Adrian: Baldur's Gate

The next morning, after healing spells had been applied, the party decided to explore the carnival. Adrian was of a mind to go back to the mayor and collect the reward immediately, but he appreciated the need to take time off. He himself had barely stopped since Gorion's death.

He found himself disappointed by the proliferation of gambling. Not that he had any moral objection of course, but he liked a chance to win.

But it was Xzar's fascination with the Exploding Ogre act that got them into trouble.

After three turns, it turned on it's owner, killing the hapless mage instantly (Adrian wondered again about these damn fool mages). Xzar backed away, and Kagain and Montaron charged it. Their small size and quick jabs and hacks kept it busy until Adrian gunned it down with his crossbow.

"So much for vacation," he mused. "Back to town."

"I am Death come for thee. Surrender, and thy passage shall be....quicker."

"You have GOT to be kidding me," Adrian snarled. This had ceased to amuse him.

"Why Nimbul has been hired to deal with the likes of you, I'll never know," the assassin sighed, as they met on the main street of Nashkel.

"Aye," Adrian agreed. "You are obviously a pathetic fool, and no match for us, Numbskull."

"How dare you!" Nimbul cried, and began twitching his fingers in another spell.

Almost without thinking about it, Adrian flung a Minor Drain at him. Edwin and Xzar's magic missiles were right behind, and whatever spell he meant to cast was disrupted. Viconia bashed him down, and Kagain hacked him to pieces.

Adrian didn't even bother with the bounty notice this time, he just distributed the treasure.

Montaron needed healing after that, and Viconia's healing chants were exhausted, so once they had gotten their reward from the Mayor, they headed down to the temple of Helm.

"Our brother, Brage, the guard captain..." the priest mourned.

"Yes, yes, yes," Adrian snapped irritably. "I get it. You want him back alive. I trust you'll pay better than that fool Oublek outside, who offered me 200 for him dead?"

"I can at least double that," the priest said, looking a little discomfited.

"Good. We'll take the commission."

"But Adrian..." whined Xzar.

"We will kill these bandits, Xzar," Adrian snarled. "But when I feel we're strong enough. Not before. This is precisely the sort of experience building we need."

"Aye," said Kagain. "The Bandits are tough. We need to be tougher."

"A rare display of intelligence, undoubtedly fleeting," said Edwin.

"Thanks so very much for your praise, Edwin," Adrian said coldly. "Stick to business, if you please."

"Dekaras would never have approved," the Red Wizard muttered.

"Who?" Viconia asked him.

"Never you mind."

They found Jaheira's group outside. They had found Mulahey's headquarters trashed by Adrian, and come back up through the mines.

"So..." Jaheira said uncertainly. "The mines are clear?"

"Aye. And they are, indeed, linked to the bandits. The Mayor has the relevant information, I gave him the evidence."

Jaheira nodded, stiffly. "Then it seems I owe you a debt of thanks."

"You can repay it by taking care of Imoen. She's not yet ready to face the brutality of this business."

"Not fair, Adrian," Imoen pouted.

"Life seldom is," he said to her, almost tenderly. "Take care, Immy. I wish you well."

They reached out and hugged, briefly. Then Adrian and his followers marched off.

"He is a powerful warrior, but cold-hearted," said Branwen.

"W-we'll never catch him now," sighed Khalid.

"Perhaps....and perhaps not," said Jaheira, thoughtfully. She turned to Imoen. "Child, have you ever considered becoming a mage?"

"Um, yeah, I thought about it," said Imoen, startled by Jaheira's insight. "Why?"

Jaheira smiled for the first time in days. "Then the Harpers would love to talk to you...."

Minsc did not wake for several more days, by which time Jaheira and Adrian's groups were both gone. His memory was not what it had been; this latest blow to the head had made him forget much. But he knew he had failed Dynaheir, and that was enough. He was too depressed and angry at himself to return to Rashemen a failure.

The Amnian guards, appreciating his size and skill, recruited him, and Minsc and Boo became a permanent part of the Nashkel garrison. "For the glory of Amn! Go for the eyes, Boo!"