Book of Three

The guild put out feelers. Asking for those knowledgeable or brave enough to look into a peculiar problem at the Arcanists Guild. It seems that those that check out a particular book have been going missing. Gone. Vanished. Now the problem with this is twofold. First the vanished students and members of the guild who are now missing. Secondly that there is no knowledge of _which_ book it is that's vanishing folks. The registry shows only that all of the vanished people checked out a book, but the name of the book is mysteriously missing.

Whispers abound on campus about the source of this malady. Some say that the whole library is haunted. Some that a specific book is cursed. All that is agreed upon, one thing that every rumor has in common is that it is the fault of one 'Albus Kinkade', a professor recently deceased.

You stand now in the library of the Arcanists Guild, one of the curators and professors of the Guild on standby near the door. Just in case someone should vanish. Just in case... something untoward should happen.

Mikilos scoffs mildly. Of course the library is haunted. But missing researchers is still serious business. "Do we have any clues for a topic? Other books checked out at the same time? Any ideas on how such a mystery book got checked back in?"

When Harkashan picked upon a particular book going missing from the Arcanist's guild... he may or may not have had a small heart attack. Now there's vanished students and members of the guild missing - which relates even deeper into the troubles surrounding all of this. Especially since the last time he heard about disappearances like this, it was around the Varadam temple.

He's since requested that Rune join him in order to investigate this matter. Especially since the name Albus Kinkade has come up again /so shortly/ after he was introduced to it.

The lava-colored Sith-Makar now stands before the doors to the library, with a big furrow on his brow. He touches a hand to his chest, wearing his usual lavarock-covered garb, and bows to the curators and professors. "We have come to look into the matter of these disappearances." He remarks to them, before looking behind him, checking in on the others.

Having gotten word about the mysterious goings on in the library, Ous made his way over. Wrapped in his muted, multi hued cloak, the ranger was whistling a quiet tune under his breath. Seeing some people already gathered, the ranger leaned against a handy wall, listening to the information changing hands.

Dirk isn't much one for book-learning. But he's a damn good tracker (although he prefers to operate in the forest). He leans up against a stretch of wall, arms folded over his burly chest as he listens to the others. "Wait. Wait a tick. If ye cannae find which books the missin' folk had... why not just take a stock an' see which books ye -don't- have," he says. "Then see who all has a book checked out that -isn't- missin', an'..." He pauses, then frowns a bit. "Actually, that sounds like a lot o' work, dunnit? Never mind."

There had been no doubt in Dolan's mind that he was in, when he'd gotten wind of this one. Better still, it's a Guild job that probably doesn't involve being out in the pouring early-spring rain that lashes against the stained-glass windows and carefully-manicured stone of the Guild. He's had enough of that for one day, and his twin cloaks, clothing, and damp hair provide evidence enough of the fact. A longsword hangs at his left hip, and he has donned his armor beneath the sheepskin jacket - just in case, you understand.

"I know that name. Albus Kinkade was a researcher who dealt in information about the Lower Planes," he explains to the gathered assemblage, the stylized dragon on a chain that serves him as a divine focus hanging prominently outside the breastplate of his armor. "I've been looking into his works as part of my research into a particular fiend that's been harassing my family. There are only two works that I've ever been able to find. _A Compilation of the Eternal_, and _Malice of Infinity_. He died because one of the fiends he was messing around with locked him in the book. If there's another volume, treat it carefully, because the sweet and holy Gods of Light only know what it might do."

'Ablus Kinkade'.

A name that Jacob has heard of only today. But the problems at the Arcanist Guild is one that Jacob has decided to try and help figure out - magic was something that deeply interested him and the commonality of this professor's (untimely?) death is disturbing to say the least. But, haunted places is something that a Cleric may be able to help with. 

In this gathering, Jacob has his resting at his sides, armor worn in mix with robes. "A lot of work, yes-" He remarks to Dirk. "But one that we may have to look into regardless." He nods at Harkashan and Rune when he sees them, greeting both with a smile, though he looks at Mikilos. "Good question. With so many things missing, it's hard to find a place to leap off of to start the investigation." He turns his eyes to Doaln. "Lower Planes?" He touches his chin. "That...darkens things."

There are moments when a person really doesn't have a good grasp of a situation, and yet here they are none the less. That is Rune at the moment. Oh, she knew that Harkashan had been involved in something previously, but as the lava-scaled cleric hadn't filled her in on the extent of it, she is largely clueless as to any deeper connections. Instead, the cloaked figure looks from face to face among those gathered.

"I spent most of my childhood in a library and never ran across anything like this." Rune taps her fingers against one thigh, thoughtfully. "So we need to find out what book, and not end up vanished ourselves, right?"

The extra details from Dolen are given a nod, obviously showing respect to someone who has a great deal more information about the author in question. "Do... we know how this library is organized? That might help." She throws out a guess, giving a nod in return to Jacob, though her own expression seems worried, perhaps at the current situation they find themselves in.

"There are no other books checked out at the time that these people go missing that are similar in nature. The ones with them at the time of their disappearances remain missing in any case. As for how the book got checked in... Sometimes our professors add to our collection without following proper protocol. This _is_ an open library after all, and it does happen." The professor in question looks nervous and unhappy to be answering all these questions.

"We have in fact taken inventory of our stock in light of these many disappearances, but no new books were located and while a few books were found to be missing without being checked out... we were able to locate them." The professor looks at you, wringing his hands. "Albus Kinkade paid the price of his foolishness in dealing with fiends. But we know for a fact that his spirit doesn't actually haunt this hall. From what I understand it resides in a book in the Temple of Eluna."

