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[Usurper]

No sooner is he done, than Imoen strikes up a conversation with Minsc.



Boo wouldn't be Boo, then.

He would just be the same person, err... hamster, Minsc, he would just... hmmm... change his look?

What's that, Boo? Oh, Boo says that it's not in his character to go for a dramatic remake.

Oh, well. If he changes his mind, I'll be shopping for more hair dye soon enough, so just whistle! I'd help him to select something... something heroic.

Erm... Boo says: of course we would whistle!

When we get everybody suited up, we set off on a very fateful journey. A journey I had hoped to make and dreamt of making, and yet put off for so very long.

We retrace our steps, back the many long roads, to the coastal fortress of knowledge - Candlekeep.



Our journey is completely without incident... until the very last few yards.



That's the voice of an invisible ogre mage. Great. And who the hell is the son of Murder? Do I have to add him to the list of people wanting to kill me?

My magical senses detect 4 ogre mages around us.



The first thing everyone does is drink Oils of Speed.



There are only two Ogre Mages visible. Kagain charges the first with the Axe of Dispelling Fire, while Bjornin charges the other wielding the Inquisitor's Halberd, which also dispels magic on hit. Imoen and I both cast Dispel Magic at the general areas where the other two Ogre Mages are hiding. Even Xzar contributes to the fight by casting Detect Invisibility!

Kagain strikes down the first Ogre Mage as the others come into view, revealed by our magicks.



Minsc charges the newly-revealed foe with his new sword, Belhifet's Sword of Grief +5. One strike of his sends his enemy running.



With the virulent poison effect of that blade, I don't expect the mage to last long.

One of the mages casts a spell at us, and Xzar falls!



Asleep! At least he's not dead. Minsc gets revenge for Xzar's sleepiness by chunking the offending mage.



The two other mages fall at the same time, one killed by Imoen, and the other by Bjornin.



That was too easy.

Gameplay note: I think I'll adopt a kill-it-so-fast-that-it-doesn't-hurt-you strategy, so that I don't have to heal anyone.

I am proven right when one last Ogre Mage reveals himself by Confusing Minsc.



Bjornin takes care of that.



When I search the bodies, one of them is holding a letter.



It is signed with an S. S as in Son of Murder? Ooh, or Syvishtar! I could be putting these hits out on myself, the personality that comes out when I'm asleep! Wait, I'm an elf, I don't sleep.

Well as long as they keep sending me weak-as ogre mages then I guess I don't mind too much.

We wait until Minsc's confusion has abated. It takes a really long time because we're not sure which is normal Minsc and which confused Minsc. But eventually we sort things out, and finally approach the Keeper of the Portal.



Gameplay note: Actually the first time I went here I didn't have the History of the Nether Scrolls, because I had given it to Finch to keep in her book bag. I ran back to the Elfsong to get it.

We have the book you require.

You have met the requirements to gain entry to our most holy library. It is fine to see the child of Gorion once again within these hallowed grounds. Please have your less civilized friends refrain from causing trouble. We are very strict with the letter of the law, as you well know, Syvishtar.

I feel the old oppression bridling me, and grit my teeth. Damn monks! I just get back and they simply will NOT give me a break!

But hey, we're back in Candlekeep!!



We are immediately approached by a strange man in red.



I am Syvishtar, and I called this place home for many years.

Syvishtar! Then I know you well, though you may be hard pressed to remember. I was last here years ago, and conferred with your foster father as you were off to chores. I am not much your senior, really. I am certain you tire of hearing it, and that legion have told you the same, but Gorion was well known to me. His death has been mourned by many.

I have received sympathy from many a person I have never met before. Who was he to receive such adulation?

Simple respect is all that it is. Gorion did many good things for many people. When last I spoke with him I was barely acquainted with his fellows myself, but those who harp do tend to keep to themselves their affiliations. He was a longstanding member, from what I understand. Likely he said nothing to you because he wished your childhood to be as normal as possible. I suppose all parents wish this, whether the child is theirs or not. I have yet to meet anyone who made claim to achieving it though. How do you wager you have fared?

As well as can be expected, though I have learned much about myself that perhaps was better left unknown.

Would that I had a gold coin for every person I have heard say such a thing. I am sure your troubles vary greatly from my own experience, but we all have trials we must overcome. We all have a side that should not see the light of day too often. What matters is how much strength you wish to let it have. Bah; such words are better saved for classes and meditations, not for reunions. I will take my leave, though perhaps I shall see you again before I am to go. The tomes of Candlekeep are very nearly endless, and I am sure to be here for a tenday at least. There are some within the central keep who wish to speak with you, so it would be wise of you to visit there sometime. Fare well, my friend.

Oh yes, I'm sure there are. Probably some monks wanting to assign me chores! Well they're going to have to wait until the morning, because my companions and I are all tired. All except for Xzar, who just woke up from a magically-induced Sleep.

We cut through the central courtyard to get to the Inn faster. Feldane moves to intercept me, though, so I let him.



You seem hesitant, Feldane. Are these people not to be trusted?

It is not for me to say, but I should keep an eye on your purse strings while here. Three are from the Iron Throne, supposedly the leaders themselves. The others are from Amn. I believe they are representing the Knights of the Shield. They both claim this trip is to discuss future trading relations, because the Iron Throne has grown so much as of late. I know very little of the economics of Baldur's Gate, but I would hazard a guess that both are more than mere businessmen.

What do you mean by that? I have had "dealings" with the Iron Throne, so I would like to know what they are up to.

Oh, I hope you haven't thrown your lot in with them. I hear they are such unsavory types. More into power than commerce. I overheard them talking, and they have actually profited from the iron crisis! That's why the Knights of the Shield are here; the Iron Throne has gained a lot of influence lately and threatens to take over certain Amnish interests. I am surprised that Keeper of the Tomes Ulraunt allowed them entry, but thy have done nothing wrong that can be proved.

I don't suppose you know which rooms they will be using?

I have said too much already. I certainly don't want to seem like a gossip. I should go. Please; we should speak some other time before you go.

I also see good old Phlydia standing by the fountain, so I talk to her too.

