Tav & Nyx PoV

A hot, damp breeze threw specks of sand in Tav's face as the Weave yanked a representative from each of the elemental planes into the tower. Then there was a different tug on the weave. Its familiar and smooth call of magic brushed against hers; she reached for the same spell, and her incantation joined Gale's, "Denoto!"

The coordinated and reinforced shatter spell greeted both the elementals and their master in the beat between their summoning and their chance to mobilise. Thunder bounded off the confined space, knocking the sprawling assailants back more than once, but Gale had to intercept the ricochet when it headed for their companions. Tav yelled while turning, "Fall back!" Their group scurried into the laboratory, heading for the elemental chamber.

CLACK! The door mechanism activated and shut the exit, trapping them inside the laboratory. Regardless, they recovered quickly and fell into step with the arrangement of battle. Nyx and Astarion taking point and pinning down the elementals at the door’s chokepoint with ranged weapons laced in magic. Tav strummed a smothering note on her lyre, projecting a hypnotic pattern onto the cluster at the door. In tandem, a series of counterspells fired between Lorroakan, Gale, and Rolan. The pausing silence showed three elementals immobilised, and a smile touched Tav's lips, but the earth elemental merely dug its way underneath the blockade and advanced once it resurfaced.

Nyx had gathered her staff; force magic swirling around it. She battered the Earth elemental, dodging returning blows with ease. Astarion had melted into the shadows, and Tav tracked the space behind the elemental while Rolan and Gale chipped away at its rocky armour with numerous magic missiles. The Weave stirred and a command followed, "Inveniam viam!" Lorroakan appeared inside the room next to the door, and power sputtered around his outstretched hand.

A flash of light blinded Tav. Lightning ripped through the laboratory; human and inhuman cries replied. Frantically blinking the aftereffects from her eyes, Tav swallowed the next phrase of her song, and its spell dropped to the floor. Nyx was crouched, clutching at her bleeding shoulder, the Earth elemental's stone club raised for the blow. A shadow moved faster than any spell, and Astarion drove his daggers into the elemental, ripping a chunk from its back. It roiled, and partly crumbled to the floor, where Nyx had regained her feet to intercept the released water elemental before it could reach Rolan.

Another series of counterspells bounced between the three wizards, whereas Tav strummed an urgent chord and Nyx's shoulder knit mid-staff-swing. The water elemental had been frozen in place by Rolan while Lorroakan was duelling against Gale. A satisfying crash had Nyx and Astarion destroying the water elemental in a display of synchronised agility. Gleefully, she switched her melody to a bright and springy tune, extending its inspiration to Astarion right before he disappeared from view again.

Someone yelled Tav's name, and there was a grating roar from her left. She instinctively held her lyre up as a shield, pinched her eyes shut and braced for the blow. Instead, a deep chime echoed, and a press of magic engulfed her. The earth elementals club sputtered against a magic shield, and Tav spared a glance at the source of the magic. Ramazith Tower's abandoned calibration rings pulsed with energy that dwarfed anything else in the room. Its magic rumbled through the floor and Tav shut her gaping mouth, letting her feet carry her away from the elemental instead.

The static in the air had congealed, and the pulse from the rings had dislodged several of Lorroakan's 'experiments' from their settings. Artefacts hurtled across the room at random; one hit Rolan in a burst of strobing rays that threw him against a wall, and he crumpled to the floor. Nyx batted another device away, impaling it into the earth elemental's neck. Mauve light spread from the point of impact into the cracks of its body, making it twitch uncontrollably.

With the battle devolving into an obstacle course, Tav was scrambling to reach Rolan between dodging and sidestepping flying, unstable artefacts.

Lorroakan shouted over the din, "I am the master of this tower! You will listen to me! ME!" The calibration rings responded to his command and he shrieked in delight, "Smite these intruders!"

Tav's feet were swept from underneath her, and she flailed wildly, to no avail. She tumbled between her companions, the artefacts and the elementals. Pain stole the breath from her lungs, and a crackle of magic ripped through her body where a stray artefact had made contact. She arched backwards, the searing magic tearing a cry from her throat. More cries joined hers, including the inhuman ones of the elementals. Tears were streaming from her eyes, but she couldn't make out anything other than a haze. Unable to do much else, Tav reached out to the tower's magic, pleading for it to stop. It flinched at her touch and withdrew. She snatched at its receding presence, but it was yanked away from her grasp. A sob caught in her throat after another wave of pain raked through her twirling, weightless body.

