1504 replies to this topic

[Usurper]

She does have an extremely interesting spell in her library, though.



Gameplay note: This is a high-level mage's signature spell. This is death incarnate. This is Win.

Imoen says there's one more thing she wants to try before we go back to Restenford. She says she can take care of it by herself. I hope it's money.







When I feel a tap on the arm, I turn and walk out of the place. Awesome! It WAS money!

Then it's back to the temple of Restenford. We have an evil priest to kill, a plot to expose, etc etc.



We reach the town and make our way to the temple on the bluff.



We go into the temple, and the priest must have had advance warning, because he's already hostile. We cut him down.



But nobody seems to understand why, and looks at us in horror. Whoops?

Gameplay note: I think he was hostile because we had ransacked his temple the last time we were here. We had just run away without killing him before.

Wait... it wasn't Almon who hired the assassins, it was Qualton. Crap! Almon was just acting in service of his high priest! We rush further into the temple, Minsc complaining the whole way.



But we find Qualton, so I confront him with the truth, just like I did to the Mayor.



Lies! All of it. You shall all die for your insults to me.

Ah...

No, stop! I won't attack them. Yes, you will. No!

What the?

Yes! I control us. I shall be the new baron. I shall rule all. I will take Andrella as my wife! Then, then... I will kill the duke. Yes, yes.

But first, you meddling fools must suffer!

Minsc is not happy with the situation, but he understands what he must do. He cleaves Qualton in twain with one stroke.



Then, it is time to go visit our good friend, Sir BillyBob.



We give him gifts.



We give him gifts until he can't take any more.



Then we invite him to come along with us. He agrees!







Gameplay note: He wields a Staff of Striking +3, wears an Adventurer's Robe, Gauntlets of Extaordinary Specialization, an Amulet of Power, a Cloak of Protection +1, and the Girdle of Stone Giant Strength.







With a little bit of smooth talking, we manage to relieve him of these burdens.

We all go inside his house, where we spend a lot of quality time going through his spellbook. He has a number of spells that I don't. We compile a list:

8th Level (2,500 GP each)
Maze
Pierce Shield
Summon Fiend
Symbol of Death
Symbol of Stunning

7th Level (1,500 GP each)
Delayed Blast Fireball
Khelben's Warding Whip
Mordenkainen's Sword
Summon Efreeti

6th Level (1,000 GP each)
Death Spell
Disintegrate
Improved Haste
Spell Deflection

5th Level (500 GP each)
Breach
Lower Resistance
Sunfire

3rd Level (150 GP each)
Monster Summoning I (I have no idea why I haven't picked this up yet)

Gameplay note: Sir BillyBob can't cast 9th level spells, so he can't scribe them either. He's got some good ones though.

[Usurper]

Altogether it costs 24,150 gold to scribe every scroll. I have to liquidate all of my gem assets and a lot of the less useful potions, but I make it.



Gameplay note: Sir BillyBob has the Scribe Scroll ability, just like all the other mages in the Big World Project.

We eventually get all the spells scribed out.

Then, early one morning, Kagain and I take Sir BillyBob out for a little walk behind the woodshed.



My sword thoroughly enjoys the work.



But no matter what we do, he just... won't... die.



So I decide to try out some of the new spells he gave me.



Damnit!



No, that's not...



At HIM! At HIM!



You know what, I'm just going to...



I look closely at Sir BillyBob.



Gameplay note: He's got an invisible ring of invulnerability in his Right Ring slot, where my cursor is pointing. It supposedly cannot be removed. But if I edit the save game file...

I convince him to take off the other ring, the one that I didn't see before. He does. Then Kagain and I get back to work.



It is long, tedious work, since he is nearly immune to everything we can do to him. But eventually, We get results. I get results.



We conceptually remove him from the idea of our adventuring group in our minds.



Then we leave his body where it fell. Mission accomplished.



Then it's back to Pelltar to tell him all the terrible things that happened in Garrotten.



What? Impossible! He is the leader of the local church. He is a holy man. There must be some mistake.

Read it. You know his handwriting better than I would. By the way, it doesn't matter. I already confronted him on it and he attacked. Qualton is dead.

Hmm, it is his writing. I guess at this point it doesn't matter. So Qualton wanted the baron dead? Did he say why?

He started to ramble like he was two people in one. One voice said to kill us and the other said not to. He did say that he planned to marry Andrella and then he was going to kill the duke.

Two people? A while back held a team against an intellect devourer that somehow got shipped here. I wonder if it destroyed part of his mind. He had always acted funny since the incident. I never would have expected this.

In any case, I guess you are ready to be sent back? I know you have your own problems to resolve right now, don't you Child of Bhaal?

You know also? Does everyone but me know my life? Sigh. Yes, I have to stop Sarevok.

Yes. I will send you just outside Baldur's Gate. Just to let you know, you are probably considered a fugitive by now. Stay away from the Flaming Fist guards, and good luck.

Again, Fabio chooses to say goodbye rather than to come with us.



The deserting bastard! I am about to say something to him, but the world fades to black and I find myself in front of Baldur's Gate. Damn non-flashy mages.

[Usurper]

Someone walks up to us on the road.



We're adventurers, fighting against the depravity of the Iron Throne.

So you are the guys who've been stirring up all the trouble in the region. There's wanted posters out for you all over. So where are you guys headed now?

How did wanted posters get put up so fast?

How should I know? Do you want my help or not?

Okay, how are you going to help us get into Baldur's Gate?

I'm a smuggler. I smuggle illicit goods from Amn into Baldur's Gate. If you pay me 100 gold, I'll smuggle the lot of you into the big city.

100 gold. We can afford that.

What you can do then is to follow me into town. I will take care of you, and you won't have any problems at all. I hope you don't have any difficulties with my instructions.

We carefully follow him across the bridge. Nothing at all happens. There is only one guard, who just walks away.



I think I might have just gotten ripped off. Nevertheless, we enter the town's gates, on the alert for any stray Flaming Fist mercenaries. We are approached by an old friend.



What do you have for us?

Well, heh heh, quites a bit I have, quites a bit. Does ya know about Duke Eltan, he's diseased heez is. His seconds in command -hic- Scar got killed, assassassinated hez was. -Buuuuuurp- Sose that's it. I gots to get going now, if you wants to talk with me some more just come by the Blushing Mermaid. See yas.

So our Flaming Fist contact was assassassinated? This doesn't sound good.

I approach the welcoming doors of the Elfsong Tavern, its warm glow embracing me in comforting thoughts.



But then I remember that there's one more thing that I had to do, one thing after coming back from Candlekeep. I go down the street to the Blade and Stars tavern.



Then the Lady has been kind to you for you have found it. Walk well in the mists of Leira.

Is this supposed to be some kind of wisdom? I look around the room in confusion. Am I ... done here? No one seems to react to me in any way. Eventually I just leave.

I return to the Elfsong Tavern.



Here I am, the Child of Bhaal, Lord of Murder, the Last True Student of the Fallen School of Ulcaster, the Avatar of the Wild Will of the Weave, surrounded by the stalwart members of the Golden Company, the greatest mercenary band to ever be created upon the Sword Coast, and perhaps Faerun itself.

It is time to plan Sarevok's demise.

He doesn't stand a chance.

[Usurper]

Ok, now is a good time to start discussing strategies for taking down every single Golden Company member to confront Sarevok. How the hell should we pull this off? Like how should we place everybody, who should be in the controllable party, etc.

