So, Keldorn has fallen, become a fallen paladin. One can imagine that his personality is going to have changed a bit. None of his in-game dialogue would fit now, so I decided to write some more, in particular, some conversations between Keldorn and the various party members, to hopefully give the reader some insight into the way he has changed. Some are funny, some are deadly serious. Please note that I deliberately didn't write a banter between Keldorn and Viconia, since they hate each other's guts and I didn't want them fighting yet again! Finally, I've separated the dialogues out into ones that appear in Shadows of Amn, and ones that would be in Throne of Bhaal, just to keep things interesting!
Anomen (Lawful Good)
Dialogue #1
(SoA)
Anomen: So often, the pupil outshines the teacher, is it not so, Lord Firecam?
Keldorn: What? Your point, Knightling?
Anomen: It is strange, is it not, that I finally accepted your lessons, and then you discarded them, all they mean, and all they stand for? I could not ever imagine rejecting the Order the way you have.
Keldorn: You are young yet. Wait until you’ve suffered through decades of service. Maybe you’ll eventually see sense and throw off their pernicious influence. I hope so.
Anomen: I doubt it! The Order is my life, it is everything to me. I am bathéd in the light of righteousness and honour.
Keldorn: Oh, please! Do you think I don’t know where you’re quoting that from? I know the Order library backwards. At least when I was in the Order, my pompous preachings had a little imagination!
Anomen: That’s a matter of opinion…
Keldorn: I heard that!
Dialogue #2
(ToB)
Keldorn: I hope you look after your instruction book well, Sir Anomen.
Anomen: Wh…what instruction book?
Keldorn: The standard handbook for paladins, ‘Pompous self-righteousness and how to achieve it’. Come, you must have a copy, all members of the Order do!
Anomen: (Sighs) Why am I always the first target for any derisive comments in this group?
Keldorn: My dear Anomen, you simply make a wonderful victim.
Anomen: Keldorn, you are the last person in the world I would ever want to call me ‘dear’.
Keldorn: The feeling is mutual, trust me.
Aerie
(SoA)
Keldorn: I find you a puzzle, Aerie, and no mistake.
Aerie: What do you mean, Keldorn?
Keldorn: Let me see if I have this correctly: You are a winged elf, an avariel, who was kept in a cage in a circus and displayed so that passers-by could jeer at you?
Aerie: Yes, that’s right.
Keldorn: And then, since you were unable to stretch or use those wings, they withered and became infected, yes?
Aerie: Y…yes…
Keldorn: Eventually, your keepers hacked them off with rusty saws, using no pain killing herbs or spells, and again shut you up in the cage, no doubt bleeding profusely and close to death?
Aerie: I, I don’t wish to be reminded of this!
Keldorn: Please, I merely seek information. So, these circus humans crippled you, humiliated you, and treated you like a slave, all in all…
Aerie: Stop this, Keldorn, stop being so, so horrid!
Keldorn: …and yet you are a sweet naïve child, still.
Aerie: What?
Keldorn: Where is your anger, Aerie, where is the bitter hatred of humans? Where is the mistrust and cynicism?
Aerie: I don’t know what you mean, Keldorn! Just, just because you let yourself become old and sour due to what you’ve suffered doesn’t mean I should!
Keldorn: Ah, there it is! I’m glad you didn’t disappoint me.
Minsc
(SoA)
Minsc: You know, Keldorn, I think something about you has changed, though I cannot tell what it is. Boo is baffled, also, though not as baffled as Minsc. Such is the way of things.
Keldorn: Is...is that so?
Minsc: Oh, yes. Boo tells me I am not imagining things, not this time. So, what do you think it could be, Sir Keldorn?
Keldorn: Er...I could think of a number of reasons Boo, er, I mean you, might think that.
Minsc: Well, please tell Minsc what you think it could be.
Keldorn: Well, I was rejected by the Order...
Minsc: Hmm. No. That is not it.
Keldorn: My wife left me...
Minsc: That is a change in her, not you.
Keldorn: I no longer worship Torm?
Minsc: But you are still a mighty butt-kicking warrior, that has not changed, no sir!
Keldorn: I went berserk and killed a noble, could that be it?
Minsc: You are a berserker? That is a change, and for the better! Though it is not the one Minsc noticed, sadly. No doubt the evil noble deserved it. What else?
Keldorn: This is getting annoying!
Minsc: For you and Minsc...what could it possibly be?
Keldorn: Well, I no longer wield the Hallowed Redeemer...
