Right Place, Wrong Bhaalspawn 1
This is the story of Shann Lightfoot, a Half-Elf fighter-mage-thief who assumes the role of the Baldur's Gate PC. This story starts in SOA, and Shann's earlier life is covered in the series Heritage of Evil. For those that are interested, Shann starts with the following stats. Str-12, Dex-17, Con-16, Int-18, Wis-12, Char-8.
Irenicus One
I awoke in pain again. I no longer remembered how many times that had happened. For a moment I thought I was a child again, being held in the cells of the N'evarn outpost, and awaiting punishment from my Drow masters.
It was a foolish thought, and soon I remembered that I was Shann Drowkiller, and the N'evarn outpost was destroyed years ago when I gave myself to the power of my father, the Lord of Murder.
But no, my memories were still mired in the past. I rejected the name of Drowkiller, and now called myself Lightfoot, the name my Mother gave me. I rejected the name of killer, and I rejected the power of my father.
I did not know where I was, only that the one with the dead eyes kept hurting me, testing me he said. Why? Because I was a Child of Bhaal, one of the few that were known. I should not be in this cage. I was the 'Hero of Baldur's Gate' because I destroyed my Bhaalspawn brother, Sarevok, but I should not be that hero. Destroying Sarevok's plans to instigate a senseless war was the destiny of my brother Tiswash of Candlekeep. Sarevok himself had found Tiswash, killed his foster father Gorion, and goaded Ti to find and destroy him. I inherited Tiswash's vengeance, his destiny, and now it seemed his torture as well.
Where is Imoen, I wondered. She was there when I (we? ) were taken by the strangers I was sure. Along with Tiswash's destiny I felt as though I had taken his role as sibling to the girl he grew up with at Candlekeep. I was the one who encouraged and tutored Imoen in magery when she took an interest in the arts. Truth be told, she is a better mage now than me, even though I have been practicing magic longer. Of course she has let her studies in thievery decline, while I have not.
My thoughts rambled on aimlessly, as my Father whispered to me, promising power and strength. I did not listen, not this time, and never again.
Soon I awoke in pain again. I was getting really tired of this. Why did I join Ti's odd group, and why did I let my Bhaalspawn heritage become common knowledge in Baldur's Gate? Bhaalspawn were sought and watched for by all the large organizations. I knew that, and I remembered that most of Tiswash's companions were spying on him, and later, on me. Jaheira and Khalid for the harpers. Dynaheir for the Rashmani Witches. Odesseiron for the Red Wizards. And Shann Lightfoot, I watched him too; but only because I wanted to protect him.
I wanted to defy Father, to keep him from controlling another as he had controlled me. I failed to reach Sarevok, and he fell completely under Bhaal's influence. I kept Father from seducing Tiswash, but Bhaal won in the end when Ti died and all that he was became nothing but dust to be blown away by the wind.
I knew why I watched Tiswash but why did the others? The harpers probably meant no harm but really, who can know for sure what their intentions were? The witches … always think they are right. The Red Wizards were the only ones I knew for certain could have no benevolent motives for seeking out a Bhaalspawn.
Sarevok was powerful, and a potential threat to all three groups, which made them reasonably trustworthy allies in the quest to stop Sarevok's rise to power. After Tiswash died, I took over the leadership of his party, and I allowed them all to aid in Sarevok's downfall. Imoen liked Jaheira and Khalid, and I suppose I did too, so we stayed together afterwards. Dynaheir, whatever her intentions, irritated the hell out of me with her constant harping on controlling my evil heritage, even before she knew I was a Bhaalspawn, and I got rid of her very soon after Sarevok's death. Odesseiron left on his own, conveniently forgetting the year of service he owed me. I doubt the witches or the wizards have forgotten me, although neither seemed likely to be behind my present captivity.
My tormentor kept talking of unleashing my power. I knew the power he talked of, and I knew what it could do. Despite my resolve to never give in to the lure of Father's promises again, I felt a strong desire to show my captor the true power of Bhaal, and tear him to pieces.