Gameplay note: I realize now that I did a little bit of a disservice by skpping the Candlekeep tutorial so very long ago. It means that some Candlekeep names like Phlydia might not be familiar to people who haven't played the game. Sorry! She gave us a fetch quest back when we were level 1 and were into that sort of thing.



Never change, Phlydia. We love you just the way you are.

Why that's enough to make an old woman blush. Gorion sure raised a charmer in you.

When I get into the Candlekeep Inn, I see a dwarf in the common room that I don't recognize. I go up to talk to him.



Heheh, okay there buddy! Just relax!

Then we go talk to ol' Winthrop.



Nine Hells, it's good ta be home! Winthrop, my ol' man!

An' you, littl' missus, owe me a long account, for all my worries after you had run off!

I do... *her eyes water* I know... Oh, damn, I'm so glad to see ya, Puffguts!

Winthrop, you old fool! If I had an arrow for every one of these practical jokes you've played on me, I'd... I'd... I don't know, I'd have a lot of arrows! Well met, my friend.

Yes, ye'd run me right out of the fletching business in a flash, ye would! It's good to see your impish face again! Now fill me in on what it is ye've been doing lately.

I've been trying to get to the bottom of this iron crisis. A merchants' guild is involved, somehow. Iron Throne. Do you know anything about them?

The Iron Throne, child... Why there be no bigger or more dastardly mercantile consortium in all the Western Realms. They've been barred from Cormyr for their unsavory practices but all it's done is make them nastier. Ye'd best steer clear of them as long as ye've still got life in ye.

And then we rest, the true rest of those finally home from a long, lonely wandering.



Five hundred and sixty-two days after our fateful journey's beginning, we're finally, finally back home.

Edited by Usurper, 10 November 2013 - 08:51 PM.

[Usurper]

Oh, I'm one update behind here. Ok, I'll just post them both.

[Usurper]

16 Uktar, 1370

Resting in a familiar place is an experience that cannot be compared to, well, anything. I slept better than I have in years, or at least it feels that way. I don't care that the main Iron Throne people are here in Candlekeep somewhere, I stretched out and dozed off almost instantly. Imoen too. The others probably took care of themselves alright.

The next morning, I go to start the ol' walk-n-talk. What Imoen calls putting her ear to th' groun'. She starts dropping consonants when she talks about stuff like thi'. Well, look, now I'm doin' i' 'oo.



An army passing in the night? An orc migration? Who knows.

The cows are content, though.



These dirge no dirges.

I see Dreppin again. He's surprised.



It's big. I don't know how else to put it. I lived my entire life within these walls and in the past while I've seen fifty times as much as these walls could ever hold. It's weird, though: all that space and barely a book in it. I never realized how special Candlekeep really is.

Yeah, people come from all over to see the books here. All sorts of folks, too: bards, nobles, priests, mages. Volo's even been here and Elminster, too, remember. A couple of just plain old merchants even wandered in the other day. Said they were with the Iron Throne and were here to do some business. They're still around, last I heard.

Well Dreppin, that's what brings us here too. But I'll not tell him that. He wouldn't understand.

I decide to stop by the old priest's house. It would be good to see him again. But what I find startles me.



What are you doing to that cat?

It died and I am studying it.

It reminds me of my own dearly departed familiar.

You're studying it? What is there to study? It's a dead cat.

The bones, the muscle structure, the shape of it, how its fur lies, where its ears are placed, the length of its whiskers, the sharpness of its teeth. I must know it all, you cur, now leave me to it.

You priests have gotten a lot stranger since I left.

Then leave again and I'll not have to see your rotten face about me as I work.

And with that, he goes out the door. Two surviving cats meow and pace the area. That was weird. And he didn't even seem to recognize me. I didn't really recognize him either. Could he be new?

[Usurper]

Other parts of the keep are as familiar as ever, though.



I stop by the infirmary in the southeast side, and run into Fuller.



*A* tale?! Thousands, more like! The things we've seen and done... would get even Nessa excited!

Killing more kobolds than you could ever imagine. Hey, you wouldn't happen to need a few rusty old short swords, would you, because I've got tons.

Always good for a laugh, you were... Hey, I'm uh... I'm sorry about Gorion and all... I guess you've seen more than just kobolds, haven't you...

That hits me deep in the gut. I didn't really have to face Gorion's... departure, out there. It was one life-threatening escape after another, always distracted, always fighting make it back to town. But here, here his shadow is everywhere. There are Gorion-shaped holes all over.



Oh, Hull, so many things have happened since... both good and bad... but nothin' was worse than ol' Gorion's being killed. Syvishtar, I think we should drink to his memory, while we're here in Candlekeep with our friends.

Thanks for taking care of his remains, Hull. I didn't have the means. Some day we'll sit down over a mug of ale and I'll tell you about it.

I look forward to it, kid.

But as I do my old rounds around this keep, I start to feel a... less welcoming atmosphere.



It comes to a head with Parda.



The Watchers... Some of the Watchers are so strange now and... and people that I've known and loved for years now pass me in the halls without greeting, without their usual silly story, without some discourse on their latest readings. At first I thought it was me but it's not me, it's them, I see it in their sidelong glance: disdain, jealousy, rivalry, these I could understand, I could make sense of... But they weren't what I saw in their beady eyes: I saw hunger, plain and simple. Now shush, no one must know that I have spoken with you.

WHAT?!

No, no it can't be. Not here. Not now. Not ever.

The time for nostalgia is over. I've got to get to the central keep and put a stop to this.

RIGHT.

NOW.

[Usurper]

We enter Candlekeep's central building, a place I have not been in years.



You better believe it! Read every single one of them!

Boo's so happy to be here. He says he can hardly wait to send word to his family that he has found such a feast! Yes, old and greasy pages, row after row after row, ready to be devoured by diligent hamsters...

*squeak*

What? Oh, Boo says such an intle... inle... inletectual feast. Was that correct, Boo?

*squeak*

I take a look around the entranceway. Best to be cautious, best to be thorough. But also best to be quick.