 

The strategies that i've thought up are like this. We could have every member of the golden company lined up in 2 lines. fighters/clerics interspersed on the first line, mages/archers interspersed on the second line. The main controllable group would be the 5 most popular people who would be used to taunt Sareveok's crew out of the temple where they are staying, and into our small army. Then all hell breaks loose and we hope for the best.

Another strategy that I've imagined is to group up the top 5 clerics into the controllable party, then to taunt Sareveok et al. into the army and sit there spamming heals on everyone until he dies.

The third, most cruel strategy that I've thought of is to start out by putting the least popular Golden Company members in the contollable party first, and have the rest waiting on the wings, as it were. Then when someone or multiple somoenes dies, kick their lame-ass corpse(s) out of the party and replace them with the next-least-popular guy(s). We keep throwing bodies into Sarevok's meat grinder in this way until someone finally takes him out.

[Usurper]

Ok guys, it is time to vote! It is time to vote for The Last Party Composition Vote of Baldur's Gate! It is also time to vote for The Strategy to Kill Sarevok! So lets do that first.

We are all in one mind, and we are all scheming and plotting together. We have come up with 4 possible strategies for dealing with this Sarevok character. Now, I will actually play through and show each of these strategies. However, we need to choose one to be What Actually Happened, for the plot of the Let's Play. So, here are your choices:

1. Golden Company Ambush: The top 5 most popular Golden Company members will be part of the main controllable team. The others will be arranged in formation: melee fighters/healers in front, archers and magic users behind. The main controllable team will get the party started, then fall back to get support from the rest of the Golden Company.
2. Golden Company Divine Lead: The entire Golden Company will line up as before, but the main controllable party will be filled with the top 5 most popular healers. Sareveok will be taunted into fighting, and the 5 main healers will keep all the uncontrollable Golden Company members alive as long as possible until something kills him.
3. Golden Company Minionized Suicide Charge: The entire Golden Company will attack Sarevok and friends, 5 at a time. Starting with the least-popular Golden Company members, teams of 5 will assault Sarevok's stronghold. If they fail, they get kicked out and the next 5 try. Eventually someone has got to get a killing blow. The Golden Company are all our loyal minions, it's time to start using them like minions.
4. Solo Bhallchild Smackdown: Syvishtar knows the only one that can really go up against his half-brother is... himself. He will wade into combat alone, and emerge victorious.
5. My Own Strategy: Suggest a strategy and try to persuade people to vote for it!

Please choose which strategy you want to see as the One True Strategy for this Let's Play.

Also, in light of that, please vote once again for your favorite Golden Company members. I will equip and prepare each Golden Company member in order from most popular to least popular. Also, depending on which strategy gets voted in, less-popular Golden Company members may end up cold corpses littering the floor, unable to be resurrected. Finally, the top 5 most popular will be following Syvishtar into Baldur's Gate II. So choose wisely!

[Usurper]

Alora: A level 11 halfling Burglar with 105 in Open Locks and Find Traps, 130 in pick Pockets, and 100 in Detect Illusion. She is proficient in Clubs, Maces, and Slings. She is also proficient in Single Weapon Style.

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

Black Bear: A level 4 bear Monk.

Branwen: A level 5 human Battleguard of Tempus who knows level 1, level 2, and level 3 cleric spells. She is a Specialist in War Hammers and proficient in Slings as well.

Bub Snikt: A level 4 human Berserker. He is a Master of Daggers and Proficient in Two Weapon Style.

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.

Coran: A level 7 elf Huntsman with 80 in Open Locks, 98 in Move Silently, and 100 in Set Traps. His Backstab Damage is x3. He can create stun arrows and cast Web. He is also proficient in Long Swords and a Specialist in Long Bows.

Dynaheir: A level 4 human sorceress who knows a couple of level 1 and level 2 spells. She is proficient in Darts.

Edwin: A level 7 human red-cloaked pervy hobbit fancier Conjurer who knows level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4 spells. He is proficient in the Quarter Staff. By virtue of an heirloom amulet he is the most powerful mage in existence, able to cast 2 extra spells per level.

Faldorn: A level 7 Shadow Druid who we met in the Cloakwood Grove who can cast level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4 druid spells. She is proficient in Clubs, Maces, and Two Weapon Style.

Ferthgil Trollslayer: A level 8 dwarf Troll Slayer. He is a High Master of Axes and a Specialist in Sword and Shield Style. He also has his own weapon, armor, and helm: Ferthgil Trollslayer's Battle Axe +3, Ferthgil's Dwarven Mithril Plate Battle Armor, and Ferthgil's Helmet.

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.

Firebead Elvenhair: A level 11 human Enchanter who can cast level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4 spells. He is specialized in Daggers.

Garrick: A level 5 human Singer who doesn't know any spells yet, but could cast level 1 or level 2 spells if he was taught any. His Pick Pockets is 65. He is proficient in Daggers, Cross Bows, and Single Weapon Style.

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.

Imoen: A dual-classed level 7 human Charming Rogue / level 9 Mage who can cast some level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and level 5 mage spells. She is proficient in the Quarterstaff and Two Handed Weapon Style.

Indira: A level 6/6 half-elf Fighter/Mage who can cast some level 1, level 2, and level 3 mage spells. She is Specialized in Long Swords and Short Bows. She is also proficient in Spears and Two Weapon Style.

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.

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.

Kagain: A level 8 dwarf Gladiator. He is a Master of Axes and Specialized in Sword and Shield Style.

Keiria Silverstring: A level 6 half-elf Spellsinger who can cast quite a few level 1 and level 2 spells. Her Pick Pockets is 77. She is proficient in Long Swords, Cross Bows, and Single Weapon Style. She has her own crossbow, Keiria Silverstring's Light Crossbow of Speed, and her own armor, Keiria Silverstring's Studded Leather Bard Armor +1.

Khalid: A level 5 half-elf Duskblade. He is a Specialist in Long Swords and Sword and Shield Style, and has become proficient in Bastard Swords.

Kivan: A level 7 elf murder machine Archer. His Stealth is 67. He is a Grand Master of the Long Bow, proficient in Spears, and Specialized in Two Weapon Style. He also carries around his own bow, Kivan's Bow.

Minsc: A level 6 human Ranger. His Stealth is 54. He is a Specialist in Two Handed Swords, Two Handed Weapon Style, and Two Weapon Style. He is also proficient in Maces and Long Bows. His favored enemy is Gnolls.

Mulgore: A level 9 half-orc Barbarian. He is specialized in Halberds, Long Bows, and Two Handed Weapon Style.

Mur'Neth: A level 4 ghaunadan Ghaunadan. His Open Locks is 55 and Move Silently is 75. His Backstab Damage is x2. He is proficient in Daggers, Clubs, and Darts.

Quayle: A level 8/9 gnome Cleric/Illusionist who can cast Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 arcane spells (although he only knows Blindness and Magic Missile), and also level 1, level 2, level 3, and level 4 divine spells.

Rose: A level 4 half-elf White Dragon Disciple who knows some level 1 spells and can cast Chill Touch innately. She has 75 in Pick Pockets. She is proficient in Short Swords, Darts, and Sword and Shield Style.

Safana: A level 7 human Treasure Hunter. She has a 94 in open Locks, a 94 in Find Traps, a 105 in Detect Illusion, and a 50 in Set Traps. Her Backstab Damage is x1. She is proficient in Daggers, Cross Bows, and Single Weapon Style.

Lady Seafoam Wonderbounce: A level 6 sirine Beguiler who is a Grand Master of Long Bows, and is proficient in Short Bows, Spears, and Halberds.

