Important things to remember this time are that people will respond differently now that Syvishtara is a woman. We might be able to set up a romance with Xan. We can continue our romance with Branwen. And Shar-Teel has been personally witnessed by me flirting with the female Syvishtara. Dare we take them all at once? Only you can decide that!
Standard voting procedures apply. Each thread poster has 5 votes, which they can use to either vote FOR or AGAINST any character to be a party member. You can use all 5 votes for one character, or spread them out. You can vote both positively and negatively. If you vote too many times, only the first 5 votes are counted. If there is a tie, the character with the least amount of negative votes wins. If there's a tie in both positive and negative votes, I'll flip a coin. After voting is closed, the top 5 characters will join the party until they die. At that point, they will be resurrected and carted off to the Jovial Juggler, and the next-most-popular character will take their place. During this past chapter in the Let's Play we pretty much used up everybody available to us, since there were so many deaths. But that is not normally the case, so do not count on seeing your favorite dude show up simply due to attrition. Vote for your heart's five desires now!
Here are the contestants. Also note that all character sheets, linked via their names, are current in xp and hit points.
Bjornin: A level 7 human dragonslayer. A paladin we first met resting up in the Jovial Juggler in Beregost. He told us he had been recently defeated by a band of half-ogres southwest of Beregost. Asked us to get his vengeance. We said we'd keep an eye out. We found the half-ogres at Fisherman's Lake and the party of Bub Snikt, Finch, Imoen, Gavin, and Viconia took them out without any injuries. He was very grateful to us and offered us a magical shield. We accepted. We eventually won him over with gifts of gold and jewelry, and he joined up with us! Besides Ajantis, he is the only other paladin we have met. He did well in battle, killing people steadily with his spear, until I got him and everyone else killed in the Valley of the Tombs trying to defend ourselves against some amazon mercenaries. We sent him back to rest in the Jovial Juggler again, which is ironic, because he was the inspiration for us sending people to rest in the Jovial Juggler to recuperate from their wounds in the first place.
Branwen: A level 4 human Battleguard of Tempus who knows Level 1 and level 2 cleric spells. She was a statue in the middle of the Nashkel Carnival. We bought a Stone to Flesh scroll from a nearby gnome and turned her back to normal. She was grateful and agreed to join our battle party, and she didn't care what we were fighting. I liked her right away! She has told Viconia she thinks drow battle tactics are cowardly. She also recently asked me if I ever doubted myself. She seemed both shocked and relieved when I said I doubted myself all the time. When we got to Bear River an Ogre Berseker killed her in the middle of combat, and we let her rest in favor of using Kagain. We picked her up again after we exited the Nashkel Mines, because Minsc had to be let go and Finch was dead. She and I have been talking a lot about our childhoods and I've been noticing how enticingly she fills out a set of platemail armor. But then she died along with the rest of my party to some amazonian mercenaries in the Valley of the Tombs and I let her rest at the Jovial Juggler for a while. 
Bub Snikt: A level 3 human berserker. Prefers to dual-wield daggers. Met him in the woods of the Northern Coast Way. Told us to keep low and quiet, that he could smell ogres on the breeze. We offered to let him join the party, and he said okay. Sounds southern, as in southern hemisphere. Doesn't talk much. After clearing the road between Beregost and Nashkel of bandits, we let him have some R&R at the Jovial Juggler and took Rose back under our wing.