I start to check the bookshelves. At least they look normal. Everything is here, even the joke books.



Librarians have strange senses of humor.

The statues are also in order.



As I move into the center of the first floor, my old tutor Karan rushes up to me.



Ah, Karan, you speak true but it's not your fault. You prepared me as well as you could for what lay beyond these walls... I just pray that I am prepared for what I shall find within them, now that I've returned.

Why? What is wrong here? Shall I tell the Watchers?

Please, just tell me if you have seen anything strange in the library this past while.

Strange? Why yes, that is just the word I would have used for that Koveras fellow. He was right here beside me, taking Alaundo's prophecies from their place on the shelf and reading them. I could hear his voice, recognize the Seer's words upon his quiet breath, but when I turned to steal a glance at him from the corner of my eye, it was the strangest thing: his eyes were closed and he was reciting page after page, as if from memory! He heard your footsteps, it seems, and wandered off... I was just returning the prophecies to their rightful place, here. It might be wise to take a look. If this Koveras is dangerous,though, I'm afraid I'm too old and bookish to be more than a hindrance. Forgive me, but I must leave you now.

Koveras, here?! He hired at least some of the mercenaries that have plagued me this whole time.

I search the nearby bookshelves until I find a strange letter. It seems interesting.



So, is someone going to bring havoc to the Sword Coast? Some malign deathbringer, slaying all in their wake, laying waste to hundreds upon hundreds of enemies? Who could this monster be?



If I find him I'll end him!

[Usurper]

In the next shelf, I find another letter. These are the words of Alaundo.



What horrible fates these poor spawn will face. Pitted brother against brother, sister against sister, and for what? To win the race to the top of a pile of corpses?

... wait. What if this Koveras is one of them?! What if he seeks out his brothers, to destroy them? What if one of them is with the Iron Throne?!

While perusing the shelves, I find a few books I haven't read before. Another chapter in the History of Waterdeep, and the History of Lurien. I pocket them both for Finch's sake.

Then I am surprised by another old face.



I still remember you running about the keep in your little swaddling clothes, pestering the elders and spooking the cows. Ain't that right, Jessup?

Surely was.

Yep. Of course, you never did stay in those rags of yours long.

Yes, yes, I remember. But how have you been?

You'd be naked as a jaybird the moment someone turned their back on you. I remember the day that fella Blackstaff come floating in and there you were, tearing around the outer keep with Gorion hot on your trail. Took the cloak right off his back, you did, and made yourself just the cutest little...

Yes yes YES, I remember. Could we drop it please? How have YOU been?

Wait wait, I remember it all now! There was Khelben Blackstaff, trying his hardest to look important, while you ran through the stables with his cape tied around your waist. Suck a lark, eh Jessup?

I thought I'd catch my death from laughing, I did.

You and me both! Gorion was shaking like a leaf, he was so mad.

As fun as this has been, I should really be going.

Nobody was sure what to do, and then Khelben mutters some words and catches you by the scruff of the neck with some sort of spectral hand. He hauls you out and drops you right in front of him, grabbing his filthy cape in the process. Everyone was scared, they were. Weren't they, Jessup?

Sure enough. Scared witless.

Yep, and then old Khelben busts out in the biggest laugh you ever heard. Everyone in th keep was laughing like mad, except you, Syvishtar. You just stood there naked as the day you were born and wondering what the fuss was about. I tell you, those were the days.

Um, yes. I think I'll be going now.

Oh certainly, little one. Stop by any old time though. I've got some paintings of you as a youngster I'm sure your little friends would love to see. Remember the one of Syvishtar on the bearskin rug, Jessup?

Surely do. In the buff as usual.

Cute as a bug, you were. Go play with your friends now. Go on.

Sweet, innocent little Syvishtar, in the buff, on a bearskin rug. Imagine that, Boo!

Ah, those were the times...

He never listens about it... but he is such a dear...

Who did not see this one coming from a mile away? Now the girls'll be bantering for days... yup!

Ah, you are here, too? Well, you were the quiet one of the pair, you were...

Farewell, Syvishtar!

Freaking monks! Always oppressing me! If the good gods wanted us to wear clothes, they would have made us born with them!



Ugh, it never changes.

I search around more, but there's nothing much else here. Not even the back room reveals any secrets.



So it is up to the second floor for us.



Oh, it's nothing I am sure. It's just that, well, things just seem a little strange around here. Those decidedly un-merchant-like merchants for one. And some of our monks are acting odd as well. One fellow in particular...

Really? And who would that be?

Well, there is this fellow named Koveras. I assume he is a visiting sage of some sort, but he seems more interested in our guests than the tomes. He makes me nervous. I think he's had the same effect on others as well. Young Shistal has been out of sorts for days now. He is not as thick-skinned as I. You remember how nervous he used to be? He's quite the opposite now. Seems like a totally different person. I worry about him. I should go. It has been nice speaking with you.

Hmmm, that Koveras again. Could he be responsible for... hmmm.

I walk around the hall, searching bookshelves, eyeing people, and generally getting the lay of the land again. That's when I am approached by a young-looking man.



Please do...

My name is Koveras. I used to work for your father, running messages to his Harper friends in Waterdeep. Before he passed on, he entrusted this ring to me and asked that I give it to you should evil ever befall him... Will you take it?

There's something funny about that man... I've never seen Boo's whiskers quiver so.

And what evil befell him, Koveras?

You were there, you saw it all. A woman, an armored figure, two ogres wielding clubs. But Gorion's petty magic was of little use against them, was it not? And you, you fled with your tail between your legs, hiding amongst the trees until dawn broke. And now, it comes full circle, doesn't it. The Iron Thone so close that you can almost touch them and wreak your revenge for that night.

[Usurper]

What the bloody hell!!

You're right, Koveras. I was there. Myself, my father, and four others who tried to kill us. Where were you, if you know so much?

If you be so void of trust, I am surprised you have made it this far. It is of little matter. Go seek your vengeance or your doom at the hand of the Iron Throne. I wash my hands of it.

Gameplay note: See, this is where that mod screwed up. Signing one of the kill orders for us with the name of Koveras screws up the whole secret identity thing he's got going here.

