A day like any other, I wish that was the truth. If it was any other day, I would be lounging at the Leaning Lily smoking exotic herbs and watching the swaying silks attached to the curvaceous bodies of unnamed dancers. That -was- my breakfast, and sometimes my dinner. How could I forget my lunches, the sweet harvest of merchant wares? Mind you, this being anything from gold, jewels, fine silks, or their most prized possessions. Let it be known though, most merchants would sell their own family before letting loose of some type of relic or information. I do miss that. Afternoon snacks of purses and pouches, gleaning the pockets of usual marks to keep me honest. Then as soon as the lamps of the streets were lit, I would prowl the streets for the lost. Sending them home, but only if they lived through the gauntlet of cutthroats that awaited them. It was a short life for any who could not live in the dark. There is always someone starving for more, it just depends who is hunger. The sweet and bitter end of my evening, I should have seen it coming. Now here in the darkness, I write, spin a tale or two, and sing and dance for those who are willing to pay. Slowly I will learn the secrets of this place the humans call Sanctuary. A town nested in the ruins of an old Svirfneblin city. I have more then life time to learn all of both their secrets. When I am done, I will bow gracefully and walk steadily into the darkness, searching for my pale moon, and my golden sun.

-Kel

I modeled the clothing in front of my newly acquired mirror. Deep purple and blue silk, entwined with a soft orange covered my body. I smiled wickedly and laughed like a group of playful children. Now this was my greatest accomplishment, no guild in their right mind would dare challenge the Deadly Shades. Who would dare challenge me?

“Tarryxah Fei’Tho Meb. Reveal.”

That was all I had to say, then I could view my enemies by mere thought. Filled with pride and more then my fill of greed, I had to learn more about the mirror. I sought a wizard, one that had befriended me and I had come to trust, to help me study the mirror. A half elf, with the luck of being born with a rich merchant father, named Jonthan Bentharen II. He treasured the human name of his father, and used it to study the ways of the weave, his mother teased him with day and night.

If he were born a basterd, he would have died. My dear Jon, the Basterd Talon of Friendship.

I think a month past, lost in study and tomes. The magical energies that filled the room were breath taking. It was at the end of that month that my friendship with Jon changed . . .

When you think of a place named the Bowels of the Machine, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

Something stinks. I was foolish enough to walk into this place twice. The words to describe this place, I have none . . . But if the ceiling could have fallen upon us and buried us there with all the other secrets of the svirfneblin city of Dunwarren, it would have gladly taken us. That brings me to this point, everyone has their own agenda when it comes to adventure here in the town of Sanctuary. So much so, that I fear for the ruthlessness of its inhabitants and their greed. I half expect to find a dagger at my throat while speaking with a private of the Watch.

I should make enemies quick, and treat them as my dearest friends. Perhaps then someone here will push me through another mirror.

- Kel

Ninety-nine years, that’s how long I have lived in Telflamm, you grow up quick if you want to survive long enough on the streets, and on your own. I just happened to pick the wrong pocket and bam! An instant member of some thief’s guild, so what. We we’re only small time, and had to pay our respect to the real guild that ran the city. I spent several years learning the ways of the streets from my mentor. He was a real gentleman. He could steal the virginity of a merchant’s daughter with just a look.

Fredrick McConnell, he would say to me, “Never take to much in the beginning, always have them begging you to take more.” The pompous ass, he would walk around dressed in fine silks and adorn himself with gaudy jewelry. I thought myself to be a greedy and self-indulgent basterd, never to the heights of Fredrick.

I wasn’t surprised when one night I found Fredrick in an alley way smelling of cheap wine. I was shocked to find him stripped clean, and stiff as a board. He appeared to be smiling and his eyes wide filled with delight, not the truth. His throat was cut, and from ear to ear. The ground looked as though no struggle was given, and the woman who kissed him was working alone.

I remember it started to rain, and the only thing on my mind was how much all his belongings were worth.

Now here in the town of Sanctuary, I can only think about how I can live a lavish life style. I’ve learned that people are not that willing to give up information. I would have better luck convincing a cave lizard to let me pull its teeth.

Perhaps I’m following in my mentor’s foot steps, and someone will find my body in an alley way behind the Pissing Crone. All I know is that it is easier to barter with items, then gold. People can see how full your purse is, they can’t always tell the value of an item though. You never know how much boots are worth, until your feet touch cold stone.

