Log:There and Back Again, Scene 1

There and Back Again 2019/06/14 	 Artemis Eleanora Nohrbor Radical Union Thaddeus Burge

1

Radical gets a call. The caller ID indicates it's Eleanora.

Connor answers the call, "Eleanora? This is Connor. What's up?"

Eleanora says, "Oh, good afternoon, thank goodness! I thought I'd never find the right portable. I need your help, rather urgently - and if you can bring any other help, so much the better! I fear I've made a quite catastrophic mistake."

Connor nods. "Of course. I have some time free now. I'll bring whoever I can find."

Eleanora says, "Thank you! You'll find the Library parked in the usual spot. Do please make haste!"

Radical contacts as many heroes as he can manage to have them meet him in Old Town, so he can get them to the library.

Eleanora is standing by a mostly unremarkable door in a building. She looks rather agitated as she waits for the heroes.

Radical waves as he arrives, seemingly from out of nowhere. "Hopefully the others will be here soon."

Two Noble Bloodlit answer the hail, after of course the Omega Guard team AI alerted Artemis to the request.

They fly straight from the NashCo building to the appointed meeting place.

Quite naturally they arrive bickering about who actually arrived first and therefore who was the winner of their race across town.

Eleanora says, "Ah - thank you for coming! Are any others expected?"

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says, "Nay- and if it weren't for that pidgeon you wouldn't have taken this victory from me! But I swear upon my Ancestors you won't win the next."

Artemis just chuckles and laughs, looking to Eleanora curiously. "Yes- we were told the matter was most urgent."

Radical nods to Eleanora, "I think that's it."

Eleanora says, "Then please, come in. I would offer you tea, but I fear there is little time for such pleasantries...."

Great Library

Books. There are books on shelves as far as the eye can see - forwards and backwards, left and right, and up to endless tiers of balconies - till the haze of distance thwarts the eye. Staircases spiral up between levels.

At the heart of the library is a door, standing free in space: the main entrance. Surrounding it four features have pride of place. Facing the entrance the office and residence of the librarian, a mansion dwarfed by the library that houses it. To the right is the Atlas of All Worlds: row upon row of folio volumes. One volume lies open on a lectern by the door, showing a map of the world the door currently leads to. To the left is the Maximegalon Dictionary of Every Language Ever. To the rear of the door is the card catalogue.

At times one can see people among the stacks: library users and library workers. Many aren't human. 

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx looks to Eleanora and says, "Do not fret- we've come, prepared for battle. Though perhaps another time." He says as he enters.

Eleanora says, "Your are most welcome. But pray, refrain from battle whilst within the Library!"

Artemis looks crestfallen at that request. "We shall endeavor not to."

Radical chuckles. "Unless...it's a battle of wits!"

Eleanora says, "I fear I have already lost one such battle today. Let me explain:"

Radical nods and listens quietly.

Nohrbor and Artemis listen intently, eager to bring slavation to the situation at hand.

Eleanora,somewhat surprised by the lack of comment on the Library, continues. "One of the library's regular visitors, a certain Thaddeus Burge, MagD, has of late been paying me some degree of attention, and truth be told, I have enjoyed his company. He is an accomplished traveller between worlds, but certain worlds are closed to him. He expressed a desire to enter the world created by, as he said, his favourite author, and I was foolish enough to oblige, expecting no receipt from him. But no sooner had we arrived than he slipped away from me, and I realised the cause of his choice of location.

Radical raises a brow. "Wait...we can go into the worlds of book? Fictional worlds?" He shakes his head, "Never even occurred to me to look into that, but I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised. Where did he go, exactly?"

Eleanora says, "Indeed - why not? You should know that magic is all about metaphor, of seeing and interacting with reality in a different way. Some magicians can enter minds as easily as other people can enter a room, for instance, and interact with their contents as if they were solid. So it is with the worlds we call fiction. There is some debate whether the worlds are truly fictitious or preexisted their supposed authors, but I can give no answer to that. What I can do is to enter such worlds."

Nohrbor will certainly return to ask questions about this great library, he's jsu tplaying it cool- that and there's an emergency to handle that requires their demi-godly strength!

Eleanora says, "As for Dr Burge, he wished to enter The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. In particular, he wished to visit Lake Town, from the chapter 'A Warm Welcome'. In retrospect that should have alerted me - why, of all Tolkien's marvellous settings, would he choose that place? I had imagined, perhaps, that it might be because it was relatively safe, and yet one might meet Elves and Dwarves and a Hobbit, perhaps. But now I see it was chosen with quite a different purpose in mind."

Radical nods. "And what is that?"

"We are unfamiliar with these works- a warm welcome sounds very nice." Nohrbor comments

Eleanora says, "I think he wants the One Ring for himself. What better place to steal it? The Dwarves have arrived, battered about, sealed in barrels. Bilbo must wait till dark, when he is left alone, to free them. There is no help to come to his aid. I need hardly say that were the Ring to be taken from that world at such a time, it would be disaster for Middle Earth - not to mention for whatever world Dr Burge chooses to travel to thereafter!"

