Out of the dense forest of Dark Derkwood, a legend has materialized into reality. A wizard, adept in his reclusiveness, finally set free his experimentation. Many years have found tales of cats that stand on their hind legs wafting out from the forest's edge. Felines who have mastered a language their own, not unlike those common among the Realms. Beggars and thieves and run away children have walked, or been lead, into the woods, never to be heard from again. Still, others who have ventured off the main paths, stoic and intelligent adventurers, have returned to their hometowns nothing more than bumbling idiots. When asked a question, these broken warriors can do nothing but stare with their glassy eyes and mutter a sound, which resembles a cat purring.

Out of curiosity, a young changeling spirit wandered off the heavily trafficked roads near Nirenoft to investigate the ramblings of an old woman. This old woman claimed to have seen a pair of grimaulkins conversing about a particularly fat boar. From their motioning and gestures, it seemed to the grandmother that the pair was strategizing about the best way to snare the animal. The matron hid among some of the denser bushes and watched patiently as the scene unfolded before her. Quick as a flash, the duo trapped the hog in a shallowly dug hole. They killed the boar by slitting its throat with a rather nicely made dagger.

The lady could scarcely believe her eyes as the two butchered the hog much in the same way she would have, wrapping the sweetbreads in leaves from a maple tree. Upon closer inspection, while the cats cleaned their up their ritual as quickly and quietly as a thief in a crowd, the old woman noticed that these cats walked upon their hind legs, that their knees were not bent backwards like those of a true cat or dog. She also saw that their bodies were covered in a soft downy fur, each one had its own unique color. Their ears form little triangles at the tops of their heads. Like many cat species, the ears twitch and turn slightly tuning in different noises better. Their facial features resemble a feline's even more than the rest of its body, save the long tails. Their noses are cute and pink or black like that of a young kitten. Although their eyes are almond shaped like a cat's they hold a greater intelligence that sparks a fire within them that could look beyond your person into your soul.

When these creatures gathered their newly butchered meat and continued along their way, the matron ventured out of her hiding place and returned to her home. Upon returning home, she found she had a visitor, the changeling elf, Lorbache. Lorbache was sitting on the front stoop patiently waiting for her friend's return. Lorbache, noticing the flushness of the poor dear's cheeks, quickly became alarmed. The lade, after a few moments to gather her senses, spoke of all that she had seen, She related everything of her experience down to the genuine intrigue of how these creatures came to exist. Lorbache, fearful for those within the Realms and filled with her innate curiosity, struck out at once to find these beings.

She traveled for many days within the forest trying to locate some signs of the "cats". On the first day of her third week as she napped within the great branches of an elm tree, she heard what could only be described as laughter trilling through the breeze to her ears. Lorbache became very quiet as she listened to the voices banter back and forth. Then she caught sight of these unnatural creatures, to her astonishment, they were just as the old lady described.

Lorbache quickly froze, using her unique essence to hide herself within the tree limbs. She watched quietly as the creatures passed under her feet. After they were far enough away, not to notice her descent from the aerial foliage, Lorbache climbed down and began to follow the "cats". An accomplished tracker, Lorbache had only the slightest trouble picking up the almost non-existent prints left by the feline feet. As she followed these magical beasts, she began to pick up some of their characteristics, for instance, as they travel through the forest, their feet do not leave imprints on the forest floor. They do not damage any of the foliage around them, their campsites are clean and have no traces of their inhabitants.

She followed these creatures to their hideaway deep in Dark Derkwood where she quickly scaled a tree to obtain a better view. From her vantage-point, Lorbache deduced that the ramshackle hut was nothing more than a peasant's abode with a lean-to added. A large communal firepit drew the eye away from the shack to where the activity of the camp occurred. Milling about the pit was several cat=people, all occupied with various activities. The difference between males and females soon became apparent by the subtle nuances of body language. Gathering her senses, Lorbache began concentrating on her essence for invisibility. A spell that was taught to her by a master enchantress, she only used in extreme circumstance. Donning her cloak of invisibility, she was able to walk among the daily lives of those that peeked her interest.

Day by day, Lorbache learned that their language was not all that different from those she knew. As each day passed, she picked up enough words to be able to communicate with those who did not know she existed. Studying the "cats" involved every sense of her being that by her twentieth day of observations, she realized she had no food left and she hadn't tasted a morsel in days. Lorbache took her leave of her newfound toys and set out to search for what nourishment that forest could provide.

