Paladin Guild Lecture Series No. 3
>Guild Researcher Oane's group came through an arched doorway.
>[Paladins' Guild, Meeting Hall]
Light shines in from above through a large skylight placed in the ceiling of this grand hall. All of the chairs have been arranged in a circle, representing the symbolic equality of all guild members. Mounted above the doorway, a shining silver broadsword points skyward. You also see a crate filled with gifts, an armored sentry, an arched doorway, a waste bin fashioned out of used shields, a marble arch, and an elaborate parchment scroll.
Also in the room: Palorn, Guild Researcher Oane, and Ashryth who is sitting.
>Oane pants.
>Palorn bows.
>Oane exclaims, "My apologies!"
>Ashryth says, "Hello again."
>You bow to Oane.
>Oane bows.
>Ashryth says, "It's only two minutes. No need to apologize."
>You quietly say to Oane, "You move quickly."
>Oane smiles.
>Palorn hefts the crate to the ground.
>You nod to Palorn.
>Palorn moves to stand behind Oane.
>Palorn bows to you.
>Palorn says, "I will return."
>Palorn just went out.
>Oane says, "I do not wish to delay this."
>Oane says, "So let me start."
>Ashryth says, "I'm afraid the attendance is a little lighter."
>Oane smiles.
>You quietly ask Oane, "Thirsty from your journey?"
>Oane says, "Oh I'm fine actually."
>Oane smiles.
>Oane steps up to the podium and smiles. "Hello again!" he says. "I see some familiar faces in the crowd and I m very happy to see some of you again."
>Oane places a well worn book with loose papers on the podium.
>Oane says, "My name is Oane and I head up the research and archiving department of the Paladin Guild. The Paladin Council mandates my job and responsibilities."
>Oane says, "Welcome to the third and last lecture in the History of the Paladin Guild Lecture Series. Tonight's lecture is entitled "Unsolved Mysteries!""
>Oane says, "Let's start the lecture off with something that probably should have belonged in one of my books."
>Oane opens the worn book on the podium and says, "For those of you that have been attending my lectures, it is important to realize that an organized group of paladins is not a newer type of concept since the inception of the paladin council."
>Palorn came through an arched doorway.
>Oane says, "What is new is a successful guild that has endured the recent centuries through stable guildhalls, strong guildleaders, dedicated council, and diligent members."
>Oane smiles.
>Oane steps away from the podium and raises his hands in front of him stating, "There are documents and artifacts supporting the existence of paladins so far back that we aren't even sure how old the stories are."
>Oane asks, "But who were these paladins back then? What were their ideals and motivations?"
>Raising his hands back down, he steps back to the podium and fiddles with his beard.
>Oane says, "Without some sort of time traveling magic, we will never be able to answer that. But one thing we know is that they were deeply religious."
>Oane grins like a child with a lollipop and exclaims, "Which brings me to today's first unsolved mystery!"
>Oane says, ""Where are the Temples of Rutilor?""
>Oane raises an eyebrow.
>Oane says, "Let me first explain what these temples were."
>Oane clears his throat and steps away from the podium again. "Paladins built these temples as if commissioned by Rutilor himself. This "commission" so to speak was a ritual, tradition, or enlightening experience called, "The Task of the Mongoose."
>Oane says, "As I understand it..."
>Oane says, "During a certain time of a certain year, some paladins would receive a vision or a mark from the Mongoose. These particular paladins would gather and spend a certain amount of days working on building a temple stone by stone with little to no outside assistance."
>Oane says, "I suspect there were some clergy members involved for blessings, but it was never noted."
>Waving his hands in a dismissive manner, he then says, "When the temple was finally built, it was used as a safehaven for other paladins to worship and congregate."
>Oane says, "Then, at some point, the "Task" would begin anew and another marker given to build a new temple."
>Oane says, "Accounts have noted that some, if not all, of these temples were tall like a tower."
