Two identical letters, both sealed, one labeled "Petrov", the other "Blake" arrive at the Spellguard Tower.
The content is as follows, written in a precise and professional hand.
GREENHOUSE CREATION PROPOSALFoweword
Agent Blake/Petrov,
I recently came across an old, tattered note, which appears to have been torn from a larger body of work.
The note in question contains what I have deduced to be the recipe for a particular Conjurative ingredient. The particulars of this note do not interest me as much as the fact that it does contain mention to a certain ingredient - Evoker's Clubmoss.
This particularly unstable reagent is the product of a plant, native to the Underdark. Upon acquiring the note, yesterday, I immediately set off, in the company of Watchman Swift and Aspirant Helsh, in search of a place to acquire this vaunted clubmoss. It seems that the old wizardly codes of conduct regarding Alchemy still hold sway, even in such a beleaguered community as Sanctuary - Sugriam Clickle, the gnome, was most uncooperative in revealing any information pertaining to clubmoss, so I set off towards the Dark Lake and the druidess Grizabella of my own accord.
The Druidess offered me a single seed of clubmoss, and claimed it required 'love and care' to grow. She also claims that with proper care, a single one of these seeds can produce an entire 'forest' of plants.
Knowing that 'love and care' hold very little sway in our cold, dark Deep, I have decided to forward you this proposal for the construction and operation of a greenhouse* complex, as calculated logic and serious planning are more than fit substitutes for 'love and care'.
* The etymology of the word refers to the naturally-occurring green pigment of Surface plants.
Purpose
The purpose of the Greenhouse is twofold: First, it will cater to the plants' specific needs in terms of nutrients, humidity and any other necessities. Thus, it will improve growth and maximize harvesting potential.
The corollary, of course, is a constant source under the control of the Spellguard order, for the acquisition of these relatively rare plants.
Outline
The Greenhouse would likely consist of a few rows of pots, with proper soil in them. The Greenhouse would be located in a room conserving the natural umbra of the Underdark, and it would mimic humidity and temperature conditions as well. Above each row, a rod, enchanted to glow upon activation. Also, above each row, a hose to sprinkle the plants as necessary.
I should think that, given time, and proper experimentation with the lighting rods and water sprinkler, we should be able to arrive at ideal growth conditions for this plant, and the other species that will surely follow in its wake. An animatron can be assigned to record data on the matter, and, given time, we could be self-sufficient in any of these reagents, some of which are indeed very powerful. Furthermore, the old lore of Alchemy recounts that the experimental nature of this art is so extreme, that often the best Alchemists were those with the most luck, rather than the most diligent in their research. Putting very little stock in luck myself, I should think that having near-unlimited stocks of these reagents would afford us plenty of room to 'experiment', and therefore uncover newer and more powerful concoctions.
Conclusion
The old wizardly codes forced me to take action into my own hands, to further the knowledge of Alchemy both for myself and the Spellguard Order. If the benefits of this idea are not readily apparent, then allow me to leave you with a final thought: If the ancient conduct of wizards was to conceal their alchemical discoveries from each other, let us break the paradigm, and be the ones to share it freely amongst each other. As long as it stays safely in the hands of those who are blessed with great intellects to study and practice the Weave, the power of these plants shall not be misused.
With nothing further,
Iedrik Kinrayse
PS: The aforementioned seed is in my possession. As soon as arrangements are made for proper accommodation of the specimen within Serena Tower, I will bring it to you for planting.