[Guilliame would not have used the word 'elf'. The name of the Engelian equivalent to elves is 'alfaren' and they are extremely rare. Guilliame would not have seen one before meeting Attina.]

Mistress Althea is momentarily speechless at the sheer volume of words in Guilliame's speech but then she says, "I spoke with an Alaric Brand on the same day as the attack of the dark spirit I mentioned before; he was interested in trying some of my different cultivars of jartinal weed."

She then looks around to see if anyone is nearby before adding, "But I have not seen him since, however, I do know he had some dealings with the archmagus to do with Master Minton's kidnapping. As to where he might be found? ... With the name Brand, he must surely be related to the winemakers of the same name; he certainly seemed rich enough. Perhaps that is an avenue you can take up in trying to find him."

"Now what was this you said about Wamzut and an alfaren?"

"I saw in the school my first alfaren and she said that she was actually Wamzut. I don't understand how that works but that is what I was told."

"She?" says Mistress Althea, looking confused. "Alfaren or no, she can not be Wamzut. The word is that he is dead."

"As I said, I don't understand. But that is what Attina said and 'she' seemed to recognise me."

"That makes two of us who don't understand," says Mistress Althea. Then, after a moment, she adds, "I thought you were just a local merchant. Clearly you have hidden depths."

At this Guilliame's and Mistress Althea's attentions are drawn to the stairs and Guilliame sees Velma returning with her Master Narim, who looks visibly older than from when Guilliame last saw him.

"Althea," says Master Narim, who is breathing hard and leaning heavily on his staff. "Your assistant tells me that something has happened... Is anyone in the room with Nathaniel? They might be in grave danger."

Mistress Althea turns to Guilliame and asks, "Is he alone? Where is the girl who is supposed to be tending to him?"

"I sent her away," says Velma in reply to Mistress Althea's second question.

"So, is he alone?" asks Narim, also looking at Guilliame. There is distinctly more grey in Narim's beard than Guilliame remembers. "And why are you here, de Marchant?"

"Velma and I went into his room when Lucinda told us that she thought Master Nathaniel had died. He asked to be left to rest. No-one is with him at the moment."

"Okay," says Master  Narim. "It seems like there is no immediate danger, but I think we need to do something about this. I think we need to bring in the Temple of Donai... And perhaps the Seekers. They will know what to do."

[OOC: I have added links to information that I believe Guilliame would already know. Please make an Insight check versus a DC of 10 to possibly get extra information.]

17

Quote from Guilliame >>

23

[OOC: Nice roll. Guilliame would know that, as well as putting down the restless dead, the Seekers of Donai also hunt out practitioners of black magic and the more dangerous worshippers of gods not part of the Mithran pantheon. He would also know that people like Melitta and Dworkin, followers of Arion (who was Arioch in the original campaign), would fall into this category. He would also know that being a member of an Arion cult could get you expelled from the School of Occult Studies even before the king's recent decree made it an illegal practice in general. Guilliame could also possibly surmise that Melitta became a follower of Arion after she graduated from the school because of this.]

Narim turns and speaks to Mistress Althea, saying, "I will stay on guard here while you go and speak to the archmagus about bringing in the Seekers."

He then turns to Guilliame and says, "I won't ask you to stay, but if you have any magicks that would be useful against the restless dead, I would appreciate the company."

[OOC: Of Guilliame's known spells, the most obviously useful one is Protection from Evil and Good. However, it is not a ritual spell and he doesn't have it prepared currently. That doesn't mean the spells he has available might not be useful, just that the protection spell is likely the most useful spell he knows.]

"I don't have any spells prepared that will help Master Narim. I can get a sword if it comes to that."

Narim grunts and then says, "I do not think a sword would be much good against the type of creature that attacked me a couple of nights ago." He then reaches into his robes and draws out a medallion from around his neck. 

"Here," he says passing it to Guilliame. "Mistress Vidon gave it to me. It is a spell focus. If necessary, channel some magic into it and then run for help."

