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From WikiWatch

Interview by Miss T

Vital Statistics (at time of interview)

Introduction

Zortrium Silhouette, one of the Holders of the Faith in Truewatch, agreed to meet Miss T in the Lion's Mane Inn in South Qeynos. Both looked a little worse for wear. "Gnomie a bit fragiles smornin... too much noggy eggies lass nights" said Taraiha, rubbing her sore head. Zortrium smiled. "No problem, it got late for me last night too when we finally reached the 60th guild circle." They find a nice quiet part of the bar where they can conduct the interview and Taraiha sets about getting out her notebooks and pencils.

The Interview

Zortrium Taraiha: Right den *licks the end of her pencil* I juss tek down some vital statistimifixes... Yous onna dems funy cullered elfies right? Zortrium raises an eyebrow: Coloured elves? No, actually Erudites are High Humans. We just chose to specialise on the more intellectual side of things, that's what distinguishes us form our Human ancestors. Taraiha scribbles in her book: Ooh I's dinnit know dat! An what yous does ferra livvin? Meks weappins an stuffs yes? Zortrium: Indeed, not only weapons but mostly. It might be noteworthy that these are not ordinary weapons. Taraiha remembers her own dagger: Ooh yes! Da one yousmekked gnomie does majiks! Is dead clevva really. Zortrium: My forefathers believed were devout worshippers of Quellious, the god of Tranquility. Taraiha: I not fammilyer wittims... Zortrium: Quellious is the god of peace, he strictly opposes the use of force. Did you happen to meet followers of him before? Taraiha thinks for a moment: I not sure... I not finks so... most da peoples gnomie knows follas Choonarry. Zortrium: There was a group of them in Zek some time ago. They asked adventurers to rescue five of their fellow monks. However, they insisted that the adventurers would have to venture into Deathfist Citadell without harming any of its inhabitants. Taraiha blinks: Why? Orcses is norty! Zortrium: Well, Quellious does not make that distinction. He is a god of Good, an ally to Rodcet Nife and Erollisi Marr, and an enemy to Rallos Zek and Innoruuk. However, for him and his followers, if doing harm can be avoided, then this path is preferrable. Taraiha makes a note in her book 'Notta pye-rit god': So, how comes yous meks weppins den? Zortrium: Good point. The weapons I forge are different in that they are not only imbued with the means to destroy. They are smarter than that. They are imbued with a combination of arcane Erudite magic and Quellious's blessings. They will not harm creatures who do not harm others. Taraiha nods: I sees... an what yous does when yous not mekkin weppins? Zortrium nods: Administration work for the House of Artisans is probably my second most important occupation. Taraiha: Ooh yes, dat look like lotsa works... what zakerly yous does? Zortrium: Lady Briarthorn offered me the position of the Leader of the House one and a half year ago. The previous leader, Lord Nabren, had left a while ago and she thought that the artisan's interests were not sufficiently represented in the guild. So I accepted her offer to follow in Nabren's footsteps and become the Head of Artisan's. I am responsible for seeing that all those who want to be part of the House are registered with it, I supervise the work of the Master Artisans and I see about the Artisan's Exchange and Noticeboards. Over the course of time Lord Hagan and the other Grandmasters have taken over some of my administrative responsibilitie, so that today the work load is more equally shared.

Taraiha: What yous likea do when yous not doin all dats? Gots eny hobbies? Zortrium smiles: Yes. I have a collection of tomes from all across Norrath. I enjoys reading about the past and the present of our world. Taraiha nods: Gnomie collektify books too! Dems dead innerestin! Zortrium nods: I consider myself a bit of a chronicler. There are many things to tell about the times we live in to those after us. Taraiha: What yous fayvrit story? Zortrium: Story is probably not an accurate description, but I have read a lot about the Shattering, the time when the moon Luclin was destroyed and the face of Norrath changed forever. Taraiha: Is dat when da OOnikorn comed? Zortrium: Ah, if you mean the story of the Unicorn that came to save Lady Briarthorn's ancestor, then it was that time. The Unicorn is a creature that already existed before the Shattering, it is far older than just the few years since, as some believe. Taraiha nods: I likes dat story. Zortrium: A lot of things occured during that time, many of which are still unknown and may never be revealed. Afterall, many lost their lives - not only when the moon was destroyed but also in the war between the two cities.

Taraiha: A lil birdie tellt Miss T dat yous likea sings sometimes? Zortrium: Singing, yes. I am a Dirge, so don't expect any happy tunes there, however. As you know, the gods have not always spoken to us mortals as they do nowadays. There has been an extended period of silence, also from Quellious who my ancestors worshipped. My forefathers were all Clerics of Quellious. I am actually the fourth in the dynasty of the Silhouettes. But ever since the gods went silent after they were driven from the Planes of Power during the Age of Turmoil, the faith in Quellious was more and more becoming forgotten knowledge. There is not much use for a Cleric of a god no one believes in and that has been silent for generations. So I chose to worship Quellious with tales instead of prayers. My songs are epic ballads about his lost glory. Luckily, the gods have returned to us now, so that we may once again worship them as something in the present, not the past.

Taraiha: Yous bin inna Watch a long times. Does yous knows lotsa stories bout dat too? Zortrium nods: Yes, I have been with the Watch for a long time now. The first of the Silhouette dynasty, Zortrium I, was one of the leaders of the ancient Everwatch, the mother guild of Truewatch. That was over 500 Norrathian and five Dreamworld years ago. He was one of the ten founders that met before the gates of Freeport in the Dreamworld year 2001 to create what are now two Watches: the one here on Splitpaw and the one in the parallel universe on the merged realms of Antonius Bayle and Kane in the Age of Turmoil. Actually, the guild here also carried the name of Everwatch, but since the split, it is known as Truewatch.

