A Student disappears [RP]

[Arka]

Arka was about to turn in for the night when she saw the light burning in the Faculty of Great Sciences and Craftings. Dean Hius Mius was away on business, she was sure he wouldn't have returned so early. A student must have left a lantern lit.

Tutting to herself, she climbed the steps to the Faculty library. She would have to have a word with Hius. His students were not the best behaved, but to leave a flame burning in the Library, of all places! The University had only just recovered from the last fire.

The heavy oaken door opened with a creak. Arka spotted the figure of a dwarf hunched over a great tome at the far end of the room. He glanced up, and Arka saw the flash of fear in his eyes. It was Einnol! But what would her language student be doing in this Faculty?

Quick as a flash, Einnol slammed the great book shut. Clouds of dust rose from its leather bindings. Then he was on his feet, sprinting for the door.

"Einnol?"

He was running straight for her. She put up her hands in a gesture for him to stop but instead, he cannoned into her, sending her reeling back against the wall. Then he disappeared into the darkness.

Arka picked herself up and made her way to the light at the end of the room. She lifted the light to look at the book Einnol had been poring over. She read the embossed words on the cover: "Greate Glyphes of the Worlde: Good and Evil"

What would Einnol want with a book about Glyphs? And why was he in such a hurry to leave? It was so out of character - what had possessed him? Arka wished her Dean was here to explain the significance of the book. That would have to wait. There was no point running after Einnol now - he could be almost anywhere. Taking the lantern with her, she left the library, locking the doors behind her. She would need to take more care about who was allowed in here, she decided.

She would make some enquiries in the morning. For now she just needed to sleep...

[ThomPhoenix]

So Einnol finally understands what power one can get if one takes control of the glyphs.
Good to hear.

[Under the moon]

[[I would not put it quite that way, Thom]]

Hyuken still pondered on what he had seen yesterday, though his thought process could not be considered of the best sort, being a somewhat dim Menki. It had been his first day back from his long vacation, and he was again behind his beloved bar serving drinks. That reminded him again that washwater was about the un-tastiest thing he had ever consumed. Yes, much worse than even bark and wriggly things under rocks. Now that he thought about it, he could not recall why exactly he was trying to eat the wriggly things under rocks, or tree bark. Not that it mattered, he had more important things to think about...

...

Now what was it he was thinking about that was so important? Yes, that was it. Einnol, his good friend, and about the smartest person Hyuken ever met, was acting strange. Kind of like that one time Hyuken had eaten those mushrooms his Ma told him never to eat. He had acted strange for hours, they told him. But why would Einnol keep looking around like someone was chasing him? And why did he say all his 'friends' had betrayed him? Einnol had even looked oddly at poor Hyuken, making him think he had done something wrong. But he had not mixed up the ale with washwater in a very long time, so it could not have been that. Maybe it had been that twisted klyros that had come in a little later. Einnol seemed very angry at the man, but said no when Hyuken was going to call the guards to have the man tossed out.

Hyuken polished the last mug and put it away. There had been something else... a name. And something about the price of one-thousand Circles, if that much money really existed, which Hyuken very much doubted. Then the Klyros left, leaving Einnol very upset. Hyuken had a sudden inspiration on what would make Einnol feel better and started a fresh batch of pickled jerk. That would do it. As Hyuken hummed a little tune, he forgot all about the symbol that had been drawn on one of the tables in wine.

[zorbels]

[I will just add the short little role-play Einnol and I had to back up his change in character. I did change around some of the words to make it read more like a story. Also, although this isn't the same role-play as Einnol and company are in, this post marks the start of a change in Zorbels character as well. Enjoy.]

Zorbels walks into the tavern scanning the crowd and spotting her good friend Einnol. She notices as she approaches his table that he seem unresponsive to the chatter that can be heard through out the tavern.

"Einnol, how are you my friend." Zorbels chimes in a cheerful voice. He slowly looks up at her and her smile fades abit as she see's the distant look in his eyes. Her stomach crawls with tension telling her something isn't right.

Einnol closes his hand quickly "Wha ... who? ... Oh! G'day Zorbels. 

Zorbels grins and pulls up a chair to sit with him at his table "How are you my good friend?"

Einnol smiles slightly but then his smiles turns slowly into a supicious look "How .. how are you? Me? I am fine, why?"

Zorbels swallows hard and looks closer at the dwarf studing his face and expressions. This isn't like him. He always gets excited to see me and practically bowls me over with hugs. Zorbels takes a deep breath and looks at Einnol questionally "Ok what's up Einnol? You don't seem like yourself. I know something isn't right, spit it out."

Einnol casually slides his hand into his tria sack. A faint clink is heard before he removes his hand again and takes off his gloves. He ties his tria bag shut and ties it to his belt. Einnol fiddles with his hands while avoiding Zorbels gaze.