Dynaheir: A level 2 human sorceress who knows some level 1 spells. She had been captured by gnolls and was being held at the Gnoll Stronghold being forced to do god-knows-what in their fighting pits. Minsc recruited our party of myself, Imoen, Shar-Teel, Viconia, and Gavin to aid him in rescuing her. In the same village we met Edwin, who hired us to aid him in killing her. We also took him on but didn't promise anything. When we finally rescued her, 22 days later, we told her and Edwin to keep their personal disagreements to themselves, and considered the matter closed. She immediately asked us if we had seen her journal, which we had not. We stopped by the Dryad Falls on our way back to Beregost, and met up again with Drizzt, who asked us about a parchment he had found on some gnolls. It turned out to be one page of Dynaheir's journal. We agreed to split up and search the area for one day, then meet back up and see what we had found. Soon after Drizzt left, we were found by some gnolls that looked peaceful. They gave us a warning that the Old One had ordered many gnolls to find Dynaheir, and each had a piece of her journal with them. We accepted their warning, searched for the journal, but we needn't have bothered. Drizzt found it, and us, several days later. During that time Dynaheir mysteriously died for no discernible reason, except that we all know it was Edwin. Also, Edwin later tried to steal Dynaheir's journal, but was thwarted by its ward and cryptographic scribblings. When it was time to go to the Nashkel Mines, we chose to let Dynaheir rest at the Jovial Juggler for a while.
Edwin: A level 4 human conjurer who knows some level 1 and a single level 2 spell. By virtue of an heirloom amulet he is the most powerful mage in existence, able to cast 2 extra spells per level. We met him on the bridge over the river in Nashkel where he said he wanted to kill the witch Dynaheir. We told him he could travel with us but we would not promise anything about killing. Minsc said he would keep an eye on him. He has been trying to position himself as the superior mage in the party, and I've been trying to shut him down in turn. When we finally found Dynaheir, he became quite upset that I didn't kill her. He must have poisoned her or something himself because she dropped dead a few days later and I had to resurrect her. He also tried to steal her journal when she got it back, but she had warded it and he sheepishly gave it back to her. The man was getting on my ever-loving nerves, so I left him at the Jovial Juggler to relax. I hoped it would mellow him out, but it didn't. I know because I picked him up again when I got Thorfinn Hauskluniff killed by lightning in Feldepost's Inn. He lasted until the Valley of the Tombs, when he and everyone else in my group died to amazons mercenary bounty hunters from hell. I dropped him off again at the Jovial Juggler, a mite sheepishly.
Finch: A level 3 gnome Priest of Deneir that knows level 1 and level 2 cleric spells. An extremely happy miniature librarian stereotype. Confirmed that unfortunately she does not come with a stand mount. Met briefly in Candlekeep gardens. Actually said "anyhoo" in conversation. Met her again at the Red Sheaf Inn in Beregost where she helped us kill Karlat, a dwarf mercenary trying to collect on the bounty on my head. Joined up with us after the fight. Apparently she and Imoen have some history from Candlekeep. She punched Imoen in the head after Imoen glued a book together that she was reading. At level 1 she was also the juggernaut of destruction against Bassilus in the Red Canyons, destroying his undead with dialogue and Dooming him to succumb to the party's assault. She tried her hand out at co-tanking with Shar-Teel and then Ajantis, resulting in several deaths for her. It turns out that she recognizes Ajantis from Waterdeep, where they both grew up, although in very different circles. She was the ninth of seventeen gnomish children in a house much too small. She and Ajantis had a nice conversation about home nevertheless. She served us faithfully until she died against Rhialto while wielding the Flame of the North. We gave her some R&R at the Jovial Juggler and picked up Jaheira in her place. When it was time to go to the Nashkel Mines, we picked her up again and, with Viconia, she backed us up with healing. She became the lone healer when we switched Viconia out for Mur'neth. She distrusts Boo, Minsc's animal companion, because she thinks his rodent instincts will take over and he'll start chewing on her books. Minsc assured her this was not the case. Unfortunately during the ultimate battle at the bottom of the mines, she tried to heal Minsc while he was in a berserk state and he struck her down with one blow. We raised her and dropped her and Minsc both off at the Jovial Juggler. Hopefully this didn't put her completely off of adventuring.
