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“It was a peaceful town, located on one of the main trade routes leading to Waterdeep. There was a few caravans coming and going every month or so. Nothing too much out of the ordinary, to be quite honest. However, recently there’s been something peculiar going on. Especially at night. I’ve heard a few of my friends telling me about a strange hooded figure they’ve seen skulking about at late hours. The rest of the guards handed in reports about a bloke hangin’ about the outskirts of the town. Some people told me that they’ve seen the figure visiting our local library on more than one occasion. Seems like the stranger took quite a fancy to book reading. Odd thing is that whenever I tried questioning the eyewitnesses about our weird fellow, none of them could give me a precise answer regarding anything particularly important or outstanding. As if all the major details about the color of the stranger’s clothes or how tall he was suddenly weren’t important enough to remember. Even when I asked them where and when they’ve seen the bugger; none of the townsfolk could spit out a proper answer! As if it was just a hazy dream to them, or a long forgotten distant memory.“
- Excerpt from the City Watch Captain’s private dairy.
The night was peaceful and calm, at least that was the case so far. There was no one else at the local library but the caretaker clerk working away diligently at the main counter. Suddenly, the entry doors creaked open with a loud squeaking of the hinges. A lone hooded figure stepped inside, closing the heavy wooden door shut. The old clerk flinched, raising his gaze to see who it could have been at such a late hour. He nervously glanced at a small hand crossbow laying at his feet behind the wooden desk. Then, he felt it.
A voice inside his head, like a sharp sliver penetrating his thoughts. - You have no reason to fear me. If you cooperate and keep your composure, Marius. - The silent voice spoke directly into his brain, cutting the distance between him and the lone wanderer like a sharp arrow. The library’s caretaker could feel cold sweat dripping down the back of his neck, but he knew that the only course of action he could take right now was simply staying calm. Just as the voice told him too.
The hooded figure walked slowly over to him. Marius could feel the person’s gaze running him through from under the bandaged face, covered on top with a heady cloth hood. Clack, clack, clack. The sounds of the stranger’s heels resonated across the empty hall. The wanderer reached into his pouch bag and grabbed something, throwing a handful of objects onto the stained, wooden desk. Three gold coins. They seemed more then genuine too. Marius didn’t dare to pick them up yet, and instead looked up at the figure. The person raised his hand to his face and made the “hush” gesture at the clerk. After that the wanderer headed off towards the Arcane Books section, grabbed one of the heavy grimoires off the shelf and begun studying it at one of the tables. Marius wiped the sweat off his brow and quickly pocketed the coins. He was old enough to know that oftentimes it’s best not to pry and leave such people to their own devices. If anyone asks he didn’t see anything... or anyone.
Book after book, tome after tome, the wanderer was intently reading everything he could get his hands on. As if he was literally devouring the knowledge straight from those dusty volumes. After a few hours the dawn was breaking. The hooded figure stood up and placed “Assorted Stories and Eye Witnesses’ Accounts Regarding the Mad Mage Halaster, volume 5” back on the shelf. He gently placed the chair back and walked over to the main desk. Wanderer shot one last passing glace at the clerk and headed back to the door, closing them behind him.
It’s been going on for at least a fortnight. The cloaked figure arriving at the exact same hour as before, not uttering a word, simply wordlessly walking over to the back of the library and reading books. Not that Marius was complaining. He managed to gather a nice sum from this entire ordeal, as the odd guest was leaving a few gold pieces for him every now and then. The curious thing is, Marius had a feeling that the wanderer could easily force him into compliance. Because, couldn’t he? He knew his name and had the ability to speak directly into his mind. Possibly one of those crazy, eccentric wizard types. Best not to meddle with their affairs. Marius knew that if the figure wanted, he could have easily forced him to keep silent. And yet, he didn’t. One of these nights when the wanderer was busy studying “Arcane Magics: Complete Anthology” Marius coughed into his palm meaningly, as if trying to get the figure’s attention.
- I don’t mean to pry into your business, stranger. I really don’t, but since you’ve been coming here regularly, I’ve decided to get you something special. I have a feeling these books will suit your fancy. - Said Marius, as he duck behind the counter and grabbed two very old tomes, placing them in front of the stranger. - They’re not available to the public, you see. - The caretaker lowered his voice into a hush. - Forbidden books, aye? But since you’ve been slipping me some extra coins I think you’ve more than earned the right to have a look at them. - The cloaked man paused, turning the page of his current book. The tension in the air thickened. The air got heavy. The wanderer slowly raised his head and looked at Marius. His hand traveled up, reaching over to the scarf covering his face. Peeling away at the fabric, something slipped out. Marius flinched and jumped back, almost knocking down one of the bookshelves. A single slimy, mucous-covered tentacle idly probed the air from under the scarf’s wraps. - You’ve done well, Marius. I shall enjoy the books you’ve brought me. Not many people get the privilege of finding out my real nature and live to see the new day, but you’ve been quite the asset in my strive for knowledge. I hope our friendship will be long and bountiful, my dear clerk. - Marius heard the figure’s booming voice resonating inside his skull. There was no doubt about it now, the figure frequently visiting him and his library for over a month was a creature he only heard about in legends and passing stories told by drunken patrons at the local bar. - How curious, I didn’t even need to use my powers to alter your brain. The influence of a few golden coins was enough to sway your mind. How very curious. - The Illithid continued to speak directly into his thoughts. Marius didn’t know if he should be glad or terrified at this revelation. He swallowed hard and nodded, quickly walking back to his front desk. He knew well that sometimes it’s better not to ask too many questions.
After all a purse of gold coins is nothing to scoff at.
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