Chapter 7: To Gravenhollow

The giant listens intently to Hunter's words and pauses for a moment before nodding and answering in a deep, resonant voice, "I am," he says slowly, "And I am aware of how big this problem could become if it is not taken care of as soon as possible. Tell me, child... if you weren't to receive any guidance from my kin or I, what would you do and how would you seek out the source of these troubles in order to solve the problem at hand?"

The giant nods, "A fair enough plan, I think. Fortunately for you, we will be happy to assist you. We cannot affect events outside of Gravenhollow, but we can give you knowledge to aid in your fight," he says and then reaches behind him to a shelf, plucking a small pouch off of it and handing it over to Hunter, "In here is a Stonespeaker Crystal. Take this into the library and attune yourself to it. It will grant you visions of the past, present, and future that may aid in your battle."

"Of course," he replies, "All of the resources of the library are open to you and your companions. We recognize the grave threat that you face and will do all that we can to help you."

As you think about finding a place to do your research, you come to a large stone archway with an inscription on it: "The past is a crystal, for it can be seen from many facets yet it always remains the same."

The room is large and filled with thousands of books as well as a number of different colored crystals which float at different locations throughout the room. As Hunter enters with the stone, the crystals seem to glow brighter and she can feel her stone pulsing with energy.

Hunter struggles to get her mind in the right place to attune herself to the gem.

Mai'ngor looks closely at the gems and it appears that there's something deeper within the light that moves, though he can't see much. As he looks in, he almost thinks he sees a humanoid form within one, but then the feeling passes.

As Melpomene attunes herself to the crystal, she is plunged into darkness. When she emerges, the world is hazy and tinted gray. She feels as though she is looking to the past and she watches the events unfold before her.

An imperious drow archwizard in spider-silk robes casts a mighty conjuration spell. As the ritual draws toward its conclusion, a web of Faerzress energy expands outward. The wizard seems alarmed by this, his efforts to complete the spell growing more crazed as he realizes he's lost control.

And then, madness! Rifts open in the web of energy around him. These cracks stretch and widen, and through them come horrific fiends that scream, shriek, and howl as they are wrenched from the Abyss and cast into the Underdark. A woman's deep. dark laugh echoes in your mind as the drow wizard shrinks away from the demonic hordes he has unwittingly unleashed.

As Melpomene looks around, she can see the inside of what appears to be a study. Books line the walls in neat shelves, strange liquids bubble and steam inside of a number of glass vials on a nearby table, papers, quills, and books are stacked atop the desk nearby.

Before Melpomene can do anything about the vision, she is catapulted out of it and back into her own senses in the library of Gravenhollow, feeling drained and weak after her experience.