Dungeons and Dragons; Faerun Chaos Chapter 1 (Mature)

Baldur's Gate is a well known land and sea hub that leads to many towns to both the north, south, and east through many well known paths across an otherwise treacherous countryside. The seaside city is full of races of various origin and peoples just as diverse, all nestled safely inside a guard wall, giving the feel of a fortress at times of trouble. The Watch are ever present to root out the evil that plague any city of this size. Today though is an important day of celebration. Fifty years ago, Mordoc Salenmere, the Grey Vampire Prince, had risen to power to take over the Western Heartlands, among the rest of Faerun. Heroes had stopped him, even after he had risen a Black Tower in the center of Baldur's Gate and had turned the entire city into a nest of zombies and undead creatures. The heroes had done everything in their power to restore order and balance, even going so far as to go into a dark and unforgiving plane of existence to destroy the Tower's black heart. The plan, as desperate as it was, worked, and the city was freed from Mordoc's control. Ever since, the day the city was freed is a day the city is given to celebration. This is the scene you walk into if you visit Baldur's Gate today.

Brook Stillwater was the loveliest water nymph you could wish to meet. Her clear strong voice could evoke any emotion to any degree making her path to bardic fame inevitable. She still keeps her true name a guarded secret though already bound by it to her true love. That was a great adventure! Brook still smiles when she thinks of the shock on her true loves face when she found out what she had done. Such a tenderhearted lover. Brook knew she was fragile as well and was loath to leave her side, but she had insisted and Brook could deny her love nothing so off she had gone again but the adventure lacked flare this time and Brook was homesick for her love. So home her footsteps turned and on the way she worked diligently on a present for her love. A simple gift, but one only a true bard could give well.
Tossing her long green braid over one soft white shoulder she went over the score once more. It had to be perfect. A waltz of hidden beauty and heart wrenching pain, with graceful lines and tantalizing curves. Smiling she put the score back in its leather case, this line of though was not helping her sleep any. “soon my love” she whispered into the dark as she closed her clear blue eyes. “soon I will be home”
Waking with the rising of the sun next morning she packed her gear and checked her instruments, then set her feet home lightly humming the waltz as she did and trying not to skip like a light hearted child. Because of her height, slight build and youthful nymphonic features she was sometime mistaken as a young girl of 12 or 15. One had only to look into her eyes to know that she had seen more danger, heartache, life, death, and love then most mortals saw in one life time, making her age problematic to determine just by looking at her.

Neria Zathreail was a heart torn elven maiden. Her entire family and friends that had been in camp that night, so long ago, had been wiped out by an orcish raiding party. That...wasn't the worst of it though. Most of the orcs had dropped their clothes to the ground before mercilessly ravaging Neria's mother, and all of the women in her clan. The men and children they just killed with their bare hands or with cruel swords. Her mother had had enough sense of mind to hide her in a hollowed out log. It went on until the morning came. Then a cleric and a band of adventurers came and killed the orcs in turn, saving Neria in the process. The damage had been done by then... A century later, and Neria Zathreail is a much different person, but she cannot get physically close to anyone now because of what had happened that night. During that century, many lovers had broken away from her because of it, but one stayed despite all that. Tossing and turning in her bed, Neria remembered the first day they had met. It was thirty years or so after the terrible incident, and Neria had already begun training to become a cleric, learning the healing arts, as well as a few spells to smite evil and such things. Corellon Larathian, the elven god of war and protection, (I think,) had smiled upon the young elf as she grew stronger and wiser during her apprenticeship. Still, that was all it had been, was training, no real experiences to test her mettle in the field, being stuck in a temple that whole time. When she felt she had had enough, Neria left with many tearful goodbyes and set off to Baldur's Gate. Since her arrival in Baldur's Gate, six months and counting, Neria has since moved into another temple, but this one she almost ran from when she saw what her god had wanted her to attempt. Those that worshiped Hanali Celanil usually only dressed and acted as their goddess intended, worshiping all things beautiful and purchasing fine art and music or making their own, adding said pieces to their archives that are put on display for all to see. The sect in Baldur's Gate though had a different take on how to do that. The priests and priestesses still collected fine art, poems, and such tales to hold their fancy, but their collection leaned towards more the erotic and sensual avenue. The front door that Neria approached during a rainy day told that much alone with intricate stone carvings running on the edges of the wooden doors that depicted every race from elves to demons embracing in every configuration and combination imaginable, most of said statues half dressed or not at all. The inside was no better to the fair cleric, the pillars similarly adorned in such carvings. The first thought to the golden blonde woman was she had read her god's sign wrong and was supposed to go elsewhere, but the part that believed in Corellon Larathian, the part that knew she was just afraid of what might happen next, knew she had not gotten the wrong place. Squaring her shoulders, Neria shut the door slowly behind her that day and hadn't left since, although she had yet to offer herself the same way the others did.

