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Bhaalspawn Union 7 - Amkethran


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#1 Guest_Maidros_*

Posted 21 October 2003 - 08:41 PM

Bhaalspawn Union 7 – Amkethran

In the town of Amkethran the stars shone clearly and brightly from the cloudless, inky-black sky. The terrible heat of the day had finally given way to the slightly cooler night, but the temperature was still uncomfortably high. There was not the faintest breeze to ease the discomfort of the heat, as was testified by the unmoving leaves of the date-palm trees that grew abundantly in the fertile area around the oasis. If the weather outside was unbearably hot, indoors it was worse still. The roofs of the buildings were radiating the heat they had absorbed during the day and rooms felt like the insides of ovens that were baking their inhabitants alive.

Although the night was windless and still, an air of expectation filled the place. Ever since Balthazar had returned to the monastery with several companions, the people of the town were waiting for new developments with mingled hope and consternation. They had guessed that the appearance of such a diverse group as the one that had arrived with Balthazar was something that would lead to strange events, although none knew who exactly the newcomers were or what they had to do with the town. Balthazar’s mercenaries and monks had been no less surprised when their leader returned to Amkethran with his new companions - Inglor surmised that most of them had expected never to see himself or Balthazar again, and his testimony to this idea was the behaviour of the mercenaries with the people of the unhappy town. Inglor knew that if they had arrived just a day later, they would have found Amkethran sacked and put to fire and steel by the rampaging mercenaries who would have tried to recompense themselves by looting the town, since their hopes of war bounty were evaporating with the disappearance of Balthazar. Now the arrival of this group had elicited strange feelings, for a fire giant, a drow, a half orc, a human and an odd looking humanoid had been spotted along with the elf and his group, who had lately visited their town, accompanying Balthazar to the monastery

The mercenary captains were only a little better informed. They had knowledge of Balthazar’s heritage and had joined him in the hopes of sharing the spoils of his conquest, when he would lay the entire Sword Coast waste. Balthazar had done little to discourage these presumptions – it helped him to delay paying their wages with promises of plunder; his resources had been hard pressed by the Bhaalspawn war and he had to maintain the army he needed to fight his siblings. They had seen the other Bhaalspawn - Inglor, and his group, and had also guessed that the drow was the Bhaalspawn Sendai, but were unable to account for the fact that these Bhaalspawn should come together to the monastery. The captains of these cut-throat soldiers were determined to find out what it all meant, and were prepared to do so, by hook or by crook. The appearance of the several Bhaalspawn together had unnerved them and they feared that they would be cheated out of their plunder. Their troops were growing restive at the delay and these developments boded ill.

While the people outside were watching this spectacle curiously, there were important events in progress inside. The monastery itself was built of red sandstone on the vantage point of the town, and it commanded a complete view of the entire area. The outer walls were set into natural formations of the same sandstone on three sides, giving the fortress immense strength. On the fourth side, there was a high wall that was reinforced by dumping a massive amount of earth behind the walls. There were catapults and ballistae that were mounted on the ramparts all the sides of the fortress in striking positions, and Inglor reckoned that the defenders of the enclave could hold out against an attacking force ten times larger than the garrison, with contemptuous ease. The walls were vigilantly patrolled, and by no craft or guile could any enemy approach within ten miles without being noticed by the guards. The fortification was probably also imbued with other kinds of magical defences and traps, but if there were magical defences, they were invisible.

Within the monastery itself, Balthazar and his new companions sat around a large table in the dining hall. The dining hall itself was a vast room that had been built by a Shah in olden days. It retained a great deal of its former glory. In dimensions it was a great hall capable of seating more than a ten score people at any given time. The white marble floor had been polished until it reflected its inhabitants and furniture faithfully and recognisably. The high ceiling was of dark granite and was supported by colossal columns of stone. On the walls hung various trophies and sculptures that reflected the warlike attitude of its current inhabitants. There were engravings of weapons, warriors, wars and victories of great antiquity on the walls. But what struck the visitors most was the impeccable condition in which everything was maintained. The room was brilliantly lit by two massive chandeliers that were suspended by heavy chains from the roof of the great room.