He's not so innocent himself, and I doubt he had anything to do with the Harpers at all. But I'm here in a library, I can't exactly murder him here and now... Or can I?

But as I contemplate violence in the sanctity of Candlekeep, he walks away and into obscurity. He never gave me the ring.

I keep up my casual stroll of the area. I find nothing more of interest until one of the Chanters addresses me.



There is trouble here, Chanter. You must help me.

You are right, I have felt it, too. Pray tell me how this aging frame can help you.

As Chanter, you know the history of this Keep better than any other. I have grown up here, I have played within its walls, but there were many places I was never allowed to go. I am older now and I will go where I must but please, are there any places in this Keep of which I was never told?

But... what right have you to ask that, child?

I'm not a child anymore, Chanter... The entire Keep is in danger, even its most secret and sacred places... Please, Chanter. Gorion would have had it so.

Sigh... I am growing old and the young are not so young anymore, nor the carefree so carefree... Alaundo the Seer, the one who founded this fortress of knowledge and whose prophecies I chant each day, he is entombed deep in the bowels of this place... I tell you this, Syvishtar, because you're right, it is time you knew. But I beg of you, in Gorion's name, do not venture into those trapped and warded halls unless some higher power than myself bids you go. Your stepfather would never forgive me for your loss... I must go now, child... Syvishtar... It is time to chant the Seer's prophecies as I always have.

I see another Priest of Oghma. He is at least a little more friendly than the previous one.



And the Watcher on this level seems to be quite happy to see me too.



The Readers on this level are of course only impressed with their own studies.



No wonder I thought this place was boring. Only one Priest of Oghma ever held my attention for long.



Hehe, I love that guy!

Finally I decide to go speak to the level co-ordinator. Maybe he can help me.



Tethtoril is a very busy man, and I don't keep track of his schedule. Sorry.

I was wondering where I could find Ulraunt?

You can find Ulraunt in his apartment on the sixth floor. I wouldn't bother him there though: he doesn't like unannounced intrusions.

That's what I should do - tell Ulraunt. I don't have to face these problems alone now, I'm back in Candlekeep! Candlekeep, where they have Watchers and Ulraunt and Tethtoril and they know how to defend against... things.

I rush up the stairs to find him. But when I get to the next level, I overhear a conversation.



The right people can afford to be rude, but this is not you. Leave now, before my irate companion Brunos lets his temper get ahead of his reason!!

I realize that they are talking to me. Hey, this is MY library you're all in. Why don't YOU all leave!

... WAIT. That's the guy! It's HIM!

You're the bastards behind all of the troubles from here to Baldur's Gate. Now that we have you where we want you, don't think we're going to let you live!

This is most distasteful; I have always known that rudeness is how the weak make themselves look strong. Even if you were to somehow beat us in battle, how would you escape the keep? Or did you think that the monks would let you go about murdering everyone within their keep.

Crash dem muttonheads, boys!!!

And with that, Brunos rushes us.

[Usurper]

He hits Xzar first!



I summon a lesser earth elemental into the door to try to keep it blocked. Bjornin attracts Brunos' attention while Xzar drinks a potion.



Imoen casts Chaos, confusing several of our enemies!



Meanwhile, I cast Cloudkill into the room and hope it works.



But Rieltar also casts Chaos, and we are all affected!



All save Bjornin, actually. As he cuts down Brunos, I turn and finally let my repressed urges out. I kill a Reader.



Minsc beats on me for a while with his magic sword. Eventually I decide to walk away, and he loses interest.



He instead cuts into Bjornin's back. It looks like it hurts.



Imoen isn't looking so great either.



I try to care, but birdies.

Even though Bjornin pops a healing potion, Minsc still cuts him down.



Reiltar seems to be the only one with his head on straight. He casts Skull Trap at the elemental, damaging it and Minsc both.



Imoen tries to run away from the skeleton warriors that Reiltar summoned to fight her. She runs into my Cloudkill and dies.



We all end up wandering around the books, doing random things. There is no sense to us.



When I regain my faculties, the first thing I do is drink a healing potion.



Minsc ends up killing Kestor in his insane wanderings. It must be like business as usual for him.



Kagain regains his senses too and rushes Reiltar. Minsc watches him walk by, and also comes back to reality. They both attack, Kagain with his Axe of Dispelling Fire.

Tuth goes after Xzar, who is snapped out of his reverie by another sword slash.



Xzar loses heart and runs away in a panic, but he needn't have, because the earth elemental I summoned destroys Tuth in one strike.



I hit Xzar with a healing touch as he rushes by. He is back to full. Meanwhile, Minsc and Kagain are making easy work out of Reiltar's defenses.



He tries to cast one more spell, but Minsc cuts him down. No mercy.



Kagain and Minsc also take care of the remaining undead that Reiltar summoned, while Xzar begins to follow in my footsteps by attacking Readers. I tell him to stop.



Minsc seems to disapprove.



A short negotiation and conversation with the Vault Keeper, and our companions are back.

[Usurper]

On Reiltar is a Knave's Robe, a Mystic Ring, Otrad Atwah: Gloves of the Magi (just like the ones I'm wearing), a scroll of Power Word Kill, another Helm of Defense, the Crown of the Shar-DuKha, and the Crown of Fallen Kings.





Finally something that we mages can wear on our heads! Solemnly, I go to Imoen. I gently place the Crown of the Shar'DuKha on her head. She tries not to giggle. Then I place the Crown of Fallen Kings on mine own head. Surely I am the King of something now!

I also scribe Power Word Kill into my spellbook.



On the other bodies is only a Helm of Charm Protection. It goes into the bag.

So... we've done it then! We've come to kill Reiltar, the leader of the Iron Throne, and he lies dead and looted at our feet. We're ... we're finally going to have some peace and quiet around here. Finally going to be free of the constant attacks, the constant threats of death. We're finally going to be okay. Now, lets just make sure that Candlekeep hasn't been overrun completely by dopplegangers yet and we can call it a day.

We go upstairs to tell Ulraunt about what has happened. But we are... intercepted.



