Jump to content


Ember's Tale 23: The Valley of the Tombs


  • Please log in to reply
10 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 18 June 2006 - 08:45 PM

Chapter 23: The Valley of the Tombs


"That was hardly necessary, I believe," Ajantis told Edwin even as he healed the acid burn on the wizard's shoulder. They had met another mage, one that researched the summoning of jellies. Edwin had requested the summoning spell, and the wizard had promptly summoned two mustard jellies and attacked them. Both jellies and the wizard lay dead at their feet, but they had all learned to respect the jellies' secretions.

"How was I to know he would react like that? (Just look at my poor robe!)," Edwin said sourly.

"Eddie, I don't think you would have given him the spell if you were in his shoes," Imoen pointed out.

"I think we're better off without it, anyway," Ember said. "I'd rather not have jellies following me around."

"Boo does not like the jellies either," Minsc said. "Hamsters can only attack with sharp, pointy teeth when they are not sticky."

"He wouldn't be so cute either if he were all stickied," Imoen said and scratched Boo's chin. The hamster squeaked contentedly.

"The mage carried these scrolls," Kivan said. He'd examined the mage's corpse and found three spell scrolls in a bag at the mage's side.

Imoen took the scrolls eagerly and glanced at each one. "Sorry, Eddie, none of them are summons or charms. This is burning hands, and this looks like web, and this ...it's some form of evocation."

Edwin grabbed the edge of the scroll and pulled it towards him. "Lighting bolt. The smallest child in Thay could tell you that! (Although she does make progress, for a barbarian.)"

Imoen smiled sweetly at the wizard. "I heard that. Thanks, Eddie."

"You heard nothing, and do not call me that! (How many times must I tell her...)"

"Whatever you say, Eddie. So, if every child in Thay is familiar with that spell, I suppose you already know it?"

Edwin mumbled in response.

"What did you say?" Imoen asked.

"There are more important spells than that," Edwin muttered.

"So you don't know it, then."

"No."

Imoen grinned and handed him the scroll. "Here. You can show me how you memorize it later," she said. Edwin's eyes lit up, and he quickly put the scroll away in a satchel.

Ajantis watched the exchange with a frown. "Miss Imoen, are you sure it is wise to give him such a spell?" he asked as soon as Edwin was out of earshot.

"Well, I don't want that spell. I've read about it; people who try using it usually end up frying their allies, or even themselves, if they are dumb enough to try using it indoors. That's why it's usually only seen in stationary traps. And Eddie does know his stuff when it comes to fire spells and conjuring spells, so I doubt he'll do anything stupid with it. Don't look at me like that; even though you don't trust him, I do. Enough to give him spells like that, anyway."

"Why do you keep calling him Eddie?" Ember asked.

"Because it annoys him, of course!" Imoen grinned wickedly.

---

As it turned out, the mustard jellies were not the only acidic creatures in the valley. They had only traveled a mile or two onwards when they were attacked by a pair of ankheg. The giant creature had burrowed up from the ground right in front of Minsc, and only quick thinking had prevented casualties; Ember and Ajantis had each distracted one of the beasts while the others attacked with arrows and spells. Ember had been able to dodge the creature's acidic blasts and had suffered nothing worse than a few scratches from its mandibles, and Ajantis's armor and shield had protected him from the brunt of his ankheg's onslaught. It served me well, Ajantis thought as he looked at the charred and blistered lump of metal which was all that remained of his shield, which his father had presented him with on the day he joined the Order. Father would be well pleased to know his gift saved me on this day.

Ajantis placed the ruined shield gently on the ground and walked to the outskirts of their temporary camp. Minsc and Kivan were busily stripping chitin plates from the dead ankhegs; the creatures were rare, but the materials rarer, and Imoen had suggested that the smith in Beregost might be able to to craft it into armor. Ember was standing beside them, holding open a burlap sack that had previously held their blankets and watching intently as the two rangers worked on the segmented ankheg carapaces. Imoen and the Thayvian were kneeling on a blanket some twenty paces away from the ankheg carcasses. The wizard had grumbled about the proliferation of acidic creatures in this valley, but had quieted down now. Evidently, he was scribing the spell Imoen had given him, while she watched the process. A flask of water and a napkin holding a few morsels of waybread and cured meat lay on the blanket beside her; the remains of a hasty meal.

Ajantis turned away from his comrades and assumed a guard stance, facing the valley ahead of them. It was the least he could do, and it had the added benefit of not having to see the wizard, he admitted to himself. It saddened him to see the bad influence the Thayvian had upon the young ladies. Imoen was spending more time with him than was good for her in the pursuit of magical knowledge - if he had managed to get Xan to stay with them, he would have attempted to turn her tutelage in a more wholesome direction - and Ember...

He sighed quietly. Whether or not the others had noticed her transformation, there was a large difference between the wide-eyed girl he had met on the Coast Way and the woman who had unceremoniously looted the mercenaries they had killed that morning. She had had a sweetness about her, a pragmatic innocence; those qualities were fading from her, only to be replaced by a ruthless edge, and it pained him to watch it happen.

The bounty on her head and her increased exposure to death must take some of the blame, of course, but she would no doubt fare better without such unsavoury companions as Edwin Odesseiron. By Helm, his skin all but crawled only to look at the man! He did not understand how the others could ignore the undercurrent of selfish avarice that pervaded everything the wizard said and did. He tried his best to counteract the wizard's evil influence on both the young ladies, to guide them true when he felt the Thayvian led them astray, but so far his efforts appeared to be to no avail.

Something moved in the distance.

A man was running down the length of the valley, heading in their direction. Ajantis drew his sword and waited. "Halt! Who goes there!" he called out when the man was within hearing range.

The man skidded to a halt. "Please no... don't let him get me... please..." he stammered, half out of breath.

Ajantis lowered his sword slightly. "Settle down sir, just settle down. No one here is going to hurt you. Tell me what your problem is," he said in a gentle tone.

