#Der'Katan'Innore

[anothertownsfolk]

Kezdelor - Entry Five - Return

We gave our report and asked for what information that the Lady was allowed to give us. Two wars in the same day, and yet still we stand. I have to admit, it was probably a wise decision to wait for the bulk of Dre'mo'ne to be away at another war before attacking our compound. They got a head start on the destruction that they wished to cause but the returning army and those that had been left at home I am certain that they found more of a fight than they were looking for. Which is why they looted our stores and burned our scrolls.

Now I am taking a few stolen moments to write, before I go to try and help repair the scroll shortage - even though I have been given the next little while off, it can not hurt to build myself in the clan's eyes more. ... I spoke with my father just before this, he made some good points. I am dismissive of the danger that Dre'mo'ne poses to me. But I must be, if I let myself feel trepidation for my well being or even for those that I care about, my actions will become crippled. In order to assure myself that my family will be safe, I can not allow that to happen. So I dismiss the threat. I know that it is there, but I find my time to be more valuable than to worry over if I am to be the next member of Dre'mo'ne that is culled. Both father and the Lady have told me that the House thinks I am doing well. It is nice that they they have been told so, but I will continue to do my best. The house should have no worries about where my loyalties lie, they bought them with a truer coin than any wealth. So long as they continue to treat my family well, they have nothing to fear from me. I also grow fond of the people that I have assigned to work with. In time, I think that perhaps I will actually feel loyalty to Dre'mo'ne for Dre'mo'ne's sake. Currently there is a debt to them that I must pay, one that I shall never fully repay no matter how hard I try. I wonder how altruistic they think me. I am not. I am selfish, I desire my own survival above most things. Dre'mo'ne has granted me a far better chance at succeeding in that goal than I think I would have had anywhere else. And it is certainly a better place for a young child, though I believe that Elitria could have found a place in one of the many temples to the Goddess. Renoth could have found a place, he would have survived on the streets. So long as he managed to not get caught (and was properly healed), father could likely have easily found a place. I'm not sure Jozan would have been so readily acceptable to many, being an infant. As for myself, I don't have much to recommend me to anyone. A low level evoker, ten to a copper.

... I am maudlin again. I can not seem to entirely avoid it. It is likely the stress that I feel about the uncertainty of my position in Dre'mo'ne, no matter how I pronounce it to the rest of the world, I do try not to lie to myself. I am worried about my family, and as the only female that is adult, I consider myself held responsible for the actions of the rest of the family. We came as a group, and whether those that judge us consciously think it or not, they will judge us on one another as well. Father mentioned that he was petitioning the House to have my sisters resurected. I would be quite happy to have them returned, but since father has decided to first gain a greater understanding of the internal House politics I will not voice my opinion of this. It is my belief that both Veliska and Malreen would be accepting of the new circumstances - Veliska because her children are safe and healthy and Malreen because I can't see her doing otherwise. I hope the Renoth will return soon. I hope that he has not made himself such a nuisence that the house has decided to try and dispose of him. His can be quite the pest and tends to not like secrets that are kept from him. I know that in his own way he is trying help keep us safe, but in doing so he only puts himself in more danger and the rest of us by association. I must be good Dre'mo'ne. I must protect my family.

Goddess help me. That last mission must have been more draining than I thought. There will be time to rest later tonight, for now I will go and write scrolls to help the house restock. Perhaps this will allow me time to gather myself.

[anothertownsfolk]

Kezdelor - Entry Four - Aftermath

It has been a little over a month since I last writ on these pages. I don't believe that my day to day worth writing about as it is simply research and other projects. While worth my time and a very satisfactory way to spend time, I do not see a need to catalog my research twice. I shall, however, record my success and failures in these endeavors.

In such case, I have succeeded in turning Amanuensis into an Illusion spell. I even managed to perfect it on the first attempt. And while I do feel great pleasure in the fact that I have done this, I am not satisfied. Amanuensis is a cantrip and the best that I could do while developing the new spell (which I have called 'Ghost Writer') was a Second Circle. I did what I could and now the Illusionists will have to further the research if they want more.