Supper had just been served, and while none of them had eaten for a long time, it was equally true that very few of them did any justice to the fabulous dishes that were prepared. Inglor and Jahiera had contented them-selves with a few morsels of barley bread and a handful of fruits. Abazigal and Sendai barely tasted the food. Aerie and Imoen merely picked at the food, with no heart in it. Only Balthazar and the others ate anything at all. Several times, Balthazar, conscious of his duties as the host had tried to make small talk, but was totally unsuccessful for none of the others were communicative. They all seemed intent to finish the formalities of the supper to discuss the subject that had brought them there. Finally, the plates and cutlery had been cleared away. Now all the eyes of the group were on Inglor, awaiting him to speak his intentions. Inglor, as was previously mentioned, had chosen to resurrect his siblings. He had invited them to Amkethran, with Balthazar’s permission, and had promised to put before them an interesting proposal, which they would perhaps like to consider. Inglor’s original group as well as his new comrades were in the dark regarding his intentions and aspirations, but all of them were curious to know why he had revived the Bhaalspawn and had consequently accepted his invitation.

At the head of the massive oak table sat the host Balthazar, and he was placid and emotionless. To his left was Inglor, apparently imperturbable and distant as ever. On Balthazar’s right was Sendai and the drow looked suspicious and wary of her siblings, especially Inglor, yet regal and domineering. Aerie, and Imoen were seated beside Sendai and from time to time, they looked curiously at everyone as if scarcely able to credit the current company they were keeping. Next to them resided Yaga Shura and he seemed confused by the events that had occurred in the last few hours. At the bottom of the table and nearest the door sat Abazigal, who looked disdainful and contemptuous of the whole proceedings. To Inglor’s left sat Jaheira, silent and composed. On her left was Gromnir and the half-orc seemed like an animal that was trapped and was readying itself for a battle. Illasera and Sarevok were positioned next to Gromnir, and Inglor was unable to make out her expression since Illasera’s face was in the shadow, and Sarevok seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts.

Inglor rose to his feet and spoke for the first time, on the subject of the evening’s conference. His voice was cold and clear, like the breath of an iceberg, absolutely devoid of any mercy, yet equally lacking any manner of cruelty: “I believe that we are now in a position to discuss the real purpose of this conference. You are perhaps wondering why I resuscitated the lot of you in the Throne of Bhaal, when I could have left you all to remain dead and be completely destroyed with Melissan. I shall give you these reasons, and I hope we can come to an understanding, for I have a deal to offer you all.”

He paused and surveyed his companions quietly, and noticed that all of them were listening with great attention. He continued in the same tone, “You all know that you were deceived by Melissan and made her puppets. She used you to gain power for herself, and yet she could not win because there were those who refused to believe her lies. She told you that the Bhaalspawn are the worst enemies of the Bhaalspawn, had you murder your siblings with promises of power, pelf and immortality, while in reality, she needed you to kill the Bhaalspawn to increase her own strength.”

Gromnir growled: “The Bhaalspawn ‘are’ the worst enemies of their own kind. You slaughtered all of us to rise in power and these others murdered the other Bhaalspawn to ascend. There is nothing new in all that”

Inglor bestowed a pitying glance upon Gromnir, “If you will listen to me, I will tell you why it is not so. It is true I did kill the lot of you, but that was not done to rise in power. It was to keep myself alive and prevent the return of Bhaal. It was because I kept faith with the other Bhaalspawn that I survived.”

This was something so unexpected for the Five, that there was a sudden hush of voices in the room. Inglor continued: “We are the only ones that have survived what Bhaal had planned for us. He had never intended any of us to rise to power and become his successors. He wanted us to be the fuel for his rebirth. He wished us to murder each other and destroy much of the Faerun, so that this massacre on a divine scale would allow his worshippers to resurrect him. Melissan was the one who was supposed to do that job, but she had betrayed her master and had sought to become a goddess herself, with you as her slaves. But all this information, you probably know for yourselves.”

