What is Surface? Life and Thoughts by Sanctuary-born, Agnes Ur Wortl Based on the notes of Agnes Ur Wort, sent to Kepler Szul at the Sanctuary Library, 30th Flamerule, 152.

Editor's Introduction: I have given permission to Agnes to keep her small notebook entitled What is Surface? on the library shelves. Other works in the Sanctuary Library serve a similar purpose, and may be added to by the author at any time without interference from Library Staff. This ensures that no submission to the Library is censored.

Agnes intends to add content to this book gradually over time, and has asked that I serve as an ongoing editor for her book. My intention as editor is to make clear the unique message of Agnes Ur Wortl, Sanctuary-born.

-Kepler Szul. 2nd Eleasis, 152.

Motivation:

The Sanctuary has many orphans, and as time goes by some will die by diseases or violence in the streets, but a will few survive and once they grow up, they can't be tended to by the Orphange.

They have no history, they have no noble claims, they have no patrons, they live around the Sanctuary.

They only want to know, what is Surface?...

Life Story:

I am a young woman now, one of the"Children of Sanctuary", who was tended to by the Orphanage. I never met my parents.

Lara, my pregnant mother, escaped from a drow slave caravan. To evade the drow she stayed in small caves, until one dark she reached the Sanctuary, with a little bag of stolen drow goods and a tender smile.

For a couple of months, my mother worked as maid in some noble houses in Sanctuary city, while also finding time to care for children at the Orphanage. My mother stayed silent for a long time about the beloved man, who showed her a path to happiness and how strong a smile is. My mother died when I was born.

Mrs Ernestine listened to my mother's tale of her fateful life, and Lara asked her to pass on some family secrets to me when I was old enough to understand. Mrs Ernestine told me that Lara came to Sanctuary city with the rags of a black robe, some old well-worn gloves, and a dirty wooden begging bowl that belonged to my father. His name was Taoh, who was a priest or monk of Old Order, that held a doctrine with no Gods and no temples.

When I was a child, I worked any job I could on the streets to make coins and soup. That time has made me grow agile and wise. When I have passed my teenage years, I chose to leave the Orphanage, and enjoy some freedom around the Sanctuary.

I lived with some hins and learned about being seen and unseen. I learned to hide and move slowly among the shadows with them. They called me "Ur Wortl", which I think means silent and deadly. This name is because they also taught me how to attack the vulnerable areas of the humanoid body, the circulation of blood and energy through the body, and how to furtively touch people in a silent but devastating way, by using shadow walking methods to surprise people.

I learned many things about life and Sanctuary's history with Mrs Ernestine Heltor.

I honor my father and have no Gods. I don't worship, but I respect those who do, and I accept blessings.

I have a bare knowledge about the path and duty of the Old Order, most from what my father told my mother.

I never do or accept nothing for nothing.

I love gems, rings and amulets, but which girl dont ?

I want to know what is Surface? and why soo many people want to go there.

Thoughts:

All these people say they come from outside Sanctuary, from some "thing" called Surface.

They say the Surface dont have a roof, it isn't like a cave. But for sake, how it can be !

They say the Machine dont exist in upper Surface, but we are in Upper and the Machine controls all. How it can be ?

They talk about some Sky with stars, a kind of roof with brilliant mushrooms. Some say that stars are moving and they have a Sun. I have seen many fireballs but none that can blast the entire roof!

They paint pictures where the Surface has many colors, many more than my gems. I doubt it, but I want to see for myself.