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Trust, Treachery and Torm: Throne of Bhaal.


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#1 Guest_Ophidia_*

Posted 10 December 2002 - 10:03 PM

Welcome to the final part of the romance, in which many of the lose ends left in Shadows of Amn are finally tied up. I've included not only the usual timed dialogues, but also some extras, such as the conversation with Volo and the master wraith. I hope you have enjoyed it.

Dialogue #1

Shortly after entering Saradush for the first time

1. Keldorn: I wonder what it is like to be in control of one’s destiny. It’s such a long time since that was the case for me, I forget what it is like.

A. Hey, I thought you weren’t talking to me. => 2

B. I don’t like it either. I feel that Bhaal is pulling my strings, and I’ve got no choice over my actions. => 4

C. Shouldn’t you be apologising to me at some point? => 6

2. Keldorn: No, I suppose I wasn’t. => 3

3. Keldorn: I have been thinking long and hard about...about what Bodhi did to me. I find that I can’t blame you. I wish I could change my past, so that we had never met, but it will not happen. But then, meeting you was simply one event in an unstoppable chain. Do I wish I could change the past? Yes. Do I regret my actions? No.

And you? Do you regret your past?

A. Yes, I do. Everywhere I go, I seem to cause death and destruction. I wish I could be normal, just once. => 4

B. Not really. I always did what I felt was for the best. Sometimes, it wasn’t the right thing, but I didn’t really have a choice. => 4

C. No, not at all. Everything I do is always right, because it’s me what’s doing it! => 7

4. Keldorn: In some ways you are Bhaal’s puppet. I pity you, I really do. But then, I am in a similar position. I am snared by you, Charname, a moth to your flame. I have no choice but to follow your lead. You are truly a child of your father: you have brought death and destruction to me, but such joy, too.

A. That really doesn’t sound very healthy. => 5

B. If you don’t like travelling with me, you could always...leave. => 5

C. You are really creepy, do you know that? => 5

5. Keldorn: Perhaps I didn’t express myself very well. I am merely trying to explain to you why I...still care. It is insane, it is against my better sense, but you are still you, and you still have my admiration and loyalty, do not doubt it for a second. (dialogue ends)

6. Keldorn: Apologise? What for? But...maybe I should explain my actions, at least. => 3

7. Keldorn: Ha, everything except your grammar, it would seem! Do you realise how ridiculous you sound, saying things like that? Life is learning, charname, and if you never regret your actions, you can never learn. Maybe you are simply placing a barrier before you, to block out what we both know to be the truth: => 4

Encounter with Volo

The party meet Volo in Saradush. He claims to be writing about Charname’s exploits. The PC can ask Volo what he has written about the various NPCs.

Volo: Which of your companions would you like to hear about now?

PC: Tell me about Keldorn.

If Keldorn romance is active

Volo: Once a righteous paladin of the Order of the Radiant Heart, Keldorn gave up everything for love. Never has their been such fierce loyalty displayed as that of the fallen paladin for his lover Charname.

Keldorn’s name inspires fear wherever it is heard, and in battle, he is terrifying to behold.

Keldorn: You, you know about Charname and I? News certainly travels fast. And you don’t...object?

Volo: No, my friend, why should I? Your, ah, type of relationship is not uncommon in the annals of history.

Keldorn: Ah, well, I would it if prefer you wrote nothing of me. I prefer to keep my enemies a long distance away. Mind you, I quite like ‘terrifying to behold’. Hmm.

If Keldorn romance is over, but Keldorn is still a fallen paladin (it can be done!)

Volo: A strange and terrifying creature indeed is Lord Keldorn Firecam, an ex-paladin. Since most fallen paladins live only a short while, he must be powerful indeed to have survived so long. In the company of Charname, he can become only more powerful.

Keldorn: I have no wish for my enemies to know of my whereabouts. Change your story, talespinner, or you will regret it. I don’t think being called a ‘creature’ is exactly flattering, either.

Encounter with the Master Wraith

Standard exchange between the PC and ‘Gorion’, until:

1. Gorion: How many more must come to grief before you see I am correct? How many must die? What of your many former companions...How many are dead, now, because of you?

If the romance is active

Gorion: What of the inevitable pain you must give to the one you love? The once-righteous knight Keldorn?

