Altared Beginning 3

Danthor made a quick stop at the bank on his way to the Westbridge jeweller. He had an eye out for any stones, jewels, rocks.. any sort of gem that had a strange cut. Danthor turned north as he left the bank, making his way up Main Street. As he drew nearer to Market Square, the smells of Tom's Bakery wafted towards him. He turned his thoughts and his face back toward the jeweller's store, and stepped through the door. He approached the counter, and looked to the rather fragile man behind it. "I'd like to buy all the rare gems you have, good sir." The jeweller snorted in derision as he reached down below the counter. "Aye, and I'd like to be king. I've got some gems for ya, but how'm I to be sure you've got the coin, eh?" Danthor swiftly pulled a large coin pouch from his belt. It was bulging with the shapes of various coins from around the Realm. The jeweller's eyes grew as big as saucers as he reached eagerly for the pouch. "All.. every last gem you have, sir, and this pouch is yours." Danthor leaned in, blocking the dim light, making himself seem larger than normal.

Seline's journal pg 18

Mystra forgive us Danthor heard the story...went and got a bunch of gems and gave them to me. then after he left it seems...from what he told me...I placed them in the sides of this..thing..and now a single ring shows on the top along with the 3 daggers and 3 lightning bolts..it looks just like the thing in my dream. Danthor took me to show it to me..and I tried to pry the gems loose..hoping I could turn it off..but to no avail... Simbul says perhaps this is the reason for my being brought to this world..to find this..so it could be used..but Mystra this thing SCARES me!!! 

Altared Beginning 2

As Seline's body fell back, what came into view was something like Danthor had never seen before; a three-sided altar, standing at about four feet high and two feet wide at the largest section. Its stone edges were rough from ages of weathering, with three large pockmarks on each side; various other, smaller, pockmarks, obviously causd by time covered its rough surface . Recessed in the top was a large bowl. Around the bowl were inscribed three daggers and three lightning bolts pointing toward it, with a small hole in the center of the bowl. Upon inspecting it closer, Danthor found a hole at the top of each cluster of pockmarks leading in towards the basin. Danthor slowly sat back in amazement at what he saw. "What in the name of Mystra IS it?" Danthor asked of no-one and everyone. Simbul was not so easily distracted from the matter at hand. She took one look down at the unconscious bleeding Seline, and lifted her in the air with a word and a motion and placed her body on a floating disc. Simbul's eyes grew large as she realized she had just cast a spell she had never recited before. Danthor turned his head and very slowly a little smile crawled across his face, and then, just as suddenly was gone. As Danthor and Simbul made their way quickly back to Mystra's priestess, Danthor had but a few moments to sort all of this out. 'This could be some rare artifact, something with which the Keepers could preserve their findings. Or it could also be the destruction that we seek so heartily to prevent. We must be cautious in our advances with this .. thing. Yet, I cannot just ignore it. Those pockmarks seemed to have many different shapes; Some almost looked like stones. I shall see what I can find in the Realms that come close to those shapes, and seek knowledge of this thing from my fellow Keepers. Nothing further must I do until more is known about this thing and its origin.'

Seline's journal pg 17

3rd of Alturiak 1270 (WD) *written in a shaky hand* Journal, has been some time. yet I fear for the next entry if there is even one. I have been having some disturbing dreams recently. Centered around an altar. We..I or so I was told found it..buried in the muck under a waterfall in the clan hall. Simbul and Danthor were with me. and they told me afterwards I was like one possessed, going to the bank, digging it out with my bare hands - left my fingers bloody stumps and then passing out.Fortunately, Simbul had the healers fix my hands shortly after I recovered. What this thing, this altar is for..I don't know. but after whatever that was took control of me like that I don't want anything to do with it. Danthor is bound and determined however to figure it out and Simbul is trying to find out some history on this place, or what it might be.

Altared beginning 6

"Should never have left her alone", the witch muttered to herself, as she passed through the waterfall. They had spoken briefly as Seline had woken, after first discovering this altar. The young wizard remembered nothing of her actions, yet was troubled by another dream while she worked furiously below. A strange woman, some sort of ceremony. 'Why me?' 'What is it?" Seline lay frightened on the bed asking questions neither of us could answer. Danthor had run off looking for his own explanations, and I needed my own. "One for me, one for you and one for eternity" she mumbled repeatedly as she sank back to sleep. Tracings I needed tracings of this thing, its peculiar symbols, that's why I'd left her in the first place. There was more to the altar now, the little pockmarks across its surface was filled with gems, the results of my leaving Seline alone. She'd come back and activated this altar, a bright ring of light now visible in one corner. The lightning bolts and daggers, 3 of each I copied, the rest having to draw myself, not one of my better skills. Danthor and Seline sat together in the healing chamber as I returned, Seline still visibly shaken from her ordeal and desperately in need of proper sleep. "Stay with her Danthor, she needs rest." I asked him quietly, "I have a meeting to attend, we shall know more soon."