I was lucky that I was able to finish my research of that spell before my assignment was changed. As of this time, I have been assigned to a team and given a superior to whom I am answerable. I think on the over all, I actually greatly prefer that there is one person that I must speak with to get permission for projects. The Lady seems cordial and approachable, though I have done nothing which would need reprimand as of yet. I hope to avoid the need for such.

I am pleased to record that the first mission that my team was given was successful and that all of us returned in one piece. However, I have been made aware of inadequacies that I did not know that I possessed. I plan to give a detailed report to the Lady, as I must now seek teachers so that I might not be a fault line in the plan.

I was such an imbecile. I can't believe that I got away with it. I should not have approached the Priestess, I could have gotten myself killed and exposed the plan. I am terrible at field work. I can not shake my lady's trappings in word or poise. While I can use this to an advantage, it is also a hindrance. Having lived as a noble for so very long, my adjustment to an entry level worker has not been easy in some aspects. I think that I would be completely content to write starter mage texts and do spell research. I very much doubt that I will be allowed to do so after such a stellar performance on our last project.

Oh, I was arrogant to think that I would only need to prepare one casting of Baleful Transposition. I am ashamed of my preparations. Surely father taught me better - But that is an unfair statement. I know for a fact that he taught me well, had he not I would not now know how close we came to failing at our primary objective. I am very grateful that he taught me how to "watch" a spell work, I have been told not every wizard can. Being the channel for the power can be a very interesting spot to be. It can also be a very sure judge of one's ability.

The girl is safe, but she was far stronger than I had anticipated. I am entirely sure that if she had been given a moment more the spell would have broken - or maybe it was all fate. Either way it does not matter. I am not as capable as I should be to provide support for the team that I have been assigned.

I am maudlin about all that has been happening and my part in it. I must set it aside, I have not the time nor inclination to spare for such demanding emotions. Much as I won't spare the time to worry about my own safety. If I am dead, then I am dead and there is nothing I can do to alter that  state. If I am valuable, I am sure that I will be resurrected and someone else will be in trouble. All I can do is remain in control of myself and seek to make myself valuable to the Dre'mo'ne. Which is what I shall do in the morning. Hopefully the Lady will know of an Evoker that will accept me as a student.

[anothertownsfolk]

Kezdelor - Entry Three - Continuance

It has been several days now and I am working hard on both the official and unofficial tests - I have discovered that there are many hidden ones. I have in fact figure out how to get from my room to the dinning hall to the library and workrooms. And I can even find my way back to my room if I go through all those places on the return trip.

I picked up a couple of interesting spells from this exchange. Though, now that I am not the only person with this spell I have no doubt that it will be shared around among many others. This doesn't bother me at all, the Dre'mo'ne seem to be helpful among themselves.

I am still trying to visit Elitria whenever I have a free moment. Jozan is a little more difficult to visit as he was placed in a nursery and it is much more difficult to visit him there, though I do when I can. I sometimes see Renoth at meal times or on our off hours. When I can, I try to get us all together since Renoth while he would like to visit Elitria doesn't feel comfortable going into the Temple.

Father is still wandering about somewhere. I see him checking in on us less often that he was for the first few days, though he does still check. I also hear rumors, none of which I can even attempt to verify - and though non-magical ink seems to be free, I would prefer not to waste page or ink on things that don't really have value.

While rumors might have some value if you hear them, I have absolutely no patience or inclination to write and find that they are not worth the value of ink and paper.

The past two days have been the most eventful and informative days since I have arrived. Two days ago, I was approached by a slave in the library who wanted to learn Amanuensis. I was very perplexed by this. From what I had observed since my arrival, spoke that the Dre'mo'ne are much more lenient than other houses that I have observed. The girl seemed to be very afraid when I asked her questions about why she wanted the spell, and if one or the other of us would get into trouble from me giving her this spell. From what I discovered, there seemed to be no impediment to teaching her the spell. However, I couldn't very well just give the spell to her when her betters had traded for it, so I asked her what she had that she could trade me for it. As it turns out, she has a great deal of knowledge to trade. She has offered to show me around and help me learn to be Dre'mo'ne. This will greatly accelerate my ability to become a useful and productive part of the clan. This is something that I desire as what is left of my family is here.