Inglor: “But Bhaal did not foresee one thing. He had believed that his children would always fight and kill one another to rise to divinity. He had never believed it possible that the Bhaalspawn would cooperate with one another in order to keep them-selves alive. The Bhaalspawn are the worst enemies of the Bhaalspawn, it is true, but what Bhaal did not anticipate was that the Bhaalspawn are the best allies of their own kindred as well. The Bhaalspawn, when they stay loyal to each other are the best allies.”

Inglor paused once more, carefully gauging his companions’ reactions, and then continued: “You may perhaps find what I say difficult to comprehend. Yet it is true and I shall give you clear proofs of my words. You perhaps know that Imoen is a Bhaalspawn? She and I have been together since our childhood and have saved each other’s lives innumerable times. The two of us were a formidable force, and Illasera and Sarevok found out to their cost that one Bhaalspawn was no match for two working as a team. Yet, had we fought them individually, we would perhaps have been overcome. We then added Sarevok to our group and made a pact with him and you saw for your-selves the result. Three Bhaalspawn on one side have been a very powerful force, unstoppable by anyone of the Five individually, as all of you had found out. Then we met Balthazar and cooperated with him and were able to defeat Melissan, the deceiver, who was nearly a near-goddess. Not all the rest of the power of Bhaal sufficed to get her victory, when she was ranged against four of the most powerful Bhaalspawn.”

Inglor: ”Now I shall give you proofs from your own lives regarding my claims. Initially, when the five of you were gathered together by Melissan, you cooperated with each other and what was the result - most of the other Bhaalspawn that were ranged against you fell like dominoes. Even I, who had conquered you, could not stop the fall and destruction of Saradush when you have been together. But later, you broke faith with one another and thus you were vanquished.”

Inglor: “Now you are perhaps wondering what all this has to do with the present. I shall explain them presently. All of us have many enemies, who wish us dead. So long as the prophecy of Alaundo was unfulfilled, the other Gods and their retainers were prevented from intervening in our lives. Now that constraint is gone and there will be many enemies who will wish our heads, for offences real and imagined. So this is what I propose...”

Abazigal intervened at this stage: “That is all fine, Inglor. But I want you to have a look at this.” He pushed a scrap of parchment across the polished surface of the table towards Inglor, who caught it deftly and read the words, written in Abazigal’s firm hand ‘KEEP ON TALKING’. Even as he slid the scrap or parchment across the table, Abazigal had risen, wraith-like from his chair and moved soundlessly towards the door. Inglor was startled, but continued “Yes that makes sense Abazigal. As I was saying, ...’

In the meantime, Abazigal had noiselessly drawn back the bolts of the door and with a quick jerk, opened it. There was a sharp intake of breath from all the onlookers as a man, who was standing right behind it, almost fell into the room. He apparently had had his ear glued to the keyhole and had been surprised by Abazigal. Even as the man stumbled into the room, Abazigal quickly shut the door and stood with his back against it.

#2 Guest_Dorotea_*

Posted 23 October 2003 - 03:17 PM

I see you have reworked this part and the discussion is now more sophisticated. I like the atmosphere of tension it adds to the story.

In the town of Amkethran the stars shone clearly and brightly from the cloudless, inky-black sky. The terrible heat of the day had finally given way to the slightly cooler night, but the temperature was still uncomfortably high. There was not the faintest breeze to ease the discomfort of the heat, as was testified by the unmoving leaves of the date-palm trees that grew abundantly in the fertile area around the oasis. If the weather outside was unbearably hot, indoors it was worse still. The roofs of the buildings were radiating the heat they had absorbed during the day and rooms felt like the insides of ovens that were baking their inhabitants alive.


Grin. Since I am writing Amkethran again I cannot but appreciate a nice description!

Inglor knew that if they had arrived just a day later, they would have found Amkethran sacked and put to fire and steel by the rampaging mercenaries who would have tried to recompense themselves by looting the town, since their hopes of war bounty were evaporating with the disappearance of Balthazar. Now the arrival of this group had elicited strange feelings, for a fire giant, a drow, a half orc, a human and an odd looking humanoid had been spotted along with the elf and his group, who had lately visited their town, accompanying Balthazar to the monastery


Oh yes - these mercenaries sure were ruthless enough ...