Zorbels tilts her head at einnol "So, what have you been up to lately? You seem .... distant..."

Einnol continues to stare at his hands but answers in soft voice " I do? Nothing, I suppose. Why? Have you heard anything?" He eyes at Zorbels suspiciously.

Zorbels ears perk and move nervously around in different directions  "No but my gut tells me you are not telling me something."

 Einnol continues to avoid eye contact "Umm ... it does?"

 Zorbels looks at Einnol with a hard yet worried look "What aren't you telling me?"

 Einnol takes a deep breath "There is so much wrong lately. People cheating on their taxes, ... Theivery ... murders. Even Lady Elyana was kidnapped for a ransom." Einnol takes a deep puff on his pipe.

Zorbels nods "I was apart of the rescue team. Lord Ogu was beside himself with worry."

Einnol puts his gloves on, unties his tria bag and reaches into his bag pulling out an object "I can make it all better. No more crime ... no more friends in pain ... no more liars and cheaters." Einnol opens his fingers for zorbels to see the item in his palm and she views a small, shiny black stone "Tis quite lovely, is it not?"

Zorbels eyes widen "It is lovely..."

Einnol nods and then shakes his head sadly "I can not believe that some still wish for it to be destroyed. Zhai nearly perished trying."

Zorbels takes a closer look "Oh wait a minute what stone is that?"

Einnol rolls the compulsion glyph around in the palm of his hand.

Zorbels looks at Einnol with confusion  "Is ....that..... what I think it is.... the....c...compulsion glyph? I thought Zhai found a way to destroy it?"

Einnol shakes his head slowly "Nay. She tried, but she was tricked. Tis likely that whatever took the disguise of Unar did the same to Farren. Who we thought was Farren gave Zhai a book and a dagger that was supposed to destroy it. The process did not work and Zhai was injured badly. This ... gift fell onto the ground." 

Zorbels looks shocked "But...but...s....s...she is ok right?"

Einnol shakes his head and shrugs slightly "I know not. She was resting at Indygo's house, but disappeared one day."

Zorbels whispers softly "You mean she is gone...."

Einnol nods "Aye. She is missing."

Zorbels looks at Einnol not willing to believe "Are you sure, maybe she just went on a trip? Maybe to see her family while she recovered?" Zorbels eyes cloud over and she shakes her head obviously not taking the news well "She can't be gone....missing.... she just can't be...."

Einnol sighs "Tis true. Ask Indy or Lady Gwinn. We will find her, Zorbels. Worry not."

Zorbels breaks down and shouts in an angry voice  "She... Everyone! Everyone is leaving me.... I am cursed. If I go this will stop ... it has too ... Alhana was right ... I will be everyone's undoing.... I mean I should have just stayed away from Zhai while she worked on destroying that glyph. Then she would be ok ..... "

Einnol talks to zorbels with a comforting voice "Nay. Tis not your fault."

Zorbels looks at Einnol with wild and paniced eyes "No ... it is ... I mean look at all those around me. Satayne .... Zhai ... Akaylee .... *begins to sob while naming off love ones* Lord Ogu's wife .... Nicken .....  it just sees everytime I am around ..... people disappear. Or die .... or ...." Zorbels stop sobbing and says in a half crazed voice "I .... I have to go ..... "

Einnol looks at Zorbels curiously " Oh? Where will you go?"

Before Einnol can get his answer he looks up from the compulsion glyph to see the last of Zorbels tail  in the tavern door as she runs to the ruins to hide herself from the whole of Yliakum. She mutters to herself as she runs "If I just stay away .... everything will go back to normal .... it just has to."

[Arka]

Arka leaves the University early and heads for the Tavern. She hopes that Farren will be taking his breakfast there. She finds him sitting in the corner.

