Maltheas bounced down the stairs of his home, looking forward to a fine day of adventure and good deeds of the exciting variety!
Cheeves: Good morning Sir. I trust you slept soundly. I must apologise that your breakfast is not quite ready. I fear I was delayed by a rather obtuse postal deliveryman, who was unwilling to allow me to sign for your “book of the month club” tome. A small tip settled his concerns, rather than disturb Sir early, but it did throw our routine out by several minutes.
Maltheas: It YOUR routine Cheeves! I not mind when you makes me the breakfasts! I’s not even ever eatings breakfasts before you’s got heres!
Cheeves: It is the most important meal of the day, Sir, or so I have been reliably informed. And a well run household is like clockwork, with each task taking place at its appointed time. I am, however, most gratified that you are willing to overlook any discrepancies, though I shall nevertheless strive to do better.
Maltheas: I was just rememberings! I’s not in a book of the month club! Is yous sure it not my’s cheese of the months?
Cheeves: I considered that, Sir, and I took the liberty of unwrapping it, just in case, so as to avoid another episode of finding it under your correspondence in three months time. It is definitely a small book, Sir, accompanied by a letter.
Maltheas: It was still tasties. But enoughs of the happy cheesethoughts. Lets be solving this mysteries!
Taking the letter from Cheeves, Maltheas scanned it briefly. The change over him was sudden, catching his butler quite by surprise, as Maltheas turned to him with a piercing look, and spoke sharply in perfect Tier’dal. This was not a time to be muddling through in Common.
Maltheas: Did you read this?
Cheeves: No. No, Sir. I could not even begin to tell you what language it is written in. I have never seen anything quite…
Maltheas: Good. Pass me the book also, if you please. Breakfast will have to wait, though I will take some coffee in the study shortly.
Cheeves: Very good, Sir…. Ah, Sir… It’s not my place to ask, but is anything wrong?
Maltheas: I don’t know yet. But good news seldom comes from Freeport.
And with that, Maltheas turned up the stairs to the landing that leads to his library, leaving a shaken Coldain in his wake. Shaken or not, he set off towards the kitchen.
Maltheas settled down into his favourite chair, the one that had been carved from a giant acorn by wood elf artisans. They would probably frown if they saw how Maltheas had absent-mindedly nibbled on the edges of it. He was relieved that Cheeves had not been able to read the letter, as it was likely that the sender would expect him to take drastic measures to preserve it’s secrecy. Of course, Maltheas had no intention of killing anyone over a letter, let alone loyal Cheeves, but it would have been awkward. The secrets of the Ratonga are still such because the Ratonga take their secrets very seriously indeed.
The letter was in a written form of Ratongan. Maltheas settled down to read, his brow as furrowed as that as any slighted artisan.
Maltheas Shadowsqueak of the Celestial Watch,
May your whiskers never cease to shine,
We felt that you should be forewarned of certain events which shall soon occur. Your work, and that of our other kin who received special dispensation to remain in Qeynos, has reached fruition. As you know, there have long been members of the Council of Qeynos who oppose our presence, out of superstition or prejudice, and sometimes even less forgiveable motivations. The recent changes in the Council makeup have worked in our favour, and we understand that Queen Antonia over-ruled the objections of the remaining holdouts. She has come to understand that we are not the enemy of any who does not force that upon us, seeing the truths that the Ratonga of Qeynos have shown to her. In particular, we suspect that she was moved when it was a Ratonga who rescued her, when her trusted Kerran bodyguard became possessed by her ancestor.
Don't worries, Murrar Shar fans! He still breathings!
In this coming month, expect a pronouncement which will grant Ratonga the same residency rights as humans. We have many in place awaiting this, and they will arrive soon after. Please give them any and all assistance you can in acclimatising them, and helping them find their feet.It will not initially be popular with the citizenry, but we are confident that the Qeynos Guard will uphold her decision, and that our kind will be free to safely travel within Qeynos, and make our homes there. In time, the public will get used to us, when they discover that not only do we not give them the plague, but we actually craft, eat, and spend coin like anybody else.
Qeynos has come to its senses not a moment too soon. A dark procession of dreams have come to our nightseers. That which we have long dreaded is upon us, though I don’t imagine a child of your mother needs to be told.
A common-tongue translation of the book which accompanies this letter is to be printed in large quantities, and delivered to booksellers across Norrath. In the past we tried to convince the leaders of the great cities of the threat of our dread cousins, but perhaps if we spread the knowledge widely enough, it will find enough powerful open minds for us to find the allies we need. In particular, we would like you to ensure that Al’Kabor receives a copy, as we understand that he has taken a great interest in the prophecies of Age’s End, and that you assisted him in some capacity.
