The Burning of Bankers Square

Now then, my second tale this evening will be a short one.

Back in the early days of the landing, the Wayside in had no private tables, and was very small. I used the upstairs room to rest in on many an occasion.

Thus it was that during one such rest I did hear a voice calling to me from
the fireplace! "Save me" was basically what it kept saying. Now I did have the presence of mind to as it how, and it answered I must feed it earth stones.

So I bolted! Realizing that I might be getting into trouble again, I raced forr town square central, where amongst the half dozen or so folks resting there I hoped to find Warble, a bard who - as I was a young Sorcerer who had no family - had made me her adopted brother.

I have found that when getting into trouble, which happens often around me, it helps to involve my friends. They get to share in the adventure and its many rewards; while I in return get to create an environment with multiple targets for said trouble, thus increasing my chances of survival.

So quickly I ran in! I kept shouting, "Hurry! It's dying!" We ran off to the Mine Road to purchase earth stones. I didn't really explain to her why.

It took us two trips before we had enough to save, um, whatever it was. By placing the earth stones into the fireplace, "it" seemed to get healthier!

Imagine our surprise then; when out of the fireplace came a Fire Wizard! He was very polite and thanked us before he stunned us both, cast a fire storm cloud in the room, and teleported away.

Had Lady Krakii, suspecting that I was getting into trouble again, not
decided to follow us we would have most likely died! We managed to escape mostly unharmed.

Thus the Fire Wizard was born. He proceeded to invade the landing with
unprecedented fury. I'd say about half the population died. A great firestorm ensued, and many buildings where singed - if not burned completely.

For a whole week afterwards, smoke and ash filled the streets as a reminder of what we had unleashed and many of the surviving buildings appeared singed and damaged when you looked at them. To this day you can see the remains of the Landing's original Bank in Banker's Square and the rubble of many nearby warehouses.

For many a year afterwards, I have tried to get people to believe that Warble is to blame for setting free the Fire Wizard. After all, technically it was she who placed the last earth stone in the hearth that set the Fire Wizard free! Yet most folks know me well tend not to believe me in such claims.