The man continues. "As for how this place is organized, we organize by sections. Plant care to one section, geography to another, and then alphabetized by author."

Harkashan nods at Dolan as he mentions Albus Kinkade and the named books. It's a slow kind of nod. He doesn't have all the history behind it after all. But because of recent participation in a rather hidden matter, it's something he feels he must look into. He just hopes that Uppies - Magpie - did not do something foolish that is causing this particular problem right now.

"If the students have been going missing, it may at least help us if we know a commonality between them. What they were studying may point us to what part of the library they were in." He suggests. Leaning in on what Rune was asking.

"Yeah." Dolan nods to the professor, and reaches under the left shoulder of his cloak with his right hand, massaging at the muscles of the shoulder beneath. "I heard the same. So, when did this start happening?" He looks over at Harkashan and Rune, nodding to their wisdom in searching a library. "I suppose you know where all the magical books are. All of the works Kinkade wrote were magical in nature."

Mikilos nods to Rune. "We should be careful not to assume. We don't know it was the same book. Might be a very jealous researcher snatching books for a project and 'disposing' of those who got to them first. I doubt it, but could be." Listening to the answers thoughtfully, he ponders, and shrugs. "The primary topic seems the Lower Planes. Could try a careful search of that section." He nods to Dolan. "Also a section to search."

Moving closer to the group as they figure out what they don't know, Ous finally speaks up. "How long ago did the last one go missing? and where? do they jes' walk around a corner an Poof inae th' ether?"

"Assumptions are dangerous indeed, but it's a good line of thought to go down regardless and worth investigating." Jacob remarks to Mikilos and Rune. He seems visibly uncomfortable, and He turns his eyes to the Professor...he's watching him. Something doesn't feel right about all of this.

But he keeps suspicions to himself for now. "Moments like these wish I were better an authority on the mystic arts..." he mutters to himself.

Knowing the rough layout of the library and it's organization is at least something. Being the least experienced in this matter, Rune seems to try to take in the comments and suggestions from everyone else gathered, "So... If we've got written record of the book being checked out, it does suggest that it requires more than just touching it. I mean, I'm no expert on magical artifacts so that's just a guess. So maybe something in the writing..." Her inner librarian is coming out for a moment as she lightly catches her lower lip between her teeth, seeming to think over the problem.

"Is there anyone who's job it is to collect discarded books and return them? Or maybe someone who does rounds and might have seen a book be left out unattended?" She follows that line of thought through.

"None of them really were studying the same books that we know of. If we knew the exact section that was the issue, we'd deal with it ourselves obviously. But this many books? We require aid." The professor motions to the walls filled with books and... it's a lot of books. "This started up... A few months ago? We didn't think much of it to start with. One professor runs off with his work half-finished because he needs to study moon-flowers is not unusual. Nor is a few students who are tired of the studies and returning home. That's what we thought at first. But people wrote to find out where their family members were and so we looked into it. According to our records it started happening only a week or two after professor Kinkade passed."

The professor looks at the group of you. "I wish I could tell you more about their disappearances but it's information that we just don't have. One man made it to a bar and went to the bathroom only to never return to pay for his meal. Another was never seen after merely a few steps outside this building." He seems very unhappy now, a deep frown on his face. "We use unseen servants to do most of the book cataloging. It's simply safer and more effective. Though you could ask Dram. He's an old wargolem with... unique history who does tend this library."

He turns and calls out. "Oh Dram!" At this a very human-looking wargolem appears. He seems at largely made up of some kind of clay, whoever sculpted him had seen to the fine details however, and though he is quite bald, he has sculpted eyebrows, and even hair on the back of his hands in though it is very light in color suggesting blond coloration though his arcane robes cut off any revelations about that from being truly determined.

"Greetings and Salutations." The wargolem says. His voice so eerily human that the fact that you know he's a wargolem makes him seem even more an oddity.

The timeframe doesn't match, and Dolan merely nods, his lips pursing pensively. "Damn. That's a tough question. Do we know who disappeared? Maybe Dram remembers them, or what they were looking for." He turns to eye the wargolem, turning his full body towards the construct, studying it with puzzlement, then turning a little away.

Mikilos smiles and nods politely. "Hello Dram. We're looking into the recent disappearances connected with professor Kinkade. We're hoping you might have some information which may lend some insight. Do you happen to recall anything unusual that might be connected? Even the smallest thread can help piece out the larger weave.”

It started months ago. Okay, this this may not be the same kind of issue. Still, the coincidence in Harkashan's head is still a bit too much to let go of for now. And indeed, it seems to all come back on Professor Kinkade again. This man is at the center of a lot of trouble it'd seem.

For now, he's a bit sunken in thought as the others begin to talk to Dram, while he instead begins to step through the library. The idea of this having happened often enough that students have gone missing in noteable droves means that there must be an item of fascination here. Something that would stand out enough that students would rent it out. Though he is of course no student of the Arcane, he tries his best to put himself in their shoes and begins to... well...

He begins to wander through the library to get an idea. "What do you think?" He rumbles to Rune. "Do you think it's still here in the library? If it keeps getting checked out, if students keep disappearing, it must be returning here each time, right?"

Pivoting quickly to face the War Golem, Ous lets the others talk as he steps closer to the creature. Squinting at it, the ranger leans in and peers closer. Finally he turns and looks at the others. "Men and women going missing? More of one or t'other?"

GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive: (12)+11: 23

Complicated and more complicated still.

"Understandable." The use of Unseen Servants does conceivably prevent professors and students from suffering ill-effects from mystical knowledge of harmful effects attached. The professor claims to know nothing and Jacob nods to the man, but the professor calls for Dram and Jacob's full attention shifts to the wargolem. "Greetings, Dram." 

The uniqueness of the wargolem cannot be overstated. He's never quite seen a golem like it. To hear it started /months/ ago isn't great, Jacob's arm crosses over his chest and he rubs his chin. He seems, at the moment, lost in his thoughts.

But eventually, he frowns.

Certain questions are dead-ends, but that is to be expected. If the answer was simple, they wouldn't have needed to gather people here to investigate. Memories of her father's fastidiousness in regards to his books flit through her head.

She's distracted enough that it takes her a moment to realize Harkashan has stepped back a bit into the library. She looks momentarily to the golem, but then makes the decision to follow. "Seems to me that either someone is returning the book each time, or the book is returning itself." Her brows furrow slightly. "Also, vanishing seems to not be an immediate effect. If one vanished at a bar and one on the steps."

Her eyes sweep around, "I don't really know much about magical effects, though."

"Seth McConnal, Azariah Glasgow, Zephaniahden Thadaryiaobin, Silas Mantle, Temperance Joan, Isabel Discomprhony, Chamunorwa, Tichaona Asante, Mi Fuji, Hizo, Tugtemur Yeke. In order of disappearance." States Dram. The least human thing about him is the vague monotone that he lists the name in. "They were all researching different things. I can list them for you if you would like. There were somewhat more men than women who have gone missing. I can list them in gender order if you like? No unusual activities have happened in this area since I arrived."

The wargolem stops and thinks for a moment.

GAME: Harkashan casts Detect Evil. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15

Rune would likely pick up on it more than the others, lacking any other sith-makar around. As he wanders the library, there's something that's just... it doesn't feel right. Harkashan's tail twitches in an uncomfortable pattern, and he starts rubbing a bit at his robes as if they just aren't sitting quite right. His gaze covering more and more of the books.

The sound and explanation that one of these books could be people just making folk disappear is making him significantly nervous. Of course, he's listening with 'one ear' to what Dram is saying. The warforged just making him that much more unnerved.

Eventually, he halts for a moment and motions a bit in the direction of some of the books as well as Dram. Kind of hiding behind a few book cases because Rune has been telling him that he shouldn't be casting spells around people so often. And eventually there's a flick...

And a relief from his shoulders. Even if it's just a little bit. He them whispers something to Rune offhandedly.

GAME: Mikilos rolls knowledge/local: (13)+17: 30

Dolan listens to the litany of names, thoughtfully, mentally assembling a list. "Maybe it moves around. What were the last books checked out by each of those?"

Mikilos blinks, standing a little straighter. "Thadaryiaobin is missing? That... that's not good. Zhephaniahden is nearly as powerful as myself. And Mi Fuji is no minor enchantress. I'd assumed this was something minor catching the weak and unwary off guard, but that puts things into a new light."

GAME: Jacob rolls Spellcraft: (9)+5: 14
GAME: Rune rolls profession/scribe: (8)+6: 14

Jacob...finally starts to speak.

"It could be possible that - with these people all studying different things - that the book may change it's appearance, from cover to pages, to catch the victim by surprise. It would make sense, considering the fiendish nature behind what the professor was studying." Jacob seems to look somewhat nervous? He doesn't seem super confident, but it looks like he's sure it's possible.

He turns his eyes to the professor and to Dram, as if trying to see if there's any possibility of that. "I will defer to those more knowledgeable than I, but just...spitballing." He clears his throat.

GAME: Dolan rolls spellcraft: (4)+11: 15

Mikilos nods to Jacob. "Or perhaps a generic title. 'A Treatese of Master Research' or the like. But, IF, it is an infernal book, that grabs people and moves on it's own, I'd think changing it's appearance to be utterly possible." The wizard ponders a few moments, and sighs. "There is a way to almost certainly find them, or find Zeph, at least. But will take several minutes, and isn't pinpoint accurate. If he was somehow grabbed by a magic book here in the library, I'll likely just find he's in the library. But, at least would have a level of confirmation."

It is very hard to pay attention to the list of names and the information that the golem is offering out, while also looking at Harkashan starting to fidget in that way that suggests he's casting a spell. Sigh. Clerics never learn.

When the Makari whispers, her expression gets even more comical. "Maybe try not using slang. It doesn't suit you." Whatever he said, it must have been some weird usage of tradespeak.

She doesn't so much disregard the warning from her friend, but her comfort in and around libraries simply supersedes it. Rune begins to look through the shelves of books. Initially, the goal had been to look for things that were out of place. The sort of things that would infuriate the organizational mind of a librarian.

However, she stops at a section dedicated to Fairy Tales and other such stories, pulling out a book from the shelves. "Huh, this looks interesting." Rune has always been fascinated by stories... Dram blinks at Dolan's question and offers a faint smile. "Seth McConnal checked out..." It's a long list. All of the books are different, on different subjects, and from different parts of the library. So much so in fact that it seems almost purposefully done. "Yes Zhephaniahden Thadoryiaobin is missing" Dram confirms then offers a slight bow.

"I apologize for your loss if he was a friend of yours." Meanwhile the professor is nodding to Jacob's words.