-Kel

Wyatt Holloway, he had the biggest heart, I remember sitting within the wilderness. I would bring a few bottles Honey Silk Ale, and we would sit back as he described to be the ways of the wild. I would only laugh because I had no idea what he was talking about. I could see the frustration build up in him, and without so much as a farewell, he was gone. I would sit there happily getting drunk waiting for him to come back, but he never did. As soon as the darkness came, I was on my feet heading back to the city.

Stumbling through the wilderness, and being half in the bag is not always a good thing. However I did it, I don’t know, but I always managed to make it back to the city. I’m certain that Wyatt had something to do with it, but he would never own up to it, even if I asked him. Wyatt never liked getting to close to people, he always held them at a distance. Usually a sword’s length in distance, or further if he had the drop on a person. I met him traveling to a nearby village to escort a certain merchant’s daughter back to the city. When I was stopped by this tall, and barrel chested halfling with a crossbow aimed squarely at my head. He had me dead to rights, and all I just smiled and laughed at the thought of this odd picture. We exchanged the same witty remarks as he relieved me of my coin and weapons. The tension between us was intense, and I was extremely afraid this little halfling would send me to my maker, purely by accident. I with drew a bottle Honey Silk Ale, and took along pull. I could see the halfling lick his lips and wipe his mouth. It was after I offered him a second bottle the situation had calmed to drunken laughter and the talk of common friends. He had forgotten of shooting me dead, and I had forgotten about the merchant daughter (most a pity).

Every month after that I made my way out to the wilderness, a few bottles of Honey Silk Ale in my pack and some new jokes. It was my last visit, I saw that Wyatt was troubled, and when I asked him about it, he dismissed it. That night he drank little and the conversation was mostly I talking to myself. Then it happened. We were attacked. A group of highwaymen had moved in on Wyatt’s territory. Wyatt thinned out their numbers, but there was still to many of them.

Wyatt was away firing his crossbow in every direction, and I went to work defending of the rest with my sword and dagger. I was no novice at fighting, but I certainly wasn’t the best. Wyatt was running out of bolts and I was running out of strength. We decided to run.

We quickly made our way to a cave he had inhabited, near a creek. I remember the solemn look and words he spoke to me at the end. I still wander if he was able to drink that bottle of Honey Silk Ale, which I left him.

I hate leaving those I love to die, but down here in the Underdark, it is something I will not be able to escape. There is no room for attachment, and I am certain that I will watch those I have grown to close to die.

I look back at the moments of my short life, and see the faces of the many priests, giving the last rights to the dead. Ninety-nine years, I saw many of these faces. Hopefully, in my time in the Underdark I will see fewer as the years pass.

I will return to my barstool and drink another drink, and toast the next few that go out into the darkness looking for answers. At times I imagine toasting myself as I walk out the door. I will see the Sun and my Pale moon once again. I will not die in this hole.

-Kel

Lost . . .

I hear something scratching at the rock walls of the Underdark. It’s getting closer. I have to find some place to hide. Above the tunnel exit, a ledge, I think I can reach it. Okay, I’m safe for now. I close my eye’s pressing my back against the wall. The beast, animal, or monster is right under me. I hold my breath, my resting on a large stone.

I’ll fight, if I must.

Startled I wake up, I can hear noises further up the tunnels. The beast, animal, or monster found something. I was shocked. I heard voices speaking in common, the common of the surface. I scrambled to my feet quickly. Too quick, I slam my head against the stone ceiling above me. I swoon falling off the ledge. My body contorts. I can’t find my breath. I think I broke a few ribs. My mind racing the world spins on me. I arch my back and open my eyes, the beast is coming. It is beaten badly, and covered in blood.

I’m an easy kill laying here on the ground, the beast is going to take me before it dies.

A howl of rage erupts from the jaws of the beast, I watch in horror as the beast’s maw opens to crush my head. It falters, slamming into me sending us rolling into a wall. The weight of the beast presses down on me, my breathing shallow and fading. I can hear them talking . . .

“Make sure the damned thing is dead.” “I’m way ahead of you.”

I screamed, the blade of a sword passed through my belly and into the floor. My body straightened and raised off the ground, the blade was free. The beast was shoved off me, and a helmed figure stood over me. A look of utter shock and disbelief was on his face. The shadows on the cavern walls danced and swallowed the light of the torches. I only heard one word, it is a word I now fear, Priest. The helmed figure yelled for the priest again. I closed my eyes, by body felt like it was sinking into the cold ground beneath me. It was all quiet after that, very quiet.

