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Ember's Tale 11: Curse


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#1 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 11 April 2006 - 07:18 AM

Chapter 11: Curse


From the distance it looked like yet another caravan that had fallen victim of bandits. They could see at least one dead horse and three dead men, and the remnants of a crushed wagon lay behind the bodies. The only piece that did not fit the puzzle was the pale-haired woman who was blocking the path to the wreck.

"Please," she cried, "I beg of you to go no further! Brage is there, strewn about with the carnage he has wrought. Please, unless you wish to witness madness in a once-good man, leave him be and pray the spirit leaves him in good time."

"Who is this Brage you speak of?" Kivan asked.

"I am his cousin, Laryssa," the woman said. "Before this curse befell him, he was Captain of the Guard in Nashkel; the finest Captain the town had ever seen. Two nights ago he flew into a rage and killed his wife and children. Then he killed all who saw him and ran away. I tracked him here, and I have tried to reason with him, but it is as if he is possessed by another's soul. It was all I could do to flee the swing of his tremendous blade."

Imoen gasped. "That's horrible!"

"Can nothing be done for him?" Ember asked.

"Watcher Nalin at the Temple told me that they may be able to help him if he is indeed under some evil influence, but Brage will not come. He will not heed me; when he sees me, he asks me a riddle I cannot answer, and attacks me for being as blind as he. Perhaps... perhaps there is no hope."

Ajantis reached out and gently took Laryssa's hand in his. "There must be something we can do, dear lady."

Laryssa paused, looked up the path behind her, and finally nodded. "He cannot go on like this. For all the bonds of love and blood, save him from his present agony if there be a way - any way - to do so."

"I understand. We shall do as you ask," Kivan said in a grim voice.

Tears filled the woman's eyes. "Come tell me when it is done," she said. She saluted them with her mace and stepped aside, allowing them up the path. Ajantis bowed deeply for her before heading towards the destroyed wagon, and the others followed suit.

"What is happening?" Imoen asked in a whisper.

"I think we're going to help him or kill him, Immy," Ember whispered back.

They were close enough to smell the decay when a wild-eyed man tottered out of the bushes. He was dressed in stained chainmail and a muddy tabard, and held a gleaming sword in his hands.

"I pray you left a trail of crumbs to lead us all back again. The others did not, so they have decided to stay," he said in a singsong voice, waving his sword casually at the dead bodies around him. "Shall we try to find the way home together? I pose to you a riddle, the answer to which I once knew, but now cannot perceive. Remind me, and we shall all return unto the day. Fail, and stay with me in the dark, forgetting whence we came...." His voice trailed off, and the light in his eyes changed. When he continued, his voice had dropped several notes and sounded as if from someone else.

"It has neither mouth, nor teeth; yet it eats its food steadily. It has neither village, nor home, nor hands, nor feet; yet it wanders everywhere. It has neither country, nor means, nor office, nor pen; yet it is ready for fight - always. By day and by night there is wailing about it. It has no breath, yet to all it appears."

"Could it be wind?" Imoen whispered to Ember. "No, I guess not; wind has a breath."

"And it is no creature," Kivan mumbled.

"It sounds as though it should be a battle, yet I know it is not," Ajantis said.

"War?" Kivan suggested.

Ember watched Brage as he slowly approached them. His sword all but glowed, and sunlight glinted off the curved points on the golden hilt. A beautiful weapon, by all means; beautiful and cruel. He stepped over one of his victims, treating the body as if it were no more than a slight unevenness in the terrain. He doesn't care, Ember thought, it's as if he's forgotten he's human. Did he even weep for his family?

Slowly, the pieces began to fall into place. "There is wailing when people die," Ember murmured, "usually, anyway."

"And people don't want to die, so they fight it, but they lose and it eats them," Imoen murmured back.

"And death comes to everyone, everywhere," Ember concluded.

"That has to be the answer! Tell him, Em!"

Ember raised her voice. "Death," she said. The single word, spoken out loud, rang chillingly in the midday air.

Brage looked as though he had been struck. He dropped his sword and fell to his knees, his eyes roving the landscape of destruction around him. "The end of night," he moaned, "where the light shines unto mine eyes and I can see clearly once again! What hath I wrought!? 'Tis horrible, HORRIBLE!! I will welcome the block that must await me at Nashkel! How could I live with what I've done!"