Gavin: A level 3 human Morninglord of Lathander that knows level 1 and level 2 cleric spells. We met him outside of the Song of the Morning Temple in Beregost. Very devout, and good in a fight. Older guy, and likes to talk. Very scared of giant spiders. Hinted that he was trying to raise money for someone by adventuring, but didn't go into details. When we let him go for a while, he stood guard in front of the Song of the Morning Temple waiting for us to pick him up again. After Ajantis was one-shot killed by a Kobold Captain in the Trade Way South which led to him deserting the party, we decided to pick up Gavin again and travel with him for a while longer. He wasted no time in asking me about my childhood and my hobbies, and seemed very earnestly thankful that I told him about that stuff. Weird. Since then, we've been talking about such subjects as the ultimate consequences of our actions and the possibilities of world peace. He seems like quite a thoughtful guy, if a little chatty. He eventually confessed to his secret sin, which is to being married to a complete bitch who tricked him into raising a daughter not his own and cheats on him with any rich guy whenever he's away. He seemed to think we would want him out of the party after his confession, but we said that as long as it didn't interfere with party business it doesn't matter. He seemed incredibly relieved. He has a good relationship with Keldath Ormlyr who gave us a quest to stop a mad wizard who was trying to tame basilisks to the east of the Song of the Morning Temple. We agreed to take care of it right away. We killed Mutamin and got 1000 gold from Keldath. When we un-stoned Branwen at the Nashkel Carnival we decided to give Gavin some time to see his family and let him go back to Beregost. In an alternate-reality flashback that I experienced while in the Nashkel mines, I saw myself and Gavin meeting with a temple messenger who had yet another job for us to do. I saw myself agreeing to go with him to the temple to find out the problem. I was the same color in the flashback as I am now, so perhaps it was real. Perhaps we should go? We didn't get around to him, however, until a total party slaughter at the Valley of the Tombs left us with no other choice, due to shame, a need to rest, or some other problem. But first, we had to sneak our way around some mercenaries who were staking out a claim near his vigil at the Song of the Morning Temple. We approached from the east, but were chased off by worgs and dread wolves. Then we approached from the south, and I barely was able to run in and tag him for the party before we had to both run into the temple and then out its south entrance to get away from the mercs tailing us. He's been with us, healing everybody, for a while now. He was instrumental in the fight against Corsone, the shadow druid who helped us to kill his fellow grief-stricken druid Ozmadi. He saw me changed into a woman, but didn't say anything. When I started asking him some questions about how he liked adventuring, he said he would probably like it better in retrospect. I also asked him why he uses a hammer when most clerics use a mace. He said that the hammer can be used as a tool as well, and that possibility reminds him to always be aware of the consequences of his actions. He was great in the first raid on the bandit camp, casting Entangles to go along with my webs and healing everything in sight. 
Imoen: A level 5 human Charming Rogue who can cast Magic Missile, Color Spray, Burning Hands, Friends, Invisibility, Charm, and Reflect Image. She's pretty smart and will dual-class to a mage in a couple more levels. My childhood friend, partner in crime, and a general troublemaker. She reads letters that she's not supposed to. She also followed me out of Candlekeep and pledged to keep me company until I got tired of her. Nice girl, her. When we killed Tarnesh, she picked up his spellbook and has been studying it. She created a strange book-like artifact using it that makes her more dexterous once a day. If she keeps studying that spellbook she might eventually dual-class to mage. Meanwhile she is becoming a pretty good thief, ripping off the entire city of Beregost and leaving them weaponless, potionless, and penniless. Xzar seems to enjoy freaking her out. In a conversation with Gavin, I told him that one of my hobbies was getting drunk in the taverns with Imoen. She's a great drinking buddy. When we got to Nashkel and killed the assassin waiting for us at the Nashkel Inn, I let it slip that I had been attacked by assassins within Candlekeep. She was shocked, and wanted to know why I hadn't told her. I said that I wanted to spare her the worry. She used Minsc to semi-blackmail Dynaheir into teaching her how to cast Burning Hands, and yet we still all love her. She has been in my party and my presence since I left Candlekeep, and has hardly ever died. That is, until amazons hunted us down in the Valley of the Tombs and killed my entire party. I barely had time to get our equipment and get out of there. I sadly gave her some time to rest at the Jovial Juggler. I have GOT to tell her that I'm a woman now!!