Brook sauntered into the nearest tavern when she reached town winking at the barkeep she took the empty chair reserved for traveling bards and began dusting off her clothes. Shades of green and brown appeared beneath the dust and she smiled again. "Long dusty road" she sighed, still no response.
Sighing she began to sing and as her voice filtered out into the street people began filtering into the tavern. When she had earned her self a round she left the seat and asked someone where the best place to get a bed for the night was. Some rowdy dwarf replied that he had a room, to the rockous laughter of those around him.
Out in the street again she was drawn to a curious building. It was obviously a temple and she could see its appeal, what she didnt know was why she was drawn there. "Could my love be in there?" she wondered to her self as she stepped inside.

Sighing as she washed up and dressed, Neria wondered what the others would attempt today to get her past her fears. If it's anything like last week, I will not be around this place anymore. I'll pack up and leave without a word. She threatened but Neria knew as soon as her mind formed the thought that she wouldn't do it. It wasn't in her nature to just pack her things and leave without a word without saying so much as a fare thee well, besides, the other priestesses and priests that knew her and of her problems cared and only wanted what was best for her in their own strange way. The elf went out into the main hallway, dressed in a simple gown of red and green and was about to sit down on a stone bench that was against the far wall until she saw someone enter through the main double doors that led inside the temple. Everyone else was either out in the town, celebrating with everyone else or in their private rooms, celebrating in a different way altogether. Since no one was coming to greet the person that had arrived, Neria saw no harm in going to the girl herself. The interior was bright where a stain glass window let the warm rays of the sun inside, but other than that the only light that could be had was from torches that sat in metal sconces attached to the walls and pillars as well as a few well placed braziers full of sweet smelling incense, leaving the entrance-way in shadows. So it was with great surprise that Neria Zathreail laid her eyes upon Brook Stillwater for the first time in nearly thirty years. "By the gods...you're alive!" Neria's thoughts all but disappeared as she embraced the nymph in a tight and loving hug, tears of joy falling from the elven maiden's sea green eyes. "It's...been too long."

"Neria?" the words were barely past Brooks lips before she was pulled into the best hug of her life, without thinking she planted a kiss on her beloveds lips. But even as they brushed together she pulled back "I'm sorry, love I'm so sorry" and before hurt or love could be shown by her laps in careful attention she pulled out of her travel bag the leather case that held her greatest work. "Guess what it is" she said delighted holding it out to Neria like a mother handing a beloved child to its father.

[4:32:48 PM] Neria Zathreial: Neria gasped but Brook had already backed away before she could react in any way other than to blink a few times. "It's...ok. I am just happy beyond words to see you again. How was your travels?" Seeing the leather case, Neria wondered what was inside. "What's this?" She took it slowly, wondering if she should open it here or keep it closed until they were alone.

Practically dancing in her shoes, eyes sparkling with delight, anticipation, and if she was honest with herself, nervousness, Brook answered. "It's for you. I wrote it and no one has heard it yet. I wanted you to be the first"

Neria's eyes opened a bit wider as she hesitated, almost opening the case up right there, but the elven cleric thought better of it, instead slipping it under her right arm. "I think I'll wait and open it when we are alone. I can't wait to open it Brook, but the others might see it and want to add it to their archives before anyone has a chance to hear it. Besides...I wish to hear it first without anyone else to interfere."

