Rohese (prime)/Forgotten Ink

This is a creative work set in the world of Elanthia, attributed to its original author(s). It does not necessarily represent the official lore of GemStone IV.

Title: Forgotten Ink

Author: Rohese Bayvel

This article is a work in progress!

Alawien Calelith
Created by Rohese's player using Midjourney AI.

Forgotten Ink was a player-run storyline set in Ta'Illistim during the summer of 2025. It began as a continuation of Rohese's story; more specifically her research into the Bayvel lineage and the sentience of trees. What followed was an interactive quest involving other player characters.

Summary

Setting

[Library Aies, Restricted Section]
The library's inner foyer is fully panelled in rich, dark maoral. Pale creamy marble covers the expansive floor, punctuated occasionally by a small golden tesserae set at cross-angles with the tiles. Large antique tapestries cover the wall behind the scribe's desk, illuminated by a series of candle-lit wall sconces. You also see a spectacled elven scribe.

You see Alawien Calelith Illistim.
She appears to be an Elf.
She is average height.  She appears to be aged, carrying wisdom and grace in equal measure.  She has rheumy teal green eyes and wrinkled, fair skin.  She has mid back-length, straight salt-and-pepper grey hair tucked neatly behind her ears.  She has a pinched face and a thin mouth.
A long silver feather quill is tucked behind her ear.
She is wearing a pair of half moon spectacles, a silver-bound open tome pin, a gentian velvet robe graced by a crossed quill and inkwell, and a pair of soft leather slippers.

Prologue

Who decides what must remain hidden? Who deems knowledge unworthy of illumination?

The scent of parchment and aged ink lingered in the halls of Library Aies. Rohese found this comforting and regularly sought out a quiet corner in which to continue her research into the Bayvel lineage. She was particularly interested in finding out more about the glowbark tree in the Veythorne Manor grounds because of her family connection to it: was it an Anienaeun - a remembrance tree - and, if so, when was it planted and by whom?

Scholars in gentian velvet robes moved in hushed contemplation around her, their whispered debates punctuated by the scratching of quills at various writing desks dotted around the vast hall. Rohese was seated at one of these small desks poring over some old texts when an anxious elven woman approached her, her ink-stained fingers trembling around a rolled parchment. It was Scribe Alawien Calelith. Rohese knew her well as she was the scribe that often helped her to access material in the library's restricted section. Alawien glanced around nervously before pressing the parchment urgently into Rohese's hands.

"I was transcribing a passage from a book I discovered that I thought might help you when the ink changed before my eyes. The words rewrote themselves, revealing a passage that I had never seen before. Then, the book slammed shut and vanished entirely."

Her voice dropped to a tremulous whisper.

"I fear I may have uncovered something that was meant to stay hidden."

13th day of Koaratos, 5125

Alawien met with a small gathering of scholars and friends of Rohese and introduced herself. She mentioned that she had found a book entitled, "The Veythorne Glowbark: History and Study," and went on to explain that on opening the book and reading a passage about the gardens, the text shimmered before her eyes and revealed an additional passage but the book promptly slammed shut and vanished before she could read more than a few lines.

Alawien gave out transcript copies of both passages for further study, highlighting the reference to a treatise.

Extract transcribed from "The Veythorne Glowbark: History and Study".
Author: Unknown

The Veythorne family gardens are widely regarded as one of the most well-maintained private botanical collections in Ta'Illistim.  Featuring carefully arranged topiaries, imported flora from across Elanthia, and a variety of native species, the gardens serve as both a place of quiet contemplation and an example of meticulous elven horticulture.  Shaded paths lined with trees lead visitors through carefully curated sections, each designed to highlight the beauty of seasonal blooms.
	

Text of unknown origin discovered by Scribe Alawien Calelith.

I was a scholar before I was a heretic. I walked the halls of Library Aies with reverence, my hands untainted by ambition. But books have voices, and some whisper louder than others.  A forgotten treatise, its black leather cover warped with age, fell from a high shelf into my hands.  No title. No author.  The script within - archaic, tangled.  Yet as I read, I understood. As if the knowledge had always been waiting for me to claim it.  They call it 'forbidden,' I call it incomplete scholarship.  Who decides what must remain hidden? Who deems knowledge unworthy of illumination?

20th day of Koaratos, 5125

Yunni Radottir discovered two discarded notes under one of the shelves in the Library Aies Hall of Magic. She and Rohese agreed that they had been there a very long time and seemed to be notes taken from the missing treatise.

a crumpled white note
In the Common language, it reads:

"Small and bound in black leather, the book bears no title and no author."

Alongside a partially completed diagram of lunar phases is some kind of sigil or glyph and the rest of the crumpled sheet is covered in hastily scribbled notes that have faded badly and illegible in places.

"                 when moonlight casts its glow upon the written word, it does not fall as light, but as memory."

"      the night wanes - perfect for veiling inscriptions.  Let the ink be writ beneath the magic of concealment and         "

"                                          no eye save mine shall read it unless the conditions are met. Even I forget, until she reminds me."

