"Haha, that answers my question for me. Everyone who is part of the Collegium knows of Stavian. He was the founder of the Collegium itself." Suddenly, an illusion of a man that looks exactly like the one depicted in the pictures in the other rooms appears before the Guardian. "He was the one responsible for starting the whole thing! In fact, he is the one that brought me to life! Quite a master of the arcane arts, but quite full of himself at the same time. The Stross family put up with him calling himself a prince only because he could have blown their whole castle to smithereens if they upset him. No one has taken over the title since. Now tell me, if you aren't members of the Collegium, why is it that you are down here? It must be quite important if you are willing to miss the concert." The Guardian pauses, and you can faintly hear the music echoing through the room. "Or perhaps the reason you are here is because of the concert. Oh! I do enjoy a good story of adventure!"
"Guardian, I am Vors. Tell us of that which Guildmaster Orlando forbade you. Would this be in contrast to Stavian's wishes?"
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This construct is old, and this place seems to have been deserted for a long time... long enough to make it lonely, and chatty. We may be able to find out a lot if we play this right.
Putting on her friendliest smile, Tessara jumps in to second Vors. "I'd like to know that as well, it sounds quite intriguing! We were sent here to do some research in the stacks, but we're having trouble finding the information we seek. I'm sure a wise guardian of lore like yourself would know them inside and out, though... perhaps this secret is even related to our quest?"
”Oh, that matter is small and uninteresting. I am sure there are many more exciting things for us to talk about other than that.” The guardian pauses to think. ”On second thought, since you are not actually members of the Collegium, I suppose this rule does not apply to you!” Excitedly, the Guardian continues. "You see, master Orlando forbid any of the students at the Collegium from speaking to me about the outside world. If you would be willing to tell me about the outside world, I would be more than happy to help you in your research. What did you say your research was about again?”
" Guardian, why would Orlando want to keep you uninformed of that which is outside of these walls? That does not seem to be a worthy endeavor, unless you have some power to affect those things. Ask us anything, and in return you shall answer our questions as well. I feel we will all benefit from this discourse."
” If you would be willing to tell me about the outside world, I would be more than happy to help you in your research. What did you say your research was about again?”
"We had not mentioned it yet, your guardianship, but we are researching the scáthesidhe, the Shadow Fey.
What is going on in the real world is precisely why we are researching them: after being cast into the shadow plane, the scáthesidhe have mostly kept to themselves.
Recently, however, merchants venturing into the shadow have gone missing, and there are reports of the scáthesidhe amassing their forces. Understandably, we wish to understand more about them."
After addressing the lion, Cassandra once more checks her hourglass.
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"Yes, a quid pro quo!" Tessara agrees with Vors excitedly, using the old Gnome expression. "You've told us about the Grand Prince, and we've shared news of these rumblings of war. The transaction is already going swimmingly! Now perhaps we can answer another question in return for help finding more about the scáthesidhe?"
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Cavasin listens to the conversation, but cant help think that there is no time for games and riddles.
This guardian should know that an attack by the shadow fey on Zobeck no doubt means an eventual attack or sacking of the Collegium! The very collegium in which it resides. Every book, every scroll in here, all the knowledge this place contains... all of it will be put to the torch if we fail in our mission.
Cavasin takes to bended knee, and lowers his head, and extends a hand outward in a sign of humility. "Please, guardian. Allow us to indulge your curiousity. Then perhaps, we can find what we are searching for."
”Ah! The scáthesidhe, also known as the Shadow Fey. That does seem quite troubling. They are creatures of mystery. Not much is known about them. I have noticed some of the more seasoned professors carrying books that might be of some help.”
”Your proposal seems fair enough. Since you have answered my question truthfully, I shall answer yours. I believe that he is simply jealous of my intellect. Just because I am smarter than him, he wants to deprive me of gaining any more knowledge. It hardly seems fair to me, though over the years I have learned that many mortals are not interested in fairness. So, for now, I have taken up the hobby of keeping a running record of what books have been added to the library over the centuries. Though, that is more difficult than I thought it would be.”
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”I believe that he is simply jealous of my intellect. Just because I am smarter than him, he wants to deprive me of gaining any more knowledge. It hardly seems fair to me, though over the years I have learned that many mortals are not interested in fairness.”
"That does seem frightfully unfair, dear Guardian. Hopefully we can help to undo some of the injustice you've suffered, though I'm afraid we are a bit short of time... we only have until the end of the concert to finish our work here." Tessara grimaced a little when she paused, having tried to say "we were only given" instead, only to be stopped by the power of the Guardian's enchantment and forced to reword her thought.
