#PartTwo-JaxLyons

[libraryofcirclaria]

20 April 1331

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

I was going to travel to Mount Carris on April 13 but another Neurovirus lockdown in Gentry County forced me to wait until April 16. Nonetheless, the trip to Mount Carris was uneventful.

***

I arrived to the top of the Mountain, just like Ron Forester. I saw the Great Broken Tree.

And mere yards from me, lightning struck.

I don't remember what happened next but I felt myself fall through a void, much like I was traveling through time. I saw the hostile land to the North, the Combrian Confederation, and received divine insight that it was about to fall due to war and disease. Then I re-lived my life backwards, all the way back through my years of youth until the time I was a baby.

And then, nothing.

Suddenly there emerged the Great Author, face-to-face with me. The face of the Great Author was one unable to be recognized by anyone of the human race, but what was clear to me was one thing: The Great Author was neither male nor female.

"Go forth and follow your calling," the Great Author spoke to me. "You shall have no obligation to continue as solely a Pagewriter nor as a Pageturner. Your course shall follow no such conventions but only the convention of seeking the Great Truth. For the Anomaly is not its own mechanism but simply a manifest of the inter-dimensional Threat of Humanity, only to be vanquished by the union of the Pageturners and Pagewriters."

***

Two days later, on April 18, I returned to Cabotton to find that someone had been wanting to meet with me, though the contact did not self-identify to the Steward who relayed the message to me. I knew it was someone from the Pageturner Guild, wanting to keep their identity discreet in such close proximity to the Third Level Society, as the Society was dominated by allies to the Pagewriters. But I was convinced that it was Kelsey Band. After all, I went months without speaking to her up until this point.

It was Pheleston.

"Peter Crane," he said to me. "That was the man you met in Northmoor. The one who called himself 'Pete.'"

"Ah," I said, now remembering what I've read about in the past. "I understand they were friends since their time in college?"

"It seems volatile, their relationship with one another," Pheleston said. "They were friends for awhile, then mortal enemies, then friends again...in fact, if some of the facts are true, I believe they may have been romantic...as of what happened to Crane in the years since and how he ended up in Northmoor, I'm not entirely sure. The information is a bit sketchy. What I do know, however, is that both he and Kara were reported deceased...apparently from a house fire."

Knowing Pheleston, I would look at the archives later on, myself. And what he reported rang true. After I fled, they had snuck out of the Northmoor Headquarters and up to the Gymian coastline, where they made to hitch a ride on a ship owned by the Independent Fishing and Trade Company, possibly infiltrated by the Nebaya Guild in the Great North. They were waiting at a residence near there in June 1327, but the house caught fire and they died. Whether it was an accident or an arson remains to be determined.

"In any case," Pheleston continued. "I am to retire from the Curator position at the end of the year. I encourage you, and will endorse you, to run in my place. You would be the first woman to do so."

"I would," replied myself after an intentionally long pause. "If Cabotton hadn't grown on me so much."

"Suit yourself," he said with a sigh. And with that, he left.

I would have added something, a thought, that also had been growing on me since the trip to Mount Carris. I realized by that point, a mere two days later, that perhaps the being with whom I spoke on the top of Mount Carris was the spirit of the Great Author in the body of ... myself. And it makes sense. It had been growing on me since the moment I began, two years ago, casting my avatar, Mys, in the Arturian Realm.

I've never wanted to be a man. I inversely enjoyed presenting myself as female. But, at the end of the day, I am neither.

That, of course, would have been unnecessary for Pheleston to know, or so I feel.

***

I met with Williard Kent today, and resolved not to tell him all the details of the Mount Carris experience, but to tell him only the visions I had of the world around us and chalking it up solely to my imagination.

"Hmm okay," was what he said in reply. Whether it was disappointment or if he suspected me of omitting things is something I will not worry about for now.

Regardless, Cabotton is my home now. I no longer wish to return to Furthing. Obviously, I am no longer interested in resuming my position as a cog in the Pageturner Guild. There's a calling for independent decision-making here, and that's what makes me stay here despite the pandemic and ongoing conflict to the North. Certainly, I want nothing to do with the Pagewriter Guild, or even the Third Level Society and Emma Bastrin. I am completely disassociated with them. But they are not the only faction here by a long shot.

Going back to Kent, he is the one whose initiative with which I wish to integrate. With him and his friends, I see a very bright future in my quest for the Truth.

**END OF STORY TWELVE*

<- 13 October 1330 <- || -> Story Thirteen: Nix Planen ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

13 October 1330

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

I had a dream last night of a faceless divine being telling me to go to Mount Carris. No reason was given but the being told me that this was a mandate that I must follow regardless. I shared this with Williard Kent, who, to my surprise, encouraged me to follow through.

So Mount Carris is in a protected zone, meaning I have to have the right paperwork in order to travel there. I've submitted an application for that, but I was told it may take awhile, especially with the Neurovirus lockdowns still popping up occasionally.

