-=BACK=-
Player Name : Endarire HP: 19 / 19 Speed: 20’ Experience: 3000/6000

Character Name : Sres Tage (Druc birth name) Flat-Foot AC: 10 Touch AC: 13

Character Race : Dwarf ARMOR SHEILD DEX SIZE MISC

Character Class(es) and Levels : Wizard 3/Cleric 0 AC : 13 = 10 + 0 + 0 + 3 + 0 + 0

Alignment: Neutral Good Deity : Runaleti TOTAL DEX MISC

Age: 157 Height : 4’2” Lbs: 155 Eyes: blue Hair: black Initiative mod : 7 = 3 + 4

Score Modifier Base Attack Bonus (BAB) : 1 Skills TOTAL MOD RANKS MISC

STR: 15 +2 TOTAL BASE STAT SIZE MISC -Alchemy 4 = 4 + 0 + 0

DEX: 16 +3 Melee attack bonus: 3 = 1 + 2 + 0 + 0 -Spellcraft 12 = 4 + 6 + 2

CON: 16 +3 Ranged attack bonus: 4 = 1 + 3 + 0 + 0 -Arcane Know 10 = 4 + 6 + 0

INT: 18 +4 -Concentration 10 = 4 + 6 + 0

WIS: 14 +2 Saving Throws TOTAL BASE STAT MAGIC MISC -Craft(blacksmith) 6 = 4 + 0 + 2 (metal/stone)

CHA: 12 +1 Fortitude: 6 = 2 + 4 + 0 + 0 (8 vs poison) -Nature Know 10 = 4 + 6 + 0

Reflex: 5 = 0 + 3 + 0 + 2 -Heal 2 = 2 + 0 + 0

Spell Resist: 00 Will: 6 = 4 + 2 + 0 + 0 - Spot 4 = 2 + 0 + 2

Spell(-like) 2 = 2 + 0 + 0 + 0 -Engineer Know 5 = 4 + 1 + 0
Weapons -Listen 4 = 2 + 0 + 2

The Lady's Staff 3 d6+3 20x2 melee large *see inv description -Balance 3 = 3 + 0 + 0

Heavy Crossbow 4 d10 19x2 120’ med -Move Silently 3 = 3 + 0 + 0

Carving Knife 3 d4+2 19x2 10’ tiny AKA a dagger -Perform 1 = 1 + 0 + 0

-Search 4 = 4 + 0 + 0

-Craft(weapons) 5 = 4 + 1 + 0

WEAPON ATK BNS DAMAGE CRITICAL RANGE SIZE SPECIAL ABILITIES -Jump 2 = 2 + 0 + 0

-Climb 2 = 2 + 0 + 0

Racial Abilities / Class Bonuses/Feats /Virtual Languages Speak Language 0 = 0 + 0 + 0

Spellcasting Prodigy (+2 spellcasting INT) Common, Kerothian, - Swim 2 = 2 + 0 + 0

( CHA Bonus to Saves) +4 vs Bullrush + Trip Dragonic, Sylvan, Arcane -Use Rope 3 = 3 + 0 + 0

( Simple Weapon Prof) ____________________ Elven, Celestial -Ride 3 = 3 + 0 + 0

( Shield/All Armor Prof) ____________________ Sign Language -Gather Info 1 = 1 + 0 + 0

( Turn Undead 4x daily) ____________________ ____________________ -Survival 2 = 2 + 0 + 0

60' darkvision ____________________ ____________________ -Religion Know 5 = 4 + 1 + 0

+2 Fort vs poisons ____________________ ____________________ -Diplomacy 2 = 1 + 1 + 0

Improved Initiative ____________________ ____________________ - Craft(armor) 4.5 = 4 + .5 + 0

+2 Search vs stone ____________________ Money -Craft(woodwork) 4 = 4 + 0 + 0

+1 to hit vs Ruby Elves ____________________ P.P. - 101 -Use Magic Device 1.5 = 1 + .5 + 0 (3.5 total vs scrolls)