The man stared wildly at him. "You! You can take it to him! Here! Give it back!" The man fumbled a dagger with a black blade out of his pocket, and thrust it into Ajantis's hand.

Ajantis studied the blade. It was sharp, very sharp, and black as night. There was a sense of evil about it.

"That looks unpleasant," Ember said; the others had clearly noticed the commotion and had gathered behind him, Ajantis observed.

"It holds powerful magics, certainly," the wizard said.

"Probably nothing good, though," Imoen said, eyeing the blade suspiciously.

At least they still see ill in the blade and not just the power it must hold, Ajantis thought with a tinge of relief. "Where did you get this blade? Whom should I return it to?" Ajantis asked the man, who was still quavering and panting in front of him.

"A cave!" the man exclaimed. "It's but a short ways east... the dagger lay in a chest... I took it... oh by all that's good, I must have disturbed its slumber with my foolishness, for a voice like the grave screamed at me from the walls! Please! I shall go mad if it is not returned! Take the dagger to the cave..." The man burst into tears.

Undead, Ajantis thought. He must have disturbed a tomb in which they found no peace. For their sakes and his, we must put them to rest. "Never fear," he told the man, "we shall return the dagger for you."

Ajantis secured the dagger to his belt while the others finished their business. The wizard was long done with his spell and had merely been talking with Imoen by the time the man showed up, and Kivan and Minsc were all but done with the carcass. They were soon headed eastwards, guided by the very nervous man, who had calmed down enough to tell them his name was Hentold.

"There," Hentold said, pointing nervously towards a cave on a sheer, rust coloured cliff face. "I.. I dare go no further." A horrid screeching and caterwauling could be heard even from outside.

"Wait here," Kivan told Hentold. They lit some torches and carefully entered the cave. They spotted the chest Hentold had told then soon enough; in addition, they could see two ghouls behind it, groaning menacingly and lurching towards them. Behind Ajantis, Imoen stifled a scream.

Ajantis wasted no time. He put one hand across the eye of Helm that was embossed on his chestplate, and stretched the other forward in a warding gesture. "Begone, in the name of Helm!" he shouted. The ghouls hesitated, and one of them backed away. The other was struck in the chest by two arrows, then Minsc charged, bellowing about ranger and hamster justice putting the nasty undead to sleep. Ajantis's attempt to turn the ghouls had left them weakened, and they were no match for the living group.

The cries for the dagger continued unabated even as the ghouls fell and crumbled to dust. Rest in peace, poor souls, Ajantis thought, then focused on the source of the screams. Their task would not be over until they had eased its suffering as well.

"Return unto meeeeee! RETURN!!!"

It appeared to be coming from behind a large stone, which evidently held a tomb behind it.

"Be ready," Ajantis whispered. "Minsc, Kivan; help me move the stone."

"I can help too!" Ember said, and stepped forward even as the rangers did. Ajantis opened his mouth to protest, then closed it; in truth, the young lady was not much weaker than he himself was, and would probably be able to assist in moving the rock.

"Miss Imoen, wizard; be ready. We do not know what we will face," Ajantis said. Imoen nodded grimly in response; the wizard huffed impatiently.

With their combined efforts and Minsc's immense strength, the stone was soon loosened. "Roll it aside... NOW!" Kivan cried. Everyone heaved, and the stone rolled aside.

"Thief will pay with DEATH!! RETURN!! RETURN the dagger!!"

It was no ghoul; it was something much more dangerous. The creature that loomed over them was half translucent, with eyes that seemed to glow with rage. A revenant. By Helm, can we battle something this powerful and hope to win?

The revenant seemed to glare at Ajantis. "Dagger!! You have the dagger. Give to ME!!"

"What... what dagger are you talking about exactly?" the wizard stammered nervously behind Ajantis. "(I must know what we are surrendering!)"

"The dagger... of he who murdered me... the dagger of Alatos... kept from me, to mock me... return the DAGGER!" the revenant howled.

That wizard will be the death of us all! Ajantis hurriedly pulled the dagger from his belt and held it out. "Take your dagger!"

The revenant grasped the weapon. Its eyes lost their glow, and a delighted expression formed on its ghostly face. "At last... the dagger...." it gasped, holding the weapon to its breast.

Ajantis reached for the hilt of his sword, but he soon saw there would be no need for it. The gods are with us. And with him.

Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.

#2 Guest_Keldan_*

Posted 19 June 2006 - 01:25 PM

"That was hardly necessary, I believe," Ajantis told Edwin even as he healed the acid burn on the wizard's shoulder. They had met another mage, one that researched the summoning of jellies. Edwin had requested the summoning spell, and the wizard had promptly summoned two mustard jellies and attacked them. Both jellies and the wizard lay dead at their feet, but they had all learned to respect the jellies' secretions.


Edwin: (Hardly necessary... bah! 'Hardly necessary' like his brain! He barely uses it anyway...)

"Boo does not like the jellies either," Minsc said. "Hamsters can only attack with sharp, pointy teeth when they are not sticky."


And I doubt jelly tastes very good either. Very acidic. Come to think of it, trying to eat a jelly would probably dissolve at least all of your teeth, if not half your skull.

Edwin grabbed the edge of the scroll and pulled it towards him. "Lighting bolt. The smallest child in Thay could tell you that! (Although she does make progress, for a barbarian.)"

Imoen smiled sweetly at the wizard. "I heard that. Thanks, Eddie."


D'aww, the ickle Red Wizard is tossing compliments about! Pretty soon he'll be giving her flowers!

*fireballed*

Ajantis watched the exchange with a frown. "Miss Imoen, are you sure it is wise to give him such a spell?" he asked as soon as Edwin was out of earshot.


Lightning? Probably not. But hey, we can only hope he survives to learn from any mistakes he makes with it...

"Why do you keep calling him Eddie?" Ember asked.

"Because it annoys him, of course!" Imoen grinned wickedly.