The captains of these cut-throat soldiers were determined to find out what it all meant, and were prepared to do so, by hook or by crook. The appearance of the several Bhaalspawn together had unnerved them and they feared that they would be cheated out of their plunder. Their troops were growing restive at the delay and these developments boded ill.


Makes sense that they would fear the united Bhaalspawns - but would not they also try to win their favor and offer their services? After all mercenaries are all about employment...


Within the monastery itself, Balthazar and his new companions sat around a large table in the dining hall. The dining hall itself was a vast room that had been built by a Shah in olden days. It retained a great deal of its former glory. In dimensions it was a great hall capable of seating more than a ten score people at any given time. The white marble floor had been polished until it reflected its inhabitants and furniture faithfully and recognisably. The high ceiling was of dark granite and was supported by colossal columns of stone. On the walls hung various trophies and sculptures that reflected the warlike attitude of its current inhabitants. There were engravings of weapons, warriors, wars and victories of great antiquity on the walls. But what struck the visitors most was the impeccable condition in which everything was maintained. The room was brilliantly lit by two massive chandeliers that were suspended by heavy chains from the roof of the great room.


Yes, the Monastery is indeed am opulent building and probably has a long and complicated history.


At the head of the massive oak table sat the host Balthazar, and he was placid and emotionless. To his left was Inglor, apparently imperturbable and distant as ever. On Balthazar’s right was Sendai and the drow looked suspicious and wary of her siblings, especially Inglor, yet regal and domineering. Aerie, and Imoen were seated beside Sendai and from time to time, they looked curiously at everyone as if scarcely able to credit the current company they were keeping. Next to them resided Yaga Shura and he seemed confused by the events that had occurred in the last few hours. At the bottom of the table and nearest the door sat Abazigal, who looked disdainful and contemptuous of the whole proceedings. To Inglor’s left sat Jaheira, silent and composed. On her left was Gromnir and the half-orc seemed like an animal that was trapped and was readying itself for a battle. Illasera and Sarevok were positioned next to Gromnir, and Inglor was unable to make out her expression since Illasera’s face was in the shadow, and Sarevok seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts.


It is a bit strange to see them all back and seated together at the same table... Ominous!

Inglor rose to his feet and spoke for the first time, on the subject of the evening’s conference. His voice was cold and clear, like the breath of an iceberg, absolutely devoid of any mercy, yet equally lacking any manner of cruelty: “I believe that we are now in a position to discuss the real purpose of this conference. You are perhaps wondering why I resuscitated the lot of you in the Throne of Bhaal, when I could have left you all to remain dead and be completely destroyed with Melissan. I shall give you these reasons, and I hope we can come to an understanding, for I have a deal to offer you all.”


Sure, go ahead oh grwat master of manipulation. :shock:

Gromnir growled: “The Bhaalspawn ‘are’ the worst enemies of their own kind. You slaughtered all of us to rise in power and these others murdered the other Bhaalspawn to ascend. There is nothing new in all that”


Duh! I suppose he cannot really utilize his brains all that well...

Inglor: “But Bhaal did not foresee one thing. He had believed that his children would always fight and kill one another to rise to divinity. He had never believed it possible that the Bhaalspawn would cooperate with one another in order to keep them-selves alive. The Bhaalspawn are the worst enemies of the Bhaalspawn, it is true, but what Bhaal did not anticipate was that the Bhaalspawn are the best allies of their own kindred as well. The Bhaalspawn, when they stay loyal to each other are the best allies.”


Hmm, sounds interesting. Sure is a novel approach - try to cooperate instead of ripping each other throats out - reminds you of something? :)


Abazigal intervened at this stage: “That is all fine, Inglor. But I want you to have a look at this.” He pushed a scrap of parchment across the polished surface of the table towards Inglor, who caught it deftly and read the words, written in Abazigal’s firm hand ‘KEEP ON TALKING’. Even as he slid the scrap or parchment across the table, Abazigal had risen, wraith-like from his chair and moved soundlessly towards the door. Inglor was startled, but continued “Yes that makes sense Abazigal. As I was saying, ...’


