
cities are under Heldannic control.
**1027/02/13**

Looking for Information on the Chronosphere in Norwold
======================================================
Tess finds the location of the estate of Baron Skyborn. He also has a manor in 
the city. Tess goes to the manor to make an an appointment with the Baron.
The Baron is at the manor, so Tess is in luck. Tess puts on a good appearance, 
dressing well, and gets an appointment with the baron for late that day.
Tess meets the baron in his meeting hall, a richly appointed room.

The baron is a human in his fourties, which the look of someone who has seen 
quite a bit of sun in the past (unusual for a baron). The room is lined with 
shelves of books and scrolls. (Tess will have given the name Tessarael,
given that the Seekers sailed with the Norwold fleet (uneventfully after some 
time unravelling) previously.)

Baron Skyborn: "What can I do for you master Tesserael? You have not been seen 
in these parts in quite some time, if my memory is correct."

Tess: "Baron Skyborn, a friend recommended you as a most knowledgeable scholar 
in rare items and the like," to which the Baron nods. Tess asks, "Two things 
that I am quite interested in are the Staff of Life, and Chronosphere of 
Lagos. I also have some information that might interest you about circular 
portals between places."

Baron: "I would also be interested in hearing what you have done since you 
were last in this fair city. Deal?" Tess agrees. "The Staff of Life is a 
powerful item. While common lore ascribes artifact powers to it, the staff is 
not an artifact per se. It is very powerful though, and can apparently raise 
the dead without a quest. Similar in power to a resurrection. I believe it is 
more like a rod than a staff in it's properties."

Tess: "And the effect of using it on an undead creature?"

Baron: "I believe it will have no effect, unless the undead is willing."

Tess: "And if willing, it will return them to life."

Baron: "If it has other powers, they pale in comparision to it's primary 
power, and I do not know of them. Yes."

While Tess thinks on this, the door slams open and someone springs inside.
The Baron reaches for something under the desk. It's a strange sight. A lady 
in breastplate, with a large hat with a feather, a shield and a sword. All of 
them are bright pink. Tess will be ready to teleport out, hand holding the rod 
at the base of his backpack. If they look to be about to attack, then Tess 
will spring forth his sunblade and shield and help defend the Baron.  
(Incidentally, the barons move towards whatever it was under the desk would do 
a professional paranoid adventurer proud, he did it very quickly.)

Unice: "You won't believe..." she stops.

Baron: "Unice, I have a guest."

Unice: "Sorry, you don't normally have company in the evenings. I'll just go 
embarass myself somewhere else shall I?"

Baron: "Probably for the best."

Tess introduces himself, "Good evening, I am Tessarael, please don't let me 
interrupt you if you have important news ..." 

Unice: "Yes, well, ummm, nice to meet you meet you Tesserael. I'm Unice. 
Baroness Unice." They shake hands and Tess bows in respect.

Unice: "Well, I'l be going. I'll call in tomorrow."

Baron: "See you tomorrow Unice." She leaves.

Baron: "Sorry about that, just an old friend dropping in. Where were we?
Now, the chronosphere... I don't know much about that, but what I do 
know..." the Baron goes on to confirm a few things Tess has already discovered 
for himself. Baroness Unice and Baron Skyborn are probably barons of different
counties.

During this time a servant comes in with supper, a small amount of roast duck.
Tess will thank the Baron for his hospitality and compliment the excellent 
food . Baron: "You are most welcome. Please do let me know if you find either 
of these. A colleague of mine would be most interested in examining them. 
He has an interest in time travel, even developed an item which uses forward 
time travel."

Tess nods his head, "Certainly, I would be interested to hear what they have 
to say. Oh, most interesting. What is his name?" 

Baron: "Knolimer. Be careful, he is most eager to talk at length on his latest 
invention."

In exchange, Tess relates some info about the Sind-Hulean war, a bit of info 
about the Cage, and some info about the Alphatian Home System event such as it 
was - or wasn't as the case may be. The Baron is most interested in the 
information, and makes notes especially about the Alphatian Home System.

Tess will at some stage comment on Baroness Unice's very pink attire ... "quite
unusual ... though if one is to mix weaponry and fashion ... why not?" 

Baron Skyborn chuckles, "Yes, it is her trademark. Everyone notices it. I'll 
let Unice tell her tale of her colour choice herself. And don't hesitate to 
call back in again Tesserael, I'd be intrested in hearing of the tales of the 
Seekers. I'm happy to relate information about any future adventures or 
artifacts you may wish to find. Although I am not always available. My estates 
require frequent tending, and adventures always beckon."

Tess: "Thank you for the excellent dinner and for your help."
**1027/02/15**