Harkashan is staying close to Rune when she is helping him search the Library. He's still listening in, taking note of Dram mentioning such a ridiculously wide variety of books. He's still feeling really off about that Warforged. But lacking the sense that... wait. He senses no malice. But...

He leaves Rune alone just as she picks out that particular book of stories, touching her shoulder for a moment, and walks up to Dram.

"Mister Dram. By any chance have you had any... I don't know... senses of time loss lately?" He inquires.

Dolan's brown eye glazes over at the listing of disparate titles and topics, and at the observations Jacob makes. The lone eye blinks a few times, and finally, he shrugs expressively. "Yeah. Thanks. S'pose we might as well start looking." He wanders off towards the stacks, in a different direction from Rune.

GAME: Dolan rolls 1d100: (26): 26

Listening to the others talk, Ous scratches his chin under his beard and begins to wander through the library. Stopping for a moment as Hark moves down another line of thought before looking down the aisles once more.

GAME: Ous rolls 1d100: (91): 91

With the professor giving him confirmation that it's possible, Jacob takes a long, deep breath of relief. Nice to know he's not absolutely stupid. He turns his eyes towards Mikilos, nodding softly to the fellow. "Glad to hear it." He ponders for a moment. "But it's a start. At the very least, it would give us a section or some kind to look and hope to the Gods none of us disappears or those who have talents at dispelling magic can take point."

He does turn his eyes towards Rune, concern fluttering over his features. "I would be careful with the books, Rune." Jacob lifts a hand as if to advise caution, as if slightly concerned she might disappear. He doesn't trust the books, and his assumptions are clear.

He does turn his eyes to Harkashan. GREAT QUESTION. His eyes slowly move to Dram, prepared for a dark answer.

Mikilos keeps an ear towards to conversation, but makes his way to one of the reading tables, setting his haversack on a chair and pulling out a number of small jars, preparing for the ritual.

Rune seems to only barely notice the touch to her shoulder, giving a distracted nod to Harkashan as she starts to flip through the pages of the book. Even as she skims through the pages. "It's just a story book. I can't imagine that the researchers were looking into Fairy Tales."

She does look up momentarily, though, looking between Jacob and Harkashan, making sure she's at least paying attention to the questions posed towards the golem.

Dram blinks at the question from Harkashan. "How would one remember if they lost time? If you lost the memory of that time, would you remember that it was lost? Or do you mean have I noticed time passing irregularly? If so, the answer is no. I have not. But I could be not-noticing a change in time or a disruption of that nature if my memory was altered." The fact that he doesn't seem uncomfortable with this fact certainly marks him as not-human.

As Rune flips through her book, she quite suddenly vanishes, along with the book that she had been holding. Gone. Both of them without a trace.

GAME: Jacob rolls Perception: (13)+5: 18
GAME: Harkashan rolls Perception: (15)+4: 19
GAME: Mikilos rolls perception: (17)+29: 46
GAME: Dolan rolls perception: (10)+16: 26
GAME: Ous rolls Perception: (19)+2: 21

Whistling softly under his breath once more, Ous continues to wander the aisle. "Jes' sayin' if any of ye missin' ones are still hidin' in here, now would be a good time tae speak up!"

Moving a little further along, the ranger pauses once more and looks around the shelves. He had found the geography section. Fingers trailing across a couple of the texts, he grins as he reads some of the titles. "Ne'er even heard o that place..." Finally his hand stops at a book. peering closer, Ous grunts. "Book o' Three. Three what?" even as he's speaking, he begins to open it up.

Meanwhile, Dolan wanders out of the section of stacks he'd disappeared into, yawning hugely. "Now I know where to go the next time I can't sleep," he grumbles, but pauses as he rejoins the group, looking around. "The young lady who was just here -" He and Rune hadn't been introduced. "Where'd she go?"

GAME: Harkashan rolls Wishit: aliased to bab+wisdom: (3)+3+4: 10
GAME: Harkashan rolls Wishit: aliased to bab+wisdom: (20)+3+4: 27

In a blink of an eye, Rune is gone.

"Rune!"

Jacob calls out in alarm, managing to get a peek at the title: "Book of Three. The book was called Book of Three!" Jacob says in alarm, knowing time is of the essence. Though he seems afraid, Jacob immediately rushes to where she was. "DON'T TOUCH THE BOOKS!" he shouts towards Ous.

Mikilos blinks, his eyes glowing blue as he peers towards where Rune used to be. "Magic. A burst of some sort, likely a variation of teleportation. I didn't catch the details, but whatever spell was used, it's gone now." Frowning, he turns back towards the table and jars. "I'll shift focus of the divination. Older victims may have expired, but if any are still okay, her chances are best." The wizard opens the jars, and begins scattering colored sand across the tabletop, forming swirls and lines.

Harkashan supposes it makes sense that losing memory of a time means one would not remember it being lost. "True, but if you lost track of time, you would still notice if you stepped from one place to the other, and it made no sense how you got there." He rebukes. He's glad that this being doesn't seem to mind this line of questioning. Still, the note about messing with memories...

There is something there. Books don't just move on their own. There has to be an agent that does this, right?

That's when he suddenly hears about a lady disappearing, and his chest suddenly chest into a twist. There's this startle in his heart, his mind. A coldness he normally doesn't feel... or has not felt in a long time. A squeezing, followed by him practically knocking over Jacob as he rushes for the bookshelves where he just saw Rune. In his mind, he remembers the book. He hears the words. The same words Jacob's speaks. Book of three...

