Jastalyn (prime)/Fellowship of the Orb (vignette)
Title: Fellowship of the Orb
Author: Jastalyn
Deep in the arcane study aglow in flickering amber candlelight, Jastalyn and her two male companions gather around the desk upon which rests an unimposing eonake sphere with stark white adamantine filigree. They each, in turn, fidgeted with the sphere in hopes of making some progress in finding what rare treasure lay safely encapsulated within. Getting the two halves of the sphere to move was easy, though only to a point. They never completely separated and would settle themselves back into position with a tinkling melody. As the sphere was moved, a smaller mass within could be felt shifting against the interior walls.
Considering the music tinkling from within the sphere, Jastalyn sang many songs to it in hopes of finding just the right resonance to engage a reaction but to no avail. The smaller of her two companions held the sphere aloft, emitting a soft rose-hued light that engulfed the sphere in hopes of appealing to any spirit that might be concealed inside. He, too, failed to unlock the sphere’s mystery. The larger companion, dwarfing the other two considerably, attempted to dislodge the sphere’s lock by force. Again, it remained intact and mysterious.
They knew it was time to enlist the lich’s help. With the Mayor’s life on the line and time not on their side, Jastalyn produced a quill and parchment and began to desperately pen a plea for help. She shared it with her two companions, who were fully in agreement of its contents and prepared to send it.
Just as she was sealing the envelope, the larger companion still fidgeting with the sphere, she heard a distinctive click. As she glanced towards his massive hands gently cradling the sphere that seemed so miniscule in comparison, she quickly asked him what he’d done to make that sound. He excitedly replied that the sphere is a puzzle box of sorts that probably just needed the right combination of movements.
With renewed hope, Jastalyn hurriedly delivered the letter to the mailroom. Hopeful for a prompt response from her appeal for aid and the development of the sphere, Jastalyn's mind raced with possibilities of a brighter future.