Taraiha: An has yous fammy allus bin Chronikklers? Zortrium: I don't know for sure if all of them have been chroniclers but Zortrium I. was one. Much of the knowledge of the Way comes from sources that are somehow linked to him. Taraiha: What yosu likes most bout bein inna Watch? Zortrium: What I like most is the honour all Watchers display in their daily lives. I think that is what makes the Watch special in so many ways and has allowed it to exist for so long.. Taraiha: Does yous gots eny ovva fammy inna Watch? Zortrium: No. Due to restrictions both here and in the Dreamworld, my there are no other family members in the Watch.. Taraiha: What yous fayvrit evva Guild event? Zortrium nods, lost in memories: Oh, that is a difficult question. Now, the Grand Moots are probably the ones I would call my favourite events. I like the spirit of all the Watchers being assembled in one place. The Grand Moots are a very old tradition. There are reports of some taking place in the now rediscovered Faydark that must have been impressive. Taraiha: Ooh really? Zortrium nods: Yes, the Grand Moots took place in a different location every time. The tradition of the Moot Rock is relatively young. Zortrium I. reports of a huge Grand Moots in the Faydark, the Commonlands, Kithicor Forest and on the Plane of Knowledge.

Taraiha: What bout Norrath? Wers yous fayvrit place ta go? Zortrium: My favourite places in Norrath are those where the Ulterean Spires are. I have heard that there is an massive spire somewhere in Faydwer, one from the time of the Combined Empires. I have not visited that place myself but if this is true, then it would certainly be an impressive site. The Ulterean Spires were created by my poeple, the Erudites, and they are one of our greatest gifts to the world. Taraiha nods in agreement: Dems certinly meks gettin rount much more easierer. Zortrium agrees: In fact, they are also the only way to get to the higher levels above Norrath, like the Empire of the Sky and possibly one day, the Moon of Luclin. Taraiha: Ooh! Travlin da moon sount excitimifyin! Zortrium: Yes, I myself what it is like up there. In a clear night one can see parts of the moon and it is most inspiring. I only wonder if it would be possible to repair it, so that it is one piece again. Maybe the combined use of Elven and Erudite magic, Gnomish tinkering and maybe some Dwarven craftsmanship can manage to achieve that. Taraiha grins: Well, da hafflins be ablea orgamanise da cellybrayshins affer yous finisheded *giggles* Zortrium laughs: Yes, this is where they shine. Well every race has its purpose in the history of the cosmos. *smiles*

Taraiha: Well, is bin verra innerestin talkina yous Mista Zortrium. Isser enyfinks yous wanna adds afore we's wrapsit ups? Zortrium: There is one thing... this one is a bit difficult. I am not entirely certain if this interview is the right place for it but I was going to elaborate on this in the next few days anyway. Taraiha makes notes: Go ons... Zortrium: As I have told you,. I have been with the Watch for a long time. In fact, apart from Lord Gunnyret, I am probably the oldest member. I think even Lady Briarthorn has not served this long. Unfortunately, the Dreamworld calls on me and I feel that now is the right time to take a step I have been delaying for a while now. I have reached a decision to retire from my standing as one of the Holders of the Faith at the end of the Dreamworld year. I feel that everything I have set out to achieve has been achieved and that the Watch is in an excellent state. It is time for the next generation to take over. Taraiha gasps: Yous not leavin us tho is yous?! Zortrium: No, I will not be leaving the Watch entirely. It will be more like what Gunnyret did: retirement. Taraiha: Is yous still gonna run da artysans fings an stuffs? Zortrium: I will be there to help if need arisees, but Lord Hagan has now been the Co-leader of the House of Artisans for a half year and that qualifies him to take up my post if he agrees. Also, now that the four Grandmasters - including Lord Xethan - are back, I am certain they will be able to do whatever is necessary to keep things going. Taraiha: Well, I sure gnomie notta ony one gonna be sadda see yous step down, but I hopes yous enjoys yous retirmints, yous moreun earneded its. *nods* An mebbes yous haff more time do all yous research an write yous epic ballids an stuffs. I bets loadsa poeples woult loveta hear all da stories yous knows. Zortrium: Thank you, I hope that my retirement will allow me to write some of the things I have never found the time for. There is a lot of history to be told. Taraiha smiles: We's look forrit ta hearin dems Mista Zortrium. Zortrium smiles back: I look forward to telling them.

Taraiha: Can gnomie tekka picamashur o yous afore yous go? Mebbes outside on yous hossy or summink? Zortrium: I am a Bard, we rarely have horses as we usually can outrun even the fastest with ease. Taraiha thinks: Mebbes a song den? Zortrium: A song, yes.

Zortrium sings a verse about Quellious, while Taraiha takes some pictures. When he is finished, a small crowd that has gathered around them applauds quietly.

Taraiha: I gots some dead good ones der I finks! Zortrium: Excellent, do you need anything else? Taraiha: Not finks som I juss gotsa go scribe dis ups now! Fanyous fer yous time Mista Zortrium an Happy Frostfells. Zortrium bows deeply: You're welcome, it has been a pleasure. Happy Frostfell to you!

Portraits