Skeezer Lumpkin VI: A level 4/5 gnome Illusionist/thief who knows some level 1 and level 2 spells. His Open Locks is 50, Find Traps is 50, and Detect Illusion is 55. His Backstab Damage is x0. He is proficient in Quarter Staffs, Two Handed Weapon Style, and Single Weapon Style. He has his own helmet, mage robe, and staff: Skeezer Lumpkin's Dwarven War Helmet, Skeezer Lumpkin's Mage Robe, and Skeezer's Staff of Unpredictability.

Squirrel: A level 5 squirrel Avenger who can cast Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 druid spells.

Thorfinn Hauskluniff: A level 4 human Frost Dweller. He is a Specialist in Axes and is a Master of Two Weapon Style.

Viconia: A level 6 drow Nightcloak of Shar that can cast some level 1, level 2, and level 3 cleric spells. She is proficient in Maces, Slings, and Sword and Shield Style.

Will Scarlet O'Hara: A level 3 human Troubadour. His Pick Pockets is 23. He is proficient in Flails and Sword and Shield Style. He can cast some level 1 mage spells.

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.

Xan: An amazingly handsome level 7 elf Bladesinger. He is a High Master of Long Swords and Specialized in Single Weapon Style.

Xavia: A level 12 Assassin. her Open Locks is 50, Find Trap 35, Pick Pockets 35, Move Silently 92, Hide in Shadows 92, Detect Illusions 21, and Set Traps 10. Her backstab is x4. She is proficient in Short Swords, Katanas, Daggers, Short Bows, and Single Weapon Style.

Xzar: A level 4 human Necromancer that knows a few level 1 and level 2 spells. He is proficient in daggers.

Edited by Usurper, 28 January 2014 - 07:49 PM.

[Fred The Archer]

My votes goes for:

1. Yeslick

2. Kivan

3. Imoen

4. Kivan

5. Finch

[hook71]

1. Golden Company Ambush

 

with

 

Imoen, Minsc, Jaheira, Finch and Kivan.

[Crazee]

1, Jaheira, Garrick, Alora, Khalid and Dynaheir (because hey, why the hell not. Hope these guys survive before Rose!)

[Quiet]

1. Golden Company Ambush

 

Imoen

Kagain

Kivan

Yeslick

Xan

[Usurper]

Ok, here is how the votes stand now:

What Strategy Shall We Use:

1. Golden Company Ambush         .....................
2. Golden Company Divine Lead    .
3. Golden Company Suicide Charge .........
4. Solo Bhallchild Smackdown     .......
5. Single Combat                 .
6. Golden Company Reverse #3     .

Golden Company Popularity Contest:

Place     Name      Positive  Negative        Total        Last Time 
=========================================================================
          Squirrel     28
          Imoen        26
          Kagain       19
          Xan          18
          Edwin        15
          Finch        14
          Alora        13
          Yeslick      12
          Kivan        11
          Minsc        10
          Khalid        9
          Seafoam       8
          Black Bear    7
          Jet'laya      6
          Viconia       5
          Firebead      4
          Quayle        3
          Jaheira       2
          Branwen       1
          Garrick       1
          Dynaheir      1
          Coran         1
          Indira        1
          Keiria        1

[Lurker of the north]

1. G.C. Ambush

 

Jaheira

Viconia

Imoen

Kivan

Minsc

 

(i know, i know. The most boring vote possible, but... well, there you go.)

[Justify]

I'll go with 1. Ambush and +5 for Xan. 

 

The ending really snuck up on us, after Restenford. 

[Usurper]

ok, heres how the votes stand now. I will begin to equip and brief each member of the Golden Company according to this list. But that may take a long time, so if you want to put any last-second votes in go ahead:

What Strategy Shall We Use:

1. Golden Company Ambush         ..............................
2. Golden Company Divine Lead    ..
3. Golden Company Suicide Charge ...........
4. Solo Bhallchild Smackdown     ....................
5. Single Combat                 .
6. Golden Company Reverse #3     .

Golden Company Popularity Contest:

Place     Name      Positive  Negative        Total        Last Time 
=========================================================================
  1       Imoen        41        -5             36              3
  2       Xan          31                       31              1
  3       Squirrel     47       -24             23             28
  4       Finch        22                       22              4
  5       Kagain       21                       21             11
  6       Yeslick      16                       16              2
  7       Kivan        16                       16              5
  8       Minsc        16                       16             16
  9       Edwin        15                       15              6
 10       Alora        14                       14             12
 11       Viconia      13                       13             13
 12       Firebead     12                       12             29
 13       Khalid       10                       10             21
 14       Seafoam       9                        9             30
 15       Black Bear    7                        7             27
 16       Jet'laya      7                        7              9
 17       Shar-Teel     5                        5         (on a break)
 18       Dynaheir      5                        5             20
 19       Coran         5                        5             25
 20       Quayle        4                        4             26
 21       Mur'Neth      3                        3             10
 22       Jaheira       3                        3             23
 23       Branwen       2                        2              7
 24       Garrick       1                        1             22
 25       Indira        1                        1             14
 26       Keiria        1                        1             38
 27       Mulgore       1                        1       (Ulgoth's Beard)
 28       Ferthgil      1                        1             34
 29       Will Scarlet  0                        0              8
 30       Bjornin       0                        0             15
 31       Safana        0                        0             18
 32       Xzar          0                        0             19
 33       Garrick       0                        0             22
 34       Gavin         0                        0             24
 35       Bub Snikt     0                        0             31
 36       Rose          0                        0             35
 37       Skeezer       0                        0             36
 38       Thorfinn      0                        0             37
 39       Conchobhair   1        -2             -1             32
 40       Xavia         0        -1             -1       (Ulgoth's Beard)
 41       Faldorn       0        -1             -1             33

[SapphireIce101]

1. Golden Party Ambush.

 +5 Kivan

[Usurper]

29 Uktar, 1370

Sorting equipment is a monumental task. I work all night and into the morning. When it gets light, I head to Sorcerous Sundries to sell off some Winter Wolf pelts that I found in the bottom of my Yellow Bag of Holding. On the way, I am approached by what looks like a cleric.



I would know to whom I am speaking. I do not take candy from strangers, as it were.

You may call me Tamoko. I do not presume to be your friend, or even someone you should trust, but fate demands that I place myself at your disposal. I have details worth listening to, and again I must ask if you are interested in a trade of sorts. Do you wish to hear what I have to tell?

Say what you must and I will listen.

I shall explain myself in further detail when I have time. Until then, I have but one thing to say: The one who claims to heal Duke Eltan's sickness is also the one who breeds it. Likely there have been signs that suggested this to you, but none have said it so plain. No doubt you have the wherewithal to follow through on it. Your very nature gives you above-average competence. Gorion's tutelage could only have enhanced this.

Don't speak that name! I'll not have you sully the memory of the only family I have known.

But that was not the family that knew YOU, and knows you now. I think you feel the pull, and I think you strain against it still. Ahh, again you see that I know much of you; perhaps more than you know yourself. There are three things that are strength incarnate: There is love of life, there is fear of death, and there is family. A family that loves death would have a strong pull indeed. Can you... feel it? Can you feel him? He hates you, you know.

Who hates me? What have I done to deserve such hatred?

What have you done? You exist, and chaos will be sown. That is the way it was intended, though I hope to change it. I must go, and YOU must go to Duke Eltan. Protect him from his own healer. I will wait near the Flaming Fist headquarters. We shall speak again and I shall have something to ask of you.

Then she walks away. So. I should check up on Duke Eltan, then meet her again near the Flaming Fist headquarters. But I want to find out more about Sarevok, too, so I should probably go to the Iron Throne headquarters too. Try to get some more dirt on him.

