As Eldranthor took a seat at the table, he focused on maintaining a calm exterior, not wanting to reveal his true feelings about the symbols he had recognized. He understood the importance of treading carefully in this new, potentially dangerous situation.

  Morgan, observing Eldranthor's reaction, smiled warmly and said, "I can see you're familiar with some of the symbols in this room. It's not surprising, given your background."

  Eldranthor nodded, careful not to give away too much. "I've seen a few of them before, yes. It's intriguing to find them here, in this world."

  Morgan leaned back in his chair, studying Eldranthor. "Our organization, the Loyal Order of the Golden Sun, has spent centuries researching and collecting knowledge from various realms and dimensions. We've managed to gather some information about your world, as well as its magic."

  Eldranthor's curiosity was piqued, but he remained cautious. "That's impressive. What exactly is the goal of your organization? And why did you invite me here?"

  Morgan took a sip of his drink before responding. "Our main goal is to protect the balance between worlds and harness the power of magic for the greater good. We seek to learn from other realms and share our knowledge with those who are worthy. I invited you here because I believe you possess a unique perspective and skills that could benefit our cause."

  Eldranthor considered Morgan's words, weighing the potential risks and rewards of aligning himself with the Loyal Order of the Golden Sun. He knew he needed allies and resources to navigate this world, but he also understood the dangers of entangling himself with a powerful organization whose true motives might not be as noble as they seemed. For now, he decided to keep his cards close to his chest and proceed with caution.

  Morgan, sensing Eldranthor's hesitation, decided to share more about the origins of the Loyal Order. "The Order was founded by a traveler much like yourself, most likely from the same world as you. His name was Gavriel Thalindorius Blackthorne, a powerful and wise mage."

  Eldranthor's eyes widened at the mention of the name, a spark of recognition flickering in his gaze. He had heard tales of Gavriel Thalindorius Blackthorne in his world, a legendary figure who had mysteriously vanished centuries ago.

  Morgan continued, "Gavriel found himself stranded in our world, and he realized that there were others like him, travelers who had crossed the boundaries between realms. He established the Loyal Order of the Golden Sun as a means to connect these individuals, to share knowledge and resources, and to protect the balance between worlds."

  Eldranthor absorbed this new information, mulling over the implications. If the Loyal Order had indeed been founded by Gavriel Thalindorius Blackthorne, then perhaps it was worth considering their offer of alliance. But he also knew that centuries had passed since the Order's founding, and organizations could change significantly over time.

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  "I appreciate the information," Eldranthor said cautiously. "I'll need some time to consider your offer and to understand how my involvement would benefit both of us."

  Morgan nodded, understanding Eldranthor's need for caution. "Of course. Take all the time you need. We'll be here if you decide to join our cause."

  Eldranthor, wanting to verify the connection to the legendary Gavriel, inquired, "Do you have any of Gavriel's journals or notes? I'd like to see if the man you speak of is the same one I've heard of in my world."

  Morgan's eyes lit up with interest. "As a matter of fact, we do have a collection of Gavriel's writings. They have been passed down through generations of the Order's members, carefully preserved as a testament to our origins. I can arrange for you to examine them if you're interested."

  Morgan leaned in, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Normally, no one outside of the Order would be allowed near Gavriel's writings. However, I am willing to make an exception for you, on two conditions." He held up a finger. "First, you must share some of your own knowledge of magic with us in exchange. And second," he added, raising another finger, "if you find anything of import within the writings, you must share it with us. While much of Gavriel's work has been transcribed and translated, the knowledge of his original language has been lost over time."

  Eldranthor pondered Morgan's proposal. He realized that this could be a test for him as much as for the Loyal Order. But the opportunity to learn more about the connection between his world and this one was too valuable to pass up. "I agree to your conditions," he said, extending his hand to seal the agreement.

  Morgan shook Eldranthor's hand with a smile. "Excellent. I am glad we could reach an understanding." He then waved his hand, summoning the attendant who was waiting nearby. "Please bring the Thalindorius archives to our esteemed guest," he instructed.

  Morgan nodded, and with a wave of his hand, summoned an attendant who was waiting nearby. "Please bring the Thalindorius archives to our esteemed guest," he instructed.

  The attendant disappeared for a moment, only to return with a large, leather-bound tome, which he placed gently on the table in front of Eldranthor. The mage could feel the weight of history and magical energy emanating from the book.

  "Here are the collected writings of Gavriel Thalindorius Blackthorne," Morgan said, gesturing to the tome. "Please, take your time to peruse them. I believe you'll find them enlightening."

  With a mixture of excitement and apprehension, Eldranthor opened the ancient book, eager to discover the truth about the Loyal Order of the Golden Sun and its enigmatic founder.

  Eldranthor read the first page of the journal, and as he did so, more text appeared on it. He realized that this was a book of endless knowledge – a misnomer, of course – but a book that would take all knowledge of its owner, as they willed it, and make it available to those considered worthy.

  The first page read, "To you who wish to seek the knowledge of Gavriel Blackthorne, welcome. Except for you, Balanthar, you treacherous fool. If you are reading this, I place a curse upon you and all of your kin until the end of time and the death of all universes. To you who are reading, I must apologize that I could not put all that I know into this book. There are some things that I know that no one in this world should know—things that could destroy this entire plane of existence, and the ones around it.

  You see, this plane is surrounded by empty planes that once held much life, but whose greed caused their downfall. This plane is isolated and can only reach a small fraction of the other planes. Each is as cut off from the greater vine of creation through the same folly that cut Earth off. It is a paradise for those searching for escape, for a place to lay low, or to be condemned for eternity.

  We once knew of it, but all records on this side, as well as my world, were systematically destroyed. Learn what you can, protect this world I have come to love, and if you ever meet Balanthar or any of his descendants, give them a solid kicking from me.

  As you delve into the depths of this tome, you will find secrets of magic, the history of worlds both known and forgotten, and tales of great battles fought across the planes. However, beware, for the knowledge contained within these pages can be both a blessing and a curse. Use it wisely, and let it guide you on your journey."