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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Aust Thale" data-source="post: 7298254" data-attributes="member: 6804768">Respen's Recompense, A Faustian Bargain Indeed~ Wish for the world, and it will be all you ever wish for ever again. ~Something that this Uncle Auror said, when Respen asked him about 'wish' spells and djinns.  Auror wouldn't discuss them at length.  It was way beyond what Respen's capabilities were, but Respen had pressed the issue once, and Auror had made that statement forcefully, and Respen backed down.  The meaning was philosophically clear then, but physically clear now.  Those with the ability to grant wishes, especially under the kind of coercion that Dame Clare was accustomed to, would routinely offer nasty answers to both vague as well as dangerous wishes.  For some, it was poetic justice; for others, it was arcane comedy.  Either way, their twisted sense of humor provided much of Oerth protection, or at least a bandage, from wayward would-be gods, tyrants, and generals, whether intended or otherwise.  And now, Respen was faced with the same, as well as a uncomfortably short period of time to make his choices.  He saw the smile on Dame Clare's face, the apprehensive coerced consternation on the djinn's.  "You will keep your oaths, Prince Alorum.  Nothing I ask will compromise you.  Thank you.""Wish Number One:  I wish for the magic item commonly known as a Portable Hole.""Wish Number Two:  I with for my staff, a magic staff, to be imbued with the additional magical ability that allows it to change from a magical staff to a magical longbow at my command at any time I choose.""My last wish is unique, but it should not be outside your ability, nor should you have a qualm with it."Respen thinks carefully, as much for himself as he does for the wish.  His memories of Auror Taerwynel are complicated, deep, and layered.  Given his new arcane apprenticeship, and the time between his first one with Auror, and this one, and especially in light of his reservations about Dame Clare, he contemplates his relationship with Auror.  Respect.  Frustration.  Mild fear.  Those closest to Auror included Respen's mother Caeryn, cousin Architael, Respen himself, and Tavon Bogd, Auror's major domo.  Tavon was a regal and sanctimonious, but loyal elf entrusted with Auror's private tower.  Most of Respen's clan moved around among encampments that had existed so long as to have stone structures in the larger ones.  Auror maintained a tower at the farthest southwestern edge of their lands, in proximity to mountains and the southern plains that had the largest herds of dire boar.  Auror travelled with the clan as they moved with the singularities.  Tavon Bogd remained at the tower, watching over Auror's things.  Tavon had not an arcane bone in his body.  He was a druid and healer.  And something of a knowledge guy.  It was with Tavon that Auror could discern who really showed arcane promise, and who might fare better as an elven priest or scout.After Auror's passing, it was Tavon who had managed his personal effects, library, and laboratory.  Architael spent time there, certainly.  However, it was in the care of Tavon.  And all of Auror's effects were probably put away, in the same place, and exactly as he left them.  Hopefully.  It might even take years for Tavon to realize the smaller wardrobe wasn't there.  And even longer to realize it was Respen had it.  Ah well.  A problem for another day.  In the meantime...."Dame Clare, about the wardrobe; I did not realize when I asked you about clothes that this was a possibility.  So if you have no objections, your Grace, I shall amend that wish."He turns back to Prince Alorum the Djinn, and continues, "Wish Number Three: I wish for the contents of the travel wardrobe of Auror Taerwynel of the Enllaves in Western Oerth, if indeed any contents still exist there.""Your Grace, I think my previous mentor's effects might be a better intersection of your taste and mine.  Regal enough, but functional.  Plains elves aren't a particularly fashionable lot.  Utility is more our preference.  That said, I think we 'clean up' rather well.  Thank you, Prince Alorum.  One day, perhaps we shall meet again under less, commercial circumstances.  I would most enjoy your royal acquaintance.  Until then, then. Thank you for your provisions.  Good day."Respen smiles innocently and expectantly at Dame Clare and Prince Alorum, his hands behind his back, rocking gently back and forth from heel to toe.</blockquote>

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