Dargiev

Zefiron Dargiev is an accomplished man. His career has been exemplary, his academic achievements lauded, and his family prosperous.

He took the position of Gatekeeper for the same reasons anyone else does; it's easy, it pays very well, and the job security is top-notch. He made quite a few friends in the collegium and in the Hall of Ways itself to earn the appointment, and he has been quite satisfied since receiving it.

A model Red Wizard for much of his career, Dargiev has recently begun thinking about his future. He has no desire to seek undeath, or the prolonging of his natural life through other means. He is happy with his family, but he knows his wife will someday die, and his children will come into their own and have little time for him.

Thus, he has turned his thoughts toward the planes. He seeks to discover a way to become an outsider. Already, his research into altering his fundamental nature has borne fruit; he developed a series of spells that allow him to exchange his body with that of an extraplanar entity, and control that entity from the relative safety of the being's home plane.

He believes that, given time, he can discover a way to permanently bind his life force to the planes, rather than to the mortal coil, as is the case with all outsiders. He looks forward to beginning an eternal odyssey across the planes, as his previous travels have proved most rewarding.

Not surprisingly, this line of thought has made his mundane life seem much more so. He finds himself less interested in politics, money, and Thay itself. As such, his loyalty has lapsed somewhat, and he has, on several occasions, provided professional favors for people.

He is aware of the trouble this might bring, and is aware of the extent to which his peers and superiors have noticed his transgressions. He reacts to this with a combination of apathy and defiance. A Red Wizard of his caliber is nigh immune to prosecution within his order, and an official of his importance is unlikely to be tried for petty crimes of corruption. The only possibility would be the termination of his duty, which would likely occur only if a potential rival where campaigning for it--and that danger has always been present, as it is in any desirable political position.

On two occasions, Zefiron Dargiev has authorized Malhan Septim's passage through the Cimbar portal, where otherwise the trader may not have been able to get it otherwise. In both cases, money was exchanged--700 gold the first time, and 1,400 the second.

The most recent occurence was on 22 Marpenoth 1375. The additional fee was due to the number of passengers. He had brought with him an woman of Rashemi blood, whose papers seemed questionable, and who wore fine clothing which was obviously new and generically tailored. They stepped through the portal to Cimbar, and he did not hear back from them.