"          text concealed in light's absence is safer than professed silence."

a dirt-dusted white note
The page, written in Common, reads as follows:

"The treatise bears a crest - an open eye set against a black pyramid - Watchers? " 

Alongside a hastily drawn sketch of the crest are a few lines of scribbled text, most of which are no longer legible beneath centuries of dust and dirt.

"                      forbidden       "

"Lorae'tyr                                                 "

"                   Shien'tyr                                 "

"                portal or gate                   "

Lucraine had written to Rohese to explain that he was on the hunt for the "old coot" that had mentioned the Illuminator's Talisman and promised to report back. Meanwhile, Rohese finally finished examining all the books on the shelves in the Hall of Magic and found a couple that could possibly be the aforementioned treatise. She was somewhat sceptical as none of them seem to cover 'forbidden' magic to a great extent; they merely referenced it. She believed that the treatise was no longer in the Library Aies and that the author of the discarded notes found earlier by Yunni Radottir had taken it away.

She shared the two books with Alawien just in case:

• Veils Beyond the Veil: A Discourse on Valence Thresholds and the Loss of Form ~ Explores unstable valences, soul-fracture phenomena, and the irreversible price of sustained contact with other planes.
• In Light Unseen: The Obscured Art of Illumination and Thought Binding ~ A study on magical concealment, memory erasure, and talismanic triggers—rumoured to be connected to the Watchers of the Eternal Eye.

Scribe Alawien agreed that neither of them was likely to be the referenced treatise and that it had probably been moved to another location. Alawien let everyone know that she will trying to find the 'vanishing' book in the Restricted Section.

22nd day of Koaratos, 5125

Alawien successfully tracked down the book in the Restricted Section but it vanished again. She managed to glean a little information and wrote to the group to share it.

Dear Scholar,

Today I was fortunate enough to track down the elusive book once more but I didn't have it for long before it vanished again.  I was unable to open the book - it seems to be magically sealed now - but, in the short time I held it, I was able to discern a faint indentation in the front cover that looked like a sigil of some kind along with other faint markings.  These markings were silver in nature and glowed slightly as I happened to turn the book towards the window where the moon was visible in the night sky.

I believe these markings hold the key to preventing the book from vanishing and perhaps even to unlocking the secrets within.  I shall continue to search for the book again but, in the meantime, I think it would be helpful if you could carry out some research into the glowbark tree and perhaps the Veythorne family itself.   I have spoken to some of my colleagues in the Restricted Section and they will be more than happy to assist you.

I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how I might proceed with the book should I find it again.   Please bear in mind that I will only have it in my hands for just a moment therefore it cannot leave the Restricted Section.

Scribe Alawien Calelith
Library Aies

29th day of Koaratos, 5125

With the Symposium behind her, Rohese's thoughts turned back to the mystery of the missing book in the Library Aies Restricted Section. Scribe Alawien had spent the weekend trying to track it down again with little success and had offered to meet Rohese to discuss the matter over tea.

Comfortable in each other's presence now, the pauses in conversation between sips were not unusual as each tried to shape their thoughts and ideas into something resembling order.

Rohese sighed and replaced her teacup onto the saucer.

"So, it's clear from the first passages you saw that the book is a journal of some kind with entries concealed beneath text seemingly related to the Veythorne Manor glowbark tree?"

Alawien nodded and took another sip of tea before responding.

"The entries are definitely arcane in nature too, judging by the manner in which it was hidden and the book itself sealed. How that was done is something we should probably look into so that - should I be able to find it again - we can attempt to open it."

Rohese's brow furrowed at the mention of arcane but she nodded in agreement.

“The notes that the young elf, Yunni, found in the Hall of Magic and kindly sent to me seemed to allude to moonlight, the Watchers of the Eternal Eye and valences.” Alawien confirmed.

Rohese thought for a moment and then tentatively asked, “And we're sure it has something to do with the Veythorne family?”

Alawien nodded slowly but didn’t reply.

"I spoke briefly with Lord Gilenir Veythorne at the Symposium," Rohese continued, "and he kindly agreed to give us access to his library, should we need it. I will work with the others to compile a list of what material we might wish to look for so as not to impose on his goodwill too much."

Alawien smiled, draining her teacup and putting it back onto the table. She rose to her feet with an audible sigh and groan as she rested her hand on her back. She chuckled slightly.

"Don't get old, Rohese. These old bones need to return to the Library but I will be in touch with you all again soon. Even sooner should I track down that book!"

Rohese returned her smile and gently added, "You take care of yourself and we'll continue our research in the meantime."

Cast of Characters

• Scribe Alawien Calelith Illistim: Of indeterminate age, Alawien is the last known member of the Calelith family. With the family's ancestral home in the Glydemar Forest long abandoned, she resides alone within the Ta'Illistim city walls and has worked as a Scribe in the restricted section of the Library Aies for several centuries so knows it well. Her reputation and experience in the field of elven botany - in particular arboriculture - have earned her the honorary title of Student of Lore.
• Loremaster Rohese Bayvel
• Lord Gilenir Veythorne Illistim

Key Objectives

1. Track down the missing book and, if possible, find out more about the treatise mentioned in the revealed passage.
2. Unlock the book to reveal its contents.
3. Determine the fate of the book.