Keldorn: Yes, I have suffered great pain, and blaming Charname would be an easy path to choose. I despise taking the easiest way; it is the route to self-delusion.

Gorion: You know nothing of what you speak. You belong with my failed ward, however, you who are a murderer as much as he.

A new figure appears besides Gorion. See note 1.

Jethry Silbanif: Keldorn, is that you? Sweet Torm, Keldy, you’re so old! How long have I been... gone?

Keldorn: J...Jethry? No, this can’t be, it’s an illusion. It must be an illusion.

Jethry: I am real, Keldy. I can find no rest, I wander endlessly through the planes.

Keldorn: You are a spirit?

Jethry: I am a lost soul. Do you know the torment I suffer? And yet, I can never rest, because you murdered me.

Keldorn: I didn’t murder you, I tried to save you! I did all I could to try and save you, I was desperate! I failed you, Jethry. I failed...

Jethry: Yes, you failed, and now I wander without purpose. The Drow who killed me escaped, didn’t she?

Keldorn: She did, but...

Jethry: You held me in your arms and let her escape. You never claimed my vengence, Keldorn, and now I have no peace!

Keldorn: I couldn’t leave you to die alone!

Jethry: Endless torment across the planes, Keldorn. I relive my death again and again and again, feel the blade cut into my back and skewer my lungs...

Keldorn: No, stop! I can’t hear this, I won’t hear this! Begone, spirit, leave me alone!

A. Jethry, stop this! Keldorn isn’t responsible for your death, stop tormenting him! => 2

B. Gorion, stop this, please! He doesn’t deserve this! => 2

C. Enough! I demand you cease this! => 2

D. (wisdom must be over 16) Don’t listen to it, Keldorn, it’s not real. None of this is real! => 2

2. Gorion: I will not allow you to be the one who causes the prophesy to come true! I won’t allow it. I will see you dead first!

Dialogue continues from here on as per normal. Immediately after the fight finishes:

3. Keldorn: That...that was all a ruse. That wraith was playing with us both, wasn’t it? And yet... it was right. I should have sought vengeance for Jethry.

A. That was a creature of pure evil, it would have said anything to hurt you! => 4

B. It’s over now, it was just an illusion. It doesn’t matter now. => 4

4. Keldorn: What if Jethry never found peace because I didn’t avenge him? Cursed Drow, I should have mounted her head on a pike and left it for the ravens! Dark birds for the dark elf!

A. Jethry was a squire of the Order, wasn’t he? Surely righteous squires don’t demand vengeance if they die in battle. => 5

B. It was all a long time ago, and there’s no reason why Jethry would have become a lost soul. => 5

C. (if wisdom is over 14) I don’t think Jethry would care about being avenged, you just want to exorcise your guilt over his death. => 5

5. Keldorn: Yes, yes, you are right, my friend. I never realised until now how much I despise the Drow. I can taste the bitter hatred in my mouth, feel it coursing through my veins. It is a sickness in my soul, one I wish to keep. I have learnt much today. Ah, let us continue on our quest. There are more important things to consider today than petty revenge. One day, however, one day... (dialogue ends)

Note 1

Jethry's Appearance: Human male, cleric, wearing full plate, no helm (basically what he died in). Skin colour pale tan, hair black. Major clothing colour grey/steel, minor colour gold.

ToB: Dialogue #2

Keldorn must be injured, at 75% health or lower (but not dead!) This can happen either in Saradush, or after leaving it.

1. Keldorn: Ahh...that last fight...I ache all over, and I feel somewhat dizzy...

If PC is a cleric or druid => 2

If PC is not a cleric or druid => 3

2. Keldorn: I need your healing powers here... I am sure that battle wounds didn’t used to hurt this much. => 4

3. Keldorn: I shall have to get some healing soon, I cannot go on like this. I can feel blood dripping inside my breastplate. I am sure battle wounds didn’t use to hurt like this. => 4

4. Keldorn: Am I getting too old, Charname?

A. Erm, well, err.... => 5

B. I don’t care how old you are, what does it matter to us? => 5

C. Yes, you’re an old codger. Get over it. => 7

5. Keldorn: Our time is so limited in this world, we have a tiny portion of life, then we are snuffed out, gone, finished.