Which is why anyone does it! :D

He did not understand how the others could ignore the undercurrent of selfish avarice that pervaded everything the wizard said and did. He tried his best to counteract the wizard's evil influence on both the young ladies, to guide them true when he felt the Thayvian led them astray, but so far his efforts appeared to be to no avail.


Yes, Ajantis, he's an archdevil incarnate sent to lead these poor impressionable girls into temptation. Ignore the fact that they're obviously not very impressed with him. Girls have to be rescued!

Ahem. But we know Ajantis means well.

"That looks unpleasant," Ember said; the others had clearly noticed the commotion and had gathered behind him, Ajantis observed.


Indeed it does, Ember. A good idea to return it to its decaying owner. (Although I will admit that many times I killed the revenant a second time just to keep the dagger.)

"A cave!" the man exclaimed. "It's but a short ways east... the dagger lay in a chest... I took it... oh by all that's good, I must have disturbed its slumber with my foolishness, for a voice like the grave screamed at me from the walls! Please! I shall go mad if it is not returned! Take the dagger to the cave..." The man burst into tears.


Edwin: I say we make him return it. (If the fool cannot recognize that stealing from a tomb is a foolhardy thing to do let him clean up his own messes. Then again... it is a rather nice dagger...)

The wizard was long done with his spell and had merely been talking with Imoen by the time the man showed up, and Kivan and Minsc were all but done with the carcass.


Your Edwin is quite a lot more social than many. I find it rather endearing, I must say. :)

"I can help too!" Ember said, and stepped forward even as the rangers did. Ajantis opened his mouth to protest, then closed it; in truth, the young lady was not much weaker than he himself was, and would probably be able to assist in moving the rock.


Yeah, Ajantis, lookit her STR stat! Just pull up her character sheet!

That sounded a bit dirty, actually... :D

That wizard will be the death of us all! Ajantis hurriedly pulled the dagger from his belt and held it out. "Take your dagger!"


A good show of common sense there, Ajantis.

Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.


Very metaphorical. Or whatever word I'm looking for.

Huzzah! Should we look forward to them encountering basilisks next chapter, or would that be too much for the party? They were quite a handful for me any time I encountered them...

#3 Guest_Futurist_*

Posted 19 June 2006 - 04:51 PM

Nice to see stuff from Ajantis prespective. Love the interaction between Imoen and Edwin.

Hey, they are near Basilisk country... I bet they will love Shar-Teel if they meet her.

#4 Guest_Theodur_*

Posted 19 June 2006 - 05:14 PM

"That was hardly necessary, I believe," Ajantis told Edwin even as he healed the acid burn on the wizard's shoulder. They had met another mage, one that researched the summoning of jellies. Edwin had requested the summoning spell, and the wizard had promptly summoned two mustard jellies and attacked them. Both jellies and the wizard lay dead at their feet, but they had all learned to respect the jellies' secretions.


That is a pretty unfair accusation, I should say.

"I think we're better off without it, anyway," Ember said. "I'd rather not have jellies following me around."


I read somewhere in the source material that people of Faerun used to keep green slimes as… chamber pots.

Edwin grabbed the edge of the scroll and pulled it towards him. "Lighting bolt. The smallest child in Thay could tell you that! (Although she does make progress, for a barbarian.)"


Lightning Bolt… in some ways even more dangerous to use than a fireball.

"What did you say?" Imoen asked.


"There are more important spells than that," Edwin muttered.


That’s true, actually. :roll:

Ajantis watched the exchange with a frown. "Miss Imoen, are you sure it is wise to give him such a spell?" he asked as soon as Edwin was out of earshot.


No… and why don’t you take away his sling too, so he can’t even defend himself? :shock:

As it turned out, the mustard jellies were not the only acidic creatures in the valley. They had only traveled a mile or two onwards when they were attacked by a pair of ankheg. The giant creature had burrowed up from the ground right in front of Minsc, and only quick thinking had prevented casualties; Ember and Ajantis had each distracted one of the beasts while the others attacked with arrows and spells. Ember had been able to dodge the creature's acidic blasts and had suffered nothing worse than a few scratches from its mandibles, and Ajantis's armor and shield had protected him from the brunt of his ankheg's onslaught. It served me well, Ajantis thought as he looked at the charred and blistered lump of metal which was all that remained of his shield, which his father had presented him with on the day he joined the Order. Father would be well pleased to know his gift saved me on this day.


Ankhegs were tough… especially on the map where you find Ajantis, I think they respawn there. Yoiks…

Ajantis turned away from his comrades and assumed a guard stance, facing the valley ahead of them. It was the least he could do, and it had the added benefit of not having to see the wizard, he admitted to himself. It saddened him to see the bad influence the Thayvian had upon the young ladies. Imoen was spending more time with him than was good for her in the pursuit of magical knowledge - if he had managed to get Xan to stay with them, he would have attempted to turn her tutelage in a more wholesome direction - and Ember...


Ajantis is slowly becoming just a bit annoying. :lol:

He sighed quietly. Whether or not the others had noticed her transformation, there was a large difference between the wide-eyed girl he had met on the Coast Way and the woman who had unceremoniously looted the mercenaries they had killed that morning. She had had a sweetness about her, a pragmatic innocence; those qualities were fading from her, only to be replaced by a ruthless edge, and it pained him to watch it happen.


I think he’ll have to look for the innocent damsel in distress elsewhere. :)

Ajantis studied the blade. It was sharp, very sharp, and black as night. There was a sense of evil about it.


It goes without saying.

"A cave!" the man exclaimed. "It's but a short ways east... the dagger lay in a chest... I took it... oh by all that's good, I must have disturbed its slumber with my foolishness, for a voice like the grave screamed at me from the walls! Please! I shall go mad if it is not returned! Take the dagger to the cave..." The man burst into tears.


