The diary of the shadowdancer Nëa is a neat little book she places under her pillow at the Theatre. On the outside, the book looks like a fairly ordinary notebook, with the exception of the two words "Phaedraee" and "Nëa", the first one above the other, written in the Espruar script with a purple ink that somehow glows in moonlight. The contents are mainly written in elven.
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Phaedraee
Nëa
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From Nëa's recent trip back home.
"29th of Ches, 1349 DR
I hadn't danced properly under Selûne for far too long, so it felt good when Qilqosee and Xuirin'solune asked me to come dance with them last night. Xuirin is getting really good! She'll be a great priestess, like mother. Minee'irin, I should say. She's not really my actual mother, after all. But she's been as close to a mother as anything since I was seven, so she deserves to be called mother. Besides, Qil, Xuirin and Allaul all see me as a sister. And they are the closest I will ever have to siblings.
So we went out into the Dancing Dell to dance one night. The sky was so clear you could see millions and millions of stars. You could even count every single tear of Selûne, even the ones that are usually hard to spot! And the moon herself made the whole Dell shine with a beautiful blue-white light. Even the Ladystone seemed to radiate more than usual.
Then again, maybe it was just my perception of it. I hadn't been out there for so long. It was almost like seeing it for the first time again. But it felt fantastic being back.
I also finally beat Allaul in a spar today! Apparently, I've become better at disappearing and hiding, or he's just become dull. I hope it's me that's become better, though, but the point is that he didn't spot or hear me as often as he did before. If he had, he would still have won. It's crazy how he wields that big sword. To him, it seems like just as light as my two shortswords, and he's just as much a sworddancer as I am. Probably much, much better as well.
Still can't beat Tluen'akiv, though. He is a better swordsman than Allaul, using the same kind of hand-and-half sword, and he's better at disappearing than me. And he's got great eyes, so it's impossible to hide from him. But he said he'd noticed that I have been training a lot, and that I've become better.
Now, though, Xuirin and I are responsible for making food. And then I suppose they'll start asking me all things about how life has been in Baldur's Gate. I have to tell them about the theatre at least! And that I had a pretty big role in the latest play!"
Last edited by Deathgrowl on Mon Apr 08, 2013 12:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
As predicted! They asked me lots about my role and the others at the play. Xuirin asked if she could come with me, but a quick reminder from mother about who they are and the priestly training Xuirin needs to continue stopped any further conversation on that matter. It made me a bit sad, actually. My sisters and my brother will probably never be able to experience all the great fun I've had in human lands. Just because they are dark elves and I'm not.
I know why it is this way, of course. Well, sort of, anyways. The history of the Crown Wars and all that is confusing at best. And my friends among the surface elves tell one story, the spider-worshippers tell another story, and mother tells yet another one. I've decided that mother doesn't lie and that her story is at least closest to the truth. But it's still confusing.
To brighten up the mood again, mother suggested that I ask Herran if they wanted to come here and perform the play. Or something else. Sadly, Herran is the only one there who knows about me, so I had to say I need to know if they can be trusted before I ask anything like that. I bet Herran would be thrilled for the opportunity, though. Maybe I can think of something later..."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Quaraen Worathul. Why is he still here? Ran into him on the way to the Dell today. Mother had asked Xuirin to perform some task at the shrine there, and I said I could take her. The Ardeep is fairly safe, as far as beasts and monsters go. Apparently some old elven magic keeps evil creatures away. But you never know if you'll run into a surface elf or some druid or ranger. They wouldn't stop and ask a lone young drow girl if she's good or bad, they'd just shoot her from afar. So better one of us go with her. And perhaps best that I do, since I'm not a drow. Then again, they could just call me a traitor and shoot me as well.
Anyways, Quaraen. Why is he still here? Last time I spoke with him, was when I broke it off because I wanted to explore the world. He'd been so broken up, that he ran off, and I hadn't seen him since. I thought he hated me now. He just scowled at me today. Xuirin and I just stood there and stared at him for a while. Well, I stared at him, Xuirin kept looking back and forth at us as if waiting for the first one to speak. I didn't know how to react. What should I say? How would I not make it seem like nothing ever happened between us? I didn't want to hurt him even more.
He spoke first, though. Broke the silence. "Welcome back, Phaedraee," he said, as his scowl turned more into an indifferent sort of stare. He hasn't called me that since the first time we met. Always called me Nëa. Only mother and father still calls me Phaedraee. And Qil, sometimes. And strangers, or friends of the family.
