Little is known about how Raistlin_ Majere escaped the clutches of Takhisis' Abyss and came to dwell once more in the Tower of High Sorcery at Palanthus, but theories as to this occurance as well as stories surrounding his life there do exist. Handed down through tavern tales and told about campfires on starlit nights, the legends of the Master of the Past and Present still abound in great quantity and variety, many more believable than others. Few have actually glimpsed the dark mage of the Tower but some will attest that indeed he still dwells there and may be observed by priveleged guests during the late hours of the night as he attends to his arcane business. Still others say that this is only an apparition or perhaps another mage eager to follow in the matster's footsteps. Be this fact or fiction the tale of his escape from the abyss and the procurance of his female companion are legends with just enough grain of truth to be imperative to any well versed aspirant to Tower visitation. What follows is the tale of Raistlin_ and the creation of Redrose. Listen well ye readers and renew thy strength in the power of love, for not even the smooth surface of black magic is left untouched by its omnipotent splendor...

The actual way in which the Master of Past and Present escaped from the Abyss is of some mystery to this day. It is suspected that Raistlin_ sealed a pact with the Dragon Queen and agreed never more to rule the Tower of High Sorcery, and thusly ended his career of power and ambition. Upon returning to the Tower Raistlin_ found his apprentice Dalamar the Dark in command and kept his word by allowing the dark elf to continue on as head of the conclave. In respect and deference (and perhaps a bit of gratitude), Dalamar elevated Raistlin_ to the position of Order Lord of the Black robes and showed his shalafi a great deal of respect. Raistlin_ settled back into the life of the Tower with relative ease and quickly resumed his studies where he had left off.

Soon though he grew a bit unsettled. Forbidden by Takhisis to work towards the sustaining power that every black robe desires, Raistlin_ soon grew restless and began to feel the need for something to fill his days. Disturbingly it seemed that more and more of late his thoughts had been turning to Crysania and he oft wondered to where she had gotten. Casting away these treacherous and demeaning thoughts he sat within the shadows of the Tower proper regarding his brother mages for many years. Gradually as time passed a plan began to form within his twisted mind.

As he mulled his thoughts and emotions he realized with a bit of disdain that the reason for his discontent was his lack of attention. The Master of the Past and the Present was lonely. Considering this new emotion that had previously left his ambition clouded conscience at bay he reasoned that a companion would be a most pleasant addition to his life in the tower. Immediately his thoughts turned to Crysania, the cleric that had journeyed with him into the abyss, but quickly he cast her aside as she was not quite perfect. For many weeks he regarded the female magi of the tower; Shaldow, Morodienne, Arabelle, even Dalamar's own Jenna. Though all were pleasant in their own way none were the type of companion that Raistlin_ deemed worthy of the effort of pursuit. Delving into the recesses of his oubliette mind, the Order Lord considered his options and made a decision based on perfectionism and sentimentality.

Rising he made his way to his laboratory at the top of the Tower and sat before his pool of conjuring. Meditating briefly he set his sights upon his goal and cleared his mind of all thoughts save communication with the queen of the dragons. As Takhisis herself respected Raistlin_ she appeared to him presently and heard out his plea her beautifully cruel eyes sweeping over his visage time and again as if to determine the sincerity of his ridiculous request. "The soul of bupu?" She demanded in awe and disbelief. "Bupu of Clan Bulp?" Raising her ethereal chin in a harsh laugh she nodded slightly and produced a small black gem, a flicker of red gleaming beneath its glossy surface. She tossed it to Raistlin_ who caught it with one hand, his gaze cold and deathly serious in her mocking cruelty. Disappearing in red haze, Takhisis left the Master of the Past and Present on his knees in the cold laboratory gripping the gem as a prize and stroking it softly whispering to it.

Over the next months Raistlin_ spent his time engaged in the crafting of the most precious magical item he would ever create. Hours upon his knees in his laboratory he molded the finest of materials and bound them with necromancy to create a host for the soul of his precious friend. He had finally found a way of rewarding her as well as satisfying himself. As the shape of the woman before him grew more beautiful each day, Raistlin_ had to struggle to restrain himself from concluding his work too soon. With deft fingers her molded the contours of her body giving life and shape to the curves of the woman that he longed for. Perfect in every way she was molded to exactly his tastes, her body an image of perfection with its pale skin and slender limbs. Upon her head he crowned her with a glorious cascade of silken sun-light. Tangling his fingers in the hair on her head he buried his face in it and smoothed his fingers across the ruby lips and marble cheeks of her perfect visage. His lady was complete. Gathering Bupu's soul-gem within his trembling hands he broke the stone before his lady and watched in awe as her spirit flowed into the goddess before him. Clutching a small leaf tightly within his golden palm he held his breath as he stood silently his pulse racing.

Her pale skin glowed golden for a moment, and then her ruby lips parted a bit and she moaned softly opening clear azure eyes. Blinking rapidly she focused her eyesight and regarded the mage curiously, her ruby lips curving into a beautiful smile. Raistlin_ tried to speak but the breath caught in his throat. Could he truly have created this perfect creature? Dare he believe that she truly lived? Immediately a wide range of possibilites as to her full potential opened wide before him as he gazed upon her perfect body, his hourglass eyes for once seeing no trace of death whatsoever. Opening his palm he gazed at the beautiful amulet that he had created in his nervous clutch; fragile gold and silver, the leaf shimmered as he placed it on a fragile chain and reverently clasped it around her white throat. Sweeping a black silken cloth from his table he approached her and gently swathed it about her bare shoulders. His golden face betrayed countless emotions as he swept her into his arms and carried her gently down the stairs and into his chambers, closing the door behind.

Weeks passed and Raistlin_ grew to love his lady more than he had ever thought possible. With all the grace, intelligence, and kindness that he had molded into her she was the vision of perfection. Her laughter filled the halls of the Tower as she swept about in her black gown, golden hair spilling around her marble countenance like liquid star light. She never once removed the symbol of his sacrifice and devotion and came to value the golden leaf all the more as she realized the sincere love he bore for her. All grew to love her but none so as Raistlin_, and he told her so nightly as she fell asleep in his embrace.

Thusly the Master of the Past and the Present finally learned to love and be loved, and he named his lady on the anniversary of the day he had given her life. Upon his arm they strolled in the gardens of the Tower admiring the foliage and exchanging poetry when Raistlin_ bent to pluck an alabaster rose to place in his lady love's honey hair. Pricking his finger on a hidden thorn Raistlin_ buried it within the petals of the soft flower and regarded it wryly as the flower became crimson with his shedded blood. "So beautiful...red rose" She breathed watching raptly as the rose became scarlet. Raistlin_ echoed her thoughts as he watched her sun- kissed face break into a smile. "So beautiful...my Redrose". Gathering her into his arms he kissed her passionately, enfolding her within the dark embrace of his love.

* * * * * * *

Time passed, and things changed. Raistlin looked upon his creation with frustration and seethed with animosity, but only at himself. He had wronged her. In sadness he locked himself in his labratory, and has rarely been seen since.

And so speaks the legend of Raistlin_ and his Redrose. Who may ever say if the tale speaks true, but even so the legend lives on to warm the hearts and fire the passions of those who hear and believe.

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