Smiling and delighted, Brook picked up her pack from where she had let it fall. "I've been collecting little things from my travels, and I want to tell you all about the places I've been and the things I've seen. Is there somewhere we could sit down? i couldn't juggle them all here." She laughed a light laugh, like a small brook in the sunlight. "Well, I could, but it wouldn't be much of a show." Brook's eyes twinkled and she felt alive again.

"Festival? I must be daft since I forgot there was one on. All I could think about was getting back to you. I didn't even know you were here, I just sort of followed my feet..." Brook smiled kindly at Neria. Brook had missed her so much.

"Same ol Brook, always following where the wind blows. That's...what I missed the most about you my old friend." Neria said, happy and joyful that Brook had come when she had. "We have a lot of catching up to do. How long has it been, thirty years? I'm surprised I recognized you or you me."

Brook stopped dead in her tracks, hurt for just a moment, but she let it pass. Remembering that day always made her smile, and standing in a puddle of light from a stained glass window she smiled now. "How could I not recognize the face of my love?" She whispered tenderly as tears of love glistened in the corner of her eyes. "How could I not know your voice?" The water nymph asked, almost breathless as her own cracked. "I have known you from the moment you bound me. and nothing can take that from us." She held out their hands for Neria to see, fingers intertwined. "You've been growing?" The question was caressed with desire held in check for so long behind a dam that would not break.

"I'm sorry...you're right on all counts." Despite the shock of finding out what she had accidentally done so long ago, Neria knew that she would recognize Brook no matter how much time had gone by for them both. Intertwining her fingers with Brook's, the elven cleric fought back the urge to tear up again. Hearing the comment about her growing, the elf laughed before letting Brook's hand go for the moment. "Yes, I would hope so."

Brook knew the moment was lost for now, but she also knew she could get it back later, perhaps after Neria heard her song. Brightening, she skipped up to Nerta and gave her a quick hug "I'm glad to be back. Come, let me show you what I brought."

"Let's do that. I'm sure I can get us something to snack on while we talk of times past." Wrapping her free hand in Brook's own, the package still secure under her right arm, Neria led the way to the back of the temple. All the doors they passed, except for two that led into the kitchen area, were shut. Small moans and gasps of pleasure came out of a few of these, the people inside worshiping in their unique way to the gods they held to their hearts and souls with those of the temple. Some sought restoration of their magic and spells, others their wounds healed, while others wished answers from the deities on a number of different things. Since it was a festival day, the temple was busier than usual with people coming far and wide. "I've been here for six months and I've yet to let another in my bed if you can believe that."

Brook's only answer was a squeeze of her hand. She helped carry the food selected by juggling it one handed after slinging her pack over her shoulder.

Reaching her room, Neria opened the door one handed before slipping inside before holding it open with her foot for Brook to step through as well. "I guess I might as well say that the high priestess in charge has asked me to at least observe the others since I...can't do the same as the others...at least not yet anyway." The elf's voice trailed off, remembering the last time she and Brook had spent together. It had been a heart wrenching experience, to say the least. "I've missed you far more than anyone before."

"I missed you too." Brook's smile was adoring as her eyes filled again. With a little shake of her head, Brook cleared her throat. "Come, let me play that for you."

Neria nodded and took the food, putting on a nearby table before sitting down on the four poster bed, opening the case. She didn't rip it open by any means, but took her time, treasuring the feel of the leather and the smell of the forests it had surely traveled through with the water nymph.

Brook pulled out her little used, much loved lap harp and sang as her fingers danced across it. She watched as Neria's eyes followed the music she played. she kept her bardic magic out of it, but put everything else that she was in.

Neria couldn't keep the tears from her eyes, grateful she had shut and locked the door into place so no one could walk in on her and Brook. This was their time, and by the gods she would enjoy it as much as she possibly could. The music coming from Brook was enchanting, even without the bard adding her magic into the notes coming out of her mouth and the harp.

Brook let the last notes linger in the air. She had put her heart and soul into the writing and the playing of the only song her heart had ever sung to her. Now she waited, hardly daring to breath or look up.

