<long yawn> As a crazy-haired gnome gets out of bed, gods above we drank too much last night, say what you will about the Dark Elf Sorvani that elf can pack away the mana wine. The gnome slowly stretches, gets dressed and splashes some water on his face. Living above this shop has some advantages to sleeping- in, as he mumbles about his mana-ache being a cross between a headache and a manapool. Slowly he makes his way down the stairs to his shop, climbing upon his stool behind his counter, and with a big <sigh> he mutters something about inventory. And then he hears a banging on his door outside his shop, pressed against his glass window with a faint sound of “Are you open?” Gorlen mumbles, “clearly we are not … it should seem pretty obvious”, slowly getting off his stool and walking over to his door. As Gorlen approaches the door he flips the Closed sign to Open and waves the customer into the shop. As Gorlen makes his way back to his counter, he tells the customer to have a look around while Gorlen tries to recover from his hangover. But then he smelled it, felt it, and then the managanger masked deep down across layer upon layer of cloaking magics shivered. Thankfully Gorlen already had crazy hair from the evening he had so he didn’t show many of his cards, but he took immediate interest in an unfamiliar customer. As the customer is slowly made his way through the figurine aisle, he found it odd yet interesting there was a carved figurine of a battle ogre paying exceptional attention to it he grabbed it off the shelf and started heading to the counter. Gorlen sensing this customer isn’t projecting their natural state, slowly reaches down to pick up a specialized set of spectacles that he uses to create jewelry, carve gemstones, and create figurines additionally it provides the enhanced ability to see things truly as they are. Looking down upon the figurine as the customer hands it to him, Golen says “Ahh yes, you know I remember carving this one, it’s a popular piece for folks when they are in a pinch”. Slowly looking up, Gorlen looks upon the customer “What’s your name?” The customer, clearly an adventurer now that Gorlen sees him up close, says “I am Draven Sunshaper.” At this point, the glasses need a round to sync and another round to process their surroundings, so Gorlen needs to stall a bit. Gorlen says “have you seen the rest of the shop are or do you want anything else?”. Draven looks around a little nervously almost looking ashamed, and Gorlen interjects “The Merak items are behind the curtain in the back no judgment go have a look.” After about eight minutes later a visibly embarrassed Draven comes out, “That was not what I was looking for”, Gorlen gives a bit of a chuckle “You were in there for eight minutes, must have found something you fancied”. Draven looking mortified, Gorlen waves his hand …“It’s okay, if that is not what you want what are you looking for?” Draven responds…“I have heard folks call them spellbreakers?” Gorlen smiles…. “Ahh yes, we have spellbreakers, but how did you hear about them? I’m certain you are new to the city”. Draven says “I came a long way from the city of Esagend, in the Autaria Kingdom”, hmm Gorlen taps his finger on the glass case thinking …He has either seen my Gnome form in the siege of the library, maybe he recently arrived in the spelljammer port in Esagend, or he is full of crap either way I should be getting a synopsis of his true form in a few moments. Gorlen says “Ok I’ve heard good things about Esagend, dragging out a box of spell breakers and setting it on the counter. It’s 500gp per Spellbreaker.” Draven visibly looks excited … “How do you make them?”, Gorlen smiles…” As much as I would like to show people, V’Ral rules, the recipe, and the process is not to be shared, it is a popular requested item.” Draven looking disappointed, dismisses the unfortunate news and says “I’ll take thirty of them.”, dropping 15k of gold on his counter. Gorlen thinks to himself, as much mana wine Sorvani and I packed away last night I don’t think that 15k will go far in digging me out of that debt. Gorlen shaking off the memories of last night’s indulgences peels off 30 spellbreakers and hands them to Draven. Gorlen says, “Have fun do you need anyone to show you how to use them?”; Draven responds, “I’ll figure it out.”, Gorlen smiles “Confidence, I like that”. As Draven begins to turn away, an internal ding within the minds of Gorlen occurs and the glasses begin telepathically giving him a dossier upon the true form of Draven Sunshaper. Telepathic data feed from Gorlen’s infinity lenses: Race: Ethereon (currently believed to be extinct) Capital City: Etherhaven Kingdom: Aetheria (previously believed to be destroyed) The Aetheria kingdom, previously believed to be destroyed and the Ethereon race wiped out, which appears to be untrue as little is known about both, in your adventure to the Dreadstone Necropolis library you discovered the only piece of literature presently discovered to ever hint at the existence of Aetheria and the Ethereon people. Aetheria in its former glory consisted of floating cities, a crystalline arcanarium that includes crystalline spires, and arcane libraries, elemental nodes, and skyborne gardens. Ethereon are enigmatic beings that exist between the realms of matter and manaethereal energy. They appear as shifting, amorphous masses of the Manaetheral mist, constantly changing shape and form. Able to take any shape, their natural true form, is constantly