Role

Chapter 2

All through his adventures on the surface, Graeterok visited the Inn frequently.
He became enough of a regular that he was vouched many times to visit the
Lyceum as well, and retreated there to study the histories of the races which
so fascinated him at the Inn. Yet, one thing that had bothered him was the
lack of the history of the Svirfneblin people. When he had broached this
subject with Sastine, she could offer little on the history of his own people.

Thinking long and hard, he excused himself to speak with the king of
Blingdenstone, seeking permission to allow others to know the history of a
much misunderstood race. The king, seeking the opportunity to let his people
appear proud and great, told Graeterok to tell the bard only lies that would
please the ears of simple Therans. However, Graeterok knew this to be wrong.
Taking his respectful leave of the king, he went to see his mother, still
chief priestess of the king. She had told him that sometimes mountains must
stand on their own. To be really great, one must distinguish themselves from
all others and go against the flow of society. With a sigh, Graeterok nodded
and sought the king again. He let the king know of his intentions to reveal
to the bard Sastine the true history of the Svirfnebli. The king was infuriated
and demanded that Graeterok be taken away in chains. He was promptly held
prisoner for a day until another audience was granted by the king. The king
smiled cruelly as he nodded at Graeterok's mother. She uttered a few words,
and Graeterok fell asleep. It should be noted here, however, that the king
wanted all memories of the Svirfneblin history to be erased from Graeterok's
mind, along with all knowledge of Blingdenstone and the like. However, the
enforcer's mother, ever watching out for her son, cast a spell of forgetfulness
on how to make his way back home.

Awakening in a field of rocks and brambles, Graeterok knew something was amiss.
He tried to think of the events that had occurred, but his head was rather
fuzzy. He thought about heading back to Blingdenstone, but alas, for some odd
reason, he could remember the way back. He began to remember the cruel smile
of his king and the sad nod of his mother and immediately recognized what
must have happened. Alone and without a home, Graeterok sat down in the field
and cried...