"I have heard...so many songs since coming to Baldur's Gate. All of them having a different feel, tempo, and rhythm to them. You...are the best and always will be...my dearest of friends." Neria finally managed to say, wiping her eyes dry and offering a smile that matched her high opinion of the dryad before her. It was an honest opinion unaffected by the bond they shared in any way. Maybe it played into it a little, but it was Neria's honest feelings with no strings attached. "You have grown as well my friend."

Elated, Brook finally looked up, and dropping her harp, moved in a heart beat to Neria's side. "Truly?" Love, trust, and a desperate need to find her work had not been in vain sparkled in Brook's eyes. Blushing, she whispered to her lap "I wrote you."

"Truly my friend. I...kind of noticed." Neria laughed, still wiping her eyes a little with the sleeves of her gown. "I...do not know how to thank you for such an honor." Then a thought came to Neria, if she could muster the courage to go the distance that was. "Maybe...I do actually."

Quizzical eyes sparkled, and Brook turned to look her love in the eye. Her breath caught and her heart raced "Only" she reached a hand up and lovingly caressed the tears from Neria's cheek "only if you're ready. You know I will wait for you."

Neria shied away from the touch, but that was all. "I'll..certainly try...especially after that Brook Stillwater." Using her 'full name', Neria put a hand to the nymph's shoulder, gently massaging the muscles there for a moment. "Just...try not to touch if you can help it is all I ask. I've found I can touch others, but having someone do the same still scares me."

Brook relaxed into her love's touch and let herself be transported.

((There's more but Esjaya isn't able to finish right now. Others can still post of course lol.))

Brook did as Neria bid and allowed her to please her with out touching back. Her fingers longed to respond, but she new she was already on rocky ground and didn’t want to do anything to hurt her beloved. She closed her eyes and let her fingers lie in her lap as she sat next to her on the bed.

Neria sighed, wondering if she was making a mistake and trying this too early. But, she had made up her mind in the end. Besides, what the elven cleric had said was true. So long as Brook didn't touch Neria, Neria would be able to go through with this...she hoped. "Lay down on your stomach, but lose the shirt first Brook." The woman whispered in Brook's ear, hoping she could do this all the way.

Brook stood and removed her belt and all its trappings, then lifted her long tunic over her head reveling a tightly laced corset and tight leather pants. Her long green hair fell about her exposed shoulders as she reached back to undo the lacing her eyes questioning. "This too? Its easier to lie down out of it" her voice was soft and gentle, her eyes full of love.

"I...didn't realize you had a corset on. How do you breath in those things?" Shaking her golden haired head, Neria just offered a smile and nodded yes. "Yes...that as well must go."

"Breathing is easy, lying is not" laughter danced in her eyes as she loosened the laces and unclasped her corset. She let it fall and stood a moment bathed in the light of the window. soft curves and white skin dappled in the light given full view to the only person whose appreciation she craved. Then she lie down on the bed as bid arms beside her a soft sigh escaped her lips as she relaxed

Neria ran a hand across the nymph's bare arm for a moment before getting up and going to her dresser. Picking up a bottle of massage oil and two sticks of incense which she put into a nearby holder before lighting them both, Neria sat back down and opened the small bottle of liquid. Pouring a bit into her free hand, Neria sealed the container again and put it back onto the edge of the dresser before turning to Brook again. "It's been so long since I've seen you Brook. You look more beautiful than ever." She said before putting her hand to the small of the woman's back. The moment Neria's hand touched her skin, the oil started to warm pleasantly as she worked it into Brook's body.
"I've...always wanted to do this for you...but I was afraid to even look at myself in the mirror at the time..." Neria continued, using both hands to ease the tension out of Brook as best she could.

"It feels delightful" brook murmured as the tension eased from her body. Shivers of delight chassed up her skin when Nerias nails brushed it lightly, as the oil worked into her soothing away all her travels.
"How have you been getting along? You seem happy" Brook hoped that by keeping her talking she would help her relax into it.