Alertness ____________________ G.P. - 9 - Geography Know 5 = 4 + 1 + 0 *All in () aren’t usable yet. S.P.- 7 -______________ 0 = 0 + 0 + 0 Notes C.P. - 4 -______________ ___=___+___+___ Armor Check Penalty : 0 ____________________ ____________________ -______________ ___=___+___+___ Arcane Spell Failure: 0 ____________________ ____________________ - ______________ ___=___+___+___ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ______________ ___=___+___+___ Light : 30lbs/Medium: 67-133lbs/Heavy : 154-230lbs/ Drag or Push : 231-330lbs Arcane Spells Castable Per Day Current Weight Total: 30lbs 0- 3 1^st - 3 2^nd - 2 3^rd -____

Domains: Mysticism, Celerity 4^th -____ 5^th -____ 6^th -____ 7^th -____

Spell DC : 15+Spell Level+Misc+d20 8^th - ____ 9^th -____ Epic -___ Special -__

Divine Spells Castable Per Day

Equipped Items 0- 0 1^st - 0+0 2^nd - 0+0 Special - 0

-Wizard’s Outfit (altered monk’s outfit) [5g/2lb]
=This robe fits almost perfectly. Except for lavender trim around the hood and sleeves and a small crimson ankh near the navel, the ankle-length silk robe is completely black. A black thin fur glove is half-sewn to each sleeve’s end.

-Morning Star [8g/8lb]

-Morning Star Belt Sheath [0g]

-Heavy Crossbow [50g/9lb]

-Bolt x50 [5g/5lb]
-Dull Gray Ioun Stone x4 [200g]
=Inscribed on these stones is one word each of the phrase, as translated from Kerothian, "Don't fuck with me."
-Ioun Stone of Continual Lavender Flame [100g]

-The Lady's Staff [200g/6lbs]
=This staff is ornately carved with a set of small steel rings on each end and wooden snake-like scales covering the shaft except where Runaleti’s symbol of a star encircled in a ring. Carved deliberately are ring-like notches to aid grip. On one head is inscribed "The Lady blesses" and, the other, "All in moderation." At one end is a small turnable metal knob that opens minute hatches to small cushioned compartments and one large cushioned compartment. Each small compartment is about three cubic inches, enough to fit a small gem. Each small compartment is cushioned with small pieces of leather, rubber, and cloth. Also, there is one large compartment near the staff’s middle, big enough to hold a parchment or scroll, which functions like Heward's Handy Haversack.

-Shoulder-Worn Staff Scabbard [0g]

Items Held Besides Consumables (Staff of Holding)

-Waterskin [1g]
-Sulfur match x12 [1g]

-Backpack [2g/2lb]

-Spell Component Pouch [5g]

-Chalk Piece x100 [1g]

-Flask x10 [.3g]

-Bedroll [.1g/5lb]

-Pint oil [.1/1lb]
-Fishing pole (10' pole with fishing hook attached) [.3/8lb]

-Trail rations (day) x10 [5g/10lb]

-Spellbook [0g/3lb]

-Ink pen [.1g]
-Ink vial w/ink [8g]

-Common lantern [.1g/1lb]

-50’ hemp rope [10g/5lb]
-white towel x3 [.03g]
-red towel [.01g]
-orange towel [.01g]
-purple towel [.01g]
-blue towel [.01g]
-yellow towel [.01g]
-green towel [.01g]

-black towel [.01g]
-well-stitched blindfold [.8g]

-weasel familiar [100g]

-100' fuse cord [1g/1lb]

-explosive tube x20 [60g/20lb]

-Gravebane x10 [10lb]

Consumables
Magic Missile Wand (Charges: 50)

Arcane Spells Known:

(0) Acid Splash, Arcane Mark, Dancing Lights, Daze, Detect Poison, Disrupt Undead, Flare, Ghost Sound, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Open/Close, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Read Magic

(1) Charm Person, Color Spray, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Grease, Hold Portal, Identify, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Shield, Tenser’s Disc, Summon Creature I, Ventriloquism

(2) Continual Flame, Detect Thoughts, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Rope Trick, Scorching Ray, Spectral Hand, Web

(3) Summon Monster III

Arcane Spells Prepared:

(0) Mage Hand, Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation x2

(1) Summon Creature I, Grease, Shield, Charm Person, Color Spray

(2) Scorching Ray, Invisibility

Divine Spells (Not) Known (PHB):