Jaheira: A level 1/1 half-elf fighter/Priest of Sylvanus who can cast some level 1 cleric spells. A very pushy woman. She says that she and Khalid often "look into" local concerns, and she wants us to all look into what's going down in Nashkel. Lets Khalid follow her around like a lost puppy. She disapproved of us working for Silke, and reprimanded me for doing that. After some time together we decided to trade her and Khalid for Finch and Shar-Teel. She took Khalid and left for the Friendly Arm Inn without so much as a goodbye. After Finch died for the 4th time, we approached Jaheira again to join our party, which she did without being accompanied by Khalid. She immediately tried to call out Gavin for not pulling his weight in the group and not telling the party about his wife and child, even though he already had told us while she was not around. She came out of the talk looking like a complete nosy bitch. She later died to a surprise Astral Phase Spider hiding out in a cave near the Song of the Morning Temple, cut down in one round. We resurrected her, dropped her off at the Jovial Juggler, and picked up Shar-Teel instead. We picked her up again after Thorfinn Hauskluniff and Dynaheir died taking out Tazok's lackey Tranzig in Feldepost's Inn. She lasted until we went to the Valley of the Tombs, where she and everyone else was slaughtered by some amazonian merceneries sent out to kill us for the Iron Throne. I dropped her back off at the Jovial Juggler and picked up Khalid instead.
Kagain: A level 3 dwarf Gladiator. Was working as a mercenary in Beregost when we walked into his office. He wanted us to look for a lost caravan, but we had already found the remains of it, and showed him Silvershield's fibula. He quickly realized he was in a heap of trouble and offered to join up with us. Wonder if he will bring that trouble with him. Spent a whole lot of time in the Jovial Juggler, but when Branwen was killed at Bear River we picked him up to replace her. Boo doesn't seem to like him, though. When we assaulted the Gnoll Stronghold, Kagain did well in combat, but eventually fell to some Dire Wolves while Held near the center of the fortress. But we were so close to completely destroying the gnolls we resurrected him and brought him back into the fight. He only left our party after we rescued Dynaheir, and is waiting back at the Jovial Juggler for us to pick him up again. After a total party slaughter in the Valley of the Tombs, he was one of the most well-rested at the Jovial Juggler, so we picked him up again. He has been doing excellently against the bandits, flinds, and giant spiders we have been encountering. He also seems to admire Kivan, because Kivan doesn't steal things, stays quiet, and is deadly with a bow. Kivan doesn't return the favor, though. He was part of the party when we went to the Larswood and fought the druid crazed with grief, Ozmadi. Kagain saw me changed into a woman. He hasn't yet said anything, though. When I tried to talk to him at the Friendly Arm common room, trying to get him to tell me more about himself, he said these were dangerous times we lived in. He also said he had no friends, and didn't understand why we all had suddenly come into his life. Then he said that if he had something to tell us, he would, but he doesn't, so he won't. He's a gruff old bugger. He did pretty well in the first raid against the bandit camp, killing mercs and eating lightning bolts like it was nothing. Too bad he died to a spider after we ran away and got lost.
Khalid: A level 1 half-elf Duskblade. A nerdy fighter who has read up on ancient elven spellcasting techniques, and Jaheira's companion. Stutters. Gets scared a lot. Apparently a long-time friend of Gorion and interested in what's going on down in Nashkel. But mostly he's interested in everything that Jaheira is, because its just like that. Followed Jaheira to the Friendly Arm Inn when we replaced them with Finch and Shar-Teel. He would be willing to rejoin us without Jaheira, though, if we asked. We didn't party with him for a long time, until the entire party was slaughtered by amazonian mercenaries in the Valley of the Tombs. He was part of the relief party that took over from the poor dead ones. When he joined, he immediately asked me if I would continue on in my quest to rid the land of the bandits. When I said I would, he said he hoped it wasn't just for bloody-minded vengeance. But when I said vengeance was enough, he surprisingly enough said he would have to stay by my side even so then. I guess even though he doesn't say it he also wants to get revenge on Gorion's killers. He did a pretty good job during his second time in the group, fighting side-by-side with Kagain and killing more than his fair share of bandits, gnolls, and spiders. Unfortunately in his last spider fight he got poisoned trying to protect a paralyzed Gavin from getting poisoned as well, and we were out of antidotes. Despite drinking all the healing potions and eating all the Goodberries he could, he couldn't overcome the poison and died in the Peldvale. It was excruciatingly frustrating watching him go without being able to help. We dropped him off back at the Jovial Juggler in shame.