I wonder what he is up to?

In the meantime, Abazigal had noiselessly drawn back the bolts of the door and with a quick jerk, opened it. There was a sharp intake of breath from all the onlookers as a man, who was standing right behind it, almost fell into the room. He apparently had had his ear glued to the keyhole and had been surprised by Abazigal. Even as the man stumbled into the room, Abazigal quickly shut the door and stood with his back against it.


So - somebody is spying on them already? Figures. Here is the opposite side of the coin - altogether they are also even more feared and suspected of all kind of foul play.

It was highly intriguing installment - cheers!

#3 Guest_Maidros_*

Posted 23 October 2003 - 03:42 PM

I see you have reworked this part and the discussion is now more sophisticated. I like the atmosphere of tension it adds to the story.


Thanks. Your review was most helpful.

Grin. Since I am writing Amkethran again I cannot but appreciate a nice description!


I enjoyed your Amkethran and your idea of the hurricane season was excellent - me I have never had the fortune or misfortune to see any hurricane seasons, although in the desert the wind never lets up completely. People have travelled across the Sahara in Sand yachts, using only the wind.

Oh yes - these mercenaries sure were ruthless enough ...


There were unpaid wages as well.

Makes sense that they would fear the united Bhaalspawns - but would not they also try to win their favor and offer their services? After all mercenaries are all about employment...


But it means that they share their plunder among a larger number of soldiers and who knows what each might get? As it is, they are not yet rebellious, they are just being more cautious and curious. Besides they have had a taste of Inglor and his methods and they do not like them - he killed a group of mercenaries who were killing all kinds of living creatures for practice - remember the Darkfire bow?

Yes, the Monastery is indeed am opulent building and probably has a long and complicated history.


Most probably. Also it is a magnficent fortress.

It is a bit strange to see them all back and seated together at the same table... Ominous!


I have no doubt that it is very strange.

Sure, go ahead oh grwat master of manipulation. :shock:


Well, he is trying to manipulate them, but how successful he is will have to be seen.

Duh! I suppose he cannot really utilize his brains all that well...


If he did, I am sure he would never have trusted Melissan and ended up in Saradush.

Hmm, sounds interesting. Sure is a novel approach - try to cooperate instead of ripping each other throats out - reminds you of something? :)


I am sure that if there are other easier and more profitable throats to rip out, they will be pretty slow to turn on Inglor - most of them are out for profit and also Inglor has shown them that his throat is not easy to rip out.

I wonder what he is up to?


He is probably the quickest of the lot to realise things.

So - somebody is spying on them already? Figures. Here is the opposite side of the coin - altogether they are also even more feared and suspected of all kind of foul play.

It was highly intriguing installment - cheers!


Undoubtedly they are feared and hated.

Thanks for reading and commenting.
Regards,
Maidros

#4 Laufey

Posted 24 October 2003 - 08:14 AM

Bhaalspawn Union 7 – Amkethran


In the town of Amkethran the stars shone clearly and brightly from the cloudless, inky-black sky. The terrible heat of the day had finally given way to the slightly cooler night, but the temperature was still uncomfortably high. There was not the faintest breeze to ease the discomfort of the heat, as was testified by the unmoving leaves of the date-palm trees that grew abundantly in the fertile area around the oasis. If the weather outside was unbearably hot, indoors it was worse still. The roofs of the buildings were radiating the heat they had absorbed during the day and rooms felt like the insides of ovens that were baking their inhabitants alive.


Oh, nice descriptive passage here. I imagine this is just what it would be like, I can almost feel the heat of the desert. (No mean feat, considering that it's snowing here.)