(0) Create Water, Cure Minor, Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Inflict Minor, Light, Mending, Purify Food/Drink, Read Magic, Resistance, Virtue

(1) Bane, Bless, (Bless Water,) Cause Fear, Command, Comprehend Languages, Cure Light , Curse Water, Deathwatch, Detect Evil/Chaos/Good/Law, Detect Undead, Divine Favor, Doom, Endure Elements, Entropic Shield, Inflict Light, Invisibility to Undead, Magic Stone, Magic Weapon, Obscuring Mist, Protection From Law/Evil/Good/Chaos, Random Action, Remove Fear, Sanctuary, Shield of Faith, Summon Monster I

Divine Spells (Not) Known (DotF):
(1) Burial Blessing , Divine Favor, Blur

Divine Spells (Not) Known (Relics & Rituals II):
(0) Animate Vermin, Bleeding Disease, Clean, Quick Sober, Shockwave

(1) Cadaver Dance, Champion Swimmer, Detect Shapechangers, Grim Feast, Invisibility to Constructs, Locate Water, Prevarication's Bounty, Shockwave Strike, Silver Sword, Smite, Tanil's Touch

Divine Spells (Not) Known (Magic of Faerun):
(1) Faith Healing, Handfire, Vision of Glory, Wieldskill

Divine Spells (Not) Prepared:
(0) Create Water, Resistance, Light
(1) Wieldskill, Sanctuary, Blur

Bio

Chapter 1: The Ascension

“My name is Sres Tage Druc (Srayce Tah-jhay Drook with a rolled r), and, yes, oh bloody human, I am a Wizard, and a more liberal-minded Dwarf than most.

Years ago when I was a wee child, I took to collecting books instead of axes and fancied myself in understanding my strange desire to understand magic. Despite my clan’s fairly liberal mindset, they could not fathom my desires, yet tolerated me hoping I would change. After years of trying to sway them and, simultaneously, they tried to sway me, they surrendered and I was allowed my magic….eventually. The elders wanted a demonstration from an outside source to determine this magic ‘proper.’ Various magicians applied, lured by the promise of wealth. My father led the scouting and interviewing process while I waited. Months passed and no spell, however clever, tame, or apparently useful, would coerce them, yet I would get my way.

As per tradition, I was allowed one gift for my coming-of-age party. Most Dwarves asked for masterwork picks or enchanted war axes, but, I asked to personally select a Wizard to give a demonstration of magic and promised that it would be tame and perhaps entertaining. If they were convinced, I would be free to pursue a wizardly career; they reluctantly agreed My father and I had readied ourselves for a trek amongst nearby settlements to find such a Wizard when one found us.

His name was Aedwyn Notent, a human that exuded brilliance and leadership. Though he called himself a “void hopper,” we figured it was a fancy term for Wizard. He shows us his routine- fairly impressive and tame- and he even agreed to take me as apprentice should the others approve. He would return tomorrow and perform for the others at noon.

The time came. Aedwyn demonstrated targeted spells, area-affect, illusion, abjuration, summoning and more, though he showed nothing that would be likely to scare the elders such as animate corpses or mind control someone. Something happened: Perhaps a spell failed, he lost his concentration, or the combination of spells in that order at that time in that place produced a rift from whence came a huge snarling beastie!

It stood near as tall and broad as the tunnels the earth shook when it moved. Its orange fur-covered hide was thick as iron and its jaws could chew through steel in seconds. My clansmen fought valiantly against it, and most died gruesomely- from its terrible jaws, thundering stomp, or being digested whole.

While this went on I ran around, amongst the chaos, attempting to find Aedwyn and get men supplies. After realizing my search futile, I headed to the storeroom and grabbed a crudely-forged adamantium sword from the armory to give to the commander, but I found him splattered across the tunnel wall; rather, I found his body from the torso-up writhing faintly on the ground faintly while various other appendages were strewn haphazardly across the tunnel. I rushed back to the armory to equip myself and found a few others alive there as well. Translated into common, their conversation was roughly:
“Kill it! That’s the plan!”

“How the Hell can w’ do that?!”