A woman who when involved in an activity gives herself completely to the task, Lorbache gasped in surprise when she parted a bush to pick some of its berries and found a pair of the most glorious eyes staring back at her. The golden eyes peered out in absolute fright as the mouth beneath bared sharp teeth as it hissed.

Quickly returning her senses to reality, Lorbache greeted the animal in his own language. Not only was the "cat" startled by this ugly beast before him, but also astonished that it knew his words, well roughly, the fine art of their guttural language was not completely grasped by this bald creature. After their general surprise at discovering each other, the cat asked in his language who or what this creature still holding the bush apart was. Lorbache deciphering what she could responded that she was gathering food. Being one that takes in all that there is from her surroundings, Lorbache saw a pain in his eyes. Naturally, she inquired as to what ailed him. It seems the "cat" feel from the limbs of a great tree high above, as he was about to grab a bird from its nest.

Lorbache, being of a kindly heart, quickly examined his odd body for ailments and was met with a broken leg. Working quickly and silently, her deft fingers created a brace for his injured limb. She hastily prepared a makeshift campsite and prepared and elixir to ease her new comrade's pain. Reluctant to ingest something sipped offered by one he didn't know, the male only drank the tea after much persuasion from Lorbache. She herself sipped from the same cup before he did to prove it was not harmful. He finally cooperated and soon began to feel relief. Night came and went, A day, a night, during this time Lorbache introduced herself and her ways to her new friend and he, in turn, did the same. Feeling comfortable with the "cat" who is called Lysian, Lorbache's acute interest prompted her to ask of his origin how he came to be.

Their conversation was something as follows...

Lorbache: "What are you? Where do you originate?"
Lysian: "I am Prrmyr. I am from the woods."
Lorbache: "No I meant, I have never seen one such as yourself outside of a fortnight ago. How were your people created? Surely, if your families have been around as long as the Elves, Drow and so on, I would have become acquainted with one of your before."
Lysian: "AH! THAT origin. Many years part, as the story goes. A wizard full of hatred for those of which you spoke decided to create a master race of warriors to over take the land and rule as he saw fit. For many years he toiled with this task and always failed. The monsters he created were usually sacrificed soon after their "birth", according to his diaries."

Lysian paused for a moment, registering the expression on Lorbache's face, then continued. "Ah! You seem surprised that we can read! We cannot quite grasp the ability to speak your tongue, but we have the knowledge to read it. He made sure of that! Back to our history. Many years he toiled at his task. For a reason unknown to me, he was only able to improve certain characteristics of his subjects successfully at a great cost. Lunacy dared to be rampant among his creations, deformities, as well as many other defects prohibited his allowing them to live. Until one fateful day. The wizard, whose name escapes my recollection, had by this point had become stark raving mad, began to chant the words that could be heard but never remembered. As his voice grew to a crucial crescendo, his tabby cat jumped into the fray. When his spell was finished, a creature so beautiful to the eye lay at his feet, a creature such as myself. Realizing what happened he quickly set out to search for more "equipment" and returned with a cougar. Once again, at the crucial point, the charmed animal leapt into the mix. Another glorious creature lay before him. As the lethargy wore off his "children" he began testing their every move."

After healing Lysian by mortal means, Lorbache decided to return to the village with him to learn more of his kind. She chose to remain in mortal form to the "cats" until she learned more of them, whether they were kindly in heart or evil. As Lysian and Lorbache followed a footpath to the hut, she inquired as to why they hadn't ventured further into the world. Lysian replied that some had ventured out of the darkness of the forest, but none had ever returned. Whether they were killed or had gotten lost the Prrmyrs never knew. Lysian, being comfortable with Lorbache confided that most of his people were afraid that those they would meet along the paths of the world would be as the wizard who created them.

"The wizard?" asked Lorbache, "Why were you afraid of the wizard?"

"He was cruel at heart." replied Lysian sadly.

Lysian pondered his part involvement with a human for a moment. "When we first came to exist, we being my people, he was kind and gently. His awe of his "children" as he called us, dominated his demeanor, making him appear as though he was a kindly soul. As our newness began to subside, his true heart he wore on his sleeve. Many many days he would rant at us during our studies if one were too slow for his liking to pick up on the lesson. Often, he would explode with rage for no explainable reason. We tried many ways to make him happy, as he was our father. His temper would flare, his hand would strike. The more his moods began to turn into the fiery pits of hell, the more force would be upon the whip that struck. All the while our studies increased at a rapid pace. Not only were we literate in the tongues of his knowledge, but he also began training some in his magic. Those that learned by his hand the secrets of magic soon became obsessive of our father, wanting to spend more and more time with him, despite the frequent beatings. As I spoke before, our existence was merely and accident within his quest to create a dominating warrior race. At our arrival, he didn't forsake his quest, he expounded upon it. He took the characteristics unique to us and compounded each, honing it to perfection. Thus not only are magic users among us, but incredibly powerful warriors.

