Gate of Memoirs/West Hall: Rotunda - Start

The lost scholar unveils his grand plan: the manipulation of desire to ascend beyond the limits of a mortal existence.
Portrait 	Dialogue
 	
*[ West Hall "Justice" ]
Music: "Dark Pursuit"	Music: "Dark Pursuit"
 	
*A long time ago, a scholar sought the ultimate secret to destiny.
*The duality of a culture inundated in prayers and posturing alike—
*Holding both gods and gold in equal measure.
*Is it ever man's destiny to have his own path controlled by others?
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*The past few days in the tomb passed by in a blur, as if time was warped in this space.
*With the help of the spirit Nimrah, artifact seeker Renatus was able to retrieve the Tome of Desire,
*a book of great power and interest to the top brass of the empire's religious order.
*Wedged in its eye sockets are two red jewels, now glimmering with an ominous light.
*The frantic whispers of trapped spirits and souls wailed softly from the many halls,
*but the tome was still locked shut, and offered no advice nor explanation on the situation.
 	
*Renatus: I think that's all we can do. The only path left is back out to the entrance.
 	
*Renatus: You mentioned that the jewels have never glowed like this, right? Maybe that's the key.
 	
*Nimrah: Seeing that no one before you has managed it so far, your guess is as good as mine...
*Nimrah: ...But I did sense a change in the magic binding the area. Perhaps you've done it, seeker.
 	
*Renatus: Only one way to find out.
Portrait 	Dialogue
 	
*The two return to the debris-laden entrance, but before Renatus can head towards the crumbling double doors...
 	
*Renatus: Huh?
*Renatus: (What was that? Felt like a—)
 	
*Warped Voice: <Where are you going?>
 	
*Renatus: (Who—)
Music: "Source Hall"	Music: "Source Hall"
 	
*Warped Voice: <Go back. You're heading in the wrong direction.>
*Warped Voice: <Nimrah, escort him.>
 	
*Nimrah: ?!
 	
*Nimrah: ... ...
 	
*Renatus finds himself forcibly led back to the hall by a shocked Nimrah, who seems as confused as he is.
 	
*Renatus: Hey! Nimrah! Snap out of it!
*Renatus: Curses...What is it now?
 	
*As soon as they step back within the very center of the hall, a barrier springs up.
*The tome vanishes from Renatus' arms, and floats in place before them.
*With a click, the book slides open.
*The wickedly grinning skull, with its ominous, gleaming eyes, is wreathed in black energy for a moment
*before a dark shadow coalesces from its pages, forming the vague outline of a bent-backed figure.
*The Scholar: <Hello, seeker. I must applaud you for your efforts in solving the mysteries of my tomb...>
*The Scholar: <...And for freeing me.>
 	
*Renatus: Freeing...you? You were trapped in the tome?
 	
*The Scholar: <My final ritual to transcend the boundaries of human knowledge was a...success in some ways, but not so much in others.>
*The Scholar: <For one, my burdensome body was reduced to dust.>
*The Scholar: <But I retained my consciousness, at the very least...so I bided my time.>
 	
*Nimrah: Master's patrons started coming in droves...to figure out where he'd gone...
*Nimrah: And that's when they started getting trapped.
 	
*The Scholar: <Indeed, my clever little spirit.>
*The Scholar: <I realized I had the power to manipulate their desires...>
*The Scholar: <Mankind, ever the greedy, miserable wretch.>
 	
*Renatus: You kept them in here...to kill them? To make a point?
 	
*The Scholar: <Foolish boy. I needed their essence. Their souls.>
*The Scholar: <The ritual had all but drained me, but what little I could extract from them was only able to sustain me for a time.>
*The Scholar: <Until you came along.>
 	
*Nimrah: The North Hall had the highest concentration of souls...
*Nimrah: ...But Renatus?
 	
*The Scholar: <Yes, the seeker...has a fascinating soul.>
*The Scholar: <You profess to be faithless...But something burns brightly in you.>
*The Scholar: <You were able to resist even my manipulation from the mirror in my study. Impressive.>
*The Scholar: <I shall claim your body for my own.>
 	
*Renatus: Gh...!
 	
*Nimrah: Stop!
 	
*The Scholar: <Hmph...So you choose to go against me, spirit?>
*The Scholar: <You were MADE to serve me. Through MY wellbeing you prosper.>
 	
*Nimrah: It has been DECADES. You have done nothing except imprison me to further your own goals.
*Nimrah: I won't remain tethered to you anymore, Master.
 	
*The Scholar: <Oh? Disobedient spirit. Your punishment will be severe...>
*The Scholar: <If I fall, your entire being will be torn asunder.>
*The Scholar: <You are bound to me. Or have you forgotten?>
*The Scholar: <Make your choice, spirit.>
 	
*Nimrah: ... ...
 	
*Nimrah: I am tired of this life of servitude.
*Nimrah: Even if I must die to gain my freedom, it will be worth it...
*Nimrah: I am getting OUT of here.