“Its hide is thick and it snaps our weapons and swallows our men!”

“All beasts have one weakness,” I interjected.

“Tell us!” one shouted.

“What is it?” another boomed.

I merely bowed my head and gazed at the divide a nearby Dwarf’s greaves, paused, then looked him in the eyes. The others met my gaze and understood immediately.

“You’re bait,” one said, pointing at me as I raised my head.

“Why me?!” I had been startled.

“You started this!”

The others’ eyes looked at me accusingly, yet I flinched not. I believed Aedwyn was mostly to blame for this, though, being noble, accepted the shame momentarily.

The others would distract it and attempt to force it to pounce while I got underneath.. I mouthed a Dwarven curse as I held the blade with both hands, got to my knees, and crawled in front of my slowly-advancing companions. The others made as such a din that my concentration wavered a few seconds, but I realized my mission, and went to it.

Sweat gushed from my pores as I waited for the proper chance to strike. I crawled along slowly, just out of its sight, raised the blade to better position myself, and saw it leap at my comrades…. right as my blade cut along its underbelly and severed its genitals to create a bloody mess.

We were shocked- briefly- but now I was stuck as the creature’s hind legs pinned my chest to the ground. Reluctantly and carefully I sliced and hacked and severed its bloody muscles and bones, its orange-black sap-like blood soaking me, all the while my compatriots assessed the situation of our home. It was in shambles. The place sacred to the Muc’Dor clan had been desecrated and largely obliterated, mostly in the spirits of the survivors. As I managed to get free and step over the still-bleeding massive carcass, my compatriots- only two now- said nothing, yet held faces of regret, sadness, and fear: Only three had survived this incident- then we heard a scream from nearby.

Despite the wretched smell that emanated from my blood-soaked self, I ran toward the noise, apparently oblivious to the stench, and arrived first. I doubt that anything in my life so far could have prepared me for what I saw: My father, alive and standing, ran around the room talking nonsense, screaming, and acting unlike himself. Perhaps the stress of knowing his involvement in the incident or a side-effect of some spell had made him insane. I could not cry; my head was swollen already and refused to take on more strain. The others left me alone in the room with him with the hopes that I could help him; I could not. He was a danger to himself and everything else in civilization, so thought I at the time, and, regrettably, would be left there to die.

I left him a note, hoping he would have the sense to understand it., saying that I was leaving the clan hall to follow my “destiny” in magic and that I would remember him to the grave. I thanked him for my life and aiding me in my goal of wizardry, and apologized for his condition. “Please…. forgive me” ended the letter.

Returning to the corridor, I found a note from my companions; unfortunately, it was as I’d expected. They had left on personal journeys, ones that probably would involve suicide, and told me to follow my dreams.

I gathered what useful material I could from the former clan hall, but, honorably, left the adamantium blade behind to allow my father an honorable death. Well-equipped and alone, I trod into the wilderness.

I searched the surrounding plain and forest for days and without finding Aedwyn. I headed to nearby towns and asked about him- very few knew the name though none would help me more; I was helpless. My chances of wizardry were still alive- I just needed a trainer.

Years passed. I must’ve searched every town on this continent with no luck; worse, no Wizard wanted a dwarf as his apprentice. I could do nothing to force the issue and depression hit me like a low tree branch. I went into the wilderness and managed to live off the land for a few weeks at a time, though I was barely skilled with a bow and could only catch small game. My health worsened to the point where I stopped eating. I tried suicide and almost succeeded in drowning, though I was rescued…by a human.

Her name was Chnie and I considered her the most beautiful woman I had yet seen. Before you accuse me of being lovesick, realize that I was delirious and had seen only a few Dwarven women previously. Ahem. In a few minutes, I was healed and felt full of life again. I thanked her and wondered why she was in the wilderness to which she refused to answer directly. I recall her mentioning something about waiting for her husband to return. Upon asking for repayment, she said there was nothing of mine that she wanted. Taking this as good fortune, I gathered my things- mostly washed up on the river’s edge- and turned around. I nearly toppled into the river when I heard a voice say, “It’s been awhile; it’s been a long time.”