changing shape and form. Ethereons are adept at manipulating the fabric of reality, bending space and time to their will. The city of Etherhaven, has a whole host of diverse array of manaetheral races such as Slyphs, Tethers, Ethersprites, and Astral Arcanids, each with their unique traits and characteristics. The Ethereon are the ruling class in Aetheria. The city is ruled by a Magocracy, along with a council of elders that include solely powerful wizards. The Magocracy governs with wisdom and authority, guided by principles of arcane law and magical harmony. While their rule is benevolent, the Magocracy brooks no dissent when it comes to matters of magic and the preservation of Aetheria’s mystical heritage. The Kingdom of Aetheria is extremely xenophobic and goes to great lengths not to be influenced or discovered by outsiders. As Draven continues to walk toward the exit, Gorlen not realizing he is mumbling as he digests the data feed huffs…” I guess you don’t see that every day”. Draven turns around noticeably with his guard up, and Gorlen responds “ohh umm not you and he points out the window display in his shop at the caravan pulling up, Wednesday they usually don’t arrive until Thursday. Will wonders never cease!” This was made up they always come on Wednesday, but Gorlen had to make something up. Walking Draven to the exit Gorlen says “Since you’re a new customer here is a big ohm on the house and look forward to doing more business with you in the future” Draven looks down at the big ohm, responding “Thanks!”; enthusiasm seemed partly genuine, but also a little manufactured. As Draven makes his way out of the shop and down the street deeper into the market of V’Ral. Gorlen sends a telepathic message to the Obelisk…” Hey O, I just planted a big ohm tracker on a new customer that I need to learn more about, can you keep an active trace on where he goes?” Obelisk responds… “Active tracking enabled, and actively being logged” … “Thanks O.” Gorlen smacks his belly, switches signs on his shop door…”Out for Breakfast”… and heads down to the local greasy spoon to nurse his manaache.

Umf… Gorlen leans back in his chair outside his shop. “Finally, we are closed up for the night!”. “I’m working way too hard for a gnome that’s for sure.” He looks up at sky, mumbles “it looks like twilight is upon us, Osric.” Now Osric may not realize it, but he is a high potential that lives within the walls of V’Ral, and Gorlen is Osric’s unknown benefactor. Gorlen covers his room and board, his tuition at the schools of magic, and miscellaneous expenses. Osric still hasn’t put it together that its Gorlen but likes to hang out with Gorlen because he seems to know a lot about random things, and more than he should know for a low level shop owner so Osric finds him interesting. That and Gorlen always buys when they go to the Drunken Ogre. Plus, Osric is a little intimidated by Sorvani being the only powermaster in the city, Gorlen tries to tell him he’s all bark and no bite, but Osric is still hesitant. You will have to put up with some hard truths with Sorvani as he is not going to let you slide, but I’ve never seen him quit on a student. And honestly for all his rough demeanor, and hard candor he is a highly regarded Powermaster, and the only one in the city. Many students back in the mess would be so lucky to study under him. As Gorlen begins packing his pipe with Ironleaf, traded from the Dwarves at Kheg-Moldur, it has a bit of a sharp and tangy aftertaste, but shit if it doesn’t help him with him mental focus. As Gorlen is trying to light his pipe. Osric says “Hey Gorlen tell me the story about the library you helped build” … /cough /cough… Gorlen says “Osric I am pretty sure I said watched being built … I surely don’t have the resources to build it” Osric replys… “No Gorlen I’m pretty sure you said built” Gorlen swears under his breath … “Damn it and his perfect recall… well I misspoke besides, as he takes a deep breath on his pipe, which library are you referring to? Osric looks at him, “I don’t know where it was…was there more than one? Gorlen looks at him… Did I ever tell you about my friend Pyra?” Osric says “No I don’t believe you have.” Gorlen settles in… “Whew now that’s going back some adventuring days, I was searching for an new entrance to the Underdark along this particular treacherous mountain pass, my old entry had been blocked by a demi-lich and his friends so with that no longer being an option, I needed a new way in.” Osric interjects…” Were they looking for you?” Gorlen casts an eye at Osric…” Not important, that’s a story for another time, let’s stay on point.” … “Ahh where was I … ahh yes, I stumbled upon an ancient and confusing portal, constructed with chaos magic, long story short I should have zigged when I zagged and I had gotten sucked into the elemental plane of fire. At the time it didn’t seem to be a good thing, but in the end, it worked out.” Gorlen continues…” After a few weeks of dodging fire salamanders, I came across this mountainous plateau where I met Pyra a Phoenix for the first time. Pyra was under attack for her eggs by a large group of fire basilisks. I was able to help her by distracting a few of them, dividing their forces, and bleeding on them so that Pyra could take them out. Osric laughs … “ How did you live?” Gorlen smircks … “Big Ohms, lots of Big Ohms…” Gorlen smiles… “Since the battle we quickly bonded as friends, and over many nights of Firewine, and Ember Ale Pyra told me of her plans