There are those who might take a missing book to be a small matter, but Iviana can't really comprehend them.  Even before Lydia found her, she had loved books, learning, study...she generally assumes it's one of the reasons She led her out of the woods in the first place - back when she'd been young enough, and more importantly, foolish enough, to assume that having read accounts of adventurers and explorers was all she needed to survive a while on her own...

Others who might assume they'd just misplaced it.  She can understand that one; Goodness knows, she's not perfect.  But she is careful, and...she's sure.

Even so, normally, this sort of thing would suggest only one possible course of action: Go find another book to read, and check back later when whoever took this one would probably have brought it back.  A dream - even a very vivid one - is no reason for her heart to be going so fast all of the sudden!

The sense of certainty that came with the dream, on the other hand...that felt, and still feels, like something she ought to pay attention to.  Lydia has never had cause to send her a true Vision before; she'd hate to ignore it when She does...

It occurs to her that she's been staring at the bookshelf for more than a minute.  Shaking herself out of it - more a vaguely troubled feeling, than anything, she decides there's only really one thing to do.  She sighs, quietly.  She doesn't want to trouble any of the Sages with it.  They'll put it down to her "impatience," she knows.

Afterall - she's got a mere two hundred years to go, if all goes well.  Why wouldn't she be in a rush?  At least some of the younger Sages are only a little bit older than she'll ever be.

Chiding herself a bit with the thought that it's a lucky thing Lydia has no particular commandments against a bit of jealousy, she goes to track down one of the library's Sages.  Preferably, one of the younger ones.

When she finds one, she approaches carefully.  They make her feel like a child again, tugging at her mother's skirts with another confession of a miscast cantrip.  "Pardon, Master," she says, humbly, for his attention, and then waits until she has it.  "I was reading a book yesterday - The Battle of Emridy Meadows and the Overthrow of the Temple."  With a human Sage, she muses, she'd have probably cut the title in half and figured they'd know the one she meant - to the elves, that would have gone down as `imprecise' alongside the everpresent `impatient'.  "I can't find it now; is it possible to find who has taken it, that I might ask it back for the day?  Or, perhaps there's another copy, or another book on the same subject I might compare?"

Impatient, she thinks.  Yes, I know..

[Private to GM: Yes, definitely a good beginning! grin  Do let me know if I'm writing in or pushing ahead too much...]

"Ah, the half human!" said the curator, a slight smile on his face. "Now let me see..... the title again? Hmmm..."

In front of him in midair a list of books appears which spins through the various tome's titles until the various ones to do with battles appear.  Frowning he continues his search. Iviana can just about read the text as it flies by, frequently changing direction as he narrows or expand his search.

Finally he turns to Iviana and says, "Was this some kind of joke! Who put you upto it?" Seeing her look of horror he softens a bit and says "Its just... there is no book, never has been."

Iviana shakes her head, confused.  "Are y--" she strangles the question before it starts - of course he's sure.  But she'd been reading it.  That wasn't just a part of her dream...maybe the cause of her dream, but she's sure she'd been awake.  Maybe it was part of someone's private collection?  And...they had misplaced it?  And...she had just happened to come across it the one day it was there...?

Then again, maybe not.  She feels a slight thrill, combined with a tinge of nervous nausea.  "No," she confirms.  "I wouldn't joke about such a thing.  Not here," she says, firmly.  "This place, though...this Emridy Meadows?  Is it real?"

She's never heard the name before yesterday, she's sure - as sure as she's never seen the Temple, the image of which is still burned so clearly into her mind's eye.

The sage looked at the young half-elf for a few seconds considering whether to help her or not.  So much to do, so little time, never enough time...

"Come!" he said abruptly as he turned and walked towards a different section of the great hall.  This one she had never been to before, containing as it did only old maps and such like.  Reaching a table, the sage pulled down a more recent chart of all the lands of Oerth.  Predictably Celene was in the centre, the elves were a bit conceited when it came to their importance in the grand scheme of things.