But before that, I need to Final Five, the closest, the inner circle. Those of the Golden Company who will stay with me always. Those I will command personally. I have thought about this a lot, and I know who I will choose. Imoen, for her closeness. Xan, for his love. Finch, for her innocence and determination. Kivan, for his deadly serious lethality. And Kagain, for his insane competence on the front lines. I need them beside me, them more than any others.

So I gather them together. And of course, Xan immediately goes to the most somber topic.



"... The spawn of the Lord of Murder are fated to come into their inheritance through bloodshed and misery. It is the hope of their father that only one shall remain alive to inherit his legacy. I foresee that the children of Bhaal shall kill each other in a bloody massacre..."

A very eloquent description, don't you think? "Chaos shall be sown through their passage." So, what is your choice? Would you prefer killing your siblings, or simply bringing death and destruction to the land?

Yes! Yes, I am doomed. So run while you are still able!

...forgive me. That was a banal and shameful hysteria, and it will not happen again.

I... accept your apology, I guess. Let us move on.

I fear you have not yet fully realized what your wretched heritage means, and for once, I have no desire to elaborate on the point. I would shut my eyes to the truth at all, but that is impossible. *sigh* Yes, Syvishtar, let us continue.

*Xan gives you a half-adoring, half-wistful look you are so familiar with. He does not stop at that, however...*

Syvishtar, have you had any more nightmares recently?

Yes, Xan. They never cease.

*Xan swiftly crosses the distance between you and cradles your face in his palms* My Syvishtar... why would your own mind torment you so?

It's not. I'm fine. There's nothing wrong with me at all.

Nothing wrong.

I get busy with equipping the Final Five with the best equipment we have available. Imoen first. She of course gets the standard Golden Company uniform - Elven Chain Mail +1. For Bracers, she browses the selection a while, but there is really only one choice, the Bracers of the Night.



There are also only five items that work for her head. She eyes the Thieves' Hood, but ends up taking up the Crown of the Shar'DuKha again. She loves wearing crowns, that Imoen!



For her amulet, she chooses to focus on magic. She takes the Amulet of the Learned.



For her weapon, I give her the Phantom Bow. It is the best out of the shortbows that we have, by a long shot. And I don't want her in melee, so I don't give her a melee weapon.



Her choice of rings reflects her dual nature. She will be standing in the back and plinking away with both arrows and magic, so arrows are most likely to find her. She takes a ring for more magic, and a ring for missile protection.





When presented with the belts available, she decides to take one to help her carry more stuff. She needs it, as she is quite weak.



She also takes some regular old Boots of Speed, too.



For cloaks, she doesn't hesitate. She immediately dons the Cloak of the Assassin.



I also give her the Orb of Storms, a Wand of Sleep, and her own magical artifact that she created. And I give her as many potions as will probably be useful to her in the coming battles.



She's as ready as she'll ever be.



Gameplay note: Imoen is a great ranged attacker here. Unlimited arrows, lightning called from the heavens, lots of magic missiles... She's great to have standing beside you in the back.

[Usurper]

Next, I turn to Xan. I first give him, of course, Elven Chain. He looks great in his golden armor. Then I have to choose between Gauntlets of Grandmastery, which end up protecting him better, and the Warrior Gloves, which make him more deadly with his Moonblade. In the end, I choose defense, and give him the Gauntlets of Grandmastery.



For his head slot, we have a ton of options. The Helm of Flame is supposed to boost his constitution, but it doesn't have any actual effect. The Pale Green Ioun Stone does boost his constitution a little bit, but not much. In the end, I want him to be protected, from magic the most. The best way to do that is via the Wyvern Head Helm. So I place that on his head.



For his necklace, there is really only one choice - the Bluestone Necklace of Dexterity.



For his shield, I try both the Shield of the Falling Stars +1 and the Heart of the Dragon, both of which make him tougher. The Shield of the Falling Stars gives more physical protection, while the Heart of the Dragon gives more magic resistance. I choose physical protection this time, and equip him with the Shield of the Falling Stars +1.



I pick two rings for him, again choosing both magical and physical protection with the Improved Ring of Fire Resistance and the Ring of Protection +3. The Improved Ring of Fire Resistance, along with his Moonblade, will actually work together to let fire heal him, rather than harm him.





We don't have very many belts to choose from, but Xan knows what he wants. He chooses the Improved Girdle Elves' Bane. On him, the connotation becomes different. This is how an elf will work his bane upon the world.



We have more boots to choose from than belts, but only one serves a warrior - the Fast Boots of Protection. He puts them on.



We have a dozen or so cloaks, but the one that I find best is the Holy Cloak. The constant Bless while equipped does wonders for Xan's fighting abilities and defenses, both.



I never want Xan to stop using his Moonblade for any reason, so I don't give him any other weapons. I do give him a Wand of Magic Missiles just in case he needs to hit something at range. And I give him a Wand of Sleep and the Mirror of Illusion that blurs its user, just because. Then I load him up with a full array of healing and buffing potions. He is as ready as he could possibly be for whatever may come.





Gameplay Note: I was looking forward to Xan casting spells, but I'm going to have to wait for Shadows of Amn for that. At 35 hit points boosted, he just can't hack it in melee, and the lack of magic buffs has really screwed him. However, he does have an insane AC, gets healed by fire, and has a negative 2 thac0. He has a viable chance to actually kill Sarevok himself, as long as he doesn't get Sarevok's attention.

Next up is Finch. First thing I do is give her the Holy Goblet, and let her drink it.



She gains a new ability.



Then Xan addresses Kagain.



I have no time to groom myslf in the morn', elf. I ready my axe, count my money, and I'm ready to go.

A groomed dwarf? Is that even possible?

Don't know too many dwarves that act like pansies.

No, they're probably all counting their gold and gems, like the filthy and greedy creatures that they are.

I'd watch my yap, if I was you...

Then Finch tries out her new ability.





I decide to rest, to determine more precisely the properties of the Disciple of Light. When we do rest, Xan talks to me again.



I am fine, Xan. Let us rest.

*sigh* I shall return to my spellbook, then. May no nightmares haunt you tonight.

And we do.

[Usurper]

In the morning, I check up on Finch.



Gameplay note: It gave her -2 AC and 7 hit points. No apparent changes to attacks, though. Still, nothing wrong with that!

Then Finch begins to re-equip herself with her favorite weapons. First, she gets the flail Flaming Death.



Gameplay note: It takes her attacks from 1 per round to 3 per round. Very important for a non-fighter.

For a ranged weapon, she chooses Arla's Dragonbone, an excellent sling.



She chooses the Gauntlets of Parrying for defense, and the Helmet of the Dead for more defense, and the occasional skeleton.





She also chooses the Ankh of Acceptance and the Small Shield +5, Divinity, like normal.





We keep up the theme of trying to keep her alive at all costs with the Ghaunadaur Priest Ring and the Ring of Kangaxx.





She chooses the Girdle of Bluntness, Boots of the Forgotten Ones, and the Faded Cloak. She hopes to stay hidden.







She gets some wands that she can use. A Wand of Sleep, Wand of Domination, and Wand of the Heavens. She also gets a brace of potions as well.



Since she is the only healer in the party, she loads up on healing spells.

Xan can't seem to get my heritage out of his mind. Just as soon as I'm done with Finch, he pulls me aside to talk to me again.



Worse? Up to which point? It could only get worse if we were separated, abducted, tortured, forced to lose our memories and souls, and finally killed. Who would want to do that to us?