Minsc: AH! Yes, that is it, your pink sword is gone! Minsc is very observant, he notices these things!
Imoen
(ToB)
Keldorn: So, you are the famous Imoen, I gather.
Imoen: Er, famous? I think Charname was kinda exaggerating there.
Keldorn: I have heard a lot about you from Charname, some of which I truly hope he made up. One thing puzzles me, though.
Imoen: What would that be?
Keldorn: Well, would you say Charname has a bad memory?
Imoen: No, I don’t think so. In Candlekeep, he used to always remember whose rings were belonged to who when I’d been having some fun. It was useful when Gorion made me return them...
Keldorn: Odd, very odd.
Imoen: Why?
Keldorn: Well, you see, Charname told me your name was Imena. I don’t think he ever got your name right, even though we discussed you quite often.
Imoen: Huh? That is weird! Hey, I wonder if he’s thinking of getting a pet hamster?
Edwin
(ToB)
Edwin: So, paladin, perhaps you can answer a question for me before you get yourself killed in some amusingly pointless way.
Keldorn: Call me ‘paladin’ again and your robes will be red with more than mere cloth dye, Edwin!
Edwin: (Hmm, he is probably unhinged enough to mean that) Better warriors than you have threatened me with physical harm, Keldorn. Do you wish to know where they are now? I could give you several locations- several for each one of them, indeed.
Keldorn: What...is...your...question?!
Edwin: Question? Ah yes. Now you have left the Order, now you are a mere warrior, not a so-glorious noble paladin of the Most Righteous Noble Order of the Noble Honourable Radiant Heart, should I trust you more or less, do you think?
Keldorn: What are you blathering about, Edwin? I am not the untrustworthy one, here.
Edwin: Oh really? Do you have the references to prove that? Oh, my mistake. No doubt you did have references, from Prelate Wesselan and his Order slaves, but you killed them. It might be difficult, therefore, to make them cooperate (though not impossible, no indeed...).
Keldorn: Just remember, mage, that my severing of ties with the Order means that I am a free agent. I can do anything I please. Anything.
Edwin: Ah. I suppose that answers my question. Thank you for your kind cooperation, Keldorn.
Anomen (Chaotic Neutral)
(SoA)
Anomen: Well, this is certainly a turn up for the books, eh, Keldorn?
Keldorn: What are you talking about?
Anomen: Well, here we both are, rejected from the Order. A failed knight and a fallen knight. I was kicked out, you left of your own free will.
Keldorn: I’m not sure I’d call it ‘free will’, exactly.
Anomen: Hmm, maybe not. Still, ‘twas for the best, agreed?
Keldorn: Oh, certainly.
Anomen: It occurs to me that we have been remiss in our duties. As the two upstanding knights we undoubtedly are, we should have sung the Order’s praises for our colleagues to hear. It is about time we fulfilled that edict, don’t you think?
Keldorn: Ha, why not? You start.
Anomen: Erm...Great is the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart, for its word is as righteous as it is pointless!
Keldorn: Its shield is pomposity, its sword is arrogance...
Anomen: All who slave in it are hollow in their heads, and gutless in their bodies.
Keldorn: (Snigger) Their shining armour protects them from sunburn, their mighty helms shield them from common sense...
Anomen: (Snort) They walk in the blinding light of good, which is why they hit trees a lot...
Keldorn: Hahaha...The Gods protect the Order from their two deadliest enemies: the insightful, and the intelligent...heheh!
Anomen: The...hahaha...knights live out their days in perfect boredom and the knowledge that they will spend each day defending their heh, their, their armour polish!
Keldorn: (gasp) Please...please stop!
Anomen: I...can’t...breathe...
Haer'Dalis
(SoA)
Keldorn: Haer’dalis, a word if you please.
Haer’dalis: What is it, my good Lord Keldorn?
Keldorn: Last night I happened to notice the title of the play you have been writing recently. Would you care to explain?
Haer’dalis: My aged hound, a play is simply a collection of words, placed in a pleasing order for a group of players such as myself to say in such a way to add a little drama to the life of those...
Keldorn: I know what a play is, you idiot!
Haer’dalis: But you did ask, did you not?
Keldorn: I think you know perfectly well I am referring to the subject of the play.
Haer’dalis: Ah yes, it is a tragedy in two acts, entitled ‘The Rise and Fall of Sir Rondelk’. A tale of woe and passion indeed, a tale of entropy’s icy grip on even the noblest of hearts, a tale of love denied...
