The Search For Ruh

Many, many years ago, an illustrious man named @[Tobin Dreyfus](person:36f44e66-f2a8-4879-969d-3b11b3bd1341), often called [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Grand Master[/url], found a hidden compartment. It was placed deliberately in a very unused part of the @[Explorers' Guild](organization:27d3ad85-7518-4d28-80a4-2592ff9ba4a8) ancient archives. The archives are full of mysteries, piling up across the years. Not many visit them, which left these secrets untouched.

[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] was greeted by a wave of stale air and dust, once he opened the compartment. Inside he found a pile of scrolls, covered by a thick layer of dust. Excited by the prospect of what the untouched scrolls contained, he quickly left the archive. Everything felt like a blur as he moved through the streets, yet weirdly enough, he was able to orient himself. Soon, he reached the door to his house, almost stumbling as he went inside due to the thrill.

Quickly setting himself in the study room full of shelves filled with important texts and tools, he gently wiped the outside of the scroll clean. Examining the seal, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] noted he didn't know, yet felt a familiarity with it. Searching through his memories, he couldn't contain himself when he remembered that he briefly saw it in the books in his study. As he quickly combed through the thick book, he nearly choked once he identified that it was the [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/centennials-article]Centennial's[/url] seal.

Quickly taking out his magnifying glass from the cabinet to examine it, he gently reviewed the seal that lay in his hands. The [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Grand Master[/url] was speechless and bewildered once he verified its authenticity. A turmoil was set free inside his aged body as he opened the scrolls. Written, he found what seemed to be a map and some texts.

Like that, the man stayed inside his study for the next couple of months. He was trying to decipher the meaning of these ancient scrolls.

Once he wrote the last word of the text, he, at his age, was astounded by the information it contained. He couldn't help but read it over and over as his mind quickly spun to process what he had just read. The internal turmoil he had since he found the scrolls got even stronger. Knowing the importance of the information in his hands, he urgently summoned the Council to reunite in one of the halls in the [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/explorers--guild-article]Guild[/url].

The Council quickly responded to the summons. Once everyone was inside the hall, The [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Grand Master[/url] quickly addressed the discovery of the scrolls and their contents. "The last scroll is the most important of the set," he commented with excitement, "Inside is an ancient map."

"From what I deciphered of the other scrolls, the map contains parts of the route that [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ruh-article]Ruh the last Centennial[/url] wandered before vanishing from this world."

Continuing to explain what he found, he told them that it seems the scroll tells the experience of @[Hedvig Swanston](person:8a3807b6-4948-4577-a813-84abfd87438e). It appears that [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/hedvig-swanston-article]Hedvig[/url] was a young man at the time when he stumbled upon the mighty [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/centennials-article]Centennial[/url] in one of his hikes to the surrounding mountain near where he lived.

@[Centennials](species:3077cbdf-d011-430c-b572-32b27538661c) were mighty creatures. They were tall enough to contend with mountains and seemed to possess prodigious strength. Their steps could level cities, and their bodies could change shape. Often, they took the appearance that they desired. Such was the case of @[Ruh](person:19a2484a-4d25-4879-920e-7bdfd53e7fd5), that more often than not loved to look like a human.

According to [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/hedvig-swanston-article]Hedvig[/url], @[Ruh](person:19a2484a-4d25-4879-920e-7bdfd53e7fd5) looked carved from stone when he saw him in the mountains. His size alone could dwarf most mountains and moss-covered him to look like he wore some weird clothes. Although it's unknown how much of [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/hedvig-swanston-article]Hedvig's[/url] descriptions are true since he tended to zone out into daydreams. His zoning out was very annoying to his father, the commander of the guard's force, who wanted him to join the force.

"[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url]," shouted one of the members, "get to the point!."

"It's late at night, and you're straying far from why you gathered us for."

Chuckling, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]the Grand Master[/url] said, "[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url], my bad, I got carried away. It's just that I'm excited."

"The thing is my friends; that there is a map!"

"Well, most of one, but that's beside the point. I believe it could lead us to @[Ruh](person:19a2484a-4d25-4879-920e-7bdfd53e7fd5)!" said the old man, barely containing his boiling blood. The entire Council sat completely quiet for some time. Most members of the Council were annoyed at [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]the Grand Master's[/url] proposition. Most had left their adventure days far, far behind, and the few who were still young enough for that had other interests.

"We all know the founder's story," said one of the younger members, "but have you gone senile old man?"

"Do you still believe in fairytales, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url]? It's just rubbish," said another one.

As more and more people chimed in to express their annoyance at being disturbed so late into the night by an old man that wanted to chase old stories, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin's[/url] got more shamed. Feeling his face turn all sorts of shades of red, and feeling it to be unbearable, he shouted, "So be it, I dismiss this session. And I, from now onwards, I'm formally retired!."