He crawled towards Ember and grabbed her hand in a pleading fashion. "Please, you must guide me to the town that I might pay for my crimes! I fear I can keep my senses for only so long, and I must not be allowed to do this again! Too many good people have lost their lives to me! Please..." His voice broke, and he sobbed loudly.

Ajantis stepped forward and placed a hand on Brage's shoulder. "Killing you will not help those that have died. We shall take you to the Temple of Helm, in hopes that you may be healed."

Brage sighed wearily. "I do not even know what led me to this; it's like a foul presence in my mind! Look at this place; innocent blood on everything!" He gestured towards his sword, which was laying in a muddy patch of the path. "I'd only just acquired that sword. And with it, I have wrought nothing but destruction. Take it and destroy it, that it might not harm another!"

Ember walked towards the sword. It was beautiful even when covered with muck, and she wondered briefly if perhaps she might be able to wield it, despite its size. The thought was quickly dismissed as she drew close enough to see the difference between the muck stains and the blood stains on the golden edges of the hilt, and she hurriedly wrapped the weapon in rags before strapping it on her back.

"Cousin!" Laryssa shouted. She was running towards them, closely followed by Kivan.

"Dearest Laryssa! What have I done?" Brage hugged her forcefully, weeping on her shoulder. "Take me to Nashkel, my friends, I can bear this no longer."

---

They arrived in Nashkel in the deepest hours of night. The streets were quiet, and the only lights were from the windows of what Laryssa told them were the inn and the temple, and from the torches in the hands of the guards patrolling the main street.

"Identify yourselves!" one of the guards demanded as they crossed the main bridge into town.

"Bardolan, it is I, Brage."

"Commander! Er... are you...?"'

"These people have saved me, and I come to repent."

"We're taking him to the Temple, unless you object," Kivan said.

The guard snorted. "And hand him over to Oublek for the bounty? Nay, I'll escort you to the Temple myself."

Bardolan led them through the empty streets to a tall marble building with windows made of stained glass. "Beautiful," Imoen whispered as they walked up a path lined with white stones towards the carved doors. They were greeted by one of the clerks, who led them into the main chamber and went to fetch Nalin.

Brage glanced nervously around the room. His eyes found the symbol of Helm at the altar, and he looked away with a shudder. "I cannot show my face here after what I've done! Just give me to the guard that I might take my punishment as I should! Do not disgrace me further in front of Helm!"

"Calm yourself, Brage," a calm, pleasant voice said from behind them. High Watcher Nalin was entering the room, pulling his robes on. "Helm sees all that he wishes, and knows much of what you do not. It was your hands indeed that did many a foul deed, but it was not your will alone. Intent is vital, and yours was influenced without your knowledge. Justice will be done, but with atonement, not punishment."

"But my crimes... my family... how can I go on?"

The High Watcher approached Brage and gently put a hand on his shoulder, performing a gesture of blessing with his other hand. "If you are returned to the garrison, yours will be the only willful killing that has occurred about this matter. It would be a waste of your life which, fractured though it is, can still contribute much."

Brage's knees buckled, and he fell to the floor, weeping. "Helm will see you through, my child," Nalin told Brage, embracing the broken man as he wept.

Brage soon calmed down, and the priest released him. He stood next to his cousin, holding her hand and seemingly admiring the patterns of the marble floor.

A clerk appeared in a doorway. "Ah, there you are. My intrepid friends," the High Watcher told Ember and her party, "I intend to exceed the reward offered by Oublek. After all, it was the same task of bringing Brage to justice, and the Temple is in your debt for the return of its lost son."

"Thanks!" Imoen said, loudly enough to drown out Ajantis's muttered protestations that it was merely their duty. The clerk silently handed Imoen a coin purse, which she happily accepted.

"Now, we have further business this eve," Nalin said. "Did you bring Brage's sword with you?"

Ember untied the bundle from her back and handed it to the priest. He deftly removed the wrappings and held his hands over the sword, closing his eyes.

"Have you handled this sword, my child?" he asked Ember.

"Handled? I don't think so. I just wrapped it in the rags and put it on my back. I haven't tried to wield it."