>Oane raises his eyebrow and gives you a sideways glance.
>ponderYou ponder.
>Oane asks, "So then... where are these temples located?"
>Oane asks, "If there were towers built, how is it that not a single one remained?"
>Oane asks, "Have they just gone to ruin and the stones in the foundation were stolen, eroded, or covered by other environments such as water or forest?"
>Oane asks, "Is it even possible that these temples never really existed?"
>Oane says, "My opinionated answers..."
>Oane says, "They are scattered around Elanthia."
>Oane says, "Yes."
>Oane snickers.
>Oane says, "No, I believe they did exist."
>Oane pants.
>Oane says, "I try to follow every lead possible and I'm hopeful that we'll find something."
>Oane flips through his worn book till he reaches a leather bookmark. As he flips open the book to the designated page, he says, "Today's next unsolved mystery follows a bit more from my first lecture."
>Oane asks, "Who was behind the dark actions around the end of the first generation council?"
>Oane says, "This has been a taboo subject within the paladin council for as long as I've ever known: corruption and murder at the highest level. I do not believe that the council wanted to keep everyone in the dark. I think it was just another shameful slap of mud in our otherwise, proud and honorable guild's face. "
>Oane leans forward on the podium and lowers his voice, "But the reality is, it happened."
>Oane says, "This particular section I'm going to cover may be a little bit confusing so I will first provide a timeline of events with my comments and then I'll tie it all in."
>Oane says, "In my first lecture, I had made a little comment about murder."
>Oane nods.
>Oane says, "In 64 AV, Medern, one of the original councilors and also the first guildleader of Theren was found brutally murdered."
>Oane says, "Also in 64 AV, relics and other artifacts went missing from the council vaults and libraries."
>Oane tugs at his beard and says, "Jumping forward fourteen years, in 79 AV, investigations regarding the theft led the council to one of their own."
>Oane says, "Also during that year, the first impeachment of a councilor occurred, and the half completed Theren guildhall is burned to the ground."
>Oane shakes his head and mutters, "Those were truly dark days."
>Oane says, "Now going back over the timeline, let me fill in a gap or two. To this day, Councilor Medern's killer was never officially discovered."
>Oane says, "Ex Councilor Kraphae was found guilty of council artifact thievery and was impeached."
>Oane says, "Conveniently, the guildhall was burned. The perpetrator was never found."
>Oane says, "Why did I put murder, thievery, and arson together? The obvious answer is that it has been widely suspected that Kraphae was involved in all three."
>Oane asks, "But did he do it?"
>Oane says, "We know he stole from the guild."
>Oane asks, "But could he have actually have murdered or contracted someone to murder Medern? And why?"
>Oane says, "Let me provide some information about this man."
>Oane says, "He was a second generation councilor and held in extremely high esteem. How he managed to dupe his way into the council or even remain a paladin is also a mystery."
>Oane says, "As a councilor, Kraphae attempted to make changes to how things were run and somehow gained a dictator attitude even though all councilors are equal."
>Oane says, "In addition, he passed off other people's ideas as if they were his own such as the Paladin Code."
>Oane says, "Let s face it. He was shady and ambitious."
>Oane says, "It obviously made him a thief."
>Oane nods.
>Oane says, "But a murderer or arsonist?" He then squints his eyes and purses his lips.
>Oane shrugs.
>Oane asks, "All suspicion points to him. However, no evidence does. There was not a single shred of evidence linking Kraphae with the murder or the fire. But why would he do this? What motive would any paladin have to do such destructive and vile things?"
>Oane says, "The council will tend to believe the most simplest of answers: Medern found out about Kraphae which brought about his death. Then Kraphae burned down the guildhall due to his removal."
>Oane says, "It s a clean cut answer."
>Oane asks, "And why did he steal to begin with?"
>Oane says, "One journal from a councilor of the time made comments that Kraphae was maniacally insane after he joined the ranks of the council."