I’m lost now, in the Underdark.

The deal was almost done, and I was going to get paid. I knew I shouldn’t have gone alone. Foolish me though, I got greedy. I'm sure the Tigereyes will be able to complete the agreement without me. I haven’t found a way out of here yet, the cave-in has trapped me. I should have grabbed some something to eat before I left.

On the other hand I have plenty of alcohol left! That should keep me for a few days. You can’t tell your being eaten if you’re too drunk to feel it. Perhaps it would be better if I had someone to talk to down here.

I need to find a hole to make a home out of for now. I shouldn’t be away from Sanctuary for longer then a few days, I’m sure I’ll run in a tunnel system that takes me back there. I’m scared, I couldn’t even survive in the Underdark on my own the first time. I can’t think that, it’ll only prove true in the end. I’ll start looking for a way out after find a place to hide. I’ll survive, I know I will.

-Kel

Like a polished silver piece thrown into the night’s sky, the moon calls to me, another tale of love and loss I remember. Shaking her hair free, I remember her silver hair cascading down her shoulders, and her green eyes promising not to kill me in my sleep. It was the first time my elven eyes saw this unique flower. She was a half-drow, a rare and delicate creature of the night. The Leaning Lily, had found themselves a new exotic attraction, and I was dedicated to making her mine. I was foolish to believe the Leaning Lily to let go of such a prized possession, but I was enchanted by her, and I didn’t even know her name. Her green eyes haunted my mind, like a predator stalking its prey. It was my own curiosity that drew me into her arms. I wanted her. I was obsessed. I did the only thing I knew how to do. I stole her. It was the early evening, the moon looked ablaze, I made my way quietly up to her window. She was sitting in a large cast iron bath, the tropical aromas of incense filled my nostrils, I faltered. My foot slipped off the frame of the window, and to the floor. My foot tapped the wooden floor, and like lighting she flashed into action. There was a splash of water followed by the scrap of steel against steel. She had leaped from her bath and drawn a blade to fend off her captor. It was the sting of a dagger against my throat that told me I had under estimated her. She dragged the blade up underneath my chin pressing the tip of the dagger into my flesh. My heart was racing, my face twisted in horror from the pain of the dagger. My breath was taken away I could not speak, I was at her mercy. Those eyes studied me, first coldly, then they warmed to my presence. A single finger pressed against her pursed lips. I make no sound as she leads me by the tip of her dagger to a chair. She pressed back on the dagger and motioned to the chair. I lowered myself into the chair, my heart wanting to leap out of my chest. My eyes never leaving hers, she again motioned for me to be silent. She withdrew the dagger, a line of blood trickling down the handle. She was waiting, testing me, and when she was satisfied that I would not move, she went to retrieve her robes. She dressed herself in robes of deep blue lined with gold. Jewelry of the silver adorned her neck and hands. She smiled and made her way slowly to me, her hand resting on the dagger. She motioned for me to be quiet, and then my mind tingled, my vision blurred. I saw her lips moving though no words came forth. The tropical aromas of incense filled my nostrils. “The confusion will pass, do not try to fight it.” I opened my eyes, but the lights around her were more intense, causing me to turn away. Then she answered me. “I have been waiting for you, Kelthein.” I learned much from her, but I regret I cannot remember her name.

I have spent, what I might think, a very long time trapped in the depths of the underdark. I still have not found a way back to the town of Sanctuary. I fear that I may never find my way back. Interesting enough, I have found a dwelling I call home, with food and water within a reasonable distance. It is from here. I have navigated the underdark caverns, trying to find a way out of these cursed tunnels. I have come to live the creatures of the underdark. I no longer fear them. If it is my turn to die beneath the claws and jaws of these creatures, then so be it. I think it is this fungus I have found, my food source, that give me my strength. It grows in the darkest tunnels, and glows like the pale moon. I will not speak of the soil that nourishes its growth. I call it Eilistraee’s Curse, it is a fungus that nourishes the body, but corrupts the mind. It reminds me of her, and my nostrils fill with the tropical aromas of incense. After I awaken from my trace like state, I often find myself far away from my dwelling. Aside from the occasional felled creature, this fungus has become my main food source. I fear my mind has been growing weak, and my body is craving this fungus. I cannot remember anything from my trace. The pale glow of this fungus reminds me of my absent moon. I find myself staring at the top of this fungus, imagining it is my pale moon, only to disappear and cure my endless hunger.

I will continue my search for a way out later. It is time for me to eat.

-Kel