I really loved BG1 because all of these miniquests virtually in every wilderness area. :D

Undead, Ajantis thought. He must have disturbed a tomb in which they found no peace. For their sakes and his, we must put them to rest. "Never fear," he told the man, "we shall return the dagger for you."


I notice that while he is busy condemning everything Edwin does, he doesn’t say much to this fellow who is obviously a pretty despicable grave robber. :D

Ajantis wasted no time. He put one hand across the eye of Helm that was embossed on his chestplate, and stretched the other forward in a warding gesture. "Begone, in the name of Helm!" he shouted. The ghouls hesitated, and one of them backed away. The other was struck in the chest by two arrows, then Minsc charged, bellowing about ranger and hamster justice putting the nasty undead to sleep. Ajantis's attempt to turn the ghouls had left them weakened, and they were no match for the living group.


Alas, he probably isn’t very good at turning undead, what with all that penalty the paladins have.

It was no ghoul; it was something much more dangerous. The creature that loomed over them was half translucent, with eyes that seemed to glow with rage. A revenant. By Helm, can we battle something this powerful and hope to win?


I sometimes do… it is more worthwhile to kill him and keep the dagger – more EXP and an item! :D

Ajantis reached for the hilt of his sword, but he soon saw there would be no need for it. The gods are with us. And with him.


Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.


Well, I wasn’t really hoping they would do the quest in the Evil way! :D

#5 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 19 June 2006 - 08:32 PM

"That was hardly necessary, I believe," Ajantis told Edwin even as he healed the acid burn on the wizard's shoulder. They had met another mage, one that researched the summoning of jellies. Edwin had requested the summoning spell, and the wizard had promptly summoned two mustard jellies and attacked them. Both jellies and the wizard lay dead at their feet, but they had all learned to respect the jellies' secretions.


Edwin: (Hardly necessary... bah! 'Hardly necessary' like his brain! He barely uses it anyway...)


:)

Edwin: Finally some recognition! (And from a mind amost (but not quite) as brilliant as my own!)

"Boo does not like the jellies either," Minsc said. "Hamsters can only attack with sharp, pointy teeth when they are not sticky."


And I doubt jelly tastes very good either. Very acidic. Come to think of it, trying to eat a jelly would probably dissolve at least all of your teeth, if not half your skull.


I never met a game jelly I liked.

Edwin grabbed the edge of the scroll and pulled it towards him. "Lighting bolt. The smallest child in Thay could tell you that! (Although she does make progress, for a barbarian.)"

Imoen smiled sweetly at the wizard. "I heard that. Thanks, Eddie."


D'aww, the ickle Red Wizard is tossing compliments about! Pretty soon he'll be giving her flowers!


Edwin: as if I would stoop to gathering simple weeds!

*fireballed*


Stop, you're making my Edwin jealous.

Ajantis watched the exchange with a frown. "Miss Imoen, are you sure it is wise to give him such a spell?" he asked as soon as Edwin was out of earshot.


Lightning? Probably not. But hey, we can only hope he survives to learn from any mistakes he makes with it...


Right now he's pretty much just happy to own the spell and have such power at his disposal. I hope he'll be sensible enough to use it properly.

Imoen: Or I'll tease him till the end of his days!

He did not understand how the others could ignore the undercurrent of selfish avarice that pervaded everything the wizard said and did. He tried his best to counteract the wizard's evil influence on both the young ladies, to guide them true when he felt the Thayvian led them astray, but so far his efforts appeared to be to no avail.


Yes, Ajantis, he's an archdevil incarnate sent to lead these poor impressionable girls into temptation. Ignore the fact that they're obviously not very impressed with him. Girls have to be rescued!


Ajantis: But there is a sense of evil about him! Truly!

Ahem. But we know Ajantis means well.


I wonder if lawful evil and lawful good could ever get along.

"That looks unpleasant," Ember said; the others had clearly noticed the commotion and had gathered behind him, Ajantis observed.


Indeed it does, Ember. A good idea to return it to its decaying owner. (Although I will admit that many times I killed the revenant a second time just to keep the dagger.)


It depends on how callous I want my PC. As a rule, those who will at least pickpocket Drizzt's swords will also kill the revenant.

Edwin: I say we make him return it. (If the fool cannot recognize that stealing from a tomb is a foolhardy thing to do let him clean up his own messes. Then again... it is a rather nice dagger...)


Ajantis: No! We must help the helpless even as they spread all over the Sword Coast like a vile disease!

The wizard was long done with his spell and had merely been talking with Imoen by the time the man showed up, and Kivan and Minsc were all but done with the carcass.


Your Edwin is quite a lot more social than many. I find it rather endearing, I must say. :lol:


Edwin: We were merely talking about spells. (Why does that girl not understand how much she'd benefit from giving me all the scrolls and watching me use them?)

I feel bad for my Minsc. He's having some problems finding his voice, compared to Edwin.

"I can help too!" Ember said, and stepped forward even as the rangers did. Ajantis opened his mouth to protest, then closed it; in truth, the young lady was not much weaker than he himself was, and would probably be able to assist in moving the rock.


Yeah, Ajantis, lookit her STR stat! Just pull up her character sheet!

That sounded a bit dirty, actually... :shock:


:roll:

He's been sparring with her daily, so it's reasonable for him to have a good estimate of what she can and cannot do.

That wizard will be the death of us all! Ajantis hurriedly pulled the dagger from his belt and held it out. "Take your dagger!"


A good show of common sense there, Ajantis.


He may be a bit too much black and white in his views, but at least he's not a paladunce.

Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.


Very metaphorical. Or whatever word I'm looking for.


'Whatsit'?

Huzzah! Should we look forward to them encountering basilisks next chapter, or would that be too much for the party? They were quite a handful for me any time I encountered them...


Basilisks are a while off. They have to head to Nashkel with their news, then to Beregost, and then towards the bandit woods. I have some plans, but nothing is really fleshed out.

Minsc: I need a bigger sword, too!