"I thought not; this sword is deeply cursed, you see. All who wield it will succumb to a berserker fury, as our Brage has done."

Ember swallowed. She had wanted to try it; if she hadn't noticed the blood on it, she probably would have.

"I... I bought it from a traveling salesman at the carnival," Brage whispered. "It wasn't from here, so I thought it would not crumble..."

"Do you remember who the salesman was?" Nalin asked, his voice still gentle.

"Tranzig, I think his name was. Tall pale fellow, wore black... Please, destroy the sword, it has brought me nothing but pain."

"Of course, my child," the priest said. He muttered a lengthy incantation, and the sword crumbled to dust.

"We shall search the carnival for this Tranzig at first light," Bardolan said. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, High Watcher, for solving this puzzle; and thank you, honored adventurers, for bringing our commander back to us."

"Thank you again for all you have done for us," Laryssa said. "I shall stay here with Brage. Here, take this gold and go to the inn; this should be enough for the best rooms."

This time, Ajantis got the first word in. "Thank you for your generous offer, miss, but we have already been rewarded sufficiently."

"We will take your suggestion about the inn, of course," Ember said, stifling a yawn.

Laryssa smiled. "You are good people. May the gods look kindly upon you all."

---

The newest patron of the inn ordered a simple meal of bread, some ale, a small cup of water and a handful of grains, and yawned mightily. It had been a long walk from the Cloudpeak Mountains, and he had not paused all day. The delay grieved him sorely. The trail might go cold, and one day might be more than he could afford to spare, but it was necessary. He looked around the room and sized up the other patrons; none of them would do, he conceded with a sigh as the meal arrived.

There was much he did not know, but there was one thing he was certain of:

They could not rescue his charge alone.

#2 Guest_Theodur_*

Posted 11 April 2006 - 12:11 PM

"I am his cousin, Laryssa," the woman said. "Before this curse befell him, he was Captain of the Guard in Nashkel; the finest Captain the town had ever seen. Two nights ago he flew into a rage and killed his wife and children. Then he killed all who saw him and ran away. I tracked him here, and I have tried to reason with him, but it is as if he is possessed by another's soul. It was all I could do to flee the swing of his tremendous blade."


This was one depressing side quest – I never played my only Evil BG1 character this far, so I’ve always agreed with Laryssa to save Brage.

Laryssa paused, looked up the path behind her, and finally nodded. "He cannot go on like this. For all the bonds of love and blood, save him from his present agony if there be a way - any way - to do so."


Death would be a better option than stay under this curse, that is also true.

"It has neither mouth, nor teeth; yet it eats its food steadily. It has neither village, nor home, nor hands, nor feet; yet it wanders everywhere. It has neither country, nor means, nor office, nor pen; yet it is ready for fight - always. By day and by night there is wailing about it. It has no breath, yet to all it appears."


Don’t you just go tired of madmen who want to speak with you in riddles? I know Ember will be by the end of the story. 8)

Ember watched Brage as he slowly approached them. His sword all but glowed, and sunlight glinted off the curved points on the golden hilt. A beautiful weapon, by all means; beautiful and cruel.


I tried to fight him once when I clicked on the wrong answer accidentally – he’s pretty deadly for a low level party. Course, I reloaded immediately.

Ajantis stepped forward and placed a hand on Brage's shoulder. "Killing you will not help those that have died. We shall take you to the Temple of Helm, in hopes that you may be healed."


That’s better. The stereotypical dunce would have cast Detect Evil and then promptly proceeded to smite the evildoer.

Bardolan led them through the empty streets to a tall marble building with windows made of stained glass. "Beautiful," Imoen whispered as they walked up a path lined with white stones towards the carved doors. They were greeted by one of the clerks, who led them into the main chamber and went to fetch Nalin.


Quite strange that the temple of Helm in Nashkel was far more impressive than the Lathander’s temple in a larger town like Beregost… and Lathander is a lot more pompous and gaudy a deity. :D

"Calm yourself, Brage," a calm, pleasant voice said from behind them. High Watcher Nalin was entering the room, pulling his robes on. "Helm sees all that he wishes, and knows much of what you do not. It was your hands indeed that did many a foul deed, but it was not your will alone. Intent is vital, and yours was influenced without your knowledge. Justice will be done, but with atonement, not punishment."