"This must be some ring." Artemis says, still clearly not understanding what makes the /One/ Ring so powerful.

Radical remembers the basics of the story. "I read it a long time ago, but don't remember a lot of the details. Basically, the ring is part of an...evil overlord type. A demi-god? And if he gets the ring back, he'll be nearly impossible to stop. Destroying the ring, as it happens in the books, destroys the demi-god, effectively."

Radical rubs his temple. "I remember hte ring only having basically two powers for most people. Invisibility...and...corrupting them. Oh...and it tried to return to its master. With kind of...subtle pressure on the bearer."

Eleanora says, "And the Ring would grant great power proportional to the power of its wielder, as well - and yes, it invariably corrupts the bearer."

Radical shrugs, "It's been over twenty years since I read it as a kid. So, I don't remember a lot of the specifics."

Eleanora says, "Dr Burge is an accomplished magician. I shudder to think what he plans to do with the Ring."

That seems to have gotten the Godfloras' attention. Both of their mouths turn up into grins and their eyes glow gently as they suddenly become excited about the prospect of proving themselves against someone of demi-god-like ability.

Radical nods. "Can you drop us off at the same point you dropped him off? Or can you not be at the same point you already were in the story?"

"So this fellow quests for power at the cost of their soul. A classic tale," Artemis surmises after digesting the story of the ring. "It seems books made reality are dangerous," she comments as she looks about the library.

Eleanora says, "I will have to take you there at a point after I left. But there should still be time, I hope, to stop him. Bilbo does not, as the story stands, rescue the Dwarves till after sunset, and no doubt will be hiding with the Ring until he does so, though the book does not specify that that I can see. So the time to strike will be when he reveals himself to free the Dwarves - I hope."

[To Artemis] Eleanora says, "Books truly are things of great power - and like all power may be used for good or evil."

Eleanora says, "Have you any questions, or shall we now proceed?"

Eleanora opens a copy of The Hobbit on top of the open atlas pages.

Radical nods. "If we do not find him the first time, will we be able to back up and try again, slightly earlier?"

Eleanora says, "Truthfully, I'm not certain. I've never tried to visit the same book out of order. But I suspect the same rules apply as are said to apply for time travel: there would be a branching timeline."

"How would we recognize Dr. Burge and the hobbit? And what does the ring look like?" asks Artemis.

Radical holds his hand up about waist height, "A hobbit is about yea-tall. Should be obvious. Looks like a small adult. But not a dwarf. The ring is plain gold. No markings unless you expose it to fire. Then some writing will appear."

Eleanora says, "The ring appears as a simple circle of gold, unless it is heated in a fire to reveal its inscription. The hobbit is shorter even than Dwarves, and will likely have bare but hairy feet. Dr Burge is dressed not unlike a resident of Lake Town, but he insisted on keeping his impressive mustachioes, which should make him stand out."

Artemis nods slowly as Radical tells her dwarves and hobbits are different, even though she knows not the difference. "Very well. We shall unshoe those we must to find this Hobbit and protect the ring!"

"The Mustachio'd man will be left atremble after facing our might!" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says in agreement.

Radical does his best to describe Burge, giving a bit of a physical description. "I've met the man a few times. He's from a world that have a Victorian feel to it, but more magic-focused."

Nohrbor seems to understand what this means. "Ahhh. I see. So something like..." He transforms his clothing into something more victorian & his hair shortens while a long twirlly mustach grows on his face. "...this?"

Radical nods. "Something like that, yes."

Radical says, "He won't be dressed that way, though."

Eleanora says, "Speaking of which, do you wish to have appropriate attire? Or do you plan to take the simpler approach of staying out of sight of the natives?"

"Ah. Well... that's his perogative I suppose. I rather like it." Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says as he pulls on the lapels of his waistcoat.

"I believe I can handle that for myself, though perhaps a visual example might be helpful." He adds, answering Eleanora's question.

Eleanora says, "Needless to say, the less interaction with the natives the better, lest you should disrupt things yourselves."

Artemis studies Nohrbor a moment, impressed some.

Radical shrugs, "Given that I have few powers without my gear, I think I'll just endeavor to stay out of sight."

"If we could have apporpiate attire, it would make things simpler," Artemis comments lightly. She is anything but subtle.

Eleanora shows Nohrbor a book with pictures of roughly appropriate attire.

After about a minute Nohrbor's shape slides into something more appropos, matching the example perfectly though embelished so even in this rough form he's still quite fetching.

Eleanora says, "Very well - are we ready now?"

"Aye." Middlearth Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says.

Radical nods. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Artemis nods, deciding to try for stealth.

Eleanora says, "Then let us proceed." And she turns toward the the book, and takes a minute or so to cast a spell. The she says, "There - just through that door."

Radical waits for the others, since he's dressed...conspicuously.