Yes I killed them, but they attacked me. They're the leaders of the Iron Throne, the people behind the iron shortage and everything else that's been wrong with the Sword Coast! We did everyone a favor by killing them.

Surely he will understand. It's me, after all!

That is not for me to decide. Please; you have my word that you will not be harmed. If you are innocent you will be judged accordingly.

Damn monks! Damn them and their insistences! But I won't kill them. Not while sober.

I will come quietly. Your weapons will not be necessary.

I am glad to hear that. I did not wish to harm you. I am sure this mess will be cleared up soon.



Well, shit.

[Usurper]

16 Uktar, 1370

So I'm in jail.



In my childhood home, no less. How embarrassing! These sheltered monks in here think one little murder is enough to get all up into a tizzy about. This is nothing compared to all the others I've killed. Nothing! Why, if they knew how many bodies I'd let hit the floor they'd understand. And most of those even tried to kill me first! Don't they get it?

He deserved death. And I deserved to kill him. He was BAD! And I'm... (the hand of death) the one who knows about it!

I'm about to try to blast my way out of here, when Ulraunt walks in. The stuffy bastard.



Someone really needs to give him a clue!

But I have done nothing wrong! Why have you accused me of such a thing?

You were seen fleeing the site of the murder by the guest known as Koveras.

From everything we have seen it is not hard to figure out what your purpose was. From what I have been told, you have been trying to place all the misfortune of the Sword Coast squarely on the shoulders of the Iron Throne. I assume you and your friends are assassins in the employ of Amn. Perhaps you were sent up north to create discord in the region before an Amnish invasion. It matters little. You and your friends are to be sent to Baldur's Gate where an appropriate punishment will be administered.

What?! Amn!! I'd never cooperate with those southern dogs! But once again Ulraunt, ever the stuffy arse, just walks away without listening to me or what I have to say (Kill him kill them all!).

I'm fuming.



I'm about to tell Imoen to pick the locks and get us out of here, when a red-robed figure enters the guard barracks. I recognize him.



The old man is a little out of sorts. It's been over a year since Gorion's death, not a scant few weeks. But that's hardly important now. I try to make my case to him. Surely he will understand.

Actually I did kill them, but they're the leaders of the Iron Throne. They were the people behind the iron shortage and everything else that's been wrong with the Sword Coast. We did everyone a favor by killing them.

That is unfortunate... that you had to resort to killing. I believe you, and your reasons seem valid, but I still cannot agree with what you have done. If you had presented your case with evidence or proof of some sort, instead of simply killing them... events might have happened differently. As it is you are a criminal in the eyes of your enemies AND the law. Still, it would seem that someone wishes to secure your fate, even though you ARE guilty. Much more evidence points to you, much more than you admit to. I am not prone to suspicions, but I would almost believe that someone intended those men dead and was going to blame you regardless. If this is so, then those men, evil though they were, were not your true enemies, and this does not bode well for the Sword Coast. I will help you escape so you might continue your crusade, but remember that the authorities will not believe your accusations without proof, especially now that you are an accused murderer.

It is not time for you to go Syvishtar. I can teleport you to the secret room that leads to the catatcombs, but from there you are on your own. You must be careful within the catacombs, as there are many guardians and traps, and perhaps whoever planned these murders. However dangerous the catacombs may be, they are a safer alternative to Ulraunt's wrath.

Why can't you teleport us outside of Candlekeep?

Candlekeep is protected by powerful runes that seal it from divinatory and alteration magics. If I were to teleport you outside of Candlekeep, you would be ripped asunder when you came in contact with the protective field. Trust me child, this is the only way.

With nothing left to say, he begins to cast the spell. We soon find ourselves in a little, cramped reading room.



The bookshelves are lined with spell scrolls. I scoop them up, but none of them are new to me. I stuff them into my backpack, and that's when I feel another scroll there. Where did this come from?



I unfurl it and begin to read. The words swim before my eyes. I read it a second time, but it is no good. I give it to Imoen, and ask her to read it. I sit down and listen to her calm, kind voice read me the precise terms and conditions of the eternal damnation of my soul.



Bhaal? I... I don't... no. It can't be true. I don't want the essence of the Lord of Murder in me. I didn't, no. No way.

But now they Know. I look at my companions. They Know now. Kagain, Minsc, Bjornin, Xzar, and oh gods Imoen. They know what I am (kill them now!).

Imoen isn't really my sister (she must die!)?

I feel a hand on my shoulder. I shrug it off. I stand up, and walk out of the only open door. Nobody will want to follow the child of an evil god (and die in the process). I'll just spare them the pain of saying so (by service or my hand).

A phase spider teleports in behind me. I turn to fight it and see my companions, right there. Still with me. What?



Oh, right, there's only one way out.

We kill the spider, and Minsc says something.



Was he talking about me?! Was that.. was that a joke? I don't ... I don't understand.

More spiders teleport in, and we kill each of them in a single attack. After we're done, Minsc speaks again.



But you already know I'm...

*squeak*

Boo also warns that his keen nose tells him there are a lot of spiders and undead here. And by the smell of sulfur, plenty of explosive traps.

Err.. are you sure it's that, Boo, and not that piece of cheese you've been hoarding in your pouch for the last tenday?

*squeak*

Sorry, sorry, just checking!

Hey, ya big lug, tell Boo to stop warning Syvishtar about the traps! A girl gotta earn a living too, ya know!

But Boo could never disarm a trap the way little Imoen does.

You betcha!

*squeak*

*whispering* I know you *can*, Boo, but let's not upset our good friend Imoen by telling her that. She hasn't yet come to terms with your greatness.

[Usurper]

Is this a kindness, or a cruelty? They're acting like everything hasn't changed, that the entire nature of our relationship is not based on a total lie (they are fools!).

Maybe they're in as much shock as I am. They'll probably decide to shun me as soon as things sink in.

I try to steel myself for the inevitable, and move on.

We soon run in to Phlydia, down here of all places! Phlydia, thank god you're here! They didn't get you!



What?

The form of Phlydia changes into a doppleganger, and attacks!



