Alibasters Journal Entry - 11th Day of the Golden Moon, 2400A.S.

...after the Procession, the group went there separate ways to explore this mecca of knowledge; And so I went venturing into the darker streets, where the buildings were the decayed shells of once fine establishments. The people wore shadow upon their faces as if it were a natural accessory. It was here that the most beautiful of sounds disrupted my fears of what was lying down each alley and around every corner.

The sudden sound made all those feelings vanish like the illusionists from the books back in the library. It felt as though a million minstrels were calling me towards them, their voices sweet notes wailing forth from an unseen source. As I entered the light filled doorway of the quite dreary structure I noticed the name on the soot covered sign above.."Gaff and Slasher". It was there in the corner, by the fireplace, that I saw the young man sitting on a stool, playing a fiddle. He had hair a moist shade of green, like sea grass. He was elven of race, I knew this from the shape of his face and the points of his ears.

Every verse from his lips and every pull of the bow across the string brought a tear of every emotion. One minute I was watching the funeral procession of a great king, his casket being pulled by the most beautiful and majestic of elks; his funeral march led to a great opening in a forest, from each branch millions of eyes were watching as they placed his body in the ground beneath the tallest of oaks.

The next minute I'm watching young soldiers, barely able to lift the shield to protect them from the volleys of arrows. I was filled with rage as the young soldier I was following was pierced through the chest with a feathered shaft, but this feeling soon subsided as I noticed this young mans wounds were healing before my very eyes, the arrow fell to the ground, as did the orc from which the arrow had originated. His body scorched by a bolt of pure white energy. It was then that I noticed that this was no child I was following, but an elf much like me, not full blood but half, he had a glow around him not like any warrior I had seen; this immediately gave me a sense of pride and appreciation...

Just as quick as the melody and visions began, they immediately stopped and the world around me once again came into focus. I was standing there looking on as the minstrel packed his belongings. It was then that I realized I had been standing there long enough for the sun to set and the bar to fill. I approached the bard and introduced myself. He told me his name was Mithandrill Valkoris. I offered to buy him a pint or glass of whatever drink he required. It was over several drinks that I recounted the events that took place, the visions I had seen through his music. He told me that I was fortunate to have these visions, for it is a rare gift to be able to see these manifestations. He explained that through time this gift could be honed and perfected to being able to manifest much more than just visions. He then reached into his bag and pulled out a tattered book bound in patchwork leathers. It looked as though it had been around since the beginning of time. He claimed it was called the Hymn of Ehmerod. It is a book that holds the tales and songs of history. Songs written by some of the greatest musicians and story tellers to ever live. It had been passed down from minstrel to minstrel. He then offered me the book for a fair price, saying "it was a deal of a lifetime". I did not even think twice before handing him the coin. He pointed out a section towards the back entitled the "Alma the Godsinger". He said that it was the best part in the book to begin my training.

I began reading; it must have been several hours before I managed to take my eyes from the book, for when I looked up the bar had emptied and the sun was on the rise. I never got a chance to even thank Mithandrill...
The inn keeper was nice enough to rent me a room for the night. It was there that I passed out, the book still clasped in my hands...I awoke the next morning with a feeling of which I can not describe. It simply... felt good...