The Archive Guardian's page

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.”

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.

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…”

"We have an appointment to keep this evening, Sir Guardian, where we must deliver our findings.”

Nicely played!

”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.”

Master Orlando has a bone to pick with the Guardian, not Grand Prince Stavian III. Master Orlando is the current Guildmaster of the Collegium. Grand Prince Stavian III lived a long time ago.

"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.”

”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.”

”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?”

"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!"

”Humble researchers? Does that mean you are not part of the Collegium? Hmm… That is rare indeed.” The Lion’s expression changes to one of confusion or question. ”Oh! Of course! Most people here simply call me the Guardian, though I could hardly be considered a guarding by any means. In fact, I am more of a wall hanging these days ever since Guildmaster Orlando forbid anyone of speaking to me about…” The Guardian’s voice trails off. ”But that isn’t important.”

The Guardian pauses for a second and you feel a wave of energy enter your body. The Guardian has create a zone of truth within the area. Whenever you try to lie while you are standing in this area, you find yourself strangely unable to.

”And what are your names?”

The eyeless gaze of the lion carving turns to Prince Magniventris. ”You are not new apprentices to the Collegium? Hm.. That is quite strange. I do not recognize your voices.” His glowing eyes narrow as if squinting.

In a deep, calm voice, the carving says ”Hmm… You are quite the perceptive new apprentice. I normal get much longer to study new people before they realize my capabilities. No matter.” The head turns around the room, looking at everyone. ”Please everyone, come closer, my eyes are not as good as they once used to be. I do like to inspect the new apprentices before we get to know each other.”