Muttering a small enchantment including the words 'Emridy Meadows' caused the map to re-centre itself and to expand the scale from the centre.  As it enlarged, Ivianna had a slight feeling of falling into it until after a few seconds it stopped. There with the familiar crosses battleaxes symbol was the sight of the battle! Even now she could feel a certain disquieting longing.

The nearby villages of Hommlet and Nulb could be clearly seen while the city of Verbonc was a fair distance to the North.  Gazing at the map she seemed to feel more at ease with the village of Hommlet.  The name seemed familiar, perhaps mentioned in the book? Nulb on the other hand felt cold and isolated, though it clearly was no further out of the way than Hommlet. Perhaps it was the blank part of the map only a few miles from Nulb that seemed to suck the life out of the village. She stared at the empty spot willing it to fill in the detail.

A blank part? Surely this was not right. Turning to ask the sage she found he had gone.  The light in the hall was fading and the elves were busy putting their research away. But surely she'd only just arrived? How had the time passed so quickly? Despite the heat, a chill entered her bones and she shivered slightly.

With one last look at the map she traced the route from Celene to Hommlet. Though close by most standards it was still at least a two week journey, though the going did not seem arduous. Carefully she return the map to its storage stand and made ready to return to her chambers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:08, Mon 08 Oct 2007.

[Private to GM: Oooh...GoogleOerth!  Hehe]

When Iviana finally breaks away from the map, her contemplative state is shaken by the sudden rush of confusion.  By the time she reaches her rooms, this has been replaced by conviction.  Before finding Celene, she had wandered; it had seemed the thing to do at the time.  Travel and learn, do some good deeds along the way... she hadn't exactly been coming to Celene.  She hadn't really been going anywhere in particular.  In Celene, she had found other followers of Lydia, as well as like-minded deities, and been invited to stay a while; it felt right, so she had.

But now, she knows, she has a purpose.  Time will tell if deserves a capital `P' or not, but she's certain Lydia wants her to go to Emridy Meadows for something.  Something that probably has a lot to do with a blighted (albeit compelling) Temple, once devoted to a demon lord, that the Elves don't even want on their map.

It's not just exciting - it's downright thrilling.  She'll never be Lydia's most devoted Priestess.  Iviana believes in Her, agrees with Her, and certainly supports Her teachings and purpose...but she'll never be the one who chooses to settle herself down, even in a library like this - to give her entire life and being over to the preservation and offering of knowledge.  At least Lydia's not one of the ones who asks Her followers to rely on Her completely - self-empowerment is part and parcel of Her lessons.  Iviana supposes she wouldn't have been chosen if they weren't, but the gods make some funny decisions sometimes...

In any case, if she's right - and, while she allows that she might be wrong, she's nevertheless certain - that she's had a true Vision; that Lydia is calling her to a purpose that might very well find a need of her other skills...  She nods firmly to herself.  She can be packed and ready to go within the hour - her father had always drilled into her the importance of being ready to move.  "No point in learning how to defend the weak, if you're going to get there too late anyway."

Then she glances up, shaking out of her reverie enough to remember the quickly fading light.  OK.  She can be packed within the hour; she'll go in the morning.  She's hardly going to get there tomorrow anyway...

[Private to GM: She'll first memorize and then cast Unseen Servant, and set it to straightening out her room and getting her things together; while it's at work, she'll find and tell the people she's close enough to here to miss that it's time for her to move on.  I don't know how common divine intervention is for your worlds - if a Vision is something people would respect, then she'll at least tell other Lydians a bit about why. (I'm assuming that with a library like this, she's probably not the only one in the city...)  If it's the kind of thing that gets you looked at strangely and possibly sedated, she'll keep quiet about it.

In the morning, she'll memorize Enlarge, re-tidy the bed, eat some quick breakfast, and then set off on the route she picked...]

Despite the importance of Celene as a centre of knowledge, the followers of Lydia are not seen there very often.  Even so there were two others currently in residence, both human. One, Iviana did not wish to impart her tale to for fear of ridicule.  Jealousy can lead to strange reactions. The other a old man named Rogeit was always approachable, indeed she had talked frequently with him.

