Asinjin collects Sha’ar in Portet and then Parker and Ari in Phiam and brings you all to the Bardic College in Messada. Rubius, Benlin and Kerkley, along with several others are brought by Maglore.
Asinjin and company arrive first, but regardless of when you arrive, upon passing the College gate you each feel a sense of calm. Ari, who has not been here since the diplomatic dinner (if I recall correctly), does not recall the sensation from his time as a student and if it was present at the dinner it was cancelled out by that evening’s anxiety.
Asinjin leads you to the library, conspicuously avoiding the Tri-Tower on the way. The library is the 3rd largest building on campus, behind the Great Hall and the Museum. It’s a massive stone building with a seven column entrance at the top of a tall set of stairs. There you find the librarian, Gnathan Darpus, waiting for you. Parker has heard professors, including his parents and several Deans, refer to Gnathan as the smartest mortal alive. Anywhere.
“Greetings. Welcome back to the College Lord Arishimoto and master Al'Davourin El'Toruk, though you just left.†He hands Parker a piece of parchment, where you find every book and scroll you have outstanding.
He leads you down into the depths of the library. Parker has never been here and you find a work room with what is clearly a stone golem beside an open door. Inside you find Dean Thelis Hawklyn and professor Edgar Vello-Shan. Both were Parker’s mentors. Hawklyn is a tall human male in his early fifties. He has a worn leather vest over a light blue shirt and heavy pants and boots. It’s difficult to imagine him in professors robes.
Vello-Shan is a stocky half jungle elf, his green/black hair pulled back and bound. He is dressed in Icefian fashion, and has lost the top of his left ear since you last saw him. He is fit and younger than Hawklyn, but the Dean has a more formidable reputation as an adventurer.
Meanwhile, the party from the Guardian Temple likewise finds its way to the library (taking the shorter route past the Inn and Tri-Tower). Darpus greets Maglore and all of you as a group. The two of them chat quietly as you descend to the work room. Once there the three halflings, Maglore and three of your companions enter.
Darpus says: “You are welcome to remain as long as needed. Per Maglore’s request, I will lock you in, and the Dean can let you out. This room is protected by Melodie’s power and is as safe as any place on Habololy to have a conversation. “
All three of Maglore’s companions appear to be Horarian men. The first is Nisoru Metakae, who greets all of you, leans his katana on the wall behind him and takes a seat next to Ari, giving him a firm clap on the back.
The second man is only taller than the halflings, perhaps the same height as Sha’ar. He is darker skinned than Nisoru and has a mustache and goatee. He is wearing a grey gye that has been altered into a jacket. He has a Kovan fighting knife on each hip and a wakizashi on his back. He looks like he is made of iron wire and is just as tough.
The third man is taller and more powerfully built than anyone else assembled. He has a beard and his head is shaved. He has a haunted look. He is also dressed in Horarian style but upon closer inspection he is not full Horarian. After a moment those of you that were in Portet for the Severing realize that it is Roland, who you rescued and fought with you in the Temple.
Maglore is dressed in an Intorian style robe of pure white with green trim around the cuffs and hem. His cloak is Icefian blue. He leans his bronzewood staff, which seems essential to holding erect his impossibly thin frame, against the wall.
