The learned One

The Learned One


I will yet prove my worthiness to my Elven brethren. I have been in the company of the Ulranai for far too long now and require a break to ensure my morals and beliefs are still on track.

Upon arrival in Tretha, Foloshal was excited to hear that the city has the largest college dedicated to magic in the region. The city itself has no walls so we entered safely and without too much scrutiny.


“Khel, I must head over to the College and complete some research , I’m sure with the size of this institute their library must be quite vast.”

And it will help me obtain some space from that blasted Ulronai…

“Well have fun Fol, please remember, knowing how distracted you can get during your research we depart in three days time!”

Foloshal walks to the grand entryway into the college. The grounds outside are metticalously kept with greenery, plants and flowers in abundance.

“This is marvelous! Finally, a more advanced, civilized people I can confer with and compare practices. I wonder how they maintain such a great garden, there must be many staff on hand to complete the required landscaping, trimming, watering and constant labor involved..”

Surprisingly, the entrance pathway was very quiet with not a soul around
“Maybe they do all this work with magic” mutters Foloshal.

Foloshal opens the large double doors, painted white they are the largest doors he has ever seen, yet they open with the ease of a feather and with little effort.

“ahemmm, can I help you” sates an older gentlemen, spectacles on the bridge of his nose and sitting very proper like at a desk, he greets Foloshal.

“Well yes, kind sir, well met. It is with great pleasure I announce that I , Foloshal Silverleaf of the Elves has arrived at your gates to visit your library. If you could be so kind as to escort me and show me around it would be greatly appreciated”

Snickering, the Human stands up. “Well met back atcha, however, despite the fact I feel great wonder and excitement about having met you and that Foloshal has arrived at our Great College, you still may not pass”

“Why forever not?”

“First off, your not a member of our College, nor are you a magician” “therefore, you shall not pass”

“But I am an Elf, I have Song magic powers that rival your Human Sorcerous ways. I will be but a moment..”

Foloshal begins to walk past the human, when he suddenly blows a whistle. Two very large thugs from around the corner, fully armed and looking quite nasty grab Foloshal from under the arms and begin to man handle him out he door.

“You barbarians,” yells Foloshal. “this is how you treat a guest at your college?”

“NO, cuz you aren’t a guest” responds the librarian. “Now please remove yourself from our grounds and take the leaves that have fallen off your cloak with you on the way out, now be gone or ill turn you into a toad”

With the grace of a human dancer (as in none) the humans toss Foloshal out the double doors and with a resounding boom, the doors shut in his face.

“Well, this is not acceptable” “A minor setback indeed.” “lets just see how great their magic really is.”

With that thought, Foloshal begins to sing a most beautiful song. Using his Sonorous Voice and with Perfect Pitch Foloshal casts a song spell; “Threne of Chameleon” , he buckles his Elven grey mantle cloak over his shoulders. Waiting for someone to open the doors, the opportunity arises and Foloshal simply walks into the library.

The Librarian, none the wiser, continues on his business and Foloshal walks past the man with ease.

Foloshal enters the library with awe. Still hidden with his spell and cloak he begins searching up and down the aisles for the correct tomb.
Many hours pass yet Foloshal finds absolutely nothing and his throat is sore from the constant humming required. There are simply too many volumes. This research could take years.

Suddenly, Foloshal hears a voice.

“Well, well, I have not seen an Elf in this building for many, many years. You’re a long ways from Elvenholme young elf, what is your name and purpose?”

Foloshal, knowing his Stealthy, Threne of Chameleon and his Grey mantle used in a combined fashion makes him nearly undetectable by any means is shocked. He looks around, and through the other row of books he sees an older gentlemen, wearing thick glasses , whith long white flowing hair and a magicians hat smiling at him.

“Well met young elf”

Foloshal, knowing that this man must be of some power, decides that the wisest course of action would be to parley at this point and hope for the best. He walks over to the gentlemen and introduces himself.

“Hello sir, my name if Foloshal Silverleaf, nephew to the King Tirionsathymar. “

“My name is Professor Amaratis, Dugal Whistlethrrop, head of the School of Enchantment and it is a great pleasure to meet you”

“What is it you are searching for ?” enquires Dugal.

“I am searching for specific knowledge, it is of no consequence” eludes Foloshal.

“Well, rather then sneaking about searching randomly, how about you come down to my estate for dinner, we discuss what your looking for and come up with a research plan?”

Excited, yet nervous as to the mages intent, Folohsal enthusiastically agrees.