<- 03 September 1330 <- || -> 20 April 1331 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

03 September 1330

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

They have finally tapped our House for the new Neurovirus vaccination, which I took just today. Already the outbreak on campus shows signs of slowing. Classes have resumed albeit with many precautions being taken. However, everywhere off-campus is still under lockdown.

Nevertheless, I have avoided the Caucus Chamber because of Emma Bastrin, the new Dungeonmaster. While she has resolved not to carry on the Mahathia agenda, she is expanding on Blake's other agendas, including the expansion of his fleet of Watchers, refusal to instill actual Prefects, and the filling of Administrator roles with Blake-loyalists.

At least she abolished the Chamber security figures Blake had deployed on that fateful night.

Regardless, I am avoiding the Third Level Society like I avoid individuals with the Neurovirus. I have been working closely with Williard Kent, who has been recently joined by Susan Parans and, surprisingly, Steve Endon. We've only drafted ideas on paper but have not actually built or revived any Quora-style dymensional planes. Currently, we are in the process of trying to get a hold of Sophia Qalmers.

The Master Pagewriter would have sensed my presence, so I can say with confidence that none of the aforementioned peers is the Pagewriter in human form. Also, I've come to actually enjoy either engaging in or working with dymensional planes...just not with the Third Level Society. I know that it goes against the Pageturner Guild, but I do believe that what we are doing is insignificant in the face of concerns over the Anomaly, which I believe is in no way associated with the Pandemic. Also, I've come to realize that dymensional planecrafting leads one to become strong in problem-solving and critical thinking skills, two skillsets that Pageturner Guild leadership seems to want to reserve for themselves.

In fact, I've had a problem with the Pageturners, not the doctrine but the bureaucracy. They seem to push for unquestioning obedience from their lower ranks, including Observers like myself. So I've resolved to taking things into my own hands, to observe the world and Multi-verse around me in order to gain knowledge of the genuine and unadulterated Truth. On paper, I am still committed to the Pageturner Guild and intend to remain that way. But perhaps my own insight may steer the organization in the right direction.

<- 10 October 1329 <- || -> 13 October 1330 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

10 October 1329

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

Despite my low profile, my association with Steve Endon led me, alongside Endon and Climon, to be chosen for the Dungeonmaster Tribunal Council. All was said and done in September, many months after Aldin's untimely death, due to delays resulting from the quarantines and extended discords within the Society. We were able to organize a special mail-out schedule to carry out Dungeonmaster elections while in quarantine, but nothing else.

Sadly, Marcus Climon contracted the Neurovirus after that one meeting; and on September 13, he died.

Also, on October 8, Emma Bastrin, having been loyal to Blake and carrying on his destructive legacy, won this year's Dungeonmaster elections, again by a razor-thin majority.

So needless to say, I have been in a bit of a depression over all of this. However, I have been conversing with Kent over his dymensional plane plans, which are beginning to shape up rather nicely. And even Susan Parans is taking interest.

<- 09 June 1329 <- || -> 03 September 1330 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

09 June 1329

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

I had been reading articles on the Lister Movement, a political movement within Commonwealth borders allied with the Combrian Confederation. There had been tension building because Prime Minister Finzi had been imposing quarantines on certain counties to protect against the Neurovirus while the Confederation and Listers cried foul over Finzi apparently restricting freedom of movement.

Tension broke on May 21, shortly after Finzi placed all Commonwealth territories under pandemic lockdown, Finzi having done so in response to cases being reported in the Mid-Westerlies. And the Lister Movement captured the cities of Bridgetown and Carlynosople. Three days later, they tried to stage a coup against the Provincial Capitals of Pimdan and Zyrtin. And on June 3, they tried to capture Nintel, Layda, and even this province, Ereautea.

Five days ago, one of them carried an air raid against us, against this University. We were forced out of our dormitories and into hiding in the basement sector. Obviously, there have been Neurovirus cases emerging here, which was a concern. They sanctioned the sick students into one part of the basement. Incumbent University Headmaster, named Mit Orus, made a broadcast of assurance. But, in the wake of three students in my block passing away, this did little to bring comfort.

One item of silver lining during this past week in hiding, however, is that I got to have a long conversation with Williard Kent, who I met back when I first arrived here. We talked at length about Peter Quora and another figure named Cray Fenton, who apparently inspired him. Williard met both of them, and said that he believes in the integration of both of their organizations "...once this all lets up," he added.

I'm just grateful that we were cleared to return back to our dormitories today. Hogan and Climon's suite was one of the lucky ones spared from the air raid.

<- 14 April 1329 <- || -> 10 October 1329 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

14 April 1329

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

As of this morning, all of the Province of Ereautea is under lockdown. The government also locked down more of Nintel, Layda, Pimdan, and Chemko.

"You should have come back when I asked initially," Kelsey messaged me over OCEA, but I could sense the wit in her words. "Just try to survive over there."