[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url], left in a storm after what he said, even slamming the door of the hall shut. "How dare they talk to me like that. It's like they have no respect neither for me nor for my position," he muttered in his breath with clear indignation and fury in his voice. Like that, the [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Grand Master[/url] was never seen in the [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/explorers--guild-article]Explorer's Guild[/url] again.

Weeks passed, and soon months also started passing by. By this time, the man in question had moved back to his hometown, Travill. There, he purchased a manor that manor, that lies west of the fields from the hands of an old merchant. He plans to live out what's left of his days in it.

One day, while idly watching the sunset, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] realized that, although he's way past his prime and the days of adventure, he doesn't want to leave the world like this. Even after moving out to the manor, he hasn't stopped deciphering the scrolls. The allure of setting out to adventure again has been nagging at the back of his mind. Now that he has the opportunity, he won't let it go, and so [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] stopped idling around and got to work.

Waking up early, @[Ben Hunterson](person:54dd592b-0071-4f46-89a9-aa5f4bda04fd) quickly got ready to set out. The day before, he had gotten a message from his fellow ranger and mentor @[Edwin Walsh](person:9d75a749-1261-47b2-aa84-e2d0712cb336) summoning him to @[White Sands](settlement:bff36af1-2d98-4698-8f18-07e04d4cc87f) . The summon wasn't ordinary but instead was a private one of the highest urgency denoted by the complex blue seal in the parchment. Knowing he had to go back to his home in @[White Sands](settlement:bff36af1-2d98-4698-8f18-07e04d4cc87f) , [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] quickly prepared his provisions and weaponry for an early journey the next day.

Two weeks had passed since [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] had left, and it was noon with the sun high in the sky by the time he got to the gates of @[White Sands](settlement:bff36af1-2d98-4698-8f18-07e04d4cc87f) . Riding through the gate, Ben went to the @[Explorers' Guild](organization:27d3ad85-7518-4d28-80a4-2592ff9ba4a8) to leave a message for [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] of his arrival and then left to look for lodging. Once settled, he went back to [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/explorers--guild-article]the Guild[/url] to wait for his friend.

As he walked through the streets in which he grew up, he couldn't help but reminisce of the times as a kid he walked through, the sandstone buildings that surrounded the various streets. Coming up towards the big wooden door that covered [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/explorers--guild-article]the Guild's[/url] arch entrance, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] easily spotted his friend outside, waiting in the shadow that the building cast.

"[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url], how great it is to see you, my friend," said [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url].

"Ben! Come let's eat and drink," said his mentor; "I know you must be tired from the journey, let's enjoy what's left of the day."

Inside a tavern, people shared their tales with a few rounds of beer. In a table at the corner, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] and [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] have been chatting for a long time now, catching up on each other's lives. Every once in a while, Ben tries to ask about the urgent summons that drew him to his hometown. Each time, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] shoots him down, stating that it's not the right place nor time and that they could do it tomorrow.

The constant evasion of the topic annoyed [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url], but he suppressed it for it was an old friend. Trying to enjoy the chat that almost went late into the night, he failed to do so. After finishing the pleasantries with [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url], [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] managed to catch some much-needed sleep in the not so great bed of the inn.

Feeling the sun on his face, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] roused himself from sleep as his body protested. Hunger was slowly building up as he wiped his body clean and prepared his belongings when a paper got pushed through the gap of his room's door.

Skeptically inspecting it, he noted that it was a request from his friend asking if he cared to join him for breakfast. After finishing to prepare, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] went to the tavern to join the one who summoned him for breakfast.

"Sit down; there's much to discuss," quietly commented [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url], as [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] neared him in the corner-most table. After both men finished their food, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] took out a few scrolls from his pouch.

A conflicted expression appeared in his face, as he said, "I don't know what to do with the scrolls."

"Can I see them?" I asked while pointing at the objects.

[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] nodded, and he took one of them to inspect it. As [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] ran his fingers through the parchment that made up the scroll, he couldn't explain his feelings. They got even more complicated as he noted the seal used on the scroll. It seemed to exude some form of familiarity he couldn't quite put his finger on. While combing through his memories, he recalled one from not long ago.

Still skeptical, he opened the scroll, only to be greeted by a map that looked to be incomplete.

"The map looks ancient, and I can't understand it," commented his companion.

"I believe we would need the help of an expert to decipher it," he quickly added.

Shock welled up inside [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url], as he couldn't believe what he had in his hands. He winced thinking of a memory. Sighing, he said with a defeated tone, "I'm aware of only one person that could help you."

"I'm not in good terms with him anymore," he added with a bitter taste in his mouth.

"We can work it out with him," [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] responded, "Hope is there as long as we have a chance."

