After writing the note to Granny Naomi on the back of his previous note, Guilliame take his sword, spell book, and his spell component pouch and leaves the house by the back door, which will be left unlatched.

Making his way through the early morning streets he heads toward the sheriff's office. As he is walking, he hears the calling of the second candle since dawn, which means he is two candles too early for his arranged meeting with the sheriff.

[OOC: What do you want him to do between now and then? He can of course go to the sheriff's office now, but it is likely the sheriff won't be there to meet him.]

OOC Would the library be open?

OOOC Saw Dune yesterday. I thought it was pretty good. Just part 1 though.

Quote from Guilliame >>

OOC Would the library be open?

[OOC: Not yet, but by the time Guilliame reached the school it would be.]

OOOC Saw Dune yesterday. I thought it was pretty good. Just part 1 though.

[OOC: Good to hear. Were there many in the cinema?]

Head down to library.

OOC Mostly full but not a huge cinema - Palace electric #5

[OOC: Sorry, only just saw this post.]

Guilliame heads toward the School of Occult Studies to spend his time in the library before his meeting with the sheriff.

He arrives at the entrance to the School only to see it is now being guarded by a hand of Mithran Temple guards. He is a little shocked at the sight but then a familiar voice calls his name.

"Guilliame, I am so glad to see you," says Velma as she approaches, "But why are you still wearing your sword? I thought your time with the Watch was last night?"

[OOC: I am going to assume that Guilliame is still wearing his official Watch armband unless you say otherwise.]

OOC Still wearing the armband.

"Hello, Velma. It's nice to see you. There was a murder last night and I am trying to help. It seems to involve Shari worship and I was going to see if there was any information in the library before I meet the sheriff."

"A murder," says Velma, looking Guilliame over with some concern. Finding him hale and hearty, she smiles and takes his arm before turning to look at the group of Mithran guards on guard outside the school. "Is that what they are here for?" she asks.

"They consulted Seeker Lomani from the church because there seems to have been dark worship involved. Maybe not just Shari. So yes."

[OOC: Please make a Religion check for Guilliame to see if he knows more about the religious situation here in Constantine.]

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Quote from Guilliame >>

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[OOC: Clearly Guilliame paid particular attention when he attended Temple school ;-)

Although what he has said to Velma is probably sufficient for a Stemian's understanding, Guilliame is probably more likely to think that the Mithran guards are there for some other reason; perhaps something to do with the recent supposed appearance of an avatar of Aieda within the school.

In the Mithran pantheon's hierarchy, Mithra is the chief god, closely followed by the goddess Aieda—Mithra's wife and the fertility goddess. Then comes Oannes, the sea god, in terms of popularity. However Donai, the god of the dead, while not having a lot of popularity is particularly powerful politically because its priests tend to be the most powerful sorcerers because Donai's domain encompasses understanding the mysteries of the afterlife.

Also, Guilliame would be aware that the four temples all have their own sets of guards, each of which have distinctive uniforms. The guards at the entrance to the school are in the tan and brass armour of the Temple of Mithra. If the guard's presence was to do with the Seekers, who are associated with the Temple of Donai, the guards armour would most likely be the black of that Temple.

You can have him convey this to Velma if you wish.]

[OOC: Couple of corrections to my last post. Oannes is the son of Mithra and Aieda, not the brother as I said. Also, as well as the hand of Mithran guards outside the entrance to the School, there is an expensive carriage with gold ornamentation and two white horses waiting.]

Explain to Velma as above.

"Any idea who travels around in gold carriages?"

"Must be someone rather special," admits Velma speculatively. "... Could it be the high priest, you think? The Dawnmaster?" [OOC: See here for information on the Dawnmaster.]

Talking quietly: "Sounds plausible. Keep this secret but one of the people murdered was at the school, Saladin Brassman. Did you know him?"

After a moment's thought, Velma replies in a whisper, "No, that name does not mean anything to me."

Then, in a more normal voice, she asks, "I wonder if they will let us in? I should be opening up the library now."

"Let's give it a go. I might be able to get some traction with my Guard insignia."

Unless Velma suggests otherwise, approach the door.

Holding on tight to Guilliame's arm, Velma walks with him up to the gate.

The shortest of the hand of guards steps forward to address the two of them. Perhaps strangely, he is a Stemian rather than a Sorendenese, but despite this, his uniform has the insignia of handleader on it.

"Blessed day, citizens," he says in Sorendenese while eyeing the sword at Guilliame's side and the hand holding Guilliame's arm, "Might I ask what business you have in the School of Occult Studies this morning?"

"I am the assistant librarian," replies Velma, sounding a little nervous. "I need to get in to open up the library."

He nods and then asks, "If I could have your name please, Mistress?"

After Velma replies to his question the handleader turns to Guilliame and asks, "And you sir? Your business, and do you have permission to carry that sword in the streets?"

[OOC: I have moved Guilliame's calendar into a new 'Calendar' category in the 'Miscellaneous' group on the WorldAnvil site.]

"I do, sir." Present the sheriff's authorisation.

The handleader takes the authorisation and studies it carefully. "I will need your name... And what is your business at the School please?"