So here I am with nothing to do. The University is closed and we are all to remain in our dormitories. So I will recount the events of last night.

***

I'll never forget the date. It was yesterday April 13.

Jon Hogan, that afternoon, came up to me and Climon, warning us not to go to the evening Caucus Meeting.

"He's got henchmen now, that Aldin Blake," he told me. "That's what I've heard. You may not be safe."

"I'm not Blake's source of primary attention anymore," I assured him. "I am only an observer after all. Also, there's been an anonymous Member going around Ticketer making false claims about him. Remember how they said he was attempting to assassinate Edoma Layne?"

That, of course, had been true. Over the the twenty-four hours leading up to the fateful Caucus meeting last night, an anonymous Member, or someone claiming to be a Member, made a post on the Ticketer Public Sector displaying apparent dialogue between themselves and Aldin, with Aldin apparently stating that he would coordinate a meeting with Edoma Layne in front of the Slack. There, Aldin, himself, from behind a bush, would deliver the fatal shot.

The Campus Watch was notified, but, after pulling Aldin's account, determined that Aldin did not actually send the said messages. Therefore, Aldin was innocent.

Though it would have been nice to see Aldin ousted from power, the false rumor was a concern in terms of political chaos within the Society.

Regardless, Climon and I were determined to go to last night's meeting.

"Very well," Hogan said. "If you want to go anyway, be my guest. I'll be staying here though. And don't count on me to save you."

***

Blake was about as insane as I anticipated. He proposed to create an administrative fleet of "Watchers" to make another attempt to free those dangerous avatars from Planet Mahathia. I was expecting Endon's plan of the walkout to fall into place. We did have enough Members on our side.

But Endon's plan went awry.

Instead of walking out, Endon's allies, both Members and non-Members with whom Endon had supposedly talked, stormed the Chamber, throwing papers and chanting "Toss Blake in the lake!" The Bookkeeper Mersk kept shouting "Order! Order!" But no one would listen. Even Endon, himself, was outraged.

"What the hell is going here!?" he exclaimed to me at that time. "I planned none of this! The walkout, sure. But not this!"

Aldin Blake then shouted a command: "Security! Bring order!"

About 100 figures dressed in all black showed up and pushed the rioters out. To my dread, Bookkeeper Mersk took role call and determined that there were still enough Members left in the chamber to carry out the session. My hope at that point, though, was there there were seemingly enough people here against Blake that his idea would ultimately get voted down.

This was interrupted, however, when another Member stood up and announced that a student, here at Cabotton University, was reported confirmed sick with the Neurovirus. Members began leaving the Chamber, but then Aldin issued his second command: "Security! To the entrances! No one leaves this chamber till my agenda is approved!!"

This triggered pandemonium in the chamber. When I looked, I saw the entrance nearest to me had become unblocked, so I pounced on that opportunity and made my way out. I briefly looked back and saw that the Podium where Blake had been standing moments before was now overrun by Members, with Blake, himself, nowhere in sight.

***

As I would find out today. Aldin Blake was beat to death. According to the Flagstaff article, investigations are still pending.

So I hear that now a Tribunal is to take over and manage the Dungeonmaster role until a new Dungeonmaster is elected for next year. That is, if the Society can pull this off under lockdown.

There is no way, though, that Blake was the Master Pagewriter. He died too easily. If the Master Pagewriter is around, I have no idea who that would be. My thoughts have been rushing all over this, in fact. Though I will have time to think, as I feel this quarantine may last awhile.

In the meantime, my thoughts have been wondering back to my trip to Combria a few years back, and my encounter with the man named "Pete." There's never really been a clear answer on whether or not that was, in fact, Peter Quora. I brought this up over an OCEA chat with Susan Parans, who apparently knew Peter Quora's partner: Sophia Qalmers. But Susan insists that I had met with a different "Pete."

<- 11 April 1329 <- || -> 09 June 1329 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

11 April 1329

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

"Call me."

Those were the only two words in Kelsey's OCEA message to me this morning. Perhaps she was anxious as usual because I did not update her on Blake until just last night. On the other hand, the message I sent her was a bit brief; so perhaps she wanted me to elaborate.

After all, Blake claimed he "had a calling" on how to achieve his agenda to release all the self-casting avatars from Planet Mahathia. It was a fight for him because as it turns out, this is a policy that the Caucus had to vote to overturn. He tried to get them to do it twice so far all to no avail. But now he seems confident this time he will succeed...claiming that he had a vision from a figure in a dream.

Talking about dreams, the transition between dymensions or dimensions, has me speculating harder than before.

So I called Kelsey.

"Listen Jax," she said over the phone. "Drop what you're doing and buy a plane ticket back to Kindol...tonight! Keep a copy of your receipt, hand it to me, and I will ensure that you are reimbursed for your troubles."

"I don't understand," I replied, puzzled. "Did you not read my message about Blake?"

"We will worry about Blake at a later time. Right now, we have to get you out of the line of fire, with the political tensions there and the Pandemic..."