"It's...been alright. Last week though was a bit of a mess." Neria replied, moving to Brooks bare shoulders next as she talked. "The others know about my....problem and they mean well, but they...tend to take drastic steps sometimes."

"I’m sorry to hear that Neria" she almost turned to place her hand on Nerias shoulder but remembered her instructions and made the shift seem like she was just relaxing some tight muscle. No wine was as sweet on her tongue as her beloveds name.

"I almost packed up and left...but I am glad I didn't now." Neria said, bending down to kiss Brook's neck before going back up, running her slick hands across the same spot, moving her hair aside in the process. "I am sorry I had to push you away when I did...Brook."

"I never felt pushed away love, you've always found some way to let me know you care. I only want you to be happy" tears of joy moistened Brooks eyes as she said this and she hoped Neria wouldn’t notice

"Oh Brook..." Neria managed to say, happier than she had felt in days as she finished with the massage of the girl's back. Taking the bottle again, Neria opened it but didn't pour any more out at the moment. "Turn over my love."

Brook rolled over tossing her hair over her shoulders and smiling a smile full of love understanding and compassion. "You are happy right? If not I’ll sweep you away on my next adventure" her laugh was the same ripple of water over stones that it always was when she was happiest.

Neria offered a laugh as well and was about to start on her front when someone knocked on Neria's door. "Neria, it's Jessica. Are you ok in there?" The elf groaned and put the open bottle on the dresser and went to the door.
"Yes. I'm fine. I'm with a friend that I haven't seen in almost thirty years." She replied before opening the door to reveal a human woman with raven black hair, blue eyes, and a perfect hourglass figure that was shown off despite the same gown that Neria was wearing.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just coming to ask if you had seen Douglas yet. He's not in his room so I'd guess he's out in the festival grounds. Sorry, I'll leave you two be.' But the mood was broken thanks to her and Neria sighed as Jessica walked away.

Sensing the tension in her friend Brook sat up on her elbows. "Your not happy here are you?" Concern etched her face with lines that would normally never show. She made her decision in a moment. "Come on. We're leaving." She smiled as she swooped up her tunic and shrugged back into it rolling the corset up and putting it in her bag as an after thought.

"No...I am not. Corellan Larathian must of thought it a funny joke to send me here... I fail to see the humor." Neria replied a little harshly, but she calmed down a little when she saw that Brook was getting ready to head out, and planned to take her with. "I'd be more than happy to with you Brook Stillwater."

"Good because I’m sure as hells not leaving you here!" It was not the first time anger had flashed in brooks eyes feeling her love had been mishandled. But she soon broke into a laugh remembering the look of shock a young warrior had worn right after their joining when she leapt viciously to Nerias defense.
Her eyes sparkled with youth once more as she said "Lets go find an adventure!"

Neria smiled again and nodded, happy to have her old friend back again. "Let us find us a tale that the bards will sing about for ages to come." She replied, leading the way to the front door and to freedom, at least for a while.

The room was dark, but not lightless. Light did not glint off the walls; they were of cold, lifeless stone. The corners of the room were shrouded in shadow, leaving mystery to its exact size. But one word, whispered, was enough to fill the room with a thousand echoes. This word rebounded in a terrifying, deafening way. In a way, the room was still as deathly silent as ever. From where this word came forth was a man; a man of no mortal ken, nor even elven. He was a prismatic elf, of the rarest variety. That did not mean, however, he was within comprehension of his race. His name was Faer Godard. His life spanned eras, his soul, unconquerable.

More importantly, was the power at his command. Centuries of arcane knowledge lay, literally, at his fingertips. Artifacts of rare and exotic origin and function within an instant’s grasp. But neither matched his force of will or his hatred for tyrannical wizards. If anything, that was his greatest weakness. He was an arrogant man, but not a man completely without kindness.

His hatred now, took him to Baldur’s gate. Rumors upon rumors spoke of a new threat and Faer had new spells to test. Ever the man of multiple tasks, this elf would gather around his shields, so called adventurers, and test his new spells on any perils they would encounter while finding this new “threat” to his long ago home town.