The information that I was given over the course of that day proved to be very useful. As it turns out, the other Houses are sending mages as spies. Not very surprising, many people are very interested in the Dre'mo'ne. I also learned that those spies are disappearing. Perhaps this should bother me, but it just doesn't. As I have no where else to go, and the above stated reasons about family, I have no reason not to give what they ask. However, this did create a rather amusing interaction with Renoth. He came rushing to find me and was pulling at my arm insistently telling me that I needed to get out of here. When I finally got him to give me the reasons why he sited that mages were disappearing out of the halls. I pulled myself up and told him not to worry, the only mages that were vanishing were those that were spies from other Houses. His face and the spluttering was pretty amazing and will never be mentioned to another person.

Yesterday, the day after the first slave approached me, I was on the way to the hall when I was approached by another slave. She was well spoken and respectful. She didn't seem afraid, not that she had reason to be, and is very cherished by her master – I could tell because her hair was braided quite a ways down her back. She has additional blending lessons that she has offered in exchange for the spell for her master. I asked her to come back in a couple of days so that I can see if I can't come up with something that an Illusionist can use. I have been assigned to writing a text book for starting mages and so long as I pace myself properly I should also have plenty of additional time to research …unless they change my schedule and assign me different duties.

As I will be doing my assigned work, researching for the spell, and receiving lessons from two different people on how to fit in; I think it may be a while before I next inscribe these pages.

[anothertownsfolk]

Kezdelor - Entry Two - Dre'mo'ne

It seems as thought the ink has barely dried, though nearly a full day has gone by. I shall continue to endeavor to lay out my thoughts as though I had not set aside my pen.

I had heard many rumors of House Dre'mo'ne before arriving here, none of which are actually worth repeating in ink. Needless to say, as far as I have discovered, Dre'mo'ne is none of that. Very secretive, but seemingly in an effort to protect those that take shelter here.

When we arrived at the gate of the Dre'mo'ne compound, my father gray with effort, fatigue, and blood-loss - though no longer bleeding profusely thanks to the efforts of Elitria; the guard sent someone at a run to find a person with authority. The commotion that we caused at the door while not large, was not small either.

A woman in armor came to the door and ushered us in quickly, taking us directly to the nearest temple to get father's wound treated. The Priestess on duty was Dyalla. She healed my father and Jozan - who was so stressed by the situation that he had quieted himself into a deep shock on our trip here.

We spoke with her briefly before we were taken and given the tour as well as acquiring our black hair and garb - becoming Dre'mo'ne. ...And as we were, are no longer consider nobles the family was split. Father was taken off somewhere, I haven't spoken with him since we arrived. I have seen him occasionally, but it mostly seems like he is checking to make sure that we are still here. Renoth is about. They have him doing work that he can handle his training. Elitria has become an acolyte at the temple. Jozan is in a nursery, and I almost think that it might be kinder to not have him know this past. But there is a part of me that can't quite let go. So I visit them when I have the time and chance.

As for me, they have put me to work writing chapters for teaching beginning mages. While not the most enlivening work that I have ever done, it isn't the worst either. And I am well suited for the task and it is a safe option as they haven't tested my loyalties. I suppose that it might be interesting if they search my room and read this journal. But there really isn't anything for them to find, I have no where else to go, what is left of my family is here, and hopefully I will also be given the chance to find some fulfilling work. But first I have to get through this maze of initiation.

[anothertownsfolk]

Kezdelor - Entry One - Rememberance

Life in the Underdark is hard. Somehow, while I knew on an intellectual level that the world I live in is cutthroat (quite literally in most cases), I felt removed and protected. I suppose that Mother's long reign had given me a false sense of security, especially since Veliska was planning a gentle takeover (or at least what would pass for one among the Dark Elves). But my thoughts are wandering and I have decided to start this journal so that I might remember all my history and in the future remember the names of those that have passed and those that I must thank for my being where I am today.