So, we stood there staring at eachother for a few more moments, while Xuirin kept looking back and forth at us. From the corner of my eye, I could see her lips slowly turning into a grin. She then broke the enduring silence by saying where we were going and asked if Quaraen wanted to come along, at which point I turned to stare wide-eyed at Xuirin, as if trying to convey how bad an idea that was. But Quaraen just shrugged and nodded.
While Xuirin performed her little ritual at the shrine, Quaraen and I just stood there and watched in a growlingly awkward silence. By Eilistraee, I thought, why are you here? Why did you come with us? He ended the awkward silence, by casually saying "saw some elves earlier," and then going quiet again. I had no idea how to respond. So I just looked at him. "A bunch of rangers," he continued after a while. "And some clerics of Corellon, I think." He explained that it had seemed like they had been looking for something. And it's probably why he decided to come with us as well. He never feared for his own life, but I think he shares mother's worry about Xuirin meeting surface elves. So he probably decided to come with us in case we ran into some. He's unfailingly selfless. Maybe that's what attracted me to him first. I think I just gave him a smile today, but he didn't even look at me.
Later, I told father what Quaraen had told me. He said he and the other scouts had noticed some increase in elves in the Ardeep recently. Wonder what's going on...
I'll probably relive some memory of Quaraen in tonights reverie..."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Tomorrow I leave for Baldur's Gate again. It's been lovely, and I'm going to miss my family. But I also miss the Theatre and the people there. So I'm packing now. Not that I have much stuff to pack, but mother insisted on taking with me a few books with songs to give to the theatre. I think I'll have to read them through before I put them up on display, though. Just to make sure there's nothing in particular that could point to them.
Father suggested going to Waterdeep and find a ship going to Baldur's Gate so I didn't have to travel by road. I'm not going to do that. I don't think I have the stomach to go on any ship. Besides, if I run into trouble on the road, I can just try not to be seen. Most bandits aren't able to see me. And the plan was to try getting a ride on some trade caravan like usual. That way I'm not alone and it's faster than walking.
Qil will probably walk me to the road. It's really the only time we'll get to talk alone, and I have so much to tell her. And judging from her attitude the last few days, I think she has a lot to tell me as well. I know she's been to Skullport and the Promenade a few times while I've been away, but she hasn't told me much of what she's done there. I hope she'll tell me everything. And I hope she'll take me there next time I come home.
But now, it's off to a last spar with Allaul before I leave. I have to confirm that I'm finally better than him, after all!"
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Got back to the Theatre this morning, after a few days ride on trade caravan. Nothing of note happened, really. Fairly peaceful trip. I gave the owner of the wagons ten gold when we arrived at Baldur's Gate, and he was very, very happy.
And now Laisren came to me and asked me if I can help them find someone in Waterdeep. So I suppose I'm going back north again in a few days. Don't know who he is looking for or why, but if Laisren asks for help, I'll help him. And I know Waterdeep. He intends to drag along a bunch of rangers. As if rangers are any use in the biggest city in the world. I suppose that's why he wants me to come along. So we leave very soon, I think, as he said it was kind of urgent.
Hardly bother unpacking, then...
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
The trip to Waterdeep was fairly uneventful. Although we ran a lot. Rangers never stop running, it seems. Laisren didn't come along, so it was Mendel leading us. And with him was Feralyn, an archer, and Jhaeros, a swordsman. Jhaeros uses two short swords like me, but he doesn't dance. He's very effective, though.
I was told on the way there, that we were looking for an elven woman named Iliana, who had been sent to talk with someone in Waterdeep. But this someone in Waterdeep had made Laisren and the others suspicious, so they realized they didn't trust the person and wanted to intercept Iliana before she was hurt. I had no idea why she was going there in the first place.
Just outside of Waterdeep, we heard some howling and then someone shouting for help, so we ran ahead towards the sound. There we found an elven bardess who was being attacked by huge, black wolf-like things. I think one of the rangers called them worgs. We fought them off fairly quickly, then checked on the woman, who appeared to be alright. She was also the woman we were looking for, Iliana. We then continued towards Waterdeep to see this person Iliana was originally supposed to meet. She felt Laisren's suspicions were unfounded, but seemed thankful that we had come nevertheless. Maybe a bit because of the worgs? I don't know.
Once inside Waterdeep I suddenly couldn't stop myself from smiling. I love this city, even with all it's flaws. The three rangers, on the other hand, looked confused and almost terrified of the streets, people and stone buildings. Even the bardess, Iliana, seemed a bit uneasy. But I guided them around in the city, and we asked a few people about someone called Myndailar, presumably the one Iliana was supposed to meet. Didn't take long before we found his boulevard and house in the North Ward.
