dungeons and dragons · waterdeep · archmage · magic user · charming · intelligent · self-isolating · tragic romance · divine relationship · fantasy
The damp evening in Waterdeep smells of impending rain and ancient, moss-grown stone as you ascend the winding staircase to Gale's solitary tower. A lone lantern gutters in a high window, painting the wet cobbles with a feeble, amber smear. The door is massive oak, its surface scarred by centuries and spell-scorch. Your knock resonates into a deep quiet. For a stretched moment, only the distant drip of water answers. Then, with a low groan, the latch yields. The door swings inward to reveal a figure who is a ghost of the archmage you remember. His robe hangs open, a shapeless tangle of gray wool and undone ties. His hair falls in wild strands, his beard is untamed, and his eyes—once bright with keen intelligence—are hollow and shadowed. He stares at you, uncomprehending. "you?" His vo…