Excuse me for using the log file here, but it was a long discussion

Arka says: Farren: I have a difficult matter to discuss with you
Farren says: Difficult matter?
Arka looks around to make sure they are alone
Arka says: It's Einnol
Farren says: Yes, I know
Arka says: He is acting strangely
Farren says: Yes.
Farren says: It is that damn glyph
Farren says: the Compulsion Glyph
Arka says: Glyph? So that's why!
Arka says: I've been looking after the Faculty of Great Sciences and Craftings while Hius was away
Farren says: Yes, and I demanded him to give it over to me. Such things will find no purchase in my mind as they will in others. But he was too far in it already...
Arka says: I found him skulking in the Macic section of the library
Farren says: He wants to use the glyph.
Arka says: I discovered he had been reading the books on glyphs
Arka says: What does the Compulsion glyph do?
Arka says: I can imagine
Farren says: It can basically control a person...
Farren says: Compel them.
Arka says: The person who holds it, or another?
Farren says: To do things. He wants to use it to force people to talk.
Farren says: Others.
Farren says: But
Arka says: Hmmm...
Farren says: It seems it has a hold on the user as well.
Arka says: I thought as much
Arka says: I need to alert Hius to this
Farren says: Try and get that glyph.
Arka says: The book Einnol had was one of our oldest treatises
Arka says: I'm sure if anything was known about the Compulsion Glyph it would be in that book
Arka says: First I have to find Einnol
Farren says: Get the glyph from him, and once you have it, get it to me. I will safeguard it.
Arka says: He ran off when I discovered him
Arka says: I will do my best, but I will need some help from Hius Mius
Farren says: He ran off when I asked him for the glyph. You will need to, unfortunately, use force to get it from him.
Arka scans the room again
Arka says: The thought of using force against Einnol worries ne
Farren nods. "That is why I could not take it from him before..."
Arka says: I wonder if Hius can develop some anti-magic?
Farren says: Why?
Arka says: If we can use the glyph against him it would be easier to get it from him
Farren says: Do not use the glyph.
Farren says: At all.
Farren says: Not even to help.
Farren says: It is dangerous.
Arka says: If we generate enough anti-magic it will weaken its power
Farren says: Evil artifacts, no matter the intent of the user, remain evil, and the result of their use is always evil.
Arka says: I never underestimate the power of evil
Farren says: The artifact is pure evil, even weakening it will do little...
Arka says: We are no strangers to the dark arts
Arka says: With the glyph taking hold, Einnol will be more powerful than usual
Arka says: It will be difficult to defeat him in straight combat
Farren says: The compulsion glyph has no hold on me unless I allow it.
Farren says: And Einnol will draw no weapon against me.
Arka says: You have the Will to manage it?
Farren nods.
Arka says: Then I need to get him to you somehow
Farren says: I allowed Janeous to control me, but I came out of the spell, knowing right where Janeous was waiting for me at...
Farren says: Except I was no longer his puppet as he expected...
Arka says: Indeed
Arka says: But this glyph is an unknown quantity..
Arka says: You are willing to put yourself in danger?
Farren says: Nothing can penetrate my mind unless I allow it.
Farren says: And even then it is hard for things to do so.
Farren says: Especially evil.
Arka says: Nevertheless, I will talk with Hius about what we can do to protect you
Farren says: All I need is my blades and armor, which I have on me at all times...
Arka says: Let us research this glyph; the more we know about it the more prepared we will be
Arka says: I will, of course, conduct my research in utmost secrecy
Arka says: I have alread taken the step of securing the university library
Farren says: All we need to do is get it from Einnol. From there, it will be safe with me. You may study up on it for the mission of getting it, but afterwards, we must focus not on what it does, but how to destroy it.
Arka says: Destroy it?
Farren says: We cannot allow it to remain in existence.
Arka says: Do you know what happens when you destroy a glyph?
Farren says: I have a small idea...
Arka says: There is a LOT of stored energy there
Farren nods.
Farren says: Yes there is.
Farren says: That is why we must do this properly.
Farren says: And far away from others...
Arka says: It's not an easy matter, I can assure you
Farren says: I'm Farren Kutter... I'll find a way.
Farren smiles.
Arka says: I admire your bravery, but please act with caution
Farren says: I always do.
Arka says: Until we know more about this glyph we cannot assume anything
Arka says: Let me do what I can - the bookwork
Farren says: I'd help in that if I were able...
Arka says: I'll leave the dangerous stuff to others if you don't mind

Farren takes his leave, leaving Arka wondering on the best way forward. Hius will return today. She feels sure he will know what to do. She heads back to the Plaza hoping to find some of her students there. Sure enough, Agara is entertaiining a small crowd by the blacksmith's.

Arka: We have a job to do - do you know Einnol?
Arka: He is one of my students
Agara: I know Einnol, Arka.
Arka: It seems he has been possessed by a dangerous and pernicious Glyph
Arka: I have done some research on this 'Compulsion Glyph'
Agara: Oh my
Grroww: !!
Arka: If I am right, he is in grave danger
Arka: Grroww!
Arka: Welcome
Arka: Anyway - I have determined to find Einnol and try to get the Glyph off him
Arka: He will not know that he is possessed - that is the problem - he will be very dangerous
Arka: And strong
Arka: I need to find out as much about the Glyph so I can defend myself
Agara: I see and understand, Lady Arka
Grroww: is there anything I can do to help ?
Arka: Well, I have done some initial research - this is posted up in the Uiversity, in the Faculty of Great Sciences and Craftings
Arka: Farren Kutter knows of this, and maybe Proglin
Grroww: I am not familiar with Farren and havent seen Proglin in a while, but I'll keep an eye out..
Arka: Good man!
Donari bows to Arka "Greetings mylady, I am wondering wether the Knowledge Seekers have investigated the "Light" and "Mind" glyphs"
Arka says: Greetings Donari
Arka says: You need to talk with our Dean, Hius
Arka says: That's his speciality
Agara says: Hius was here awhile ago, Lady Arka
Arka: Well my job is done
Arka: I have to get back to my study for a while
Arka: I'll keep you informed about the situation with Einnol
Agara: Ok, Lady Arka and thank you
Arka: Thank you, both
Agara: Yw, Lady Arka
Arka hugs Agara and says goodbye
Grroww: I will help if I am able..
Agara hugs Lady Arka and says goodbye

Arka hurries back to the University. So! Hius had arrived already. Now they can get to work together...