Nohrbor turns his head about, looking for another door. Surely it cannot be the one they came through.

The door opens in perhaps a surprising place - from the other side it seems to be carved into a cliff face. Below the squarish wooden town, built on stilts, stands amid the lake. To the left can be seen the Lonely Mountain. "It's a fair climb down, I fear," says Eleanora. "But I needed somewhere mentioned in the book where our arrival would not be noticed."

"Magnificent!" He says in surprise as the door is opened. He looks to Artemis and races through it- forgetting to even stay on the ground in his excitement at the prospect of seeing a whole new world, so inextricably tied to his new adopted home. He expects many insights into the hu-man condition from this journey.

Radical nods. "I can fold space a few times and get us down there. Where do you think that Bilbo will make an appearance again?"

Eleanora points. "You see there - by the bridge to the town? There's a raft tied up, with many barrels attached. The Dwarves are in some of those barrels, and somewhere down their, presumably, is Bilbo himself. He is due to free them when 'the shades of night have fallen'. Which, I fear, may not be long now."

Indeed, the Men and Elves that can be seen near the raft are withdrawing into the town.

Artemis is caught by surprise at Nohrbor's haste. He wins this time as she races out after him. "Would flying be unusual here?"

Eleanora says, "Practically unheard of, I believe."

"Ah. Perhaps we might just fly down the mountain side since time is in limited supply? It would be a small thing to shepard the rest down safely." Nohrbor suggests.

Fortunately, exactly as explained in the book, the guards are not very alert, since trouble is not expected.

The Stranger reaches his hand out and offers it to Eleanora. "Would you care for a gentle waltz down the mountain side, Wizard?" He asks with a smile as if he doesn't have a concern in the world.

Union steps behind something for a moment, and returns dressed appropriately for Lake-Town.

Radical folds space a few times, crossing the intervening space, carrying everyone that Nohrbor isn't helping down the hill.

Eleanora says, "Thank you, sir - though I'd hardly call myself a wizard!"

Union offers, "I can connect us...our minds...so that we can communicate privately and help watch each other's backs..."

Artemis steps heavily and hits armored, booted foot on a few rocks as she gets ready to climb. She gives up and allows Radical to escort her down quietly.

"I'm sorry. Would you prefer 'Sorceress'?" He inquires as she is lifted bodily by inviisble arms and then once in his reach he scoops her up and flies down the mountain silently until tehy meet up with the others.

"Some things were not meant for mortal minds," is all Artemis responds with.

Eleanora says, "I am not yet fully comfortable with 'Librarian', I confess. That title truly belongs to my predecessor."

"'Tis a bold and selfless thing, sheaparding knowledge through the ages. Especially with a mystical athenanium such as yours." Nohrbor says in a gentle tone. "I am sure your predecessor has chosen wisely."

It is darker here than at the top of the cliff, the shadow of the cliff itself having brought an early sunset. Already it is harder to see than it might be. However, Radical notices two points of significant magic. One is stationary and diffuse - an area where the shadows are particularly deep, though the effect is subtle. The other is tiny, but powerful. Almost as soon as Radical appears, this latter point starts moving away from the barrels northwards, away from the heroes.

Radical points out the two locations. "I think Bilbo is there. I can sense the ring. Though I won't be able to keep my magic sense up long." He points to the other. "That darkness is magical. Likely where Burge is hiding."

Union says, "Then let's go get him, before he hurts someone."

"I agree," Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says, "but perhaps we should also protect this Bil-bo of Middlearth."

Union says, "He's a someone too."

"The story is written and Bilbo should be fine without the interference of Burge. We should stop the foreign element," Artemis suggests as she tries to keep things subtle.

From the magical darkness another spell is being cast...

"Then so be it. It seems the die is cast." Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says as he falls in line.

From a rift (sort of) above the heroes, a poisonous gas seeps downwards....

Eleanora doubles over, coughing and trying not to breathe in any more of the noxious gas.

Union holds her breath and runs into the gas cloud to carry Eleanora out.

"What manner of ... trickery... is this?" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx asks as he notices Eleanora slow and then halt fro being stunned. He feels it too though cannot put his finger on what's happening to him.

"Ho there friends! It seems we're under attack- look at the Keeper of the Athenaeum!" He says, slowing so he can scoop her up and continue on to prevent Burge from succeeding.

The Stranger is about to do so when Union bolts by him and on through. He quirks his head and moves to follow.

Hearing Eleanora coughing, Union takes a deep breath and dashes into the gas cloud. She is easily able to locate the Librarian, scoop her up, and carry her out of danger.

Radical spreads out away from the group, just in case something else like the first spell comes their way. He flickers from where he is, closing the distance significantly toward Burge. "This is foolishness. Have you been infected by it without even wearing it?"

Artemis follows after the others, tempted to fly, but going on foot.

Eleanora coughs the poison gas from her lungs as she's brought to fresh air. "Thank you...."