-2- Greater Things

Clausius and Vaishu entered the main collection of the archives, which was a vast chamber filled with rows upon rows of shelves and cases. At the end of near every row were stacks of containers filled with overflow which made the aisles extremely difficult to navigate. Clausius and Vaishu meandered their way through to a large fireplace at the northern wall. In front of it was an equally large desk that sat in a small clearing that managed to remain uncluttered from the invading antiquities. With a smile, Vaishu placed his bag on the desk and pulled it open. "Two sets of crystal panes from Waterdeep," he said as he produced two wooden boxes. "The jeweler apologizes for being late with them." Clausius opened the boxes and examined the panes under the firelight. "I will settle with him next month when he visits. Did you manage to find the tools?" Vaishu smiled as he produced several leather bundles from the bags. "They were hard to find, but I managed to locate a trader from Heifong that acquired them for me." Clausius nodded as he produced a dwarven toolbox from under the desk. Taking the tools one by one, he began to sort them in the toolbox with the greatest of care and satisfaction. For several minutes, the two rooted through the bags, producing a sizable pile of seemingly unrelated items. Along with the crystal panes and tools, there were three bronze shields, two spools of binding leather, a tanner's kit, several small sheets of various metal, including copper, tin, and soft iron, a canister of metal polish, and several books related to manufacturing of small machines and other mechanical contraptions. All of these things Clausius sorted and piled next to more items which looked even stranger together. "I know you won't tell me what these things are for, but I ran into Bosch who was also in Waterdeep, and he seemed to know about the items I was looking for. I was just curious if you two were planning something." Vaishu asked as he stood up in front of the desk. "Well, it is a safe assumption that we are always planning something, but to answer your question: Yes, he has always known about the dreams and my interest in them." A spark of interest showed in the halfling as he looked up at Clausius, such that Clausius had to justify his statement. "Well, my intentions regarding these things you brought me are not related to the future of the faction. It is strictly a personal interest, but one that may prove beneficial to our cause. I think I will stop at that for fear of dragging you into my flights of fancy." He was adamant about keeping secrets. That is one thing Vaishu was certain about when it came to Clausius. While curiosity burned within him, he knew also that Clausius had his reasons for not letting on to certain things. It was an old observation that Vaishu had learned about and also learned to live with from the day he came to know the keepers now just half a year prior. And as expected, Clausius had another task to utilize the strider's abilities with. Tearing a strip of parchment from his stack of notes, Clausius penned several lines and handed it over to Vaishu. "I need you to locate these keepers for me and have them come to the archives." Taking the parchment, Vaishu folded it up and carefully placed it in his pocket. "And when do you need them here," he asked. "Within the next few weeks if possible. As we speak, Bosch is busy searching for a new place to store the archives and we will need all the help we can get for the move." Vaishu blinked slowly. "The move?" Clausius smiled at the reply, having purposely instigated it. "Yes, I would like to have everything moved within the month. There will be no problem finding them right?" The halfling grinned at the question which he couldn't possibly answer in any truthful capacity. He thought how ambitious such a proposal was when there wasn't even a place to move to as of then. Even with all of the keepers assembled to work on the move, it would be very difficult to have it all transported and reordered within the year, much less within the month. But then something had to be said about optimism and that is where he mustered the courage to reply that finding them would be no problem. "Good," replied Clausius. "Good luck?" asked Vaishu. "If any luck is with us in this endeavor, it will be good," was Clausius' reply as Vaishu exited the archives.