His body practically moves faster than his mind, and he tries to slap the book out of Ous' hands, using his claws in the gesture to ensure it is dropped! "Rune!" He then calls out, his voice cracking into a roar, shouting through the Library. "Rune!" The kind of voice that cracks because of clear emotion attached to that desire to hear an answer. His head swiveling left and right, his tail swishing uncontrollably, knocking a nearby shelf of books down!

Panic.

Of Rune there is no sign. And the book that Ous had been holding is lost in the thrashing of Harkashan's tail. Dram sighs lightly and heads for the area where the emotional sith is desperately looking for his friend. Starts to pick up the various tomes.

GAME: Ous rolls perception: (19)+2: 21
GAME: Harkashan rolls PErception: (6)+4: 10
GAME: Jacob rolls Perception: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Jacob rolls Perception: (11)+5: 16
GAME: Dolan casts Detect Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 13

Mikilos begins to murmur quietly as he continues to sprinkle sand, at first in a sort of abstract way. Then the sand starts to shift on it's own, lines becoming sharper, individual grains shifting into complex patterns. The various circles and lines seem to shift and interweave. To those familiar with such things, it's an arcane map of the Universe, from the Source to the Void, the Elements, Prime, Astral, Ethereal, and all the dimensions in between. To those not familiar, well, it's a bunch of colored sand in shapes.

Jumping as Hark slaps the book out of his hands, Ous' eyes go wide. "Oi! Ye dinnae have tae hit Aye'd have let ye read th'book after! Th' word is pu-lease!" Trrying to side step the thrashing tail the ranger frowns as he moves towards the War forged. “Ye're good wi' yer hands, Aye'll give ye tha' but Aye think Aye'm gonna hae tae ask for tha' book ye slipped in yer pocket Dram."

And suddenly, there's a whole lot of yelling. There goes the neighborhood.

It's an unusual situation for Dolan, but he lets out a breath and reaches for the stylized dragon around his neck, bringing it to his lips. ""Holy Sunlord, there is magic afoot. Show it to me," he murmurs, and a golden sheen appears over his face, like a veil, and he looks around, keenly, then shakes his head. "Fading too quickly."

He stops a moment, then snorts. "Professor," he calls. "Were you aware that one of your golem's pockets is a handy haversack?"

"This is the book she was reading before I stepped away." Harkashan points out, pointing at the book he'd forced Ous to drop onto the ground. Kind of stomping around it in a protective manner. And when the Warforged gets close, interposing himself between the book at it. Putting his foot on it if he has to.

"The machine-man has barely even noticed anything is wrong. It's just calmly picking up books." He points out. "Dram, if I tell you that my friend was taken by this book here at my feet - do you acknowledge this?" He then demands from the Warforged. "Or are you blind to the situation?"

The golem blinks at Ous. "Pardon?" He says in confusion. Continuing to pick up the books and put them away as best that he can.

The professor comes out of his shock of the fact that Rune is missing and nods. "Ah yes. It makes carrying large numbers of books easier for him."

"Your friend was taken by that book?" Dram asks, pointing to one of the books, the one that Harkashan is standing protectively over. "If you say that it did, then I believe you." He backs away slightly from the book that Harkashan is protecting.

GAME: Harkashan rolls Sense Motive: (7)+11: 18
GAME: Dolan rolls sense motive: (5)+18: 23
GAME: Ous rolls sense motive: (19)+3: 22
GAME: Jacob rolls Sense Motive: (17)+8: 25
GAME: Dolan rolls sense motive: (9)+18: 27

In Harkashan's panic, Jacob pays the price. He's practically thrown out of the way as the big Sith-Makar warrior pushes him out of the way in a panic. "I don't know...I don't know." Jacob is scanning relentlessly, before he turns his eyes towards Dram., eyes narrowed and his hands clenching tightly. "What do you know." It's not a question. A friend is missing, and this wargolem may yet know.

No escape.

GAME: Mikilos rolls sense motive: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL)

Mikilos remains generally aware of the excitement around him, but loses much of the details as he keeps his concentration on the spell. Not that anything terrible is likely to happen if it's broken, but no reason to waste a casting. The sand map of the universe shifts and swirls, moving around it's perception of existence, searching.

Dolan narrows his lone brown eye at the professor, but turns his attention instead to the wargolem. He stares, long and hard, at the wargolem. "Do you know where those who vanished are?" The question is keen, with iron behind it, and is accompanied by a none-too-kind stare.

Eyes narrowing as he watches the war-forged, Ous leans in closer, letting Dolan ask questions for the moment. "Aye need th' book back."

Everything this Warforged says seems to add up. But why can't Harkashan shake that there is something wrong about this Warforged? Without evidence, he cannot really act on anything. But he keeps his foot near that book. Almost like refusing to let it 'run away' or 'be made off with'.

He points out. "I tried to sense if there was malice in this machine before us, but I sensed none. Yet... I cannot break the feeling that something is not right with Dram." He points out. Though it's clear he's trying his very best to keep his calm, his voice keeps cracking. That tail swaying with irritation and annoyance. He doesn't know what to do.

The golem looks at Dolan. Blinks. "No." Even to him the negation must sound like something that can't be believed. "Well. I guess the jig is up as they say isn't it." The warforged pulls a book out of its pocket and tosses it at Ous. It says 'The Three Roses' on the cover and has a detailed rose on the front, but he's backing away from the group of people. He puts his hands up. "Here I thought I had the perfect cover. Who'd suspect me when wargolems act odd all the time?"

He sighs regretfully. "Hate to lose this body so..." He turns and runs for the door.