***

This room was quaintly appointed. Homemade furnishings and a simple bed adorned the corners and walls. This was all very ordinary. What was NOT ordinary, was the robed wizard, for what else could be floating three feet of the ground and chanting in an odd language. This all went through the mind of a very, very confused adolescent. He was privy to many types of visitors, but this certainly was a first. He turned around, not bothering to close the door.

Within minutes, the news of the arrival of a new wizard was burning through the populace. Even during festival time, the blatant arrival of a wizard warranted some sort of wariness.

Brook took Nerias hand as they left the temple and hummed lightly as she slipped down the crowded streets. Stopping dead when they came upon a fist fight amongst some young men.
"Here now!" she called out commandingly pulling one young ruffian out of the fray. "whats all this about my good man?" she asked cheekily.
"Erik said he saw a man appear at The Purple Wyrm Inn, Stan says he's a lair" the youth gave up his information willingly then struggled to get back into the romp of youths bashing each other about. Brook let him go with a laugh
"Come on Neria, that sounds like fun" she laughed tugging her off to The Purple Wyrm Inn.

Neria just shook her head and stopped following a minute to see if anyone needed any healing. From the look of it though, the fight wasn't as bad as she thought it was and moved on to the Purple Wyrm Inn. There was a big crowd outside the inn already, but usually that was normal since it was said that the heroes that had stopped Mordoc had rested here many times. Something seemed different today, probably the wizard that had come up out of no where it seemed. "Do you really think there's a wizard here?"

"Of course, he's floating up in his room right now." Someone said who had just come out of the inn. Neria shrugged and went inside with Brook, wondering if this was such a good idea. Approaching the bar, Neria was about to ask where they could find him and saw a sign put up that had the wizard's room number on it. "Thank you." The barman nodded and crossed his fingers, hoping he wouldn't have to clean up ashes later from anyone foolish enough to get close to any person as dangerous as a wizard. Opening the door once they had climbed the wooden stairs, Neria opened her mouth in mild shock as she saw the rumor was true and that the man was indeed floating above the ground. "Pardon me?" Reaching her hand out, the elven cleric touched just the very edge of the man's robes....

The exact moment Neira touched the wizard’s robes, she disappeared. Brook, the nymph standing just to the side watched in horror as Neira simply ceased to exist. The priestess, was not dead, however, and reappeared, for the most part, unscathed in a room of a most interesting myriad of colors.

The walls were made of glass and sparkled from within, as if a rainbow, a scion of the gods themselves, had been trapped within their bodies. And standing with a scowl on his face, was one Faer Godard.

“I cannot, NOT, believe how stupid you are. Who touches a wizard’s robes? Well, obviously you. But still. You could have been obliterated. Disintegrated. Imploded. The list goes on.” Faer took a breath. He had not raised his voice, though he was vehement in his outrage. His features were exquisite in their fury. If anything, it did more to enhance his hauntingly, achingly beautiful face. He brushed his hair to the side. “Now, tell me, what brings such a scion of love to my World?"

Drake had arrived at the inn. This festival had attracted many a people from around Faerun. He smiled as he ordered his room and dropped the coins on the table. He didn't travel with much at all. He didn't even have a bag at the moment. He left the inn and moved down the crowded streets looking at the colorful stalls as many different people pass beside him. Elves and Dwarves and gnomes and any other sort of creature you could imagine. Word traveled quickly through this mixed crowd. He heard news of a Wizard's arrival. He was staying at the very Inn Drake was staying at. It would be interesting to talk to the man. He turned around and headed back to the Inn having seen enough of the crowd and shops and stalls. As he walked he passed by many an empty alley. And then a not empty one. There was a group of men surrounding a small halfling. He decided to assist the poor man and walked over to the group. They were typical thugs for the looks of it. One had a dagger the other two held a bat and a small sword. The one with the sword had leather on and looked to be the leader the way he was talking and the thugs were following him.

"Excuse me but what has this man done to harm you?" Drake said as he walked upon the group.