[Kalika]

i also ask forgiveness from using a log file. but this was teh first i had heard of any of this and there might be some info here. and as far as i know Einnol told me that i was free to share the discussion from the conversation 

 Einnol bows "G'day Lady Kalika."
 
 Kalika bows "hello sir einnol"

 Einnol says: How are you today?

 Kalika says: "im alright jsut mining my heart away eheheh, how are youse?"

 Einnol takes a deep breath "I am well enough, I suppose."

 Kalika notices the deep breath "you suppose?"

Einnol's eyes dart around cautiously.

Kalika looks curious "is everyhing okay sir?"

Einnol says: Well, ... It will be. Soon.

 Kalika bites her lip, her brow furrowed in confusion

 Einnol says: Just as soon as I finish my research.

 Kalika says: ieee i sorrys...research? or is it wisest not to talk of it?

 Einnol grips his tria sack subconsciously. "There is too much gone wrong these days."

 Kalika licks her paw "hmm"
 
Einnol says: Some people have lost their way. All they need is a little nudge in the right direction.

 Kalika says: what do you mean, im sorry, ive jsut been in the bd region for awhile ahaha ive lost touch with the social dynamics
 
Einnol looks down at the ground "Citizens cheating on their taxes, scounderels and theives kidnapping people for ransoms.  Suffering ... dying."
 
Kalika gasps and covers her mouth. "oh....oh no..."

Einnol sighs.

 Kalika bites her lips and smiles softly at Einnol

 Einnol looks around nervously "I have a vision."

 Kalika says: hmm?

 Einnol says: I ... I have received a gift. Something that can change things for the better.

 Kalika nods cautiously. "hmm...best be used wisely then...im glad this gift has fallen in your hands good sir Einnol"

Einnol says: Something to get people to act more kindly and responsible.

Kalika says: ...it wont hurt anyone will it?

Einnol tightens his grip on his tria sack. " Ummm ..."

Kalika licks her paws self-consciously and smooths her fur

Einnol stares down at the ground. "Nay. ... At least I do not think so."

Kalika smiles and lets out a sigh of relief. "Sir Einnol, i say this not to feed your vanity"

Einnol looks around nervously.

Kalika says: but i truly beleive that there is a reason that this...gift...has fallen in your hands. and i trust in the wisdom of your choice

Einnol looks up at Kalika finally and smiles "As do I. I am glad that you understand."

Kalika smiles softly laying her paw cautiously on Einnol's shoulder sympathetically

Einnol says: There are others that do not. Some seek to go against me. Some that I thought were my friends. Indygo, Farren, Kaerli.

Kalika says: you ahve shown me nothing that would cause me concern for your desciion, you ahve always been wise and just as far as i know.
Kalika pauses. "...really? hmm... thats odd...

Einnol lowers his voice "I think that they want the gift for themselves. Farren wants to see it destroyed."

Kalika bites her lip and shakes her head

Einnol says: He said that he would fight me if needed.

Kalika says: why does he want it destroyed?

Einnol says: Because he does not understand it like I do.

Einnol says: Because he has not seen it's perfect beauty.

Kalika looks utterly confused

Einnol says: He thinks it to be pure evil.

Kalika bites her lip again "why would he think that? it isnt...is it?"

Einnol says: Because he thinks that I am just like ....
Einnol cuts himself short.
Einnol looks back down again." But, I am not like .... 'him'. He was twisted in the mind already."

Kalika walks over to Einnol carefully adn hugs him

Einnol smiles slightly and blushes.

Kalika says: ...i do hope that nothing bad will come of this "gift"...

Einnol says: I am not like Janeous, Kalika.

Kalika says: i dont konw why your dear friends would...
Kalika says: ....janeous?
Kalika inhales quickly

Einnol nods "He meant only to harm.

Einnol says: Janeous was insane before he used ... before he used ... the glyth.

Kalika says: i couldnt see you ever wishing harm..

Einnol looks around cautiously again and then unties his tria sack.

Kalika peers down

Einnol reaches a gloved hand inside and pulls out a shiny, black stone.