The others might not find forgiveness as hard to give, the hardest will be for Brage to forgive himself.

"Thanks!" Imoen said, loudly enough to drown out Ajantis's muttered protestations that it was merely their duty. The clerk silently handed Imoen a coin purse, which she happily accepted.


Ooooooh, shiny! That’s probably Imoen’s reaction. :)

"Tranzig, I think his name was. Tall pale fellow, wore black... Please, destroy the sword, it has brought me nothing but pain."


Tranzig, eh? He might be wise not to show his dirty mug in Nashkel ever again.

This time, Ajantis got the first word in. "Thank you for your generous offer, miss, but we have already been rewarded sufficiently."


I’ve been playing Icewind Dale series lately, and I’ve come to grow annoyed at how often paladins refuse monetary rewards. Grrrr! Dammit! :)

There was much he did not know, but there was one thing he was certain of:


He could not rescue his charge alone.


Yay! Enter Boo! And Minsc, I suppose. ;)

#3 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 11 April 2006 - 07:24 PM

"I am his cousin, Laryssa," the woman said. "Before this curse befell him, he was Captain of the Guard in Nashkel; the finest Captain the town had ever seen. Two nights ago he flew into a rage and killed his wife and children. Then he killed all who saw him and ran away. I tracked him here, and I have tried to reason with him, but it is as if he is possessed by another's soul. It was all I could do to flee the swing of his tremendous blade."


This was one depressing side quest – I never played my only Evil BG1 character this far, so I’ve always agreed with Laryssa to save Brage.


I know I played one evil and one CN(evil lite™) past this point, but I think they all saved Brage. Exp and money, you know. That, and I don't seem to be good at the Very Evil Stuff (killing Drizzle isn't evil, you know).

Laryssa paused, looked up the path behind her, and finally nodded. "He cannot go on like this. For all the bonds of love and blood, save him from his present agony if there be a way - any way - to do so."


Death would be a better option than stay under this curse, that is also true.


Yes, and I am glad her implication worked :? I couldn't bear to have her outright say it.

"It has neither mouth, nor teeth; yet it eats its food steadily. It has neither village, nor home, nor hands, nor feet; yet it wanders everywhere. It has neither country, nor means, nor office, nor pen; yet it is ready for fight - always. By day and by night there is wailing about it. It has no breath, yet to all it appears."


Don’t you just go tired of madmen who want to speak with you in riddles? I know Ember will be by the end of the story. :roll:


Oh yes. But most be as creepy as Mr. Possessed here.

Ember watched Brage as he slowly approached them. His sword all but glowed, and sunlight glinted off the curved points on the golden hilt. A beautiful weapon, by all means; beautiful and cruel.


I tried to fight him once when I clicked on the wrong answer accidentally – he’s pretty deadly for a low level party. Course, I reloaded immediately.


I've never tried that, but I do remember Greywolf (the guy who wields Varscona and is after Prism) being quite painful until I started letting him chase one party member while the others shot arrows at him...

Ajantis stepped forward and placed a hand on Brage's shoulder. "Killing you will not help those that have died. We shall take you to the Temple of Helm, in hopes that you may be healed."


That’s better. The stereotypical dunce would have cast Detect Evil and then promptly proceeded to smite the evildoer.


And it would have been Good of him.

I considered making a paladin naive idealist PC once; she'd have made all kinds of screwups in the name of Good.

Quite strange that the temple of Helm in Nashkel was far more impressive than the Lathander’s temple in a larger town like Beregost… and Lathander is a lot more pompous and gaudy a deity. ;)


What, the sirine song and colored lights didn't work for you either? :D

The others might not find forgiveness as hard to give, the hardest will be for Brage to forgive himself.


You just have to feel for the guy :D

"Thanks!" Imoen said, loudly enough to drown out Ajantis's muttered protestations that it was merely their duty. The clerk silently handed Imoen a coin purse, which she happily accepted.


Ooooooh, shiny! That’s probably Imoen’s reaction. ;)


Or "one step closer to those nifty black leathers!"

"Tranzig, I think his name was. Tall pale fellow, wore black... Please, destroy the sword, it has brought me nothing but pain."