*sigh* Syvishtar, you would be surprised at how many of these... experimentalists are around.

I am trying to keep the flippant tone for your sake, but it becomes harder to do. My hands are shaking so badly that it is almost impossible to concentrate on the simplest of spells, because the prospect of your death overshadows any other thought. I started to believe we were going to have decades, perhaps centuries together, but these are only illusions. The war Alaundo has prophesied will not leave you a single chance to survive, will it? Worse, it will destroy your spirit in the process. I hear your heartbeat through our link, but how long will it take until it ceases?

We are alive now, and we shall be alive tomorrow. Isn't it enough for you?

Syvishtar, days and years will trickle between our hands so fast that a decade will seem but a moment.

I want to protect you. I would give anything to place you beyond the marble walls of Evereska, or green depths of SUldanesselar, though even these will eventually crumble. But neither queen Ellesime nor the Hill Council would allow a Bhaalspawn to enter their realms. You are doomed to remain a wanderer, much as you are today. *sigh* Well, that gives me a perfect opportunity to shield you with my body... or some such. Lead on, Syvishtar, I do not doubt an occasion will present itself.

He seems to be taking this harder than I am. I guess he hasn't had the nightmares I have had to prepare him.

Kivan is equipped next. He immediately goes for a bow, the Strong Arm +2. For arrows he has a Quiver of Plenty, Arrows of Dispelling, and Arrows of Detonation. He isn't going to be messing around.



But there is also a chance that he will have to go into melee, so he also gets a Dragon Scepter.



He wears the Gift of the Woods, as he normally does, along with the Helm of Mind Warding.





I think he might enjoy it, so I give him the Amulet of Wyvern Summoning.



He is also going to be standing in the back, mostly, shooting arrows. So he also gets an Unfailing Missile Deflector ring, and a Ring of Free Action +2, to make sure he can always move away from his targets.





He rounds out his equipment with the Cloak of the Woods, the Boots of the Forest, and a Girdle of Stone Giant Strength.







A fully-decked-out Kivan is ready for all sorts of murder.

[Usurper]

And Kagain, well, Kagain is ready to chop an entire forest down.





Here's his equipment:





















My team is ready. It's time to go track down Sarevok. I think we should first stop by the Iron Throne building first.

Ahh, it is good to be walking the fine streets of Baldur's Gate once again!



Hello nobleman! Hello beggar! What a fine day it is today!

But the street starts to feel strange. There is a tension in the air. I start hearing things said. I ask a passerby.



From war, of course. What else do ye think would follow in its wake? That's why we need Sarevok as Grand Duke, for he'd take the resources from the Iron Throne an' assist us. Attack first an' fight the war on their soil rather than our own. As I told ye, better them than us.

SAREVOK AS GRAND DUKE?!?! Bloody hell, my brother has been quite busy while I was in Restenford!

I rush the front gates of the Iron Throne and prepare for a second assault. Any bastards in my way will pay!



I'm rushed as soon as I enter! But by panicked runners...



I will not debate that he is in control, but whatever his plans, they certainly do not have the good of th Iron Throne in mind. H has abandoned us in favor of his new position, that of soon to be appointed Grand Duke. We are simply to be cast off, and I would not be surprisd if h marches the Flaming Fist through here tomorrow as a show of his stance on mercantile crime!

Sarevok is to be a Grand Duke? How can this be?

Quite simple, really. He has built up support by pledging to combat the very chaos he himself was sowing! I imagine he'll have a fantastic success rate too, seeing as how he is in total control with our leaders dead! I doubt that he will settle into a nice quiet political life though. He seems set on causing as much destruction as possible, and I think he is intent on pushing for war with Amn!

Why would he pursue such a destructive plan? What could he gain from it?

How should I know? I am no diviner. I only know businss, and what he is doing makes very little economic sense. Had he wished to grow rich from dealing in ore, then I would have understood. Had he kept the Iron Throne intact he could have used his upcoming position as Duke to sanction Amn and increase our trading power over groups like the Knights of the Shield. As it is, he is seemingly intent on abandoning us and launching a bloodbath of a war. Know this: The people believe in Sarevok, and it will take more than a blade to reduce his stature in the eyes of the public.

How can people believe in him? Can they not see his nature?

People see what they wish, and they really wish to see a savior. He offers stability and seems able to deliver. That is more than anyone has been able to give them so far. I tire of this chatter. If you feel you must strike me down, do as you wish. Do not expect me to wait around while you do it, though.

Well, I guess, I don't really have to...
She leaves. Others run too.



Pang is the name, and I'll thank you kindly to get out of my way! I don't care why you're here. Take all you wish if you are thieves. I just want to leave. That Sarevok has become too big for his britches. Our leaders weren't a day dead before he declared the Iron Throne to be his.

Then you won't mind if I help myself to your coffers, will you?

Bah, they are nearly empty regardless! Sarevok has been making decisions on the sidelines for some time now, and it has cost us all plenty. He does not seem concerned with profits or much of anything! The iron shortage became his pet project, but he has used it to inflame tensions instead of build business! He's brought us down as sure as if he was some "hero." What reason he would have to provoke a war, I don't know. Enjoy your looting, I'm leaving for good.

A single guard attacks us, but Kivan puts him down.



We rush up to the second floor.



There is very little going on here. Everything is falling apart as we speak... and one person is to blame...

And just who might that be?

Sarevok is the foul spawn that surely did the deed! He craves the power of the Iron Throne, but for what purpose I do not know! He throws away gold like it was copper, and uses our best laid plans to inflame governments instead of bargaining for wealth! He's in line to become a Grand Duke because of his efforts to fight his OWN chaos, but I doubt his coronation will stop his lust for carnage. Who are YOU, by the way? What are you doing here?

I am here to kill Sarevok for what he has done!

Then I shall let you pass. The more blades that chase Sarevok this day, the better. I must go now.

We go up to the next floor. It is shockingly empty, even though it is the dining room.



We continue upwards. Perhaps we can catch Sarevok unawares?



I'm sure you will, but you'll not find it here. Sarevok was the architect of that plot, and we are all victims of it. If you seek him, I would look towards the Duchal Palace. There is to be a coronation there soon, and it will likely give Sarevok power enough to do what he wishes in this city. I imagine the fates of the remaining present Dukes will be much the same as that of Entar as well. I hope you have proof enough to convince people of his evil. Your confrontation will be very short otherwise.

Proof? I guess I do need some proof if I'm going to crash a coronation. I can't take on the whole city... Wait, could I?

No, no, best to get proof. We rush up to the next level of the Iron Throne.



Who told you to come here?! Who betrayed my lord?! It was Tamoko wasn't it? I always knew her to be a traitorous whore! Well it matters little if she did or not, all that matters is that you will die!

[Usurper]

Actually Tamoko told us to check out Duke Eltan's healer, but whatever!

She summons two golems from somewhere.



Ugh! I do not have time for this! I try to end it with Magic Missiles.



No good. Cythandria disappears, then appears again to cast a point-blank Fireball. Kivan hits her with an Arrow of Dispelling as she singes his eyebrows off.



I throw some random Magic Missiles while Finch brings down the wrath of the Heavens.



Xan rushes Cythandria, but a golem almost completely destroys him in one blow. But I throw another set of magic missiles, and Cythandria throws out her arms in a gesture of surrender!



Good! Time-saver!

Give us all of your possessions and then get out of our sight!

Take everything! It matters little... my life is forfeit.

Wait, then why doesn't she want to die now? If her life is forfeit, then ... oh well. I take a look at the book and the letters she gave me on her way out.