#6 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 19 June 2006 - 08:42 PM

Nice to see stuff from Ajantis prespective. Love the interaction between Imoen and Edwin.


You just know Ajantis is feeling neglected now that Imoen has someone else to tease :shock:

Hey, they are near Basilisk country... I bet they will love Shar-Teel if they meet her.


Hmm, I hadn't actually thought about letting them meet her. We'll see. Eventually.

#7 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 19 June 2006 - 08:59 PM

"That was hardly necessary, I believe," Ajantis told Edwin even as he healed the acid burn on the wizard's shoulder. They had met another mage, one that researched the summoning of jellies. Edwin had requested the summoning spell, and the wizard had promptly summoned two mustard jellies and attacked them. Both jellies and the wizard lay dead at their feet, but they had all learned to respect the jellies' secretions.


That is a pretty unfair accusation, I should say.


He's not really accusing; he's just complaining.

"I think we're better off without it, anyway," Ember said. "I'd rather not have jellies following me around."


I read somewhere in the source material that people of Faerun used to keep green slimes as… chamber pots.


So how did that gem end up in the De'Arnise commode? :shock:

Edwin grabbed the edge of the scroll and pulled it towards him. "Lighting bolt. The smallest child in Thay could tell you that! (Although she does make progress, for a barbarian.)"


Lightning Bolt… in some ways even more dangerous to use than a fireball.


Edwin: I know that! (Simians.)

"What did you say?" Imoen asked.

"There are more important spells than that," Edwin muttered.


That’s true, actually. :lol:


Off the top of my head I can't recall using the spell more than a handful of times (and another handful that required reloads...)

Ajantis watched the exchange with a frown. "Miss Imoen, are you sure it is wise to give him such a spell?" he asked as soon as Edwin was out of earshot.


No… and why don’t you take away his sling too, so he can’t even defend himself? :roll:


Ajantis: Because he does not have one, of course. But I am not so sure Miss Ember should continue to let him borrow that staff...

*Ajantis throttles exaggerated clone*: There is a stench of evil about this doppelganger! I am more benevolent than so!

As it turned out, the mustard jellies were not the only acidic creatures in the valley. They had only traveled a mile or two onwards when they were attacked by a pair of ankheg.


Ankhegs were tough… especially on the map where you find Ajantis, I think they respawn there. Yoiks…


Oh man. Soo many deaths before I figured out how to deal with them.

Ajantis turned away from his comrades and assumed a guard stance, facing the valley ahead of them. It was the least he could do, and it had the added benefit of not having to see the wizard, he admitted to himself. It saddened him to see the bad influence the Thayvian had upon the young ladies. Imoen was spending more time with him than was good for her in the pursuit of magical knowledge - if he had managed to get Xan to stay with them, he would have attempted to turn her tutelage in a more wholesome direction - and Ember...


Ajantis is slowly becoming just a bit annoying. :)


Shh, he doesn't get much spotlight, and the party dynamics are drifting in a direction he is uncomfortable with. Let him muse in peace :D

He sighed quietly. Whether or not the others had noticed her transformation, there was a large difference between the wide-eyed girl he had met on the Coast Way and the woman who had unceremoniously looted the mercenaries they had killed that morning. She had had a sweetness about her, a pragmatic innocence; those qualities were fading from her, only to be replaced by a ruthless edge, and it pained him to watch it happen.


I think he’ll have to look for the innocent damsel in distress elsewhere. :D


I realized as I was writing this chapter yesterday that Ajantis had had a lil' soft spot for Ember when they met, but instead of his affection growing with time, it's being killed by the way she's hardened.

Ajantis studied the blade. It was sharp, very sharp, and black as night. There was a sense of evil about it.


It goes without saying.


At least he only thought it :D

"A cave!" the man exclaimed. "It's but a short ways east... the dagger lay in a chest... I took it... oh by all that's good, I must have disturbed its slumber with my foolishness, for a voice like the grave screamed at me from the walls! Please! I shall go mad if it is not returned! Take the dagger to the cave..." The man burst into tears.


I really loved BG1 because all of these miniquests virtually in every wilderness area. :D


Similarly, I missed all the little wilderness areas in BG2. A 20 hour walk is much more bearable if you can break it up into little steps instead of arriving to a big fight in a fatigued state.

Undead, Ajantis thought. He must have disturbed a tomb in which they found no peace. For their sakes and his, we must put them to rest. "Never fear," he told the man, "we shall return the dagger for you."


I notice that while he is busy condemning everything Edwin does, he doesn’t say much to this fellow who is obviously a pretty despicable grave robber. :D


Truth be told, he's thinking more about the undead than about the grave robber. (And let's not go into the stuff that shall be looted from assorted tombs once the undead are at peace/in pieces...)

Ajantis wasted no time. He put one hand across the eye of Helm that was embossed on his chestplate, and stretched the other forward in a warding gesture. "Begone, in the name of Helm!" he shouted.


Alas, he probably isn’t very good at turning undead, what with all that penalty the paladins have.


I don't think I've ever had him try in game, so I can't say :D I let him do about as much as I imagined a level 2 cleric would be capable of.

It was no ghoul; it was something much more dangerous. The creature that loomed over them was half translucent, with eyes that seemed to glow with rage. A revenant. By Helm, can we battle something this powerful and hope to win?


I sometimes do… it is more worthwhile to kill him and keep the dagger – more EXP and an item! :P


Sometimes, I do as well :D

Ajantis reached for the hilt of his sword, but he soon saw there would be no need for it. The gods are with us. And with him.

Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.


Well, I wasn’t really hoping they would do the quest in the Evil way! :D


If he were a paladunce, they might have. I don't think Ember and Imoen and Minsc would have liked it, though.

Ember: I might not get squeamish at the sight of blood anymore, but I'm not as bad as he seems to think!