Later that evening, Foloshal approaches the Estate of Dugal. It is a city type concept townhouse with well appointed gardens and fountains. The building is in pristine shape , freshly painted eves with many windows.
“Very fancy”

Foloshal knocks on the door.

Opening the door is a young woman, wearing Yellow robes with a beautiful smile.
“Welcome Foloshal, we have been expecting you” The young apprentice moves aside, lets Fol through the door and leads him into Dugals private smoking room.


“Ahhh..well met my friend, come, join me with some great Northern leaf and smoke with me”

After enjoying some fine Elvish wine, a few puffs of pipe weed they begin to discuss the business at hand.

“So Foloshal, I once lived in Elvenholme for a short while and spent some time studying your Culture and Spell Songs. Your uncle knows me very well “

“I do not recall this, states Foloshal. “after all, I am 303 years old and much older then yourself.”

“Really? I am 560 days young and can still outrun most of the girl’s working for me” winks Dugal.

“When I was a young lad, as part of my learning curriculum I was sent to Elvenholme, established some great friends and have a deep respect for your people and culture.”

“I am very impressed. It is wonderful to meet a human such as yourself. Learned, cultured and enjoy the finer things in life”

“Yes, but we must remember the poor people, the less fortunate people as well young elf, your kind has a tendency to forget them”

“But no matter, why are you in my library? What has brought you to our college ?”

“ I seek information on a certain Rod of power” “it was made by the elves some thousands of years ago and its knowledge is long past any history books I have read”

“What is this rod named? “

“ummm, wellll…”

“Out with it boy!” Leaning forward, staring intently into the Elves eyes Dugal states

“If I really wanted to know and get this info, or meant you any harm, the matter would have been decided long ago and I would know what I want and you would be none the wiser, likely caught by our Magic Guards and wards. We are a magical college and you think you can simply slip in and be invisible with a basic spell song? Now please, you can trust me”

“Yes indeed. It is a Rod of Rulership, said to have been broken into seven parts and spread throughout the lands. This Rod was formed to hold control over all the races and their armies. Its power is unparalleled and will provide the Elves the opportunity to once again unite the lands”

After having blurted this out, Flor couldn’t quite understand why he did it. Certainly a more restrained answer would have been prudent to a stranger…perhaps there were other powers influencing his mind.

“Well, well, this is very interesting young elf. I tutored under Tirion in Elvenholme for 5 years back in my youth and he failed to ever have mentioned this rod. It must be a well kept secret.
Im glad you trust me enough to divulge such information”
Smiling broadly, the old mage adjusts his spectacles and calls out to one of his beautiful servants.

“Please bring us our food in my study, we have much to discuss and please do not disturb us, as well, please prepare the guest room for Foloshal. Have a guest pass prepared for access to the library so the old librarian doesn’t boot him out. He likely will be with us for a few weeks so give him a year pass to be safe”

Many hours later, much wine is drank, cigars are smoked and magic; Philosophy, Elven history and the history of the college is discussed along with many other topics. The trust between the Elf and Mage grows exponentially and one could say they quickly have built a strong relationship, forming a unique bond.

“Here’s what I will do, I obviously have access to rare and ancient tombs and will bring you to a secret section of the library reserved for senior staff. In this place, if anywhere, would be our only chance of finding reference to the Rod. Please, stay in my guestroom for as long as it takes, my home is your home and we will research unit we find out more of this staff. ”

“This is an incredible honor you bestow upon my sir, my thanks to you and for your help. Please, I am curious, why would you offer your resources to help me with this ?”

“I am interested in this field and anything to do with magic especially ancient powerful relics such as this. I also am indebted to your uncle for his hospitality in the past and owe him at least this favor.”

Two weeks go by, the pair work together diligently. Over sixteen hours a day spent reading tombs in the secret section of the library.

“Well Foloshal, we have searched high and low and the only information we have found is that the last known holder of this rod is Thronick, a very powerful Evil mage/warrior who lived in the Silverthorne Mountains. It is such a scary place that nobody has visited his castle since his disappearance. It is unknown if he simply became recluse or was killed somehow. This journey will be fraught with danger and once you arrive, there is no telling what Evil you may encounter”

“Well, I’m up for the challenge, and I know just the people I can ask to assist me. I will go to this tower, retrieve whatever pieces and info I can and return to you so we can study the shards together”

“Good luck young elf, and remember, don’t be too hasty and be careful, one never knows what he will encounter in an abandoned Evil castle…”

“ I take my leave kind sir. Good day”

Leaving the estate, Foloshal suddenly recalls, “ oopsss I was to return back and meet Khel and the boys three days later, what was that , about two weeks ago? I wonder what trouble they have gotten into in my absence…