N.B. The GM should read the first part of On Genin's Trail before trying to run this scenario, even if they do not intend to run through the first part. A number of characters who appear in this adventure are first introduced there. Also, the journey to Noron is outlined in the next part.
Once either the Tashal or the Thay temples of Hyn-Aelori obtain the first volume (and, sooner or later, they would - even if the players had not found it) they will be interested in locating the remaining volumes. Whoever was capable of finding the first volume will naturally be their initial candidate for the continuation of the search.
On the other hand, if the players weren't involved with the search for the first volume, they may still be contacted by the Save-K'norans to help out at this time.
Keldis of Orien, a lexigrapher, will remember seeing the first book of the journals but will refuse to tell how he came to see it unless he is threatened. However, straight after talking with anyone asking about the book, he will close up shop and go to visit Myrele to tell her about the inquiries.
Another possible source of leads is, of course, Raelas' own journal which mentions Myrele of Obelon, the owner of the Floating World of Three Heavens.
Finally, of course, players who know Raelas' character may go to investigate the house of courtesans simply for that reason.
If Pelor of Aswain is approached he will deny any knowledge of the book and will tell the players not to use up any of his valuable time. He does not wish to have it known that he accepted the book as a bribe from the Haleans. If pressed too much he will send Taumbon and Kathar to rough up or kill the characters. The two mercenaries, however, have no intentions of getting into a dangerous fight and will, instead, try to persuade the players to leave town or at least lie low for everyone's good. As a possible side-adventure the players may decide to reveal Pelor's corrupt ways. Doing so, however, will win them few friends and many enemies. Also, it will be nigh on impossible to link Pelor with the Haleans as neither party will reveal that the book was given to Pelor.
One way or another, Pelor is going to be a dead-end in the search for the second book. He will not reveal where he got it from and no-one else will be able to say either. Unlike Pelor, however, Myrele of Obelon is going to be willing to talk. If it is Keldis who informed her that people are looking for the book she will ask him to send them to her. Since she no longer has the book and had obtained it legally she has nothing to lose by selling information. For a small sum she will tell the players that she got the book from Anis the Elventongued but that there is no use looking for him as he must have left town by now. If asked whom she gave the book she will simply say that she gave it to some friends of hers. Myrele knows little about Anis other than that he is a troubadour and that she hasn't seen him for about a month. If the players have been polite she will suggest that the thespians at the Amphitheater may be able to help.
The Company of Esaldin are currently practicing for `Genin and the Demon', an over-dramatised version of the myth of Chanakur's Rest (see HârnPlayer legend section). When asked about Anis they will tell the players that he had been staying with the company and entertaining some of the town rich. However, it appears that he got into trouble with the daughter of Daen of Seredia, the bonded ostler to Caer Elend. As far as the thespians know, Anis is probably still shut up in one of the cells under the castle. If they are further questioned about Anis they may reveal that he had been bragging that he had recently entertained both Miginath and Noron (on different occasions, of course).
Anis is, indeed, currently being kept at his majesty's pleasure. Since Peney of Seredia had been quite willingly involved with Anis the imprisonment is legally somewhat suspect. However, Daen is a friend of many at the castle and wishes to make sure that Peney is not pregnant before he has Anis run out of town. This means that legal niceties are overlooked in Anis' case. Much of this can be discovered from any citadel or town guard as rumours are rife.
Any attempt to break Anis out is almost bound to be unsuccessful. However, in a few days Anis will be out anyway. If the Tashal temple of Save K'nor is informed of his role Anis' release will be even faster.
On being released Anis will be escorted to Heru gate and told not to show his face in town again. However, Anis has actually fallen for Peney and will be unwilling to leave without her.
If he is approached by the players Anis will promise to tell them where he got the book from in exchange for helping him and Peney leave Tashal together. Since Peney is free to go where she will within the town this will not be hard. The main problem for the players will be not to get associated with Anis or returning to Tashal in the near future may prove more difficult.
Once they are a few miles out of town Anis will be happy to tell the players that he was given the book by Noron. At this point nothing remains for the players but to go to Noron and get the book... Well, maybe it won't be quite that simple.
If approached by the players she will first ask them to explain who they are and what they want. She will listen to them quietly, asking a few questions if they don't offer all the information she wants. Once she knows what their story is she will be happy to be quite straight-forward with them and will tell them what she knows, with the one exception being that she will not say whom she gave the book to.
When asked about Nelarin's journals he will get noticeably more nervous and will vehemently deny ever seeing the book. If pushed he will try to change the topic but will not say anything. The moment he is left alone he will shut-up shop and rush to the Floating World.
When met he acts like a kind, generous uncle. He says that, unfortunately, he knows nothing about any books but he is sure to ask some of his friends and will, hopefully, be soon able to say something more. If told that he is known to have had the book he is unfased. He suggests that the players have been misled by some unscrupulous people and suggests they tell him who misinformed them so that he may get the town guard to keep an eye out for them.
Behind the scenes Pelor will use either Taumbon and Kathar or his contacts with the Lia-Kavair to investigate the players and, if necessary, to remove them from the scene. If the players seem either powerful or very competent, Pelor will make his own investigations and within a few days offer the players the information that the book came originally from Noron. If he does this he will make it clear that he now considers the players as owing him a favour.
Meeting Peney has somewhat changed him, however, giving him direction. He hopes to now leave with her and to set up a company of thespians in Melderyn. Hopefully, the desire for Peney and their plans is not ephemeral like most of his previous efforts.
Although she realises all of Anis' limitations she has fallen in love with him and has decided to leave Tashal with him. She, quite possibly correctly, believes that she has enough will-power for the two of them to make their life together work.
When he found out about Anis he quickly decided Anis was unsuitable. Worried that Peney may have a child he arranged for Anis to be placed in the cells under the castle until it was clear if she was pregnant. He will be relieved to find out that she is not and will think the matter ends with Anis being thrown out of Tashal.
Around men Daen is a friendly, warm man while around women he is chivalrous but somewhat distant and vaguely condescending.