Arcane insights by the most learned scholar of Candlekeep - Peppington Merrifefferlis

[sparkeh]

In a small district of the sprawling city of Sundren there is an alley called Strap Row. About halfway down a small Gnomeish woman was scrubbing the steps leading up to the front door of her lodging house. Mrs Nodgin of ?Nodgin?s Lodgin?s? airily avoided the gaze of a face straining at the top floor window as she threw the last of the water in the street.

Peppington Merrifefferlis returned from the window to his desk and gave his beard a fierce stroking for good measure. He turned to his cat Chester who was nibbling on a small block cheese he had stolen from a resigned mouse earlier that day.

?When is she going to come Chester? Every month she comes to ask for the rent but this month nothing??

The cat stared back with a look world weary acceptance. Secretly Peppington suspected that Mrs Nodgin had given up on ever trying to collect any money from him and had adopted a new tactic of ignoring him to the point of forgetting he, and his long line of overdue rent bills, existed, thus removing the problem. He slumped into his chair, a little disappointed. In reality, he looked forward to their monthly game of cat and mouse, giving him a chance to test out his latest spells. He forlornly flicked through his spell book, wincing at his teleport spell that, when last used to escape the wrath of his landlady, resulted in an unexpected trip to Aquor in the back of a merchants caravan.

?Well Chester, there are more important matters afoot anyway. I am a learned scholar now and must start my research. I have important knowledge to impart to the scholars of Candlekeep.?

Peppington picked up a quill and took a sheet of parchment. He poised his quill over the parchment, ready to impart his great knowledge.

[sparkeh]

After some time, Peppington put down his quill and stared at the blank page stretching out before him. He took stock of his desk and stroked his beard in contemplation. He straightened his line of quills. He squared off his pile of parchment and set it parallel to the edge of the desk. He closed the window, pulled the curtains shut and lit a candle. The blank page stared up at him, still unfilled with Arcane revelations. With a grunt he blew out the candle, threw open the curtains and shoved the window open again.

?Blast it Chester, I am supposed to be researching the wonders of the Weave and this environment is all wrong. I can't find my..my...meaning. It?s either too light or too dark, the quills won?t line up properly and I suspect that the edge of this desk is not fully ninety degrees meaning my parchment will not line up with it! How can I work under these conditions??

The cat begrudgingly looked up from his cheese to see his master disappearing through the door mumbling something about finding a set square. With a sigh and rolling of eyes only accomplished by the long put upon, Chester padded over to the book shelf. After carefully inspecting the bottom shelf, he softly gripped one tome with his teeth and pulled. The book slid out easily and was towed by the cat to the centre of the room and flipped open. As the sound of clanging metal that always accompanies frantic searches echoed from the next room, Chester pawed through the pages until he had apparently selected the one he desired, then returned to his cheese.

As Peppington burst back into the study clutching a skilfully crafted piece of metal bent to exactly ninety degrees, his eyes fell onto the book in the middle of the room. He fell to his knees as he gaped at the text. His eyes widened as understanding flooded his being.

?Chester! Its a sign. Look this book opened itself to a page about Baravar Cloakshadow. I have found my meaning. I shall be the greatest Illusionist to ever walk Faerun.?

Chester smiled.