Ankor listening to all this, speaks up. "Miss when did you get this role and who was before you? Did they tell you stories of the past or did you have to learn all of it from these books? 

Victoria loves a fellow bookworm. "Are these books in the common tongue?" Victoria would like to pick one up and read a bit from it. "I'm not one for religion, but lore and history are very interesting to read"  

Tefkae, though she lacked in expression, made up for it in the odd idiosyncrasies of a human thinking deeply since the mention of the common tongue. "Additional Inquiry: Did those same tales regarding travelers seeking glory make mention of any fog to begin with? In fact, are there any records you possess that makes mention of a 'start point' for said fog's all consuming presence, and the mist creatures to follow?" 

The scholar scribbles the notes down with spelling thanks to Zack. "Hmm? Oh, right. Well, the last scholar asked me to take on the role, and there was a time where I was an apprentice, then when I had learnt enough of the histories and how to research, then I assumed the role." She informs the group. 

Victoria checks a couple of books. They indeed seem to be written in common. However, the books are frayed and tatty. (Feel free to roll an Intelligence (Investigation) check.)

"That is quite a good question!" The scholar looks to Tefkae. "Now, where is it... Ah, this one!" She pulls an old book from out of the corner of an armchair. "This is the one; The Red Knight. The wording is a little strange, but it seems to be about a guard called Red, who hails from a land where there is no mist. In fact, there is a whole chapter on Red the Knight being in a forest and mist approaching like it was abnormal. Isn't that fascinating?"

Checking The Red Knight, it appears to be something that will be sorely disappointing to the scholars. It looks to be a storybook one would tell to their children over several nights of reading.

How big is the book? Zack always had a fondness for fairy tales.

About the size of a small novel, so perhaps 50-100 pages, hardback. Easy to stow into an adventurer's backpack when no one is looking ;-) 

Zack would've loved to read it but there wasn't enough time. He could take it but he doesn't like taking things that aren't his. At least, if someone is using them. He is more inclined to take things that no one else would use. Like corpses for example. Regardless Zack says to the Scholar, "The book looks to be the type that would take a day to read. If it's not any trouble and if you don't mind, would you be willing to tell us the story of The Red Knight in brief?"

Investigation check: 14 

Noticing they are delicate she handles them gently 

"Gladly!" The scholar says, holding the book to her chest, but not opening it. "I suppose I should do an overview. Red the Knight is tasked by his town's mayor, a man called The King, to travel to the town's edge and stop a terrible beast that they call The Dragon. His journey takes him through his town, which is enormous if the records are correct, and is accompanied by a friend called Squire. The pair have to cross a stream, where a monster called Troll attempts to bar their passage. However, Red the Knight is gifted with a blade that can conjure Light and Fire, just like a guard captain, which allows him to defeat Troll. They then travel through a forest, just like The Hunter does here, and fight shadows in the dark with The Light. They finally find The Dragon."

The scholar squeezes the book in anticipation. "This is when the tale gets really interesting. The Dragon is said to have skin that is tougher than the strongest iron that The Blacksmith could forge, and can also conjure Fire and Light, but through its mouth." The scholar pushes the glasses up her nose a little. "The Dragon is also said to have wings that allow if flight, and four legs, just like a cat. Isn't it such a bizarre creature? I'm glad there aren't foes to our town that can wield the power of The Light against us." She lets out a sigh. "However, it is not all a perfect battle. Squire falls to Dragon's use of Light, but Red the Knight avenges him." She pauses, thinking back on the words within the book. "I guess those who swear themselves to the role of The Guard may be destined to follow that route at some point in their future..."

Quote from LadyVenom >>

Investigation check: 14 

 Victoria:

Zack listens to the story with interest. It seems like he might have enjoyed this story had he read the thing himself. He remembers a similar kind of story he once read about three heroes traveling the land and collecting 7 magic gems so that the rightful heir may reclaim the throne. However that is neither here nor there. Once the scholar finishes her story. Zack turns to Tefkae and says, "Um What do you make of this? It sounds to me like generic fiction which we may find on our world. However, one thing in particular stands out to me. I think it's strange that we have Kings and Knights and Dragons mentioned in the story yet such concepts seem foreign to the people here. What do you think?"

"Sounds very similar to stories the elders would tell to the young." Ankor follows up behind Zack. "Are there any stories from the hunter that you can share with us? Anything they have reported back to you about what's beyond the village?" 

" A lot of these histories seem to only be story telling books, fiction. However, some of these also look to be origin stories of races."  She goes to pick up the elven book and carefully reads/scims through it. " how did you obtain these books?"

Tefkae is somewhat slow to answer, but one eventually comes following a jerky retraining of attention on Zack. "I concur. This is still only conjecture at the moment. But, It increasingly feels possible that these folk are descendants of those trapped by the mist over a great deal of time. Though this does not explain why more varied races have not been discovered in town as of yet." They then snap back to attention on the scholar. "Additional Inquiry: Do you have any thus far strange abnormalities compared to most? Feathers, for instance? Or even scales hidden on your body? Or collection of odd weapons -- artifacts beyond books on the residence?"

Zack acknowledges Tefkae's response with a nod. He seems to do that a lot. He says, "I had a similar theory but yours sound more possible." He then waits for the scholar to answer the question before continuing.

"The books have been passed through the ages from one scholar to another." The Scholar informs the group. "But it has been lifelong mysteries as to where each of the histories happened. For example, was Red the Knight's quest before of after the history of The Dark Prince?" She seems confused about Tefkae's question. "I think I have a perfectly normal body. I might have a bit wider hips and stomach than some others, but my role doesn't give me as much time to exercise, okay? Oh, and I just hold the scriptures of old. The Mayor has some of the old weapons from prior Guard Captains."

Zack says to the scholar, "Er... can I see the book for a bit?"

If the Scholar lets Zack hold the Red Knight's book for a bit, he will try to make an estimate of how old this book might be.
Investigation: 18

Zack: 13 Investigation

Zack hands the book back to the Scholar. He thanks her but doesn't say much else.

Ankor has a moment of clarity as the scholar states the mayor has some of the weapons of older guard captains, the sword and painting must be that of a guard captain of the past. stands to reason why he was unsure of its origin. while thinking about this and the stories in the books a new question comes to mind. "Do you have a book of stories from the guard captains? is it standard for them to come to you to tell you the story of the attacks on the town, like the one the other night? So that it can be recorded into the history of the town?"