Whether it's Kia's execrable rhyme that distracts the Scribe long enough for Gobi to mallet it into the floor, nobody will ever know, but the creature is doomed before the blow hits the ground.
"Well that wasn't much fun. I much prefer enemies that just growl."
Kia goes over to the book and cautiously inspects it to see what she can find out. Then rummages through the desk for any other information that might help the party. Then takes a brief rest to heal up.
The book is volume one of Pirot's own work Speculations on the fall of Bael Turath.
As she knows well, Reason is in possession of volumes 2, 6 and 8. Kia is also aware, from Hroaldr, that Pirot Samagal has devoted considerable energy into tracking down and destroying copies of his own masterwork. There could be few things more carefully calculated to cause the scholar to open the book.
While the book itself is completely normal, it contains a strange rune on the first page. This emanates an aura of extreme power, but Kia cannot identify it any more closely than that.
The desk contains the usual clutter one would expect to find, ranging from irritable notes demanding the return of books to the library to Pirot's own random musings. A sheet of brown wrapping paper, identical to the packaging Narissa's book arrived in, lies torn on the desk. It seems that Pirot must have opened the package and the book as soon as he received it.
Arianwyn
Arianwyn instantly recognises the rune as the one the spirit snake showed him in his last dream before leaving the Maw.
It is serving two functions. The first is to imprison Pirot Samagal. The second is to use Pirot's life essence to feed something else.
This is dark and ancient magic indeed. Deeply evil beings can infuse their life force into a certain rune. When they die, the rune begins to fade, and once fully disappeared the rune writer returns to life. Such runes are made at enormous cost and act as a kind of phylactory.
Piecing together the fragments of information, Arianwyn thinks that this is a plan of Kyleth's to help bring her back from the dead. Knowing the witch's cunning as he does, he can speculate that specific individuals of high talent are being targeted to speed the process of Kyleth's return.
Arianwyn very carefully takes the book from Kia and examines it. In a serious tone, he conveys the information he knows.
"As I surmised, this is the work of Kyleth. She is, as we hoped, dead. But her reach from beyond the grave is long. We must research some way to return Samagal to the real world."
Reason attempts to extinguish any remaining flames before resting.
"I'd rather have Kyleth back then the flotsam we've been fighting in the city. She was at least a worth adversary. If we have to risk our lives fighting, I'd rather the foe be worth it, and not these chatty ghosts."
Whiteclaw muses as she rests.
Reason prowls the room, stamping out the remaining fires started by Vel. Although the papers pulled to the floor by the Inspiration and Scribes are gone beyond recall, he is confident he could restore the study to a semblance of order if needed.
A tentative voice is heard from outside beyond the broken door.
"Ahem ... is anything the matter?"
A nervous looking mage is looking around the splintered framework.
"We heard the noises and saw the warthog. Of course, if it's an experiment, we wouldn't dream of interfering."
Arianwyn spins to look at the newcomer, "There is something amiss. Who is your foremost expert in runelore?" he asks.
"Runelore? Not my field at all. I deal with transformation. A most impressive warthog. Very nicely done. Not often you see that form, and I've often thought it was underused. There's a lot of power in the shoulders, you see. All too often, our students are lured by what I call the "glamour" forms," the mage allows himself a slight chuckle.
"The number of would-be dragons and hydras I've seen. Not convincing at all, as I always tell them. They learn eventually of course ..."
He pauses, as the eladrin's urgent tone finally penetrates his professional absorption in Whiteclaw's performance.
"Magister Weltmann is in charge of the main Arcana department. He would be the person to ask. Errmmm. You are aware, are you not, that ex-Professor Samagal is not welcoming of visitors?"
His voice drops to a whisper. "I do hope he hasn't become temperamental towards you. It has been known. Very tiresome."
"Samagal is currently imprisoned within this book, or to be more precise, this runic device. It is imperative that we speak with this Weltmann immediately." Arianwyn says seriously.
"Really? How fascinating! Oh yes, Magister Weltmann will be most interested. I am myself - although not my field, as I said."
The mage looks cautiously around the hall.
"You're quite sure ex-Professor Samagal is absent? He really is most unwelcoming of visitors."
Assured by the absence of whatever it is Samagal normally does to intruders, the mage offers a hand to Arianwyn.
"Ibrox. Magister Ibrox. I deal with the new student intake every year. My speciality area is transformation, but we all have administrative burdens to bear. May I see the book?"
"Arianwyn. My specialism is... also of a transformative nature." he replies. (He neglects to mention that this is a transformation of alive evil people into dead evil people). He shows the magister the book but does not allow him to hold it.