Thankfully we are able to kill it right away. These doppleganers... they're trying to Durlag me (kill them slowly). But I've already seen this once. I won't fall for their tricks.

We decide to turn left at the big junction, and Imoen stops us for a trap.



Gameplay note: Unfortunately due to the several mods we have installed we've seen this map 2 times already, at least. Nothing here is going to be surprising.

She finds more traps down a side hallway.



And another under the roof of this strange mausoleum.



But when she disarms it and unlocks the grave, she finds a cache of goodies.

The scroll is Protection from Acid. The bracers are Bracers of Archery. There is also a scroll of Fire Storm, which I already know. The cup is a Holy Goblet. You know, I'm going to miss these dungeon crawls when I leave the Golden Company behind.





Gameplay note: Ok, this Goblet is actually pretty surprising. It is an item that only good-aligned clerics or paladins can use. If they use the item it gives them an innate ability called Disciple of Light. And based on the game files, it looks like this ability gives a hit point and AC boost, making the person a better fighter. We are going to have to vote on who gets it.

I definitely can't use the Holy Goblet. Since I'm the evil spawn of a dead god of murdering. I gingerly put it in my pack for later.

Imoen finds more traps down an adjacent hall.



This tomb holds some potions, treasure, and a Protection from Magic scroll. They disappear into my many containers.

Imoen finds a trapped, dead-end path.



And then down the next corridor she finds more traps...



... and more traps.



But they all lead to an empty coffin.



Rats, she says.

But more traps later...



she disturbs a nest of phase spiders that teleport not to her, but to the rest of the party!



One of the spiders poisons Xzar!



He immediately downs an Elixir of Health and I save him from death by killing the spider myself (kill him next!).



Imoen finds a final trapped room at the end of the corridor.



In it is a giant trapped sarcophagus.



In the sarcophagus is a Cloak of Protection +2, and a Manual of Gainful Exercise (permanent STR +1). Seeing as how everyone who needs a Cloak of Protection +2 already has one, I put it in the bag with the rest of the stuff.

Imoen suggests we go back to the main room and take the straight-ahead path. I follow without comment.

[Usurper]

No need to inflict my murderous self upon the group more than I need to (kill them, kill them all!).



Up that way, Imoen finds ghouls feasting on a horde of corpses!!



The Boots of Displacement that Imoen is wearing automatically teleport her behind the nearest ghast, and she opens up on him with her Staff of Striking. By the time we get there, one is dead.



Xzar of all people manages to get the other with his darts!



Imoen had gotten diseased during the fight, but she pops an Elixir of Health and is right as rain.

She finds a lot more ghasts down the hall...



But Bjornin and Minsc make them all explode.



The last room smells the worst.



And, um... I can't help but ask... why are there heaps of recently-killed corpses in the catacombs underneath Candlekeep? Are the monks all secretly serial killers or something? (My father's place probably looks like this.)

We exit the corpse rooms, and prepare to move on down the only corridor left. But Kagain pipes up with something that looks like its been troubling him for some time.



It's true, though. But the books were for scholars. As children, we worked more than we read.

Sounds too practical for bookish fellers, that. And strange work it must of been too, seeing the skills ye both took away from the place.

*giggles* We were there all our lives, you know. Lots of time to learn all sorts of things.

Like 'Dipping in Five Easy Steps,' eh? Might be I'll visit there sometime. Seems it ain't nigh as dull as folks make it out to be.

It's not bad when they're not throwing you in jail for killing bad people (and all the other people too).

I am about ready to move on down the final hallway, when Xzar begins speaking to himself. Or to someone else?



What... what are you saying?

HAHAHAHA! Oh, stop it, Boo, you're killing me... please, Minsc, do not interrupt. It's very rude.

It is YOU who are rude. Boo would never include Minsc out when he dispenses his wisdom.

Oh, sure! You think he's going to tell *you* what he's saying about you?

I pity you, Xzar. You are heeding voices in your head again, rather than Boo. Believe me in this, for I know the difference.

Why is everyone acting like I'm not an insane murderer bent upon their deaths? Why is everybody just... talking about other things?

I don't know, so I just walk forward. As soon as we get out of here...



No, not Dreppin too! I search my heart for secret desires to kill him. Are they in there? They must be.



As they infiltrated Durlag's Tower, now they infiltrate Syvishtar's Candlekeep. Will I be able to fare better than Durlag? With his example to draw upon, perhaps.

Dopplegangers don't have to kill before they can impersonate, do they?

I sure hope not, because that would mean Jondalar is dead...



...and that I've killed him twice.



Once by bringing the dopplegangers down on all our heads, and again by killing his face just now.

In the locked cabinet is just a scroll of Dispel Magic. We move on.



Why do they have to TORMENT me so? I don't WANT to kill all my childhood friends. (Do I?)



Or watch Minsc do it!

This is torture.



Make it stop.

I turn back, and look for something or somewhere else to be.

[Usurper]

Within the pillars at the center of this room I find another familiar face.



It's a long story, Arkanis, and I have no time to tell it to you. Begone before you get the same as Dreppin!

As you order, so shall it be, my old comrade. Come, Deder... Syvshtar has spoken.

Gameplay note: These guys are from the tutorial. You would recognize them if I had played through it. Again I apologize for rushing through the first Candlekeep part of this game 2 years ago, I wanted to hurry up and get finished soon. HA!

They leave, and I relax a little. Perhaps I won't have to kill the face of absolutely everyone that I know (secret pleasure?)?

Imoen finds more traps in the area.



There are more dead bodies down here, covered in flies.



I think that there is only one conclusion we can draw from this. Everyone in Candlekeep is dead. The dopplegangers killed them all one by one, and dragged them down here. Now they want to kill me too.

Death follows me everywhere I go. Not just death, though - murder. The shadow of my father touches all I see.

Touches all I see.

All I see.

Of course!



No, no, no, that's not right.



Oh! Suddenly my own thoughts seem even more appealing to me than they normally do. Let's try this one more time!



This damned Weave! It turns and twists in my hands and I cannot blind mine own eyes!