Tranzig, eh? He might be wise not to show his dirty mug in Nashkel ever again.


He turned a gal to stone, why not let him be behind other mischief as well?

This time, Ajantis got the first word in. "Thank you for your generous offer, miss, but we have already been rewarded sufficiently."


I’ve been playing Icewind Dale series lately, and I’ve come to grow annoyed at how often paladins refuse monetary rewards. Grrrr! Dammit! ;)


Really? :P At least this was only a handful of coins :P It's so nice for him to be noble and have shiny armor and not having to worry about making a living the way his comrades do...

Sometimes I feel a bit sorry for my Ajantis. While he's not the worst paladunce out there, I don't think he's going to mature much in my care :D

There was much he did not know, but there was one thing he was certain of:

He could not rescue his charge alone.


Yay! Enter Boo! And Minsc, I suppose. :)


Yes and yes :P

#4 Guest_Coutelier_*

Posted 11 April 2006 - 08:57 PM

Sigh... I keep promising myself to reply to stories more often, but some people insist on posting chapters faster than I'm able to keep up with. Curse you.

"Please," she cried, "I beg of you to go no further! Brage is there, strewn about with the carnage he has wrought. Please, unless you wish to witness madness in a once-good man, leave him be and pray the spirit leaves him in good time."


Edwin: I would like to see that. I like to laugh, every now and then.

"Who is this Brage you speak of?" Kivan asked.


It's good that Kivan takes charge. I've often wondered why so many experienced adventurers suddenly start deferring to some kid who is seeing the world for the first time.

"I am his cousin, Laryssa," the woman said. "Before this curse befell him, he was Captain of the Guard in Nashkel; the finest Captain the town had ever seen. Two nights ago he flew into a rage and killed his wife and children. Then he killed all who saw him and ran away. I tracked him here, and I have tried to reason with him, but it is as if he is possessed by another's soul. It was all I could do to flee the swing of his tremendous blade."

Imoen gasped. "That's horrible!"


Edwin: Muahuahua...

Everyone: (glares)

Edwin: Er... yes, all that's truly horrible. Indeed.

"Watcher Nalin at the Temple told me that they may be able to help him if he is indeed under some evil influence, but Brage will not come. He will not heed me; when he sees me, he asks me a riddle I cannot answer, and attacks me for being as blind as he. Perhaps... perhaps there is no hope."


Imoen: I like riddles me, so does Aerie, don't you?

Aerie: (shrugs) sometimes...

Imoen: How about that enthusiasm.

Aerie: I-it just seems strange that everywhere we go there's some kind of riddle or puzzle.

Imoen: I know, you'd think villains would spend more time plotting to take over the world or something.

Tears filled the woman's eyes. "Come tell me when it is done," she said. She saluted them with her mace and stepped aside, allowing them up the path. Ajantis bowed deeply for her before heading towards the destroyed wagon, and the others followed suit.

"What is happening?" Imoen asked in a whisper.

"I think we're going to help him or kill him, Immy," Ember whispered back.


Aerie: I hope they can help him.

Edwin: What do you care? It is not as if you've ever even met the man.

Aerie: No... but she cares for him. Must we all become so inured to death that we forget our enemies likely left loved ones behind too?

Edwin: You sicken me. Never speak to me again.

"It has neither mouth, nor teeth; yet it eats its food steadily. It has neither village, nor home, nor hands, nor feet; yet it wanders everywhere. It has neither country, nor means, nor office, nor pen; yet it is ready for fight - always. By day and by night there is wailing about it. It has no breath, yet to all it appears."


Imoen: Air? Water? Fire?

Tarant: Yeah, if you go through every single word you know you'll probably stumble across the answer eventually.

Imoen: The easter bunny?

Tarant: Shut up.

Brage looked as though he had been struck. He dropped his sword and fell to his knees, his eyes roving the landscape of destruction around him. "The end of night," he moaned, "where the light shines unto mine eyes and I can see clearly once again! What hath I wrought!? 'Tis horrible, HORRIBLE!! I will welcome the block that must await me at Nashkel! How could I live with what I've done!"


Aerie: It's the worst thing I can imagine... to be possessed by something and made to watch as it destroys your friends.

Imoen: Drowning's the worst thing I can imagine. Or being burnt alive.

