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Adrian Shadows of Amn 166


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#1 Arcalian

Posted 02 June 2004 - 03:11 AM

Krath was a Half-Orc, originally from one of the Half-Orc enclaves, tolerated in Amn. Tolerated, not loved.

"Huhn!" He grunted, beheading yet another gnoll. His weapon of choice was a halberd, but he was so big--even for one of his ilk--and so muscled that he wielded it the way a Dwarf would wield an axe, one handed. He wore no shield on his other hand, though, perferring to keep it free for unarmed combat. His fist snapped back the head of a pure-blood Orc.

He had his own history, before, during and after his association with Anomen and the others. But that is not the purpose of this narrative.

The mixed bag of monsters Krath was currently facing, here in the hills outside Athkalta, were not so different from the ones he had killed with Anomen and the others, years ago now. He was not entirely sure at the reason for this unusual commingling, but he knew it was trouble. And stopping trouble like this was how he kept the trust he had fought hard to earn all his life.

He turned to confront an Ogre Mage who was beginning to cast a spell. He took one large step to close the distance, but before he could bring his halberd to bear, someone struck the Ogre Mage from behind. It grunted and staggered right into Krath's own weapon.

Krath looked up and was mildly surprised to see it was Anomen.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Krath asked, baring his fangs in a not-entirely pleasant smile.

Anomen gave the same sort of smile in turn, and indicated the scene behind him with his head. Blaine was tearing through a lizard man, and Tanya was swatting a gnoll with her mace.

"A full reunion? What for?" Krath raised the one brow over his eyes.

"We need to find out some things. I need to know what you've heard and seen."

"In what?"

"The slave trade."

-----

Adrian stared at the Ore Mistress. "Nothing?"

she shrugged her armored shoulders and sighed. "My supply has dried up. You'll need to talk to him."

"No problem. How much will it take to talk to him?"

"You know the way of the city of Coin. 2000 gold."

"The way of the world," Adrian sighed, handing it over, thinking of Imoen, far away.

"True enough, I suppose. His name is Unger Hildark. He's in the Copper Coronet, but he's really a....well....you may not like it."

"What? A shapechanged evil dragon?" Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"No, a, er, Duregar."

Korgan positively chuckled, and when the Ore Mistress still didn't seem to understand, Viconia clarified it for her by taking her helm off.

"Oh...I see. You won't kill him, will you?"

Viconia positively laughed, knowing the question was directed at her. "He may be useful."

"Erm...right, I'll just forget I saw you, shall I?" The Ore Mistress turned away.

Viconia was still chuckling as she put her helmet back on.

"What is it?" Adrian asked her.

"Oh, it's just that it's been so long since I had that sort of effect on a rivvil. I relish it." She smiled brightly at him, red eyes flashing, and hugged him as much as their armor allowed.

Adrian returned the hug, mechanically. He held no truck with the concepts of "Good" and "Evil", but in that moment it occured to him that if one heeded such abstract guidelines, his lover was more "Evil" than he was.
The road to the abyss may be paved with good intentions, but it is those with bad intentions that race down that road as fast as they can.

#2 Guest_Silrana_*

Posted 02 June 2004 - 03:37 AM

He had his own history, before, during and after his association with Anomen and the others. But that is not the purpose of this narrative.


But it would make a darn good story!

Anomen gave the same sort of smile in turn, and indicated the scene behind him with his head. Blaine was tearing through a lizard man, and Tanya was swatting a gnoll with her mace.

"A full reunion? What for?" Krath raised the one brow over his eyes.


I really enjoyed the stories with this group. I've been waiting for them to reappear!

"True enough, I suppose. His name is Unger Hildark. He's in the Copper Coronet, but he's really a....well....you may not like it."

"What? A shapechanged evil dragon?" Adrian raised an eyebrow.


*snerk*

"No, a, er, Duregar."

Korgan positively chuckled, and when the Ore Mistress still didn't seem to understand, Viconia clarified it for her by taking her helm off.