I think that I must begin with who I was since I am no longer that person. I was Kezdelor Ta'lin'nu, fifth daughter of the matron of House Ta'lin'nu, sixth child of my parents. Mage by training and inclination. I had no desire to be in the succession war and so took no steps to enter the Priestesshood - in the end, not even that helped.

The first name, after mine, that I wish to record is Daeshavar. Third daughter of my mother, she died decades ago. I was never told what she died from, as I was still a child at the time, and as I got older it was expected of me to accept that it was a part of life and not to ask questions. I remember Daeshavar as the gentle sister. She was always looking out for me, making sure that I got the temple rites that I was allowed to participate in correct. She was always looking after the misfits of the family.

The second name is Rytria, matron of House Ta'lin'nu and my mother. Deceased. She was a caring woman, provided for her family and was never overly strict. She believed that a House could be stronger if it was united and stayed united. My oldest sister believed this as well. When Veliska decided that it was time for her to take position as matron of Ta'lin'nu, she challenged mother to ritual combat and killed her. Veliska had every intent of  resurrecting mother to make her dowager matron and to help solidify Veliska's power. Veliska never got that chance.

Veliska was the first daughter of my mother, a Priestess of the Dark Mother - as all heirs must be. She held mother's ideals as her own and unlike most transitions from mother to daughter, Veliska planned for mother's death and resurrection and then for all of the family to serve under her with mother's support solidifying her position. Unfortunately, that dream was not to be. She was the first struck down, along with Mynal and Thosar - the fathers of her children.

Malreen, second daughter of my mother, Priestess of the Dark Mother. A good second heir. She provided both competion and companionship to Veliska allowing both of them to improve and better themselves. While not as dedicated to mother's beliefs as Veliska, Malreen had a firm grounding in them.

There were many others that were there to watch the ceremony. I have no idea how many of them escaped or died, so I can't recount their names.

Now that I have account those for remembrance I will list those that I must thank.

I must thank Sinesthi, fourth daughter of my mother, Priestess of the Dark Mother; for ripping apart my family as I knew it. She had always been the quiet one. Reserved and slightly withdrawn from the family, it always appeared that she would go along with the plan. Unknowingly she had made her own. She played Korryl and Nimreth into thinking that they were both her only consort, her trusted partner. And when she betrayed the family ... ... the family ideals, I should say as everything that she did was completely legal and well within expectations of the rest of our society. But I can not forgive her. When she took over she shattered the ideals that I held and as well killed me as my father saved me. ...Should in my new home I be given a chance to repay her, I will happily help drive the knife into her and her consort Nimreth.

Arnothi, my father, and once consort to the matron of Ta'lin'nu and father of all her children. He saved my life and my brother's. Though now a powerful mage, he was once a rogue and sensed the tension long before any of the rest of us knew what was going on. Always a man with a plan. It wasn't executed perfectly, but plans rarely survive first contact with reality.

My brother, Renoth, first son of my mother, fifth child of my parents. A rogue through and through. He thinks well on his feet and can adapt to a situation to bring about the greatest benefit. He is often annoyed at me for calling his spur of the moment reactions plans, but that is how I see them. It is him that I thank for saving our niece, Elitria, and nephew, Jozan - the children of Veliska. If he hadn't grabbed them, I believe that both they and our father would now be dead. Elitria and Jozan at Sinesthi's instructions, and my father from the wound that he was given when the battle began.

Father's plan was clever, we ran up where there was no one to hinder our escape and made our way down to the outer courtyard via magic. From there we left Ta'lin'nu holdings. Father's wound was terrible and any sign of weakness would draw hoards. I cast Tenser's floating disk for him to ride and we gave him the baby and Elitria to make it seem that he rode the disk for the children and not himself. Following his directions we quickly made our way through the city. I don't remember seeing Renoth leave, but I remember him coming back. Apparently we were being followed by on of Sinesthi's consorts, Korryl. There was a hard glint in his eye when he told me that our pursuer had been dealt with.

Father guided us to the Dre'mo'ne compound. I'm not sure what I was expecting us to do, but that hadn't been it. I most definitely was not expecting the response we received.

The hour grows late and I must sleep as I have much to do tomorrow and I am still finding my way around.