Again, I understood Kelsey's concerns. Last March, the government locked down Shane and Providence Counties. Four days ago, they added Bridgegate and Corners Counties. And today came the announcement of quarantines for each Provincial Capital and its surrounding Counties.

"It's all in the capitals and major cities though," I assured Kelsey. "Also, I'm two counties South of the Combrian border."

"You may be right," Kelsey said. "We will debate whether or not I'm being overprotective once you return. In the meantime, just follow instructions."

Now I was angry. "Fine. I'll come back tomorrow...then I will un-join the Guild, return to Remikra, and continue my observation of Blake independently. I'll provide you the information then but it might be at a price."

"You're really hell-bent, aren't you Jax..." Kelsey sighed. "Fine. I'll give you till Saturday evening."

"Make it the end of the month."

"Fine. End of the month it is. But I'll just say for the record: the longer you stay, the higher the risk." And with that, she ended the call.

What I did not mention to Kelsey was what I saw shortly before the call: that there were Neurovirus cases being reported in Ebony Valley, located in the county East of Cabotton. But that certainly would have complicated things unnecessarily.

So Blake is to hold a special Caucus meeting in two days where God knows what sort of insanity will be pouring from his mouth. At least Steve Endon is aware and seems to have convinced enough Society Members to walk out thus breaking meeting quorum. Endon will then use this asset to hopefully negotiate with Blake to try and re-instill some of the former Prefects.

I have little faith in this, actually, but my hope is that in the process, Blake will drop some sort of revelation, unintentionally, that will confirm beyond all doubt that he is the Master Pagewriter.

<- 13 March 1329 <- || -> 14 April 1329 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

13 March 1329

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

I got an OCEA message from Kelsey Band, who is concerned for my safety. She's worried that I will fall victim to the newly-emerged Neurovirus Pandemic despite me assuring her that the disease seems to be selective toward native-born Remikrans.

I don't blame her all that much though. The news has been casting a fear-mongering light on the masses as of late. Holz Finzi, the Prime Minister here, locked down the Hasphitat Diamond District last November. On January 16, he had Citadel County locked down, then Corwin County on February 20. Those three places have been under lockdown since.

But Kelsey also has been nagging me excessively as of late. She's constantly asking for updates. Whenever I respond to her, I can tell when what I tell her is not satisfactory, because she always replies that she is concerned for me. I've been insisting that I am trying, even going so far as to provide her with daily updates. But even then, I feel Kelsey does not trust me, especially now since this time, she offered to have another Pageturner Guild Observer join me here in Cabotton, primarily for moral support if I am "feeling overwhelmed."

I don't know if it's simply anxiety on Kelsey's part or if she has overly lofty demands. I told her this time that the Pandemic is East of Cabotton and that I would be giving updates once or twice a day. That seemed to put her at ease for now.

Aldin Blake's revealed agenda to hire a team of new Contributors to add more block worlds similar to Mahathia, combined with his charisma, convinces me further that Blake may be the Master Pagewriter. This may have been slowed by Steve Endon, who has since gathered all witness testimony against Blake regarding the actions of his Dungeonmaster tenure thus far. But the session with the Bookkeeper was today, during which yet another razor-thin majority of Caucus voted Blake innocent. Apparently, some Blake-loyalists posing as allies to the opposition convinced enough opposition Members to boycott the session in order to inversely give Blake the majority needed.

Endon says he is redrawing his plans.

<- 23 January 1329 <- || -> 11 April 1329 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

23 January 1329

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

Blake's tenure as Dungeonmaster has actually been much worse than I anticipated thus far.

He has criticized numerous dymensional server Administrators publicly and got quite a few of them to resign from their posts. A few of them he managed to have suspended on questionable complaints. And a few of those he convinced Bookkeeper Mersk to have banned from the Society altogether. Blake then filled the resulting vacancies in quick fashion with those especially loyal to him, even if they were not qualified.

The most alarming aspect is that he is doing the same with Prefects, except with Prefects, he is not appointing replacements, I notice. Instead, he seems to be assigning secret "Watchers" but they are setting up various Members and expelling them under...shall we say...unusual technicalities in terms of violations. Such a mechanism seems to be directed against those who have voiced disagreement with him.

I thought I would fall victim to that but then again, I have been a bit quiet lately.

It's only been less than a month since Edoma Layne's tenure ended. But there is hope.

First is Susan Parans, who established the "Guardians of Mahathia," a team of avatars similar to the one I took part in this past summer. Jack Areon, however, established a similar coalition and is challenging Susans, leading me to suspect that Blake is attempting to pit Members against each other in order to emerge with the notion of being a solid leader.