Altared Beginning 4

As Danthor walked back through the streets of Westbridge, he looked around, absorbing all the sights and smells of the bustling tradetown. His hand strayed down to his waist, where a gempouch was firmly tied to his belt. He turned east at Market Square and followed the all-too-familiar route back to the Isle of Mystra's Dance. Once there, he sought out Seline, thinking to share his finds with her, and ask her opinion on some aspects of their new finding. "Seline," Danthor greeted his friend and colleague. "I've got some things for you." Seline watched intently as Danthor disentangled the gempouch from his belt and poured its contents out before her. Seline swiped the gems up in one hand and dumped them back into the pouch, tucking them away somewhere on her person. Danthor smiled, shrugged, assumed that Seline had a use for them, or just liked treasure, and made his way off to his study. A short while later, Danthor returned to the infirmary to check on Seline. He found her dreaming, tossing furiously in her sleep, muttering strange words. Deciding to let her sleep her supposed fever off (she seemed to be suffering from no physical ailments), Danthor made his way back down to the altar, deep beneath their place of residence. As he rounded the final corner in the tunnel leading down to the lake, Danthor noticed a strange, soft, glowing light emanating from the area around the waterfall. Danthor increased his pace, hustling furiously toward the altar.. And what is THIS?!" A circle of white light{s flickered and beamed forth from the previously empty corner on the top of the altar, and where there were once pockmarks lay the nine most rare of the gems he had given to Seline. "It seems this thing has been activated by Seline.. at least in some manner. This must not be allowed to continue until its purpose is made clear. But, the mystery of this thing is killing me. I must know its purpose .. I must know how our Church can use it to our advantage, if there is one. I thirst for this knowledge more than any other. 'Tis a great mystery, this .. and I intend to solve it."

Mystran Dust [5]

Guilt flashed across Krogenar's face briefly, and then he was himself again. He crouched down, and offered Laisha his hand. She took it and pulled herself aboard. For the next few minutes, she was led about the strange craft. Her friend seemed proud at the fact that it had no floor. He hopped nimbly from strut to strut, as she hovered through its innards.
As his pride in his bamboo ship became ever more apparent, Laisha became more convinced that Krogenar's future course would take him farther from Mystra's Church.

Since she began her unexpected visit, the two had filled the time with as much chatter about the ship itself as possible - skirting the reason for its being.

Now, as the half-orc swung in his captain's chair (a leather sheet suspended from a convergence of bamboo struts) she could only grin at him. She decided not to let any more chatter divert her attention.

"The first flight was awkward. So much dust!" He donned a pair of aviator's goggles and beamed at her, his canines peeking out at her. "Still self-conscious about his teeth, she noted, and smiled. He droned on about the ship some more.

"... I can push the ship myself, now that the armor is gone." He slipped his bare feet into a set of pedals. Laisha's eyes widened. "You canna be serious? You pedal?" He grinned again, almost shyly. "I can, if I need to - removing the armor has to cut down on the fuel it needs." He shrugged, and frowned. "Lift engines still need to be hot, my legs can only drive her forward, and then, only slowly."

The silence descended that Laisha had awaited. The two stared across at each other.

He was leaving The Church of Mysteries, she was certain. She imagined the many enemies he had earned over the years hunting him down, with no one to protect him. As this understanding passed silently across the space between them, Krogenar misinterpreted the silence. The strider placed his hand across his breast and looked at her grimly. As the Supreme Strider of Mystra in past years, it had been Krogenar's duty to visit and maintain the various secret caches of magical knowledge that were scattered across all of known Faerun. Of all Mystrans, Krogenar knew the secret paths and crypts best. Others might know the Words of Unlocking and Sealing, but their actual contact with the locations were limited to a fingertip on a map.

"No hand, no weapon will ever turn me against Mystra. Our secrets will remain our own."

She returned her friend's gaze and replied sincerely, "I know they will." Gripping his calloused and weather-beaten hand, she motioned to the ignition key. "I'll believe this wicker beast can fly when you show me!" As he swung across the helm in his chair, and started the airship's engine, Laisha's fingers brushed against the symbol of Mystra that hung about her neck.

.....

"Water!" he snapped.

Looking into the Lift Drive Mirror, he could see that engine smoking and coughing. He pulled on a rope, and the engine's throttle was cut down. "Not even clear of the ground yet!" he thought angrily.

Laisha followed Krogenar out of the airship. He moved ahead of her now, towards the stream, a canteen in hand. As she followed him, Laisha steeled herself.

The strider sauntered through the grass, his arms loose at his sides. He slowed as Laisha approached him, then stopped. He cocked his head, and Laisha could see the profile of his nose sniffing at the air. His head started to turn, but he checked the movement.

He sighed once.

Three figures appeared from The Weave, each a staff's length away from the half-orc.

Words of sleep were whispered at him in unison. Laisha leaped ahead, and uttered a sleep enchantment as well. Krogenar staggered, and she caught him. Simbul, Grandal and Danthor helped ease him gently down to the grass.