Kivan: A level 2 elf 
Minsc: A level 4 human ranger. We met him near the Nashkel barracks. Carries around a miniature giant space hamster, Boo. Said that he needed to go save a woman Dynaheir from gnolls. We agreed to help, sending Rose back to the Burning Wizard Inn. Grabbed and intimidated a pickpocket into giving us our money back after he tried to pull a fast one on us in one of the gambling tents at the Nashkel Carnival. Is extremely suspicious of Edwin, watching him closely. Held the line against an unknown number of xvarts, probably over 50, with the Flame of the North. He was flanked by Haiass and my cat familiar. They died, he lived. Has been the lynchpin in our party ever since then, single-handedly destroying more gnolls than the rest of the party combined. He is overjoyed to have Dynaheir back, happy enough that he has begun telling bedtime stories to Boo. He almost told us a very embarrassing story about Dynaheir, skinny dipping, and someone stealing her clothes, but was barely stopped by Dynaheir herself. Was extremely effective against Mulahey and his minions in the ultimate fight at the bottom of the Nashkel Mines, but actually too effective. He killed Finch in a berserker rage. We had to give him a time out back at the Jovial Juggler, hopefully enough time to have Dynaheir explain to him why killing party members is wrong. Xan took his place.
Mur'Neth: A level 3 ghaunadan Ghaunadan. A slime-shaped mockery of a man that makes hideous sounds approaching speech come out of his flapping mouth-hole. He is a loyal servant of Ghaunadaur, the evil god of oozes, slimes, and jellies, worshipped by some drow. We met him deep within the Nashkel mines, and he said he was investigating the poison that the people were using to poison the iron. He didn't care about the iron itself, but the poison was killing slimes and jellies, so his god sent him to stop it. He is very devout, and it's kinda creepy. Also he gurgles when he talks. I personally don't like him and wouldn't care if he died. We have had one conversation so far where he asserted that jellies and slimes were at the top of the food chain and if there weren't so many kobolds around his brethren wouldn't mind eating miners. Disgusting. He died in one hit to an orc berserker when we got out of the Nashkel Mines, and we dropped him off at the Jovial Juggler. Hopefully he doesn't eat anybody while he's there.
Rose: A level 4 half-elf White Dragon Disciple who knows some level 1 spells and can cast Chill Touch innately. We first saw her being accosted in the Burning Wizard Inn, but the man said she took his money. Silke had taught us the danger of a pretty face not five minutes before, so we didn't immediately side with the chick. We tried to mediate the situation, offering the man 10 gold to drop it. He did, cursing us all. After he left Rose gave us 23 gold, which was what she considered to be our cut. Clever girl. Originally from Athkatla. Wanted to become an actress in the plays in the bridge district there, but her parents never let her. That's one of the reasons why she ran away. Likes singing, and clouds, and enjoying life. Dislikes wearing armor, as it chafes her. We dropped her off at the Jovial Juggler after killing Bassilus, wanting to give Tiax a chance in the party. After clearing out the road between Beregost and Nashkel, we picked her back up as the 5th member. She was present at the slaying of Rhialto, singing all the way through and not getting hit once. She was also helpful during the slaying of the mad mage Mutamin and his basilisk and medusa armies. However, when we met Minsc, we decided to take him on and let Rose go back to the Burning Wizard. We left her there for many weeks, until one fateful day in the Valley of the Tombs everyone was slaughtered except for me and the mule. Ashamed, weakened, disheartened, we limped back to the Jovial Juggler and picked her up as a replacement. Her songs have been making everybody just that much more effective. She sang us through the confrontation with the grief-stricken druid Ozmadi and his evil fellow hippie Corsone as well, and was there when I was changed into a woman. She was there for me when I ran back to the Friendly Arm Inn in confusion, and helped me through my first hesitant steps of womanhood. We bonded over dresses and tea, and I asked her how she started life on the road. She said that she just couldn't stand her previous life, so one day she just up and left. I told her I admired her decision, and she was overjoyed that I didn't judge her. She asked about my past, and commiserated with me when I told of Gorion's death. She's a good friend, that Rose. She contributed to the Sticky Mess strategy we used on our first raid of the bandit camp, casting Grease on top of Gavin's Entangle and my Web, which was designed to slow down the bandits enough for us to pick them off. Didn't work so well, and she got a few arrows to the face, but managed to survive nevertheless.
