Fading is a uniquely elven problem, associated with my race's spellcasting. In this particular instance I had an unprecedentedly strong fading - I went astral for about 1/2 hour This is a very rare effect of fading, but that's not all that happened. While astral I could still see this plane, though I could not affect it, so I saw all that went on. In addition to what happened on this plane, I saw a shadowy entity perched on Mallak's shoulders. Mallak apparently did not notice it (he later confirmed that he indeed had not seen it, nor has he ever seen such a creature, though he found out what it was - more on that later). Anyway, the creature bounded off his shoulders and started to chase me, first around the room and then through the wall to outside. We had a less than pleasant discourse, in which he laughed at my predicament, claiming to be the cause of it. The entity also apparently took great joy in my helplessness at the time. It made some off-hand comment about how it has been a long time since he'd faded an elf for the first time. It also knew when the incident was about to end.

When I finally returned to the 'real' world I told Mallak what had befallen me. At first he was incredulous, but eventually I convinced him I was not lying. At that point he got very worried and I didn't see or hear from him for weeks despite living in the same house with him. Actually I knew where he was: he was in his study doing research, but he told me not to disturb him, so I didn't. Eventually he came out and taught me some magic in between long hours of studying, I'm not sure if he slept at all for weeks. One day I woke up, and he was gone... no trace.

I read the journal he'd been keeping of his studies; it was a collection of everything he knew or could find out about fading. Seems he was prompted to renew research on the topic by my experience and unmentioned experiences of his. He wrote of his knowledge of and relation with the elven hero of old, Shavallan (who lived 2000 years ago, and knew much on the topic). I don't know how this is, but I did find Shavallan's sword in the house when I looked around (it's the sword I now carry). Anyway, the last line of the journal said he was going to start the astral part of his investigation on the creature I saw (he wrote that the description fit several possible creatures- the Bastilli, the ancient Shadow Fiend, and the human dream demon - all of which could likely exist on the astral plane).

I went tearing through the elven section of Paradys close to hysterics when I read this, seeking the knowledge of the few magi more powerful than Mallak. The first high magi I went to did not seem concerned at all and told me to leave. But the second magi, I went to, listened to me and came to the house to see for herself. Euliade, the second most powerful of the magi in Paradys and perhaps the world, believed my story. She told me that it was now my duty to pick up where Mallak had left off, as I was his only surviving apprentice. Talk about an enormous undertaking for a starting wizard. To help me out she told me that Randall Carter might be able to tell me more, and directed me to a party at his house. Such human gatherings are seldom invitation only she told me, so I should be able to get in well enough, though I'd be out of place. Since I couldn't find Carter anywhere around the house I figured he must be out and be coming later, so I made myself at home in the library to wait. It's been a long wait so far.

[4 Adventures later, Thayana is still seemingly no closer to the completion of his quest.]

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