14 Spring's Evening, 300 EA

I wasn't surprised that Thurgrim was reluctant to let me leave. He always said that humans weren't the same as dwarves, that I wasn't yet old enough, but Tholladur didn't have anything left it could teach me. I needed to go and find more books to read, more experiences to sate this hunger for knowledge. I was glad for his sentiment as he hugged me goodbye, but the tears that fell into his beard shook me. It wasn't like him to show that level of emotion, not that he wasn't emotional, just it was odd for a dwarf, especially one that had already sent so many children out into the world. I took the gifts and food that him and Vastraela gave me with great thanks. I would have never gotten this far without them, their love was more than I could ever show gratitude for.
 
I had only wandered through the Great Furnaces before I possibly stumbled upon the best thing that could happen. A small inn held the call for crafters, and I had to take it. It was an opportunity to show off my skill and learn from others, plus the Underdark was a great mystery to me that needed to be solved. That's where my life started, and I was going to get the answers I wanted from that place. All I had to do was make it to the Little Greenwood and meet up with whoever was in charge.
 
The warlock that awaited me was eclectic, an interesting fellow, but not as interesting as the group that was running the endeavor. A paladin of the North, a dwarf of many talents, and a former dragonborn soldier of the Underdark. It seemed that the call was put out and only the craziest answered, but that meant the ability to learn from more people. First impressions were simple, telling me who would be worth learning from, but the other two could obviously still surprise me as we made our way to the Underdark.
 
I was a week early, meaning I had to wait until the rest of the paladin's friends arrived before we could be bothered to head to the Underdark. It was such a drag, but I guess at this point, I can't be too picky about this expedition. It seems like my alchemical talents were in great need, so this was more than worth it for me. I was ten billion percent sure that this was exactly what I needed.