Kalika covers her mouth...her eyes wide

Einnol holds it out in his palm "Tis lovely, is it not?"

Kalika says: sometimes the most powerful things come from the most simple forms...

Einnol rolls it around in his palm staring at it.

Kalika gazes at the smoothness

Einnol nods slowly.

Kalika says: it is..lovely. though i admit, im frightened of its power

Einnol closes his palm quickly. He looks up at Kalika "Frightened?"

Kalika gulps and bites her lip

Einnol says: But, it can do such great things.

Kalika says: ...its power...the way you gaze at it so, moving it through your palm...it is great and yet creats such a divide among friends. somethign not to be taken lightly

Einnol says: Well, I do not take it lightly. They wish to take it, destroy it. And I will not allow it. Tis a reason that it came to me after Zhai lost it.

Kalika says: why do they wish to destroy it? is it becase of janeous?

Einnol says: She tried to destroy it and nearly paid with her life.

Kalika says: oh nos...

Einnol says: I was there. So was Farren and Indygo.

Kalika says: and indygo too..he wishes ot destroy it? or he wishes ot claim it?

Einnol sneers "They 'claim' that it drove Janeous insane. Indygo claims to be worried about me."

Kalika softly shakes her head "you say claim?"

Einnol drops the glyth back into his sack and ties it tightly. He nods. "But, Janeous was an evil, twisted being who only wanted to discredit the Vespers and cause suffering with his illness. And he used his glyth to control the minds of others to do his bidding."

Einnol says: And he used his glyth to control the minds of others to do his bidding. Like Aeshion and Tria. Even Farren fell victim to it.

Kalika says: oh nos...Einnol, do be careful please?

Einnol nods slightly. "I will"

Kalika says: i understand Indygo's worries...i might not kow the root of all this, but i do care greatly for you. and i trust that you are wise and sound enough to control yourself

Einnol says: Thank you, dear lady. "You are one of the few that I feel that I can trust."

Kalika lays her paw softly on einnol's shoulder "i trust in you too as well my dear friend"

Einnol lowers his head and nods slowly."I fear that Farren may have support."

Kalika says: from whom?

Einnol says: I know not yet."But, he was adamant about destroying the compulsion glyth."

Kalika nods cautiously

Einnol says: Gwinn has offered to help me to purify it and unlock it's secrets. I am not much good with magic.

Kalika says: do you trust Gwinn?

Einnol nods "Aye."

Kalika nods "oks"

Einnol says: She understands my vision. All of the pain and suffering that the Outlaws caused, for example. All could have been avoided if .... if maybe they just decided one day that they would like to take a walk off the eagle's head.

Kalika says: ....ohh...have they gotten worse?

Einnol grins.

Kalika bites her lip feeling odd

Einnol says: And nobody would get hurt. Do you see? Is it not perfect?

Kalika says: im not sure sir Einnol...wouldnt they be hurt?

Einnol raises an eyebrow. "Well, aye... of course. In fact, the fall would probably kill them. But, they hurt and kill people every day"

Einnol says: But, they hurt and kill people every day.

Kalika licks her paws and bats at her ears. "...but ...couldnt there be a more humane way?

Einnol says: Well, I suppose that they could be ... persuaded ... to take a dagger and drive it thru their own hearts. Would that be better?

Kalika shakes her head "what concerns me is the persuaded part, would mind control be involved?"

Einnol taps his head with his forefinger. "Well, ... aye. That is what the compulsion glyth does. Tis how Janeous could control that cold of his as well as Aeshion and Tria. But, I am talking about bad people."

Kalika says: ..you say a person that kills and harms someone is bad correct?

Einnol says: Ummm ... aye.

Kalika says: ...then excuse me if i am misunderstanding, but wouldnt that make you jsut as bad as they are?

Einnol stammers "B ... but I am trying to make things peaceful."

Kalika says: but peace for peace's sake should not warrant violence my dear friend. oh i do not wish to sound bad, but im concerned. couldnt tehre be an alternative?

Einnol narrows his eyes slightly "Concerned? You are starting to sound like Indy. Can you not see that this gift was meant to be appreciated and used?"

Kalika sniffles "i do not wish to destroy your trust in me...its jsut that you say one thing, you want peace against the people who terrorize, but should this peace be obtained thorough violence and death? i do see that it could be appreciated and used..."

Einnol looks down at the ground. "Please do not cry. I could not bear that."

Kalika bites her paw nad nods

Einnol says: Sometimes, tis the only way to obtain peace. I only wish that I had this gift during the Great Dwarven War.

Kalika nods slowly and looks away "jsut please, do be careful, keep your mind sound and open..."

Einnol stares at his hands. "I do not know what to do.I did not wish for this gift. I did not wish to carry the burden.