>Oane says, "Official comments about Kraphae's removal simply indicates his treachery and lack of paladin virtues."
>Oane says, "I am afraid this particular mystery will probably never reveal itself."
>Oane turns some pages of his worn book and claps his hands, "The next mystery today is "Who hid Emille s body and why?"
>Oane exclaims, "Some of you had to have known I'd cover my current favorite subject!"
>Oane winks.
>Oane exclaims, "Emille the Fist of Forfedhar!"
>Oane says, "As some of you may know, I assisted Asilias with the excavation of her tomb over the past year. There are so many mysteries surrounding this guildhall, tomb, and woman that I don t even know where to begin. We actually now know quite a bit about Emille."
>Oane says, "She may be one of the few from the old council days that we have the most information on, even more so now than ever."
>Oane says, "For those of you that attended my first lecture will hopefully remember that Emille was not covered there. She is, in fact, not an original council member even though she sat with the first council. In a strange way, she was the first second generation council member."
>Oane says, "Emille was a follower of Syal, the man who created the original council. She left her homeland to seek Syal out and learn from him. She played a major role with the creation of a council system and became an official member in 35 AV."
>Oane says, "However, her time in the council was short, as she decided to head up the first Forfedhar guildhall ten years later."
>Oane says, "It is believed that the Forfedhar guildhall was built by her father, an architect of repute. However, it is unclear what happened to either of them."
>Oane says, "For these past centuries, it was believed that they both just passed on naturally. Based on the structure of the false tomb, we also believe it was built by her father which means he outlived her."
>Oane says, "But let's talk reality for a moment."
>Oane asks, "We don't know who tunneled out the burial chamber and we don't know why. Why was it so important to place the body of Emille in a hidden area?"
>Oane says, "When we found the area, there were some items that indicated that someone who loved Emille very much placed her in that area."
>Oane says, "Possible theories include it was believed that the spirit of Emille would protect the secrets of the burial chamber, and another that there was a fear of her being graverobbed. Regardless, we are thankful that she was hidden away."
>Oane says, "We have gained so much from this discovery."
>Oane says, "There are so many more mysteries that I would like to share with you, but there's just not enough time for this particular session. But perhaps another time I can cover the mystery of the Wilted Lady and the Hounds of Rutilor."
>Ashryth says, "Very nicely completed."
>Oane slowly empties his lungs.
>Oane says, "Thank you! I actually have already started writing up a sequel lecture."
>Oane chuckles.
>Oane asks, "Any questions?"
>Ashryth asks, "Shall we take gifts again?"
>Oane exclaims, "Certainly!"
>Ashryth just found a piece of paper with silver script in a crate filled with gifts!
>Oane says, "It is available for you."
>You reach into a crate filled with gifts and feel around for a moment. Your hand closes around something! As you slowly pull your arm free, you find yourself with a piece of paper with silver script!
>"Located at the top is the name "Dreldan" and the image of a wall shield.
There appears to be something written on it.
>A piece of paper reads:
Race: Human. Born: 40 BL. Death: 44 AV. First Paladin Guildleader in Crossing, original council member, master shieldsman, "loveable" personality.
>Oane asks, "Who did you get?"
>Ashryth says, "Syal's mentor, master blacksmith, original council member, connoisseur of coffee."
>Oane exclaims, "Ah, Hraige!"
>Ashryth asks, "Connoisseur of coffee?"
>You quietly say, "First Paladin guildleader of Crossing."
>Oane asks, "Any other thoughts?"
>You quietly say, "What time frame was Emille's life to the Black Hand?"
>Oane ponders.
>Oane says, "Let me see if I have anything in my notes."
>Oane gets a weathered hide journal from inside his messenger's satchel.
>Oane opens his hide journal.
>Oane says, "My information on the Black Hand isn't really up to snuff."