Shar-Teel: A level 3 human Sellsword. Met us on the road to Nashkel. Challenged our best warrior to a duel. Khalid stepped up to the plate and gave her a nice, solid cut. She capitulated and joined our party. We gave her a compliment once, and she started assuming we were together. That apparently translates as her berating us for staring at her too long, and telling us about her crooked, chauvinist pig of a father Angelo. Later, she told us of her role model and mentor, the powerful and cruel mercenary Ysena, who trained her to be what she is today. During that conversation she let it slip that she worked in the slave trade. Later, in a boot-related romantic encounter, I told her I had lost interest, and it seemed like she didn't care. But she still feels something deep down inside. When we found Ajantis we decided to send her back to the Jovial Juggler in Beregost for a while, to give us some time apart. Eventually whenever we would go back there, I would manage to talk to her. I have told her my life story, and she said I was still a pox-ridden son of a pig. Considers pushing and shoving to be gestures of love. She ruthlessly slaughtered the mad mage Mutamin at the perfect time, saving the fight and allowing us to win. When we met Edwin, we decided to let Shar-Teel rest at the Jovial Juggler and pick him up instead. I thought that things had cooled between Shar-Teel and I, since I was saving so many puppies and fixing so many problems. But I guess me becoming a woman really gets her goat, because she is flirting with me shamelessly now that I'm back at the Jovial Juggler. I think she wants me bad!
Thorfinn Hauskluniff: A level 4 human Frost Dweller who showed up at the Jovial Juggler after we saved the Nashkel mines from the evil clutches of Mulahey. He hails from the frozen northlands, and told us very wisely that bitches be trippin'. He likes dual-wielding axes, and took up both of his against Tranzig, the evil wizard helping out the bandits and their mysterious leader, Tazok. Unfortunately he couldn't handle two lightning bolts to the face, and went down during the fight. We gave him some time to recover at the Jovial Juggler.
Tiax: A level 2/2 gnome Strifeleader of Cyric/thief who can cast some level 1 cleric spells and can summon a ghast in battle. We found him at the city center of Beregost. He recruited us into his cause of world domination without so much as an interview and has been haranguing us about it ever since. We left him at the Jovial Juggler in Beregost for a while after he exhorted us to kill more puppies and defile more temples, because he was getting annoying. But after killing Bassilus, who was also a priest of Cyric, we picked him up again because I was impressed with Bassilus' raw power. When Ajantis joined us, he disapproved of Tiax and asked me why Tiax was with us. We said Tiax entertained us, and Tiax became quite offended. He summons Ghasts, which are pretty useful in a fight. We eventually sent him back to the Jovial Juggler when we came across Bub Snikt. And we left him there for several weeks, until Khalid got killed in the Larswood and we thought his healing and ghasts might be more useful. We took him back to the Larswood with us and his ghast was instrumental in our fight against the grief-stricken Ozmadi and his evil druid traitor companion Corsone. Tiax was there in that fight, and saw me changed into a woman. He hasn't yet said anything, though. He has been getting into fights with Kagain lately. The dwarf just can't seem to stand him. Kagain has threatened to kneecap him if he doesn't conform to gnomish norms soon. Also, Kivan told Tiax about the drow, and compared Tiax to them. It was then that he realized Tiax was truly delusional.