-1- Dawn of a Legacy

Dark clouds loomed over the forests around the ruined city. At an outcropping of rocks there sat carved a small place called simply 'The Archives'. It is a place where on this particular evening an aged titan sat in an equally aged wooden chair inside a room with no roof. In place of one was a tattered canvas, partially draped over a series of rings fabricated into a dome such that leaves and birds wandered in freely from the outside. Also that evening, the titan named Clausius let wander in thoughts of shaking the stability in his life. For longer that he could remember, this place served as his repository for all things he knew or hoped to know about his world. It was his lifes work, and as such his life, but he also knew that beyond the antiquities and beyond the volumes of knowledge, there lied a greater cause that pre-existed all others. It was time to complete the legacy. And with those thoughts came the rain. The droplets fell through the open roof with no resistance and struck the ground forcefully, saturating the room with the smell of dry earth. The elder titan sat in his chair, tossing a ball of string to the ground such that it rolled and bounced across the floor. A length of the string remained tied to his finger such that with a tug of his wrist, the ball came bounding back to his hands. This he entertained himself with through the rain, until the ball became saturated to the point that it fell like dead weight onto the ground. That is when he realized it was raining and that he was not alone. "You become stranger by the day, Clausius" a voice called out through the downpour. Clausius turned to see a cloaked halfling standing in the entranceway holding several bags. Ah Vaishu. Good to see you again." Clausius rose from his chair as he pocketed the ball of string. "Good to see me or to see these bags full?" Vaishu replied as he lifted them slightly to show they were indeed heavy with items. "Both to be honest, but you above all else. Let me gather my senses again and we'll have a look." Clausius made his way over to the large rope which was tied to the canvas. With a gentle tug, the canvas pulled shut and with it came several splashes of water. Vaishu watched this display carefully, being more interested in the funny length of string which ran from the titans pocket to his finger. "So I must ask you: what is the ball of string for?" Vaishu asked as they made their way down the hallway. "Well, it was of the advice of a friend that I take up new hobbies, and I found that the string helps me understand." "Oh really? How so?" asked the halfling. Clausius looked up again, half taken by surprise at the question. A few paces later, he replied, "Well, I was just thinking how much me and this ball of string have in common. Someone drops it and it rolls like it was meant to roll, across the ground in all its imperfections. Somewhere it will stop as it hits a rock or maybe just runs out of momentum, but no matter what niche it finds, theres something it cannot change. It is always tied to something; tied to its driving force if you will that will eventually decide its time to pull that ball of string back in and let it roll again." Vaishu looked at him with a puzzled look and shook his head. "You know, dont take this the wrong way, but sometimes I think all this isolation starts getting to your head." Clausius cracked a smile amidst a look of concern. "Perhaps youre right. All I know is that Ive been sitting in my little niche too long now for something not to come along and pull me out." Clausius stopped at the end of the short hallway to hang up his robe which was soaked with water. Taking one of the bags from Vaishu, he patted him on the back and said, "Let us dry by the fire and see what kinds of things you have for me."

Horrible Mistake

I hit the floor suddenly, coming awake forcefully. Eyes flying open, I lay still for a moment, catching my breath before rolling onto my back and staring through the darkness at the ceiling. Usually I would light a small flame to illuminate the room, but tonight the darkness suited me better. Through the floor I felt the soft vibration of the wind despite the magical shock absorbtion in place; the Alyra was being pelted by strong winds, anchored in her place high above the moutains. A pain jolted through my gut as memories from the evening before came back to me in a rush, and I curled my knees up to my chest as waves of tears "No," I told myself quietly, forcing myself to my feet. "It was an accident, nothing more." The words sounded hollow even to me, though. Ret and I had made a horrible mistake. I reached out, picking up a dagger from my desk and weighing it in my hand. Memories flashed in my mind quickly. Ret's eagerness to explore, trying to cheer me up, had taken us to new parts. His magic had led us there, and I'd slowly been warming to the idea when we'd come across the bandit. "We were only defending ourselves." It did nothing to comfort me. I sat back down on my cot, tracing the odd imprint on the dagger's hilt with one of my fingers. That was probably the worst part. I'd killed him with my mother's dagger. Standing quickly, I flung the dagger sideways at the wall, turning and fleeing the room before it hit the floor. I clamored up the stairs and rushed down the hallway to the open helm of the Alyra, climbing up onto the railing and standing there, staring out over the landscape. The brisk wind caught me, throwing me backward onto the deck, and for the second time I landed heavily. Instead of getting up this time, I rolled onto my side and cried.

Drowling [3]

"Please leave me...I'm quite fine now. Thanks for the help, it shall be repayed generously." Starlight said to Vidala. "No problem M'Lady, twas a pleasure delivering a new life into this world." Vidala responded politely and left the room, quietly shutting the door. Starlight gently caressed the head of the newborn child... Minutes later a soft knock on the door interrupted their privacy. "Well, come in if you must." Starlight was obviously mispleased with the intrusion. The door opened and Cragath walked in, calm as always. "Well, as I see it all went nicely." He said with a smile on his face "Indeed it did...and I have you to thank..." Starlight said, barely holding back a yawn, "sorry, I'm a bit tired at the moment, again, I thank you for what you have done.""Not at all, 'tis all my duty. Peace and justice for all. I shall leave you to rest now. Sleep well, you and your child." Cragath said, pleased that another one of his days went fine. "Oh yea," he mentioned on his way out, "may I know who the father is?". "Well, if you must know it was Ryel." Starlight responded hesitantly "I see...well...if you need anything else I'll be downstairs sipping my ale and listening to the gossip as usual. Sleep well." Starlight nodded, put the little child next to herself and sank into a deep slumber. The litte drowling was sleeping soundly, unaware of what the future could bring...

