Lonett looked expectantly at the halfling, awaiting a response, but it was Lady Ada who spoke first. She had some wise words to impart with regard to the mysterious deck of cards that for some reason drew the attentions of a few of the heroes present. Herself included. In her defense, she wasn't one who interested herself with magic items unless she knew exactly how they could help her in her fight against evil. Anything ambiguous, as powerful as it might be, was a double-edged sword she could ill afford to use in a battle she fought on her own. When in group she supposed, with others to watch your back, an item like that could become an asset even with it's uncertain nature.

	She returned her attention to the halfling who brushed off Lonett's introduction impatiently, failing to return the gesture, and started answering her question when the two of them were joined by the bard. The man came to them with a similar question about the deck as the ranger herself had posed.

	Before the halfling could respond to him Lady Ada approached the bard, who'd introduced himself as James Greerson. She explained that the deck had been in her house's possession for some generations now and that she could sense the magical essence of the cards. She even offered the young man to draw a card so that he could attest to that himself. It was about this time that Lonett felt the nimble halfling skirt around her legs to get a better view, as it appeared, of what was to follow. She herself observed with morbid curiosity. Something about this deck of cards wasn't right to her. She just couldn't put her finger on what it was. But it would appear they were about to find out just what the deck could do.

	As James drew a card there was a moment of stillness and then all his magical gear vanished into nothingness and the man was left standing in his birthday suit a frown marring his features. Lonett averted her gaze tactfully as he hastened to grab his spare set of clothing and began putting himself and his scattered gear in order.

	Prior to the misfortunate draw, a suggestion was made by the wood elf to go to the library. Lonett's attention was now drawn to the elf woman once more. She looked to be young in appearance, but the ranger felt something from her that belied her youthful appearance. Was it the way she carried herself? Or the way she spoke? Plus with elves one could never be too sure of their actual age. Her thoughts were interrupted by a nervous servant who was standing a few feet from her looking cautiously at Divna.

	Lonett smirked. "It would appear it's time, ol' gal." She rubbed the owlbear's neck for comfort. "You promised." She whispered and got a beak nip on her ear as response. "Oy!" The ranger rubbed her ear, congratulating herself for the foresight to put her Earstone on her left ear. She then looked at the servant and beckoned him to come closer. "She's behaved. I assure you. But just to be on the safe side. Put some distance between her and any horses." The nervous man looked almost horrified at the rains in Lonett's hand. She decided to spare him and tied the rains on the saddle. "It's alright. She'll follow you. Just lead her to the stables." The man gulped, nodded and wobbled away, followed by the large owlbear.

	As Lonett turned to look what the others were doing she realized they were now all following Lady Ada. The Aasimar hurried to catch up with them and the party was soon led to the library. They were greeted by an elderly librarian who was immediately recognized by Kethan, the Master. As the two of them exchanged pleasantries and caught up on scholarly news, the group settled to do research on the impending threats either in groups, or by their lonesome.

	Lonett approached the old librarian and asked him if he could direct her towards any books that pertained to Orcus and any related topics. The man led her to a section of the library that contained the books she'd inquired about.

	"Thank you, Master Lawrence. If I can impose on you to inform the group of my line of research and to direct anyone who wants to join me to this spot." Lonett started taking books from shelves and hauling them over to the nearby table. The librarian nodded his assent and the monster slayer sat down and began her research.

	After two hours of sifting through tomes of lore and religious texts Lonett had acquired a good amount of information on Orcus. She was taking neat notes on some parchment Lawrence had provided her with. As it turned out Orcus was the demon lord of the undead and necromancy. There was a reference of two Orcus cults worthy of note. One in the Gardens of Carnessa and the other in the backwater areas of the Western Wilderness. That drew Lonett's attention as it was in the general area where Valkur's messenger had said the Ghoul Emperor amassed his armies. She also discovered an interesting connection between Orcus and the Paladins of Conquest. Since she was unfamiliar with the subject she scoured the books on information on The Oath of Conquest and diligently scribbled down what she found.

	At first it didn't make sense to her for any lawful Paladins to want to follow a chaotic creature as Orcus. But taking into account their constant search for glory and the desire to subjugate their enemies, she could see how they could be drawn to the demon of the undead, who sought to exert his might over this plane.

	Lonett rubbed her eyes to chase the tiredness away and promptly resumed her work. She needed to look more closely into this Orcus cult said to be located in the Western Wilderness. And if her eyes did not betray her, she wanted to put in some hours of research on the subject of white dragons and giants, of which she knew next to nothing.

[hider=Mechanics]Orcus investigation library = (11)+8 = 19
investigation Paladins = (5)+8 = 13[/hider]