How tame!

"Oh, it's just that it's been so long since I had that sort of effect on a rivvil. I relish it." She smiled brightly at him, red eyes flashing, and hugged him as much as their armor allowed.


I can see she is enjoying herself. Great chapter!

#3 Laufey

Posted 02 June 2004 - 04:29 AM

Krath was a Half-Orc, originally from Palischuk, which was populated by his people, tolerated in Amn. Tolerated, not loved.


"Huhn!" He grunted, beheading yet another gnoll. His weapon of choice was a halberd, but he was so big--even for one of his ilk--and so muscled that he wielded it the way a Dwarf would wield an axe, one handed. He wore no shield on his other hand, though, perferring to keep it free for unarmed combat. His fist snapped back the head of a pure-blood Orc.


Nice introduction!


"We need to find out some things. I need to know what you've heard and seen."


"In what?"


"The slave trade."


Slave trade? Is the Order involved with that somehow?


Korgan positively chuckled, and when the Ore Mistress still didn't seem to understand, Viconia clarified it for her by taking her helm off.


Btw, is Korgan Duergar too? I somehow got that impression.


"Oh, it's just that it's been so long since I had that sort of effect on a rivvil. I relish it." She smiled brightly at him, red eyes flashing, and hugged him as much as their armor allowed.


Adrian returned the hug, mechanically. He held no truck with the concepts of "Good" and "Evil", but in that moment it occured to him that if one heeded such abstract guidelines, his lover was more "Evil" than he was.


Just having a bit of fun - I would feel just the same. :shock:
Rogues do it from behind.

#4 Guest_Oryx_*

Posted 02 June 2004 - 05:00 AM

Krath was a Half-Orc, originally from Palischuk, which was populated by his people, tolerated in Amn. Tolerated, not loved.


Well said

Krath looked up and was mildly surprised to see it was Anomen.


Learning to attack from the back! That's my boy!

Adrian stared at the Ore Mistress. "Nothing?"


(Wh)Ore Mistress...

she shrugged her armored shoulders and sighed. "My supply has dried up. You'll need to talk to him."


"No problem. How much will it take to talk to him?"


"You know the way of the city of Coin. 2000 gold."


lol

"The way of the world," Adrian sighed, handing it over, thinking of Imoen, far away.


Ah, you'll end up killing her to get it back, I'm sure...

"True enough, I suppose. His name is Unger Hildark. He's in the Copper Coronet, but he's really a....well....you may not like it."


"What? A shapechanged evil dragon?" Adrian raised an eyebrow.


no, that's Firky

"No, a, er, Duregar."


heehee

Adrian returned the hug, mechanically. He held no truck with the concepts of "Good" and "Evil", but in that moment it occured to him that if one heeded such abstract guidelines, his lover was more "Evil" than he was.


Oh absolutely agreed. He's a selfish merc, she's actually theologically devoted to an evil.

Onyx: She's all bright and shiny on my Detect-O-Vision!

One reason I rolled my eyes at people playing semantical games with the alignment system, in her case. She'd hardly consider Evil an insult. Alas, we project our own preferences...but I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

#5 Arcalian

Posted 04 June 2004 - 02:42 AM

Remember, "Most noble order" way back int he "masks off" quiz. That's where were going.
The road to the abyss may be paved with good intentions, but it is those with bad intentions that race down that road as fast as they can.

#6 Guest_Lord E_*

Posted 05 June 2004 - 12:41 AM

Adrian returned the hug, mechanically. He held no truck with the concepts of "Good" and "Evil", but in that moment it occured to him that if one heeded such abstract guidelines, his lover was more "Evil" than he was.


Correct. Adrian is just the ultimate pragmatist, more neutral than evil imo. Your Vico, darker than most fanfic versions enjoys the Call of Dark or something equally melodramatic.