GAME: Harkashan rolls CMB: (11)+4: 15

Mikilos falls silent as the ritual finally ends, the image zooming in, focusing, shifting... and resolving into a simple block of Eldritch text. Hopefully with insight to Rune's exact current location. Though other events have a big clue.

GAME: Mikilos casts Discern Location. Caster Level: 19 DC: 29
GAME: Jacob casts Hold Person. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15
GAME: Dolan casts Cast Out. Caster Level: 7 DC: 16

"Oh no, you don't." This time, Dolan's response is a positive snarl, a ripping of blackest hatred tearing through the words. "In the name of the Holy Sunlord, show yourself, you little shitstain!" A swift gesture, and the dragon pendant he wears glows like sunlight in answer to his call. He lunges forward at the golem, but instead of attacking it, he presses the pendant flat to the clay construct's chest. It _freezes_, and a roiling black mist is suddenly standing next to it.

Subject: Rune Current Location: WarGolem Dram's Pocket Well, that answers that.

It honestly takes Harkashan a moment to notice the black spewing from the Warforged as he gets it to the ground, tackling it with the entirety of his bodyweight behind it. Tail up, rearing up his fist and demanding; "Where is she!?" Clearly looking to intimidate this thing into giving him answers.

Jacob has worked with Harkashan quite often enough to note that the Sith-makar is normally quite calm. Even-minded perhaps even. So this kind of behavior may stand out particularly. It's only when he's just about to throw a first punch that he realizes there's a shadow before him. Straddling the Warforged, slowly looking at the dark fog before him in confusion.

"What Charneth trick is this?" Using Charneth as a curse words rather than an accusation.

Looking at the book that was handed to him, Ous opens it up quetly and reads a couple pages before shaking his head. "No. wrong book. Seeing the chaos happening in front of him, the ranger heads towards the group. "He gave me th' wrong book. We need tae check it's pockets."

Jacob immediately extended his hand as the Symbol of Serriel that hung from his neck in an amulet started to glow, but the spell he had cast juts out from his hand. "No you don't-" but nothing happens, and his spell fails. "What the-" and whatever Dolan does, the wargolem freezes and is tackled to the ground by Harkashan.

A Harkashan that is /far/ more angry than usual. He approaches Harkashan's side, his hand lifting as if prepared to cast another spell, his eyes stay on that black smog, that black mist is standing next to it.

"What are you..."

He stands next to Harkashan, nodding to him in solidarity. "Do it." Check the pockets. But he looks at the smoke. "You took someone I care about, monster." That being Rune. "And so many more. You'll pay for your transgressions."

The smoke shifts, but it takes a simple step into Dolan's shadow, and vanishes from view. It seems that it's given up all but the running. Which makes it easy enough to search the wargolem and specifically its pocket.

GAME: Rune rolls strength: (4)+0: 4
GAME: Rune rolls strength: (2)+0: 2
GAME: Ous rolls reflex: (14)+6: 20
GAME: Ous rolls 1d100: (87): 87

Moving in quickly, Ous reaches into the golem's pocket. rummaging around for a moment, he pulls out a book, looks at it and holds it up. "Magic book! Got the magic book! Anyone know what tae do wi' it now? Or should I jes' open it an see what happens?"

GAME: Jacob rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Dolan rolls knowledge/the planes+2: (19)+11+2: 32

"It's one of V's little playtoys!" Dolan seems to recognize it instantly, and in that moment is deeply grateful he came armed! He looks towards the door, though, in the direction it left. "Yeah, run, you cowardly little shit. We've got to get her back." His head snaps over to Mikilos. "Can you dispel the effect? I'm a Corona, not a mage."

The shadow disappears, and Harkashan looks around. His fist is held for a while longer, as he hears of shadow demons and the like. He looks down at the Wargolem for a moment, and then begins to slowly stand up. Realizing that this must have been a matter of possession or a similar situation. He's dealt enough with the undead to understand at least that kind of matter. "Do not move." Harkashan tells the Warforged firmly, planting his foot down on its chest.

After all, he's not sure yet of this situation.

"We can't let it go, we need to find Rune." Not having realized what is going on regarding the Warforged's pocket yet.

"Piss off, Shadow Demon." Jacob looked ready for a battle, and he watches as the demon molds into shadows, spitting off to the side before he looks to Mikilos. "If you can, please." He looks to Harkashan. "Trust the others, that demon will get his." He tells him, making sure he has eye contact. "We'll get her." he tells him firmly.

GAME: Rune rolls will: (7)+3: 10
GAME: Rune rolls fortitude: (16)+2: 18

Mikilos hesitates, his glowing eyes blinking. "I'm not seeing any magic on the book. Either it's a prop, or it's very powerful magic. I'd trying clearing out the pocket, just in case."

Frowning as Mikilos says the book isn't magic, Ous looks at the thing for a moment, then back to the war golem "She weren't reading this one." Reaching in once more, Ous starts rummaging in the pocket once more, tossing the contents to anyone nearby. "How much stuff can this thing hold?"

Harkashan looks around, nothing so far. No magic books. "Aye, she wasn't reading that one. She was reading the one that Ous tried to read." The one he'd stood on to ensure that they would not run off with it. He points at the book still on the floor not too far behind him. From where he'd sprinted earlier. As such, with the Warformed hopefully restrained, he moves to pick up the book to show to the others - though he refuses to read it for the time being.

The warforged doesn't move. He seems unconscious at the moment? Hard to tell. But he's not resisting the search of his magical pocket.