Aedwyn apologized and I humbly accepted. “I’m sorry that others had to die for you to achieve your dream, but you were a prisoner. I didn’t plan for someone to try to assassinate me.”

“Assassinate?!” I was confused.

“There are beings more powerful than I that want me dead. Casting spells leaves residue that alerts them of my presence.”

I felt uneasy. “What of my apprenticeship?”

He pulled a beautifully-bound book from what appeared to be blackness. “This,” he said as he handed me the book, “is a book of basic spells for you, and these,” he said as he pulled out several other books, “are a do-it-yourself magic guide, discipline handbook, and a log. Remember, we’ll meet again when you need me most.” With that, Chnie and he held hands and they disappeared in a flash of blue light.

Decades passed and I assumed a new identity. Aedwyn’s books allowed me to get a basic grasp on magic, enough so I could cast a few spells per day in cause of an emergency, though I generally hid my magic talents. I took odd jobs to get by- delivery boy, ditch-digger, and the like- until I got the idea of performing my life’s story. I prepared for weeks, writing a script, recruiting actors, and arranging for a stage to be built. On the day of the performance, people trickled into the town green to see “a Dwarf make an ass of himself” as I later heard. They were right. Hundreds of gold were wasted and I felt frustrated enough that I inconspicuously cast Charm Person on one of the audience members and had him make an ass of himself. People laughed and tipped generously. I figured I could make a living off this. From town to town I went, trying the same trick with similar results until I realized, “This is a shameful use of my clan’s death and my destiny!” I vowed to quit stupid magic tricks forever and learn to use magic properly.

Chapter 2: Spacewalking

With sunset fading into black, I reached the small town of Demos and received lodging for the night. The journey had been significantly difficult and I felt in no mood to speak with strangers. I strode inconspicuously to my room and prepared for an hour of study before supper. I had advanced only slightly in almost a century since Aedwyn had come and I achieved my goal, yet I longed for more. I had hiked, ridden, and sailed over most the world and found only one being besides Aedwyn that helped me train. Before I opened my books, an overwhelming pang of nostalgia hit and I remembered the time vividly.

During a heavy rainstorm one night, I headed into a cave for shelter. I stood at the mouth of the cave, staring into the blackness, recalling the phrase "When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back into you." I grabbed a decaying leaf and lit it with faint whispering before journeying farther into the cave. My brief investigation only found a spider and a few rats, none vicious. After placing the leaf neatly beside me, I started building a fire with dry tinders from my pack and twigs from the cave. With a faint snap, the wood ignited resulting in a measly burning heap that probably would last until I started sleeping. I prepared my bedroll, stashed the leaf, and waited for sleep to come.
    Thunder muted itself and clouds ceased their torrent as I woke several hours later. Having slept on my back, face-up, I initially did not notice the iron clamps fastening me to the ground. Apparently, I had invaded something's lair and it wanted me to live in regret. I heard the sound of quick footsteps on stone from somewhere in the cave. With a loud brief thud, something emerged from behind me.
    "Oh, hello there." I could not see the speaker, but it sounded like almost like a child. "Welcome to my home." He walked around into my field of vision, his bald head lit with the power of a torch. "Enjoying yourself?"
    I realized quickly he was a halfing or, more likely, a gnome as gnomes were known for their pranks. Going along with it would be the best course of action.
    "Aye."
    "Ah, good, good. You dropped your leaf." He set the now-unlit leaf by my head while I merely smiled. "What're you doin' here?"
    "I was en route to Demos when the storm's severity coerced me to seek shelter."

“Ah, I see, I see.”

“Thank you for returning the leaf.”

“People should help each other.”

“How did you obtain it?”

“I found it on the ground near your head and decided to see what happened when I cast light on the leaf then tore it.

“What did you discover?’

“I… forget.”

“Am I correct to say that you kept me here to ensure I would regain my leaf?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Thanks, I think.”

He merely nodded.

“Are you a Wizard?”

“Yes, yes. Why?”

“Will you train me as your apprentice?”

“Maybe, maybe. Show me what you can do.”

Despite the gnome’s great work of pinning me, I could still move my left arm enough to cast. Several words melted into the night joined with arm motions to produce small pink hearts around his head.