#7 Guest_Lord E_*

Posted 05 June 2004 - 12:54 AM

One reason I rolled my eyes at people playing semantical games with the alignment system, in her case. She'd hardly consider Evil an insult. Alas, we project our own preferences...but I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.


I think questioning alignment is more than 'semantical game'. It is ethical debate, which is something I value an sich - and trying to actually define and question this thing is better than the rulebook 'throw in some vague terms and circular definitions that sound good' approach.

As for Viconia, I agree though. A high-ranking servant of an evil deity is devoted to some sinister cause - i.e. getting a high rank in Shar's church means that you have to betray someone who trusts you, preferably a family member or close friend, for Shar. Therefore, I think it is quite understandable that Keldorn has more problem with Viconia than Korgan. Vico is devoted to advancing causes he works to oppose, while Korgan is just another rough-around-the-edges mercenary, hardly a threat to anything Keldorn lives and dies for except perhaps a tool if someone pays him well enough.

That said, I think Vico's character is not very well written from the Realmslore POV. I think her not wanting to sacrifice a human baby is not consistent with that she seems to be quite proud of her drow heritage and culture, never much questioning it (except in the romance). Also, why turn to Shar, why not Eilistraee if the baby was an issue? Why did she care about her brother? And Shar would *definitely* smack her for falling in love and trusting the PC.

But still I don't think most FR evil dudes would call themselves evil. Realist, above such laughable notions, ruthless, powerful, rational, or the like... I think 'evil' as a term is inherently negative, considered worse than 'good' and you either substitute 'evil' with something you consider more appropriate, use it ironically, or deny the apporpriateness of such a dichotomy.

#8 Guest_Lord E_*

Posted 05 June 2004 - 12:58 AM

Btw, is Korgan Duergar too? I somehow got that impression.


Yes, he is. It comes up several times in the banters, and I think in his bio too. *He* doesn't much seem to worry about people finding out. I wonder why... :lol:

#9 Guest_child_of_murder_*

Posted 06 June 2004 - 11:23 AM

Korgan is most definitely not duergar. One, he doesn't have black skin and white hair, two, he has not psionic abilities whatsoever and three, Bloodaxe sounds far more like a shield dwarf name than a duergar name. And I'm positive its never mentioned anywhere in the game that Korgan is duergar.

#10 Guest_Lord E_*

Posted 07 June 2004 - 06:11 AM

Korgan is most definitely not duergar. One, he doesn't have black skin and white hair, two, he has not psionic abilities whatsoever and three, Bloodaxe sounds far more like a shield dwarf name than a duergar name. And I'm positive its never mentioned anywhere in the game that Korgan is duergar.


One, wouldn't be the first time the game the game is inaccurate when it comes to lore, and two, at least in 3rd edition duergar have no psionic powers unless you count the innate ability to cast invisibility and enlarge.

Viconia's and Korgan's banters, among other things, indicate without question that he is 'most definitely' a duergar.

#11 Guest_child_of_murder_*

Posted 08 June 2004 - 01:56 AM

But they still give duergar in the game black skin while Korgan's is the colour of a shield dwarf. And if the banter's you're refering to are the ones where Viconia says that a de Vir fortress was near Bloodaxe clan lands that means absolutely nothing, every type of dwarf has underground fortresses. But, I haven't played the game for a while so if you can show me a banter where anyone says Korgan's duergar I'll believe you.

#12 Guest_Lord E_*

Posted 08 June 2004 - 02:31 AM

But they still give duergar in the game black skin while Korgan's is the colour of a shield dwarf.


Again, the game is notoriously inaccurate when it comes to realmslore - they have got more than duergar's skin color wrong.

Siigh... *mutter mutter* *Infinity Explorer*

---------------
Vico: Korgan, I'm interested in whether your clan has ever had interaction with House DeVir? It seems to me, if memory serves, that our sphere of influence was quite close to your Bloodaxe clan's stronghold near Talthalra Wern'nt Szithla Har'oloth.