And so, after preparing himself for another journey, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] accompanied by his old friend left @[White Sands](settlement:bff36af1-2d98-4698-8f18-07e04d4cc87f)  towards the residence of the only one they could ask. They headed towards @[Travill](settlement:e3aeb17f-f933-4376-83e4-cf19687c3491) , for @[Tobin Dreyfus](person:36f44e66-f2a8-4879-969d-3b11b3bd1341), who had left [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/explorers--guild-article]the Guild[/url], lived there.

During the time they traveled, Ben slowly filled [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] the details of this man they were about to visit.

The night before they reached @[Travill](settlement:e3aeb17f-f933-4376-83e4-cf19687c3491)  while seating around a small campfire, Ben recounted the events of the assembly.

"We're visiting @[Tobin Dreyfus](person:36f44e66-f2a8-4879-969d-3b11b3bd1341)," he said as he prodded the campfire.

"He assembled the Council late at night since he said to have found a great discovery."

"According to him, he had in his possession a map that traced parts of the route that @[Ruh](person:19a2484a-4d25-4879-920e-7bdfd53e7fd5), the last [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/centennials-article]Centennial[/url] walked."

"We didn't believe him, but if the part you hold is authentic, then we were wrong all along."

"I assure you that it's authentic, at least according to the place I found it in," his mentor said with some level of doubt.

"Tomorrow by the evening, we should be entering should entering Travill, where[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article] Tobin[/url] resides," commented [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] at last.

[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] had not spent the time idling around after his realization. He tried to get his hands on all the maps he could, to decipher, where was the route @[Ruh](person:19a2484a-4d25-4879-920e-7bdfd53e7fd5) had taken. One night, while getting frustrated at the fact that no map he had in his possession seemed to match, someone knocked at his door.

Wary and cautious of the one who dared to visit so late, for the night is never safe, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] tried to peek out of the window. Outside he saw the figure of @[Ben Hunterson](person:54dd592b-0071-4f46-89a9-aa5f4bda04fd) with a strange expression on his face, accompanied by a man whose face he had seen before. The unknown man had a feeling of familiarity that bothered him.

Barely opening the door, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] addressed [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url]. Calmly saying with a level of annoyance, "What is it that brings you here at this time, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url]?"

"Good night, Mr. [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url]. We've come here to discuss with you the scrolls in your possession," said the young man with some tint of shame in his voice.

"Could we enter? I believe it would be better to discuss this in a safer space," he dared to ask.

"First introduce your companion, then I'll see about inviting you in," [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] said with some wariness.

[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/ben-hunterson-article]Ben[/url] presented his companion, and [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] couldn't believe it. Exclaiming with surprise at seeing a friend from his adventuring years, Tobin drew [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] into a big hug. After inviting them inside, the aged man couldn't help but say, "Truly the years haven't been kind, to either of us."

"Indeed, my old friend," [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Ranger Edwin[/url] said.

Coughing to get their attention, the young man admitted, "[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Mr. Tobin[/url], I believe your scrolls might be authentic."

"Why now of all times would you say that?" he asked with some surprise.

"The reason we're here, my old friend, is that I too have found some scrolls which I believe will spark your interest."

[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin's[/url] heart started beating rapidly. He couldn't believe that now of all times, would such a miracle happen. As he took the scrolls quickly to his study room, [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] almost stumbled. Spreading the scroll on the table of his study room, he took out his lenses. After he opened the last scroll, he noted that it seemed to be part of a map.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed to fit his map. Excitement flooded him as he took out his map from a drawer in the study room. As he aligned them, he gasped at how they made a complete map. Quickly scanning the map, some lines aligned to form a glyph unknown to him.

"The scrolls do form the complete map, but it remains unreadable as no other map is similar," he quickly said.

"This glyph, I know it," said my old friend, "it symbolized the orb of knowledge."

"Such a shame then, I'm afraid you have made the journey in vain," [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] responded.

"Why is that?" inquired the young man.

"Well, to start, the last orb of knowledge that owned [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/explorers--guild-article]the Guild[/url] is broken." the aged man added, "So it will remain unreadable."

Realization dawned on the faces of the duo. Excitement dimmed in the eyes of [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url] and [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url].

"Isn't there anyone who can fix it?" asked the young man.

"Maybe, truly hope is not all lost," muttered my old friend.

"I remember that there is someone who can fix the orb," he announced soon after.

"Who?" [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin[/url] asked.

"He remains in [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/sandrasku-article]the prison city of Sandrasku[/url]," said [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/edwin-walsh-article]Edwin[/url].

"[url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/sandrasku-article]Sandrasku[/url]!" shock got painted in both Ben and [url:https://www.worldanvil.com/w/realm-of-vasten-fixxitt412/a/tobin-dreyfus-article]Tobin's[/url] face.

Sighing, the young man said, "I guess that's our next destination."