Susan and I, at least, know better. And so does Steve Endon, a University freshman having become a big fan of Edoma Layne. I've known Endon for several days and I get the impression that he is optimistic despite the challenging circumstances. He has been planning to have enough Members of the Caucus to petition and vote Blake not only out of his Dungeonmaster position but out of the Society altogether. Per protocol, the Caucus would then vote in a Tribunal to manage the affairs of the Dungeonmaster role, just like almost 40 years ago, until time comes to elect the next Dungeonmaster. Our hope is that the next Dungeonmaster is a better candidate who would then appoint a more reasonable Bookkeeper after the current one retires.

My only concern is regarding the emergence of a new Blake-ally, Emma Bastrin, who's spoken recently on becoming the next Dungeonmaster.

<- 24 September 1328 <- || -> 13 March 1329 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

24 September 1328

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

In Hasphitat, there have apparently been cases of a so-called Neurovirus. I've heard mention of this before but news of this is becoming more prevalent as the numbers continue to increase. And I fear that the Commonwealth government will place Hasphitat under a lockdown like they did in South Masonia back in 1319.

I, perhaps along with friends of Peter Quora, am beginning to speculate whether or not this is perhaps a manifest of the Anomaly after all. The Neurovirus Pandemic of 1319 supposedly died out after only a few weeks. We all thought that was the end of that. But now this is happening.

I am also beginning to wonder if Aldin Blake is the Master Pagewriter after all. Not to mention, he is, unfortunately, the next elected Dungeonmaster.

<- 14 September 1328 <- || -> 13 January 1329 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

14 September 1328

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

Mersk recommended to have Aldin banned from the Society; but the Caucus voted that down.

Again, it was a "razor-thin majority." The Bookkeeper and Caucus settled on reconciliation to reduce the credits that Blake's avatar had and also to break up his avatar coalition into smaller groups. Blake, meanwhile, jabbed at the Administrators, calling them corrupt and having a biased definition of fair play. Many in the Caucus Chamber seemed to agree with him on this while Blake reasserted that he is running for the Dungeonmaster position.

Whether or not this constitutes a majority of the entire Society voting body remains to be seen. The Dungeonmaster elections are next week.

<- 13 September 1328 <- || -> 24 September 1328 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

13 September 1328

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

The Third Level Society Bookkeeper's name is Layna Mersk. Susan Parans was the one leading the accusation against Blake but Parans was joined by myself, Marcus Climon, Jon Hogan, Edoma Layne, and Phalia Curston. Meanwhile, Blake was joined by Jack Areon, Sara Michels, Harmony Meristan, and Corley Banks. Edoma Layne, being the incumbent Dungeonmaster, recused herself from the process, as per tradition. However, with no such tradition for Layne's challenger, Phalia Curston stayed.

So the session with Bookkeeper Mersk began with Susan Parans presenting against Blake her accusation: that Blake had violated a restricted dymensional plane, committing actions with the potential to unleash catastrophic consequences that would upset the integrity of the Arturian Realm.

To this came Jack Areon, who insisted that there were no notices anywhere of Planet Mahathia or its system being restricted. Jon Hogan argued that there was an indicator in all the jump gates if one queried the Mahathia plane accordingly, and also that there was an extra layer of restriction if anyone created a jump hole to Mahathia.

Hogan was right, of course. I saw the same thing on my mission with Raven. But Sara Michels from Aldin Blake's side insisted that a lot of systems had such a layer, and that Mahathia did not list a specific reason their system was restricted.

"Why access Mahathia in the first place?" Marcus Climon argued.

To that, Blake himself answered by arguing how "we should learn to act humanely even though they are just algorithms."

"While we believe in freedom of movement and basic rights our brothers and sisters in the real world," Curston explained. "We need to remember that this principle does not apply to self-casting avatars, which are, in fact, just algorithms in the algorithm book. These ones, in this case, were found to do more harm than good. And in fact, by having our current measures in place, we are protecting those other avatars cast by Members, thus adhering in this case to the principles of humanity."

Counter to that rose Harmony Meristan, who explained how she had a religious upbringing and was "taught not to hide problems but rather to confront and resolve them."

"Even if these avatars are dangerous," Meristan added. "We must eliminate them, not hide or contain them."

Then she explained how Blake tried to make this case to Dungeonmaster Layne last year, but that the Dungeonmaster refused to listen.

"That's a lie," Susan Parans whispered to me.

Despite that, when the Bookkeeper asked, I, myself, passed on speaking. I was new to the organization after all, but then Climon approached me during the 15 minute recess. "The vote is very close," he told me.

So when the session resumed, I took my stand. I made it public the encounter with Blake in the Immersion Console room six days ago. To this Blake said that I was exaggerating and that he had come up to me that day to apologize.

I knew he was lying but I was a bit apprehensive to assert myself. Not Susan Parans, though. Parans apparently had a similar encounter with Blake shortly before I arrived here from Furthing.

The session ended with a rebuttal from Meristan, however, who said that Blake only gets hot-headed under stress and that he never initiates retaliation.

And so came the vote. Despite all the arguments from "Team Blake," the attending Caucus Members voted in a majority Blake to be in violation.

