"Why spiders, Phyrra?"

I get asked all the time. Well, the reason isn't what you would probably expect. Yes, I'm a dark elf and we're known for our creation myths by spider sylphs or dragons. But, my penchant goes deeper than that. There are webs all around us, the fabric of the universe, the tapestry of history, the warp and weft of magic. I study the webs, understanding how they're formed, learning how to manipulate them, controlling what is caught and what is released. Anastasi speak of four webs: the web of silk, the web of life, the web of knowledge, and the web of magic. The next question is always the same.

"What is Anastasi?"

We went to Macabre's realms to try to bring Vallen home. Macabre asked a favor of me. Anastasi, he explained, had fallen into his plane and become trapped after their own plane was destroyed. They appeared to be spiders, he said, tiny, black, shiny creatures, and they did not belong in his lands. I agreed to take Anastasi back to Tyrangel, but Macabre wasn't done with me so easily. Anastasi had not hatched and their egg sac had to be carefully protected. "You must carry the egg sac someplace dark and warm - your mouth. "This was more than even I was prepared to do. Macabre cajoled, bargained, and finally convinced me.

Macabre, one of his minions, and I rifted into Tyrangel near the tavern. Slowly I made my way to the Healer's Guild, careful not to harm Anastasi. As we reached Amaris' cabin, we saw people milling around. The creature called "Skuzzlebutt" by Genevieve and Severa was in the area. It was invisible and thought to be similar to a pantherghast. I could not speak with the sac in my mouth. My heartbeat quickened and I wanted to run to the Guild but I knew the egg sac would burst if I did.

Suddenly, I was paralyzed. "Skuzzlebutt" was attacking me. Macabre unparalyzed me and I took two steps forward before I was again paralyzed by the creature. This continued for several minutes until I felt as though I were playing the children's game Stop-Go. Finally I stepped into the Circle at the Guild. As I climbed the stairs on the back proch, I felt the egg sac ripping and tiny legs crawling on my tongue. I opened my mouth as thousands of crawled forth, down my arms and legs, into the cracks of the Guild floor.

For a time, they would speak only to me, although now they may be more open to others' inquiries. They are fascinating. Anastasi function as a collective entity; whilte they are capable of acting as a community of individual "spiders" they can also physically form into one being. They know only what is within their web and understand everything in those terms. Their history is so intrinsically tied to them that they have racial memory and all things which become Anastasi gain their knowledge. We are teaching each other. They explain the four webs and I explain Tyrangel, our magics, our people, our ways and beliefs. So, if you visit the Guild, be sure to say hello to my friends there. They may not speak back, but they do listen.