With the ending of the LG campaign, I have decided to write a short IC post
concerning the ultimate fate of my highest level and most well-known character,
Lookooze:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
------------------------
Lookooze finished his lecture on Applied Alchemy with a splash... literally.
For many years now, he had been obliged to place signs on the first 3 rows of
seats in the lecture hall indicating that persons seated in them WILL get wet.
Even so, many of his alchemy students had taken to wearing acid-proof smocks and
sitting no closer than the 5th row, and then only with protective eye coverings.
Still, what is the study of alchemy without laboratory demonstrations?

As the students extinguished the small fires that had begun to consume their
notes after the last demonstration and began leaving the lecture hall wheezing
and gasping for air, Lookooze noticed a well dressed yet inconspicuous gnome
making his way against the flow of students desperate to escape the foul stench
and thick smoke of Lookooze's most recent "demonstration". The gnome good
naturedly commented upon the "extreme and unusual" nature of Lookooze's
demonstration as he watched the last of the students beating a hasty retreat.

Finally, when they were alone, the gnome turned to Lookooze and said. "I presume
that I have the honor of addressing Lookooze, Master and Martinet of the
Syrloch, Spell Sergeant garrisoned in the 32nd battle, Lord Dire of Sterich, and
member of the clergy of Heironeous, having achieved the prestigious
classification of 'Contemplative', and holder of the sword 'Malthindor' that has
been cleansed of evil by the power of Heironeous himself?" The gnome did not
pause for confirmation from Lookooze, it was clear that he was merely asking to
be polite. "I am Zidwizzle Nebakanezer, special attaché to the Commandant, and
Minister without portfolio."

Lookooze seemed very impressed with this as he quite literally bubbled with
enthusiasm and said in an excited voice "Sticky!!!!" Exactly what he meant by
this utterance remained unclear.

Zidwizzle, who seemed only mildly disturbed by Lookooze or his demeanor,
continued "Yes... Quite. If I may confirm, I understand that your, err
professional studies, have included the admixture of druidic and arcane magics,
of that classification sometimes vulgarly referred as an 'Arcane Hierophant'?"

Lookooze then seemed to, if this was possible, become even more excited. He
said: "Ohhhh Yesssss! It has allowed me to study many fascinating creatures!
Did you know that the combat prowess of a vertebrate is directly proportional to
the volumetric displacement of its spleen?!?!?"

Zidwizzle did not seem even remotely surprised by this question and acted as if
spleen size was a perfectly normal conversation topic (skill mastery: bluff).
"Indeed, I had always suspected as much. However, if you will permit me to pry
into somewhat personal details, have you attained that rank of druidic magic
whereby you may assume the form of a plant creature?"

Lookooze was practically ecstatic when he answered "YES! Would you like to see?
I'll give you the very rare opportunity to see a Phantom Fungus! Naturally they
are invisible, so a wild shaping druid is just about the only way to see a
living one!" And then without waiting for an answer, his form melded into a
large tentacled monstrosity looming cheerfully over the gnome.

Craning his neck to look up at Lookooze's disturbing new visage, Zidwizzle said
"Ah, yes, I wonder if you might be able to take the shape of another creature's
form, specifically a form of intelligent mushroom called a Myconid. I
understand that you once spent some months visiting Myconids in the vicinity of
the Hornwood of Geoff?"

Lookooze's form once again melted and bubbled until a Myconid Sovereign stood
before the gnome. Lookooze used one of the special "attacks" of the Myconid to
eject "translation spores" that allowed him to communicate telepathically in the
manner of Myconids. He thought to the spore covered Zidwizzle (who seemed to
have actually expected this) "Aren't they Noble Creatures?! Truly a tribute to
Fungus-Kind everywhere! Would that I could have spent more time with them!"

Zidwizzle began dusting spores off of his rather expensive jacket and said
amiably, "Well, as it happens, there is a special job that a loyal agent of the
Commandant with your skills might perform in that regard. As you are no doubt
aware, recent events in and under Shiboleth have demonstrated that Gran March is
vulnerable to subterranean attack. In recent history, drow activity in and
under our land has been relatively limited due to the presence, until recently,
of the Giant occupation of Geoff... Giants considering the drow to be Tyv like
us. The commandant has certain concerns that the drow will take advantage of
the removal of the Giant threat to establish a greater presence under our fair
land. For that reason, he has empowered me to recruit likely operatives who
could infiltrate neutral subterranean communities and watch for subterranean
threats developing, especially drow, before these issues reach the surface as it
were. There is a Myconid colony beneath Hochoch, and we would like you to
consider becoming an undercover agent posing as a Myconid within this colony.
Unfortunately this would mean going on detached duty from the 32nd battle and
suspending your teaching activities here at the Syrloch campus. And I feel I
must warn you, this duty might take many years or even decades."

With characteristic over-enthusiasm, and hopping up and down with glee, Lookooze
turned back into his normal form and accepted.

Zidwizzle smiled, shook Lookooze's hand, and said "Welcome to the Commandant's
Synod."

Lookooze was not seen within the borders of Gran March again for many years...
but that is another story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
-------------------------
Thanks to the Triad and Circle members past and present, to gamers, and GMs,
alike for making LG so much fun!