Adrian: Baldur's Gate

Without even having to think about it, Adrian leaned back and let the armor shoot it's lightning bolt. The room was large enough, he knew, to insure the bolt wouldn't come back to him. Or at least, that's what he thought.

Xzar and Edwin likewise needed no instructions; they dumped fireballs into the thickest clumpings of Dopplegangers. Tiax and Viconia began to raise their undead pets.

It was at this point that, much to Adrian's surprise, the lightning bolt came back! He had no time to duck! The bolt slammed into his armor...which absorbed it harmlessly. Of course, it would be vulnerable to it's own lightning attacks, that made sense. A useful ability to have.

Edwin and Xzar began summoning their jellies, as Adrian, Kagain, and Jessa cahrged forwards into the decimated ranks of the monsters, flanked by undead. With the undead summoned, Viconia likewise stepped forward.

Adrian had been in large-scale battles before; at the Gnoll fortress, on the pirate ship. But never before had he faced such a clash; where he was separated from his allies, surrounded by Dopplegangers every way he turned. Occasionally, he would see Viconia pounding one down, or an undead slashing, but mostly it was just the gray skinned foe, cackling at him, telling him he was doomed.

At one point three of them rushed him at once, and in desperation he unleashed a Bhaalscream. It was weak and without much lungpower behind it, but it nevertheless killed one of the Dopplegangers outright and knocked the other two off their feet.

Jessa stabbed one Doppleganger through the chest, and when another tried to close, punched it in the face with her gauntleted fist. There was a crack as it's neck broke.

Kagain lowered his axe and spun, taking several Dopplegangers out at the knees at once.

Viconia swung her hammer wildly, sometimes connecting, sometimes not. She was furious at almost losing her male downstairs to their kin. The Dopplegangers recognized her ferocity, and gave her a wide berth.

Tiax finally advanced, swatting Dopplegangers in the knees with his club. They limped away, howling, and He would close with one, beating it to death.

Edwin and Xzar now limited themselves to magic missiles, taking out individual Dopplegangers here and there.

Finally, Adrian killed a Doppleganger and found no more near him. There was one Skeleton and one Doppleganger left standing, swiping at eachother. The Doppleganger was much stronger, of course, but it had been badly beaten. The two monsters traded blows, repeatedly. Adrian was fascinated. The Skeleton fought with mindless determination; the Doppleganger with cunning, but also with growing fear. Finally, the Skeleton lunged downwards, and it's bone fingers punched into the chest of the enemy. The Doppleganger spat purple ichor, and died.

Shortly after, the summoning spell on the undead expired, and all of them vanished...save one. This one turned to look at the party. There was a pause, then Jessa charged it, screaming, and cut it's head off. The body dropped...and changed into that of a Doppleganger.

"It was trying to survive, by not fighting, and hiding," Jessa said between panting breaths.

Adrian nodded.

They made their way back downstairs, getting praise from Aldeth and his secruity guard, fighting through the smaller group of Dopplegangers that had been downstairs. They returned to Flaming Fist HQ.

Jessa gave her report to Scar, who nodded, and paid the party.

"I have another comission for you, if you're ready to take it," said Scar.

"Not tonight," said Adrian. "My neck is still sore from the fight. I need a good night's sleep, and besides, there are....other avenues in the city I wish to explore."

"Of course," nodded Scar. "When you're ready. You've more than proved your worth. Though I will be sending squads of Fists to both Costers to ensure they're fully cleaned out."

"Naturally," agreed Adrian.

"If I might speak to the party outside for a moment, sir?" Jessa asked Scar.

"As you will. Report to me for night duty later," he told her. She saluted, and followed the party outside.

"You're wondering why I don't turn you in," she said.

"For that fool in the field, yes," Adrian agreed.

Jessa sat on the low stone wall outside fist HQ. "I come from Phlan originally, it's in the Moonsea region."

"I know of it," nodded Adrian.

"It wasn't that long ago that it was reclaimed from monsters," she said. "Despite the town council's pretensions otherwise, it's still a rough city. Being good and being sanctimonious are not the same thing. I've seen a lot, and put up with a lot, in the name of the Greater Good. We are not so different," she said, turning to look at Viconia.

Viconia nodded slowly. "But you will not join us permanently."

"How could I? I have duties as a Fist. But I can promise you, no...awkward questions will be asked about your other activities in the city while I'm your liasion, and Scar is my superior officer."

Adrian nodded. "We appreciate that."

Kagain slapped Jessa on the knee. "Yer something else, for a human, ye know that?"

Jessa chuckled. "I try."

Edwin stepped forward, and took one of Jessa's gauntleted hands and kissed it, as a noble would. Jessa giggled.

"You are indeed a fascinating person," Edwin agreed. "A most unusual rook on life's gameboard."

"He means that as a compliment," said Viconia, dryly.

Jessa grinned. "I know."

Adrian shook hands with her, and the party turned and left.

Viconia sighed. "It's been too long."

"Too long since what?" Xzar giggled.

"Since I had a Sister. Especially one I could trust. I never expected to find such on the surface."

Adrian gently grasped her hand and squeezed. She smiled at him.

Still rubbing his sore neck, Adrian led the party back to the Elfsong.