Master Gul guides Caio between the stacks to a section on the many Gods and Goddesses of Adrianus.

"Hanna, a little help, if you would?" He coughs, gesturing to a thick dusty tome on one of the higher shelves. The young librarian quickly wheels a ladder along the fronts of the bookcases and clambers up to heave the old book out, before carrying it down and placing it on a nearby table. Master Gul flips open the leather-bound cover, leafing through the thick sheaves of parchment until he arrives at a section on the 'Kanennian Pantheon'.

"Here," he continues, gesturing to an illustration of a bearded man with a fish's tail. "Often worshipped as a fertility God, Dagon is a God of fish and weather. In Ebla, Tuttul, Irim, Ma-Ne, Zarad, Uguash, Siwad and Sipishu he was considered head of the pantheon, lord of the Gods and lord of the land."

     "That looks nothing like the statue that you said was Dagon in Franscec's bar the other night," Astrid says to Nikolai. "If these are the beings, I suppose this is what he looked like before falling from his place in the heavens..?"

Nikolai rubs his chin as he absorbs all this new, unexpected information. "Indeed..." he mutters in response to Caio's proclamation. "I thank you, Master Gul, for all this information. This will help us to piece together some riddles that have been quite unclear recently." He glances over to Astrid. "That is a very good chance. Or something else entirely. I feel as if there is something I'm missing and... to put it quite frankly... it's maddening. Now, if you'll excuse me for a few moments, I need to copy my notes and drawings down for Hanna and Master Gul while I think on this new information."

    Astrid nods. "Y-yes, thank you for your help. It has been very useful... I don't think there is anything else I'm needing here..," she turns to Hanna, then continues. "Could you suggest a nearby book shop that would maybe have something on undead lore..? Also, maybe a gem shop too? I'm in need of some for my spells."

As the group slowly fades away from Master Gul, Nimue steps towards him, maintaining her neutral expression. Ghoul sways slightly on her shoulder. "If I wanted to go the the Primorsky district, and visit Haus Sternental, would you happen to know the way?" 

"You should try Schwarzbrunn!" Hanna suggests with cheerful enthusiasm. "It's one of my favourite places in the city. I'm sure they'll have what you need," she assures Astrid earnestly. "Rzadkie Rubiny trade in gemstones and jewellery. I'd stop by there too."

"Why, yes, of course," Master Gul tells Nimue, guiding her to a map of the city. "It's a very old house, situated in one of Piotrgrad's wealthiest districts. I'm afraid that there's no guarantee that the owners will let you inside though."

Nimue nods as she inspects the map. Once she's satisfied that she has the location in her mind, she smiles. "Who said anything about going inside?" She retreats back through the library, her gait growing light with anticipation.

Schwarzbrunn is an impressive building, four stories tall with a black painted wooden front and the name emblazoned in gold above the shopfront. Situated close to the edge of the Primorsky district, this business caters to a wealthy and sophisticated clientele, and it shows. Inside, the furnishings are plush and the theme of the décor tastefully maintained in black wood and red velvet. A small bell rings as Astrid, Caio, Nikolai and Nimue enter. A fair-skinned Elf with a shock of black hair quickly appears to greet them.

"Guten Morgen und willkommen in Schwarzbrunnen. What can I do for you?" She asks with an obviously Teutlan accent.

     With atmosphere having a more sedated feel, Astrid approaches the elf and quietly speaks up. "Uh... Yes. The lady from the temple library - Hanna, I believe her name it - suggested your shop. Myself and ..," she stops and looks to those behind her, and decides not to speak for the rest. "Well, I'm not sure who's needing what, but I'm sure one or two is in need of something... Anyways, I was hoping you may have any books on the subject to undead creatures? I have a bit of study under my belt, so maybe something more in depth on field."

For a long moment, the Elf meets Astrid's request with a penetrating stare.

"You wouldn't be the first of your kind to come looking since the Sarameians legalised necromancy... but you don't strike me as the type. Tell me, are you familiar with the writings of Helsing?"

“We’re slayers, not necromancers.” Caio responds bluntly as he pursues the neatly displayed books in the store. “How much for this one?” He holds the copy of “Der Weg zur Macht” up for the shopkeep to see.

     Astrid's eyes widen with sock of the implication. "Oh, no! Nothing like that." She shakes her head emphatically. "Yes, just something to help take care of those kinds creatures if - when - we come across them. I believe I've heard of Helsing, but never read any of his work."

"Twenty five mark," the shopkeeper informs Caio with a slap-on smile. "Follow me," she tells Astrid, leading the Dwarf upstairs to a series of shelves near the back lined with weighty tomes that, judging by the titles, cover all kinds of esoteric and supernatural lore. The Elf extracts a heavy volume bound in black leather and edged in engraved brass. It is entitled 'Allips to Zombies: An Undead Bestiary' by Abraham Van Helsing.

"Something like this, perhaps?"

    Astrid's eyes sparkle with delight as the book is pulled from the shelf. "Oh... Yes... That would be very good. Looks to be much more extensive than the last book I had... H-How much?"

Nimue's ears perk up at the mention of Helsing. Her parents had always spoken with reverence when the name was brought up, and there was an entire shelf of the family library dedicated to the writings of and about Helsing. But she had never read them. She hadn't gone into the library much after her family died. They had spent a lot of time in there as a family, and sometimes there were things that reminded her of her parents, and it was too painful.

But perhaps now was the time to break free of those old chains. "Helsing?" A name she had grown up with, but never knew much about. Perhaps it was time to dust off those old memories and learn something more. She follows Astrid and the shopkeeper, doing her best to keep her growing enthusiasm contained.

"Seventy five mark," the Elf tells Astrid without missing a beat.

      Astrid scratches her chin for a long while as she considers the purchase. "Oh yes... Sorry," she says, realizing that she's taking a bit too long, when the shop keeper clears her throat. "A good investment, don't you think? Something from one of the highest experts on the subject." she says turning to Nimue, nodding her head trying to convince herself as well. 

    "I'll take it!" she finally announces.

"If you want advice from the best, Helsing is one of them. My parents held him and his work in high regard." She looks to the shopkeeper. "Anything on monstrosities in Eazim?"

The shopkeeper smiles congenially at Astrid, setting the book aside on a counter atop a stack of linen sheets.

"You might enjoy this collection..." she tells Nimue, leading her to another shelf and retrieving another tome, this time bound in soft brown leather. The cover reads: Beautiful Horrors by Nathaniel Hartl. "It also covers the local fey, undead and other supernatural creatures."

"You can't be sure your questions will take you to this forest, Melda." 

I can't. You're right. But I also can't be sure of your motives anymore. Even if you didn't know. You knew there was something going on. I'm making my own choices now, Grandmama.

It's almost love at first sight. Nimue had always been fond of books, many of her childhood days were spent in the family library, reading stories of fantastical deeds and heroic battles. She raises an eyebrow. "How much?"