[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Zm9NBje.png[/img][hr][hr][b][colour=006633]Event:[/colour][/b] Castle Mandelein [b]|[/b] [b][colour=006633]Location:[/colour][/b] Mandelein, Kerremand[hr][hr][/center]

The Trading Guild building in Mandelein stands in a central location within the town, a testament to the town’s history of commerce. The structure is made of sturdy timber beams with moss and lichen clinging them, and weathered stone with cracks and uneven edges, showing its age. As Taleja and Cal begin to approach the building, they notice the signs of neglect and disuse, long gone were the days of a vibrant and bustling hub of trade, as the area was quiet, the signs faded, and the fittings worn. The windows are covered with worn and faded curtains, with some of the windows boarded up, with gaps between the planks allowing for glimpses of the interior. 

As Cal swooped in to distract the Librarian, Linda Ackmann, Taleja seized the opportunity to slip into the trade guild building unnoticed. She noticed a side entrance tucked away, partially obscured by overgrown vines and foliage. Using tricks of the trade, she noticed it wasn’t properly secured, and taking advantage of this, worked quickly and silently to unfasten it and move swiftly within the building.

The building’s interior is dimly lit, with the only illumination coming from the flickering candles scattered throughout the space. She moved stealthily, keeping to the shadows as she better understood the layout of the building, navigating between the shelves silently.

Taleja moved toward the front, peering out with her green eyes as she saw Linda seeming to be in deep conversation with Cal. She moved to take advantage of the distraction as she went through the Librarians desk. Nothing appeared too interesting or of note, until she noticed how the layout does not appear to match the frame. With curiosity, she started to apply slight pressure to different sections, testing for any resistance or changes in texture. After a few moments, her fingers encounter a small, barely notable groove along one of the inner edges. With a deft manoeuvre, she was able to activate the mechanism that unlocked a concealed space within the desk. 

Among the books tucked away in the hidden compartment, there is a particular tome with weathered pages and faded ink. She moved to delicately turn the pages as it discovers it is an old-handwritten manuscript on the enigmatic ‘Beast of Mandelein’.

It recounts the tale of the first lord of Mandelein, a young man characterized by frivolity and thoughtlessness, showing a semblance of care for his people in words alone but not in action. This all changed when he encountered the malevolent wizard known as Kazau-Dessef, who unleashed a reign of terror upon the villagers, indulging in macabre blood magic rituals.

In a courageous act of self-defence, the young lord transformed into a true hero, sacrificing himself to vanquish the wicked sorcerer. However, in the aftermath of the battle, a curse was unleashed upon him. The lord was transformed into a grotesque and fearsome beast, he was condemned to wander the depths of the surrounding woods for eternity.

The book offers a glimpse into a bygone era, potentially harkening back to the tumultuous times of the great heathen war, or perhaps even a period shortly thereafter. Regrettably, no official date is provided, leaving the precise chronology shrouded in uncertainty.

As Taleja finished perusing the documents, she heard the telltale creak of the door, signaling Linda's entrance. Swiftly, she concealed the manuscript under her coat, retreating into the shadows of the dimly lit corner. Linda's diligent eyes scanned the rows of shelves, focused on her task. She selected a ledger from a nearby shelf, flipping through its pages in search of a specific record. Satisfied with her findings, she tucked the ledger securely under her arm and turned to leave the room.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Taleja quickened her pace, determined to narrow down her search. The first shelf she explored contained martial records and registries. While crime seemed relatively low, there were recurring failed attempts to eradicate smuggling. Notably, the registry indicated a significant population decrease 50 years ago, with the current census showing half the number of inhabitants.

Continuing undeterred, Taleja moved to the second set of shelves dedicated to clerical documents. The collection appeared incomplete, with noticeable gaps suggesting the transfer of certain records elsewhere. Focusing on events from 50 years ago, she discovered a communication addressed to the resident priest, Herr Müller, from the church regarding an unclear investigation. Pages found scattered throughout hinted at an expedition sent by the church, which mysteriously vanished. Herr Müller retired shortly after these events.

Advancing to the third shelf, dedicated to trade and commerce records, Taleja found little amusement. They pertained to records of trade and commerce for the town, and given the condition of the building, they held no surprises when greeted with blank pages when the beast was first sighted. Imports and exports prior to this were affected heavily by piracy, denoting only local trade with neighbouring towns.

The fourth shelf contained land deeds and fiscal reports, some marked with the name of Graf Kapperstel, while others lacked such distinctions. Flipping through an old and extensive batch, Taleja discovered that Mandelein was once a thriving town, with records abruptly ending 150 years ago. The second batch, resumed by a priest named Herr Geutsman, shared a similar pattern. What was interesting is the lack of the signature by any of the reigning Graf Kapperstels, simply the wax seal of the house outside the original collection last dated 150 years ago. The volume of the records dropped significantly 50 years ago, but they continue on a monthly basis, including from last Caldores, where there are no recorded changes.

Finally, on the last set of shelves, Taleja encountered correspondence in multiple languages: Hyparii Yasoi, Perrench, Kerreman, and Avincian. Luckily, she possessed an understanding of all these languages, allowing her to delve into the documents. Unfortunately, the majority were mundane receipts and notes indicating exchanges without divulging their contents. However, the volume of contact between Hyparii and Perrench piqued her interest. A relatively recent letter from Perrench, signed by noble named 'Comte Mirabeau,' praised the ongoing success of their joint venture, with more goods on the way. Among the old letters dating back 50 years, one addressed to Herr Müller caught her attention. It was signed by 'KD' from Hyparii, congratulating him on a deal with an individual named 'Chad' and promising a reward within a year. KD described Herr Müller as "surprisingly reasonable" for someone in his position.

Having completed her exploration, undeterred by interruptions, the day had transitioned into the dark of night. Taleja exited the building through the same path she had entered, finding Cal expressing his frustration at the duration of his encounter with the librarian. As he complained by the lack of good quality wine, she playfully pointed to the nearby well, suggesting he could have quenched his thirst there. Cal narrowed his eyes, recounting Kaspar's encounter with a suspicious individual tampering with a vial and the water there, and he is not going to debase himself with water not even fit for peasants nor beasts. He gestured toward the night sky, highlighting the beauty of the four full moons as a backdrop for the finest of beverages. Taleja frowned, her gaze drawn upward,

Four Moons.

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