FINE. I'LL DO IT LATER.

The rest of the rooms are full of other tortures. Different, yet familiar.



I don't know why they bother. It's not as if they're a threat. They simply enjoy torturing my mind too much. It's like they WANT to die.



The one impersonating Reevor hurts the most.



If he just didn't sound so authentic...

Well. That's that. I've killed almost every face that I know, and I'm still sane (I liked it). I'm better than Durlag. Let's just go down this hallway and...



Stay back! Stay where you are! The one with you wears the face of my stepfather and I know him for dead!

It's okay, Syvishtar, it's alright. I didn't die that night, nor have I yet. The blade that you thought slew me had been treated with a magical poison. It left me, a living soul and a lively mind, imprisoned in a body that gave all the appearance of death. The man you saw that night is called Sarevok, and he has been in the Keep for three days past, under the reverse alias "Koveras." Tethtoril kept watch on him but, in our foolishness, we never thought that he might have others with him... Please, child, I have loved you too much to lose you now.

Elminster and I had suspected it for some time. With Sarevok away from his lair, Elminster was at last able to locate your step-father and bring him to safety... Forgive me, Syvishtar, I should have told you earlier. But to raise your hopes only to see them dashed to pieces all over again? There is too much heart left in this bony cage for me to have done that.

Please, child, sheathe those weapons and sheathe thy madness, too. Come with us and we shall see thee, at last, to safety.

My heart leaps into my chest, and I grab onto the slim hope I'm provided. What if... it could have been... in hiding this whole time... but Durlag. I remember what happened to Durlag.

You said that these walls were soaked with innocent blood. Then who was it that chased me down these wretched halls, calling my name in voices I once knew, only to close and attack in trait'rous form?

By all that is good, Syvishtar, what have they done to your mind to haunt it so? Your old friend Dreppin lies tangled in his own entrails and foolish Phlydia, she ran down here to offer a mother's shoulder and you have butchered her like the monster you perceived her to be... The gods have no mercy on we ragged mortals, it appears.

I am a doddering and elderly fool for having let it come to this! There stood I, Elminster the Arrogant, nudging and prodding but never taking action... The most powerful mage in the Realms reduced to a meager puppeteer... Listen close, Syvishtar: With the help of doppelgangers and some powerful magics, Sarevok has encased thee within a vast and frightening illusion. I was unsure whether I could even penetrate it to reach thee. The time has come for a leap of faith, child. Thou must fling aside this foul illusion and let us lead thee back to reality where Sarevok is fightable.

Minsc says not to trust them, Syvishtar! Look, Boo's getting all jittery and ready for battle! This is a trap!

All an illusion? A vast trick? I am... I am not the spawn of an evil dead god after all? Gorion didn't die because of me? None of the battles were real? Am I just... just a victim of circumstance, foul magic, and Sarevok?

I look around, at my surroundings. Strange places I've never seen before in Candlekeep. It could all be fake. Just some illusory catacombs.

I look at my companions, and see fantastical heroes with magical weapons and equipment fit to challenge the gods themselves. They could be figments of my imagination. My imaginary Golden Company dream.

Then I look within myself. I find a ravenous, murderous heart finally acknowledged and screaming to be set free upon all the innocents of the world. That is no illusion.

I indeed AM the child of Bhaal. I am TRULY the inheritor of Murder. I am THE life-taking intent of the Wild Will of the Weave.

Let the world TREMBLE at my passage.

Leave now, and I will not try to kill you.

Thsss, then, fleshling! Go mad, if you will, and feel the rasp of our claws against your mind!

Bring it.

[Usurper]

I unleash a Cone of Cold first.



The dopplegangers take control of Kagain and attack Imoen. No matter. I throw Xzar a scroll of Dispel Magic, and he begins to read it furiously, his mad cadence lilting and beautiful. Minsc comes up beside me, and...



Xzar brings Kagain back to us, and dispels all of the dopplegangers protections at the same time. So Minsc takes advantage.



Imoen also kills her own doppleganger at the same time. Xzar goes bug-eyed.









Gameplay note: Xzar is rocking the 10 CON like a boss.

Finally, its over! We walk down the hall beyond, but it is not yet over.



Oh please! Screw you ganger!

The next two dopplegangers don't bother to put on a face. And we don't bother to spare them a death.



Gameplay note: These two crits happened at the exact same time. BOOYAH!



We slaughter our way down the hallway and keep going. I could get used to this, ya know?

Gameplay note: I said that Syv would go off the deep end and get really crazy when he found out his true heritage. Well, I'm personally tired of writing him emo, so he's going to go murdercrazy. Yes... murdercrazy, the best kind of crazy!



We should all know the drill here by now. We're in an underground maze of passages. We need to slaughter everything and move on. But we hear a voice in the darkness.



We're the mercenaries who've been causing the Iron Throne so much hurt!!

I thought as much! You won't get by me and my band without a fight!

No problem, Prat. No problem at all.



The elemental comes around the corner first.



I throw some explosive meteors at it. Who cares if its right in front of my face?



Some other guy shows up briefly, then Prat walks into view. He shoulda stayed hidden.



Kagain switches to his Axe of Dispelling Fire, as Xzar reads a scroll of Fireball at the elemental. It hurts.



Bjornin charges the entire group of enemies, but I call him back. Minsc and Kagain become confused, but Xzar reads out another Dispel Magic. And I am shooting random amounts of missiles at Prat.



Even though Xzar is far from the elemental, which is blocked by Bjornin, it hits him. It can attack at range?



I finally manage to murder Prat. I turn to the other part of the fight. But some random named Tam takes out Xzar.



There's a chaos field active. It is hard to keep track of the battle. A mage is hurting Bjornin, who is out of super healing potions.



Kagain dispels all the protections around another mage with his Axe of Dispelling Fire.



As he tries to bring up a second Stoneskin, I Flame Arrow his face to ash. He falls.



That leaves Tam against all of us. I cut him down myself.



I resurrect Xzar and clean up the bodies. We find some spell scrolls (that I give to Xzar), a Throwing Axe +2, another Battle Axe +2 Enrager, and some Darts of Stunning. They are all packed away.