Unbeknownst to us, he secretly began pitting us against one another. First, mundane problems arose, someone getting two rations while another slept hungry. Then the problems began involving more and more numbers in each dilemma. Soon, entire factions declaring themselves as the elite among our people formed. We are generally peaceful, until someone threatens our meals and naps. Most of us are level headed, preferring to rationally discuss grievances instead of leading to fist to cuffs. Fortunately, a few of our more level headed family members, belonging to different factions, decided to arbitrate each accusation. During, the long discussion, we learned that the words the father spoke were barbs poisoned with ideals of war. The factions banded together, uniting against our father in his madness. His rage at being found out was inconsolable. Father raised his hands in anger, spewing harming spells from his lips until fearing for our very lives we converged upon him. In the onslaught, he fell and struck his temple upon a sharp stone. The fragments of a spell fell from his lips, igniting his flesh in an enormous fireball. No sand, cloth or water could smother the flames as they consumed his wretchedness. Upon my soul, I believe no one meant to harm him until death, but to prevent him from the same to us. In the end, he exists no longer. We have dwelt among these trees for years, gearing to venture far from our home. And now, our fears have followed us home. For years, I have wondered what exists beyond the trees."

Lysian bowed his head in memory of his "father" whose mind was not powerful enough to control his magic. Lorbache, quite intent on listening to the tale, developed a scheme within the framework of her changeling mind. "How would you like to see the world?" she asked.

Lysian's eyes shown with the ageless gleam of a child with a new toy. "Could you bring me beyond the forest?".

"Without a doubt." replied Lorbache, "Without a doubt."

Lorbache explained to Lysian that not all among the land were as his "father", greedy and bent on revenge. She spoke of a distant land so far south that its terrain is covered with snowy drifts all year round. Each time Lorbache spoke of the places she had visited, Lysian's almond shaped eyes shone brighter and brighter as thought the plague of adventure began weeding its way into his heart. By the time the moon had risen and slept again, Lysian was ready to tramp out of the woods to greet the world. Not until this time did Lorbache reveal herself to him.

"I am Lorbache", she announced in a commanding voice.

"Yes, I know.", he replied quizzically.

"No, you don't understand. I am immortal. I can heal your sore paw by simply laying my hands within yours. I am the Goddess of Change.", and with that her physical being transformed into a jet black panther with eyes of gold. She trotted around Lysian and morphed back into the physique he had become comfortable with. "Do not be alarmed! I won't hurt you. I wanted you to see that I can help your transition into the world beyond this forest. I want to introduce you to the world. As you have experienced, there will be those you cannot trust, but there are ones who would lay down their lives for you."

"Are all those who dwell outside my home like you? Able to change into panthers?"

"No", she said, "I am the only one of my kind left. If there are others, I have not found them yet. Other immortals or gods, dwell within these Realms. We are not many, but we keep peace and war at even keels to make harmony. If you venture outside your haven, the others, and I will help you all we can. I cannot promise you will never by met by trials, but I can assure you that the Realms will welcome you. Outside this forest, adventures wait to be taken. Will you come?"

Lysian bowed his head and whispered, "I will come."

Lorbache lead Lysian out of the forest to the Central Square of Mesraht, there she declared that a new child of the Realms had awaken. The guards of Mesraht assured Lysian safe travel throughout the town and the surrounding area. Those that live within Mesraht's walls welcomed him with great awe. Many questions were asked, many answers given and even more left untold.

Lysian returned to his dark forest many times, encouraging those who would listen to stray from the darkness. A story, which captured many Prrmyrs attention, was that of Lysian walking upon a rainbow! The young children found it to be a tall tale, until Lysian escorted a group of young ones beyond the eastern gate of Mesraht to the clouds and the rainbow many leagues beyond. Not all his adventures were good, but his life has never been dull since his encounter with Lorbache, the Goddess of Change, who after enlightening the young "cat", returned to her private home within the clouds for a long awaited sleep.