Today's Earth date: November 20, 1991

Going back to Cuan under these circumstances is embarrassing, but we don't have a choice. Horcus's curse disabled his magic completely. According to the scholars, the cure to the curse is a potion made from basilisk venom.

I played two campaigns on Earth where basilisks wiped the whole party, but there is good news: venom is available for purchase. Horcus is pissed about it, but we're making him pay for the venom from his personal savings, not the party's.

The worst part of this: Wilmond asked if the curse was an STD and now I can't get the image of Horcus and the witch out of my head.

(sorry, mom)

-The Journal of Laszlo the Paladin

Wayne and Fergus met Governor Dunton and Cuan University's Director of Research, a woman named Larla.

Larla's office had an oceanview and enough space for two couches and a desk. Despite the couches, she chose to be behind her desk for this meeting. The other three guests were in chairs opposite her.

On Earth, Wayne would have interpreted that as a power move, especially if this was a sales meeting.

As the four settled to begin, Governor Dunton said, "This can't be good news if you turned back from your trip."

Larla said, "I had a similar thought. If a veteran scholar calls a meeting to break the confidentiality of their research… Usually pretty serious."

"And you'll soon understand why I asked that we limit that exposure to the people in this room," Fergus said.

Dunton and Larla indicated they were ready to listen.

"The headline," Wayne began, "is that we have reason to believe monsters have learned how to access the Diary of the Gods as well as how to use first dwarf technology."

Dunton and Larla looked to one another, concerned but also perplexed.

"When we revisited the Asplugha ruins, we found a ratman fleshmancer living in tunnels beneath them. Miss Larla, you may be familiar with the specimens we have donated to the library already."

She said she was. Dunton, however, was not, so Wayne caught him up on the mutated ratman the Zeroes had observed in recent battles.

"As you know, my access was broken when I arrived in this world. We've since learned that I can unlock abilities via an Earth catalog." Wayne set Page of Power 26 on Larla's desk for all to see. "If I circle one of these products, my system adapts an ability based on that product. The results are unpredictable and unusual. Sometimes they're amazing, and sometimes they are mostly useless. We're traveling the Heroes' path because we are trying to learn more about how it works."

"And a ratman used this page in the same way?" Larla asked.

"We believe so but can't confirm it. We know for certain it had the page, seemed to understand it had value, and was using dwarven tools." Wayne didn't mention his glitched vision.

Fergus picked up the thread of conversation, providing a brief explanation of the Forgemaster Hammer and what they knew dwarf materials were capable of–how they believed the ratman used it for producing abominations. He stopped short of discussing the cubes and the pedestals.

"May we see the hammer?" Larla asked.

"No." Fergus said.

"Excuse me?" Governor Dunton said, more shocked than angered.

Fergus seemed unbothered. "The scholar's oath has a line that says, 'Should I create knowledge that can become a sword, I swear to also create the sheath.'"

"I know the oath, Fergus," Larla said. "This feels like a reasonable exception."

"I disagree. I believe this is the exact scenario that pledge is meant to address."

"Help me understand the dilemma, please." Dunton still expressed patience, but Wayne noticed his body growing more tense.

Fergus asked Larla if he could be the one to explain.

She approved.

"We swear to be stewards of knowledge. Not only is a scholar's life devoted to creating knowledge, but a scholar also bears the responsibility of caring for that knowledge. This is why we publish findings and invite peer review. If knowledge is not properly cared for, its true potential cannot be realized."

"Okay…"

"If we invent something harmful, say, a new explosive compound of some kind, our duty is not just to share the discovery but to also deliver a process for using it safely. Otherwise, you're handing a child a knife before they know to respect its edge."

"What sharp points worry you now, scholar?" Dunton asked.

"We have reason to believe the Temples were created by the first dwarves, not humans as our history tells us. If that's true, any knowledge we release about how the technology functions has the potential to put those Temples in danger. This technology, at a minimum, powers the barriers that protect each Temple, and it likely plays a role in the crystal's stability as well as the portal that crystal creates."

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"You're saying a gloryhound could access the temple?"

Fergus nodded.

"The ratman we fought found a way to make the barrier portable," Wayne said. "So I would also be concerned about the barriers being used for ill. If someone controlled a barrier the size of the Water Temple's, they could lock half of Cuan behind an impenetrable wall, almost as easily as flipping a coin."

Governor Dunton turned his attention to Larla. "Fergus and Wayne have demonstrated good judgment to me personally and professionally. I find myself agreeing with them."

"It's not often Governor Dunton follows someone else's lead," Larla observed.

"We are humbled, sir," Fergus said, bowing his head slightly. "I should add that we'd be happy to provide tactical considerations for our kingdom's guards and soldiers. We have no issues sharing that should someone encounter a rat with a barrier, centered on a cube near its feet, they should retreat. The barrier is unbeatable with their weapons, making it more worthwhile to draw the sorcerer out or to strike when its guard is down."