The medallion is made of silver filigree wrapped around a small silver mirror.

[OOC: Make an Arcana check please.]

10

"I can at least cast an Expeditious retreat so I can run away more effectively."

OOC I think the random dice roller is broken.

Quote from Guilliame >>

23

[OOC: LOL. Like the magical piece of jewellery Guilliame identified for Alice Hobbs (see around about here), this is a magical focus for a specific spell. However, unlike that one—which was able to 'recharge' itself from the ambient magic of its surroundings—this one is activated by having an innate sorcerer channel some of their own magic into it. Although (even with this roll) Guilliame cannot tell what that spell might be, it would likely be a spell that Mistress Vidon knows but Master Narim does not, which is probably why she gave it to him. 

If you haven't already seen it, here is a link to an article on the World Anvil site which talks about arcane focuses, which Guilliame will be able to make himself once he reaches 2nd level and gets some specific training in the process. This is an Engelian-specific way wizards and other Arcane spell casters can get around the limitation of only being able to Prepare a certain number of spells per day.]

"I can at least cast an Expeditious retreat so I can run away more effectively."

"Good," says Narim, who is still wheezing a little from his exertions. "I still have not recovered from the fight I had a couple of nights ago." 

Guilliame can see grey in Master Narim's hair that he doesn't remember and there are new lines on his face; the man seems to have aged at least 10 years.

After a moment's silence while Narim studies the door to Master Nathaniel's bedroom, he asks, "So, what are you doing with yourself these days, Guilliame? I am in need of someone to help me train the younger students in combat."

"Tonight I am starting to help at the local guard station. I want to continue my studies here so I was actually thinking of doing something that I hoped might reduce the fees somewhat that I could assist at the school if that is acceptable to you."

Narim is thoughtful for a moment and then says, "I may be able to work something out with regard to your fees, if you can see your way clear to coming in and helping a couple of times a ten-day. It would be pretty simple stuff: basic fitness training for the younger students as well as teaching them which is the pointy end of a sword and how to avoid ending up being stuck in the guts by one."

Another moment of silence passes before Narim speaks again, "So, helping out the guard, eh? Is that in a paid capacity?"

"Yes. A small fee. I'm looking for extra cash at present."

"Good," says Master Narim. "As long as you are not giving them your time for nothing. The king gets enough cheap labour from those students paying off the debt as it is."

"Hello!" Guilliame hears a male voice say. "I am looking for Master Narim. Is he here?"

"In here!" replies Narim turning towards the door that leads from Master Nathaniel's suite of rooms into the library proper.

Moments later, the man Guilliame knows as Master Wallash appears in the doorway.

"Mistress Althea asked me to come and help," says the tanned, bald-headed man who talked to Guilliame about the Enchantment domain of magic. He is looking around with curiosity and clearly he is still new enough to the school to have never been in this part of the library before.

"Hello de Marchant," he says, upon recognising Guilliame, then he turns to Master Narim and asks, "What seems to be the problem?"

"Hello Aldus," says Narim. "I am glad you are here. I have concerns about Master Nathaniel and the safety of the School. Do you have any experience dealing with the restless dead?"

"A little," replies Master Wallash, slowly with a frown.

"That will do," Narim says and then turns to Guilliame. "We will take it from here, Guilliame. If you could give me back that trinket of Mistress Vidon's, you can go about your own business now. But thanks for your help and come and see me later about those classes, will you?"

Hand back the trinket.

"I will see you later about the classes. Thank you."

Head back to the library and look for Velma.

Guilliame hands back the magical focus and leaves Master Nathaniel's suite of rooms as Master Narim begins explaining the situation to Master Wallash, who is looking more and more disturbed with every word.

The reading room of the second floor of the library is deserted, but Guilliame can see Velma peeking nervously in through the doorway that leads to the stairs.

"What happened?" asks Velma as Guilliame approaches.