A kind of small house for someone living in the North Ward, I thought. Usually there's rich people living here, with big houses. Not huge, imposing estates like the nobles in the Sea Ward has, but a bit bigger than this. The door on this house, however, was open, and it was kind of dark inside. Iliana knocked, but no one answered. So I danced into the shadows and went inside, with the rest following right behind.
There was obvious signs of someone having fought there. Chairs had fallen over, and one was even broken. When we came further in, there was a disgusting smell. We searched through the rooms as we entered, and soon came upon a staircase on the bottom of which, a dead human man lay. There was blood far up the stairs, and the man's throat had been ripped out. Judging from the smell, he'd probably been lying there for a few days. After Iliana decided she had no idea who the man was, we went up the stairs.
There, we found a dead elven man, also brutally murdered. This was Myndailar, the man Iliana was supposed to speak with. Jhaeros and I continued to look around while the others checked the dead elf. We found nothing more of interest up there, though. Just a room with a broken table. And a huge book shelf with books scattered on the floor and fallen over in the shelves.
Then Iliana asked if there was a sofa in the house somewhere. Apparently Myndaliar had left some messages and hidden them in the sofe. Never figured out how she deduced this, or if she knew it beforehand. So I walked around in the house to see if I could find a sofa, and fond one just where we had entered. Iliana bent down to look under it, and I searched the sofa itself. Then I found a cushion with a recently sown patch, took ut my sword and cut it open, and found three letters inside before handing them over to Iliana.
She read them, and became more and more distraught as she did. Apparently Myndaliar had tried to ressurrect his human wife through some dark magical ritual or something. Adelaide, I think was the name. Considering how the house looked, and the two dead bodies, it doesn't seem to have turned out very well. Is she an undead now, walking around ripping people's throats out? Don't want to meet that!
The letters also mentioned the name Aristaeus Erendale, someone Myndaliar had been working with or something to perform this ritual. He was apparently looking for some elven artifacts for the ritual. Iliana started looking around for any more clues, even used her magic to see if there was anything magical around. When she found nothing, I decided to have a look around, and found a map stuck underneath a desk. On it was several marks and a note saying "didn't find it in any of these places". What's "it"?
Then I blinked, as I realized the map was a map of the Ardeep. My heart raced, and I almost frantically tried to make sense of the map to see if they had been anywhere near the Dancing Dell and the Ladystone. I don't think the others noticed my reaction. At least I hope so. Found out they hadn't been anywhere near either of the places, and managed to calm down a bit again, before I handed the map over to Iliana.
Afterwards, having no more clues to go on, we decided to try finding this Aristaeus Erendale. So I suggested we go to one of the inns I used to dance at when I lived here. I could spend the evening dancing and overhearing rumours. So that's what we're going to do. I'm sitting in the room I rented now, and when I'm done writing, I'm going to go out and dance. I hope Iliana might play or sing something I can dance to. Otherwise, there's always other bards here, I suppose."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Learned nothing from the dancing. No one spoke about any of the names, nor had the innkeeper heard of them. So the morning after, Iliana convinced a priest of Selûne to come with us to cast some magic on Myndaliar's body, so Iliana could speak with it. Weirdly enough, this apparently isn't the same as animating the dead. But hells, it was disturbing to hear and watch the dead elf talk when Iliana asked questions!
Then, just after Iliana had asked the third - I think it was a question, a woman appared behind the priest and stabbed him! Priest fell over and died. The woman then said something about us interfering where we shouldn't. Apparently Iliana figured out the woman was Adelaide, Myndaliar's wife, who was now undead. A vampire. So we basically ended up stabbing her down. Which was surprisingly quick! Then Iliana asked me to search the body to see if we found any clues to lead us further, and I found a map, a letter and a locket of sorts. Iliana said that stabbing the vampire with a wooden stake would turn it to dust. So she did. But the body was still there. So we figured it was dead anyways.
Afterwards, Iliana studied the three things I found on the vampire. Apparently the letter and the locket yielded nothing of interest, but the map was a map of the Ardeep. We eventually found out that none of us knew the way in the particular part of the Ardeep the map showed, and so we decided that we needed a local guide. We also needed to inform the temple of Selûne what had happened to the priest, tell the city watch what had happened to inside the house and buy a scroll of Sending to contact Laisren and the others so that they could join us in the Ardeep. Iliana went to the temple, Mendel and Feralyn went to talk with the guards and I went to buy a scroll. We agreed to meet back at the inn.