"He's come into our neighborhood with some coin that's what. Right boys." He said as he laughed. The one with the bat replied,"yeah boss," with a slight lisp probably coming from missing teeth. The one with the dagger replied in a small and raspy voice trhat was somewhat big for him, "Yes. Yes he has." and grinned. His white pointed teeth looked sinister and almost as sharp as the dagger. Whatever he was it wasn't a typical human as he looked.

"And by the looks of you it looks as if you have some coin too." The boss said. "Boys let's see if he wants the same treatment as that squirt there." He said motioning to the halfling.

"I would not do that. Just give the man back his money and we can have peace."

The boss laughed followed by his henchmen. He stopped and stated, "Make it quick boys. I wanna go eat something." Just then the large one with the bat raised it and swung at Drake's head. He ducked and grabbed his bo staff, twisting it and sending one side into the ground and the other propelled into the man's chest, throwing him back. As the pole propelled Drake forward also he stuck out his leg and spun it into the chest of the knife holder. He fell as Drake twisted the handle again returning the staff to a manageable size. He followed up by swinging his right hand around partial cracking the leaders jaw, followed by a roundhouse completely dislocating it. The man fell to the ground unconscious. The other two crawled on their back quickly away before getting up and running.

"Eat with a broken jaw." He said before helping the halfling up. What did they take from you.

"Nothing thankfully. Thank you for helping me. Thank you kind sir." He said as he bowed over and over again gratefully.

"It is my duty to help those in need of help. I must do it." he said before leaving for the Inn. Hopefully he could find the wizard now.

"By the Gods...I am sorry." Neria managed to gasp out, but then her shock turned to anger just as quickly as she recognized the barb all too clearly. "Wait, did you say scion of love? I am not a common street walker, thank you very much." Neria's usually calm nature was gone as her green eyes burned with a passion. "I might not know a lot about wizards, having only met you for my first, but apparently if you are any example, they are all asses. Now, if you don't mind, I would much appreciate getting out of here...wherever here is." The plane was amazing to be sure, but the cleric was too mad at the moment to enjoy the view.

"Simply because your intelligence is too low to comprehend my words, does not entitle you to call me an ass. I have not met many street walkers, but if you are any example, I'm surprised you get any business. I didn't know your mouth was for talking."

Faer was being cruel and he knew it. On the otherhand, her outrage was simply amusing. It was of his nature to be as scathing as possible. Eventually his words would erode away any facade and the true person beneath would be revealed. In a way, it was for the their own good.

"You....don't know a thing about me! Have you any idea what it's like to have your entire family murdered right in front of you, you heartless son of a bitch?!" Neria yelled back in response, shaking with barely controlled rage as she glared at the wizard. "Or are you too much of a bastard to have any feeling at all beyond being a monster?! Orcs are better than you, and they are the ones that killed everyone I knew a century ago!" The dam that had been held back all week, maybe even for the entire time since the night her life was destroyed, finally broke as Neria fell to her knees, crying as hard as she could. "You...don't know...what it's like...to be unable to get close to anyone... I hear them still...screaming for mercy that would not come...as they are raped and torn apart after the orcs...had had their way with them all. I...couldn't do anything to help them...." She didn't care at this point if she was making a fool of herself or not, her mind wandering the past she had fought so hard to bury so she could function. Maybe that was the reason why she hadn't gotten anywhere in her recovery? She had been too busy trying to suppress her sorrow and guilt for being the only one to survive that night. It didn't matter at the time though as Neria was lost to her nightmares again.