Reaching him before it was too late in the evening she was welcomed.  Breathless she began her exciting tale... Only to falter... It seemed every time she tried to bring the details of the revelation forward she found that her thought were distracted into another path and the discussion moved away.

Finally she had enough and settled back into more relaxed discourse. The night wore on and she made her excuses and returned to her chambers, to rest for the road ahead. Rogeit wished her well, a sad look on his face, he understood that he may never see her again.  The frailty of human life all to evident, his service to the goddess would,not go unrewarded.

Iviana slept well that night, no visions disturbing her slumber. The day dawned bright and warm.

[Private to Iviana: GoogleOerth! well you know what they say about magic, civilisation and technology maybe the elves were onto something.  did she ever check out Elfbay? lots of used magic items, henchmen etc. available....]

In the morning, Iviana wakes earlier than usual.  She quickly makes her bed, as she always does, leaving the room in good order - better order than usual, knowing she won't be the next one in it.

She eats her breakfast quickly, also, feeding little nibbles to Memento.  When she's done, she cleans that up as well, before going down to the stables, with some apple slices for Liberty.  She gives the horse her treats before saddling her up for travel.

When everything's ready, she mounts up, making sure as best she can that she remembers her route...not for the first time calling on some of the memorization techniques her mother had taught her for purely mundane purposes.  Waving a final farewell to Celene, she starts off!  At least here by the elven city, the roads are  pleasant, in both appearance and function...

As Iviana steers her horse through the tree of Celene, she is hailed by a young half-elf female with blond hair.  She has never seen her before and the way is clear if she chose to ignore the intrusion.

Iviana gives Liberty's reigns a light tug to stop her walking, smiling down at the other woman brightly.  Journeys often get tiring after a day or so, but the beginning is still exciting.

"Good morning," she calls back.  "What might I do for you?"

The half-elf bows in acknowledgment, He garb and equipment mark her as a magic user possibly of some skill. You can see that she is holding sealed parchment note in her hand.

"Forgive the intrusion." she begins "I understand you are possibly going to Hommlet? If so I would ask that you could deliver a letter to friend of mine there for me."

Iviana really doesn't even have to think about it.  "Of course," she agrees.  "I'll do my best.  I've never been there before, though, so I ought to warn you," she winks, "I might get lost.  What's the name?" she asks, leaning down and extending a hand for the parchment.

"It's for my friend Ronalt, Ronalt de Gault, he's a ranger working out of Hommlet.  If you do manage to see him, tell him it's from Muriel. If you cannot find him please destroy it." said the half-elf handing Iviana the note.

"Ronalt de Gault, the Ranger; from Muriel," Iviana repeats, committing the names to memory.  She starts to tuck the parchment away into a saddlebag, but pauses at the requested destruction.  Instead, she straightens back up, and carefully fits it into her beltpouch instead.  "I'll do my best," she promises.  "I won't be coming back this way, one way or another, so I can't bring back a reply," she adds, as the thought occurs.

Muriel thanks Iviana and wished her well on her journey.

Iviana left Celene with few regrets.  She had never felt at home in the place, though perhaps if she had met more like the half-elf she might have settled better.  The girl seemed to have a strength to her character that did not sit with her current situation. Anyway enough there was a long road ahead.

And there was, though the journey was uneventful to the point of boredom.  Even passing through the mountains to the east did not delay her as the paths were good and the inhabitants for once on top of the local 'wild life'.  She did hear rumour of raids by hill giants but came across neither them or the results of these raids.

Moving beyond she entered the Kron hill country and the going was even easier. The gnomes were good natured and bode her no ill will. Indeed they welcomed newcomers with tales of elsewhere, which Iviana was more than capable of supplying.

Finally on the fifteenth day, she moved out of the hills and into more fertile regions.  The dusty, rutted road was lined with closely-grown hedges of brambles and shrubs.  Here and there it cut through a copse or crosses a rivulet.  To either hand, forest and meadow have gave way to field and orchard. As she continued, she saw a distant hill dotted with stone chimneys with thin plumes of smoke rising from them.  A road angles west into the hill country, and to either side of the road ahead are barns and buildings - Hommlet at last!