Korgan: Nay speak that vile tongue to me, blackskin. If it moves I've killed it, but if it be drow, I've tortured it fer days, first. As fer that house of yers, I burned it and relieved meself on the embers and dead. And the necklace of darkelf ears fetched me a king's ransom in Waterdeep.

(No, I don't believe shield dwarves have clan strongholds in Underdark, let alone 'interaction' with the drow. There also is no mention of such in the source books.)
----------------

Vico: By the grace of Shar, what is that foul stench? *gag* Korgan, could you not have the decency to stand downwind of me?

Korgan: The only time I stand downwind of a dark elf is when I'm looking to add to my collection of drow ears! But dannae worry, ye dark witch, yer time will come.

Vico: Toss your idle threats elsewhere, hargluk. I tolerate your presence for the same reason my kin tolerate your kind in the Underdark... you are a useful servant. But servants are easy to replace.

Korgan: Ye think yer healin' powers make ye indispensable, drow? I wonder, can ye raise yerself from the dead if I slit yer dusky throat?

Viconia: And why have you not already done so, Korgan? Like all your kind you lack the courage to act when you fear the consequences of failure. That is why the drow use your kin as slaves. Ah... the wind has shifted. I now have no reason to continue this discussion, dwarf.

Korgan: This isn't over, wench!

Vico: Yes, Korgan... it is.
---------------------

Korgan: Well there be the rarest of sights.

Vico: What's that, hargluk?

Korgan: One of yer bakerlegged ilk out under the sun. Rumor has it ye melt, cook like lamb on the spit or'll fall apart, all limbs askew.

Vico: Your tone, like your manners, is absent of charm, Korgan. Our kinship as Those Below should be celebrated, not ridiculed. Though equals we are not.

Korgan: The Underdark I left a lifetime ago. Ye blackskins are all the same; good fer three things...owning, hunting and killing.

#13 Guest_child_of_murder_*

Posted 09 June 2004 - 04:00 AM

But with other instances of duergar within the game, they got the skin colour right. Combined with his portrait, this leads me to believe that he is *not* duergar.

Dwarfs, or shield dwarfs at least, live in underground structures, usually under mountains, that are, or at least connect to the Underdark. For the most part, dwarven aboveground structures are fortresses defending the entrances to their underground homes. The fact that he "fetched a king's ransom in Waterdeep" further suggests that he is duergar, as a gray dwarf would find it very difficult to obtain the reward from the authorities.

The drow use all races, including dwarfs, as slaves, both in canon FR sources and ingame.

The very fact that Korgan comments on seeing a drow aboveground disqualifies him, at least in my eyes, from being duergar. Duergar dislike sunlight just as much as drow. Dwarf of all kinds are an Underdark race, they were (or at least believe) that they were born beneath the earth, and most still live there. Only adventuring dwarfs commonly spend much time on the surface, like Korgan, who "left the Underdark a lifetime ago."

#14 Guest_Lord E_*

Posted 09 June 2004 - 04:26 AM

The drow use all races, including dwarfs, as slaves, both in canon FR sources and ingame.


Routinely they use only other Underdark races.

The very fact that Korgan comments on seeing a drow aboveground disqualifies him, at least in my eyes, from being duergar. Duergar dislike sunlight just as much as drow. Dwarf of all kinds are an Underdark race, they were (or at least believe) that they were born beneath the earth, and most still live there. Only adventuring dwarfs commonly spend much time on the surface, like Korgan, who "left the Underdark a lifetime ago."


Not true about the dwarves - according to the source material only duergar live in Underdark, hence other dwarves don't have the light sensitivity (that isn't implemented to Viconia, as well as the drow abilities other than the spell resistance, either). Other dwares also generally dislike duergar.

And I don't think Viconia's comment of 'our kinship as Those Below' if she was talking to a shield dwarf.

Whatever. We can always ask others for an opinion, it has never even occurred to me that Korgan wouldn't be a duergar.




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