#8 Guest_Pen52_*

Posted 19 June 2006 - 10:51 PM

Chapter 23: The Valley of the Tombs


"That was hardly necessary, I believe," Ajantis told Edwin even as he healed the acid burn on the wizard's shoulder. They had met another mage, one that researched the summoning of jellies. Edwin had requested the summoning spell


Ajantis! Do you mean to say that Edwin shouldn't have asked for scrolls? But... :shock: The Earth would have been knocked of its axis! A meteor would have hit! Or the sun would have imploded! (will think of more cosmology related disasters later)

"The mage carried these scrolls," Kivan said. He'd examined the mage's corpse and found three spell scrolls in a bag at the mage's side.


Edwin: Scrolls!!!


Edwin grabbed the edge of the scroll and pulled it towards him. "Lighting bolt. The smallest child in Thay could tell you that! (Although she does make progress, for a barbarian.)"

Imoen smiled sweetly at the wizard. "I heard that. Thanks, Eddie."

"You heard nothing, and do not call me that! (How many times must I tell her...)"


Awww... Young love! (melts) :)


Ajantis watched the exchange with a frown. "Miss Imoen, are you sure it is wise to give him such a spell?" he asked as soon as Edwin was out of earshot.


Do you hear that little Imoen? Do not give things to the evil wizard! Ajantis said so. So there. :lol:

I think I channeled Minsc there for a second.

Ember had been able to dodge the creature's acidic blasts and had suffered nothing worse than a few scratches from its mandibles, and Ajantis's armor and shield had protected him from the brunt of his ankheg's onslaught. It served me well, Ajantis thought as he looked at the charred and blistered lump of metal which was all that remained of his shield, which his father had presented him with on the day he joined the Order. Father would be well pleased to know his gift saved me on this day.


Nice paragraph. I like Ajantis' line of thought there.


Ajantis turned away from his comrades and assumed a guard stance, facing the valley ahead of them. It was the least he could do, and it had the added benefit of not having to see the wizard, he admitted to himself. It saddened him to see the bad influence the Thayvian had upon the young ladies. Imoen was spending more time with him than was good for her in the pursuit of magical knowledge - if he had managed to get Xan to stay with them, he would have attempted to turn her tutelage in a more wholesome direction - and Ember...



Imoen: So, what new spell will we learn today?
Xan: What's the point? We're all doomed.
Imoen: Tomorrow then?
Xan: We will be dead by tomorrow. It will be a miracle if we survive the night.
Imoen: Sure... Right then. EDDIE!


He sighed quietly. Whether or not the others had noticed her transformation, there was a large difference between the wide-eyed girl he had met on the Coast Way and the woman who had unceremoniously looted the mercenaries they had killed that morning. She had had a sweetness about her, a pragmatic innocence; those qualities were fading from her, only to be replaced by a ruthless edge, and it pained him to watch it happen.


Yes, because innocence will do you a world of good when you're over the head deep in assassins, bandits and Sarevok's other assorted minions. It is known.


The bounty on her head and her increased exposure to death must take some of the blame, of course, but she would no doubt fare better without such unsavoury companions as Edwin Odesseiron. By Helm, his skin all but crawled only to look at the man! He did not understand how the others could ignore the undercurrent of selfish avarice that pervaded everything the wizard said and did. He tried his best to counteract the wizard's evil influence on both the young ladies, to guide them true when he felt the Thayvian led them astray, but so far his efforts appeared to be to no avail.


Unsavory... (shrugs) There are worse ways to describe Edwin.


The man skidded to a halt. "Please no... don't let him get me... please..." he stammered, half out of breath.


:roll:

Ember: You need our help. That's new. (thinks) Wait. Is there loot involved?
Ajantis: Tis the influence of the evil fiend. I knew it!


At least they still see ill in the blade and not just the power it must hold, Ajantis thought with a tinge of relief.


Darn!


Undead, Ajantis thought. He must have disturbed a tomb in which they found no peace. For their sakes and his, we must put them to rest. "Never fear," he told the man, "we shall return the dagger for you."


Very paladin-like Ajantis. But I like it.


The revenant seemed to glare at Ajantis. "Dagger!! You have the dagger. Give to ME!!"

"What... what dagger are you talking about exactly?" the wizard stammered nervously behind Ajantis. "(I must know what we are surrendering!)"

"The dagger... of he who murdered me... the dagger of Alatos... kept from me, to mock me... return the DAGGER!" the revenant howled.

That wizard will be the death of us all! Ajantis hurriedly pulled the dagger from his belt and held it out. "Take your dagger!"



Ah. Common sense prevails (sorry Eddie). Nice one, paladin boy.


Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.


Ember: NOOOO!!!! The loot! It's gone!!!
Ajantis: I will pray for you my lady.
Edwin: What?! No scrolls?! (Bah! This is a waste of my time.)


Great chapter. Seriously now, I liked your characterization of Ajantis. While I'm generally not too fond of paladins (Keldorn, of course, excepted), he seems to be an ok guy. As you put it, not a 'paladunce'. :D

#9 Guest_Finduilas_*

Posted 20 June 2006 - 04:37 PM

"Why do you keep calling him Eddie?" Ember asked.

"Because it annoys him, of course!" Imoen grinned wickedly.


What other reason could there be? I must say that although I am NOT a big Edwin fan, I am enjoying the Edwin/Imoen byplay here.

Ajantis turned away from his comrades and assumed a guard stance, facing the valley ahead of them. It was the least he could do, and it had the added benefit of not having to see the wizard, he admitted to himself. It saddened him to see the bad influence the Thayvian had upon the young ladies. Imoen was spending more time with him than was good for her in the pursuit of magical knowledge - if he had managed to get Xan to stay with them, he would have attempted to turn her tutelage in a more wholesome direction - and Ember...


Is this supposed to be all in Ajantis' head, or am I missing the obvious signs of Edwin's bad influence on Ember and Imoen?

