History is made and history is forgotten as sands imperceptible trickle through the hourglass of time immemorial. Days beget weeks, weeks beget months and months beget years.

It had been ten years since Iridia's well-worn boots had last landed on the cobblestone streets of Rimuldar. On one hand, it seemed like a lifetime since she had roamed the dark alleys and high rooftops as a cat burglar in the city. On the other, it seemed like only yesterday.

Much had changed, but yet even more had stayed the same. The prince's fist still gripped tightly around the city. Black-cloaked riders trotted down the streets in pairs, glossy ebon helms shadowing their scowling faces.

Rumors and gossip of strange happenings in the night were commonplace. Witches and warlocks were burred at the stake on a monthly basis for practicing Black Magic. People whispered amongst themselves that spirits and wraiths roamed the streets and haunted the abandoned buildings. Any place found to be haunted was demolished. Taller stone buildings were erected in their place. Stone gargoyle statues were the style, as were iron-barred windows.

Soon after arriving in town, Iridia learned her old gang of fellow thieves had been disbanded. A fire had consumed the Raven's Claw Pawn and Consignment shop years ago. Zuul had been brutally murdered in the night, his hands and wings staked to the wall of the burning shop. They found his body charred and blistered.

It didn't take long for the former thief to find some like-minded individuals. A cloaked and hooded figure strode beside her down one alleyway near the merchant's quarter. Inside his pack, a pixy rode stowaway. She had just met them both at a seedy Lower Ward tavern. Eddy Smalls was the man's name; while the tiny pixy went by Suzette "Finger Breaker" Silverwing. Whether or not the five-inch-tall winged person could actually break fingers remained to be seen.

The fact that Eddy reminded Iridia somewhat of the long-lost Frank, and the fact that in this small world Eddy actually knew Frank well, brought the two together. Eddy had met Suzette -- who had a fierce love for the drink -- only a few days prior to that.


_{To be continued...}

Far, far away, stands the Free City of Travial, a capitalistic burg rivaling Rimuldar in size. The city is led by a council of merchant-aldermen and is famous for it's annual merchant guild rendevous, many of which hold considerable sway within the boundaries of the Empire of Man. The council aldermen all hold the top positions within their respective guilds and have enough allies in positions of influence that the city has been able to maintain a position of neutrality against the empire.

But the politics of the guilds aren't any of Gaiven the Dumb's concern. A member of a fraternal brotherhood of librarians, scribes, and historians, Gavian owns and operates a small, cozy shop nestled between a butcher and a baker on a merchant street in Travial. Keeping his business in operation is at the forefront of hi mind as he sets a stack of three heavy tomes down on a table and wipes his brow.

Recently, Gaiven arranged an agreement with a printer to have books printed that would be within the means of the average citizen, hoping to gain a new market. Unfortunately, there isn't enough interest, and he is losing money. The new books means that not only the shelves are filled, but brand-new books are piled on tables and floor all around the little shop.

Gaiven puts his hands on his hips and surveys his progress. He sighs wordlessly; there's still a lot of organizing left to do.


_{To be continued...}

Just then, Gaiven hears the jingle of the bell above his shop's front door. A customer!

Books seemed to be the life blood of Xavier's work.  Either as a formulary or as a spellbook, he always seemed to have one in his hand at some point during the day.  Today would be no different.  Having exhausted the shelves of his own library, he set out to dig deep in the stacks elsewhere in search of knowledge.

The new shop seemed a bit small and it's location left a little something to be desired, but the lure of the books within still brought Xavier in.

Casting his eyes about the room, he looked for anything that might catch his eye.  When nothing seemed to present itself, he sought out the man behind the counter.

"Excuse me, do you have any books that may pertain to the field of alchemical research?"

[Private to Stripe: OOC: Looking around the room for any texts that may actuually be magic items.]

With a smile Gaiven turns around, nodding to the newcomer. His smile seems to falter though, when he sees Whisper's face. The genuine smile fades into a business-like and totally non expressive demeanor, as he listens to Whisper's request.

He seizes a pen, dips it with ink, and quickly scribbles on a piece of paper. Finished, he turns it around for Whisper to read:

"I'm afraid we do not possess any books in that field."

Back in Rimuldar, the threesome happen upon an occupied alleyway. Four young hoodlums turn their way as Iridia, Eddy and Suzette turn the corner. One whistles. "Damn! Look at what we gots here! Hey, honey, why don't you get yourself a real man?" The snaggletooth street thug grins wickedly and starts walking towards Iridia and Eddy.

 "Oh for fuc... listen I really don't feel like having a fight right now, it always ends badly for me. Do us all a favor and scram."
Eddy draws out his knife and braces himself for an attack.

Eddy Smalls rolled 9 using 3d6. Fast Draw (Knife) bl:13.
Eddy does All Out Defence.