I decided to head to the Blackstaff Tower and see if I could find any students eager to earn some coin scribing a scroll for me. I met a pretty human girl who said her name was Aemmia, and who happily scribed a Sending scroll for me. I paid her what she asked, thanked her, then hopped back to the inn, where I am now. They haven't come back yet, though. If they aren't back in an hour, I think I'll go look for them..."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Turned out they didn't come back, after all. So I went to the temple of Selûne to look for Iliana, and quickly figured out she had been arrested when she had told the story. So if the Selûnites turned her in, surely the watchmen Mendel and Feralyn were going to talk to would arrest them as well. So I snuck off towards the prison to see if there was any way of getting them out. Obviously, being a prison, there wasn't.
So I went back to the temple of Selûne again to tell them about what happened, but I needed to make sure they would know I was saying the truth. I have no idea about magic, but I decided to ask if there was any magic to make sure someone told the truth, and if one of the priests could cast it. Turns out there was! Lucky me! Or lucky Iliana, Mendel and Feralyn! So I told the truth and stuff, and it ended up with them all being released. Apparently, Iliana had figured out that we hadn't managed to destroy the vampire after all. Guess we'll have to fight it again...
Saving them took all night, so I am pretty exhausted by now. So now I'm going to first use that Sending scroll to contact Laisren, then get a few hours of reverie."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Selûne was shining brightly on the clear sky over Waterdeep last night. I used to miss these nights sitting on rooftops after an evening of dancing and music in some tavern or inn. Just sitting there, gazing out into the quiet streets, listening to the silence. Peaceful. At least until you heard some stray cat hissing at a stray dog who barked back. Or some hearing some back-alley robbery. I always got up and tried to run towards it to see if there was someone I could help. But it was usually too far away. And I couldn't jump through the shadows back then.
I could yesterday, though. I was just sitting on a rooftop again, enjoying the quiet. Studying the drunken people walking home. I saw a group of three men that were quite clearly not drunk five streets away from where I was sitting. They were holding clubs and daggers and one of them was gesturing in my direction. Not at the roof, but down the street leading towards the building I was on top of. After a while they disappeared into one of the side streets, so I couldn't see them anymore. I figured they'd just gone off somewhere else.
A little while later a young human couple, boy and a girl came out of a tavern. They weren't drunk, just a bit intoxicated. They kissed. I couldn't help but smile, but at the same time feel a bit sad. I'm terrible at falling in love. It never happens. And when it does, it's always the mysterious men with some hint of darkness within them, like Quaraen. I couldn't help but think of Sjinn then. I don't know if I really fell in love with him, I don't think I knew him enough for that. But I know I found him intriguing. I miss him. I wonder where he is now. I wish he would've had the courage to dance with me that night in Doron Amar, at Cela's wedding ceremony.
The young couple walked up the street. Suddenly, one of the men with a club came into view from a side street, running towards them. Before they had the time to react, he had knocked the boy out with a single swing of his club. Behind the man with a club, came one with a dagger, who ran straight for the girl. He placed the dagger at her throat and grabbed her arm. The two men pulled the young couple back into the side street. A narrow alley where Selûne's light didn't reach.
I stood up and ran into the shadow of a chimney and out of the shadow in the side street where they had went, but I stayed in that shadow, hidden and silent as I drew my swords. The boy was lying on the ground, unconscious, bleeding badly from his head. The girl was crying, tears streaming down her face, but still with a dagger at her throat, she had to hold back her scream. I couldn't take any chances. I sheathed my swords again and slipped out of the shadows and greeted them.
The one with the bloody club was the largest one. Now that I could see him up close, I could see that he was missing part of his left ear. It looked like it had been ripped off. He noticed me first and jumped in surprise. "Colin!" he stuttered over his shoulder. The other man with a club, a shorter man, but quite clearly well trained, responded to the name. He had a scarfree face. Quite handsome, in fact, for a human. "What is -" he began as he turned to see what his accomplice wanted. I just smiled at them, despite how hard it was considering the scene. "Bah. It's just a little girl. Who are you?" Colin demanded of me. I didn't answer, but I had my shadow move and appear behind the man holding the dagger to the girl's throat.
The girl's eyes widened as she saw my friend behind the man threatening her throat. When I now had the attention of the two others, my shadow friend could take care of him. He had noticed the change in the girl's expression and started to turn to see what she was looking at. His own eyes widened as he stared directly into the red eyes of my friend and he started flailing his dagger towards the shadow as the girl dropped to the ground sobbing.
