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In The Beginning
My name is Indreth Molavaenya. I am an elven female of average looks. The following writings are my account of the adventures I experienced with the three individuals who became my friends and companions. Any departure from the facts is due to my faulty memory and the recollections of others, and should not be taken personally.
One hundred and seventeen years ago, I was born on the island of Evermeet, to the west of Faerun. My family is the probably the largest in all of Evermeet, considering that I have four older siblings and five younger. Families this large are very uncommon among moon elves, and indeed, among all elves. Since there were so many children and my parents were not overly wealthy (despite what many humans believe to be true of all elves), only one of their children could be sent on for intensive training. My parents hoped at least one of their offspring would become more than a soothsayer, such as my mother, or a gemcutter, like my father.
Since I was uncannily strong for my size, and rather intelligent, I was chosen. I also believe that part of my parents' decision was based on the fact that I had taken up with a group of rogues. We never did anything truly harmful, just tried to challenge ourselves and find amusement, but my parents failed to see it that way. At any rate, my parents emptied the savings they had scraped together for over 200 years and sent me away for mage training. At least I had become proficient in the short sword and the bow during my time with the thieves.
After an uneventful sea crossing to the Sword Coast, I found myself in Candlekeep, a town renowned as a source for magical learning. I studied under Cleisgad, a kindly and annoyingly wise elven monk. I think he was the oldest elf I have ever seen, and I spent a long while learning from him. Eventually, after hearing so many stories about the old days in Cormanthir when elves ruled the Dalelands, I decided to see the places in the stories for myself.
Cleisgad pretended not to care that I had finished my apprenticeship, but as I was leaving, he handed me a package. Inside I found a beautiful spellbook (now my most prized possession) which already had eight spells inscribed within! Tears came to my eyes and I threw my arms around the old man. He quietly told me I was welcome, then turned and went into his home. I will miss that old wizard. I was already terribly grateful, but as I was leaving, a servant ran out and gave me a backpack filled with food, other useful items, and a few coins. Someday I will have to think of something truly spectacular to do for Cleisgad.
I traveled by foot up the coast to Baldur's Gate, then took a barge to Elturel. In an inn there, I somehow struck up a conversation with a fine-looking, drunken human. He proudly boasted of being the best cook in Faerun, and loudly introduced himself as Lagasse of Elturel. Judging by the large sword he carries, I decided he was a fighter, and felt he could be useful in a tight situation. Plus, cooking has never been one of my strong points. I just wished he would stop saying, "Hey now!"
In Cormyr, we met another moon elf that was very friendly. However, I was not sure he was full-blooded. His ears looked a little round, but I figured I could be wrong. His name was Mical, and he seemed to know a lot about the wilderness. That, along with his frequent prayers, convinced me that he was some sort of a nature-priest, maybe a druid. Since Mical was on his way to Shadowdale, we invited him to travel with us. During our first night on the barge with Mical, Lagasse and I both noticed he was carrying a lute, but felt it would be rude to ask about it since he never mentioned or played it. As it turned out, I couldn't restrain my curiosity forever, but I will cover the lute later.
A rather attractive elven female who had apparently been listening to our conversation then sat down at our table and asked if she could accompany us too. She said her name was L'lyranthalas Sylvalantis, but later the rest of decided we would call her Lyra, or some other short name. She seemed decent enough, though disgustingly petite and pretty, so we allowed her to join us. Later that evening, she prayed even more than Mical does. The way I look at it is, another priest is always welcome.
My companions knew I was a magic user, since I cast an armor spell on both Mical and myself. The others didn't need it, since their worn armor provided more than enough protection. I doubt they had any clue I was also skilled as a rogue, but since I didn't want them to distrust me, I kept that bit of information to myself. However, soon enough it would be impractical for me to try to conceal my other profession.
My name is Indreth Molavaenya. I am an elven female of average looks. The following writings are my account of the adventures I experienced with the three individuals who became my friends and companions. Any departure from the facts is due to my faulty memory and the recollections of others, and should not be taken personally.