In the time before the choosing of a Grand Marshal of the Sarduvaar, you spent two days meeting with trade diplomats in order to improve Allentia City's standing in the world markets and perhaps solidify alliances with neighboring city states. Most of your observable ventures were successful and you were present enough for all to see and find you a capable administrator.
But at night and in between meetings, you sought spell books and scrolls. The ones you were able to secure (from your list of allowable 1st level spells), you wrote them in your new binder. What was most fruitful were your occasional meetings with Bel Lucius, the ancient wizard that was in charge of staves and rods. Although he was old and seemed physically limited, he was of a keen mind and sharp wit. He knew so very many things in the world, the natural order of things, and he seemed to know and understand the dark arts as well.
“My lord, the staff of Arka Senn is not to be trifled with. We have depleted its energies and transferred some of it–the salvageable ones–into your new staff.” Lucius showed you his work in progress, a five foot gleaming staff of silver. He could tell immediately that you were not overly pleased with the gaudiness and flamboyance of the staff, and he tried to assure you that should the time come, you may yet need its brilliance and fire to impress the masses.
Guy was outwardly diplomatic, but inwardly, he was rolling his eyes. He imagined himself surrounded by people — his people, the people he grew up with, the people this arrogant priest called “the masses” — raising that gaudy thing in the air, and shouting something dramatic and ridiculous like “I command you!” or “you shall not pass!” He almost laughed, but managed to pass it off as a polite smile.
The size was another thing. Hadn’t Luscious told him that the staff would be smaller, like a wand? Wasn’t that the whole point of getting Dink involved? Guy had been thinking up a whole plan to carve a notch in Arka Senn’s staff, or in that replica that was being made, to hide a wand he’d imagined would be no longer than his forearm. That way, he could keep his persona consistent. Now his mind started spinning on new plans. Maybe a wooden facade around a two-part hollow metal staff, so it could lock around the new staff. Oh, but the size! How was he going to conceal a five foot staff when he didn’t want it to be seen? Could he possibly be lucky enough that they’d made it in two separable parts?
“As we are given leave now to present ourselves as we truly are, it is upon you to declare yourself and take your place among sorcerers and wizards. Bard, rogue, thief, diplomat, fighter, savior, defender of the weak–call yourself what you will, you have the blood of greatness within you, my son.” Lucius had a twinkle in his eye. He nodded sagely. “Your friend, Hebert Dinkleberry–the one who helped me with your staff, has told me much about you.”
Oh no. He couldn’t have. What did Dink even know, really? Best not to reveal anything. So Guy smiled and nodded. While he was in Mystvalle, he was Clarys’s Advisor, known to everyone as a wizard. Nothing Lucious was saying now would change anything. And when he got back home, he could be whomever he wanted.
Bel Garreth joined the two of you in Lucius's workshop. Bel Lucius gave a slight bow and Garreth acknowledged his old friend. Then he turned and smiled at you. “You take upon a great and awesome thing, this staff. What once had the essence of Arioch imbued within has now become a force for Paladine. I know it is not your way, but we would ask you to use this to heal, to protect. We have no doubt you would not use it for personal gain, but there may come a time where your choices will tip the balance upon one side of the light or the dark.”
“Dink has left for home,” said Bel Garreth. “But he spoke highly of you and he bade us to award you with this staff, as is your birthright.”
Guy froze. He tried to smile, but he couldn’t. The priests didn’t seem to notice.
Lucius smiled warmly and Garreth nodded. You could feel him stretching out his influence and a calming warmth came over you. “Yes, I see it now. I feel it. Lord Bartelby, Guy, DeRozen….whichever name you choose to maintain, we will respect your decision. But know this: we of the White Order recognize you as Lord Salien, having the blood of our ancient friend and mentor, Par Salien.”
This was bad. Very bad. The kind of bad that could make him dead. The door to the room was closed, right? How many people knew? Had these priests been blabbing to each other? He had to trace it, to find out how far this secret had spread. Feeling like the threads of his life were unraveling, Guy still had to think on his feet. “Oh, is that what all this is about? Yeah, Dink got it in his head that I was somehow a cousin or something to this Par Alien person. The strange thing is, I thought I'd met all the Pars, but I never met her. Well, whoever she is, I wouldn’t want too many rumors going around. If people think I’m related to a Par, they’ll start coming to me for prayers and relics, and I’ll never be able to get any work done.” Guy knew he was babbling. He would have continued, but the priests were bowing to him now! What was going on?
Both Lucius and Garreth bowed to you. Then, Garreth laid a gentle hand upon your shoulder and said, “There is one among you–your friends–that will need your strength and wisdom soon. I know you will make the right decision.” He smiled and excused himself from the workshop.
Guy was frozen again. Priests bowing to him? Vague predictions of the future? At least the later was normal. Priests were famous for that.
Lucius clapped his hands and gleefully said, “So, you wish to know more about your new staff, eh?” He hefted the long pole and twirled it effortlessly. “Here, feel its weight and balance.”
Guy did as he was told, but his heart wasn’t in it. His mind was spinning. Who knew? What could he do about it? His “Par Alien” misdirection wasn’t fooling anyone. Could he play this somehow? No, that was a horrible idea. There were still followers of Mystra who thought all spell casters should be dead, let alone a descendent of Prometheus’s teacher. Even Guy wasn’t even sure that was true. An old family legend, passed down through the generations. His mother had told it to him, and her father told it to her, and who knew before that? Stories change over time. Guy knew — he was top of his class as far as spinning stories went. So now he had a story going around about him which could easily be false, but could get him killed. If it kept spreading, would he have priests bowing to him wherever he went? There had to be a way to head this off…
He handed it to you and you are surprised by its lightness. Lucius winked. “If you so wish it, the staff can be weighted to nearly 100 pounds. This will keep most interlopers from using it effectively–or at all! And you asked about the ice bridge at the southern gates? Of course, my boy! The bridge is of no hardship. Effortless and flawless. You may even influence the bridge's width and slipperiness. Ha! That may come in handy, too.”
Guy forced himself to laugh. What if the priests of Mystra found out? What if the nobles of Allentia found out? What if… Oh no, what if Clarys found out? He had a good thing going with her. A real friend, and possibly something more. Would she look at him the same? Would she be forced by Mystra to kill him? What if she found out and it wasn’t from him? Would that be better or worse?
Lucius went to his pile of scrolls and parchment, gathered up several, and said, “I think I had instructions here somewhere…now where did I put it…?”
An errant knight knocked on Lucius's door and made an announcement. “Sir, the party returns from the battlefield. Your friends and allies are headed for their chambers and are asking about you.”
Lucius nodded. “Must mean you, Lord Salien. Here. I must finish with the staff. Return for it tomorrow morning. It will be completed then.” He paused for a moment and said gravely, “Arka Senn's staff had the power to kill, with great joy. This staff has the power to bring life.”
Lucious really was going to tell everyone, wasn’t he? “Ha ha. Lord Palen was my father’s name! Just call me Wentler. Or Advisor Barlaby if you have to be formal. Good to see you again, Ben Luscious.” Did the man have any sense of subtlety? As the knight closed the door behind them, Guy hoped Lucious would take the hint that he didn’t want every schmo thinking he was some long-dead wizard. Well at least he could fix one part of this problem. He chatted and joked with the knight all the way back to Clarys’s private chambers in the castle, and by the end, he’d rid him of the notion that Lucious had called him Salien. (Deception roll of 23).
The knight bowed as you opened the door and he led you to the private chambers of Clarys, Mugul, and Eph….