"It's a razor-thin majority though," Jon Hogan told me later. "They might not do anything."

Tomorrow, Bookkeeper Mersk prescribes the punishment, and the Caucus votes for approval.

<- 07 September 1328 <- || -> 14 September 1328 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

07 September 1328

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

We reported everything to the Bookkeeper this morning and thought nothing more of it. I signed into immersion with my avatar and decided to do a little more trading and exploring. In fact, I was just thinking about how I've actually come to enjoy this.

It was when I stepped out for lunch that I got confronted.

"YOU!"

I turned around and saw standing there a tall, red-headed guy with glasses. "Me? Call me Jax," I said smartly.

"Never mind that. I know who you are," he said. I knew at this point it was Aldin Blake. "Now answer me this: Why are you here?"

"Why not?" I replied. "Is there a rule against me being here?"

"Well no. But perhaps there will be soon. I can very easily get you banned over your false accusations this morning?"

"My...what?" It began to sink in. He had been aware of what happened this morning. But how?

Blake came up to me, about three inches from my face. "I'll have you know, Jax from Furthing, that this is a democratic society. Not everyone will be agreeing with your opinion. You'll see what the majority says. You'll see how this turns out! And you'll learn that you don't belong here!"

"Fine," I said with mock acceptance. "In the meantime, I understand Members under scrutiny are not to retaliate?"

"None of your business!" And with that, Blake spun on his heal and walked out of the Immersion Room.

Needless, to say, I told Climon and Hogan about this encounter, and we sent an addendum accordingly to the Bookkeeper.

<- 06 September 1328 <- || -> 13 September 1328 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

06 September 1328

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

There are apparently Five Classes, five options, into which a Society Member can form-fit their avatar. And these Classes are in accordance with certain sets of strengths and weaknesses. I am unsure at the moment into which Class my avatar, Mys, would belong. Mys is good at piloting spaceships. Mys has, however, been taking lessons in the city of Antemaersa given to her by an avatar named Qinnos primarily on physical strength. I did not get a chance to check the Roster for the Member behind the avatar Qinnos. But regardless, these lessons have proven a unique challenge.

In any case, I have upgraded my spaceship to one of the superior brands. I previously had one of the Tiervox fleet, which was cheap and had relatively decent armor and firepower. However, at Raven's urging, I invested 6000.00 Arturian Credits into the purchase of a superior Platinum Eagle Starship. However, its extensive armor and firepower was worth it. Furthermore, I have resolved to partake on many quests, including ones not involving interglobal travel, in order to receive credits in payment to recover from my purchase.

My first quest since the one with Raven involved me staying on the Original Planet Arturia and venturing into the Northern Territory of the Republic of Cresca, where I arrived to the village of Clane and accepted a job to retrieve a stolen horse. I tracked down the thief involved; and said thief would not go down without a fight. It was a close fight, to say the least, and Mys was close to death at the end. But nonetheless, Mys defeated the man and brought back the horse. Mys returned to the Tavern where they first learned about the gig, and was paid gold coins to be exchanged for 1000.00 Arturian Credits.

I took my Platinum Eagle, afterward, to Cresca Minor I where I partook in a similar quest. After that, I wanted to continue exploring more planets and doing the same, but had to force myself to fulfill an obligation I had tonight to meet roommates Climon and Hogan.

***

"Apparently...," Hogan started, breaking the news to us. "Aldin Blake is a contemporary of Howard North and Kara Martins."

Climon and I were stunned. This made no sense. "Have you confirmed this?" I asked.

"Blake himself told me. So I reached out to Howard North posing as a prospective recruiter. I asked about Blake's background and personality." Hogan pulled out his handheld OCEA console. "And this is what he said."

I looked at the dialogue screen, at the reply from North, part of which read: "Thank you for reaching out. Aldin is whom I would call one of the most reliable colleagues I've had the pleasure to meet. He is currently carrying on at Cabotton University an initiative paramount to our Northmoor Chapter. However, I am sure that he would be more than happy to consider your opportunities afterward."

"So he's not the Master Pagewriter," I blurted out.

"My thoughts exactly," Hogan said. "But then again, he could be and is perhaps coercing North and Martins."

"Maybe North but not Martins," Climon said. "Martins is one who does the swaying, not one who is swayed."

"Just because she's outspoken doesn't mean she isn't swayed," Hogan said. "She could simply be repeating loudly something requested by a soft-spoken beneficiary, for perhaps some form of monetary compensation."

"Blake is not who I would call a soft-spoken beneficiary," Climon argued.

"Wait," I interjected. "I thought the new Chapter Leader got Kindol on friendly terms with Northmoor again, with the North-Martins camp. If Aldin Blake is carrying out his agenda here on behalf of a mandate from Northmoor, or maybe it's that Northmoor approved of him, then why was I not made aware of this connection until tonight? Did either of you know about this before tonight?"

"This is news to both us," Hogan said. Climon nodded in agreement.