Research

Library Aies Research
Source Title	Excerpt	Insight
Prominent Figures of House Illistim	Among the illustrious members of House Illistim, the Veythorne family stands out, having been part of the royal bloodline during the dynastic era. Notably, Nionien Illistim's union with a prominent Veythorne merchant led to the birth of Argent Mirror Ainlinnima Illistim, whose reign emphasized commerce and business affairs.	This passage underscores the Veythorne family's historical prominence within House Illistim, hinting at their influential role in Ta'Illistim's governance and economy.
Architectural Marvels: Veythorne Manor	Veythorne Manor, a prominent landmark in Ta'Illistim, is typically closed to the public. However, its grounds are famed tourist attractions, reflecting the family's historical significance.	The manor's exclusivity suggests it may house hidden archives or artifacts related to Veythorne scholars in the past, encouraging further exploration.
Of Scholars and Shadows: The Veiled Heresies	Throughout history, Ta'Illistim has been a beacon of wisdom, but not all knowledge is welcomed within its spires. There are scattered accounts of scholars whose inquiries led them into dangerous, morally dubious territories - experiments with arcane forces unrecorded in sanctioned texts. Such pursuits were swiftly denounced, and those who engaged in them often found themselves erased from scholarly circles, their works suppressed, their names fading into obscurity.	Hints that this particular author was not the first scholar to be cast out for pursuing forbidden knowledge, subtly reinforcing that his studies may have involved unsanctioned magical practices.
On the Ethical Limits of Magical Inquiry: A Discourse by the Loremasters	While the study of magic is essential to the advancement of elven scholarship, there remain practices that must be regarded with great caution. Manipulation of unstable forces, the reckless binding of energy beyond our sphere, and the pursuit of knowledge that defies natural law have led to the downfall of even the most brilliant minds. Certain records speak of those who, in their hubris, reached beyond their grasp, only to find themselves exiled - or worse.	A veiled reference to those who may have overstepped the boundaries of acceptable magical study. This suggests that what one person in particular uncovered was dangerous enough to warrant erasure from formal histories.
The Veythorne's Oldest Warden	Legends claim that the glowbark trees of Ta'Illistim hold memories older than any written record. The Veythorne estate's glowbark, in particular, is said to have once been tended by a scholar who spent long nights beneath its boughs, etching notes in its bark as if holding discourse with the tree itself. While this is, of course, the stuff of myth, one cannot help but wonder what wisdom he sought - or what answers he believed he had found.	A veiled reference to the author's connection to the glowbark tree, implying that he may have communed with it in unnatural ways, possibly leaving behind traces of his work.
The Silent Expulsions: Scholars Forgotten	Although rare, there have been instances where scholars of notable families found their names stripped from records, their research abandoned to time. Such erasures are never done lightly and often suggest discoveries deemed too dangerous, misguided, or unspeakable for public knowledge. Their fates remain unknown, but some whisper that traces of their work persist in hidden corners of Ta'Illistim's libraries, waiting to be found.	Reinforces the idea that a particular scholar was erased from history, and that his research might still be hidden somewhere, waiting to be uncovered.
Anomalous Runes and Unfinished Research	Occasionally, researchers stumble upon fragmented notations - arcane symbols that do not correspond to any recorded Illistimi school of magic. Some of these appear in older volumes with no citation, their authors long forgotten. While most scholars dismiss them as scribal errors or abandoned research, others speculate that these symbols may belong to theories never fully realized…or perhaps deliberately hidden	This suggests that the unknown author's work may have been concealed in coded or fragmented writings, requiring scholars to piece together lost knowledge.
The Veythorne Scholars: A Lineage of Knowledge	Among the most gifted scholars of the Veythorne line, several names stand out in recorded history: Meathrix Veythorne Illistim, the famed elemental researcher; Lirael Veythorne, an esteemed cartographer of magical ley lines; and Maerion Veythorne, whose later works remain unarchived, though references to his studies appear in fragmented form. His contributions to the family's legacy remain a subject of quiet debate.	Confirms the latter's existence, but hints that his research was never formally archived, suggesting that his work was either destroyed or deliberately concealed.
From Eyes Unseen: A Scholarly Order in the Shining City (Excerpt from a Loremaster's report on recent discoveries in the Library Aies.)	Among noble scholars rumoured to have ties to the Watchers of the Eternal Eye, two names appear frequently in a batch of scrolls and correspondence: a 'seeker of knowledge' in the Veythorne household, and a 'keeper of the stacks' within the Calelith Villa. Both are said to have worn tokens of polished black coral; small pendants etched with the eye and believed to be known in arcane circles as Illuminator's Talismans.	Hints at two significant individuals that are potentially linked in some way.
Memory Wards and Symbolic Locks (Vol. II)	Some of the Watchers bound not just books, but themselves. The pairing of a black coral amulet and a living sigil - usually worn as a pendant - created a feedback loop between memory and object. These were not common. At least two examples, possibly one from House Veythorne and another from Calelith, are said to have been attuned to a ritual involving botanical resonance and lunar cycles.	Suggests the amulets may have played a role in the safeguarding of the scholar's journal.