He sighed quietly. Whether or not the others had noticed her transformation, there was a large difference between the wide-eyed girl he had met on the Coast Way and the woman who had unceremoniously looted the mercenaries they had killed that morning. She had had a sweetness about her, a pragmatic innocence; those qualities were fading from her, only to be replaced by a ruthless edge, and it pained him to watch it happen.

The bounty on her head and her increased exposure to death must take some of the blame, of course, but she would no doubt fare better without such unsavoury companions as Edwin Odesseiron. By Helm, his skin all but crawled only to look at the man! He did not understand how the others could ignore the undercurrent of selfish avarice that pervaded everything the wizard said and did. He tried his best to counteract the wizard's evil influence on both the young ladies, to guide them true when he felt the Thayvian led them astray, but so far his efforts appeared to be to no avail.


Yeah, it's unfortunate that Ember has changed, but I don't see how that can be laid at Edwin's feet.



The man stared wildly at him. "You! You can take it to him! Here! Give it back!" The man fumbled a dagger with a black blade out of his pocket, and thrust it into Ajantis's hand.

Ajantis studied the blade. It was sharp, very sharp, and black as night. There was a sense of evil about it.

"That looks unpleasant," Ember said; the others had clearly noticed the commotion and had gathered behind him, Ajantis observed.

"It holds powerful magics, certainly," the wizard said.

"Probably nothing good, though," Imoen said, eyeing the blade suspiciously.

At least they still see ill in the blade and not just the power it must hold, Ajantis thought with a tinge of relief. "Where did you get this blade? Whom should I return it to?" Ajantis asked the man, who was still quavering and panting in front of him.


I really don't see why Ajantis should be so surprised here--Ajantis obviously senses and is responding to Edwin's alignment 'issues', but he should be also able to sense that Immy and Ember are *not* evil.

It was no ghoul; it was something much more dangerous. The creature that loomed over them was half translucent, with eyes that seemed to glow with rage. A revenant. By Helm, can we battle something this powerful and hope to win?


Urgh, I remember this thing. It's brutal for a low-level party.

The revenant seemed to glare at Ajantis. "Dagger!! You have the dagger. Give to ME!!"

"What... what dagger are you talking about exactly?" the wizard stammered nervously behind Ajantis. "(I must know what we are surrendering!)"


Typical.

"The dagger... of he who murdered me... the dagger of Alatos... kept from me, to mock me... return the DAGGER!" the revenant howled.

That wizard will be the death of us all! Ajantis hurriedly pulled the dagger from his belt and held it out. "Take your dagger!"


Good thing Edwin didn't actually have the dagger.

The revenant grasped the weapon. Its eyes lost their glow, and a delighted expression formed on its ghostly face. "At last... the dagger...." it gasped, holding the weapon to its breast.

Ajantis reached for the hilt of his sword, but he soon saw there would be no need for it. The gods are with us. And with him.

Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.


Pretty sad, but at least hopefully he's found peace.

#10 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 20 June 2006 - 07:12 PM


"That was hardly necessary, I believe," Ajantis told Edwin even as he healed the acid burn on the wizard's shoulder. They had met another mage, one that researched the summoning of jellies. Edwin had requested the summoning spell


Ajantis! Do you mean to say that Edwin shouldn't have asked for scrolls? But... :shock: The Earth would have been knocked of its axis! A meteor would have hit! Or the sun would have imploded! (will think of more cosmology related disasters later)


Or... Ajantis might have started respecting Edwin!

"The mage carried these scrolls," Kivan said. He'd examined the mage's corpse and found three spell scrolls in a bag at the mage's side.


Edwin: Scrolls!!!


Imoen: Scrolls!!!

Edwin grabbed the edge of the scroll and pulled it towards him. "Lighting bolt. The smallest child in Thay could tell you that! (Although she does make progress, for a barbarian.)"

Imoen smiled sweetly at the wizard. "I heard that. Thanks, Eddie."

"You heard nothing, and do not call me that! (How many times must I tell her...)"


Awww... Young love! (melts) :D


Aren't they just precious :D

Ajantis watched the exchange with a frown. "Miss Imoen, are you sure it is wise to give him such a spell?" he asked as soon as Edwin was out of earshot.


Do you hear that little Imoen? Do not give things to the evil wizard! Ajantis said so. So there. :roll:

I think I channeled Minsc there for a second.


:lol: So you did.

Ember had been able to dodge the creature's acidic blasts and had suffered nothing worse than a few scratches from its mandibles, and Ajantis's armor and shield had protected him from the brunt of his ankheg's onslaught. It served me well, Ajantis thought as he looked at the charred and blistered lump of metal which was all that remained of his shield, which his father had presented him with on the day he joined the Order. Father would be well pleased to know his gift saved me on this day.


Nice paragraph. I like Ajantis' line of thought there.


He's the type that'd appreciate such things, and is from a family where such gifts would be given.

And now I have to find him a new shield.

Imoen was spending more time with him than was good for her in the pursuit of magical knowledge - if he had managed to get Xan to stay with them, he would have attempted to turn her tutelage in a more wholesome direction


Imoen: So, what new spell will we learn today?
Xan: What's the point? We're all doomed.
Imoen: Tomorrow then?
Xan: We will be dead by tomorrow. It will be a miracle if we survive the night.
Imoen: Sure... Right then. EDDIE!


You know, that is exactly what would have happened :D

He sighed quietly. Whether or not the others had noticed her transformation, there was a large difference between the wide-eyed girl he had met on the Coast Way and the woman who had unceremoniously looted the mercenaries they had killed that morning. She had had a sweetness about her, a pragmatic innocence; those qualities were fading from her, only to be replaced by a ruthless edge, and it pained him to watch it happen.


Yes, because innocence will do you a world of good when you're over the head deep in assassins, bandits and Sarevok's other assorted minions. It is known.


Ajantis: Oh, she was capabe of defending herself even then, if a bit raw around the edges. What worries me is that she appears to care less for those who fall to her blade.