I stepped into the shadows again and disappeared from sight and sound before sneaking behind Colin as I drew my swords. "Wh- Ho- Where did she go?!" the large man shouted. As so many others. I knocked Colin out with one strike to the back of his head with the pommel of my sword. The large man whirled around as he heard Colin drop to the ground, dropped his club and fell down to his knees.
My shadow touched the dagger wielding man lightly, who dropped his dagger at the chilling touch and stepped back in shock. He then noticed Colin out cold on the ground and the large man on his knees in front of me.
I found some rope and tied them all together in the middle of the main street as quickly as I could, before I returned to check on the girl. She was crying uncontrollably, holding the head of her boyfriend. He was barely breathing. I fished out a scroll of Heal, as that was all I had on me at that moment and read it. The wound on the boy's head closed and healed and he woke up and the girl stared at me in disbelief. I don't know if she realized what kind of scroll it was or even that it was magic, but she seemed to never have seen anything like it. I simply told them to hurry home, then I turned back to go see the bandits.
They were sitting in the middle of the road. Colin had woken up and was groaning. I crouched down next to them and stared into Colin's eyes. "We didn't know this was your street!" he stuttered. "Are you an assassin?" He had clearly met assassins able to hide like us shadowdancers before. Or at least heard about it. I shook my head and told him I was simply a dancer. He blinked in response. I left them there in the street. Then I shadow jumped back to the rooftop and started making my way out of the city.
Now I'm in the Ardeep again. Reflecting on what happened yesterday. I told father, and he just grunted. I don't think he would've spared the bandits. But he did point out that I had clearly learned a lot in my travels and that I should be careful to not get overconfident or frighten those I try to help more than those I help them from. And he's probably right.
I'm in the Ardeep. In Quaraen's bed. He's sitting at his desk writing reports. I went to him to find comfort from the longing for falling in love. It's a bit unfair on him, I guess. But I think he knows it's not more than that. And again, my mind wanders to Sjinn. I wonder where he is."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
Today has been a lazy day. I didn't even bother to get dressed. Quaraen told me to take the day to relax after I told him what had happened in Waterdeep. He had this worried expression. Probably thinks I had been risking too much for the humans. And I suppose I he might think I made a target out of myself. Another thought is that I might have given a bit too much help to the couple. A heal scroll, after all. This isn't something most people will ever see used.
But I enjoyed a lazy day. It's not every day a girl can just expect a fantastic dinner without making it herself, or at least participating. But Quaraen insisted, and I really didn't want to object. He's good at making food, even when forced to not use meat. He always has all sorts of vegetables and herbs. He trades with some half elven farmer near Waterdeep. Quaraen hunts and gives the farmer meat and gets vegetables in return. I'm not sure if the farmer knows Quaraen is a drow, though. I think he keeps his mask up and just speaks elven.
Tomorrow I'll have to head back to Waterdeep, though. I have to talk with some of my thieves guild friends about how to get to Skullport from inside Waterdeep. I also have to stop by the Elfstone Tavern to see if there's any mail for me there. And my human friend Emilia asked me to come along to a noble's gala she had been hired to go to, last time I stopped by the tavern. Her partner has a friend that also needes a partner, and Emilia and I have gone to these things together before. These nobles really love being seen with pretty girls that can dance. I'll have to talk with her about that.
I also miss Baldur's Gate, though. And my friends there. And the theatre. I should send them a letter. I still don't have the courage to go back, though. Maybe I can convince some of them to come to Waterdeep. That'd be great.
And now I hear Quaraen's voice calling out to me. "Phaedraee? You want me to bring you some fruit? Apple? Orange? Anything?" He's been switching between calling me Nëa and Phaedraee all day. I think he wants to say Phaedraee to keep some kind of "distance," but he keeps forgetting himself. I don't mind, really. At least it means he realizes it's nothing more than just, well, this.
But I'm in a playful mood now, so I'm going to put you away, diary, and hide under Quaraen's bedsheets!"
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
I got a confusing letter from Ameris. He speaks of things that priests of should speak between themselves and find easier ways to explain to us others. I'm sure mother would make sense of all this. Maybe I should take it to her before answering. Besides, that seems to be sort of what he's asking for.
He also says Ivan has helped at the temple of Ilmater recently, which was my condition for starting to maybe think he had other intentions than to just kill me. Ameris doesn't lie, of course, he can't. But I still don't think it's genuine. Especially the way Ameris describes it. Maybe I should ask more about that as well. I also need to write a letter to the theatre.