Tymora please! Not like this!

A familiar harmony laced itself through the surrounding weave, enveloping her body, and she clutched at it, letting it drag her from her dimming senses. There was a merciless silence, and with it, a moment of clarity that resonated between her magic and Gale's; two partners finding themselves amidst the chaos. Her tadpole squirmed, and his instructions came in rapid succession. She followed them without hesitation. Her lungs strained with effort and pain, but the song poured from her lips and was whisked toward him. Gale braided their magic together with another; its strands frayed, fragmented, and she gasped at the taint within.

Lorroakan's failed phylactery! What is Gale doing!?

There wasn't time for doubt. There was no alternative, either. Tav redoubled her efforts, extending more of her magic into the braid, trusting Gale's gamble.

Heat and light passed Tav by, and the fire elemental crackling flames snuffed, causing smoke to choke her lungs, but still she sang. A pleading, desperate chant. For Gale to be safe, for her friends to be safe, and for them to make it out alive. Her body ached with tautness even though she drifted without urgency. She chanted for what felt like an eternity, suspended in magic and time.

The weave shook violently at the demands of Lorroakan and the tower. Gale's braid not only held under the onslaught, but it countered. It lashed out in Lorroakan's direction, and it was his turn to cry out in pain.

Tav was on her elbows, shaking the world into view. She was on the floor of the laboratory. Her chest burned; struggling for breath, she spotted the rest of her companions. Choking on a laugh, relieved they were alive and squinting at their surroundings too.

Ramazith's Tower chimed once more; Tav snapped her head between the rings and Lorroakan. The tower had disengaged completely, since Lorroakan was trapped in a magical sphere - his body bent over backwards, his limbs contorted, and his mouth impossibly stretched apart.

An artefact barely missed Tav's head as it whipped past and lodged itself in the sphere's boundary. Several others were being sucked into the sphere, and multi-coloured lightning rippled over the surface. The power increased in intensity, pinning her to the ground, flattening her magic. The sphere's glare expanded until Lorroakan was no longer visible inside.

Nine fucking hells! It's a bomb!

Tav's feet refused to hold her weight, and she flailed on the floor. All her bodily strength was gone, and her chest heaved for more air. Before her panic could set in further, a pair of hands gripped her mid-section and hoisted her up onto shaky knees. Tav was half draped over someone's shoulder.

Nyx's lips moved, but Tav couldn't hear anything; the relentless build of magic within the room blotted everything out. Tav blinked hazily at her stumbling feet as Nyx moved them toward a shining mote of light suspended at the back of the laboratory. The others were already there, all except for one.

"Wait! What about Rolan?", she projected through the haze.

A muffled reply flitted into her mind, and Gale answered, "The tower will protect him. Besides there's no time!"

No time for what?

The shining mote became an intricate script, and a memory nagged at her, but all she could manage was, Pretty... And then she tumbled into its light where a soft caressing motion carried her away from the jagged, ugly edges of the bomb.

--- --- ---

Nyx collapsed onto the ground, the last of her magic leached away, and she set Tav's unconscious body gently onto the floor next to her. A quick survey proved no other threats existed, and that the abandoned mine had remained as such. The sigil sputtered angrily behind her, and she dragged herself and Tav out of the way for Astarion and Gale to be delivered to the empty chamber as well.

Laying or sitting on the ground, they merely stared at each other. Nyx's mouth was as dry as shale, and she rummaged for water from her pack. After tending to herself, she passed on more bottles to the other two, who accepted wordlessly and gulped the contents down eagerly. Shaking Tav's shoulder roused her enough to drink of her own accord, both water and several healing potions.

Nyx sat back, and after a long, purposeful breath to clear her head, she gestured to the sigil with her chin. "I didn't think we'd cash in on it, let alone this soon."

"Tickle me surprised too, darling. I was convinced I'd traded away my reserves for nothing but the furry beast's amusement."

Gale huffed from his cross-legged position. "The Omenbeast had no reason to con us. Furthermore, it is celestial, not fey. It has repaid its debt in full by my estimate, seeing how it saved our lives."

Astarion gave him an arched eyebrow. "Yes, from a rather unfortunate fate conjured by your hand, if I remember correctly."

"If it wasn't for the targeted magical singularity I constructed; we'd likely be the four, apologies five, new taxidermy additions to Lorroakan's display hall."

"Touché", Astarion conceded.

Tav wrestled herself upright, took a moment and quipped, "Astarion, repeat after me: 'Thank you Gale, that was very kind.'"

