Guardian of the Mnemonicon

[stevebarracuda]

"I will await an answer...for however long it takes. But, I shall do it without burden!" Odilon smiles. "You may send anyone that is interested to the Blade and Stars Inn, where I keep a room."

Leaving the Temple of Gond, the travel is short to the Lord's Alliance, and Schmidt is there waiting. The dialogue between the quest giver and the quest maker, is short, and brash. "You may one day learn to appreciate those that are willing to help...," Odilon replies as a last word before turning on his heels. "Politeness is a scarce commodity in this city?" he asks to himself.

With an initial contact with the Temple of Gond, and word left within for further engagement, Odilon turns his attention to the other poles of power—those that practice or even worship, the power of the Weave.

Having earlier received direction to the Mystran Church of Baldur's Gate, Odilon makes little delay in the travel from district to district. As he had wondered at a previous moment, when looking out the window of his room at the Blade and Stars, and spying two purple banners adorning the entrance of a nearby building, the Church of Mystra was so close to him at his initial arrival. Now, at present, standing under these two banners and statues of open-armed angels, Odilon prepared himself—and his words of greeting to the residing priest—to be as wise as possible...for to be representative of the Watchful Order, and for him to operate and possibly reach his goals in this city, he would need all the help that any with faith in the Art, could grant him.

The church interior was quiet except for the shuffling of a robed priestess, taking care of duties near the great symbol of Mystra, that hung above an altar layered with offerings, scrolls, and numerous objects related to the arcane, the Art.

"Well met my child. How may I help you?" asked Neela Daren, the robed priestess, who's cloth was adorned with arcane symbols related to Mystra and the Weave. Odilon took the invite to speak with a certain...excitement. And though the Priestess may not have seen it coming, Odilon delivered a monologue on his role, his reason for coming to the Gate:

"Priestess of Mystra...I am called Odilon, and I serve as missionary to the great Watchful Order of Magists & Protectors, which is based in the City of Splendors. I do not doubt that one of your rank with the Church of Mystra is familiar with the Watchful Order, as all that devote themselves to the Art, communicate in order to guide and further the study of the Weave. As I say this, I further admit my allegiance to the Lord of all Glyphs and Images. He is most devoted to divine hierarchy that stands under Mystra. To say it further—our faiths and calling are as one."

Odilon shifts to one side, a small pause as he continues to unload his story upon the unsuspecting Priestess.

"I have offered myself to the Watchful Order to expand the Order's mission to gather and archive information, such that through the faithful of Deneir, that which is empowered by the Weave can one day replenish the Weave...a cycle of mystic life, if you will grant me that interpretation, Priestess."

"To fulfill my pledge, and uphold this mission I have set myself upon, the Watchful Order has requested I acquire a Mnemonicon...do you know of this object? It is a container that could hold many aspects of the Art—be it divine or arcane...or more—from which others may learn, invent and create greater gifts to the progress of the Art. It is an container that must be created by those with the skill, talent and arcane might that is fitting to the task."

At this point, Odilon puts his question to the Priestess...with as much diplomacy as he can muster.

"In your great wisdom, I ask you to impart what I have said upon others that you may know have a dedication and willingness to progress the Art through a grand collection of all knowledge and invention. What I ask is that any that come to pray before Mystra in your presence, be told the opportunity to join in this faction task, the creation and sharing of all the Mnemonicon may contain, in the name of progression of the Art, itself."

Proud that he was able to impart his mission to the Priestess, Odilon gives her honest bow of thankfulness, and excuses himself from delaying the Priestess in her tasks, any longer.

"Remember this: Love Magic. Respect magic. Do not overuse magic." Says the Priestess Neela, as Odilon removes himself from her direct presence.

"I will take these words to heart...," he says as he turns to leave.

At the door to exit the Church, Odilon turns a last time to look upon the great symbol of Mystra. He concludes that if faith in his mission is to guide him—as faith would guide any pledged knight—that faith in the Art, Mystra's Weave...that from this presentation to the Priestess, she will put others of like mind, in front of Odilon's path....

[stevebarracuda]

After a number of hours inside the Elfsong Tavern, Odilon takes to a more comfortable chair, and opens one of the many bound booklets of paper that he travels with.

He flips to a particular page in the bound paper stack, and runs his finger along a few images that are drawn there.

The open book, the page, is easily seen by any persons that would be found in the Elfsong Tavern at that time, being near the roaring fireplace—even in the dimmed light of the interior.

[stevebarracuda]

Odilon the Guardian finds a more secluded corner in the upper areas of the Elfsong Tavern. A table, a chair...simple things needed for his task ahead. But the situation is not perfect—he calls over a barmaid and asks for a candle...no, two candles. When then arrive, with a small flick of his fingers and lightly spoken words, they light through simple cantrip cast.

Odilon looks around the room for a moment, thinking. He watches whatever faces might be there. Satisfied with his survey, he reaches for a satchel and opens it, placing a large book upon the table, along with his comfortably used notebook.

The large tome is in good form, newly bound and, would one be able to investigate it directly, easily notice it recently penned—the ink inside fresh and bright. Odilon turns to a certain marked section with this tome, then, opens his own notebook and begins to compare what he had written there, last:

• 
  "The ranger is not cursed...that is for certain. But whatever ailment continues to affect his health, it is by possession of the original that he continues to suffer. By his own will, of opening the original Forbidden Book, he has diseased himself...and what is yet to be known, is what shall cure him...though it may well be simply to release the original from his possession.
  
  Though I asked to take it from him so that I may do more than the few incantations cast upon it—such as it was that the Analyze Dweomer spell did educate me so far on these details—I am know very much glad I do not possess it.
  
  This copy, what which the Ranger provided me, contains a value...it's true value...but I am yet to unravel enough.
  
  I must continue on....for the Ranger's sake, and possibly, us all...."

Odilon looks up from his notes, and pauses in reflection. In his mind's eye, he sees again the original tome that was momentarily examined and analyzed from the Ranger's possession. He dwells on the memory...

Hidden: show

"Such as it is...it is evil....," says Odilon softly, his eyes wide and glassy, from the staring into the memory. The candlelight used to view the pages of the books reflects and dances on the edge of his pupils.

Soon, Odilon returns his attention to the actual text of the copy-book he was provided by the Ranger. "The truth must lie in the words written themselves...as it always does, so says the Faithful of Lord of All Glyphs...." thinks Odilon to himself. And so, the Guardian of the Mnemonicon, reads on....