The following piece is a fragment of backstory or world history from an unreleased role-playing game. It was written by Cindy Vanous, copyright Sierra On-Line, 1998.
The Reeves (Nation: Gordian Caverns)
The Reeves were created by the Arcana'dir sorcerer Gordius, shaped from a mountain-dwelling species of giant lizard. Their natural strength, innate intelligence, and exceptional lifespan made them especially suitable for his purposes. In the majestic, convoluted warren of caverns he carved from the heart of World-crest, Gordius built a world of his own, far from the light of day and farther still from persecution by his fellow humans. Within the brightly-lit tunnels and vast underground grottos, beautiful new species of flowers bloomed and flourished. Creatures never before seen grazed and frolicked. Iridescent insects glittered like jewels and buzzed among the greenery. And Gordius lived the rest of his days in peaceful madness, shaping a personal subterranean utopia.
The Reeves were his servants and stewards, tending the gardens and caring for the various species of herbivore, documenting the sorcerer's experiments and trials, feeding the sunstones with their own weak magic, and looking after the needs of Gordius himself. In his elder years, the great sorcerer began to think of the Reeves as his own children, and taught them many of the arts and sciences of humanity. When he passed on, he left his lonely kingdom to the Reeves, to foster their children, further their society, and appreciate his precious private paradise.
Sadly, the Reeve population has only dwindled over the centuries. Their genetic structure is flawed, and they only rarely produce offspring. Still, they care for the Gordian caverns, maintaining all but the furthest tunnels, and continue to document their world in an ever-growing library. Due to their extended lifespan, each individual adult is a master of his or her chosen profession, having had decades or even centuries to perfect the necessary skills. If the Reeves were to trade with the outside world, they could offer excellent metalwork, fine jewelry, fantastic food, and esoteric knowledge. Gordius' Arcana'dir heritage and upbringing also gave the Reeves an excellent background in world history and lore, both sadly lacking from the contemporary cultures of Athyr.
The government of the Reeves is simple. As there are only several dozen individuals remaining in their society, they simply meet in a group whenever a decision needs to be made. Each Reeve is allowed to express his or her opinion, then the entire race deliberates all aspects of the situation and reaches a collective decision. Even the youngest Reeves are allowed to participate in these meetings, as their culture values the insight of youth as much as they respect the wisdom of age. This process of deliberation and communal opinion is carried through into other areas of their lives... seldom does a Reeve make a swift or impulsive decision, unless the situation is urgent and offers no other choice.
Reeve clothing is simple and functional, often consisting of lightweight robes or tunics, but the materials and the manufacture are superb in every way. The Gordian caverns are the only places on Athyr where the raw material for Sivlingrat sheer-thread can still be harvested, and the Reeves are proficient in weaving shimmering fabrics and patterns from the gossamer strands. A slightly heavier fabric is loomed from the seed-pod fibers of a unique flowering fern. The fern seeds themselves, along with many other grains and legumes, form the basis of the Reeves' diet. Meat is only included on the menu if cavern herbivores overpopulate their tiny closed ecosystem and need to be culled.
The Mequali have legends of the Reeves. They regard the nonhumans as sacred animal spirits, possibly even mountain-bound deities, who have been known to help travelers in dire need. Their hidden home is equally legendary, and is described in detail accurate enough to suggest that rare humans might have been taken inside at various points in Mequali history. Several pieces of exquisite and exotic jewelry which seem to be of Reeve construction have become treasured heirlooms among old Mequali families, a fact which lends credence to the tale.
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