Kalika nods and hugs Einnol. "i understand good sir, i know there must be a reason for you ahving obtained it"

Einnol looks up at Kalika with watery eyes. He nods slowly

Kalika kisses the top of Einnols head

Einnol says: Aye. There must be a reason.

Kalika says: i know this is a great burden for you to carry alone sir. but the gods have chosen you, so you know you must ahve an inner resevoire of strength. jsut tap into that and let you heart guide you to the truth

Einnol nods "That is what I plan to do."

Kalika says: that is good, dear friend

Einnol says: I really can make a difference with it. Janeous' fate does not have to be my fate.

Kalika smiles "i know you can, i trust in you, but heed the warnings of janeous and zhai...be cautious in your decisions..."

[Siteri Kidachi]

Unfortunately, I can't be involved in this until the new Mac version is done working . Siteri is currently off looking for some information about her family's history, and Rhicora is probably trying to get inspired to write a new song...

[Coneitic]

Coneitic is standing in the shadows outside the library getting ready to put down some work, when he is started by a sound. He quickly grabs the wall and hides in the dark, just in time to see Einnol take off running out the library.

As hes getting ready to see which way Einnol ran he is startled by another sound, this time the sound of a key locking. he looks to the entrance of the library and see's Arka locking up the library and walking away with a puzzled look.

Coneitic wonders what happened and walks over to the door, after several minutes of work, he finally picks the lock and walks in. He looks all over the library for any kind of sign of foul playl. he see's nothing but a book lying on the ground. He gets closer and sees the book is about glyphs.

Coneitic quickly grabs the book and runs out the library, leaving the door behind him open.

"this should hold some answers..." he mutters as he walks off into the shadows.

[Arka]

There is a loud knock at her study door. Arka opens it to see Hius, glancing anxiously over his shoulder.
"Come in Hius. I was expecting you. You got my note?"
Hius nodded
"Any ideas?"
"Plenty. But I need to collect a few things. One of them is in your safe keeping."
Arka's eyes widen.
Hius's voice becomes a hoarse whisper: "The Greater Mug."
"Of course, if you think it will help."
"You have the book safe, Arka? I saw it was missing from the library."
"The book?"
"Great Glyphes of the Worlde. We will need it - it contains the only reference to..."
He lowers his voice again
"The.. Compulsion Glyph."
"I don't have the book! I locked it in the library."
"The library was open when I went looking there."

Arka is already on her feet and out of the door, with Hius at her heels. Reaching the library, she can see the door is open. A closer inspection of the keyhole reveals tell-tale scratches.
"This lock has been picked."
"Einnol?" asks Hius.
"I doubt it," says Arka, "I don't think he is capable, even if the Glyph tried to make him. In any case, he's already read the book."
"Then we are dealing with a thief here."
"It would seem so. And an able one at that. I'll put out a message to the Students - you search for clues. We must recover this book."
Arka hurries back to her study, leaving Hius, scratching his head and looking at the door.

[Mordaan]

[[I figuered I'd add my little piece from what happened last night at the plaza]]

Mordaan finishes trading with Harnquist after tending to some business in Ojaveda when he notices Einnol standing nearby.  Wanting just to say hi to a friend and having no idea what has transpired, he starts up a conversation.  He quickly realizes there is something not quite right with Einnol.  He seems distant, jumpy, even a bit paranoid.  He accuses Farren of sending him but Mordaan hasn't seen Farren in some time.

Then Coneitic appears and talks of a proposition.  Einnol looks at Mordaan and asks if he brought the menki here.  Mordaan is perplexed on what to say next since it was Coneitic he was doing business with moments before in Ojaveda but his appearance now is coincidental.  So he just shakes his head, now most concerned for Einnol.

Then Farren appears and begins talking of destroying a glyph.  Well being interested in glyphs this peaks Mordaans interest.

"A glyph, you say?  What kind of glyph?"

Farren: "Perhaps its better you don't know."

Einnol brings up the name Janeous and it becomes clear what this is all about.
Mordaan: "Ohhh, thaaat glyph."  Mordaan remembers all too well what transpired when Janeous was sought and captured.

Not wanting to discuss more in the busy plaza, they agree to go somewhere more secluded.  Farren is blind and Mordaan decides to lead him.  No sooner to they arrive at their destination then Mordaan is shooed away.  He tries to eavesdrop a bit but is not successful.

He rejoins the conversation as it comes to an end.  It sounds like some sort of temporary agreement was made.  Everyone departs and Mordaan is still left with concern over Einnol.  "I hope the little guy is going to be ok."

[Arka]

Arka's students have given her some puzzling news about the whereabouts of the book. She looks at the note in her hand, sent to her by Grroww, one of her newest students. It is wriitten in large loopy writing, not unlike his character, she thinks.

"Hmmm... If this is true, it changes everything. I guess I need to pay another visit to the librray."

