Chaismene Volte

(This is what I managed to save after the forum wipe.)

Gunnar: Ghost!
Chaismene Volte: *shivers*
Gunnar: Are these common in the castle?
Chaismene Volte: Protect me!
Gunnar: *Grabs his hammer!*
Chaismene Volte: I have never seen one here before!
Gunnar: Yes urh..ma'am.

Late last night Gunnar and I saw a ghost roaming the Castle. It didn`t seem to notice the living much, nor did it seem aggressive. It just floated down the hallways, for whatever reason it must have. Completely void of any feelings whatsoever, tending to it`s own. It didn`t speak, and if it had we probably would not have understood much.

Not really sure what to do, but quite convinced the Castle was not a place to be at the moment - I found a place to stay for the night. After a rather frazzled talk with Gunnar at the doorstep. Gunnar mentioned there might be some resourceful people down in Trinsic, thats where we probably could start asking around for help. I am not really sure what to do with .. such things.

Just hope I can warn Agnes before she goes to work.

- Chaismene Volte

Chaismene Volte

(Originally posted by Agnes)

I was about to visit the Borough Castle to where the Borough Library has recently been moved, when I met Chaismene and she told me the castle has a resident ghost. How exciting! Chaismene says it seems to stay upstairs and does not seem yet to be causing any harm. I can't sense anything evil but then I have not yet directly perceived the ghost.

Chaismene and I talked a bit about what can be done. The ghost could be exorcised perhaps, but if it is not evil that may not be necessary. Someone who can communicate with the spirit world might be another possibility. I will approach Smaed and Jern to ask them if they know how this could be dealt with as Jern's friendship with VanQa and Smaed's friends in the village of Silverleaf, where he lives may be helpful. I also suggested - and Chaismene agreed - to put an ad in Ye Sosarian Morning Poste. I did that and the ad was published in yesterday's edition.

I am staying downstairs while I work on the library collection and will be here until late tonight. Perhaps I will learn something. Its surely only a matter of time...

Agnes Fretting
Borough Librarian

Chaismene Volte

The ad Agnes wrote to the Poste helped. Callum, who I had met during the Festival of Tales wanted to come and see what he could do. Lyim the merchant was there, as well as one who presented himself as Bertrand. Aegnor from the Silverleaf Village, and the lovely Myka. And one named Jake and another who never really presented himself to me. A woman named Lucy also came by. We moved upstairs where we had seen the ghost last time, I of course letting brave ones up the stairs first.

The ghost seemed to flicker. Sometimes being there visible to us all, other times not. Lyim, who has a gift it seems, told us he could see the thing all the time, but that it manifests itself by choice to us.

We chased it trough the whole Castle, and ended up at the runelibrary downstairs, where it seemed to linger, staring at a shelf. Lyim approached and talked to it. It responded at first with a simple: Lost.

Then it spoke again and said" Save my books"

With all gathered we discussed how it could be interpreted. Why didn`t it move away from the castle? Had it been brutally murdered somehow and that was the reason it was linked to the place, not able to rest? Lucy then suggested that it was perhaps murdered for a book. What kind of book could that be, that would lead to such a horrible act I wonder. Myka suggested it could be a rare book, one that held a secret.Then the ghost spoke again.

"Dal Mohr" - it said. At least that was what Lyim told us it said. No one else could understand it. Then it went silent again.

I have never heard of the name, and do not know whether or not it`s a place or person or anything. But we agreed that searching trough the libraries might be a good approach - to see whether this is mentioned somewhere. Good now that I have "The Library way", a useful collection of runes to various libraries.

Since I didn`t want to spend the night in a haunted Castle I accepted the kind gesture from Aegnor to stay over in the Silverleaf Village. They arranged for me to sleep in a rather cosy room in the Ranger`s Tower. It is nice here, and wonderfully ghost free.

- Chaismene Volte

Chaismene Volte

(Originally posted by Agnes)

Working late on the library catalogue the other night I fell asleep at the desk. I was woken by the sound of cupboard doors on the next floor opening and closing. Night had fallen, but there was no wind so why were the cupboard doors opening and closing like that? I realised someone must be up there. Then I heard the sound of footsteps moving along to the tailor's area. I grew afraid and sat perfectly still. I heard the spinning wheel begin to turn then suddenly stop. More footfalls, then for a while silence. Finally a long drawnout wail that raised my goodsebumps. Then silence again. I sat there for a long time but heard no more, but was too terrified to move for a long time. Then I fled the castle.

Agnes Fretting
Borough Librarian

Chaismene Volte

In one stroke, life had become much more complicated. And dangerous. At first she had only wanted to know more about the ghost to get rid of it. To resume her old life as the current manager of the castle, a ghost free one at that. But fate did not want that currently it seemed. The mentioning of this place Dal Morh and the books had peeked her interest, but nothing more than the regular rumours of who did what to whom she could read in the Poste. Nice to know about, easy to forget.