Maybe my battle weariness has left me a little fey, but I feel a shadow over me today. I can’t stop thinking about what I may face, in the future, maybe the near future. Has it occurred to you that we are becoming powerful, very powerful? I doubt the best in the Order could face us and live. They won’t send a force after me, now. They may be stupid, but they are not suicidal.

Does this make me safer? I doubt it. Torm does not forgive, he is the God of loyalty, and he is harsh on those who abandon him. What if the God himself comes for me? It is a possibility, for one as powerful as I. I am living on borrowed time, Charname.

We should make the most of every moment of our lives, for we never know when our final day shall come! Do you not agree?

A. Yes, yes, now will you drink a healing potion or do I have to shove it down your throat? => 6

B. Wise words, but right now you might see another day if you drink this potion! => 6

C. Can we leave the philosophy until we get a healing spell for you? => 6

D. Well, just crawl off and die, then. So long! => 8

6. Keldorn: Ha, you are right, my friend. There are sometimes practical solutions to life’s problems, are there not? Thank you for your concern. I...appreciate it. (dialogue ends)

7. Keldorn: Hmm. So tactful, Charname? Perhaps in a few decades, you will understand. It is merely a matter of...time. => 6

8. Keldorn: Do you really care so little? Do I not mean more than that? Do you not even see the worth in keeping the party members fit and well? You are an idiot, Charname. I see I have been wasting my breath on you, all this time. (dialogue ends, romance ends)

ToB Dialogue #3

After the fall of Saradush. Party has just finished resting

1. Keldorn: Charname! Are you awake?

A. No, go away. => 2

B. I am now (sigh). => 2

C. I hate early risers. I really, really hate morning people. => 2

D. I was having a bad dream, an awful dream... => 2

2. Keldorn: You were muttering in your sleep, and thrashing about. I would guess you were either remembering a romance with someone called Sara Dutch, or you were dreaming about the sacking of the town. Which was it?

A. That is really not funny at all! People died, hundreds of innocent people! Don’t you care? => 3

B. You of all people ought to know I’ve never had any girlfriends! => 3

C. No, actually, I was dreaming about dragons with feet like rabbits... => 6

D. Yes, I was dreaming of Saradush. What a senseless waste of life, all because of me. I feel so guilty, it was all my fault! => 4

3. Keldorn: Hmm, I guess my attempt at humour was not appreciated. Paladins, even fallen ones, are not known for their ability to make people laugh. I was...worried about you. You looked like you were having a bad nightmare. Are you alright?

A. I will be, I guess. I feel it was all my fault, though, all those people dying. If I’d not been in the town, it would never have happened! => 4

B. Who cares about Saradush? So what if a load of people die? They didn’t owe me any money, so what are they to me? => 5

4. Keldorn: It isn’t your fault, my friend. Don’t think that, even for a second. You didn’t fire a single catapult, you didn’t siege the town. Place the blame where it belongs: at the feet of Yaga-shura. He would probably have sacked the town whether you were present in it or not. He had already started attacking it before we arrived, after all. Guilt is a pointless emotion, it just results in vacillation.

We can all learn from our actions, but what good is beating ourselves over the head about things that cannot be changed? None whatsoever. So...let us look to the next day, and leave Saradush behind us. I hope you will feel better once we get moving. (dialogue ends)

5. Keldorn: A shallow attitude. People are a resource, like any other. You never know when you will need loyalty or willing hands. Yaga-shura was a fool for sacking Saradush, he could have kept it as a stronghold and power base.

Still, I am glad you haven’t been torn apart by the plundering of the town. Some would blame themselves, and feel awful guilt that would tear them apart. I can...sympathise with that. I wanted to make sure you were well this day. Let us continue our quest, then, and see what it brings us! (dialogue ends)

6. Keldorn: Very imaginative, well done! I know a lie when I hear one, Charname. I heard you, crying out and muttering. You were dreaming of Saradush, weren’t you? Are you well? I am...worried about you.