Aerie: Well... I-I suppose. I guess being buried alive is actually my very worst nightmare.

"Identify yourselves!" one of the guards demanded as they crossed the main bridge into town.

"Bardolan, it is I, Brage."

"Commander! Er... are you...?"'

"These people have saved me, and I come to repent."


Edwin: Fools. Don't just take his word for it!

The guard snorted. "And hand him over to Oublek for the bounty? Nay, I'll escort you to the Temple myself."


Tarant: Well, you know, armor doesn't just polish itself.

Aerie: No. Usually, I have to do it.

The High Watcher approached Brage and gently put a hand on his shoulder, performing a gesture of blessing with his other hand. "If you are returned to the garrison, yours will be the only willful killing that has occurred about this matter. It would be a waste of your life which, fractured though it is, can still contribute much."

Brage's knees buckled, and he fell to the floor, weeping. "Helm will see you through, my child," Nalin told Brage, embracing the broken man as he wept.


Aerie: I like Helm. If there weren't already about a dozen gods I pray to, I'd consider him.

"Thanks!" Imoen said, loudly enough to drown out Ajantis's muttered protestations that it was merely their duty. The clerk silently handed Imoen a coin purse, which she happily accepted.


Tarant: You really need that armor polish.

"I thought not; this sword is deeply cursed, you see. All who wield it will succumb to a berserker fury, as our Brage has done."


Aerie: Why would anyone do that?

Imoen: I don't know. Sounds like Edwin's idea of a joke.

"We shall search the carnival for this Tranzig at first light," Bardolan said. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, High Watcher, for solving this puzzle; and thank you, honored adventurers, for bringing our commander back to us."


Tarant: Oh, I doubt the High Watcher could have solved any riddle. I think you should take all the credit.

The newest patron of the inn ordered a simple meal of bread, some ale, a small cup of water and a handful of grains, and yawned mightily. It had been a long walk from the Cloudpeak Mountains, and he had not paused all day. The delay grieved him sorely. The trail might go cold, and one day might be more than he could afford to spare, but it was necessary. He looked around the room and sized up the other patrons; none of them would do, he conceded with a sigh as the meal arrived.

There was much he did not know, but there was one thing he was certain of:

He could not rescue his charge alone.


Minsc? But when is he ever alone.

#5 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 11 April 2006 - 09:20 PM

Sigh... I keep promising myself to reply to stories more often, but some people insist on posting chapters faster than I'm able to keep up with. Curse you.


I'm just trying to get it out of the way so I can start being stuck at chapters I've been looking forward to writing :)

"Who is this Brage you speak of?" Kivan asked.


It's good that Kivan takes charge. I've often wondered why so many experienced adventurers suddenly start deferring to some kid who is seeing the world for the first time.


It's especially odd in cases like when the PC travels with Jaheira and Khalid, where the couple are nominally in charge but the PC calls all the shots anyway - and Jaheira lets him/her get away with it with nothing but the omnipresent authority figure taunt!

Ember will not take charge for quite a while.

Aerie: I-it just seems strange that everywhere we go there's some kind of riddle or puzzle.

Imoen: I know, you'd think villains would spend more time plotting to take over the world or something.


Poor Brage isn't a villain, he's just lost.

Aerie: No... but she cares for him. Must we all become so inured to death that we forget our enemies likely left loved ones behind too?

Edwin: You sicken me. Never speak to me again.


Nobody cares about the family of a henchman. Unless they're in an Austin Powers movie.

"It has neither mouth, nor teeth; yet it eats its food steadily. It has neither village, nor home, nor hands, nor feet; yet it wanders everywhere. It has neither country, nor means, nor office, nor pen; yet it is ready for fight - always. By day and by night there is wailing about it. It has no breath, yet to all it appears."


Imoen: Air? Water? Fire?


Those are actually pretty good false guesses!

Tarant: Yeah, if you go through every single word you know you'll probably stumble across the answer eventually.

Imoen: The easter bunny?

Tarant: Shut up.


:roll:

Brage looked as though he had been struck. He dropped his sword and fell to his knees, his eyes roving the landscape of destruction around him. "The end of night," he moaned, "where the light shines unto mine eyes and I can see clearly once again! What hath I wrought!? 'Tis horrible, HORRIBLE!! I will welcome the block that must await me at Nashkel! How could I live with what I've done!"