Although the night was windless and still, an air of expectation filled the place. Ever since Balthazar had returned to the monastery with several companions, the people of the town were waiting for new developments with mingled hope and consternation. They had guessed that the appearance of such a diverse group as the one that had arrived with Balthazar was something that would lead to strange events, although none knew who exactly the newcomers were or what they had to do with the town. Balthazar’s mercenaries and monks had been no less surprised when their leader returned to Amkethran with his new companions - Inglor surmised that most of them had expected never to see himself or Balthazar again, and his testimony to this idea was the behaviour of the mercenaries with the people of the unhappy town. Inglor knew that if they had arrived just a day later, they would have found Amkethran sacked and put to fire and steel by the rampaging mercenaries who would have tried to recompense themselves by looting the town, since their hopes of war bounty were evaporating with the disappearance of Balthazar. Now the arrival of this group had elicited strange feelings, for a fire giant, a drow, a half orc, a human and an odd looking humanoid had been spotted along with the elf and his group, who had lately visited their town, accompanying Balthazar to the monastery


I think just about anybody would be surprised by such a mixed group. :)


Supper had just been served, and while none of them had eaten for a long time, it was equally true that very few of them did any justice to the fabulous dishes that were prepared. Inglor and Jahiera had contented them-selves with a few morsels of barley bread and a handful of fruits. Abazigal and Sendai barely tasted the food. Aerie and Imoen merely picked at the food, with no heart in it. Only Balthazar and the others ate anything at all. Several times, Balthazar, conscious of his duties as the host had tried to make small talk, but was totally unsuccessful for none of the others were communicative. They all seemed intent to finish the formalities of the supper to discuss the subject that had brought them there. Finally, the plates and cutlery had been cleared away. Now all the eyes of the group were on Inglor, awaiting him to speak his intentions. Inglor, as was previously mentioned, had chosen to resurrect his siblings. He had invited them to Amkethran, with Balthazar’s permission, and had promised to put before them an interesting proposal, which they would perhaps like to consider. Inglor’s original group as well as his new comrades were in the dark regarding his intentions and aspirations, but all of them were curious to know why he had revived the Bhaalspawn and had consequently accepted his invitation.


There is a sense of coldness that permeates the entire dinner scene, I think, a constrast to the heat outside. I think it is not only caused by the natural distrust between the Spawn, but reflects Inglor's personality as well. It is very hard to predict him, and I'd be worried if I were at his mercy, like Sendai and the others currently are.


Inglor rose to his feet and spoke for the first time, on the subject of the evening’s conference. His voice was cold and clear, like the breath of an iceberg, absolutely devoid of any mercy, yet equally lacking any manner of cruelty: “I believe that we are now in a position to discuss the real purpose of this conference. You are perhaps wondering why I resuscitated the lot of you in the Throne of Bhaal, when I could have left you all to remain dead and be completely destroyed with Melissan. I shall give you these reasons, and I hope we can come to an understanding, for I have a deal to offer you all.”


Yes, cold is something I definitely associate with him. Not cruelty though.


Inglor paused once more, carefully gauging his companions’ reactions, and then continued: “You may perhaps find what I say difficult to comprehend. Yet it is true and I shall give you clear proofs of my words. You perhaps know that Imoen is a Bhaalspawn? She and I have been together since our childhood and have saved each other’s lives innumerable times. The two of us were a formidable force, and Illasera and Sarevok found out to their cost that one Bhaalspawn was no match for two working as a team. Yet, had we fought them individually, we would perhaps have been overcome. We then added Sarevok to our group and made a pact with him and you saw for your-selves the result. Three Bhaalspawn on one side have been a very powerful force, unstoppable by anyone of the Five individually, as all of you had found out. Then we met Balthazar and cooperated with him and were able to defeat Melissan, the deceiver, who was nearly a near-goddess. Not all the rest of the power of Bhaal sufficed to get her victory, when she was ranged against four of the most powerful Bhaalspawn.”


Very interesting, and of course he has a good point. I wonder what he will do, should he get his wish and the others join him?