[Usurper]

I also find a letter on Prat's corpse.



It is good to finally know both the name and the plans of my enemy. Sarevok, you're going to finally know what its like to face a Lord of Murder. You'll never become a Duke, you bastard!

We find a lair of spiders.



It is of no consequence.

We also find a lair of medusae. What are they doing underneath Candlekeep?



They are also of no consequence.



You can't turn elementals to stone!



I really don't see any reason to hold back any longer.



Too bad these poor fools didn't have enough divinity in them to survive.



As I walk to what seems to be the end of these caves, a strange green figure approaches me.



Yeah, I'm Prat. Prat is indeed my name. Where are we supposed to meet up with this Sarevok?

Back at the Iron Throne base in Baldur's Gate, of course. He has business elsewhere in the city, but no doubt we shall get our bit of coin if we await him there. There is still much left to be done, so I doubt he'll show for a while though. The disgrace of Syvishtar will make the road smoother, but we must still act fast. Sarevok is notoriously impatient.

Sorry, but what was the point of our waiting in the crypts?

The point? Sarevok did not tell you? I suppose he might not have; he does have a tendency to only give information on a need-to-know basis. It hardly matters now, though. The monks of the keep are firmly of the belief that Syvishtar murdered the Iron Throne leaders with no provocation. Syvishtar has been locked away, and by the time they are sent to Baldur's Gate for trial, Sarevok will have full control of the city. Syvishtar's fate will be his to decide. You and your band were not needed to guard the boss escape route after all. Everything went as planned. Shall we go now?

Right then. Off we go to meet with Sarevok. Don't want to have him attacking us like Rieltar and the others.

That... was never the plan. Sarevok wouldn't sully his hands on those he didn't deem worthy of personally killing. For Syvishtar and party to be blamed they were either to be imitated by doppelgangers or fooled into attacking Rieltar and the others unprovoked. You should know this. You... you're not Prat, are you? Oh, bloody hell. Bit of a mistake on my part, wasn't it? Ah well, most of it went according to plan regardless. You'll forgive me if I don't stay for fisticuffs. Cheers.

Huh. What a smart man! He was even kind enough to show us the way out!



I'll kill him last.

Gameplay note: And with that, we are at Chapter 8.

We find ourselves outside of Candlekeep once again.



Around the back, to be exact.



We rush to make our way back to the road, the road to Sarevok's death. But we are hailed by a most unexpected chest... err... face.



Fabio? What are you doing here?

Pelltar sent me. The baron, he's dead! Killed. It was sometime last night. Pelltar, Yalta, and Qualton haven't been able to bring him back. We need your help.

And I am supposed to care because...?

Oh, so saving Restenford once was enough for you? You don't care anymore now? Sir BillyBob said this might happen with you.

Look, I'm sorry but I just escaped from jail. The guards think I wrongly murdered someone who happens to be causing the disruptions in the Sword Coast. I'm a bit tense right now and I need to go finish this job.

No one on the Lendore islands is going to know about this so you should be safe there. I'll talk to Pelltar and see if there is something we can do to help. In the meantime, we need you now.

Fine, I'll help. Tell me what you know.

Fabio tells us what he knows.



Gameplay note: Well, will we? We have lots of things to vote on now. First of all, who should get the Holy Goblet? This is a holy relic that bestows a permanent ability onto one good cleric or paladin. The ability, Disciple of Light, seems to increase their hit points and AC for a time. It looks like it is usable once per day. So who should get it? Eligible goodie-two-shoes include:

A. Bjornin: A level 7 human Dragonslayer. He is a Specialist in Spears, Halberds, and Two Handed Weapon Style.

B. Conchobhair Strongblade: A level 7 human Holy Swordsman who is a High Master of Two Handed Swords and is Proficient in Two Handed Weapon Style. He also carries around his own magical two-handed sword, Conchobhair's Dragonslayer.

C. Finch: A level 8 gnome Priest of Deneir who knows level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4 cleric spells. She is proficient in the Flail, Sling, and Sword and Shield Style.

D. Gavin: A level 5 human Morninglord of Lathander who knows level 1, level 2, and level 3 cleric spells. He is proficient in War Hammers, Maces, and Slings.

E. Jaheira: A level 5/5 half-elf fighter/Priest of Sylvanus who can cast some level 1, level 2, and level 3 cleric spells. She is a Specialist in the Quarterstaff and the Cross Bow.

F. Jet'laya: A level 8 Feywarden of Corellon who can cast level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4 cleric spells. She is also a Specialist in Maces and Sword and Shield Style. She has her own weapon, shield, and armor: the Mace of Contrition, a Small Shield +2, and Jet'laya's Chainmail.

G. Yeslick: A level 7/7 dwarf Fighter/Cleric who can cast level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4 cleric spells. He is a Master of War Hammers, Specialized in Slings, and is proficient in Sword and Shield Style.

The second thing that we have to vote on is who gets the strength tome? Anyone in the Golden Company is a candidate. Let me know your preference.

Next up, should we help Sir BillyBob and Fabio? A simple yes or no should suffice. We can either help Restenford once more or go murderize Sarevok immediately.

And finally, Fabio is going to want to join up with us again. Should we let him? Please vote yes or no. And if yes, who should he replace?
1. Kagain.
2. Minsc.
3. Bjornin.
4. Imoen.
5. Xzar.

There's a lot of voting this time, so a correctly-formatted vote would look something like this: A,Imoen,yes,yes,Xzar. I'm sure it'll be fine and not confusing at all.

[Usurper]

This thread is caught up completely and your votes matter. Post them soon!

[hook71]

Welcome back! My vote is C,Syvishtar,yes,yes,Bjornin.

[Usurper]

Thanks!

[Justify]

I'm so glad to see you're still updating! I know BG2 must look pretty daunting at the moment, but I am really looking forward to it... and the free-for-all end battle you've got planned. 

 

For the vote: C, Syv, No (it's just too weird to run off at this point in the story). 

Edited by Justify, 21 January 2014 - 01:10 PM.