Aerie: It's the worst thing I can imagine... to be possessed by something and made to watch as it destroys your friends.

Imoen: Drowning's the worst thing I can imagine. Or being burnt alive.

Aerie: Well... I-I suppose. I guess being buried alive is actually my very worst nightmare.


Hm, I think I'm with Imoen on this one, with Aerie's first suggestion as a close second. Breathing = good.

The guard snorted. "And hand him over to Oublek for the bounty? Nay, I'll escort you to the Temple myself."


Tarant: Well, you know, armor doesn't just polish itself.

Aerie: No. Usually, I have to do it.


;)

Ajantis: That is no way to treat a lady, Tarant! And nothing shows dilligence better than a suit of armor kept in perfect condition with your own two hands!

Brage's knees buckled, and he fell to the floor, weeping. "Helm will see you through, my child," Nalin told Brage, embracing the broken man as he wept.


Aerie: I like Helm. If there weren't already about a dozen gods I pray to, I'd consider him.


I like Nalin.

"Thanks!" Imoen said, loudly enough to drown out Ajantis's muttered protestations that it was merely their duty. The clerk silently handed Imoen a coin purse, which she happily accepted.


Tarant: You really need that armor polish.


Bah, Ajantis's family can afford it.

"I thought not; this sword is deeply cursed, you see. All who wield it will succumb to a berserker fury, as our Brage has done."


Aerie: Why would anyone do that?

Imoen: I don't know. Sounds like Edwin's idea of a joke.


It does, doesn't it ;)

"We shall search the carnival for this Tranzig at first light," Bardolan said. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, High Watcher, for solving this puzzle; and thank you, honored adventurers, for bringing our commander back to us."


Tarant: Oh, I doubt the High Watcher could have solved any riddle. I think you should take all the credit.


Bardolan doesn't know about the riddle, he only knows the Watcher scryed (scried?) the sword and saw the curse.


There was much he did not know, but there was one thing he was certain of:

He could not rescue his charge alone.


Minsc? But when is he ever alone.


Excellent point; I have edited the last line of the story accordingly ;)

#6 Guest_Wyvern_*

Posted 13 April 2006 - 04:08 AM

"Watcher Nalin at the Temple told me that they may be able to help him if he is indeed under some evil influence, but Brage will not come. He will not heed me; when he sees me, he asks me a riddle I cannot answer, and attacks me for being as blind as he. Perhaps... perhaps there is no hope."

Lazy priests. It's not that long of a walk from the Temple to Brage.

"Could it be wind?" Imoen whispered to Ember. "No, I guess not; wind has a breath."

The riddles are a lot easier when you get a list to choose from. Still annoying, though.

Brage soon calmed down, and the priest released him. He stood next to his cousin, holding her hand and seemingly admiring the patterns of the marble floor.

Good use of the word 'seemingly'. Brage is probably too upset to really see anything right now.

#7 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 13 April 2006 - 11:39 AM


"Watcher Nalin at the Temple told me that they may be able to help him if he is indeed under some evil influence, but Brage will not come. He will not heed me; when he sees me, he asks me a riddle I cannot answer, and attacks me for being as blind as he. Perhaps... perhaps there is no hope."

Lazy priests. It's not that long of a walk from the Temple to Brage.


They don't know that :roll:


"Could it be wind?" Imoen whispered to Ember. "No, I guess not; wind has a breath."

The riddles are a lot easier when you get a list to choose from. Still annoying, though.


Yeah. Some of the options were pretty amusing, though ;)


Brage soon calmed down, and the priest released him. He stood next to his cousin, holding her hand and seemingly admiring the patterns of the marble floor.

Good use of the word 'seemingly'. Brage is probably too upset to really see anything right now.


Yeah, he's just staring unseeingly at the floor, but since Ember isn't inside his head and also cannot see his eyes, she can't know that for sure ;)

#8 Sumpton

Posted 14 April 2006 - 08:40 PM

Going to chime in a little late... Sorry... R/L has me working some long hours...

Again a very well writen piece. I really like the way you work with the minor characters. They just seem more alive, with interest of their own.

Anyway thanks...
====================
Cheers...