"Please draft the explanations for all of those considerations," Larla said. "I'll send word to the other libraries."

"I shall inform our soldiers as well as our friends in neighboring cities," Dunton added.

"Will you need a lab and quarters for your research?" Larla asked.

"We're leaving for Iomallach as soon as we can," Wayne answered. "We have leads on two more Pages of Power there as well as more ruins. And we'd be around to help with the rats if they become a problem."

"If you can spare a few days, I'd like to offer a gift before you depart," Dunton said. "I'm afraid it's not readily accessible or I would get it to you sooner."

Dunton asked if the Zeroes were still staying on the Amethyst estate. When they confirmed that they were, Dunton said to expect word when he was ready to send them off.

On their way down to the street after that meeting, Fergus apologized to Wayne. "I'm not sure our bucket list adventurers will balance out all this responsibility after all. I'm also terrified to give Margo another offer like that."

"This is different. Before, I was staying busy just to be busy. With something like this, though, we can help people."

Hector was sitting outside the guest house when Wayne and Fergus pulled up on the back of Outlawson. Wayne immediately asked him what was wrong.

"Not an emergency," Hector answered. "Wanted to give you the warning that your friend Blackwell is here to see you."

"Lord Blackwell?" Fergus asked.

Hector shrugged.

"Thank you, Hector," Wayne said as he dismissed Outlawson. "What do you think he wants?"

"I'd assume to pay us and talk about the tomb." Fergus said. "Seems a bit much to travel here for that."

"Or he's excited and didn't mind the trip?"

"Plausible."

They found Lord Blackwell lounging with Armond and Margo. He had a glass of wine in his hand and was dressed as though he was going to a ball: fine silks, glistening jewelry, and a hat with a long peacock feather. His two bodyguards, dour men minding the doors, were similarly attired, their every button gleaming.

"Ah!" Lord Blackwell said when he spotted Wayne and Fergus. "Your comrades were just regaling me with their adventures."

Armond shook his head vigorously behind Blackwell while his back was turned.

"And to think, my research uncovered the truth of the famous cultist kidnapping," Blackwell mused.

Fergus caught Wayne's eye when the nobleman described the research as "his."

"We are excited to explore the other leads," Wayne said. "We'll be in the Iomallach region in a few days."

"While I am equally enthused about chasing those leads, I'm afraid I'm here to ask if you might delay, as a favor to me."

"May I ask why?"

For the first time in all of their interactions with Blackwell, the noble looked uncomfortable and a touch embarrassed.

"My dear cousin has a problem your valiant party can fix. Let me precede the problem by saying that while I do ask this of you as a favor to me, my cousin will pay your fee for the service. That fee would account for an increased level of discretion as well. He would like this matter to remain private."

"Hard to turn down a preamble like that," Fergus said. "What is the matter that needs fixing?"

"Two basilisks in heat have taken over his castle."

Fergus sat down, enraptured. "Please. Go on."

Blackwell's cousin owned a castle east of Cuan. The estate was sizable, and it was not unusual for nobles living beyond the watch of the guard to look after their own security, which helped to contain the problem–thus far. The basilisks were locked in said castle, but fortunately, this was a backup summer home. The contents weren't as valuable and no revered guests were present to witness the debacle. There was house staff on site, however. Blackwell said that "several" of them got out safely.

In short, his cousin wanted to corner the basilisk market by breeding two prized specimens and selling their eggs for a premium. He underestimated the power of horny basilisks, however, and they escaped their tanks.

All of the castle exits were barred shut to contain the danger. Blackwell wanted the Zeroes to enter that castle and eliminate the basilisks.

"I don't know," Wayne said. "Basilisks seem like too big a risk for a payday."

Fergus gestured for Wayne to shut up and let him talk. "Do the Blackwells have a home in Iomallach?"

"We do."

"Is it in use?"

Blackwell smiled. "It is. By a group of adventurers led by two exceptional scholars."

Fergus extended his hand. Blackwell shook.

Minutes later, the Zeroes had the Amethyst guest house to themselves again.

"I don't want to fight basilisks," Wayne said.

"Is their death gaze the issue?"

"Excellent guess."

"With the proper eyewear, their venom and immense strength are their only threats. Besides, imagine what that house in Iomallach will be like. Could be better than what we have here, if I know the Blackwells."

Wayne sighed.

"I'm glad you agree. I'll procure the eye protection in the morning, and we can be on our way."

"This might be the most motivated I've ever seen you," Wayne said.

Fergus clucked his tongue. "We are about to cement an indefinite stay in one of the nicest homes on the continent for a day's work. Hells, it costs more for Lord Blackwell himself to stay there. We don't have to pay the staff!"

"You already told him we would do it, so we're going. Everyone should get some rest."

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