Also, a note on the volcano; I've been there, myself. While we weren't looking for a gem of elemental power, I understand that the Planeswalkers who settled in Immersea were using magic to extract something similar, but were prevented.

I am only nominally possessed of arcane knowledge, but perhaps Adrian might be able to suss out the details. I believe those Planeswalkers are still trapped on this plane and they are based out of the port.

//Jasda//

Count Immerdusk,

May I propose that if we are able to acquire the gem, or other gems, we offer Lord Mossmere the opportunity to study it with us?

House Mossmere has, I understand, been wanting more opportunities to advance themselves against the Precept Arcanum, enough to be willing to grant property and noble title to Dyernini's band of mercenaries, who promised to create an arcane institution. Though that didn't pan out, it shows where their thoughts are going.

If we were to ally with them, we might be able to raise each other up in council and create a solid, workable alternative to the present state of arcane affairs.

//Jasda al Tyr//

That's an option that would, again, require the law to be changed by that selfsame Council of Peers.

To be plain, Adrian; at some point, the Council's fear of the Precept Arcanum must be addressed, and to do that, we must weigh something on our side of the scale that will be heavier than that fear. Our political position at the moment might be better than theirs, but I suspect the reason the Precept Arcanum is maintaining its position is twofold.

First, this country has no countermeasure against the War Wizards of Cormyr. They are not as terrifying as the Cowled Wizards of Amn, but they are rather far-famed, and Arabel's war of secession was, I understand, only narrowly won. It's not my own preference to put a body so untrustworthy in control of the country's magical defense, but they are all the country has at present.

Second - they are untrustworthy, and I suspect the council fears that removing their powers and disbanding them all at once might lead to open conflict in the capital and there are other nobles that would take immediate advantage. All a certain Duke needs at the moment is an excuse to march south, and I heavily suspect he would use the churches of Cyric and Talona, both powerful in their own right, to assist the Precept Arcanum - whom he has allied with - in 'restoring good order.' That is also probably the reason that the Arcanum has chosen not to interfere with the rats in the sewers; they're hoping the situation goes so out of control that their allies in the Talonite church and in Tilverton will support a change of regime.

I agree with you. The Precept Arcanum are incompetent at best, and frankly treasonous at worst, but we must dismantle them in some other way. I do not envy the Queen. I think she speaks and acts wisely in judgment and in council, yet there are limited options. We can't just write them away with a law we don't yet have the political or martial power to enforce, so we must work with them, at least, until we can raise or find more powerful support for their removal.

Forcing the Precept Arcanum to take on more codified responsibility that we know they aren't capable of achieving or intending to perform just makes us look better, and them look worse. I doubt we can disband the Arcanum, but I would like to suborn them and force them back to their duty. I think we've enough clout for that.

//Jasda al Tyr//

There is also a gnome by name of Ortyxrhyfhit Sebastian Izreckteffini III who seems to want to do contract work for the Crown.

I recommended he contact you as I am still overcoming an illness, and you seem to be able to spend more time than I in active duty.

//Jasda al Tyr//

I agree with the necessity of keeping tabs on innate casters, but that is not within our chartered legal power. That has been specifically given to the Precept Arcanum, and although I do not agree with that law, it is nevertheless the law until the Council of Peers chooses to change it.

It is aggravating how slow they act - I have had two law proposals on the bench for an entire season - but if we wish to strip the Precept Arcanum of its power, we must pursue it there. I expect that proving we can keep track of the wizards of our city better than they could keep track of the sorcerers may prove useful in that regard.

It also occurs to me that none of the leadership of the Precept Arcanum hold noble titles. Yet, authority aside, at the moment I doubt we have the force to press your ordinance on the Precept Arcanum on its own ground, and doing so would likely destroy a good portion of the city's noble district. It's a promise we cannot presently keep, and if we are to make the law, let's make the law something we can actually accomplish.

I will log the registrations of the arcanists who respond within this file.

//Jasda al Tyr//

I would put more faith in poison that you acquire yourself than poison granted from the church of Talona or its immediate followers. They have been utilizing the rats to their advantage for months, now, to ingratiate themselves to the city as protectors, and though I have no solid evidence of direct wrongdoing, I feel there is enough to suggest they have at least acted opportunistically.

Although I did not find sufficient evidence to link Elsa to the were-rats directly she has capitulated to them more than once and may give your game away to them if pressed by them to do so.

-Jasda al Tyr

[It seems a report was submitted, then later withdrawn, the original probably tossed in favor of some other one to come, later.]

The were-rats have declared that they now have a 'Kingdom', and while this law is under discussion, I feel like this elevates assisting them to a potential treason charge precedent.

//Jasda yr Mirai//

He has been executed and his body was consecrated and burned outside the city.

//Jasda yr Mirai//

Count Immerdusk,

I believe it would be wisest to execute this gnome privately with the guillotine we have in the Crown jail.

My reasoning is fairly simple; he expects the rats to save him. Furthermore, he is diseased, and the longer he stays in the Crown the more contagious he might prove. It doesn't escape me that while this seems like a legitimate capture, he's currently sitting in our cells spitting on as many people as he can. I would like to examine his corpse afterwards for the cause and progression of the disease. I am more versed in spellcraft than medicine but I might be able to determine something of it with a cantrip.

Depending on how that goes, I will recommend the corpse either be kept in a certain way for further study and for a consultation with some other priest or cleric, or that it be burned to prevent contagion. I won't really know until I've had a safe look at him.

//Jasda yr Mirai//