“Good, good, but your charms won’t work on me. Hehe!”

More movements and more words faded into the dying flame as a small flame jet erupted from my left thumb. My seemingly iron bonds burned away like rope. Damn his illusions! I burned away my left side before he snuffed the flame.

“You can do better!” said he in a sing-song voice before running in place.

I grabbed my carving knife from my belt just before he pulled it into his hands with a spell.

“No, no cheating!”

After briefly writhing in shock, I fell to the ground, back-first. I thought of what other spells I had prepared then and smiled as I conjured a dog to free me. I watched the gnome dance wildly in circles as I burned up my spells while the dog chewed my ropes open. The gnome dispelled the dog right before the last rope, the one around my right foot, was cut. I couldn’t get my foot loose by tugging. Sighing, flicked my wrist and a small beam of ice solidified the rope into a crystalline mass. I used my last first level slot to shatter the icy loop with a pulsating red magic missile.

“Are you satisfied?”

“Yes, yes. We start training tomorrow. Go sleepy bye!” With that, he disappeared into the darkness.

I slowly returned to my bedroll, lit my lantern, looked around for several minutes, finding no sign of him. I blew out the light, repacked the lantern, and let the dreams flow.

The morning sonata and I greeted, albeit slowly. I ate another meal of dried jerky and drier crackers then meditated, figuring the gnome was watching me. I felt the spells’ imprints in my mind and greeted them with slow gestures and faint words. They were simple spells, yet I still prepared them lovingly.

As if on cue, the gnome arrived after my last spell was prepared.

“Gishus, Gishus is ready!”

“What shall we do?”

“Watch.”

He danced with motions and phrases foreign to me, creating illusionary targets 10 feet in front of him. He snapped his fingers and a beam of fire hit each with no effect until he snapped again and they showed collateral damage. He created dazzling effects-swirling lights, a background score, an illusionary audience- and starred in a personal show. I was too awed to pay attention to specifics after that, but I did not consciously blink through his performance. My consciousness reactivated upon hearing, “All done, all done.”

I gave him a standing ovation. Words were too difficult coming for me to do else.

With a wink, his illusions dispelled and his spellbook flew into his left hand. Without a word, he opened it and let me use it. I could barely make out his messy writing, but the thrill of victory motivated me to transcribe the few spells I thought I could cast. I nodded, he slammed his book shut, and we practiced form.

The first day, long-dormant vitality emerged in a storm of effervescence. The prospect of a willing trainer hypnotized me.

The second day I prepared spells we practiced the day prior. I burned magic symbols into the cave wall, I ordered my rope to entangle a stalactite, I called forth an energy disc then stood upon it, and bid it rise while reveling in my victory. I dispelled the disc and floated gently to the ground. I burned through my spells in less than an hour and spent the rest of the time foraging for us or practicing form with Gishus. Though I was weak, I felt divine, and silently thanked the gods.

The third day, he was gone, leaving only ash and the smell of recently-burned spell components. Spontaneously as he appeared, he vanished, probably with the intent of not being found again. Having meditated, I practiced my spells for one more day, considering how I could improve my credibility as a Wizard. Like a child with a new toy, my burst of vitality gradually ebbed as I regained my calm poise.

The fourth day, I meditated, prepared my spells, and resumed my world-wandering.

It has been three years. Since then, I have contemplated my options during times when thoughts are forced upon me. The only way I shall gain acceptance is through force. I have not felt the zenith of living since that day and I can not rely on insane absent-minded midgets to advance my magical career.

I prayed for guidance. Words did not form consciously, but, after closing my eyes, I saw a gargantuan array of colors and lost myself in inner space.

Chapter 3: Leadership

Hail buffeted the windows and thunder vibrated Demos’ Come On Inn. A storm of such stature was most likely rare on this plane for I had never experienced any. Clouds, swelling with rain, seemed to vomit their contents onto the city. Feeling in no mood to slumber further, I rolled to my left, and peered out into a dimension of gray. I felt exhausted but was unable to sleep and uncertain if I were hungry, thirsty, cold, or hot; it was if something had drained my essence during the night. Weary, I ate breakfast, returned to my room, and lost myself in the storm.