Gameplay note: I'm pretty sure this is substantially altered from the original.

21st of Nightal, 1366: Father seems to be plotting something major, but as usual, he is not revealing any details of the plan to me. The conversations in his study lately have tended toward the Cloakwood and its natural defenses, and pumping water from caves. I have been able to piece together nothing from this, nor do I know the men who have been visiting him. This will change.

11th of Ches, 1367: Another violent dream. I was a boy again, and a dog was barking at me, so I killed it with the dagger I found in my hand, the same bone dagger from the other dreams. Mother started to chastise me, and I ripped out her throat. Her blood was fresh, but I already had old blood on my hands, and my fingers had strangely turned into claws. The dog's head came back to life; its eyes were solid black. "Like father, like son," it said. I felt quite calm during the dream, but when I awoke I found I had been crying. Is this weakness? I must expunge it.

14th of Mirtul, 1367: The ceremony marking the completion of my Deathbringer training seemed rather anticlimactic to me, but my performance seems to have impressed Father. He took me aside and informed me that tomorrow, he shall reveal to me what he has been plotting these past few months, and even grant me a major role in it, if his associates agree. He assures me that it is a far-reaching plan, and I should not be disappointed with my responsibilities. My interest is quite piqued.
Cythandria was also quite pleased with my display this morning, so much so that it took her hours to fully express her appreciation. When we first grew close, I remember how glad I was to find someone who was not repulsed by my affinity for death, but tonight I realized that her thirst is not like mine after all: She has no real desire to get in close and perform the deed herself, she prefers to derive her thrill vicariously. And whether she feels the genuine rush of bloodlust as I do, or if she merely thinks of it as a way to excite her arousal, I am not sure. . . but I fear it is the latter.

15th of Mirtul, 1367: Father has finally informed me of his secret, and frankly, it sounds rather pathetic, not worth any excitement at all. All Father has is the location of a mine concealed deep in the Cloakwood, unknown to anyone else but the virtually extinct Orothiar dwarf clan, and according to them still rich in iron ore when it was accidentally flooded years ago. Bah. Iron?! I had guessed something similar, but from all of Father's caution and secrecy, I was anticipating a treasure much more glamorous than a stupid iron mine. Where is the glorious blood-rush that awaits me? I did not spend years of combat training just to assist in Father's counting-house. I feel the need for a challenge much more exciting than the rabble I have been wasting my skills on. I feel the need to finally slay something worthy of the strength I have been sensing awakening within me.

8th of Flamerule, 1367: Today, Father introduced me to his subordinates Davaeorn and Tranzig, who have made the journey to the hidden mine and confirmed that it could be put into use once again.
This evening, I was approached on the street by a ragged beggarly man who would not give his name, but thrust a book into my hands and said he would be back. The book is worthless, a common third-rate account of the Time of Troubles, and in horrible condition as well; nearly every single page is torn in some way. Yet something about the man tells me he was more than a simple lunatic.

9th of Flamerule, 1367: This night's dream was very strange: it was back in the temple, except that every single priestess had MY face, and held an identical bone dagger. I looked toward the altar where I had always been before, but instead of ME tied to the stone slab, it was the tattered book from yesterday. I had a dagger too, and when I stabbed the book, it bled. The blood, and then the book itself, dissolved into a sort of magical energy which overflowed the gutters in the altar and then evaporated into the air. I awoke to what felt like an icy grip trying to shatter my heart. I immediately examined the book again. It was damaged deliberately: no two rips line up, and the only pages that were NOT torn have to do with the killing of Bhaal and his efforts to ensure his legacy. The more I think about what this might mean, the more I hesitate to write it down, even here.

14th of Eleint, 1367: Cormyr has instituted a ban against the Iron Throne from operating within their borders. While this is a great blow to the Iron Throne, it is the perfect opportunity for father to approach the Throne high council with his proposal. If things go well, we could begin the operation within the year.
In more personal matters, my curiosity about my ancestry grows unceasingly; I simply must know if the dreams speak the truth. I will not believe the words of phantoms without proof, but the Priest of Bhaal I confronted today gave me nothing: he was old and died quickly in my grasp. If the words are true, I shall surely groom stronger acolytes than this.

20th of Eleint, 1367: The ragged man has finally reappeared, this time without his disguise. He gives the name of Winski Perorate, and confirms my suspicions: I am indeed one of the fallen Bhaal's many offspring. He claims to have been apprenticed to a Deathstalker, and therefore knows the signs. He has spent the past few years on the move, tracking down as many of the children as he can, but it seems that I am the most promising of them all, and he apparently intends to train me as his sole pupil. He has already informed me that I could not have chosen a more appropriate path than that of Deathbringer. I think I shall enjoy this very much.

28th of Eleint, 1367: Davaeorn reports that the mines at Cloakwood have been drained and are ready for use. This revelation should help greatly in convincing the Throne high council. Rieltar is setting up a base in Baldur's Gate, in the mansion of a destitute noble family, and everything is running smoothly.

19th of Marpenoth, 1367: The Iron Throne council has agreed to support father's plan. He has been given all the resources he needs, as well as leadership of the project. I have expressed interest to my 'father', and as promised, he is including me within the operations along the Sword Coast. He is sending me, as his representative, to make contact with some of the mercenary groups operating to the east. He mentioned mother in our conversation: how I wasn't to be disloyal to him as she had. He made it clear that I would suffer her fate if I was. His threats are weak and hollow, and I shall listen to them for only so long.
I am tempted to take the opportunity to make a side visit to Candlekeep on the return trip. There are some things about my heritage that even Winski does not know, and the exact text of the prophecies of Alaundo should prove most illuminating.

30th of Marpenoth, 1367: I met with the leaders of the Chill, and Black Talons. I have little liking for Ardenor, commander of the Chill, but Taugosz seems to be a man of his word. It is a good thing, as I'll have to work with these mercenaries for the full duration: Rieltar is even supporting placing me in command of this entire wing of the operation. But it would not do, of course, for the adopted son of an Iron Throne leader to be seen visiting the bandits, so I have chosen the half-ogre Tazok as my figurehead; his abilities and loyalty to me are very satisfactory.

3rd of Uktar, 1367: A new dream this night. Mother was talking to me, but as she did her face became bloated and discolored. Her voice became weaker as she spoke to me, telling me to save her from Rieltar. I could see the garrote cutting into her neck, but I did nothing. It was only a dream.

8th of Uktar, 1367: Today I returned to our newly-completed headquarters in Baldur's Gate and reported to Rieltar. The fool still insists on calling me his son, and for now I will let him. He assumes that I am loyal to him because he raised me. Well, loyal I am, but only as long as he is useful. He has indeed placed me in full command of the mercenary operations, while he supervises the doppelganger intrigues and Davaeorn oversees the mining angle. The demonstration of the mineral poison was most impressive.

9th of Uktar, 1367: Winksi has similarly occupied himself well during my absence, and today presented me with the location of a nearby sect of Cyricists, who have made a particular practice of researching everything they can about Bhaal, and especially his successor. It only makes sense that Cyric would be very interested in the offspring of his fallen foe, rising to reclaim his portfolio. Winski wants to capture one or more of their leaders and extract their knowledge from them, but I say we should shoot higher and interrogate them all. But that requires more than just two people, so I shall begin carefully selecting followers. Though I fully realize that my heritage should remain a general secret, especially from Rieltar, it is time that the Son of Murder had the acolytes he deserves.

