Welcome to Gaia! ::

The streets of Gol’rantar were busy considering the lateness of the hour. It wasn’t long before the sun would set. I couldn’t believe how many people there were. Then again, I hadn’t visited the city for quite some time. Almost fifteen years now, I think. I had to shake my head at the thought. Though, that would explain why there were so many people.

From what I had heard, Gol’rantar had become a proverbial boom town. Apparently it had recently over-taken Gol’tenger as the hunting capitol of the north. This was reflected in the hodge-podge of races I saw packed around me. Though Gol’rantar was a dwarven city, it welcomed members of almost all the civilized races. I saw Dwarves, Humans, Halflings, Half-elves, Elves, and even what looked to be a group of Dragon born and Tieflings. The last group was the most surprising. Those two races didn’t usually get along. But since they seemed quite jovial with each other, I didn’t give them another thought.

I was currently ambling up Granite Gate Boulevard. It was a wide street, running from Granite Gate, on the south west wall, to the city proper, built into the cliffs of Mount Gol’rantavan. Merchants had set up street shops on either side of the boulevard, and reflecting the times, many were fur and hide traders selling the latest kills of their hired men.

Admittedly, I was quite impressed at some of them. Five minutes from the Gate, I saw the hide of an Owl bear. And ten minutes later, the eggs of a thunder hawk. While I would have loved to purchase the eggs, I knew that Graven would not be pleased, and the eggs would most likely end up as very expensive omelets.

Continuing down the boulevard, I eventually came to the city market. It was a large space, boarded by the shops, and filled with stalls. I saw wares of every kind, and heard at least fifteen different languages. I smiled, enjoying the experience, and began to meander through the crowd. It wasn’t long before the whispers began. After I had perused about half the stalls, people weren’t even trying to hide them.

“Is that..?”
“No, it can’t be. He looks to young.”
“But you know how those magic types are.”
“Maybe it’s his cousin”

By that time, I was in the middle of a conversation with a traveling merchant, who had probably never heard of me or, if he had, simply didn’t realize who I was. The dwarf was obviously on his first trip top-side. He was cautious, constantly on guard. One hand was always on his hammer, and his eyes would constantly be scanning the crowd.

I figured he was most likely from one of the wealthier merchant houses. Although he was respectful, I could see the haughtiness in his eyes and body language. I almost felt sorry for him. His companion however, was much more knowledgeable with such things. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched his eyes begin to grow wide when he figured out my true identity.

As I moved away from the dwarf’s stall, I began to pick up the intensity of my conjured wind. The dust began to swirl around my feet, and the crowd slowly began to back away. I quickly glanced around me. “WHO SAID MY NAME?” I asked, my voice amplified by the wind. I saw several expressions of fear on the faces around me. This was obviously a first time for them. However, here and there, a few smiles began to show.

I kept turning, pointing my wizard staff at the crowd. It was all done purposefully of course, for I was really just moving to place my back to the child. “WHO DARE INVOKE THE NAME OF TAMWYN THE MAGE?” I continued to increase the strength of the wind swirling around me. The dust had begun to form a tornado around my waist, reaching all the way to the feet of the crowd. In my hand, I began to conjure a crackling ball of lightning. As the wind whipped my robes and armor, I waited for the response I knew was coming.

“I did.” The small voice said.

Spinning around, I looked at the child. The young girl was quivering against the legs of her mother, who was only half struggling to keep a look of fear and awe on her face.

Slowly, I let the wind and lightning die down. When it was totally gone, I stepped up to the child, and kneeled so that I could look in her face. She did not flinch when I came close. Calmly, I asked her, “What is your name brave one?”

She returned my gaze. Shakily at first, but soon it was strong and level. “My name is Tanya.”

I smiled, “Well Tanya, because you have shown courage, by doing what no-one else dared to do, by facing your fears against power you did not know, and standing up in the face of danger, you have proven yourself as a woman of valor. For that you shall be rewarded. Tell me Tanya, if you could have one wish, what would it be?”

She looked at the ground, and then to me. After a few moments, she whispered. “I want to live in a real house.”

When I heard this, my heart broke. I could tell that her family was poor. Both she and her mother were dressed in rags. But I did not realize how poor they were. Careful not to let my feelings show, I quietly took her hand and said, “Your wish will be granted.”

I walked the girl over to her mother, and instructed her to go to the tavern in City proper. I gave her my ring with the intent she use it to order a room on my tab. With silent tears, she nodded her head and began to make her way through the crowd. I vaguely heard cheering and applaud, but none of it registered. All I could think of was the courageous young girl, and her crying young mother.

This face grew flush as if I had slapped him. Yet it did not stop there. The haughtiness I had detected earlier returned as he straitened his stance. He flicked the ring back in my direction. I caught it without looking, which was good since I was midway through deciphering the cover of a rune book. “Lysovan or not, I have no use for your tainted human coin. The Paragons allow that much to deny.”

As he turned away, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Who said we were dealing in human gold.” I replied, and listened as he went still. “This is a Dwarven City, is it not? Do you really think I would be so thoughtless as to travel in the Dwarven kingdoms and be without an account in the Paragons Bank?” After placing the Book and the runes in my pouch, I turned to the elder of the two. “Would you be so kind as to lend me a page and brush? I need to write a letter to the city bank.”