Mystran Dust [6]

Gathering her robes to her, Simbul placed her ear against the strider's chest. "He'll sleep for some time." Danthor examined him briefly, concurred, and lifted Krogenar easily, carrying him from the clearing. Laisha and Grandal conferred as they followed.

"I'll get his ship to where we agreed. I think I can work it well enough." Grandal nodded at Laisha. As the female drow entered the ship, he rejoined the other two wizards and their sleeping friend aboard the Mystran airship.

.....

Laying him down on the mud-cracked ground, Laisha regarded her old friend sadly. In the oppressive heat, she knelt over him as the other Mystrans looked on. Casting her mind back some eight decades, she focused on the first time she had spoken to Krogenar - the day she had extended an invitation to him, to join her family, to join Mystra's family. It was painful, but it was a necessary step in the spell's execution.

She had followed him for a few days, to discern his nature. He had recently fled the destruction of Vector, a fugitive MagiTek soldier. Finally, she had explained Mystra's role in the universe to him, and made her invitation. He accepted, and they had been friends ever since.

Laisha removed the Symbol of Mystra from around his neck.

Whispering softly in his ear, Laisha cradled his stubbled face in the palm of her right hand. Her ebon thumb swept across his wide forehead, slowly, wiping the sweat from it. As she stroked his familiar brow, the past eighty years of his life slipped away from him. Grandal, and the other Mystrans looked on solemnly.

"You will not remember Mystra, or your life in Her Church," she husked.

"We will remember you. Go without guilt, and without heartache." Her thumb was nearly across his brow now. "And most importantly, go to the east, where none will know you." She looked upon her friend for the last time. Though they had shared so many years, he only appeared half his age. He seemed to be in his early sixth decade (a newborn, in her long-lived drow eyes) but his actual age was well over a century. The age-refuting  effects of The Forest of Mysteries would no longer hold the years at bay, and age would  slowly grasp him, enfeebling him.

He would awake as though from a dream. The intervening years were now gone. Lifting her thumb from his brow, a tiny drop of sweat dangled there. Wiping it across the face of a green leaf, she stood, and placed the leaf in her waist pouch. The prostrate strider sighed, and was silent.

.....

"I feel like we're abandoning him." Lanseril said. Grandal turned to the sage, and shook his head. "His choice was to leave. Forgetfulness is our gift to him, and it protects Mystra's children as well. Krogenar saw the truth of it, I think, in the clearing."

The elder wizard walked slowly to his seat at the back of the airship. Lanseril ignited the airship's engines, and looked out the porthole once more.

Krogenar lay on his back, his strange, bamboo airship a few paces away. As the ground fell away from them, the strider's form became smaller, and then invisible. "Was there food enough for him? Water?" These thoughts, and others swam through Lanseril's mind. Laisha placed her hand against his shoulder, as though reading his thoughts. "We've left him in a position of strength. No sense of loss, and the wilderness will protect him from those who will remember his as an enemy. To leave him in a city would be far crueler." The sage nodded at this, and turned back to the controls. Lanseril banked the airship westward, back across the ocean, to The Forest of Mysteries.

Altared Beginning 1

The lights played off the shimmering waterfall as Danthor, Simbul and Seline made their way through the tunnel. As the three approached the edge of the lake, they turned and silently followed it toward the waterfall. The three walked in a single-file line, Danthor in the middle. As Seline stooped to duck under a few loose, crawling vines, she turned her head slightly towards Danthor, a trancelike look upon her face. This was not the serene half-elf that he had come to know so well. This was the face of someone in distress. As Seline rigidly approached the waterfall, Danthor and Simbul turned to exchange a silent glance. Once there, Danthor stood back from the other two, wondering what could possibly be found so deep in the recesses of Mystra's Isle. Danthor leaned in a bit closer, lowering his voice .. "Do you know why she has brought us here?" "I must admit, I am not sure. Though it seems she is about to reveal her purpose," replied Simbul. Danthor nodded, slowly, eyes squinched shut against the moist, almost saturated, air. "Aye, but she does not seem herself." As the two slowly turned their gazes back to Seline, they noticed that she had already made her way through the waterfall and out into a hidden cavern on the other side. The two colleagues strode forward intently, moving as one, curious as to this area previously unknown to Mystra's Chosen. As Danthor stepped quickly after Simbul through the rushing water, he was taken aback at what he saw there. Seline, on all fours, was digging frantically, almost mechanically, at the ground, clawing and ripping up chunks of earth and wood. Her hands had become bloody ribbons by this point, but the distraught half-elf seemed determined to unearth something in this dark, damp place. All the while, Seline continuously muttered "One for you, one for me, and one for Eternity. One for you, one for me, and one for eternity" in a deep feverish voice. Simbul stood passively aside, awaiting the completion of Seline's mysterious task. Shocked, Danthor knelt beside Seline, thinking to aid her in her efforts, until ..looking into her eyes, Danthor senses another's emotions, thoughts and, most of all, fear. Danthor leapt back to Simbul's side, frantically moving towards Seline, then away, towards, then away. Before Danthor could decide on what action to take, Seline sat back, obviously exhausted and bleeding profusely from her hands, and fainted.