"Where might we locate these books, Guardian?"
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"The title of Prince is not one to be taken lightly, I assure you," Prince Magniventris says, hearing the Guardian's words on Prince Stavian III. "I, Prince Magniventris, was bestowed that same moniker by my father, though with seven older siblings and a slew of aunts and uncles in line before myself I fear that may be the highest title I can ever hope to hold..."
He stops talking for a moment, realizing the zone of truth is making him more brutally honest than he prefers. "Anyway, what books on the Dark Fey were these 'seasoned professors' carrying, and where are they located? Also, would you happen to have another copy of this tome, particularly the damaged pages?" Prince Magniventris says, finding the ale-stained book he discovered earlier.
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"That does seem frightfully unfair, dear Guardian. Hopefully we can help to undo some of the injustice you've suffered, though I'm afraid we are a bit short of time... we only have until the end of the concert to finish our work here.”
”I must agree with you. Though I think there is little we can do until Master Orlando passes away. The Guildmaster is an awfully powerful man.”
”Why is it that you only have until the end of the concert?”
"Where might we locate these books, Guardian?”
”The professors brought most of those books into either set of the double doors along the south wall, they both lead to the same place. I don’t know much about what is through those doors. The caretaker is the one responsible for taking care of that area, in fact, he should be there currently, probably in his personal quarters.”
"Anyway, what books on the Dark Fey were these 'seasoned professors' carrying, and where are they located? Also, would you happen to have another copy of this tome, particularly the damaged pages?”
”Shadow Fey. Not Dark Fey. The Dark Fey are a different matter entirely, and it seems you don’t have time for any confusion. Unfortunately, I was never able to get a good enough look at them to know what they were called. However, I can tell which ones are about the shadow fey because they emanate a distinctive aura. The shadow fey are cold, dark, and powerful creatures who live in the shadow plane. If the book was taken to the shadow plane, my eyes are able to see the contaminating energy of the plane emanating from the book for years after being brought back, and that is how I could tell what those books were about. That is one of the many gifts that the Grand Prince bestowed upon me.”
”The archive only has a single copy of every text. I am disappointed to hear that one of them got ruined. I will have to tell the caretaker to remove that text.”
”Now I think I get another question. Who asked you to research the shadow fey? It is strange that they sent such a… mundane group of people. No offense meant. I am just surprised that they did not send a more qualified group of people to do this research if it is so important.”
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”Why is it that you only have until the end of the concert?”
Cassandra quickly interjects, "We have an appointment to keep this evening, Sir Guardian, where we must deliver our findings."
"Where might we locate these books, Guardian?””The professors brought most of those books into either set of the double doors along the south wall, they both lead to the same place. I don’t know much about what is through those doors. The caretaker is the one responsible for taking care of that area, in fact, he should be there currently, probably in his personal quarters.”
"Most excellent, Sir Guardian. Thank you so much for your indispensable wisdom and knowledge. I do believe that this Caretaker is who we must speak to next, and posthaste!" with this Cassandra begins to walk towards the double-doors along the south wall.
"Now I think I get another question. Who asked you to research the shadow fey? It is strange that they sent such a… mundane group of people. No offense meant. I am just surprised that they did not send a more qualified group of people to do this research if it is so important.”
With this, Cassandra stops in her tracks. She about-faces and, blushing with fury, controls the next words out of her mouth very carefully...
"Sir Guardian, I understand you mean no offense, but we were chosen to come here due to our wide array of skills and life experiences. Something that an intelligent it- wait..."
Cassandra's fury fades, and is replaced by a look of deep concentration, with a hint of sadness.
"Sir Guardian, you must have had a creator who instilled in you a love and respect for knowledge, a love and respect that I share with you and understand deeply. However, your creator has rooted you to the spot, rendered you unable to acquire more knowledge for yourself. You cannot move, correct? That is a most cruel existence indeed. And to be forbidden to be told about the outside world..."
Cassandra roots around in her mind for more current events, recent history, things of interest for someone like her with an inquisitive mind and the same obsession with self-education. The plight of this Guardian now spoke to her on a personal level, and she has nearly forgotten her mission in an attempt to brighten its existence.
Vors moves to the double doors while Cassandra moves back to the guardian. He is not concerned with traps at this point, but does keep any eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
He opens the door and enters.
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”Why is it that you only have until the end of the concert?”Cassandra quickly interjects, "We have an appointment to keep this evening, Sir Guardian, where we must deliver our findings."