"I just had a thought occur to me though," Climon added. "Why don't we make, anonymously, an official complaint to the Bookkeeper against Blake? Maybe even motion for a complete ban? And then we'll gauge how Northmoor responds. Maybe they'll even reach out to us for help if we remain anonymous with the initial reporting. We're certain to have more inside information from them if that is so."

"There are ways for our anonymity to be blown," Hogan argued.

"By what method?" Climon asked.

"If Blake were to become Dungeonmaster, and appoint a new Bookkeeper to release records previously kept confidential...," Hogan reasoned. "Dungeonmasters can make such requests and Bookkeepers can follow through."

"Okay," Climon started. "For one thing, what are the odds-?"

"He's got a larger following than you might be led to believe," Hogan interrupted. "I'm not saying he's got even a fighting chance of winning. And I certainly wouldn't vote him Dungeonmaster even at gunpoint. But I am not willing to even take a small bet against him, given the popularity he has already."

"It's the freshmen here," Climon complained. "They're a bunch of idiots, I've noticed. So complacent."

"The same has been said by every successive seasoned Cabotton student class since the beginning..." Hogan remarked quietly.

"Listen," I interjected. "Bring this up to my boss, Pheleston, and seek his advice."

"Very well," Climon said. "Let's sleep on this."

***

As promised, I sent an OCEA message to Pheleston. Not even five minutes later, I got a message from Kelsey Band, herself, saying that she was superseding communications with me while Pheleston was out on important business.

Kelsey advised me to have us go ahead and make the anonymous report to the Bookkeeper, for the risks were small enough. However, she did make me aware that she heard from other sources of a growing sentiment in Aldin Blake's camp to have a male Member of the Society run for the Dungeonmaster position. Why there is such a big deal over something like the sex or gender of the incumbent, quite frankly, is beyond my guess.

My thoughts are on Pheleston, however. He had been so interested in me up to this point, without ceasing. While I wouldn't say that he was a comfortable colleague, he was, after all, a fellow Guildmember.

Was there something about me, all of a sudden, that compelled him to lose said interest? Or was there, perhaps, some pressing matter to him that perhaps I should be worried about as well?

In any case, Hogan and Climon are in bed, and have been when I got these messages from Kelsey Band. So I will wait until tomorrow morning to tell them her advice.

<- 05 September 1328 <- || -> 07 September 1328 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

05 September 1328

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

The Third Level Society Dungeonmaster position is up for election by the Caucus, the body of all Society Members, on September 24. Edoma Layne, the current Dungeonmaster, is seeking re-election, while her opponent, Phalia Curston, is looking to challenge her. Layne is seen as the more progressive person while Curston is more of a "Traditionalist," or so they call her.

However, both of them share one common agreement: that a Member named Aldin Blake is a bit of a troublemaker. He is apparently mindful of Third Level Society principles but seeks to violate them in a way that technically does not violate the written rule.

And the most recent example of Blake's troublesome conduct is with his "Secure Mahathia" quest, something Raven is trying to stop.

So Mahathia is located in a system separate from the Arturian grid, and currently serves as a place of containment for those "self-running avatars" that apparently caused a lot of trouble across the Arturian Interglobal System a number of years back. All entrances into the system are restricted only to those avatars cast by the Arturian Prefects who do routine patrols and ensure that none of those "self-running avatars" escape. And the world inside is apparently a dystopian hellscape, as said avatars have been fighting each other. In recent years, a large group of them appeared to have come together and constructed a ship to try and break out of containment.

As avatars, despite being cast to seem as though they are conscious beings capable of feeling, they are, at the end of the day, simply algorithms in a dymensional plane algorithm book. That is, however, a concept very hard for humans like us to understand, a fact that Aldin Blake is exploiting to his advantage.

Aldin Blake is currently casting this incredibly strong and skilled avatar named Venn, who is well-versed in both spellcrafting and ship piloting. Aldin has made it public both through his avatar and the Bulletin Section of the Third Level Society OCEA platform, Ticketer, that the decision to seal all of the dangerous avatars in Planet Mahathia was a "wrong" decision. He says that though no avatar is a conscious being capable of their own thoughts and emotions, that giving them the dymensional plane equivalent of rights, particularly freedom of movement, would educate Society Members on the principles of humanity. Blake has also been voicing the claim that Mahathia is a place where the Dungeonmaster and the Prefects overreach their authority without consequence, and that if they can do it here, they can do it anywhere.

So Blake's resolve has been to release the captives of Mahathia.

I've spoken with Phalia Curston about this. She knew Blake previously from one of the Peter Quora chapters where he had a notorious reputation for bringing in chaos and then taking credit for being the one to resolve the consequences. It seems as though he plans to do the same for the Arturian Realm and the Third Level Society, despite being only a second-year student.