An exasperated pitch of protest came immediately, followed by a reconsidering hum, some unexpected silent reflection on the matter, and Astarion sighed dramatically. He glanced at Gale and chewed on the words as though they were tough jerky, "Thank you Gale, that was very kind."

Nyx snorted. Gale looked like he'd won the most expensive prize in the realms, and Tav beamed her toothy grin.

Nyx cleared her throat. "As appreciative as I am; I'd rather not do that again." There was a round of agreement, and she added, "Is Ramazith tower still standing? That was quite the - err..."

"Bomb.", Tav provided in a chipper tone.

Nyx's eyebrows bobbed and inclined her head, repeating, "Bomb."

Gale stood with a grimace and a pop of knees. He dusted his hands and said, beckoning to the exit corridor, "Shall we find out for ourselves?"

---

From the vantage point of Duskhawk Hill, the chimneys of Stonyeyes chugged along quietly, their misty plumes rising into the night sky. However, a distance plume drew a thick, black line across the stars, bellowing from the upper floors of Ramazith's intact tower. Occasional lightning danced between the black clouds, lighting up the sky. Nyx and the rest descended; heading for the Outer City to find a gathering crowd at the foot of the hill.

More people passed them on the way, but in the opposite direction, cranking their necks and standing on their toes for a better look, whispering questions among themselves.

One said, "Wizards. Playing with magic, and look what it gets. Next they'll blow up the Upper City." A different voice replied, "Who cares? It won't change anything down 'ere."

Nyx shook her head in passing. In Stonyeyes proper, their group and the growing crowd were greeted by guards. Their stern expression illuminated by torchlight. "Alright, break it up and return to your homes! The curfew is still in effect and we're already dealing with the tower." The metallic clunk of footsteps saw Steel Watchers 'encourage' the crowd more dutifully, and people dispersed to their homes with begrudging commentary.

Gale remarked between the moving bodies, "Hmm, no use trying to get back now. Find a room at Broken Pike Rest, yes?"

Nyx and Astarion made noises of agreement, but Tav was missing. They searched the crowd, and Tav's blazing hair gleamed in the torchlight. She was having an animated discussion with a dwarf, who scurried off when they approached.

Nyx recognised his face in passing, and she directed at Tav, "You sent Karrow away in an awful hurry."

Tav pursed her lips, impressed, and she hooked her thumb over to Eastway. "Asked the Harpers to send word to the other at the Elf Song. If not, track them down to deliver the message. Don't want them getting into trouble looking for us since we're missing the rendezvous." She spared a glance at the tower and waved in its direction. "And that might have them do something... drastic." With her hands on her hips, she regarded the tower again and said, "Praise Tymora we made it out."

Gale nodded sagely, "Fortuitous indeed." He offered Tav his arm, and they strolled toward the Broken Pike. Nyx and Astarion bringing up the rear after a quick hand mutual squeeze.

---

"HOT OFF THE PRESS! EXPLOSION AT RAMAZITH TOWER! SPECIAL EDITION! READ ALL ABOUT IT!"

Tav's smile was contagious whilst reading the single-page broadsheet as they queued for Basilisk gate. She handed it to the others to read for themselves. Nyx was closest and received it first.

Experiments Gone Awry, Impact Contained

An explosion had erupted on the sixth floor of Ramazith Tower late yesterday evening due to unstable experiments breaking confinement. Although Lorroakan himself wasn't available for an interview regarding the incident, his newly appointed Head of Magical Affairs, Rolan, had spoken to The Mouth.

"The situation is under control and precautions had been taken to contain and prevent future incidents of the same magnitude. Lorroakan has given his assurance that this situation would not happen again. In fact, he felt so strongly about the matter that he has taken immediate leave to personally oversee the transport of the remaining unstable experiments to a safe and secure facility."

Rolan declined to provide details of the new location for security reasons. When asked about the return of Ramazith Tower's owner, he informed Lorroakan had not set a specific date for his return.

"His departure is sudden, however he had left a parting gift to the Gate. He confided his wish to educate other wizards and the general public about magical safety. So inspired was he by my suggestion that he had approved my project for opening a Magical Academy within the tower itself."

This announcement has already sparked awe and curiosity among Baldurians. The Head of Magical Affairs has clarified that every application to the college will be treated fairly based on magical metric regardless of background, especially since Rolan himself had come to Baldur's Gate as an Elturel refugee.

