A Warden's Opinion: The Arcane Tower Incident
This small historical book details the events of an incident between Paige Mosbrooke, Zathlan, Rick Snyder, Patrick O'Sullivan, Jacob Swift, and several other members of the tower during AR 148. It is written in the words of a warden named Ven Volassar who witnessed the events described.
This book was transcribed by Catalina Del Valle in the year of AR 156 for the preservation of history and knowledge.
The Arcane Tower Incident: Context
Paige Mosbrooke, a Paladin of Azuth who was working as a Warden of the Tower, has been fired by the officials in the Tower. They fired her because of a recent lecture she gave which taught students how to identify necromancers, different types of undead, and how to work against necromancy in the world.
Jacob Swift walked out of this lecture, upset, because Paige had said that necromancy was bad. Later, Paige was reprimanded for her views on necromancy and necromancers.
Zathlan and Rick Snyder had come to the Tower, where they heard about Paige's dismissal. Both of them questioned the decision and gave their opinions on the matter. Zathlan was particularly focused on Emelina Selizar. I was present, also focusing on asking Emelina to explain what had happened.
Emelina and I went upstairs, where she explained as I have detailed above. We received an illusion from Patrick O'Sullivan, informing us that Rick and Zathlan were asked to leave and refused to. We went downstairs and encountered the incident.
(Proceed to The Arcane Tower Incident: Overview)
Day 8, Month 12 (Nightal), 148 AR
Ven Volassar
The Arcane Tower Incident: Overview
- Jacob Swift, Patrick O'Sullivan, Lor Arnden, Emelina Selizar, faced off against Rick Snyder, Zathlan. Myself and Paige witnessed, other bystanders (unknown) were also present.
- Rick/Zathlan asked to leave, informed they were banished, refused on basis of continuing conversation.
- Uninvolved bystanders asked to leave Tower, due to increasing tensions. Paige and I join them.
- Patrick O'Sullivan breaks Peacebond by summoning Deva to attack Rick/Zathlan.
- Magic battle ensues.
- Jacob Swift uses a Finger of Death spell to slay Zathlan.
- Emelina Selizar dies during battle.
- Rick escapes to safety.
- Jacob Swift carried Zathlan's body to Mayfield's and dropped him by the shrine.
- I pick up Zathlan's body to prevent desecration. Body vanishes.
- A crowd gathers, Emelina is raised at the shrine, everyone goes back inside the Tower foyer.
- Both Jacob Swift and Patrick O'Sullivan share jokes of the theme 'Haha, I guess now they know we do take action sometimes!'
- A druid appears, ready for a fight, in the shape of a fire elemental and covered in magic.
(End of incident, proceed to The Arcane Tower Incident: Opinions)
Day 8, Month 12 (Nightal), 148 AR
Ven Volassar
The Arcane Tower Incident: Opinions
I believe that the people in the Tower believe that they are doing the right thing. They've developed their rules, and they think that if they stick to and enforce their rules (technicalities and all), then they are 'doing the right thing and being good people'.
But they're not following these rules that they've established.
Many accounts point toward these people bending or dismissing these rules as it suits them. Claiming situational defenses and holding these rules as a reason to ruin some people, whilst ignoring them entirely for the people that they are friends with.
These double-standards go as far as committing some incredibly evil acts, or protecting the people that do. It is a consistent effort, not just the occasional incident. They all think in the same way, have the same friends and people in common.
A powerful necromancer leads the Tower. Jacob Swift is defensive of his choice to mutilate his human form into something resembling undeath. This seems to be common knowledge to people, but is easily dismissed within the Tower as 'Don't worry, he's a really nice man and means well!' Now he's killed one of our People with death magic and the intent for true death.
Paige was fired because she stood up for what was right, against these people who think that they know better. The resulting chaos was channeled by Jacob Swift and Emelina Selizar in particular, who are too busy defending their misguided ways to realise that they need to change.
Change is needed in the Arcane Tower. We must help them see the right way of doing things. I am still a Warden-in-training there, and I hope to bring whatever change I can. My recommendation is to take a firm stand against these people.
Day 8, Month 12 (Nightal), 148 AR
Ven Volassar