#9 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 15 April 2006 - 09:09 AM

Going to chime in a little late... Sorry... R/L has me working some long hours...

Again a very well writen piece. I really like the way you work with the minor characters. They just seem more alive, with interest of their own.


Thank you, glad you still like them :shock:

#10 Laufey

Posted 15 April 2006 - 03:51 PM

"Who is this Brage you speak of?" Kivan asked.


One of the sadder NPC:s in the game. :shock: I always felt very sorry for him.


Ember watched Brage as he slowly approached them. His sword all but glowed, and sunlight glinted off the curved points on the golden hilt. A beautiful weapon, by all means; beautiful and cruel. He stepped over one of his victims, treating the body as if it were no more than a slight unevenness in the terrain. He doesn't care, Ember thought, it's as if he's forgotten he's human. Did he even weep for his family?


Probably not, his is quite quite insane at this point.


He crawled towards Ember and grabbed her hand in a pleading fashion. "Please, you must guide me to the town that I might pay for my crimes! I fear I can keep my senses for only so long, and I must not be allowed to do this again! Too many good people have lost their lives to me! Please..." His voice broke, and he sobbed loudly.


;)


The guard snorted. "And hand him over to Oublek for the bounty? Nay, I'll escort you to the Temple myself."


It gives more XP anyway!


"I... I bought it from a traveling salesman at the carnival," Brage whispered. "It wasn't from here, so I thought it would not crumble..."


"Do you remember who the salesman was?" Nalin asked, his voice still gentle.


"Tranzig, I think his name was. Tall pale fellow, wore black... Please, destroy the sword, it has brought me nothing but pain."


Oh, now there is a nice connection!


The newest patron of the inn ordered a simple meal of bread, some ale, a small cup of water and a handful of grains, and yawned mightily. It had been a long walk from the Cloudpeak Mountains, and he had not paused all day. The delay grieved him sorely. The trail might go cold, and one day might be more than he could afford to spare, but it was necessary. He looked around the room and sized up the other patrons; none of them would do, he conceded with a sigh as the meal arrived.


There was much he did not know, but there was one thing he was certain of:


They could not rescue his charge alone.


Oh, Minsc coming up! Hm...you won't do anything bad to Eddie, now will you?
Rogues do it from behind.

#11 Laufey

Posted 15 April 2006 - 03:54 PM

"I am his cousin, Laryssa," the woman said. "Before this curse befell him, he was Captain of the Guard in Nashkel; the finest Captain the town had ever seen. Two nights ago he flew into a rage and killed his wife and children. Then he killed all who saw him and ran away. I tracked him here, and I have tried to reason with him, but it is as if he is possessed by another's soul. It was all I could do to flee the swing of his tremendous blade."


This was one depressing side quest – I never played my only Evil BG1 character this far, so I’ve always agreed with Laryssa to save Brage.


I know I played one evil and one CN(evil lite™) past this point, but I think they all saved Brage. Exp and money, you know. That, and I don't seem to be good at the Very Evil Stuff (killing Drizzle isn't evil, you know).


Rini: Hey, us CN aren't evil, ya know! Though it's true that I prefer Cute Evil to Annoying Good, any day...
Rogues do it from behind.

#12 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 16 April 2006 - 09:44 AM


"Who is this Brage you speak of?" Kivan asked.


One of the sadder NPC:s in the game. ;) I always felt very sorry for him.


Yeah. Unlike the other nutjobs, he lives to know what he's done :)


The guard snorted. "And hand him over to Oublek for the bounty? Nay, I'll escort you to the Temple myself."


It gives more XP anyway!


:shock:


"I... I bought it from a traveling salesman at the carnival," Brage whispered. "It wasn't from here, so I thought it would not crumble..."

"Do you remember who the salesman was?" Nalin asked, his voice still gentle.

"Tranzig, I think his name was. Tall pale fellow, wore black... Please, destroy the sword, it has brought me nothing but pain."


Oh, now there is a nice connection!


The scummy little weasel is perfect for receiving the blame, isn't he :)


There was much he did not know, but there was one thing he was certain of:

They could not rescue his charge alone.


Oh, Minsc coming up! Hm...you won't do anything bad to Eddie, now will you?


Depends on how you define bad, I guess :)




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