A. I will be, I guess. I feel it was all my fault, though, all those people dying. If I’d not been in the town, it would never have happened! => 4

B. Who cares if a load of people die? They didn’t owe me any money, so what are they to me? => 5

ToB Dialogue #4

Just before resting

1. Keldorn: I am beginning to wonder, Charname, if I have been an utter fool in the past few tendays.

A. Well, I wasn’t going to say it, but... => 3

B. What do you mean? => 3

C. I don’t think you’ve been a fool. You’re too wise and clever for that. Not to mention all-around wonderful and sexy... => 2

2. Keldorn: Oh, stop that! (cough)...What was I saying? => 3

3. Keldorn: I have treated you very badly, haven’t I? I blamed you unfairly for my own situation in life. It is so easy, is it not, to blame another for one’s own shortcomings? We have so little time together, and yet I wasted it in pride and vanity. Who knows where your future will lie? Maybe I am talking to the next Lord of Murder, I know not. And my future is, is equally unsure.

I have been living in denial. I told myself that our partnership was over, finished, a thing of the past. It isn’t, though, is it? It won’t be until one of us is...gone. Or at least, that is how I feel. Maybe...maybe you feel the same way, I know not.

I thought perhaps we could start afresh, pretend that the past few weeks did not happen. I miss you so much, Charname, more than I know how to say.

A. Of course I’ll forgive you! I love you too much to give you up! => 4

B. I don’t feel sure about this, but I’m willing to give us another chance. => 4

C. I’m sorry Keldorn, but I can’t take this any more. Who knows when you’ll change your mind, and start yelling at me again. It’s over, for good. => 5

4. Keldorn: You don’t know how happy that makes me feel! How many people get a second chance at love? I am truly a lucky man, twice lucky! Perhaps tonight, we can make up for lost time, my beloved one...(dialogue ends)

5. Keldorn: I...understand. I am to blame for this, entirely. A chance for happiness, and my own foolish actions have ruined it. If you will excuse me, my friend, I think I might go for a short walk. I...need some time alone. (dialogue ends, romance ends)

Encounter with Sendai #5

The party meet Sendai in her Enclave.

1. Sendai: My armies have been slaughtered, falling helplessly before your might. You would have made a great ally to our cause. Alas, the time for such possibilities is past.

Keldorn: No...You? Yes, it is...I know you!

Sendai: Who are you, jaluk? You are no Bhaalspawn, you are unimportant to me.

Keldorn: I swore bloody vengence on you, drow, though I didn’t know your name until a few days ago. Charname, this, this creature is the Drow that murdered Jethry! It is her!

Sendai: I know of none called Jethry, surface slave.

Keldorn: You never even knew his name? You killed him in your Blooding ritual! I watched him die...I wish I had time to make you suffer the way I want to. I could watch you die over days and laugh at your pain!

Sendai: A male with your strength of character could have been great in the Underdark, warrior. What a loss...

Keldorn: YOU WILL DIE HERE TODAY, WITCH! You have NO chance against us! Vengeance will be ours! Your slaves have fallen, now you will!

Sendai: But the lives of my servants and slaves have not been spent in vain... they have brought me time to prepare a special surprise for you. Prepare to meet your end, Bhaalspawn!

Keldorn goes berserk. Sendai disappears, and the fight against the statues starts.

After the fight:

Keldorn recovers from the berserk rage (if he hasn’t recovered sooner).

Sendai: NO! NO! The Bhaal essence is ripped from my very soul! Damn you! But I may yet rob you of the glory of your victory.

Keldorn: Never. This is one victory I shall never ever forget! Jethry can rest in peace now. He has had his vengeance, and I have had mine!

Sendai: Know this even as I die... the return of our father is inevitable. Though I fall, the others will ensure Bhaal is reborn!

Standard cutscene follows.

Keldorn gains ‘berserk’ innate ability, once daily.

Tob Dialogue #6

Sendai must be dead

1. Keldorn: We have come so far in such a short time. It feels almost unreal.

A. Unreal? I don’t think I understand. => 2

B. I know what you mean. We’re surrounded by prophecy and great events. It makes me feel so small. => 3

C. I love it, I am where I should be! I was born to wield such power. It is right I should be so important! => 4

2. Keldorn: Surely you must feel it too, how things have changed so dramatically. This is no mere quest any more, Charname, our actions now affect the entire world! => 5

3. Keldorn: You were never insignificant, my friend, never that. I don’t think you ever will be, either. You have achieved so much from your humble beginnings. => 5

4. Keldorn: Do you realise what an idiot you sound when you talk like that? Believe you are perfect and you shall earn yourself a rapid and ignoble death. However...you do have a point. => 5

5. Keldorn: You left candlekeep as an inexperienced and naïve young adventurer, and now you are a demi-god, one of the most powerful people in Faerun! Prophesy swirls round your footsteps, mortals quail at your passage! Who knows where your destiny lies, now?