Abazigal intervened at this stage: “That is all fine, Inglor. But I want you to have a look at this.” He pushed a scrap of parchment across the polished surface of the table towards Inglor, who caught it deftly and read the words, written in Abazigal’s firm hand ‘KEEP ON TALKING’. Even as he slid the scrap or parchment across the table, Abazigal had risen, wraith-like from his chair and moved soundlessly towards the door. Inglor was startled, but continued “Yes that makes sense Abazigal. As I was saying, ...’


In the meantime, Abazigal had noiselessly drawn back the bolts of the door and with a quick jerk, opened it. There was a sharp intake of breath from all the onlookers as a man, who was standing right behind it, almost fell into the room. He apparently had had his ear glued to the keyhole and had been surprised by Abazigal. Even as the man stumbled into the room, Abazigal quickly shut the door and stood with his back against it.


Please say it's not Saemon Havarian. :shock:
Rogues do it from behind.

#5 Guest_Maidros_*

Posted 24 October 2003 - 08:41 AM

Oh, nice descriptive passage here. I imagine this is just what it would be like, I can almost feel the heat of the desert. (No mean feat, considering that it's snowing here.)


Thanks for the compliments.
Ah yes, by the way, snow and cold are something I can probably never get used to, having lived most of my life in the tropics and mild temperate lands. I found out the difficulty of managing General Frost in Austria (winters were a running hell for me). :) . I dare not think of anything further north or cold than that.

I think just about anybody would be surprised by such a mixed group. :D


In all probability.

There is a sense of coldness that permeates the entire dinner scene, I think, a constrast to the heat outside. I think it is not only caused by the natural distrust between the Spawn, but reflects Inglor's personality as well. It is very hard to predict him, and I'd be worried if I were at his mercy, like Sendai and the others currently are.


You are absolutely right about the coldness in contrast with the outside heat. I had failed to remark it myself. Thanks for the suggestion, I will use it in my story if you permit it.

Well, he is a deep planner and strategist. It is both his strength and weakness, since his ' logical and reasoning' approach can easily be mistaken for callousness.

Yes, cold is something I definitely associate with him. Not cruelty though.


He can be ruthless, but he is never wantonly cruel.

Very interesting, and of course he has a good point. I wonder what he will do, should he get his wish and the others join him?


Well, it is very doubtful if he ever will have the chance to do things entirely his way; there are external and internal situations constantly demanding his attention.

Please say it's not Saemon Havarian. :shock:


Well, I can promise you it is not.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

#6 Weyoun

Posted 25 October 2003 - 11:36 AM

Bhaalspawn Union 7 - Amkethran


Ah, and so it begins. :shock:

Although the night was windless and still, an air of expectation filled the place. Ever since Balthazar had returned to the monastery with several companions, the people of the town were waiting for new developments with mingled hope and consternation. They had guessed that the appearance of such a diverse group as the one that had arrived with Balthazar was something that would lead to strange events, although none knew who exactly the newcomers were or what they had to do with the town. Balthazar’s mercenaries and monks had been no less surprised when their leader returned to Amkethran with his new companions - Inglor surmised that most of them had expected never to see himself or Balthazar again, and his testimony to this idea was the behaviour of the mercenaries with the people of the unhappy town. Inglor knew that if they had arrived just a day later, they would have found Amkethran sacked and put to fire and steel by the rampaging mercenaries who would have tried to recompense themselves by looting the town, since their hopes of war bounty were evaporating with the disappearance of Balthazar. Now the arrival of this group had elicited strange feelings, for a fire giant, a drow, a half orc, a human and an odd looking humanoid had been spotted along with the elf and his group, who had lately visited their town, accompanying Balthazar to the monastery


LOL! Quite an assortment of cheerful misfits, no? And I think it was a good idea for the 'odd looking humanoid' to change shape before he stopped by. ;)

The mercenary captains were only a little better informed. They had knowledge of Balthazar’s heritage and had joined him in the hopes of sharing the spoils of his conquest, when he would lay the entire Sword Coast waste. Balthazar had done little to discourage these presumptions - it helped him to delay paying their wages with promises of plunder; his resources had been hard pressed by the Bhaalspawn war and he had to maintain the army he needed to fight his siblings. They had seen the other Bhaalspawn - Inglor, and his group, and had also guessed that the drow was the Bhaalspawn Sendai, but were unable to account for the fact that these Bhaalspawn should come together to the monastery. The captains of these cut-throat soldiers were determined to find out what it all meant, and were prepared to do so, by hook or by crook. The appearance of the several Bhaalspawn together had unnerved them and they feared that they would be cheated out of their plunder. Their troops were growing restive at the delay and these developments boded ill.