But now? What in the Avatars name had she stumbled into here, and what had she drawn other good people in to as well? Good people like Aegnor, Kaine and Myka. And VanQa.. Subtle inquiries VanQa had promised, but the reaction she had received had been less so. What they later had learned from Cal had made them aware in full what danger they faced meddling with such things. And she had asked Agnes to make an ad in the Poste! How foolish could one get, how naive.

She drew her cloak tighter around herself and skimmed through the book on the table. What she read there did not ease her mind at all.

Chaismene Volte

(Originally posted by Agnes)

Well, here I sit in a fine library, wondering what to do. The ghost reportedly said something about "saving my books" and something I don't understand at all, "Dal Mohr". So the obvious thing for me to do is to search the library for any book that might help me to understand the history of this castle, or that contains these words. Thats a big job. And if the answer is not here it may be in another library, perhaps? Start searching, Agnes!

Chaismene Volte

She had been there all along!

Only when Muldran had adressed her by her name had she known who it was. She hoped her immediate reaction didn`t counter what she had tried so hard to achieve: "A bewildered and clueless Miss blue-eyed from Yew." Muldran had at least perceived her so, not only after speaking to him in great length afterwards had he seen past that. She could only hope that was what the others thought as well. In that was her hope of getting out of this mess unscratched. At least the suggestion of Ghost-lectures had been presented, and even a field trip to the castle.

They couldn`t go after so many at once now could they? Would they ?

Chaismene Volte

(Originally posted by Agnes)

My search in the library had yielded nothing. But Chaismene had said if I was to learn anything it would be from Naeloth Library.

Naeloth!

The very name drips dread: a fel place on the dark side of the world, where, it is rumoured, all is so blighted that nothing grows. Where there are no laws and where lunatics abound who attack and murder people they don't even know - just for the fun of it!

What strange fates are held in store for us: I am going there, a journey I had hoped I would never need to make. I was still far from ready with my magic training, unable still to even mark runes! But the Library Way Runebook held a rune to Naeloth. So going there would be no problem.

I would take nothing except my runebook to get me back home. But before I leave I must write a note to Chaismene that if I should die on this dread journey a pouch with my few possessions and an explanatory note should be given to Smaed. I will lock it on the library desk.
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Well, well, Naeloth Library was indeed a surprise! As was the dark side of the world.

The library is a centre of learning and contemplation in a quiet country location. I saw little of the dark side but although the trees be winterbare there is green grass aplenty. I must ask Smaed to go explore the lands about the library. It seems not as fell as rumour has it. And not one madman was to be seen attacking randomly. I must revise my views of this side of the world: it is clear that many misconceptions and myths abound concerning it.

But to my mission. I was met outside the library by an old man. He asked me what I wanted and who I was, but in reply said not his own name. But he seemed full of authority and, as I later learned, wisdom. But an air about him told me he was the head of the library, even of the organisation that owns it. Soon before I departed, a lady came. She too said not her name but was clearly an associate of the man.

The library is indeed impressive with many books organised into archives much as I have done with Yew Library, but vastly larger. I scanned the books and read one or two but found not what I was looking for.

But my guide asked perceptive questions, and two things he mentioned in especial: we should study the history of the castle, it may hold a key to why the ghost haunts just there.

Now why didn't I think of that?

The other was that the names Thane and Dal Mhor seemed not to evoke a response but the name De Lacy did. He said we must talk to someone called Seriya, who is often at The Trinsic Rose of all places. He also mentioned the Darkcloaks and showed me a book about this organisation that I read. And in some way I also had the sense - no more than that -that the whole story is bound up with Yew.

I will go seek this tavern out - I know Jern is a regular there - and talk to Mine Hostess the Lady VanQa. But first as an emissary of the Borough I must await the Franklin's return and report to her.

For all this and future services my Guide had informed me the library would ask a boon - one that may be made at any time. I told him that this must be asked of the Borough, as I but do the bidding of Chaismene Volte, its Franklin, in coming to Naeloth. But I agreed these terms on the Borough's behalf, adding that when next I come I would make the library a gift of the Leafsta Archive as my personal thanks.

Agnes Fretting

Chaismene Volte

(Originally posted by Agnes)


My curiosity regarding The Trinsic Rose got the better of me, so I sought it out and met VanQa. Its a fine tavern and I partook of a jug of milk. I had forgotten how creamy and rich Trinsic milk is compared to that produced from the northern pastures of Yew! But I see now why Jern is a regular there, and VanQa is a fine hostess.

Anyway, it seems Seriya visits the tavern very infrequently. And - even more ominous - that she may be a member of the Darkcloaks. VanQa said she would tell Seriya I was seeking her out, but I hastily and most firmly asked her not to. This is something for Chaismene to decide first.

It also seemed that from VanQa's description, the old man I met was called Garod, and I felt the goosebumps when VanQa warned me that he asks favours to be pledged before the pledger even knows what they are or when he will demand them redeemed! What have we let ourselves in for? Poor Chaismene.
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Smaed and Jern visited for Yule. The name of my neighbour still nags at me as something familiar. But I cant for the life of me think why: I'm so tired I can't think straight. I wish Chaismene would return.
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-Agnes Fretting