"I believe the establishment of an academy to nurture magical talent without restriction is very much aligned with the spirit of Baldur's Gate and what she stands for."

The official applications and opening ceremonies for Rolan's Magical Academy will be communicated via The Mouth once available. In his final statement, Rolan extended his thanks to his sister and brother, Lia and Cal, for their unwavering support. He also looks forward to his continued collaboration with his magical peers in Baldur's Gate, Waterdeep, and beyond.

"Without your support, none of this would have been possible."

Nyx passed the page to Gale.

Astarion read it last, flipped the page to find it blank on the back, and jutted out his hip. "Well, not my first choice after inheriting a tower brimming with powerful artefacts. But to each his own."

Tav said, "I think it is a wonderful idea and I'd like to visit it once up and running."

"I concur," Gale stroked his beard and scanned the city skyline, "Baldur's Gate has been long overdue for a magical academy in any case."

"Besides," Tav threw a sly smile over her shoulder, "Not only do we have the backing from the 'Head of Magical Affairs', but also the full might of Ramazith Tower itself."

Gale matched her grin. "Rook to queen six."

Ahead, the line of people moved. Tav waved her pass in the air and crooned, "Watch out Chosen, here we come!"

A smile quirked Nyx's lips as she handed her pass to the city guard. Our allyship grows - Tav is quite the lucky charm.

---

And fortune favours the prepared.

Steam rose from tea cups; their floral and fruity notes punctuated by fresh ink. There were knitted brows, furrowed foreheads and various other serious expressions, with or without hands or fingers on chins. Roundtable discussions were in session, and the appropriate amount of paper had been strewn about.

Shadowheart pointed at the 'improved' floor plan Nyx had redrawn from Shadowheart's stake-out scribbles of the Harbourside Hospital, highlighting the entrances, exists and guard postings. Within which, the House of Grief operated. The inside and outside of the hospital lay side-by-side. The outside of the building was thoroughly scouted and mapped; however, the inside was sparse due to 'conflict avoidance' by the scouting party.

Shadowheart straightened and said, "It is much as I expected; the facility is a cover for something else. But what that is, I don't know." She trailed off, biting her lip. "Or have forgotten. Either way they have made a lot of effort to make this area here," she pointed to a wall in the main waiting room, "Seem normal."

Lae'zel glared at the map. "Chk. How can something be 'too normal'?"

Shadowheart winked. "Precisely."

Lae'zel still didn't understand and searched the map for answers.

Wyll shuffled through the maps of the two upper floors of the hospital and remarked, "We didn't find anything untoward on the upper floors. Filled with wards, bedrooms, kitchens and surgical theatres. For the most part, that portion of the hospital is operating like it should - rumours of corruption aside."

Tav squinted at the floor plan and asked Shadowheart in a gentle tone, "No sign of your parents?"

She shook her head, and Tav gave her a reassuring smile. "If they are hiding them there, we'll find them."

Shadowheart made a small noise and cast her gaze at the papers. "Thank you."

Tav nodded and asked another question, "Are you going for the reading or are we planning an ulterior late-night drop in?"

Shadowheart drew herself up with new determination. "I don't think we'll find anything more forthcoming than what we already have. The heart reading might be more illuminating. But," she frowned at the papers. "Let's not take any chances and prepare for the worst."

Tav concluded the session with a final round of coordination and declared, "Aedric and Jaheira have notified that they have information on the Stone Lord. Thus, after the meeting with them at Keexie, we head for the House of Grief."

Nyx's assent joined that of the group, and they dispersed for preparations, heading in various directions.

Nyx had drifted to the living area and made herself comfortable on one of the chairs by the fireplace, retrieving her sketching implements. The ruffle of pristine parchment was punctuated by Bean and Scratch snoring in front of the fireplace. Tara had draped herself like a leopard over the back of another chair, which no-one dared sit on when she occupied it. Nyx gathered up her pencil and the hospital floor plans, intent on making copies for everyone. She set her mouth in a line, staring at the plans for a moment; she wasn't looking forward to dealing with Sharrans again, but hopefully this would be the last. Suppressing the urge to rub at her blemish, she set to her drafting task.

--- --- ---

Tav itched for something to do; even her fingers were twitching. The lingering echo of last night had imprinted itself on her magic like an afterimage, setting her on edge. If she didn't make herself useful and quickly, she'd also risk the creeping of intrusive thoughts. In an attempt to outpace her growing unease, she marched down the apartment corridor looking for Shadowheart while chewing the inside of her cheek.