>You quietly say, "I understood that Hibarnhvidar had been abandoned at one time. Thought perhaps that may be the reason for the tomb being hidden."
>Oane says, "But Emille existed well after the Dragon's Empire fell."
>Ashryth says, "I suppose we both have the same next question, then..."
>Ashryth asks, "What are you going to be doing next in your research?"
>Oane says, "Funny you should say that."
>Oane says, "This particular lecture took me through more notes on the Task of the Mongoose and Rutilor's Temples."
>Oane says, "I'm hoping the council will allow me to dig a bit further."
>You quietly ask, "What reason is there that the guildhall that burned was never rebuilt?"
>Oane says, "I think part of it was money."
>Oane says, "And after that, they merely made do with what they had inside the Keep."
>Oane says, "There's been discussion for years to rebuild the guild."
>Oane says, "It's really up to the Baron at this time."
>Ashryth asks, "Any indication as to what he thinks?"
>Oane says, "Oh no, I have no dealings with him at all."
>Oane says, "Only the council talks to him."
>Oane says, "Or Cleworth."
>Oane chuckles.
>You quietly ask, "Doesn't this fracture the guild somewhat?"
>Oane asks, "In what way?"
>You quietly say, "The Baron deciding whether he will rebuild a guildhall rather than the Guild Council."
>Oane says, "I think it's more along the lines of property lines."
>Oane says, "I don't think the council wants to build a guildhall out on the Northern Trade Route."
>Oane chuckles.
>Oane says, "But I have no idea what the current negotiations are, if any."
>Oane says, "I just heard whispers about it."
>You quietly ask, "Will you be doing more research in Hibarnhvidar?"
>Oane says, "I've been back there several times to look over some things, yes."
>Oane says, "And yes, we would like to excavate more."
>Oane says, "I'm convinced there is more there."
>You quietly say, "And more books to publish no doubt."
>Oane exclaims, "Definitely!"
>Oane beams!
>Ashryth says, "Speaking of that..."
>Ashryth asks, "Can we get a copy of your book in this guildhall, too?"
>Oane says, "I certainly hope to get more out there. I've so much information I can share, but it's hard to narrow it down."
>Oane says, "I will ask Verika if I can, certainly."
>You quietly ask Ashryth, "Which ones?"
>Oane puts his journal in his messenger's satchel.
>Ashryth says, "The recent one, Faith and Soul, I believe."
>Ashryth says, "It's a long trip to Shard, after all."
>Oane says, "I will see what I can do."
>Oane nods.
>Oane says, "Verika isn't as fussy as Darius."
>Oane winks.
>Oane says, "She tends to let me do what I want."
>Ashryth says, "Well...Rakash."
>You quietly ask, "You have read the two from Hibarnhvidar then?"
>Ashryth shakes his head at you.
>You quietly ask Oane, "Or are they in other libraries as well?"
>Oane says, "Only in Hibs."
>You quietly say, "I thank you for your time and hope to hear more in the future."
>Oane exclaims, "Well!"
>Ashryth nods.
>Oane asks, "Palorn, ready to put your walking shoes back on?"
>Oane smiles.
>Palorn nods.
>danceYou leap to your feet!
>Ashryth says, "That was most enlightening."
>Palorn says, "Of course, Sir."
>Oane says, "And thank you for your attention."
>Ashryth says, "I am sorry I missed the first."
>Oane says, "I hope to see you at other lectures I might host."
>Oane smiles.
>Palorn bows to you.
>Oane holds hands with Palorn.
>Oane bows.
>Ashryth stands up.
>Oane says, "Good morn to you."
>Oane waves.
>Guild Researcher Oane's group just went out.
>Ashryth says, "I'd like to see something happen with the Temples of Rutilor."
>Ashryth says, "Maybe they'll give him leave to research."
>You quietly say, "He is very thorough from what I have heard and seen."
>Ashryth says, "Proof of existence or non-existence, either way, would be nice."