Baristi the Wizard

​Baristi the wizard entered the library and waited for the gnome clerk to approach her. She had come to research an ancient legend and seek a new spell to aid her in her quest. The clerk made her wait for a few moments before he shuffled over to her. “You have an appointment, shifter?” the gnome asked, knowing full well that she did. She had been here before, and she was sure that he recognized her as much as she recognized him from her previous visits. Baristi controlled her temper and handed the clerk her appointment scroll. He studied it closely, checking the authenticity of the arcane mark, before handing it back to her. “The legend of Kronik, the lost goblin temple,” the gnome said as he turned toward one of the ornate doors that ringed the vestibule. “Of course. A study hall has been prepared for your use.” She followed him through a pair of doors and into a small chamber that contained a desk, a chair, a worktable, and a narrow pedestal. A stack of parchment was piled atop the table, along with quills, ink, and sealing wax. As they reached the middle of the room, the clerk placed an orange crystal atop the pedestal, and Baristi had the sudden sensation of movement. The walls fell away and alcoves rushed toward them, formed of shelves upon shelves of dusty tomes and scroll cases. The dizzying activity lasted for a few long seconds as the shelving units rearranged themselves and jockeyed for position, and then the room additions clicked into place. The study hall, designed specifically for Baristi and the research she wished to accomplish, was complete. “Just remove the crystal when you have finished for the day, and the study hall will return you to the vestibule,” the gnome explained. With that, the clerk stepped into one of the corridors of shelves and disappeared. “I hate when they do that,” Baristi grumbled as she cast the fox’s cunning spell on herself and magically enhanced her intelligence. “Now, to find out everything I can about a temple that was probably in ruins before King Galifar united the Five Nations. . . .”​