Did we make enough preparations? Is tonight going to end the same as last night? Was it too soon? Was it not soon enough? Do I really want to risk my people on what little we know of the operation? Perhaps we should gather more intel or wait it out for better timing? Perhaps...

She slammed her fists against her thighs and huffed at herself.

'Perhaps' nothing! It was the 'perhaps' that got me burned.

Before the thoughts could surface again, a sigh escaped her throat upon finding Shadowheart in her room sorting through her stealth gear and scrolls.

Tav's eyes widened at the variety. "Expecting a lot of resistance?"

To her surprise and relief, Shadowheart merely laughed. "I do recall saying 'prepare for the worst'. But considering that you blew up a realms renowned wizard - I think it is the Sharrans who should be running scared."

Despite the strained smile on her face, Tav's chuckle sounded weak to her own ears.

Shadowheart tilted her head and gave Tav a sidelong look. "I take it you heard what Karlach said about it too." Shadowheart's Karlach impression was an amicable attempt. The off kilter aesthetic was part of the charm, though, leaving Tav agape, but in a good way. Shadowheart even mimicked shrugging the war hack over her shoulders. With one arm dangling in the air, Shadowheart announced, "'I'm getting good at bashing-in Sharran heads. Plus, Shadowheart knows all their tricks, they won't get the drop on us'."

That drew a bubbling laugh from Tav and she felt leagues lighter. She patted her chest. "Ah, yes. No truer words. We are very good at bashing-in Sharran heads. And a few others to boot."

"Glad you've remembered. Now if you're not here to help pack, I have to get on with this."

Tav saw herself out, but the twitching started anew outside the door, albeit less than before.

Tav's boots had carried her out of the apartment and into the Elf Song proper, where she spotted Wyll people-watching. She joined him and draped herself over the banister. The waiting staff were scurrying below, bringing with them plates to hungry guests. As tantalising as the smell of honeyed bacon, toast and citrus was, Tav had little appetite presently.

She mused, tracking a plate from the kitchen to its designated table. "Puts things into perspective, doesn't it?"

Wyll took a swig of his canteen and offered it to Tav. She eyed the container, as it was rather out of character for Wyll to take to drink. A cautionary sniff proved the contents to be a lot less exciting. Only water.

He chuckled and said, "You seem disappointed. Hoping for something stronger?"

"Uh, was disappointed. Now, reassured that I haven't driven my crew to drinking on the job."

His laughter settled the pinching in her stomach and she rubbed her mid-section. They watched the activity below. Wyll shifted his weight, leaning on one arm then the other.

Tav waited him out, and he finally spoke up after the same waiter had hurried back to the kitchen three times. He said, "No. You and my father are far too adept at leading for your people to go astray."

"Oh? That is high praise indeed."

"And much deserved." He straightened and faced her. "Look at Counsellor Florrick, working tirelessly from the shadows to win back the Gate. My father's legacy."

Tav patted Wyll's shoulder. "You my friend are - what's that saying? 'The apple that didn't fall far from the tree', yes?"

A smile pulled at his lips. "High praise indeed."

"And much deserved. You went from single-handedly standing up to Tiamat cultists hell-bent on destroying Baldur's Gate while no one was looking. And without any recognition, might I add. To rejecting the lies and corruption of Mizora's pact because it no longer helped you save people."

He sighed and averted his gaze to his boots. "But that's exactly the point. I could have helped by keeping the pact. My father... I should have..."

Tav held up her hand. "From one leader to another. You'll drive yourself to drink, spiralling down that chain of thought. You made the right choice, and I'll bet my coin that your father will agree. He would not see all the good that you've done and could do be destroyed by a pact that would trade away your soul. If I had a son, I'd trade my life for his soul any day. And since we're on this subject, you ought to know that if Tymora bestows even the slightest chance of helping your father, we will take it."

Wyll gaped at her, remembered himself and cleared his throat. The silence stretched, and he leaned over the banister again and said, "Puts things into perspective, doesn't it?"

Tav and Wyll's conversation turned to preparations for this evening, and Wyll, much like Shadowheart, was certain of their victory against the 'Sharran blight'. With a spring in her step and a song in her heart, Tav returned to her own room to double check her provisions.

---

Tav was whistling a cheery tune when Gale tumbled into the room, raining scrolls onto the floor in his wake.

"Oh! What's this then?" Tav asked while a multitude of scrolls rolled across the wooden boards and hid underneath the armoire, desk, tables, chairs, and bed. She stooped beneath the table to help fish them out.

