The Severed Hand
Once sending is cast through the stones, they can't be used again until the next dawn. If one of the stones in a pair is destroyed, the other one becomes nonmagical.
You can send the message across any distance and even to other planes of existence, but if the target is on a different plane than you, there is a 5 percent chance that the message doesn't arrive.
The elf wipes a like of ash from the hull. "And what of you, Zenithral? Your father died days ago. Or a month ago. Or perhaps even centuries ago..." His green eyes check Zenithral's face for some sign of how he is holding up. "Does that come as a relief, or a burden?"
Revered Brother, I am ready to hear your proposal.
"Silvanus, god of nature, I call upon you to help us in our hour of need. We need information in order to protect our families and friends and many other innocents. We commune with you in order to receive answers-- we know you will answer with truth.
"We first ask about an army recently seen by our dragon friend Aeri. We ask: is that army marching to Byrn Shander?"
Ras sits patiently with his eyes closed, waiting for an answer.
The Oak Father's answer comes in the form of a small branch that sprouts from the wood of the deck just in front of Ras. The plant twists as it grows, until when it is done it forms a druidic symbol - an ancient language known only to servants of nature. Ras recognizes the rune clearly.
It is a single word.
NO
"Thank you, great Silvanus. This knowledge will save countless lives. We have another question in regards to the same army: is the army stronger than Targos' militia and defenses?"
YES
"Relief," he replies to Ereveain quickly. "Erestor was never truely Father to me. Now knowing even a fraction of the things he has done---and the things he planned to do---I hold no regret."
...
Zenithral tenses as he waits to hear the answer to the first question. He tries to be blank-faced, but releases a pent-up breath when he hears Bryn Shander isn't the army's current target. He tenses again when he learns that the army's strength exceeds Targos'.
Unite the orcs under your banner. When you have 1,000 soldiers, lead them to Kelvin's Cairn. You and I will show them a better way.
Perhaps that can be used against him, but she isn't the tactician. Alalla drops the stone back into her pocket and trudges back to the ship, arriving in time to witness Ras' scrying.
Ug takes a tired seat next to the aeri, "If dragon friend has lived so long, how has friend overcome losing friends? Ug has not lived so long and already it seems too hard." Ug can’t help but glance at the quiet Ras as he speaks.
"A final question, great Silvanus: If Poquelin is defeated, will the threat to the Vale be over?"
This question in particular has Ras most impatient for an answer and it requires extra mental strength for him not yo squirm as he awaits an answer.
Ug isn't sure if the dragon is talking about herself, or Ras, or just in general.
When the last petal has fallen, completing the response, Ras is left with one perturbing word spelled out beneath the dead plant.
UNCLEAR
He resettles and pulls a bag of herbs from his bag. Sprinkling then over the incense, he begins a new supplication to Silvanus, gem still in hand.
"Great Silvanus, speaker of truth, we come asking for knowledge of the future. We ask about the adopted mother of our party member Ug. She is a loving gnome of great strength and her name is Nancy. We believe her to be in danger and we ask: will she survive for the foreseeable future?"
Ras tries not to focus on Ug as he asks, instead focusing his concentration on the ritual.