Keldorn: Do you think me utterly stupid, bard?
Haer’dalis: Of course not, my hound. Not utterly.
Keldorn: Haer’dalis, listen to me very carefully.
Haer’dalis: I am all ears, my Lord.
Keldorn: BURN THAT DAMN MANUSCRIPT OR I’LL SLIT YOUR THROAT!
Haer’dalis: I thank you for your kind consideration, Keldorn. It is a pleasure to stir such passions in one’s audience, it that not what all bards long for? And, of course, constructive criticism is always welcome...
Valygar
(ToB)
Valygar: Keep your distance, Keldorn, keep away from me!
Keldorn: What? I’ve noticed you have been avoiding me, Valygar. Care to tell me why?
Valygar: My reasons are my own. I do not wish to share them with you.
Keldorn: I am not sure you need to. I can think of two possible reasons without trying.
Valygar: Can you indeed.
Keldorn: Yes I can. Firstly, could it be you find my recent changes in circumstance somehow threatening? I was a paladin of the Order, but now I am a free agent, I can do as I please. Do you find that disturbing? That would seem odd for a freely wandering ranger.
Valygar: Stop trying to bait me, Keldorn, it will not work.
Keldorn: Secondly, well...you seem very adept at avoiding the attentions of the fairer sex...
Valygar: Enough, my patience is not unending!
Keldorn: ...could it be that Charname and I remind you of what you have denied yourself?
Valygar: Be QUIET!
Keldorn: One day, you will have to face facts, Valygar, and probably sooner than I had to.
Valygar: One more remark from you and I shall split your skull!
Keldorn: Oh. Very well, I shall leave you to live in denial. I was only trying to help.
Mazzy
(SoA)
Mazzy: Milord Keldorn, know that I am watching you. Should I detect any threat to this group, I shall act, and act swiftly.
Keldorn: What? I am no threat to Charname. I would lay down my life for him!
Mazzy: I do not doubt that for a minute, but what of the rest of the group? I see the changes in you, the corruption in your heart that grows and grows. How long will it be before you place a knife between our ribs while we sleep?
Keldorn: What fantasy world is this? Ah, of course, in the realm of the paladin, all who are different are enemies, untrustworthy. In your eyes, I’m evil for having rejected the Order, but in my own eyes I am not. I merely have my own agenda.
Mazzy: If you still had your God-given powers, you would be horrified at yourself! Do you not see what is happening to you? The darkness grows daily, though you are seemingly unaware. Let me help you, Keldorn. Maybe I can help you call back some of the virtue you have lost. You could be redeemed- the sunset is upon you, but you need not walk into the night!
Keldorn: One second you threaten me, the next you are oh-so-concerned for my safety. Hypocritical paladin!
Mazzy: I am just concerned at seeing a fine man walk open eyed to the death of all he once was. If you go too far, I will act, be assured of that. I just would prefer not to.
Keldorn: Ah Mazzy, you make a fine paladin, there is no question of that. You have mastered the intricacies of the compassionate threat. The Order would accept you tomorrow.
Mazzy: From anyone else, I would consider that a compliment. From you, though, it is just a sign of your increasing corruption. I would pray for you, Keldorn, but I fear ‘tis too late: you are already dead.
Keldorn: Good, maybe then you paladins will let me rest in peace! Give me up for a lost cause, Mazzy, then we’ll both be happier.
Jan
(ToB)
Jan: Well, knighty, how are you today?
Keldorn: Stop right now, Jan.
Jan: Stop what? I was merely...
Keldorn: No doubt you are about to spin one of your stories.
Jan: Well, actually...
Keldorn: Does it involve turnips this time?
Jan: I was...
Keldorn: Or some member of your vast inbred clan?
Jan: N...
Keldorn: Or maybe it was about griffins instead?
Jan: Why do...
Keldorn: Perhaps they oh-so-amusingly eat someone, an ex-knight, perchance?
Jan: Ah, you see...
Keldorn: Someone with a name oddly like mine, no doubt. Well, come on, let’s hear it!
Jan: What story? I was just asking how you were.
Keldorn: What?
Jan: How are you today, Keldorn?
Keldorn: You...you mean you have no stupidly overlong and unbelievable story about some insipid relative of yours, a relative who resembles me in some way?
Jan: No. I don’t think any of my family are anything like you.
Keldorn: Really?
Jan: Nope.