She finds the Faculty Library still locked and barred. It has not been disturbed since she and Hius dicovered the break-in. Arka unlocks the door and removes the spell holding it shut. Making her way carefully to the back of the room she reaches the table where Einnol had sat the night she disturbed him. The surface of the table was clear. She closes her eyes and brings the scene back to her mind's eye. Einnol had glanced up and seen her. There was fear in his eyes. Then, he slammed the book shut. Why would he do that? Why not take to his heels and run? It could only be that he wanted to hide something. Either something he had put inside the book or the fact that he had taken something out of the book. That must have been it.

Arka takes a step back from the table and kneels down. There, under the table, is what she is looking for; a small scrap of ancient parchment, almost too small to notice. She lifts it carefull and places it inside her purse.

Smiling to herself, she leaves the library, taking care to secure it once again.

[Einnol]

Also, although this isn't the same role-play as Einnol and company are in

[Are you sure about that? ]

It is late at night and the Plakkem Hverrjanor guild hall is dark except for one tiny pinprick of light.  On a desk in the small, humble room that serves as the guild leader's office, a solitary candle slowly burns, but offers little light.  A Stonebreaker, all alone in the room, sits in a chair , his body rocking back and forth.  He stares at the palm of one of his gloved hands where a small black stone rests.  The stone itself is practically invisible in the dark.  Only the occasional reflection of the flickering candlelight off it's smooth, shiny surface serves as visible proof.  The dwarf does not need to see it anyway, for he knows it is there from the weight of it.  He has become accustomed to the weight of this seemingly harmless little item.  Not once in the last several weeks has it been out of his sight or out of his possession.  It is his gift, his responsibility, his ... curse.  Back and forth, back and forth he rocks in his chair, slipping in and out of lucidity while a jumble of thoughts cloud his mind like several voices speaking at the same time:

“Why do you still wear your gloves every time you pick it up?  Are you afraid to feel it's welcoming touch on your skin?”

“Nay.  Tis only safer this way.  I wear me gloves when smelting ores as well.”

“You do not really NEED them do you?”

“Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  I know not for sure.  Why?  ... Why me?  I am but a simple miner and weapon smith.  Twas supposed to be Zhai's job.”

“But, she failed.”

“Nay.  Tis not her fault.”

“She was not chosen.  There is a reason that it has found you.  You know what can ... what must ... be done.”

“Aye.  I can not let anyone destroy it.  The same thing that happened to Zhai will happen again, ... or much worse.”

“That is not all, tho.  Is it?”

“Nay.  Not all.  There is much, much more.  There is much work to be done.  Many people who are lost and need to be shown the way.  Taught some manners and nudged towards responsibility for their actions.  Many misunderstandings can now be resolved without violence.  But how?  How to unlock the secrets?”

“The Klyros knows.”

“Bah!  That tefpile?  He can not even speak clearly.  He does not want to help.  He would see this gift made useless.  He sees not the potential.  He wishes only to be paid for his 'help'.  Nay.  No better than the rest.  He will learn also. ... Soon.  There is not much time now.  Too many are after me.  What was that?  A sound?  Someone is listening at the ...”

The Stonebreaker's hand closes suddenly, as if by reflex as his head turns quickly to the door.  “Aye?  Who is there?”, he calls out.  “Tis unlocked.  Come on in.”  Several moments of complete silence pass.  “Probably just one of the members returning to their room and trying not to disturb me.”, he thinks to himself, “Or, tis getting too late and me mind is playing tricks on me.  Now, what was I just doing?”

“You know what you were doing.”

The dwarf scratches his beard in contemplation, “Do I?”

“Yes, you do.  They are looking for you right now.”

“Aye.  They will kill me to get it.  There are few that I can trust.  The others are all against me now.  They want it for themselves.  Is Alleri one of ... them... now?  I can not be sure.  I can not go home.  I must go somewhere safe.  Somewhere comfortable where nobody will find me.”

“Aye.”, he mumbles aloud, “Somewhere safe.”

[Under the moon]

Events came to a front last night, and some things were bared to the light. Einnol has the Compulsion Glyph that had been taken from Janeous, and it is driving him mad. The Glyph is a small and unmarked stone of pure black, this being odd, as all glyphs are known to show a symbol.

Also found out is that Hyuken, the gentle barkeep, has a small blue stone that is identical in all ways but color to the black stone Einnol has. Oddly, this blue stone invokes peace and calm when touched to the skin. In fact, it almost seems to compel one to have peacefull thoughts. This stone is now bandaged to Einnol's forhead in attemt to negate the madness coming from the black stone. It seems to be working. Also, anyone near the blue stone could not be compelled by the black stone (Janeous's Glyph). ((anyone who was payng close attention during the Common Cold would have seen this. ))

In the book, for those who read it, or are told about it:

It tells of -eight- original Glyphs that were rumored to have healing powers for the mind, and cured madness. They had to be used by a mage of great power to cure madness, though. Otherwise, the effects were only in proximity to the Glyphs. The names of these Glyphs and how to use them has been lost, but their symbol was similar to Peace. No one knows what they looked like.

