Next to a portrait of former professor Bathsheba Babbling stands a curious-looking door on which an inscription can be read. It is not uncommon for anyone to not be able to read it as most are forced to dart down the corridor or open the door to find solace from a never-ending conversation with the portrait about how dusty her frame is or her desire to be placed in her old classroom so she can teach again. Which direction will you go?

Should you decide to open the door and slip inside, you will find yourself in a small and fairly empty room. While the size of it is nothing mesmerizing, the state of the walls are something to gawk at. To the untrained mind, the engravings covering the walls won't mean anything and likely will be viewed as graffiti. But those who can translate the runes into modern English are certainly in for a treat. From the floor all the way up to the ceiling, the walls are covered in runic messages -- ranging from poems and riddles written during medieval times to relatively recent statements of love or silly messages etched onto the wall by past Ancient Runes students. If you care to leave your mark on the walls of this room, all you need is your wand.

While the contents of the wall are eye-catching, there is a black box laid on a stone in the centre of the room that demands just as much attention. Upon closer examination, the lid of the box contains a mysterious rune. Those that are well versed in Elder Futhark will know that the symbol on the box it is not your standard rune. It is in fact the Mark of Merlin, and the box contains the well-known wizard's most prized possession. Try opening the box, either with your own fingers or with an Unlocking Charm, and you will find yourself red in the face for it will not budge.

No matter what your focus happens to be on, it might be a good idea to eventually make use of the door at the back of the room that will lead you to the Advanced Rune Study. You most certainly will find a number of books to help you translate the writings on the wall, and you just might come across something that might tell you how to open that box ... or maybe not.

OOC: This is a fun area designed to provide a place for character interactions. You are welcome to make up the runic messages sprawled on the wall that your character is translation or have them add a quick message of their own (please remember to follow site rules). Also, feel free to toy around with Merlin's box -- though don't expect it to be opening up any time soon. ;]