Viconia: A level 4 drow Nightcloak of Shar that can cast some level 1 and level 2 cleric spells. We met her in the Trade Way North when she ran up to us and asked us for help. We said yes, not realizing what she meant. She was being chased by a Flaming Fist mercenary who accused her of murder and demanded her death. I said he had to go through us first, and he attacked us all. We had to kill him. That night, when we had finally gotten back to the Jovial Juggler, she came to thank me for rescuing her. I got her to "thank" me in the particular drow way I had heard about. She landed the killing blow against the mad mage Rhialto, which let me loot his spellbook and gain forbidden arcane knowledge. She was also instrumental in turning the tide of battle in our favor during the fight with the mad mage Mutamin, blessing us, cursing our allies, and Knowing the last Opponent so that we could kill her without getting turned to stone. Both when we cast Stone to Flesh on Tamah near Mutamin's garden, and when we cast Stone to Flesh on Branwen at the Nashkel Carnival, Viconia fervently agreed with our actions and showed great concern for the petrified women. She stayed silent throughout most of the rescue of Dynaheir, although her heals were vital to keeping everyone alive. After we rescued Dynaheir, she became more talkative, expressing her respect for the sorceress. Dynaheir is hesitant to respond, though. When we went down into the Nashkel mines, she said they reminded her somewhat of her home. We decided to give her a break when we came across Mur'neth, as they would likely not get along. She is currently hesitantly resting at the Jovial Juggler, convinced that such a place is not good for her continued health.
Will Scarlet O'Hara: A level 1 human Troubadour. He greeted us as soon as we got to Beregost. Very helpful, nice guy. Offered to join us in our adventures, so we accepted. Wields a flail in melee and is proud of it. Has 6,000 gold worth of equipment waiting to be bought from different places around town. We left him at the Jovial Juggler despite his crazy-awesome bard song that gives everybody an extra attack per round because he doesn't talk and has a face people just want to punch.
Xan: An amazingly handsome level 4 elf bladesinger. When we killed Mulahey at the bottom of the Nashkel mines, we found Xan in one of the side caverns. He said he had been held there for 85 days, and had originally been sent to investigate the strange goings-on in this area. We had been on the road for 82 days at that point, so he had just a few days head-start on us, so to speak. He asked us if we had found his sword, and offered to join us. We took him up on his offer because we were without a reliable swordsman, since Minsc had just killed Finch in a berserker frenzy and none of us felt comfortable around him. I have only known Xan for a short while but he's just so... elven. I can tell that he knows a lot about our people, much more than I could ever know. I want to learn from him. I want to be just like him! Now that I am a woman, I wonder... what would he think of me? Would I be elven enough for his tastes? Wait, what am I thinking?
Xzar: A level 2 human Necromancer that knows a few level 1 spells. Crazy dude Imoen and I met on the road right after Gorion had died. Knew that we had been attacked, offered us a healing potion and then tried to guilt us into going to Nashkel with him and his half-pint thug Montaron. With nothing better to do, we joined up with them at first. We then left him at the Jovial Juggler because we favored some other companions. When we found a mithril ring in the Ankheg pit he appropriated it for himself, saying that he was going to enchant it with 'guidance.' From what, we do not know. Teases Imoen with talk of death, and Ajantis with talk of dragons. When we met Bub Snikt, we decided to give Xzar a break and travel with Bub for a while. He didn't seem to mind at all. We picked him up again when it was time to go to the Nashkel mines. While traveling with Finch, he noticed her scribbling away in her journal and asked her what she was doing. When she replied that she was writing down everything that we said and did, he became convinced she was a spy for a nameless enemy, and refused to tell her anything. We decided to give him some time off when we met Mur'neth, and sent him back to the good ol' JJ.