"Ex-professor...? Why do you keep saying ex-professor? Either one is or one isn't a professor. Or that's what I thought. Or do you mean that he was dead already?"
Ibrox nods politely to Kia. "Ex-Professor Samagal is very much alive - or perhaps not," he adds uneasily glancing at the book.
"There was some unpleasantness a few years ago and the Professor was banned from teaching. His methods were considered extreme and his response to the removal of his teaching post was his immediate renunciation of his Professorial status. As you can see, he did not break all links with the University, and has continued to occupy his rooms. It has caused a certain amount of administrative awkwardness ..." Ibrox smiles nervously.
"There were faults on both sides, no doubt. Now. About this book."
He looks carefully at the strange rune. "Most curious. Distinctive, highly unpleasant and I should say well wrought - within the bounds of my limited knowledge of course ..."
Glancing at Arianwyn and Kia, he points to a mark on the opposite page.
"How amusing. Or perhaps not, under the cirucmstances. This is the university copy of ex-Professor Samagal's work. The Library will certainly want it back. We've been to considerable trouble to keep the thing out of the ex-Professor's hands. Ironic that he may himself be trapped within his own work."
More seriously he nods. "Close the thing. That rune radiates power. Magister Weltmann should certainly see it, regardless of any activities in connection with ex-Professor Samagal."
"May one ask how you came to discover this unfortunate event?"
Whiteclaw can't help herself as she says "Wouldn't it solve the administrative issues if you put the book back on the library shelf as it is now?"
"Wouldn't it solve the administrative issues if you put the book back on the library shelf as it is now?"
Ibrox looks a little startled, but gives it some thought before regretfully shaking his head.
"Not with a rune of such power inscribed in it. The thing might contaminate the whole Library. It's very sensitive."
Abandoning the subject of the book and the rune for a moment, he smiles at Whiteclaw.
"Allow me to congratulate you on your warthog. Most impressive and a fine natural talent. Although, if I may make a suggestion, next time you wish to break a door down, take the male form. They are stronger in the shoulders with wider tusks. I would be happy to talk you through the mechanics at any time."
Vel asks impatiently, of no one in particular, "So what about these damfool things we just destroyed? Did they come from the book?
"Or are you used to things like that happening here?" she directs at Ibrox.
Magister Ibrox looks questioningly at Vel.
"What damnfool things would those be? I am curious to know how you come be here at all."
"Oh just some creatures that spouted nonsense about there being not enough preparation. I didn't understand much of it to be honest. But, I confess, they didn't seem natural. I believe they were called some sort of scribe and inspiration. Made some sort of evil pact I think. Anyway, they're dead."
"Now, before I forget, do you think it would be possible to find out who took the book out of your library? I see from Samagal's desk, that you do seem to keep records of such things. It might be worthwhile talking to them too. They may either be in danger themselves, or very dangerous."
Arianwyn sighs, "Forgive my companions' intemperance."
Magister Ibrox shakes his head. "I understand. You're adventurers. The world is simpler for you than it is for us at the University I'm sure, so you may not realise that using the Library is not a simple matter of walking in and taking books out."
Raising his hands, he quells any questions. "I will take you to Magister Weltmann now, I'm sure he'll be fascinated. He can tell you about the Library as well. He's much better qualified to do so, since he is occasionally courageous enough to use it."
"Lead on and thank you." Arianwyn says graciously.
"The world is simpler for us???" Whiteclaw says, in a surprised tone of voice. She will accompany Arianwyn.
"The world is simpler for us???" Whiteclaw says, in a surprised tone of voice. She will accompany Arianwyn.
"aye, that's a lot of nonsense. I'd like to see how simple that witch wouldve seemed to him." Gobi nudges whiteclaw and chuckles "after you."
Lead by Magister Ibrox, you make your way through the small world within a world that is the University enclave. Essentially a set of colleges, each with its own quadrangle, you come at last to a surprisingly modern building.
"Recent endowment," explains Ibrox, pointing out the slightly incongruous place. "This is the main Arcana building. Magister Weltmann is rather proud of it." His tone slightly suggests that he does not share the admiration. "Now, let's see if we can find Weltmann."
Nodding at the doorgnome, he pauses for a few quick words before returning to the party. "He's in the duelling yard. You'll feel quite at home there I'm sure. We'll go this way."