And what of myself? Such changes have I seen! Could I have foreseen this, mere months ago? Never. I would have laughed in your face. No, thinking about it, I would have given you a lecture, and then offered to pray for your soul. (sighs)

Yet, here I am. And here is where I wish to be, by your side. Even if I fall in battle tomorrow, even if T...Torm comes to exert his justice, I do not regret it. At least I have had a few months of freedom before my final fate.

I...have a question for you, my friend. We have so little time, a pinch of now in the middle of destiny, but, for the time we have, do you see us...staying together, ‘til the bitter end, for the rest of our...lives?

A. Of course I do! I never want us to part ways. I want to stay with you for as long as I can. => 6

B. I’m not sure, so much could happen that could force us apart. => 7

C. I’m sorry if you thought otherwise, but this was just a brief bit of fun, nothing more...and that is all I want it to be. => 8

6. Keldorn: Yes, we are together, and we stay together. Never would I have dreamt to find such happiness with a person as I have with you, Charname, we are meant for each other. No mortal shall separate us, this I swear! (dialogue ends)

7. Keldorn: So true, sadly. Perhaps our futures are too uncertain to swear to any lifelong commitment? Still, in this moment, we are together, yes? Perhaps that is sufficient for those awash in destiny, like we are... (dialogue ends)

8. Keldorn: A bit of...fun? Is that all? I...don’t know what to say to that. I, I think I shall just keep quiet, since I have nothing to say worth hearing. (dialogue ends, romance ends)

ToB #7

After the last test in the pocket plane, before entering the Throne

1. Keldorn: Well, it seems our greatest hour approaches. A last glorious stand, one for which we shall be remembered forever, live or die. We are legends. I wonder what your fate will be, beloved. Already, you are beyond mortal, though I don't think you realise it.

A. Beyond mortal? What do you mean? => 2

B. I wonder too...I don’t know what’s going to happen when we are transported to the Throne. => 3

C. Nothing will convince me to leave your side, nothing! => 3

D. I am about to come into my power, it shall be glorious! => 3

2. Keldorn: I can see it in your eyes, Charname, you are no longer a mortal. You never were, but your Godsblood becomes stronger and stronger the nearer you come to your destiny. You have more power than I can comprehend, just beyond your reach. What would you do, if that power was in your grasp?

A. I don’t know, I don’t want to leave you, but we might be forced apart. => 3

B. I don’t want any destiny, I want us to be together, nothing more than that! => 3

C. Nothing will stop me from gaining that power. It’s everything I want! => 3

3. Keldorn: A decision like this cannot be made hastily, but...there is something you should know. Know that I would commit my whole life to you, but I shall not be here much longer. Last night, I dreamt of white roses.

A. White roses! Oh no! Errr...what is so bad about that? => 4

B. (PC must be cleric, pure or multiclass, or have int 14 or greater) White roses are a symbol of Torm, aren’t they? => 5

C. Sounds nice. I like roses, they’re pretty. => 4

4. Keldorn: White roses are the chosen plant of Torm, Charname. Need I say more? => 6

5. Keldorn: Your knowledge impresses me. You are correct: the white rose is Torm’s flower. => 6

6. Keldorn: It is the first sign: Torm is coming for me, to bring me to justice for my actions. I do not know how long I have left in this plane of existence, now. It could be months, it could be...mere days. I think you deserve to know this.

Know that no matter what happens, you will have my support to the very end. I love you more than I have ever loved another, Charname, more than I thought was possible. I wish you to know that now, before our two fates finally tear us apart. (dialogue ends)

Final Dialogue in the Throne

Only one of the Solar’s dialogue trees written out, for simplicity’s sake.

1. Solar: The time has come, godchild. There is a choice before you...you have prevailed against all that have assailed you, and now you must decide your fate.