According to Hogan and Climon, Blake, as his avatar Venn, has just made a plan to create a cloaked wormhole through which he would send three of his cloaked ships into the Mahathia System. One of those ships would be armed with a special device known as the Sword of Eldryth, made on the Original Planet Arturia. Said ship would drop said Sword onto the enclosure barrier surrounding Planet Mahathia, piercing it and inflicting upon it a spellfire script known as "Bond Undoing." This "Bond Undoing" would tear open and destroy the barrier, thus releasing the destructive "self-running" avatars.

According to Susan Parans, the Member behind the avatar, Raven, the Prefects are aware of this agenda but do not wish either to intervene directly nor make this public, over fears that doing so would damage the reputation of Dungeonmaster Layne. After all, there is also growing resentment among male Society Members over the last few Dungeonmasters being female. Regardless, Parans agreed to help by carrying out a counter-agenda that is sure to derail that of Blake. After hearing it over, I was hopeful, for if Blake were to cry foul and take this in front of the Bookkeeper, he would have to reveal things that would make himself look bad; and his supporters, most of them male, would look like a bunch of misogynists.

Under Raven's leadership, a squad of ships, mostly driven by daemons cast by Raven, would conceal themselves and go through cloaked wormholes in similar fashion. They would then intercept Venn's ships and hit them with "vessel-destroyers," thus destroying them. This would deal a major blow to Blake as the Sword of Eldryth is a device very difficult to make and very expensive in terms of Arturian Credits.

I was a bit hesitant on this at first, for it seemed all too easy. But Parans and Climon assured me that any surprises would be easily dealt with. Of course, I said nothing further, being quite new at this avatar engagement thing.

My speculation changed from earlier today though. I came to realize that how unlikely it was that Dungeonmaster Layne was the Master Pagewriter. Aldin, though, has been questionable in that regard. He seems charismatic and stubborn, hallmarks of a Master Pagewriter. On the other hand, Susan Parans is the one building the army of avatars and daemons; although it's mostly a temporary force made of daemons.

Regardless, Susan and Aldin became my two figures of interest, with myself leaning toward Aldin.

***

It turned out that Aldin had attempted to deploy five Swords of Eldryth rather than one. Regardless though, Raven's forces, with my help, intercepted and destroyed Venn's ships with ease. Raven paid my avatar, Mys, 10000 Arturian Credits, and suggested that Mys explore the Arturian Realm for trade and side quests.

This, admittedly, was something I looked forward to. I created Mys as an avatar of no gender and form-fitted them in such a way as I feel quite satisfied.

Perhaps I will write more but in the meantime I am quite tired.

<- 04 September 1328 <- || -> 06 September 1328 ->

[libraryofcirclaria]

04 September 1328

Library of Circlaria

Third Level Society: First Version

Story Twelve: Jax Lyons

Part Two: Jax Lyons

Yesterday was a travel day for me. Like three years ago, I was on a gyroplane bound for Remikra. This time, however, I was a bit more comfortable. The Commonwealth of Retun is a free nation compared to its totalitarian counterpart to the North. I needed only to present my passport when I disembarked in Hasphitat. Afterward, I was free to travel.

I arrived last night to the Guest House on East Mason Street and got a full night of sleep. This morning, I woke up and met with Jon Hogan and his roommate, Marcus Climon, at Fleming House. Both were our volunteer contacts from the Pageturner Guild, posing as Third Level Society Members. And they both informed me, at the moment, of a person named Williard Kent. Kent is apparently a holdout-loyalist of Peter Quora and apparently dreams of building a "real-world dymensional plane."

Despite his connections, I am not all too concerned that Kent would be the Pagewriter. My first real person of interest, however, has been the Society's current Dungeonmaster: Edoma Layne.

Edoma Layne has been the Dungeonmaster for two years now, and has since joined forces with the remaining Peter Quora Chapters to establish dymensional plane consoles in every county in the Province of Ereautea as well as one console each in other provinces and territories. From what I gather, Layne seems to be a fair person, but has been very difficult to get in touch with. I sent her two OCEA messages to no avail, and then proceeded to find her Dungeonmaster Office Door and knock.

"What are you doing?" a voice behind me said as soon as I knocked.

I was a bit startled. The last person to confront me like this was that man named Pete, who showed me the body of Findor Quotus and told me I had little time to escape with my life. This time, though, there stood a younger man with glasses and reddish brown hair. "Williard Kent," he introduced himself. "And you're trying to get in touch with the Dungeonmaster?"

"For important business," I replied.

"Of course. And good luck getting in touch with her...In the meantime, I am seeking some counterparts to take part in my initiative, if you have the time..."

I gave him my OCEA information and said, "I will consider at a later time."

***

I relayed to Climon my encounter with Kent, but Climon was excited to share with me insights into an upcoming mission. He advised me to create an avatar of my own and take part in a mission in one of the Arturian systems with a lead avatar named Raven.

"Just observe Raven," Climon told me. "Observe and see if they might be our person of interest."

<- 02 September 1328 <- || -> 05 September 1328 ->