The bounty on her head and her increased exposure to death must take some of the blame, of course, but she would no doubt fare better without such unsavoury companions as Edwin Odesseiron.


Unsavory... (shrugs) There are worse ways to describe Edwin.


Ajantis: Aye, but I was raised to consider such language uncouth.

Undead, Ajantis thought. He must have disturbed a tomb in which they found no peace. For their sakes and his, we must put them to rest. "Never fear," he told the man, "we shall return the dagger for you."


Very paladin-like Ajantis. But I like it.


He is supposed to be a paladin, after all :)


That wizard will be the death of us all! Ajantis hurriedly pulled the dagger from his belt and held it out. "Take your dagger!"


Ah. Common sense prevails (sorry Eddie). Nice one, paladin boy.


And he didn't even call it a foul undead in the process!

Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.


Ember: NOOOO!!!! The loot! It's gone!!!
Ajantis: I will pray for you my lady.
Edwin: What?! No scrolls?! (Bah! This is a waste of my time.)


There, there, she's not that loot happy :D

Great chapter. Seriously now, I liked your characterization of Ajantis. While I'm generally not too fond of paladins (Keldorn, of course, excepted), he seems to be an ok guy. As you put it, not a 'paladunce'. :D


I'm glad you like him. I've found that not changing a character can be at least as tricky as changing one.

#11 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 20 June 2006 - 07:46 PM

"Why do you keep calling him Eddie?" Ember asked.

"Because it annoys him, of course!" Imoen grinned wickedly.


What other reason could there be? I must say that although I am NOT a big Edwin fan, I am enjoying the Edwin/Imoen byplay here.


There'll be more of it.

Ajantis turned away from his comrades and assumed a guard stance, facing the valley ahead of them. It was the least he could do, and it had the added benefit of not having to see the wizard, he admitted to himself. It saddened him to see the bad influence the Thayvian had upon the young ladies. Imoen was spending more time with him than was good for her in the pursuit of magical knowledge - if he had managed to get Xan to stay with them, he would have attempted to turn her tutelage in a more wholesome direction - and Ember...


Is this supposed to be all in Ajantis' head, or am I missing the obvious signs of Edwin's bad influence on Ember and Imoen?


It's mostly in Ajantis's head. He can tell that the girls, especially Ember, are hardening a bit more than their adventuring calls for, and it's just too easy for him to place a large share of the blame the Red Wizard, as it's been more noticeable since he joined. In reality, doing things such as killing hundreds of kobolds has had more of an effect than young Eddie over there has had... not to mention the Bhaalspawn blood.


The bounty on her head and her increased exposure to death must take some of the blame, of course, but she would no doubt fare better without such unsavoury companions as Edwin Odesseiron. By Helm, his skin all but crawled only to look at the man! He did not understand how the others could ignore the undercurrent of selfish avarice that pervaded everything the wizard said and did. He tried his best to counteract the wizard's evil influence on both the young ladies, to guide them true when he felt the Thayvian led them astray, but so far his efforts appeared to be to no avail.


Yeah, it's unfortunate that Ember has changed, but I don't see how that can be laid at Edwin's feet.


Perhaps because the wizard practically reeks of what he's starting to see in Ember. If Ajantis were to sit down and think rationally about it, I am sure he would admit he is being too harsh on Edwin who, after all, has not burnt down any villages yet.

The irony is that Edwin has a better idea of what she is than Ajantis does.


Ajantis studied the blade. It was sharp, very sharp, and black as night. There was a sense of evil about it.

"That looks unpleasant," Ember said; the others had clearly noticed the commotion and had gathered behind him, Ajantis observed.

"It holds powerful magics, certainly," the wizard said.

"Probably nothing good, though," Imoen said, eyeing the blade suspiciously.

At least they still see ill in the blade and not just the power it must hold, Ajantis thought with a tinge of relief. "Where did you get this blade? Whom should I return it to?" Ajantis asked the man, who was still quavering and panting in front of him.


I really don't see why Ajantis should be so surprised here--Ajantis obviously senses and is responding to Edwin's alignment 'issues', but he should be also able to sense that Immy and Ember are *not* evil.


Yes, but he had a very dour train of thought interrupted. Also, note that it is relief, not surprise, like you just imagined that someone did something bad and they just did something that showed you they wouldn't do that kind of thing after all.

It was no ghoul; it was something much more dangerous. The creature that loomed over them was half translucent, with eyes that seemed to glow with rage. A revenant. By Helm, can we battle something this powerful and hope to win?


Urgh, I remember this thing. It's brutal for a low-level party.


Brutal for almost any BG 1 party, I'd say.

The revenant seemed to glare at Ajantis. "Dagger!! You have the dagger. Give to ME!!"

"What... what dagger are you talking about exactly?" the wizard stammered nervously behind Ajantis. "(I must know what we are surrendering!)"


Typical.


Yes. Although he would have been nice enough to shut up if not for the fact that I wanted a lil' exposition :lol:

"The dagger... of he who murdered me... the dagger of Alatos... kept from me, to mock me... return the DAGGER!" the revenant howled.

That wizard will be the death of us all! Ajantis hurriedly pulled the dagger from his belt and held it out. "Take your dagger!"


Good thing Edwin didn't actually have the dagger.


God, yes. It'd have been a bloodbath.

The revenant grasped the weapon. Its eyes lost their glow, and a delighted expression formed on its ghostly face. "At last... the dagger...." it gasped, holding the weapon to its breast.

Ajantis reached for the hilt of his sword, but he soon saw there would be no need for it. The gods are with us. And with him.

Before their eyes, the lost soul crumbled to dust, the weapon that had once killed him crumbling along with him.


Pretty sad, but at least hopefully he's found peace.


Oh yes.

I decided there was no reason for him need the dagger to rest if he'd always had the dagger, so I placed it just out of the revenant's reach for Hentold to steal. As for why it needed the dagger; I could make a million theories :D




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

Skin Designed By Evanescence at IBSkin.com