Seeing the place for the first time, Iviana experience the same feelings she had when first reading about the temple in Celene, a shiver run down her back and she knew she had arrived. What ever Lydia wished of her this was where it would be found.

Taking her bearings she could see a small keep to the Northern end of the village partially under construction.  This would be as good a place to start as any.  Also almost immediately in front of her was a temple, the construction of which lead her to believe it might be that of St. Cuthbert, a small secular religion grown popularity in this area.

Iviana doesn't really know a lot about St. Cuthbert.  The little she's picked up suggest that he's a bit patriarchal for her tastes, but...on the right side of things, in the end.  After a little thought, she decides it seems only polite to introduce herself there first.  Though she doesn't really know them well enough to share...when it comes down to it, she is here on priestly business.  Not that she's entirely certain what that business is - but perhaps they'll be able to point her in the right direction.

Decision made, she directs Liberty towards the temple.  She dismounts at a respectful distance, leading Liberty until she's close enough, then tying her off and approaching to knock at the door.

Iviana parks her horse and is about to enter when the doors open and two humans walk out.  It was clear they were in a hurry and did not pause on seeing her.

Shrugging, she walked in to the temple.  Inside there was a female cleric in the process of leaving the antechamber who turned back and said "Whats hap... Oh forgive me I thought you were the druid returning. What can we do for you?"

Iviana smiles.  "Sorry; hope I'm not interrupting anything.  I'm new to town, but I'll probably be staying here a little while...I hoped someone here might be able to spare a minute to help me out a little.  Or perhaps more to the point, direct me where I might be able to help out a little.  Oh, and I'm looking for a ranger named Ronalt, if he's still around here?"

"Shame... I had high hopes for you for a minute there. The Saint would be more than welcoming if you decided to follow the one true path... Ronalt is easy to find, he is in the keep with his friends taking council. Yes perhaps you can help him and his little band, after all without me who is there to guide them towards the light rather than the dark." said the priestess sound not a little conceited.

Iviana smiles.  "Well, that's nice to hear," she says, easily, hoping the Saint is at least a little more welcoming than this one for those who don't happen to follow the `one true path'.  "Oh, I..."  She starts to explain that she was only looking to deliver a letter to him, but stops herself.  A little band that might need guidance, led by a Ranger with friends in Celene.  It sounds...promising.

"You do look a bit busy.  Thank you, for taking the time to offer me your guidance.  I hope we'll have more time to talk later."

Iviana drops two silver pieces into the donation plate on her way out, and then starts making her way towards the partially built Keep she'd seen earlier.

Making her way to the keep she find inside the main entrance two humans, one of whom she saw leaving the chruch as she arrived.  The other is huge man, obviously a warrior of some sort. Both looked at Iviana but said nothing

Iviana smiles to both, deciding to direct herself a little more towards the larger one that hadn't been at the church for now.  "Good morning.  I was told I might find a Ronalt de Gualt somewhere around here?" she asks, hopefully.

The human that she saw earlier glanced up as she entered. He watches the guards to assess their reaction to her, and then bows slightly. "M'lady." As he stands up he straightens his jerkin slightly, fluffing out his cloak behind him.

The large warrior nodded his head and answered "Indeed he is here but who might you be and what is you business with him?"

A couple of guards watch the proceedings looking bored.

Iviana looks thoughtful.  "Well, I might be almost anybody, I suppose," she muses, teasingly.  "But my name is Iviana.  I have a letter for him, and a priestess back at the Temple suggested I might be able to offer him some further help than that.  But at the least, I've a letter, and I was asked that it go from my hand to his."

The big man listened to Iviana the said "En that case you'ld betta go an see him. I woud knock 'efore enterin'.' He gestures to a flight of stairs leading below.

OOC: he should have had an accent in the last post....

"Thanks," Iviana replies.  She gives a friendly nod back to the one from the Temple who had greeted her on coming in, also, and then goes down the stairs.