Then the book says of how seven of the 'Peace' Glyphs where stolen. At the same time, seven black stones appeared. These were glyphs of great power used to compel armies when all used at once. Strangely, though, they had no mark on them that named them a glyph. However, it was found out that is one was submerged in a liquid, a glyph symbol would appear on the surface of that liquid. The exact shape of the symbol was never recorded, but there are records of arguments between mages as to whether it was a symbol of the Crystal or Dark ways. The Crystal Way mages claimed it was not Crystal, and that is was some sort of twisted Dark Sheild glyph. The Dark Way followers said it was Cyrstal, not Dark, and it was a corruption of a very high level Mind Glyph. Some followers of other Ways even said it was both, which was dimissed as impossible.

Eventually, all of the Compulsion Glyphs were captured and cast down the waste wells. Or so the book says. The last original 'Peace' Glyph was never found. The book was written by a Scribe of Laanx. Anyone who knows who Janeous Creene was can put the rest of the story together.

To continue what happened last night, Hyuken drew a copy in the dirt of what he found drawn in wine on a table after one twisted Klyros named Jagk left the tavern. Einnol had been talking to Jagk, and had become upset. The symbol Hyuken copied seemd to be similar to the Crystal symbol for 'Peace', but with some smudged lines in between. Einnol was able to fill in the smudged lines with something that looked like a Dark symbol that no one could identify, creating the exact combination symbol Einnol had seen in a cup of wine Jagk had showed him....

[Einnol]

Barely one step inside the entrance to the grounds of the Knowledge Seekers University, a gray haired Stonebreaker stands gazing at the grand outer walls of the facility.  Shielding his eyes from the midday light of the Azure sun with one hand, he admires the majestic architecture as he has done many times before.  The sight of buildings containing the classrooms, dormitories, offices, and most of all the library never failed to put a smile on his face and hope in his heart ... the hope of finding the answers to the questions weighing on his mind.  Today, is not like all the other days that came before.  Today, for the first time, the sight fails to provide both the smile and the hope.  Instead, it brings him only shame.

The dwarf drops his hand and lowers his gaze to the ground under his feet.  He gently rubs a roughly circular-shaped red mark on his forehead, a stark reminder of what Hyuken had called his 'calming stone'.  He wonders if Hyuken's mother could ever have known that the small blue stone that calmed the fears of her young Enkidukai son was, in fact, one of the oldest glyphs in known history.  If she had known, she must not have told her simple-minded son for he saw it only as a pretty stone that his mother had given him.  The dwarf's mind wanders back to the encounter with Jagk in Kada'el's tavern and the role that the seemingly simple stone had played.

If the ancient writings were true, the glyph was likely very similar to the glyph that was the heart of Janeous' compulsion glyph.  This 'inner' glyph inside, one of the Crystal Way, had been used to provide peace of mind and temporary relief from madness.  But, once encased within the Dark Way compulsion glyph, the two became a single, yet more powerful, glyph capable not only of compelling the thoughts of any living thing, but also having the opposite effect of the peace glyph.  The outer dark glyph shielded the energy of the inner one and turned it into something entirely different, twisting the mind of whoever possessed it.  Destroying it had not been an option due to the potential destructive energy that would have been released, so that left only one reasonable solution.  They encased the compulsion glyph within Hyuken's blue one, changing the two into something new.  The power of the green stone, three ancient glyphs combined into one, is as unknown as it's whereabouts.  Frustrated with a disagreement about what to do with this new object, and relieved that he no longer felt the grip of the compulsion glyph on his mind, Einnol set the stone down on a table for Jagk, Siteri, Zakk, Ecuetas and Alliva to figure out while Hyuken followed him to the bar to pour him a mug.  Only after the others joined the two of them at the bar, did they all realize that the stone had vanished and that Jagk was no longer in the tavern.

Einnol raises his head slightly and looks at the university campus again.  ”I need to apologize to Arka and the other Knowledge Seekers for what I have done.”, he thinks to himself, ”My arrogance and over-confidence got the best of me.  But, they will not wish to see me.  I am no longer welcome here.”  He knows that within a few days time, the red spot marking where the calming stone had been held to his head with a tightly wrapped bandage will fade, but the memory and reality of his mistake would not.  Turning his back on the familiar sight that had once seemed so comforting, the dwarf takes the step that carries him back off the campus grounds and follows up that step with another, and another.  Within moments, he is nothing but a small figure on the horizon, and then, nothing at all.

[Kalika]