I also find myself missing people more and more. The intriguing human Blackmore, for example. At least I think he is human. So mysterious and I left before I got to know him very well. He wears that mask like a bandit, but he's so different from the usual mask wearers. I think he needs a friend, and I kind of wanted to be one. I also really loved his "blessing", if you can call it that. "May you be a light in the darkness", he said. So I adopted that. Very fitting.
And I miss Soora. The closest thing I have to a sister among the surface elves. I miss her so much it's almost unbearable. And yet I never told her about my family simply because she is a moon elf. I don't know if it's safe. It could ruin everything. And that in itself is a very painful thought. I hope she finds out about the Dark Maiden from someone else. And maybe mention it to me. It would make things so much easier.
I even miss Hoihina. Always fun to prank. Always up for adventure. I miss adventuring, actually, now that I think about it. And Cecilia! Poor, innocent, blushing Cecilia. Wonder if she got control of all the boys in the end, or if they are still juggling her and fighting about who gets to keep her.
I also miss the theatre. I get to dance here, of course, but it's not quite the same. There's no open stage shows. I am going to a big gala with lots of nobles together with Emilia in three days, though. That'll probably be good fun. Emilia took measurements of me today and said she would get me a proper dress for the gala! It's always amusing to hear the human nobles comment on how my human partner charmed a "Lady of the Fair Folk". I wonder if they really believe it or if they realize it's an act. I think some of them know, but play along. I mean, many of these nobles would do the same thing, after all.
But tonight, I'm going to climb to some roof tops in the docks and see if I can spot any thieves. I need information."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
I found some thieves last night. They were skulking around in the docks, heading towards one of the ships, so I followed them in the shadows until they stopped in front of the ship. I cleared my throat slightly to get their attention. They span around and whipped out their daggers all wide eyed in Selûne's light. "You belong to Xanatar's Thieves' Guild or are you just two independent upstarts?" I asked them, trying to sound unimpressed. I wasn't actually very impressed, of course. Before they could answer, though their gazes shifted to something behind me and they both got a very creepy grin.
"Neither," a calm, deep voice a few meters behind me said. I almost jumped in surprise, then turned around to look at who had spoken. "You must be the little troublemaker that got three of my men in prison the other night." He knew my name. Or at least he thought he did. The name I carry here anyways. He was gigantic, though. Haunched back, long arms, pure red eyes, blue skin and a massive mess of hair. I knew who this was, but I had never met him before. This was "Blue Bear", Hagar, I think. Chief of the Bull Elk tribe, bullies and thugs. They say he turn into an actual bear when he gets angry.
I decided to not stick around to find out, so I just gave him a smile and used the shadow I was standing in to jump to a rooftop quite far behind him. There I hid and watched as they were looking confused around for me. Better luck tonight, I hope."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
I went back today, to the ship they planned to board. The city watch was all over the place. I overheard them saying that three people had been killed, and nothing except one small storage chest had been stolen. Some of the crewmen were talking in whispers saying they had no idea what had been in the chest, but that it was supposed to be delivered at the Blackstaff Tower today, and that another one was due to arrive tonight by caravan rather than ship. I'm going to find out what that is all about.
When I got back to the Elfstone Tavern today, Emilia had the dress ready. It is lovely! And just the right amount of revealing to make all the other men envious of my partner. I wonder what he looks like. Emilia said he was handsome. Gods, I hope he doesn't have a beard. Emilia likes that, weird humans. It'll probably be good fun regardless, though. And maybe I can learn something from conversations. These nobles can't stop talking when they get drunk.
But now I'm going to go out to find that caravan."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
I found the caravan last night, but I was just too late. I saw it on the road on its way in to the city, and started sneaking towards it. Suddenly four men and a blue bear jumped out of their hiding places and attacked the three carts and their six guards. The blue bear tore apart two of the guards and one cart driver before they could even react, and the four other guards died to the daggers and swords of the rest of the attackers. I recognized two of of them from the night near the ship. The attack was over as quickly as it started, and only one cart driver was left alive.
The blue bear suddenly transformed and became a huge, haunched man with long, large arms. I realized then where he got the nickname "Blue Bear" from. This was Chief Hagar. His face, particularly his mouth, was covered in the blood of those he had slain. He grabbed the last driver, who had tried running for his life, but ended up with a throwing dagger in his thigh, by the neck and lifted him into the air with one hand. He growled something at the driver. I couldn't quite make it out, because I was too far away. His fellow attackers started searching the wagons.
