Art of the Octangle (7)

 

Moving hubwards from our last stop, just outside the gates of Unseen University, and towards the Porter's Lodge and the Library, we come to the region of the octangle that is favored by Green Wizards / the Venerable Council of Seers:

This is just outside the Porters' lodge of the Unseen University, on the north side of a wide octagonal courtyard surrounded by lawns and dominated by ancient chestnut trees.  A door to the east leads into the Porters' lodge itself, a rather incongruously placed thatched cottage separated from the Library by a small but incredibly important gap.  The cobbled path and the lush green lawn continues to the southeast towards the main gate and the west towards the entrance to the Library, whilst a tall clock tower dominates the centre of the courtyard to the south.  A tall green-robed statue surveys the Octangle from his place against the Library wall.

There's also a celadon green oak bench, and my attempts to sit on it have the usual effects:

You sit on a celadon green oak bench.

> The bench suddenly changes its shape to become a steep slope, sending you sliding down onto the grass.

You stand up.

The bench changes back into its normal bench-like shape.

There is only one statue nearby, and that statue belongs to the generic Seer wizard:

The lichen encrusting this statue's flowing robes has fortuitously turned them a very appropriate shade of green for a member of the Venerable Council of Seers.  In his hand he holds a crystal ball, which flickers with images of people and places around the Disc.

Order Rings - The Venerable Council of Seers

At a little, crowded shop in Genua, complete with stuffed Crocodile and wolf skull, a little known Shadows Wizard, Sadel Noctus, has set up a magic trading business:

>look

An old-style wizard's workroom, cloaked in shadow and gloom, with vague rattling sounds and occasional scrabblings emerging from obscured crevices. What meagre light there is emanates from the flickering flames of the regulation dribbly candles, wax as black as an overcast midnight. Various liquids bubble through an impressive amount of twisty glass tubing, and spell books are strewn carefully over the available surfaces. While Hexing students can perform amazing feats of thaumic prowess, somehow they lack the aura present in this room.

There is one obvious exit: north.

Sadel Noctus is standing here.

A stuffed alligator and a wolf skull are hanging from the ceiling.

>l alligator, skull

The traditional stuffed alligator. What wizardly workshop would be complete without one?

This is a fresh skull of a wolf.

Among the things he sells, one at a time, are nice jewelled rings, 8 of which are highly symbolic of the different orders of Wizardry.

I am trying to get my greedy hands on the eight rings, like a cheap discworld Sauron. Up to now, I only have two of them: my own Order's, and the Seer's ring, which looks like this:

> look scholar's ring

A ring of octiron has been surmounted by a thin slice of emerald, over which have been layered strips of ivory, to create the impression of a weighty, green-covered tome. Inset into the ivory are thin traceries of silver, crawling like writing in an unknown language. Over the writing, golden letters have been set in a recognisable pattern.

Etched in lines of glowing octarine: "Addverendus Haruspex"

It appears to have something written on it.

It is in excellent condition.

>read scholar's ring

You read the scholar's ring:

The Venerable Council of Seers

Order Rooms - Venerable Council of Seers

[Seeing the Seers. Sounds a little bit Ironic, doesn't it? Well, anyway, it's been done, and the special thanks for his kind collaboration goes today to Master Tempus Plavalaguna, the werewolfer soloer]

The Venerable Council of Seers' common room is thick with history and lore. Along the walls are bookshelves which reach the ceiling. There are plush and comfortable armchairs strewn throughout the room, each one with its own stand for book reading. In the centre of the room is a pedestal on which a crystal ball is sitting. This place was obviously designed with the studious wizard in mind. A bulletin board and a plaque are hanging from one of the walls.
A small octarine eye, hovering in the middle of the room, watches you.
There are three obvious exits: south, east and north.

l walls: The walls are covered in a green velvet which drapes around the room elegantly and calmly. Against one wall is a small chest.

l ceiling: There is nothing unusual about the ceiling, except that it seems the high rising bookshelves are the only thing holding it up.

l armchairs: These are over stuffed chairs, made to be comfortable for hours on end. On... your end, really. They are covered in velvet and come in an assortment of green shades.

l stands: Simple and elegant, they are used to put your cuppa while you read, or put your book while you sip. Either way, they're useful and ready to serve. Sitting on top of each stand is a blue light, hovering and offering its subtle illumination. Hidden under the glass top of the stands are magical bulletin boards, ready for reading.

l pedestal: This is a large, swirling cage of wrought iron. At the top, eight sharp spikes, like claws, grip onto a huge crystal ball. This doesn't look pleasant at all for the ball.

l ball: The ball shows us the UU bar.

l bookshelves: The bookcases are full of books with interesting names, such as "A Treatise on Building Rituals of the Klatchian Pyramids" or "Superstitions of the Common Witch: Primitive Magic". There's no doubt a lot to learn here. There is a green book that seems out of place, almost as if leaning with the intent to fall.

l (green) book: This is a book seemingly made from emerald, or green glass. It would be a tragedy for it to fall off the bookself. It might be wise of you to replace it as soon as possible.