14th of Uktar, 1367: Cythandria reacted to my revelation exactly as I thought she would: She immediately saw herself as a queen or an idol of worship, the only fitting roles for the consort of the Lord of Murder. Only after several minutes of imagining life seated at my right hand did she think to pay me any proper homage or obesiance. If I had the luxury of choice, I would not have to put up with this kind of attitude, but I need to establish a power base of my own, so I shall tolerate it. . . for now. There will be time for correction later.

Feast of the Moon, 1367: The Cyricists are ours, and we have begun pumping them for information, with Zhalimar taking over whenever other matters call me away. I have ordered that the younger members be kept alive, except to serve as useful examples to motivate the elder priests to be more forthcoming. What Winski is most concerned about is that some mysterious "ward of Gorion" is mentioned in the prophecies, and is said to play a major role in the succession to Bhaal's portfolio, but there is no depiction of this rune or sigil anywhere, nor does he know what its significance might be. It is a pity that Gorion is not a more uncommon name.

17th of Nightal, 1367: Mulahey has established himself at the mines of Nashkel, and should already be converting the kobolds to follow him as their leader. I expect they will begin contaminating the ore soon, though it will take some time before it becomes evident on the surface. Only a few slaves have begun to mine out the ore at Cloakwood, though once the bandit raids begin I will be sending Davaeorn a steady supply of new slaves. I wish I could lure Davaeorn into joining my little cult, knowing that he still secretly worships Bhaal, but he has some deep distrust of me, even after I dropped hints about my true parentage.

29th of Nightal, 1367: Tamoko has displayed surprising skill in demoralizing some of the most resistant Cyricists. The way she slew one of the junior members, and then later quietly re-animated his corpse to attack his sleeping former comrades, was a sheer treat to watch. I was quite surprised that she had the audacity to rouse me directly out of my bed for the latter portion, however. Not that I needed an excuse to leave Cythandria's company: She complains far too much.

6th of Hammer, 1368: The Flaming Fist have finally begun to take notice of our little mercenary operation, and have dispatched several small contingents to the Coast Way to try to fend off the bandit raids. I shall order all the men to, in the event of capture, claim Zhentish allegiance, and I shall provide them with corroborative details to make the lie more convincing. I am sure the Zhents at Darkhold won't be pleased to know that their name has been falsely used, but we cannot have the authorities catching our scent. Meanwhile, we have successfully infiltrated Angelo into the Flaming Fist, and I am instructing him in military strategy: Once this new talent of his gets recognized, he will be sure to get promoted, giving us a valuable spy right under Eltan's nose.

22nd of Hammer, 1368: More revelations from the Cyricists: after intense examination, we finally got some names and numbers. I wonder what is so important about Saradush? It seems Bhaal spawned literally hundreds of offspring, all over Faerun, but only twenty of these shall be of any real importance, and from them, five shall almost make the heavens themselves tremble in fear. This is very promising. But it seems that the head priest of Cyric is as in the dark as to this 'ward of Gorion' as we are. Blast! I shall have to find an opportunity to enter Candlekeep after all.

14th of Alturiak, 1368: In Candlekeep at last, and though Winski was too ill to leave Baldur's Gate, my research has gone well. The monks here are quite helpful. From what I have read, it is beyond all doubt that the blood of Bhaal flows through my veins. Alaundo's prophecies are, of course, anything but explicit, but I think I understand them. Bhaal's children bear the marks of chaos, have power with no direction, shall feel the blood of a god within them, and shall be driven to cause death and destruction, especially among each other. "The deaths they bring shall awaken the father, and through them he will rise." The wording is somewhat ambiguous, but obviously this means that death wrought by the children will cause them to ascend. Fitting, and since the father was the Lord of Murder, proving one's worth must involve an act in accordance with his portfolio. I begin to see what I must do. Death on a god-like scale.

15th of Alturiak, 1368: Winski was a fool. "Gorion's ward" is not any sort of glyph at all, but rather a brat named Syvishtar, a few years younger than myself. And Gorion himself, though even older now, is doubtless the very same man from the temple, all those long years ago. How ironic that the face that has been etched upon my brain for most of my life has been, for all this time, living as a monk practically on my doorstep. And while I have nothing to prove it, I believe that Syvishtar was that same squealing baby in the soiled diaper. And THIS little pipsqueak is to have monumental importance in the fulfillment of MY destiny? The very idea seems ludicrous. I barely got more than a glimpse today, but Syvishtar seems nothing more than a blissfully ignorant whelp, with next to no training whatsoever. Hardly a figure to shake the deities. But Gorion troubles me. He seems to have taken an interest in my readings; I must be careful to be more clandestine in my research.

16th of Alturiak, 1368: I take my leave of Candlekeep now, and not a moment too soon, for I am sure that Gorion has perceived my heritage. I wish I could simply kill him, but I doubt I could safely murder him within this damnable library. One thing I am certain of: Syvishtar is, in actuality, one of Bhaal's brood as well. All the markings are there, and it would explain Gorion's curiosity of my studies, as well as Syvishtar's being mentioned in the prophecy. Though there is nothing I can do now, I will have to make certain to return and kill the little brat. It would be foolish of me to let one of my siblings live, especially one being brought up by Harpers (and I am sure that is where Gorion's allegiances lay). And I expect that Bhaal's power would be shared among his surviving children, so obviously I must make sure that I am the last man standing. If I am to inherit the Throne of Bhaal, I want it all for myself.

19th of Alturiak, 1368: The last of our little Cyric cult has died, but I think we wrung everything useful from them in time. Winski largely shares my opinion about Syvishtar in that the child's death is almost certainly called for, but advises me to stop short of actual murder until he can determine exactly what sort of role 'Gorion's ward' is expected to play. Very well, I can wait. Winski's health seems to be failing him, so he has deputized Semaj to take over the business of sniffing out any possible Bhaalspawn in the area, and luring them to the Iron Throne on the pretense of business reasons. Those I deem a possible threat I shall kill myself, the rest I will let Semaj deal with in some way. I have discreetly commissioned a fine suit of armor and sword, worthy of the next Lord of Murder, and have postponed my fratricidal activities until I can dress the part.

17th of Ches, 1368: Everything proceeds well. The ore coming from Nashkel has started to deteriorate, and the mercenaries have been doing a fine job at seizing any iron caravans on route to Baldur's Gate. Though some of my men have been captured, the Zhent story is holding up well, so no trouble has fallen on the Iron Throne. But I will have to be wary for Zhentish agents in the coming months.
I am actually a bit disappointed in Rieltar: His skill in manipulating this whole iron plot notwithstanding, he sees it as nothing more than another way to make money, and increase his own status within the Iron Throne hierarchy. Bah! Who cares about the petty intrigues of one pathetic mercantile organization, when one can control the armies of entire nations? Ah, well. His blindness is my gain.

25th of Tarsakh, 1368: The armor is completed, and is wonderfully appropriate for the terrifying presence of a Deathbringer descended from the Lord of Murder. I shall have to congratulate Winski for helping with the design, especially the additional enchantments awakened only by the presence of the Bhaal essence. The sword shall not be finished for another day or two, but it seems appropriate that I should kill my first sibling with my own bare hands. Goodbye, Colin de'Graage. You are not one of the twenty; Alaundo never gave a damn about you, and neither do I.

28th of Tarsakh, 1368: The Sword of Chaos is glorious. The time is now ripe to deal with that old codger Gorion, and his little whelp. I will have to inform my men that I'll be gone for the next few days. Cythandria was furious when she learned I am taking Tamoko instead of her. Perhaps this will motivate her to support me in areas other than just the bedroom.