Keldorn: Suddenly I feel strangely disappointed...
Cernd
(SoA)
Cernd: The mightiest oak in the forest can be hollow and rotten within, and yet stand for centuries. It still provides shelter for those who need it.
Keldorn: (sigh) Do you ever say anything that isn’t in some way nature related?
Cernd: Nature is my guide, I shelter beneath her branches.
Keldorn: Trees make poor shelters, druid. They keep off the first few drops of rain, but not the entire storm.
Cernd: And the storm soaks all, irrespective of their size or stature.
Keldorn: Yes, and cold and damp can kill some lowly creatures.
Cernd: And thus is nature served. She is a harsh mistress, and only the best survive. In that way is the balance maintained.
Keldorn: The great oak survives the storm, though, even with its heartwood removed. It has weathered many a storm, and will live through many more.
Cernd: Yet one day it will come crashing to the ground in the winter gales, as all things end. There you see, Keldorn? I talk about nature, because she can teach us all. It seems you know her value, too, since you haven’t said a single thing that wasn’t ‘natured related’ in our entire conversation, either.
Keldorn: What? I...argh...no! Oh, just go away, will you?
Sarevok
(ToB)
1. Keldorn: You are a strange creature, Sarevok, truly. It is fascinating to travel with you. You’re obviously not dead, but are you alive?
Sarevok: What I am is none of your concern. You should be more worried about your own fate. Tell me, fallen paladin: Do you know what death knights are?
Keldorn: I...I do.
Sarevok: Yes, I hear the fear in your voice. A death knight is a fallen paladin, punished by his God, is it not? A tormented undead creature, one that can never be freed by death...
Keldorn: I know what a death knight is! I am well versed in the unnatural creatures that roam our land, and I need no tutelage from you!
Sarevok: Take refuge in your learning if you wish. It will not save you. I pity you, Keldorn, trapped between two fates. Which is worse: the Order finding you, or them not finding you?
Keldorn: I do not concern myself with the future: the present is our domain. Live for the future and you never live at all. Many painful lessons have taught me that much.
Sarevok: Ha! So you say, but your hands tremble and your face is white. You may fool yourself, but you don’t fool me.
If Sarevok is CE => 2
If Sarevok is CG => 3
2. Sarevok: You were an idiot to join the Order, you should know that. A man of your strength and drives could have been great. And yet, here you are, hiding and cowering behind others, dreading your eventual fate. What a pathetic end.
Keldorn: Pathetic, am I? Yet I am still alive, and you died at Charname’s hand, all your schemes wrecked. You are the idiot, not I. Your plans were doomed from the start.
Sarevok: I died, yes, but I am alive again. My strength kept me sane in the Abyss, and here I am. The strong survive, the weak...become death knights.
Keldorn: We’ll see, Sarevok. It could be I survive longer than you. Yes, I could see that happening. I am not the one who charges madly into battle, after all. I shall enjoy looking at your mangled corpse one day.
Sarevok: You shall wait a long time for that day. It is not a sight you shall see in your current life, I am sure. Wait until you are undead, maybe then, yes, maybe then... (dialogue ends)
3. Sarevok: I fail to understand you, Keldorn. You had so much, and you threw it away. Money, influence, the favour of a God- and you turned your back on it all. You disgust me, fallen paladin.
Keldorn: I disgust you? Sarevok, the next Lord of Murder? Who are you to tell me how I should act?
Sarevok: I was born of murder, into a life where I had little choice but to do whatever I needed to survive. You were a noble of Athkatla, pampered and soft. Yet you whined and complained and kicked against the goads. I seek redemption; you seek damnation.
Keldorn: I am sure you will enjoy your new found morality as much as I enjoyed mine. It will not last, Sarevok.
Sarevok: Only time will tell, Keldorn, but time is on my side. She is most certainly not on yours.
Jaheira
(SoA)
Jaheira: I suspect you have come to appreciate the shades of grey in our world more than when we first met, my Lord Keldorn?
Keldorn: What are you talking about?
Jaheira: A paladin sees only right and wrong, black and white, is that not so? White can live, black must die, yes?
Keldorn: Ah, I see your point. Yes, you are right, and it is such a shallow point of view, I’m sure you agree?
Jaheira: Is a wolf killing a fawn evil? Does a sparrow feed its young because it has a good heart? Nature has no need of labels. It is a shame your Order does not see this.
Keldorn: Jaheira, you are preaching to the converted here. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Jaheira: It is a shame the Order does not see the greys in our world, but it is a shame you do.