"An unforeseen and foreseen side effect of a duplicating spell."

Tav unrolled one of the secured escapees and squinted at its text. "Gale's mass prestidigitation." She picked up another. "Gale's heated rain cloud. And Gale's smokeless fire..." Several more spells presented themselves; each created by Gale, from longer-lasting-intensity-adjustable-dancing-lights to the duplicate-low-level-scroll-spell itself.

Tav arranged them on the floor and Gale huffed while straining under the armoire. She suggested, "A scroll retrieval spell?"

"No need, telekinesis would suffice." Followed by theorising about targeted-mass-telekinesis for 'situations such as these'.

"And your magical singularity?"

Gale appeared from under the armoire, herding the wayward scrolls into the closest available bag, and said, "Well, that would require a substantial power source. Fortunate, we had Ramazith Tower to throw its lot in with ours at the eleventh hour."

Tav hmmed and organised the scrolls. "The names could use some work, but you should sell these."

"Minor amusements, too much effort."

She clutched the spells to her chest, gasping. "Don't listen to him!" And she continued in a serious tone, gesturing to the stack of spells, "These are worth more than their weight in gold for any adventurer. Or have you already forgotten the 'miseries of river bathing'?"

He chuckled, smoothing out his hair and robe. Taking the stack from her, he paged through it. "There are a lot more than I remember."

"And they'll help even more people." She pointed at the papers. "That is the start of a legacy."

He arched an eyebrow at her, "Hardly worth writing home to."

"I said: it's a start. With your ingenuity you'll soon be inventing spells and devices to improve the lives of people on a realms' scale. Even more importantly; within their daily needs. And you're already doing it by yourself - no need for gods or their powers."

Glancing out the window, he pondered for a few heartbeats. "So, Gale; Wizard of Waterdeep: Inventor Extraordinaire?"

Tav held up a correcting finger. "Gale, Wizard of the People: Inventor Extraordinaire."

"Ah, the worthiest of titles." He flashed her a grin.

"Then I shall bestow it upon the worthiest of wizards." She took up a scroll and gave him an expectant look.

"Oh, I'm to be appointed, am I? Alright, let's me get into position." His knees creaked as he lowered himself onto one knee, straightened his back and placed a hand over his chest.

Tav schooled her face, but the glint of mischief remained in their mutual gaze, and she cleared her throat. "Gale Dekarios, by the powers vested in me," she touched the scroll to his left shoulder, "I bestow thee Wizard of the People," she touched his right shoulder, "and endow thee Inventor Extraordinaire."

He affirmed, "A duty I would take the utmost pride to fulfil and a title I'll hold lofty."

She beamed at him and helped him up.

"Oof, wizards aren't meant for being on bended knee." After rubbing his back, he scooped Tav into his chest, making her whoop. "I think a kiss from the officiate would conclude the ceremony."

Her giggles were muffled by his enthusiastic follow through.

Phew - a lot of research into the three-way wizard beat down from a bard's perspective...

I wanted to do a mid-battle Tav PoV, since (1) is been a while and (2) it is also some more practise in getting my brain to shift into the correct gear when I'm writing in her voice. And several rounds of of pep-talking with the crew (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

Also trying to expand on my emotional description repertoire (and apparently my 'romance' has some generic/stock phrasing that I should sort out too... *Sigh*) - So let me see what I can do regarding that as well...

After a lot of debate with myself over the past few months and working through multiple options, I've finally opened a Patreon. I primarily launched this because I need a place for an author newsletter (this is especially important for readers on platforms that don't have a built-in notification reel). And I'll need this functionality to communicate progress updates on Act 4 and my own stories. Also, I'd like to offer a few downloadable writing resources somewhere in the future for any of you that would be interested in these (since I'm already creating these for myself I may just as well make them available, more on this in the interlude). I've also been looking for some gallery options to showcase some of the stuff I've made for the fan fiction, which doesn't fit into chapter updates.

I'm not going to do a subscription based thing, that'll take too much of my bandwidth and I'm not going to be posting the fan fic there either, since Patreon doesn't have a proper reader. However, there will be posts on new developments, worldbuilding notes, research, progress updates, previews, or simply something I've been particularly excited about. Think of this space as an open door into my author workshop, especially for when I start on my own stories. There's no obligation to keep up, and no promise of a perfectly regular schedule - just an ongoing record of what I'm making when there's something worth sharing. See you there!

Yellydandy (over on Tumblr) illustrated the wonderful pic of my avatar!