A cloudless night, a half moon in the sky, and the elves were dancing the night away as they usually did on such nights like this. Neria was on her mother's right side, enjoying the show of her friends and family celebrating being alive and elven on such a beautiful evening. She was a totally different girl then, full of hope and happiness for a brighter future, and totally naive about the dangers that surrounded them. Orcs had not been reported in these woods for a few years, but it wasn't uncommon all the same to be waylaid by marauding monsters. The elves thought they would be safe....they were wrong. The attack came fast and hard before anyone had any time to raise any defense. All of the men that stood between them were the first to die, arrows and swords taking them. Neria's mother had enough sense of mind to push her daughter down and shove her into a hollowed out log, but it would be the only thing she would get to do as an arrow found her neck shortly afterward. With the men and children destroyed, and most of the women still on their feet, the orcs having trapped them in a circle of their foul kind, the worst part of that night came to pass. Neria would find out later that the orcs had suffered the loss of their own women folk during a raid orchestrated by a rival group of the greenkin folk, as well as their children. When word reached the returning warriors, they had come up with the plan to find substitutes, even if it meant going for one of their most hated enemies, the elves, the dwarves being first on that long list. What followed was something that would haunt Neria for years as the orcs dropped their clothes and took her family and friends where they fell in every way possible. The sight, sounds, and smell of their wild lust would have drove anyone insane, but Neria somehow managed to keep quiet throughout it all as she watched in silent horror what was happening to her fellow elves. When it was over and the orcs were spent and her friends lay battered and broken and dripping sweat and other bodily fluids, did the sun decide to come up and a group of human adventurers rushed in, slaying the orcs in turn. It was too late by then though, as it was soon discovered that in their wild passions, the orcs had killed every elf they had raped by either crushing their necks or breaking bones in ways that left little doubt if they survived or not. Neria wouldn't come out of her log until a cleric approached her, an old and wizened man in simple robes, bearing the symbol of The Watcher on his garments. "Be at peace child of the moon. You are safe now."

Faer simply stared. It had been a while since his coarse, cruel nature had worn down a character so quickly and right before his eyes. He took one careful step forward and kneeled. “Shush now. It’s all behind you. You must leave her now. But remember this feeling, this calm emptiness. Remember that not everything will hurt.”

His words echoed with a kind power. And then everything winked out of existence to be replaced by a very ordinary inn’s room.

Drake arrived back at the Inn and asked the barmaid where he could find this "Wizard".

"He is up the stairs three doors down on the right. Two ladies came to see him earlier though. I suspect he is a bit of a sexual man." The barmaid said winking.

"Thank you kindly" Drake said before walking up stairs. He walked into the room to see a man floating in the air chanting and a woman standing next to him looking shocked. Suddenly a young lady appeared who was crying on her knees on the ground. The Wizard's vision focused as he seemd to return to this world from some other realm.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD!" Brook shouted as she rushed to assault the wizard. she could care less what happened to her at that moment her beloved was crying and that was all she needed to be sent into a blind rage.

Drake jumped forward and wrapped his arms around her before she could attack the wizard.

"Don't do anything drastic. He could kill you if He wanted to I'm sure." Drake said holding her tight around her arms so she couldn't swing them. "Now why are you attacking this man?"

Brook struggled in whose ever arms she was held in until she was sure it was futile then went still and glared at him "Who are you? Why wont you let me hurt him? Shes crying!!" The words came tumbling out of her mouth faster then she could organize them into full thoughts. Then she looked in agony at Neria who was still crying, "Please let me go to her?" she begged of the man that held her tight in his arms still.

"Brook...it's ok." Neria managed to say as she got to her feet shakily, still sobbing a bit but she was calming down. She felt strangely better at the moment, all things considered. "He...said exactly what I needed to hear when we met on his home plane." Was all the explanation she was going to give at the moment. Seeing that someone was holding her back from probably killing the wizard, or at least attempting it, Neria silently thanked the man for stopping the nymph from doing anything foolish. "You can let her go now stranger. Thank you...for keeping her still for me. I...couldn't bear the thought of something happening to her."

The wizard lowered his legs to touch the ground and turned his back. He spoke with a distinct clarity, "What are you doing in my room? All of you, out!"

His voice sounded like muted chimes in his annoyance. "Explain now, quickly, or imagine yourselves as naught but piles of ash."

Brook ached to hold Neria and make everything better but she knew she couldn't, and not just because she was being held back. "Your sure you ok?" concern etched her face as she looked Neria over. When she was satisfied that she truly was she glared at the wizard once more "Don't think for a second that I'm going to forget this." she growled menacingly.

"And don't think for a moment, you sub-human, that I could not destroy you with a thought. As unwarranted it as it may seem, its amusement would keep me sane for the next decade."