Violent was the only word fitting enough. Streaks of purple-white lightning forked in the distance to a chorus of thunder. Few left the safety of inside and ran like hell when they did. I saw fright-filled faces, faces of hopelessness, expressions of pain, and found joy in commiseration. Life had almost been caged.

Just as I turned away from the window, I heard a faint knocking at my door. Surprised and somewhat amused that someone came to see me, I answered it.

“Hello there, sir.” I glanced up and saw a storm-saturated blue-eyed, pale-faced, albino female human. Considering my notoriety, knowing my name was a simple matter.

“What business have you here now, my lady?”

“I have a proposition for you, Mr. Tage.”

“Tell, my lady.”

“I have need of a skilled craftsman to construct a fine staff for me, one suitable for a mage.”

“I thank you for your offer, but feel awkward; this town has a blacksmith and carpenter and other cities in this region also-“

“Yes, but they are occupied with other work. I trust you can do the job more efficiently and cheaply.”

“If you refer to one that is skilled at working from finding wood to the finished process, I am able.”

“Very well,” said she before handing me a contract. “I shall return tonight.” With that, she hurried away.

I cast detect magic on the envelope and contract. Having found none, I equipped gloves, pulled out my Ioun Stone of Continual Light, and read.

Dear Mr. Sres Tage:

Your presence is requested in construction of an especially fine staff. You are to acquire the materials for its construction and personally craft the staff to my enclosed specifications. You will be paid 3,000 gold for supplies and, when the staff is of adequate progress, shall work with another to further enhance its capabilities. It is important that you finish and you shall be visited frequently so your progress may be monitored.

-Imillys Iyala

Sign:_________

Attached tightly to the contract were the specifications.

This staff is to be multi- ornamental and battle-ready. As this is a staff meant for a cleric of Runaleti, goddess of magic, also known as “The Lady,” her holy symbol of a ring-encircled star must be present. I will alert you to all other specifications with ample notice.

-Imillys Iyala

I was worried and confused about why Miss Iyala chose me for such intricate detail, considering this job was better suited for an experienced temple’s smith; however, hopes of power soon overrode pessimisticity. I would no longer be an animal. I swiftly signed the contract and returned it to its envelope.

My concentration was only enough to permit me to watch the effects of the dying storm. Slowly, civilization resumed.

Chapter 4: The Shaft Shift

Months had passed since Miss Iyala handed me the coin purse full of necessary evil. She provided an excellent workspace in the form of a cabin on the town's outskirts which smelled heavily of fresh wood as I carved the days away. The cabin's atmosphere provided a meditative mood for woodcarving which probably aided my efforts, if only slightly. Around noon one day when I had nealy completed the staff, a black-hooded person disrupted my haven with his soft voice.
"I have come to finish the staff."
"Identify yourself." I glanced stoically into the darkness.
"I am Qia'Viquiris, an apprentice of Miss Iyala, dwarf."
My mind almost instantly recalled "work with another to further enhance its capabilities" and I sighed.
"There is work to be done." Immediately after finishing the final syllable, his hood fell to reveal a yellow-haired elf. Though I had no reserve for most beings based on their race, elves generally disliked other races. "Hand me the staff."

I quietly and quickly obeyed. I watched the elf grasp the staff's middle, almost caressing it, and heard a faint humming come from somewhere. I said nothing, but allowed him to continue. He uttered barely audible incantations and the metal heads glowed faintly of purple. Had I not gazed so intently, I doubt I would have seen the lavender illumination, but further contemplation was halted when I saw a lavender-black aura emerge from the staff A large lavender-black pocket of time-space opened and swallowed the staff. Exhasperated and mute, I stared at him, my mouth gaping. His calm gaze met my panic. "It is part of the job, dwarf." Space-time wrinkled again, spewing the staff into his right hand. The lavender-black aura vanished. "It is done." With nary a word more, he thrust the staff's middle at me then walked out the door, slamming it on the way.
I was confused at his part. Miss Iyala would come soon and speak on the elf's behalf. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard knocking which I answered.
I reeled back slightly when I saw her. "My lady?"
"I felt obligated to speak on my associate's behalf. Though he seems mysterious, he is efficient.