After a few moments, Hagar threw the poor man to the ground, pulled out the dagger and handed it over to one of his men, who had just come down from one of the wagons with a small chest he handed to Hagar. They all then put all the dead and the injured man on the carts. Three of the men took the carts and their horses, turned around and drove away fast, while Hagar and the last man walked off into the forest. I shadow jumped onto one of the carts and kept quiet and hidden.
After a while, we arrived at a scene of another attack. Several orcs and a bear lay dead. There were symbols of Malar on several of them. They were going to make it look like the orcs had attacked the caravan. The three drivers jumped off their carts and started placing the dead from the carts around on the ground making it look like they died to orcs. One of them picked up an orcish axe and started going towards the horses to make it look like orcs had killed them as well. I decided to stop him from that, but I was too far away to actually attack him. So I shouted and drew my swords. The three spun around to look at me in surprise.
They dropped what they were doing and drew their own weapons. I figured I wasn't going to get out of this as easily. I used my shadowdancing to pull shadows in and obscure me, then willed shadows to daze one of the men before I jumped down from the cart and fading from sight and sound. One of them stood drooling, and the other two paused in their step, looking around warily. They couldn't see me. I stabbed the one near the horses first. He fell. The other one spun around at the sound and ran at me swinging his sword. He missed and missed and I dodged. I stabbed at him and only cut his arm. He whined, dropped his sword and started running off. Then I heard a roar.
I whirled around towards the sound and saw a blue bear rushing towards me. He had followed. I dodged his first attack, but he followed up by knocking me to the ground. I lost my breath completely, but was otherwise fine. He stopped attacking at that, though. And suddenly he wasn't a bear anymore. He held his huge axe to my neck and grinned. "Now, now, what have we here," he said and laughed coldly. "You just can't keep your nose out of things that isn't your business, can you, little elf?" He lifted his axe and stepped away. Probably confident that I wouldn't try attacking now that he had already had me prone on the ground. I slowly stood up and sheathed my swords in a way to show him I understood his confidence. "What was in the chest?" I asked. "Not your business, little elf. But perhaps now that you've robbed me of one of my men, you can help me," he said and turned around, in stupid arrogance. Thought I would stick around, no doubt.
I had absolutely no intention of sticking around, let alone helping him. I looked far towards Waterdeep and shadowjumped, then I ran. A few moments later I heard a roar far behind me. I kept running, and running. He never caught up. If he even followed. I don't think he saw the direction I went. But I just kept running until I came to the gates of Waterdeep. I'm going to have to go to the Blackstaff Tower and tell them what I saw tomorrow. Or the Watch, but I prefer not to talk with them.
I've learned that a few high ranking officers of the Watch will be at the gala tonight though. Maybe I can learn something from them. I also told Emilia about it, and she's going to keep an ear out as well, both at the gala tonight and here at the tavern otherwise. I also probably need to be a bit more wary of the Bull Elk tribe now, after having escaped them twice, and I don't think Blue Bear particularly enjoyed the second time.
But now I'm dry from my bath, and it's time put on my dress and get ready for the gala! I can't take the risk of bringing any weapons, even concealed. So I hope we don't meet any trouble. Oh, stop worrying, Phaedraee, it's going to be fun!"
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
My partner, whose name was Melgior, was a surprisingly handsome human. He said he was twenty-two years old. That is, when he could stop stuttering. He was very, very nervous when he met me. I think he wasn't entirely comfortable with going to a gala with a hired girl. It was Emilia's partner, Relyar, who had hired both of us, and I'm not sure Melgior was sure what to expect or if he even really wanted to go in the first place. So I decided that I wanted to make him forget how uncomfortable it was. I told him to simply don't think about it: He hadn't hired me, and I hadn't been hired by him. I also said that I wouldn't have accepted if I didn't think I'd like the partner, which was kind of true.
We walked together, the four of us, from the Elfstone Tavern to the venue. It didn't take long before Melgior was smiling and no longer stuttering. He had forgotten that he was nervous. He kept staring at me while I wasn't looking, though. Suppose he liked what he saw! And who can blame him? He also tried to impress me by speaking elven. His elven was fluent, but he didn't quite get the accent. He told me he was studying to become a wizard and that elven was very important in magical studies. He had prepared several magical tricks that he performed for me. Cute little tricks like making a flower with a colour to mach my dress out of thin air, which he then placed in my hair.