The vast majority of the soul essences of the children of Bhaal, Lord of Murder, now belong to you and you alone. You must now decide what to do with this power... be wise, the choice is irrevocable.

PC: What are my options?

Solar: First, you may choose to surrender that portion of the essence which remains with you. It shall be given to Amelyssan...and her soul, with all the essence it contains, shall be destroyed.

Surrendering the essence will allow the gods to remove its evil taint and hide it well within the halls of Mount Celestial, forever preventing it from soiling further souls.

You, Bhaalspawn, would be made a mortal... free to continue your life with a destiny of your own choosing. The manipulations of gods will no longer be your concern and your soul will be untainted.

PC: And my other choice?

Solar: Once Amelyssan's soul is destroyed and the essence released you may accept it into yourself, if you want it, and the Throne of Bhaal will be yours to command.

No doubt you are willing to embrace the sheer evil of Bhaal's essence. Certainly you have ambition to rival Bhaal or his priestess...and you shall assuredly meet the same folly. You disgust me.

The power is yours to command, but it shall also bring godly enemies. Surely Cyric, the usurper of your sire's divine role by edict of Ao the Overfather, will gain an interest in your progress.

Your future is unwritten, but once chosen, the gods know that it will be of significance to the universe. Know, as well, that one does not achieve godhood by simple act of will.

You will have great power among the planes... but your evil taint will cause you to walk your path always alone, and good will ceaselessly counter your plans.

The choice is difficult, but these are your two options, Bhaalspawn. This is where your destiny is realized, and your future begins.

The NPCs then have their chance for a say.

If Keldorn is fallen paladin, romance is over => 2

If romance is active => 3:

2. Keldorn: What a choice! There are few indeed who would turn down such an offer. Imagine the power you could have, Charname! I wish...No. No, there is no point in wishing for things that cannot be. Make your choice, but make it wisely. => 7

3. Keldorn: Can it be that our short time together is over? We have had so few moments, but I am glad for the time we have had. What...what is your decision?

A. I don’t want the essence, it means nothing to me. I want to stay with you! => 4

B. I have to go, Keldorn. I no longer feel I would fit in with mortals. This is my destiny. => 5

C. I don’t know, I can’t decide at all! => 6

4. Keldorn: I would want us to stay together, too, but remember that our time together will not be for long. Torm’s rage gathers around me, but even without a wrathful god after my blood, has it occurred to you that you will outlive me by many decades? => 6

5. Keldorn: I expected no less. Your godsblood has always shone bright within you. You are a glorious person, beloved, and you deserve to grasp this destiny-it is not as if I can offer you anything to compare with it. => 6

6. Keldorn: All I beg is that you make the decision for yourself, not for us, for I suspect there will not be an ‘us’ much longer.

If you choose to take the essence, then I will admire you for it. To become a God...can it be even imagined? Please remember me, the fragile mortal you once loved. I shall never forget you, no matter what...happens.

I want to thank you for our time together. It has been a bright time, I have felt truly alive for the first time in decades. I am honoured to have known you, and I shall always love you, God or mortal. => 7

7. Solar: The time has come to make your choice, Bhaalspawn. What is your wish?

A. I will retain the essence of Bhaal that is my right, and become a power of the planes => 8

B. I do not want the essence of Bhaal. Do what you will with it...I want to remain mortal. => 9

8. Solar: As you wish, though it brings me no pleasure to unleash such an evil onto the cosmos. You are wicked, Bhaalspawn, and your time as a power will be a difficult one, I swear.

If romance is not active =>10

If romance is active:

Keldorn: So... our time ends, does it not? If only we could have had longer together! But, it was not to be. Grow into your power, beloved, and become all that you could be! I...will remember you, for as long as I survive. => 10

9. Solar: Then you shall begin life anew, mortal, without the taint of your sire upon your soul... and the essence of Bhaal shall forever be hidden. You have done well, and freedom shall be your reward.

If romance is not active =>10

If romance is active:

Keldorn: You, you turn down godhood? Astonishing! But...a part of me sings with joy that you and I can stay together. It may be difficult adjusting to having no divine blood, my beloved, but I shall be there to help, for as long as I can...=> 10

10. Solar: Your decision has been made, Godchild. Now the act must be carried out-prepare yourself! (dialogue ends, game ends!)





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