Tessara freezes up, her mind racing for a way to answer that without arousing suspicion, but the momentary panic subsides when Cassandra jumps in with a suitable excuse.
Rather than being a valuable resource, this construct and its pointed questions are a danger to us... the more time we spend talking with it, the likelier we are to slip up and raise the alarm.
Bowing respectfully to the Guardian, she leaves Cassandra to her skillful distractions and follows Vors towards the doors. "I'm afraid I must assist my colleague in finding the information we were sent for. But do by all means continue chatting with our dear Cassandra, she is quite the fund the knowledge."
Once she catches up to him, Tessara whispers to Vors...
"I share your concern, Tessara. Deception and or diplomacy would be my preference at this point."
"We have an appointment to keep this evening, Sir Guardian, where we must deliver our findings.”
”Ah! Of course!”
”Sir Guardian, you must have had a creator who instilled in you a love and respect for knowledge, a love and respect that I share with you and understand deeply. However, your creator has rooted you to the spot, rendered you unable to acquire more knowledge for yourself. You cannot move, correct? That is a most cruel existence indeed. And to be forbidden to be told about the outside world..."
”Yes, that is correct, I am bound to this place in the Collegium and know only of the outside world from what I am told by others. But my long existence has granted me the gift of being able to amass knowledge over many lifetimes of you mortals.”
Vars walks over to the doors and tries to open them, but finds them locked. As he looks more closely at the doors, he notices a keyhole which looks like it might be quite difficult to pick .
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As the Guardian watches Vars move over to the door and try to open it, he says ”Haha! Not so fast my friend. The professors won’t give out their information that easily. However, students are encouraged to find clever, though undestructive, ways to bypass those locks. IF you are not up to the task however, I do posses a spare key that I would be willing to lend you, on one condition. I will give you the key in exchange for a riddle where the answer is ‘lion’ or ‘Guardian’ or something to that affect. It can’t be too easy though…”
Vors inspects the lock and speaks ever so softly to those near him. "I feel this one may be beyond my abilities. Apologies." And to the Guardian "Ha! I do like a good riddle, Guardian. Please proceed."
Vors realizes that Cavasin is correct. "He wants a riddle that he knows the answer to?" Vors chuckles. "Okay."
Dark Fey, Shadow Fey... they are tricksters all alike, thinks Prince Magniventris.
"A riddle? Here's a wisecrack I heard at a tavern once: What never deceives you, but is always lying?" he pauses before continuing. "A lion! Technically this is a pun, which is not quite what you're looking for. And where exactly does a being such as yourself keep a key? A pocket? A swallowed orifice? The bottom of an undergarment drawer?"
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"Guardian, you know the answer, but I challenge you to give me the reason for that answer. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires. The second is full of assassins with masterwork daggers. The third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?"
The Guardian hesitates for only a moment, then a large grin runs across his face. ”That is quite clever! The answer is in fact the lions. I do consider myself an expert on lions so the answer why is quite clear. If the lions haven’t eaten in three years, they most surely will be dead. I must say though, I quite enjoyed that riddle, so I will provide you with the key.”
A key materializes floating a few feet in front of the Guardian.
Vors grabs the key and proceeds to open the door.
The Guardian hesitates for only a moment, then a large grin runs across his face. ”That is quite clever! The answer is in fact the lions. I do consider myself an expert on lions so the answer why is quite clear. If the lions haven’t eaten in three years, they most surely will be dead. I must say though, I quite enjoyed that riddle, so I will provide you with the key.”
A key materializes floating a few feet in front of the Guardian.
That was... easy.
This does not change Cassandra's imperative to provide the Lion with some satisfaction for his curiosity. She relates the mystery of Hammerfell, going into as much detail as she can recall.
Speaking of recall, she had one last question for the Guardian before they left:
"Sir Guardian, I've noticed a few key phrases throughout the library: 'Our monarch’s virtues are our own,' 'To serve Zobeck, I must first learn the history of Zobeck,' and 'Persevere, persevere, persevere!'
Do these phrases have any special significance? Are they references to a specific literary work or code?"
Stenne watched the goings-on with half-hearted interest,eyes flicking back and forth between her companions and the animated bust.
At the kobold,she squirmed a brow,And what do you know about undergarments drawers? Good work with that pun,though. Never figured you for that sort of humor.
At Vors she offered another nip of her flask,Good man! Clever.
"Thank you. Moonshine." He takes a swig and returns the flask.
"Much better than mine own, Sir Aman. Bravo. I was never good at these word games anyway. And you are correct, Madam Deepmug, that is not my usual form of entertainment, true."
