Lorien at the Collegium
Lorien heads to the Collegium of Ordered Aether — a little distracted and overwhelmed (sheltered upbringing). He can see it from a distance.
- The academic sector of Greyhaven — many bookstores, people carrying scrolls.
- Arrives at the open-but-guarded front gate.
- He’s an oddity here, given his garb.
- “What is known, endures” — inscribed on the arch.
He approaches the gatekeeper.
- Gives his blessing of Ilmater.
- Greetings, states he is seeking knowledge for a quest — needs an arcane master to help decipher the mysteries.
- Specifically, insight on dealing with physical, enchanted artifacts that can have mental effects.
- The gatekeeper notices he is new to the city and asks for more info — Lorien is a little uncomfortable, careful.
- The gatekeeper directs Lorien to Mistress Quill upstairs.
Weapons divestment:
- Lorien can’t bring weaponry inside; he understands.
- It takes some time — he has 4 javelins, after all — shocking the gatekeeper and the guards.
- They take the weapons to the guardhouse. Lorien gets a receipt.
- Reminder: leave before nightfall unless he applies for an overnight permit.
Inside
A grand atrium with tall, tall ceilings. Grand staircase. Many hallways.
- Lorien pulls out the map and tries to read it. Kinda vague, but should be fine.
- Unfortunately Lorien is overwhelmed and lost.
- He asks a student for directions — the student is taken aback and intimidated.
- Lorien also asks if they know Ruasar. Obviously not.
- Student gives directions. In one ear, out the other.
- Lorien gets more lost and is somehow in the basement — dimly lit, no students, many hallways.
- Lost, lost, lost.
- Time to ponder.
Adrik tailing the courier
Meanwhile, Adrik makes his way to Warehouse 17 for the courier tail.
- Pulls up his hood and enters stealth mode as he approaches.
- Finds an alleyway with a clear view.
- After an hour, he sees Drogon, Seris, and Kell arrive — looking haggard and weary, slept-in clothes.
- Eventually a pale, sickly-looking, thin person scurries about:
- Dressed to look inconspicuous, wearing a muted color-shifting cloak.
- Coming from the east.
- The courier speaks to a worker who points him to Drogon’s office. His satchel sits differently now.
Perception check — something is wrong
- Not physically — he moves and speaks normally.
- Eyes are completely flat and immobile — no spark of life.
- No reaction when bumping people, walking through puddles.
- Satchel has no buckle, clasp, or opening.
- The satchel was bulging with something — but now is more empty.
The tail
- Tailing time — Adrik attempts to follow and shadow closely through the crowd.
- Over 20–30 minutes, Adrik follows east.
- He steps over a Painbearer pamphlet at one point.
- The courier is almost hit by a cart — in his weird state.
- Crosses Saddler’s Row Bridge — unremarkable, one of dozens / hundreds.
The courier now stands in the middle of the bridge.
- Standing for a time, just staring.
- All of a sudden — alertness comes into his eyes.
- As if he just woke up.
- Stumbles, looks around, checks pockets / satchel.
- In a state of confusion.
- Exasperated, he walks off the bridge to the nearest tavern, The Saddler’s Rest.
Adrik stands where the courier stood, looking where he looked.
- Nothing really interesting out there.
- No loose cobblestones, variations in the architecture.
- Checks for anything that can be lifted or pressed in the stones. Nothing.
- Fully unremarkable area.
The Saddler’s Rest
Adrik heads to the tavern.
- Mid-day quiet vibes.
- Nods over to the ale and asks the barkeep if any messengers have come by.
- The barkeep narrows his eyes and remarks on the queer question.
- Points Adrik over to Polder — the courier.
- The barkeep is astonished Adrik would want Polder as a reputable courier.
YGOR
Back to Lorien, lost in the Collegium basement.
- Lorien wants to see if he can hear anything or feel any drafts.
- He kinda feels one direction goes up and the other goes down.
- He hears noises of pen on parchment.
He approaches the door — it’s like a different biome.
- Smells overlaying in complex ways that’s almost impressive.
- Paper, wax, floral, preservatives — and underlined with body odor stench.
- Notes everywhere: “do not disturb,” “wait, do disturb,” “never mind.”
- One last note: “come in, door is unlocked, lock is in a jar somewhere.”
Lorien knocks.
- Door immediately swings open. Ew. Gross. That stench.
- Inside: a laboratory of sorts. Body parts in jars, circulatory system pinned on the wall, bookshelves, tools, workboard.
- And the gross man, hunched over.
Lorien greets him, says he is lost.
- Wispy gray hair, lost to neglect.
- Long stained leather apron over an academic robe, color-blotched over time.
- Unaligned eyes.
- Long fingers stained with… something. Tapping at unseen things.
- Each hand writing independently.
“A guest, a guest!!”
Lorien approaches, asks where he is and why YGOR is here.
- In the laboratory, nexus of everything.
- Lorien tries to make sense of what he sees. Nothing.
The rant
YGOR rants and rants.
- Been working for years on his life’s work.
- Lorien asks if he ever leaves — but why would he?
- He asks Lorien if he also hears the voices. Yes.
- Almost hard to breathe right now.
- He can hear the voices screaming and says it must be a great burden.
- He knows of the heart and tries to unbuckle Lorien’s breastplate.
- Lorien steps back — he can take it off himself.
- YGOR wants to show the heart in exchange for help.
Lorien asks if the body parts were taken from anything living. YGOR deflects — alive now, but who knows before.
Lorien sits on a stool that hasn’t betrayed YGOR before and explains the origin of the Heart while undressing.
The “examination”
YGOR looks into the heart, muttering and thinking. Comes back with sharp tools.
Lorien asks wtf.
“It’s for the mysteries.”
YGOR inches closer and closer. Lorien lets him — but is concerned for his life.
“Death is a concept, but don’t worry my boy — it will be painless.”
- Lorien feels pressure but nothing untoward.
- YGOR starts writing down notes and remarks that Lorien should be dead now.
- “Dissection not possible. Extraction maybe possible.”
- Continues to call Lorien a specimen.
Lorien asks to speak with Mistress Quill. YGOR says no.
The chest
Lorien asks YGOR about the chest.
- He divulges details. YGOR mumbles.
- Lorien asks the way out — but why would he leave?
- YGOR has many visitors. They’re all here. (The body parts, probably.)
- Back to the box — it has six sides.
- It’s also cursed.
Lorien is trying to get tf out of there now. YGOR mentions the Weeping Lord (Ilmater) may have use for him later.
Leaving the Collegium
Lorien leaves and manages to find the first-floor landing.
- Seems that more time passed than it should have.
- Time to leave.
- First, Lorien asks someone about YGOR.
Lorien collects his stuff and finds a note from YGOR saying to come back soon.