2nd of Mirtul, 1368: My long-delayed revenge on the withered old man is complete. I actually killed him a bit too quickly; I wanted enough time to look into his dying eyes and remind him of where we had met before. Ah well, it is of no real consequence. What a pair of prize fools he and his little puppy were, fleeing Candlekeep under cover of night, neither one of them carrying any more than a few pitiful scraps of equipment. Semaj's agents scared them right into our ambush. Unfortunately, the whelp got away; took off running like a terrified jackrabbit after only a single spell. I would have told Tamoko to follow him, but between my laughter and my lust for vengeance, it slipped my mind. Still, with the old fool gone, the young fool shall not be far behind. From what I have seen, I would expect anyone with Syvishtar's level of skill and bravery to simply get lost in the wilderness, and die of exposure after a day or two. A fitting end for the prize pupil of the man who thought I was less important than a squealing infant. I return to Baldur's Gate, and the list of brothers and sisters who are actually worthy of death by my hand. Just to be on the safe side, I have contacted Semaj's little network, and added Syvishtar's name to those whose deaths will be rewarded.

9th of Mirtul, 1368: Well, well! Not only has Syvishtar NOT gotten eaten by gibberlings as I expected, but has also survived the best attempts of two of Semaj's bounty hunters, fallen in with a group of adventurers, and safely met with the mayor of Nashkel! It appears there may be a spine in there after all. Still, it is obvious that this little war party seeks to disrupt our activities in the mines; happily, Tazok and Tranzig have been well prepared for this sort of thing, and know just what to do.

15th of Mirtul, 1368: The loss of Nashkel was a shocking blow to us, but we can recover; at the emergency meeting, we agreed that the best solution would be to send some of our own men into Nashkel, if not into the mine itself, and corrupt as much ore as possible without getting caught. I suggested that the most opportune time would be during transit: whether as ore-cart drivers or caravan guards, our men should easily be able to contaminate the iron, since everyone else would be watching the horizon, not the wagons, and in the event of an attack by our mercenaries, the Black Talons would already have a couple of their men planted among the enemy. After some debate, even Davaeorn was made to see the wisdom of this. The best part is that even if we only manage to poison SOME of the ore shipped out of Nashkel, rumors will start circulating that the town's iron is still just as tainted as before, they're just claiming that it's pure and shipping it out anyway. Some might even say that the entire adventuring party was just a lie that Nashkel made up, so people would start buying their iron again. I will mention this additional angle to Rieltar tomorrow. Still, the news that Syvishtar is still alive, despite all odds, troubles me greatly. I shall talk the matter over with Winski, and then strike. Personally, if I can find the time.

24th of Mirtul, 1368: Hellfire and damnation! I cannot believe the dispatches, but there is no denying them. With Tazok's camp destroyed, I shall have to establish a roaming base of operations, and supervise it myself. Rieltar and Davaeorn have agreed to this largely because, in my new armor, I cannot be recognized and traced back to the Iron Throne. But blast it all, in addition to the loss of men, this will take up ALL of my time, and I shall even have to recall most of the death squads that I had ordered to seek out and ambush Syvishtar and company. The situation looks dire, Syvishtar already knows far too much. At least their next move is predictable; Davaeorn and a crew hand-picked by Rieltar have already left to personally guard the mines. So let Syvishtar's little band follow the trail of clues if they wish. Just let them TRY to struggle through the Cloakwood, and may they all perish in the attempt. Myself, I care little whether they find the mine or not; the men there belong to Davaeorn and Rieltar, not me. I must use this time to recollect the scattered mercenaries into something useful once again.

9th of Kythorn, 1368: Back in Baldur's Gate, briefly, for the emergency meeting I had been expecting. The news from the Cloakwood has predictably driven Rieltar half-mad with worry. I admit that things have not gone anything like the way we planned, but I think we can still turn this to our advantage. For one thing, I strongly doubt that Syvishtar was able to carry more than a hundred tons of iron ore out of the Cloakwood, meaning that it's still there, waiting for our barges to come pick it up, just as arranged. The trick will be manipulating the public opinion: I must find some way to place the blame for the iron crisis squarely on Syvishtar's shoulders, as I cannot make my break with the Iron Throne until the fruit is fully ripe. At least Syvishtar's next move is obvious: Here to Baldur's Gate to accuse the Iron Throne. Would that I could slay them in the streets, but we must not cause an uproar, and I am needed back at the camp in any case. I have prepared Zhalimar and his hand-picked crew to stand guard in my stead, in wait for Syvishtar's next--and last--blundering step against me.

12th of Kythorn, 1368: Syvishtar has finally entered Baldur's Gate, and has gotten very friendly with Scar, but has not yet made any direct move against the Iron Throne. From the tone of his letter, Rieltar is on the verge of panic, expecting assassins to emerge from his bedclothes at any moment. He urges me to come to the city at once, mentioning something about wanting me to be present at an important meeting in a secure location. Something tells me the coward is scraping for any excuse to stay out of Syvishtar's reach. Happily, Tazok is now fully recovered and back to fighting strength, so he can resume his former duties while I return to the city and get things under control.

14th of Kythorn, 1368: I have long known of Rieltar's more pacifist tendencies, but I would never have expected him to actually arrange a meeting with the Knights of the Shield to PREVENT a war that should be very profitable to him. No one would accuse my mortal 'father' of being a charming man, but he can certainly be oily when he needs to, so I must intervene. But secrecy and deception are crucial now: If the Wheel of Fate is to spin freely under my hand, I must be very cunning. I have therefore informed Rieltar that Syvishtar's little mercenary band has been dispatched, and neatly replaced by a doppelganger crew as arranged. Therefore, when they suddenly burst into the meeting, his panicky reactions will all but ensure a bloody outcome. But too much is at stake with this to leave anything to chance: The doppelgangers and I must be present as well, though heavily disguised. I shall ask my acolytes to prepare something suitable. Happily, the sect of Cyric has some old texts which will almost certainly satisfy the entry requirements into Candlekeep, and Winski and Semaj have already copied down anything of relevance.

19th of Kythorn, 1368: Barely enough time to write, but I must not neglect my journals so. The future dead must know of how the Lord of Murder again came to them. Perhaps I shall hire a scribe, when time allows. As it turns out, I did not even need to maneuver one of the Cyricist's books into Syvishtar's hands, as Duke Eltan was more than willing to give my little scapegoat one of his own texts. Just moments ago, I saw Syvishtar enter the walls of Candlekeep, and I expect our little drama to commence here any minute. My self-styled father, Rieltar, is upstairs with two representatives of the Knights of the Shield. As foreseen, he has been blocking all my attempts to escalate the border hostilities. Terribly sorry, 'father,' but my true parentage calls and you are in my way. On the off chance that the upcoming encounter does not immediately produce bloodshed, I shall be sure to instruct the dopplegangers in the exact manner Rieltar should die. I think a garrote would be perfect for the task.

21st of Kythorn, 1368: On top of the world. With Thaldorn, Rieltar and Brunos slain, Syvishtar in custody for their murders, and the entire assets of the Iron Throne at my disposal, the entire city is practically at my feet, and everything is working out as Alaundo said it would. I have announced my intention to donate everything to the war effort, and now that Silvershield is out of the way, the rumors of elevating me to Grand Duke are beginning to catch on among the populace. The only blight on the day is the news that the message I sent to Zhalimar did not reach him in time, robbing me of six of my best and brightest. I have dealt with the messenger accordingly, and perhaps I can arrange it so that I perform Syvishtar's execution personally, thus completing the circle of revenge.

Ok, this is proof. Now, we're ready to finally confront Sarevok. To the palace!