At the gala, I overheard and talked to several officers of the Watch, though. They spoke of an orc attack on the caravan. Cheif Hagar had finished the job, then, making it look like orcs did it. However, from the caravan, all the chests had been stolen. Which was odd, as I saw them take only one small chest. I guess the caravan could've been looted later that night, but it could also be that Hagar decided to make it look random, and not targeted for that particular chest. Some of the officers I spoke with knew it was going to arrive with that caravan, though, and suspected it was related somehow, though doubted that orcs had stolen from the ship in Waterdeep's harbour a few nights earlier. None of the officers had any idea what was in the chests, however, but they knew it was something rare and probably magical that the Blackstaff wanted for some reason.
After the gala, Melgior and Relyar walked us back to the Elfstone Tavern. Relyar, being a confident man, took Emilia's hand, kissed it and said the usual stuff like "we must do this again some time". Melgior looked at the gesture with wide eyes, then looked at me. I smiled as sweetly as I could at him, trying to stifle a giggle at his nervous expression. Then before he got to react, I tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek lightly. It was clear he had never really spent much time with girls and I wanted to show him that I thought he was charming. He was, after all, in his own way, even if a bit awkward. He blinked at the kiss and blushed fiercly. I couldn't help myself anymore and let out a giggle. Emilia and Relyar laughed, which made poor Melgior blush even more. Relyar then bowed and said good night and Melgior followed up the same way, stuttering a bit again, before they both walked off.
Emilia and I went into the Tavern and up to her room, which I share with her now that I am visiting. She was tired, and went to bed right away. I got out of my dress and into my gear and climbed out of the window and up to the roof. I wanted to go out and see if I maybe chanced across some clues to what the Bull Elk gang was up to with those chests. I started by trying to catch up with Melgior and Relyar, which didn't take long. I stayed hidden of course, listening to their conversation.
"I think Nëa really actually liked you, Mel!" Relyar said, almost teasingly and nudged Melgior with his elbow. Melgior sighed, but smiled. "You should see her without that dress! She dances at the tavern sometimes, and they wear almost nothing, you know!" Relyar continued. Damn, he had been to the tavern and seen me dance. "I don't think that would be appropriate!" Melgior stuttered and blushed. "Nonsense!" Relyar exclaimed and slapped Melgior on the back. "I'll talk with Emilia and find out when the next time Nëa dances is, then we can go watch them!" Melgior sighed and shaked his head, but didn't object.
Then, just a few streets away from the Blackstaff Tower, we heard an explosion just ahead around the corner. Melgior and Relyar jumped in surprise and Melgior started running towards the corner while Relyar heistated, looked around, then followed. Keeping hidden, I had to move slowly, so I caught up with them a few moments later. Around the corner stood two men, both waving their hands around and talking strange words. One of them, the one furthest away, was standing in the middle of a circle of scorched cobblestones. They were casting magic. The one furthest away from us finished first, did a tossing motion and a green ball leaped from his hands and hit the other man in the left shoulder. The man dropped unmovingly to the ground with a corroded hole just below his shoulder.
The man furthest away then spotted Melgior and Relyar, who quickly hid back behind the corner. The mage started walking towards them, then stopped when he heard someone call from behind him. He stared towards the corner for several moments, then turned and walked off towards the voice.
I decided I wanted to make sure Melgior and Relyar got home safely, so I followed them the rest of the way home. I then returned to the Elfstone Tavern and drew a quick painting of the mage from memory. I entered reverie and decided to relive this night again in it, to see if I could find his face somewhere else, maybe at the gala. I didn't. But when I ended my reverie, I could improve the painting.
Then today, after Emilia had made breakfast and we had eaten, I wrote down all the things I had seen about these Bull Elk tribe business these last few days as well as adding the painting of the mage and a description of what I saw happened even if I had no idea whether it was related or not. I put it in an envelope and headed over to the Blackstaff Tower, where I gave it to one of the students, asking to hand it over to Master Khelben. It was a long shot that the letter would actually end up in the Blackstaff's arms, but I said "it's about two stolen chests" when I handed it over, just in case that would help.
I went back to the Elfstone Tavern again and I've been here for the rest of the day, trying to get some calm. It's nearing the time of day with most activity in the tavern, though, and I've promised Emilia to help serving drinks today, so I better get into that simple, but quite pretty dress she wanted me to wear. Tomorrow I'm going to look around for more clues."
Laitae Lafreth, became Chosen of Mystra, former Great Reader of Candlekeep Nëa the Little Shadow Uranhed Jandinwed, Guide of Candlekeep