Keldorn: I...I don’t understand.
Jaheira: Is this the only way for a paladin to lose their simplistic worldview? Must they break the rules in order to see that the rules are flawed? It is a pity.
Keldorn: I don’t regret breaking those rules. They needed to be broken.
Jaheira: Did they really? There are better ways to instigate change than a bloody revolution.
Keldorn: Jaheira, must you be so, so insufferable?
Jaheira: What?! Never speak to me again, you despicable man!
Keldorn: What did I say?
Yoshimo
(SoA)
Keldorn: Yoshimo, I would appreciate it if you returned my pen.
Yoshimo: Your pen? I have not seen that item, my friend.
Keldorn: Don’t patronize me! My pen, it is a quill pen made of an eagle feather with a golden nib. It is an item of great sentimental value, and it is missing. I wish to write in my journal. Return it.
Yoshimo: I may be known for sleight of hand and swiftness of my fingers, but I don’t consider the items of my travelling companions fair game.
Keldorn: This is becoming tiresome! Just admit you took it and give it back! I may be merciful.
Yoshimo: Alas, I cannot return what I did not take. We have been through many areas full of cutthroats and cutpurses, could it not have been one of many footpads we have passed?
Keldorn: I believe not. I see the guilty look on your face, Yoshimo. You are hiding something, I know it.
Yoshimo: I promise you, I do not have your quill!
Keldorn: Hmm, we shall see. I will be watching you closely next time we enter a shop, thief, seeing if you sell anything I recognise. You will not get away with such larceny. I am always on my guard, always observant...
Yoshimo: Er, Keldorn?
Keldorn: What? What is it?
Yoshimo: Er, in your hand?
Keldorn: My quill pen! Ah, um...how much gold do you need to forget this conversation ever took place?
Yoshimo: Fifteen gold would do nicely, I think.
Nalia
(SoA)
Party must be in city
Keldorn: I see a beggar over there, Nalia. Why don’t you go and give him all your money?
Nalia: Yes...yes, I could really help him, couldn’t I?
Keldorn: Idiot child.
Nalia: What? Oh, you’re just like all the other nobles, you never think about those beneath you!
Keldorn: ‘Beneath you’? It seems I am not the noble-born one with ideas above my station. Tell me, Nalia, do you help the poor because you can improve their lives, or do you help them because it is improves your life?
Nalia: I...I don’t understand what you mean, Keldorn! Can’t you see they need our help? They have nothing, nothing at all!
Keldorn: And you, Nalia, have nothing but guilt over your own exalted position. You enjoy slaking your guilt, but would you switch places with a slum dweller? Never.
Nalia: But I can use my own position to help. I can do so much good!
Keldorn: Really? Look closer, Nalia. See how that beggar has soiled himself, see how his eyes are huge and dark, see how he mutters to himself. Give him more money, he will simply spend it on more Black Lotus. How will that help him?
Nalia: I don’t know...but at least I try. It’s more than you do.
Keldorn: Yes, Nalia, I don’t try because I know they cannot be helped until they help themselves. Those who help the hopeless do so for their own sakes, not for the needy’s.
Nalia: That is a sickening attitude! You would just let these poor people suffer and do nothing!
Keldorn: And you think that any problem can be solved by throwing money at it. If you really want to help him, go into the black lotus smuggling business and undercut his suppliers. Then, at least, he can die happy.
Korgan
(SoA)
Keldorn: Will you stop doing that, Korgan?
Korgan: Eh? I be doing nothin’, longlimb.
Keldorn: Don’t lie to me, dwarf. You haven’t taken your eyes off my plate armour for an eternity.
Korgan: Aye, and? ‘Tis a fine bit of armour you have there, I was admiring the craftsmanship.
Keldorn: That I don’t believe for a second. Admit it, Korgan: you were looking for cracks in it, ones wide enough to accept a dagger, perchance?
Korgan: Nay, that were not my reason. I be wonderin’ if ye wear pink underwear! Har har!
Keldorn: Strange you should mention that. Last time we stopped to rest I had a look in your backpack. I felt it was justified, given your past, to make sure you had no subtle poison or slim daggers hidden in there...
Korgan: Er...
Keldorn: Now if you would stop examining my armour for weak points, I’d be eternally grateful. I might even avoid mentioning undergarments in the future. One can but hope, hmm?
Korgan: Ach, have it yer own way, ya filthy blackmailing git!