to build a library. The Library of Flames. Ohh bit off topic, if a Phoenix offers you Inferno Whisky…say no… say no all day long…that stuff will kill you and no amount of big ohm’ing will help.” Pyra was a brilliant scholar and a master of fire magic, but she was also deeply curious about the world beyond her own. She spent many years studying the ancient tomes and scrolls of her own world, but she hungered for knowledge that could only be found beyond the boundaries of the Elemental Plane of Fire. To satisfy her curiosity, Pyra devoted herself to the creation of a library that would house the greatest collection of knowledge and wisdom ever assembled, or at least try. She summoned the most skilled artisans and architects from across the plane and set them to work, using the very flames of the plane itself to shape the building’s structure. To be honest Osric, the Library of Flames like most libraries I’ve helped build or defend always becomes an obsession with me, so I stayed, and I helped Pyra forge her library. The Library of Flames is a remarkable structure that stands tall upon the plateau in the Flamecrest Mountains amidst the scorching landscape of the Elemental Plane of Fire. The Library of Flames was not built quickly - it took many years for Pyra, her team, and me to construct. But as the library grew in size and scope, so too did Pyra’s reputation as a master of the arcane. Scholars and adventurers from across the Elemental Plane of Fire began to flock to the library, seeking knowledge and enlightenment. Inside the library, the shelves were lined with ancient tomes and scrolls that contained knowledge of the secrets of fire magic, the histories of the elemental planes, and the wisdom of the most powerful mages and sorcerers throughout the multiverse. The library was also home to a number of scholars and scribes who worked tirelessly to record new discoveries and insights. Pyra herself remained at the heart of the library, serving as its keeper and guardian. She was a kind and wise librarian, always willing to share her knowledge with those who sought it. But he was also fiercely protective of the library and its contents, using her formidable powers to defend it against any who sought to do it harm. Osric jumps in… “Ahh did you get busy with the bird…cause man you are kinda talking about a Phoenix like you loved her” Gorlen grumbles… “Listen smartass do you want to hear the story or not” … Osfic nods his head “Over time, the Library of Flames became a hub of learning and discovery, a place where scholars and adventurers from across the multiverse could come together to share their knowledge and insights. It was a testament to the power of fire and the limitless potential of knowledge and curiosity. And for Pyra, it was the culmination of a lifetime of work and dedication - a legacy that would endure for centuries to come.” Gorlen voice fades…” Or at least until her capture and death”, as Gorlen looks off in contemplation, and with a little buzz from the Ironleaf. Osric looks sad … “ What happened you couldn’t save her?” Gorlen looks at Osrc…”Unfortunately no, she was nearly all powerful while in the library, but she left, I still don’t know why but what I do know is there is a pecking order in the Phoenix hierarchy and apparently they aren’t supposed to be building libraries and sharing knowledge with others. Building a library in the elemental planes always creates enemies and Pyra had her share most coming out of the City of Brass. However, the enemies from the City isn’t what killed her, it was the fracture generated between the Phoenix order when Pyra built the library. Pyra had gotten on a Greater Celestial Phoenix’s radar in a bad way, eventually taking her out. Not sure how they coaxed her out of the library, that still concerns me to this day. “ Osric says… “ So did this douche of a Celestial Phoenix destroy the library.” Gorlen smiles … “No the library immediately moved to the librarian role onto Pyra’s child Aurora. At which point Aurora was bestowed with the powers and abilities of the librarian and the Celestial Phoenix couldn’t take down the library … it wasn’t for trying that’s for sure.” “In the end….It took all of about five minutes, like her mother Aurora was a quick learner and she was able to reach out with her mind from the library and lure the Celestial Phoenix inside, the Celestial Phoenix severely underestimated Aurora’s abilities and the speed at which they came to her… at which point Aurora snuffed out its flame.” Gorlen holds up his hand…” Yes your right Osric, Phoenix all are reborn, but they never come back exactly the same as you remember them, memories, personalities… a lot changes, essentially a new Phoenix, in some ways at least. So unfortunately, Pyra is gone. I do still go and visit Aurora from time to time, she is a bit of an adopted daughter to me.” Osric says … “Hey Gorlen didn’t a V’Ral team recently bring back a Fire Fragment the Penetrator’s found on the moon? Do you think that may put us on the City of Brass’s radar? Gorlen looks at him… “I don’t think the whole city will come at us, but it will likely stir the pot and we will get the attention of a few beings of power. But those elemental plane folks think about time differently than we do…so it will likely take a good long while before they figure their shit out.” Osric you hungry, Gorlen slaps his belly lets grab something to eat…I may have a few kegs of Ember Ale left over to have with our Dragons Breath Wings.