Maltheas recently assisting Al'Kabor with his research.
I know you will do everything within your power. Try not to get yourself killed. Your mother worries. She’s well, by the way. Perhaps she’ll be able to pay you a visit soon, if all goes to plan!
Thaliath Glimmerstep, 3rd Whisker of the Freeport Gathering
Maltheas: Eeeks!!! I’d better be tidyings! Oh, waits. I’s forgetings Cheeves already clean everythings. Phews..
Panic averted, Maltheas opened the book. Titled “Out of Necessity”, it told the tale of how the Ratonga came to the surface, and ended up in Freeport. It would be a great relief to no longer have to keep those particular secrets. Perhaps, Maltheas hoped, some of the more suspicious Qeynos residents might finally end their rudeness.
Out of Necessity
The quaking had stopped. those of us that were left took stock as well as we could, searching for survivors, and trying to regroup. It wasn’t enough that we were still hunted by those that branded us as traitors, now we had to contend with the terrible aftermath of the apocalyptic shaking. however, we had survived the wrath of our creator, and near genocide of our horrendous cousins – we were determined to survive this as well.
There was an unexpected benefit to the mighty earthquakes, which we only discovered later. Cracks had emerged in the Underfoot, which opened to a new, mysterious place. Those that went through first and returned told stories of a world outside of the tunnels, brilliantly bright, covered in new creatures and green plant life. It was daunting to imagine a place like that, but we recognised it as something important. It was a place to escape those that pursued us.
The light was blinding, and hot on our fur. the air was crisp, and full of smells we had never experienced before. It was open and spacious, which is something that none of us were used to – it was hard not to feel exposed and vulnerable without the walls of the tunnels around us. It was difficult to get used to being outside like this, but we were quickly able to adapt, moving through the shadows to keep from being seen.
They were surprised to find civilisations living in this new environment, and we took some time to observe them. The seemed industrious, and even though their cities were devastated, they banded together and began to rebuild. there were some unique individuals amongst them, more powerful than the rest, who adventured through the world, and possessed impressive power.
We knew the Roekillik would stop at nothing to exterminate us, and ensure that their Dark Agenda would come to pass. If there was any hope to stop them, we would need to employ powerful agents to stand against their plan, and these surface dwellers seemed to have the potential that might be needed. After debates amongst ourselves, we decided to approach them with our warning.
We chose the city of Qeynos first. The people there seemed just and fair, and we believed they might be welcoming. a few of us were selected to emerge and speak with the people there. too our horror, we were very far off in our assessment of their nature. We were viewed as vermin, accused of being disease-infested, of sneaking about in the sewers, stealing what little food the city had. some even attacked us outright. It was clear that we were not welcome.
It was a long trek to the city of Freeport, the only other standing city we were able to find. It was more militaristic, being run under the direction of a single leader as opposed to a cooperative. some of us were wary about speaking with these people, as if we were rejected once again, we might find ourselves once again under the sword of an oppressor. However, we reasoned it wasn’t necessary to impress the population as much as it was to impress the one in charge.
A few of us were able to bypass the cities’ defences and enter the chambers of the leader himself. At first, he was quite angry that we intruded and ordered our emissaries imprisoned. After torturous days in the prisons of Freeport, an offer was made to our fellows. the leader, while upset, was still impressed that we were able to bypass his security so easily. If we were to swear loyalty to him and become scouts for the city, he would spare us and allow us entry.
We attempted, at this point, to explain the danger possessed by the Roekillik, but the leadership of the city was uninterested in our warnings. Perhaps it was the immediacy of their current problems, or their own arrogance, but all we said fell on deaf ears. In the end, it was advantageous for us to remain here. Freeport offered protection and a home, and if the Roekillik were to emerge, they would make a suitable buffer between us and our ancient enemies.
Thus, we came to reside within the city…for now at least. There might come a time when the Roekillik return, and we must choose to flee, or try to rally the races of Norrath to stop them and their Dark Agenda. We continue to hope that day never comes.
Cheeves: Your coffee, Sir. I hope all is well.
Maltheas: It is!!! But we is having much work to be doings! Cheeves, please prepares for guests! Lots and lots of guests!
“Out of Necessity” will be sold on the city sages from Game Update 60. At the same time, Ratongans will officially become a neutral race (or rather, they always were, but now Qeynos will stop being mean), and be able to start in the good cities. Huzzah!