A song of Ice and Dice

Info gathering Not content for the blue wizards to get their act together and find Margareta, we put our own resources to work. We contact Piet and ask that he uses his military and marine contacts in Norden. I use my network in around Salzenmund in the higher circles, as well as the street gangs. Johan spreads word through his shady (but highly useful) crew. Then we settle in to wait. The band uses the time in various ways.  I spend some time in the hidden library (after getting an introductory letter from Johanna), reading up on necromancy. It's sometimes tedious, sometimes bone-chilling, sometimes boring work - but it's necessary. I've found that knowledge more than martial prowess will be what lets us prevail over the dark forces. Strong arms and steel are plentiful - lore is not.    I also manage to finally procure an elf bow - on my own! I can't help but gloat a little to Johan, who takes it better than he should. Combat isn't my forte, but with this bow and s

The Inquisitor's aide tells me that Ostana has found something that fits my "skills" and "temper" better. Ulric knows what the whiny little coward means, I'm sure he's rude, but I don't care. I get to actually do some damage to a bunch of cultists. 'Bout damn time. There are people who like guard-duty to mean standing around waiting for someone to take a shot, but I'd rather go around delivering the good news. He hands me a letter and tells me where to go, where to find this Inquisitor Johanna. She's a real hard charger, I¨'m told, and I like that. The aide leads me out, but outside he's a little slow as usual, and I "accidentally" bump him across the railing and into the middens. I don't think he heard me when I mumbled 'talk your way outta that', but heres hoping. I meet Johanna and her crew, and they seem nice enough. A little rough around the edges, but if what I hear is true, that is well earned. Except