Prince Magniventris takes his spot behind Vors as Vors attempts to open the door, hoping to see if what's inside will lead to further clues.
After listening to Cassandra’s tale of Hammerfell, the Guardian replies ”Ah! That is most interesting. That is strange that they would seal themselves off for a short time. Thank you for indulging my curiosity.”
”… Do these phrases have any special significance? Are they references to a specific literary work or code?”
"Those are common phrases around here. You can almost think of them as unofficial mottos of the Collegium”
The Guardian hesitates for a moment, then says to Cassandra in a hushed tone ”Madam, you seem to understand the difficulty of my… situation. I long for the day that I might travel beyond this library and see the world for myself. If you happen to find anything beyond those doors that might be a worthy receptacle for my magical essence so that I might travel with you, I would be forever grateful.”
As Vars puts the key into the lock, the doors open with a satisfying click. Beyond is a hallway, with four sets of doors on the far side of the hall; one 30 feet to your left, one directly in front of you, one 40 feet to your right, and one 70 feet to your right. At the end of the hallway, a staircase is visible in the light of the glowing sconces.
Based on the hour glass and your estimations before acquiring it, you estimate that it has probably been 35 minutes since the concert began.
"I believe we should attempt the locked doors last. I suspect the caretaker's quarters would be locked and time is of the essence." Vors moves to the far right door and opens it.
Vors opens the door to find a small, simply decorated room that appears to be a living space for someone. It is decorated with only simple furniture and a stoic portrait of Grand Prince Stavian III. On a desk in the room there is a small tray bearing the remains of a meal. A woman sits on a stool beside the desk and turns around when Vars opens the door.
”Hello? Who’s there?” As the woman turns, you notice she is wearing a blindfold. She does not remove the blindfold, but looks towards the open door.
"Good evening, ma'am. I am Vors and apologize for disturbing you. I am doing some research and mistakingly invaded your privacy. I suspect you are the caretaker here. Please accept my apologies, I will be on my way."
Prince Magniventris peeks in behind Vors and with a quick glance around the room for anything related to their quest.
"Apologies, madam. Are there any other residents in here we should avoid? I would be loathe to interrupt anyone else's evening."
”Yes, you have invaded my privacy. I suggest you knock before you enter if you don’t know where you are going.” The woman stands up from her stool. "Vors? That name is not familiar to me, and I do not recognize your voice. What kind of research are you doing? And why must it be done now instead of after the concert?”
As another voice emerges, you notice the woman flinch slightly, obviously caught off guard by the newcomer. ”And who are you?”
"True madam. We have not met, the pleasure is mine. Personally, I would not appreciate the concert. I have no ear for such. I do have an appointment I must keep and was hoping to get some reading in before that. Again, please accept my apology for the interruption. I must be on my way."
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About to speak up herself, Tessara stops quickly when she notices the woman's reaction to the Prince, but after gauging the situation it seems like this caretaker might be able to help them...
"Please excuse our small friend George, madam caretaker. I am Tessara, and we are quite sorry for the interruption indeed. I'm afraid we're still learning our way around the archives, and are having some trouble finding books on the scáthesidhe. If you could be so kind as to direct us, we would gladly be out of your way the sooner."
The woman pauses for a moment, and there is an awkward silence in the conversation. You stand there, and you can hear the music overhead softly floating through the dimly lit halls. ”The scáthesidhe? Why do you require information on such creatures? Which professor are you studying under?”
As Vors turns to leave he hears the interrogation of Tessara. He turns to the blindfolded woman. "Caretaker, we are not students. Our authority is well above that. I am certain your skills and knowledge are far beyond the lady's query. If you can aid her, it would be appreciated. Otherwise, we are in a bit of rush."
"We must remain loyal to our own superiors, and cannot provide details, alas. But someone as clearly well-informed and intelligent as yourself would surely know something, or at least point us in the right direction?"
If she provides no aid and ushers us out, Prince Magniventris moves to the next door on the left and knocks politely.
Prince's diplomacy
”Yes, I can tell you are not students, they tend to have the sense to respect me. I am an old woman; do not be so foolish as to think that just because my eyes are failing me means I am unable to see the truth that lies before me. You see, the Guildmaster himself introduces anyone of authority to me personally, so that I can ensure they have the support that they require. You have made it quite clear that you are not students, and your overly rushed and secretive demeanor quite clearly points to one fact: you are not supposed to be here.”
A half smirk appears on the woman’s face, and she continues, ”Now tell me, why should I not scream for the guards right now? This place tends to be quite dull, and I would be happy for some entertainment.”