"Let's find all of the books, clear the pocket," Dolan nods his agreement with that idea, turning back towards the others. "Can you tell which ones are magical, and try to dispel it?" He looks up at the blonde dawn elf, expectantly.

GAME: Rune rolls will: (16)+3: 19

Jacob looks at the book that Harkashan produces. "That one." He points Mikilos to the book that Harkashan holds. "Dispel the magic on that book. Harkashan is right, that's the one she was reading. If we can solve the magic on that book, we can solve the magic that imprisoned all the others before her." He looks at his hands. He's not strong enough to handle that kind of magic. But others are.

Mikilos clarifies. "EITHER it's not magical, OR the magic is very powerful, and trying to dispel it may do more harm then good. If it is powerful magic, they's likely some way to release the effect. Hold the book in one hand and say 'Release' in Infernal, or something... But, not knowing what that might be..."

GAME: Mikilos casts Greater Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 19 DC: 27
GAME: Mikilos rolls 1d20+19+1+2+2: (11)+19+1+2+2: 35

Mikilos focuses his energies and spits a quick arcane phrase, fingers twisting into complex gestures.

The book seems unimpressed.

Still rummaging in the war golem's pockets and digging out books, Ous looks back to the book of three he pulled out earlier and calls out. "How much danger ye figure this Rune might be in at the moment?"

The professor gives Mikilos a look. "I've got it." He says gently, and gives Harkashan a reassuring look. Then he begins what looks like a complicated spell. It's a very powerful spell, one that Mikilos will recognize. When it's done there's a small push of magical energy between the professor and the book. Then suddenly there's a group of people standing around in the library. Human, elven, even a sith. And Rune. Sitting on the ground holding her arm around... nothing protectively with a knife in her other hand. Little bits of something that smells like ginger on her face.

The force of the spell knocks the professor back and when he's done he's looking at his hands with a sense of loss and hopelessness. But he looks up at the people gathered and smiles, rises to his feet and walks toward Harkashan.

GAME: Dolan rolls knowledge/arcana: (2)+9: 11

The professor casts something, and Harkashan of course has no idea what's happening. He is not an Arcane casts, and doesn't particular understand. All he knows is that when the casting is completed, people have suddenly re-appeared in the library. No doubt somewhat stunned still. Well... Holding a knife out at someone while...

Whatever, Harkashan is quick to rush to her side, kneeling next to her. "You can lay down the knife." He rumbles to her, and then throws his arms around her and just pulls her to his chest. Risk of knife or no risk of knife.

It seems he's completely unaware of the professor approaching him. Harkashan's focus is on the return of Rune right now. Thank yous will come afterwards!

"We can't know, but we can assume that she is." Jacob tells Mikilos and then he steps back.

"...did it work?"

He asks as Mikilos's spell somehow fails. But then the Professor steps forward and casts a powerful spell, undoing the magic that kept these souls imprisoned! The power behind it is enough for Jacob to cover his eyes as if to avoid being blinded by the magic. But when he sees the others, he looks relieved. "Thank Serriel." But he looks for Rune, and sees her in the midst of those returned, starting to rush towards her, but Harkashan cleanly beats him to the punch. "Rune...are you alright?"

He turns to the Professor. "I..." He looks at the ground, then clears his throat. "Thank you, sir. What you've done today won't be forgotten."

Mikilos winces at the Professor's actions, moving to his side. "Reckless... but maybe necessary." The elf frowns, eyeing the other man anxiously.

Dolan is left to stand there in silence, watching the whole thing. A niggling sense that something important just happened, aside from the restoral of all the people held by the book, hides in the back of his mind, but he's no mage. He turns, not just his head, but his full body, between Mikilos and the professor. "Well done," he offers the professor. "I think we've answered your riddle, Professor. But what would V want with - _of course!_" Suddenly, he snaps his fingers. "Damn it! I need to talk to Magpie."

One moment, Rune is kneeling on the ground, gingerbread crumbs across her face. Her arm is wrapped around an unconscious boy, her face set into a fierce grimace, and her sword held towards a hag. The next moment, she is in the same position on the ground, sword outstretched, but the boy is gone. It takes few seconds for her to realize that she is no longer trapped within the Fairy Tale.

Even as Harkashan tells her to lay down the weapon, her hand stays outstretched a moment longer as her confused eyes look from person, "Where is he? Where's the boy? He was... right here." It's obvious that she's still a little confused by whatever spell she was under. Though, from her posture, it's not hard to tell that she had been protecting someone in the seconds before finding herself back in the real world.

The next moment she is all but clobbered by a Sith-Makar. Her sword clatters to the ground and there is a distinct squeak from the Half-Sil. "Ack, Hark!" There might be a bit of surprised flailing. Then, she seems to still, her mind coming back to the moment. Brows furrowed, she looks to Jacob, "I... I think I'm okay. I was... inside a story, I think." Her stomach rumbles. "And... apparently I'm still hungry. Just... don't let me eat any strange gingerbread houses in the woods. Please?" She seems to be depending on Jacob for this.

Standing quietly, Ous grins as people all reappear. Reaching down to his belt, the ranger comes up with a small pouch. Opening it up, he takes out the makings of a cigarette and begins to roll one. "Well...That was...odd..." That seemed to sum it up really.

The professor smiles at Jacob. "I paid a great price for that magic but..." He motions a hand toward the people. "It's a small one when compared to the lives of all these people. How could I leave him without his friend?" He seems to be talking about Harkashan, looking with soft eyes at the pair embracing. He nods once to Dolan even, but seems to be studiously ignoring Mikilos.