Drowling [2]

Walking around the misty and rainy forest of Darrowmere Adelaide suddenly spotted a figure in a grey cloak approaching her. "Hello there, traveller, wonderful day, isn't it?" she mentioned looking at the wayfarer with a mischevous smile. The traveller peered at the dark clouds that were constantly spouting down cold rain and chuckled. "Cheerful as always you are eh? Well, I'm not quite in the joking mood right now, kind of need a favor." the cloaked stranger said. "Anything you need, Cragath, you know I'm always there for a friend" Adelaide responded. "Starlight is currently in labor in the Prancing Stallion Tavern, I need an experienced healer there to deliver the child.""Say no more, of course I shall help." Without further delay Adelaide fluttered her tiny wings and disappeared, with no trace of her presence other than a pinch of glittering pixie dust. (Back at the tavern) Appearing right before Starlight Adelaide knew exactly what to do... afterall it wasn't her first time assisting a delivery. "Well, a priest has got to do what a priest was called in to do." Adelaide said to herself and uttered a few words. Starlight instantly took a lighter breath and seemed more relieved. "This little charm will make the delivery much easier, rest assured, you're in good hands, dear Starlight. Just relax." Starlight nodded, "I trust my life...and my child's life in your hands, pixie. Do your duty well." "I always do, dear, just keep calm and focused, we'll have this taken care of in no time." (Quite a while later) "Waaaaaaaaaaaah!!" The baby's cry broke the tension in the tavern room. "It's a completely healthy little drowling." Adelaide said, nodding in satisfaction. Both mother and child are fine. Adelaide smiled. "I love it when those things come out right". Vidala nodded in agreement. "From the looks of it the mother and the child will be fine" Adelaide continued, "a little rest it'll all be fine. I shall be off now. A flutter of pixie wings and a small flash of light...Adelaide is gone..

Drowling [1]

The night was cold...and chilly winds were out. Luckily Cragath was spending this eve inside a nice cozy tavern just outside of the city of Westbridge, in the forest of Haon Dor. Cragath was calmly sitting at the bar, relaxing from a hard day of tiring work. Absently listening to the travelling bard he noticed an intriguingly odd figure entering the tavern. A short, from first glance female figure, crouched, like under a heavy weight, groaning from...pain? After making such an observation, Cragath decided to offer his assistance to the person that was obviosly in need of it. As he approached the figure and peered under the hood of the cloak, he discovered that the person was none other than Starlight, a drow Cragath knew rather well... "What's wrong? Anything I can help you with?" Cragath inquired. "Arrg...I'm in pain...the child...labor..." Starlight uttered with pain in her voice. "Oh God...she's in labor!", trying to stay calm, Cragath picked Starlight up and carried her upstairs, to the private rooms of the tavern, on his way up he motioned Vidala, the tavernkeeper's wife to get some hot water and clean towels. Vidala nodded and tossed Cragath a key to one of the rooms "On the house." she said and rushed off to fulfil Cragath's request. Up in the room Cragath gently set Starlight onto a bed. Vidala arrived with the requested hot water and clean towels. "Take care of her for now, I'm off to get a reliable cleric to perform the delivery." Cragath said and hastily made his way towards the exit.

A Decision To Make

Mirage sits on her bed, her knees drawn to her chest, her cheeks stained with tears. Her eyes narrowed on her mirror, she sits there staring at what she feels is a pathetic excuse for a Sunite. She thinks of all that has happened, all of her pain, all those who have shunned her. She thinks of all the terrible things she has learned of her past, many of which shame her. She says in a a harsh anger stricken voice "Why can I not remember?!" Tears form fresh on her face, cries of sadness and pain apparent. She stands up looking around, the rooms spins. Mirage places a hand on her forehead and steadies herself a moment letting out a long sigh. "I need to start fresh, bring amends, I need to end my foolishness, weed the good from the bad, I will make Sune proud, I will find myself." Mirage grabs some of her things and walks slowly yo the door. She looks back a moment, placing her hand on the door jamb. She says quietly "When I return all will be new, and I will know what to do." Mirage turns towards the door and takes a deep breath.