Passing swiftly through the hallways, he leads you to what, in other circumstances, would appear to be a cloister. Here you see a rangy human surrounded by four or five students in the process of using mannequins for target practice. As you watch, he blasts a sheet of flame at the mannequins, nodding with satisfaction as the targets announce clearly "A palpable hit and I am dazed."
At Ibrox's approach, he turns towards the group. "And what is so important that you need to interrupt me now? This is a practical final year seminar."
Magister Weltmann raises his eyebrows at the strangely silent group.
"Congratulations Ibrox. You have achieved the impossible. A class of mute students. Well done."
Arianwyn says, "Magister Weltmann, pardon our intrusion. It is imperative that we speak with you. It concerns the very life of one of your staff, as well as those of others in this city."
"And maybe if we rescue him, he will stop destroying his books." Reason injects optimistically.
"Er... yes. That aside, you are the foremost expert in this field, and we require your aid." Arianwyn adds quickly.
"Staff members unable to defend themselves merely spare me the trouble of forcibly retiring them. Who has rendered himself redundant?"
"Staff members unable to defend themselves merely spare me the trouble of forcibly retiring them. Who has rendered himself redundant?"
Whiteclaw chuckles. "I like this Magister."
"Pirot."
"Ex-Professor Samagal is no longer a member of my staff. I fail to see how his disappearance is anything other than a benefit to this noble institution."
Magister Weltmann's attention turns to his students. "Very well. Who's first? Remember I'm looking for clear targetting and precise intention. In a combat situation, you do not, of course, have time to think. You must react instinctively."
He aims a fire shroud at the middle of the group. Evidently used to his robust teaching methods, they scatter almost before the wand moves in his hand.
Arianwyn walks up to the Magister, and says "Oh, but he hasn't disappeared. He's right in here..." The eladrin holds up the book, hoping to entice Weltmann with the promise of runelore.
Weltmann's eyebrows rise again. "In the book? Fitting and most unlikely. Next."
Arianwyn steps somewhat too close to Weltmann's face and looks him in the eyes, a point of light dancing in each of his inhuman blue orbs.
"You will listen, 'Magister', or your students may have another practice dummy." he says quietly.
Weltmann slaps Arianwyn hard on the shoulders. "Man after my own heart. See that?" He turns swift as a cat on his assembled students. "Watch and learn. This seminar ends early."
"My office. And you can show me exactly what you've got there."
He jabs his wand at Ibrox. "Not you. Them."
Ibrox looks for a moment as if he'd like to retort, but changes his mind and leaves, accompanied by the final year students. Weltmann strides into the building without another glance and opens the door to a sparsely furnished room overlooking the duelling yard.
Once seated, he turns to the party and holds out a hand. "Show me."
Arianwyn raises an eyebrow as he is clapped on the shoulder.
When they arrive at the office and Weltmann demands to see the book, Arianwyn cooly shows it to him.
"What do you make of it?" he asks in a non-committal manner.
Gobi's eye roams around the room, noting that Magister Weltmann seems to favour a minimalist approach to decoration. The furnishings are simple and everything has a place. No overflowing bookcases or clutter here. There is, to be sure a bookcase, but the contents sit in an orderly array. The desk is clear save for a diary and a pen. Oddly, perhaps, the room projects a feeling of sanctuary and strict functionality. Daylight pours through the huge window, softened by the thick glass and muffling sound.
Magister Weltmann takes one look at the book and the rune and freezes. "Yes. That could trap even Pirot."
His tone in speaking of the ex-Professor is noticeably warmer in the privacy of his office. There is silence for a moment as he gathers his thoughts, then he explains, walking restlessly up and down as he does so.
Vel
Something nags tantalisingly at you as you watch Weltmann roaming his room. Here, if anywhere, is the promised teacher from your dream vision.
"The rune is familiar. It should be. I was a student of Pirot's and he showed me the working of it. As you'll be aware, it is only part of a greater pattern."
"This," he nods with distaste at the rune in the book, "will be one of a set. Three is the usual number, but if you are dealing with a being desperate and powerful enough, it could be more. Four at most I should say. Each will target a specific individual of high talent in one area. What that area is depends on the needs of the caster."
"In this case, I should say that Pirot's intelligence was the desired quality. That intelligence is being used to bring someone back from the dead greatly empowered. You have four days. Free him before then, or he'll be consumed."
"As far as the controlling agent is concerned, you will need to find the source as well as any other targets. You need to tell me more. Other traps will have been set. They must be found and disabled. You need to find and destroy the source as well. Complex and dangerous."
What he's said is accurate as far as it goes. You realise however that Weltmann is hiding some personal knowledge that might be important.