Mikilos sighs and steps back, giving the man space. But is upset, angry even.

"Understood. No gingerbread for you." The rest of the requirements lost. His arms slightly trembling as he holds her, though he evens out after a little while. His heart slowing, his tail finally halting its incessant swaying in every direction. Instead, just irritatedly swatting at the ground. Making it looks like he wants to start some embers or something and set this place on fire.

"Well, you are back now." He mutters, and then sloooowly releases her from that very tight hug.

Harkashan isn't sure what is going on. The kinds of price one might pay for ruining an item like that is well beyond the ken of Harkashan. Still, he understands a price was paid. He's at least not obvious to the rest of the room. Still, while still in that half-hug, he bows his head to the professor. "I owe you a great debt." Even if he doesn't understand what the debt might be.

"You have returned to me someone whom I hold most precious in this world."

Dolan continues to look between the two senior mages, his head turning back and further. Something happened, here. "Professor, what happened? I'm just a demon hunter. We ran the demon out but - how did you get them out? That's got to be pretty powerful magic." The question holds no judgment, only curiosity, and he turns his head to watch the others embracing. "Looks like there are families to write."

"I understand. I...won't know the price of that magic, I won't trouble you with asking. But know that it's a debt I will spend my life repaying."

He turns his eyes then to Rune, a warmth in his eyes. "Inside a story? Yes, you were." He starts to laugh in his relief, approaching her and moving alongside. "I promise. No gingerbread houses in the woods for you." Jacob was happy to be relied on by Rune for something so sure a task. He reaches to brush some gingerbread from her, if she permits the contact, before he nods at Harkashan.

"We got her." He starts to smile. "Now, lets work on getting you some food, alright?" He tells Rune.

Mikilos moves over to Dolan, shushing him, and whispering rapidly.

The professor smiles at Harkashan. "No. No debt here. One of my dear friends was in that book too. And it's good to see him." He waves to Zephan and the man waves back cheerfully. "Mages Disjunction."

This reply is given to Dolan, in spite of Mikilos' rapid whispering. "If one is unlucky it steals the very magic from their bones. Some fear to even use it for that reason, but I would never, could never leave innocents trapped like these were." He blinks and begins to walk away, toward his friend.

Oh, you can be sure that Rune stares at Harkashan for his reaction in that moment. It's very much a 'wait what?' sort of expression on her features. Once she isn't in an absolute bear-hug, the Half-sil reaches for her sword and moves to sheath it, then pushes to her feet, leaning a little on Harkashan's shoulder in the process. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry so much. I don't think the Sky-Singer would go through the trouble of bringing me back just to have me die in a children's story."

If she wasn't already showing a hint of a flush from Harkashan's hug, the touch to brush away gingerbread from Jacob has her moreso. "Thank you." She offers to him, somewhat shyly and then steals a quick half-hug before stepping forward, trying to gather herself and look like she wasn't just the victim of strange magic... again.

"I don't know a thing about what happened, but... thank you for the save, Professor." Rune inclines her head, a few strands of blue-tipped hair falling forward. "We can get food afterwards. I'm fine." It's an obvious lie. "Is there... anything else we need to do?" She asks. You know - since she sort of missed the whole thing.

Mikilos obviously holds such a result as bad as, if not worse than, death. Not that death isn't worth being risked on occasion.

Dolan turns towards Mikilos at the approach, listens carefully, first to the whispers and then to the broader explanation. Suddenly, terrible understanding blooms across his features, mingled shock and sympathy writing itself into even the scarred half of his face. That the artificial eye itself remains so expressionless, set into a face so fraught, is itself jarring to look at.

_A price paid for knowledge. To do the right thing. To serve the Light._ Understanding joins the other emotions there, and he steps away from Mikilos, offering a hand to the professor. "Thank you, Professor, and the Knight's blessing on you for that. I'll see to it that that's not a sacrifice in vain." He's deadly serious about that.

Placing the cigarette between his lips, Ous looks around for a moment and frowns. "Probably not a good idea tae light this thing in here. Aye'll probably get hit wi' Freezing Hocus or Water Pocus or something." Watching the others interacting, the ranger quietly backs towards the door, whistling softly as he goes.

Harkashan slowly stands up along with Rune, and steps a bit aside. There's a slight bow then towards the mage. With the words spoken, yet the indication of no debt, Harkashan cannot help but feel like he has wronged this professor. Leaving Rune alone in that one moment to question the Warforged... he could have been there. He should have stopped her from reading that book. Yet...

He lets out a long sigh and inclines his head, speechless for now. Another consideration to the Silver Empress' words. And reasons that the 'other one' is so false in view.

"Let's get something to eat." He notes, touching Rune's shoulder, nodding to Jacob. He is welcome to come too.

"You're welcome."

Jacob's voice warm and inviting towards Rune, though he seems surprised when she steals from him a quick half-hug. Well, you can't steal what's freely given. Jacob smiles, returning the hug before releasing her and stepping back to let her move more freely. He turns his attention to Hark then, a kind look in his eyes as he nods, glad to join him and Rune to go and eat some food.

He gives a wave to the Professor, and gladly smiles upon a job well done as people and loved ones are reunited.

The professor stops as Dolan offers him the blessing and his hand. After a moment he takes it and nods. "See to it that you do young man." He says, and continues over to his friend. There's a lot of people to sort. A great price paid, but for a great many saved.

And you never even knew his name.

-End