Good! Those mercenaries deserve everything they get... and I don't mean to say payment of their wages. :shock:

While the people outside were watching this spectacle curiously, there were important events in progress inside. The monastery itself was built of red sandstone on the vantage point of the town, and it commanded a complete view of the entire area. The outer walls were set into natural formations of the same sandstone on three sides, giving the fortress immense strength. On the fourth side, there was a high wall that was reinforced by dumping a massive amount of earth behind the walls. There were catapults and ballistae that were mounted on the ramparts all the sides of the fortress in striking positions, and Inglor reckoned that the defenders of the enclave could hold out against an attacking force ten times larger than the garrison, with contemptuous ease. The walls were vigilantly patrolled, and by no craft or guile could any enemy approach within ten miles without being noticed by the guards. The fortification was probably also imbued with other kinds of magical defences and traps, but if there were magical defences, they were invisible.


Sounds like a very difficult place to take, unless attacked from the sky... There we'd have our odd-looking humanoid for. :cry:

Supper had just been served, and while none of them had eaten for a long time, it was equally true that very few of them did any justice to the fabulous dishes that were prepared. Inglor and Jahiera had contented them-selves with a few morsels of barley bread and a handful of fruits. Abazigal and Sendai barely tasted the food.


Being a bhaalspawn is hungry work, I suppose. ;)

Inglor rose to his feet and spoke for the first time, on the subject of the evening’s conference. His voice was cold and clear, like the breath of an iceberg, absolutely devoid of any mercy, yet equally lacking any manner of cruelty: “I believe that we are now in a position to discuss the real purpose of this conference. You are perhaps wondering why I resuscitated the lot of you in the Throne of Bhaal, when I could have left you all to remain dead and be completely destroyed with Melissan. I shall give you these reasons, and I hope we can come to an understanding, for I have a deal to offer you all.”


Here it comes. ;)

He paused and surveyed his companions quietly, and noticed that all of them were listening with great attention. He continued in the same tone, “You all know that you were deceived by Melissan and made her puppets. She used you to gain power for herself, and yet she could not win because there were those who refused to believe her lies. She told you that the Bhaalspawn are the worst enemies of the Bhaalspawn, had you murder your siblings with promises of power, pelf and immortality, while in reality, she needed you to kill the Bhaalspawn to increase her own strength.”


? What's pelf?

This was something so unexpected for the Five, that there was a sudden hush of voices in the room. Inglor continued: “We are the only ones that have survived what Bhaal had planned for us. He had never intended any of us to rise to power and become his successors. He wanted us to be the fuel for his rebirth. He wished us to murder each other and destroy much of the Faerun, so that this massacre on a divine scale would allow his worshippers to resurrect him. Melissan was the one who was supposed to do that job, but she had betrayed her master and had sought to become a goddess herself, with you as her slaves. But all this information, you probably know for yourselves.”


It was pretty hard to miss. ;)

Inglor: “But Bhaal did not foresee one thing. He had believed that his children would always fight and kill one another to rise to divinity. He had never believed it possible that the Bhaalspawn would cooperate with one another in order to keep them-selves alive. The Bhaalspawn are the worst enemies of the Bhaalspawn, it is true, but what Bhaal did not anticipate was that the Bhaalspawn are the best allies of their own kindred as well. The Bhaalspawn, when they stay loyal to each other are the best allies.”


Good point... Pretty impressive speech too.

In the meantime, Abazigal had noiselessly drawn back the bolts of the door and with a quick jerk, opened it. There was a sharp intake of breath from all the onlookers as a man, who was standing right behind it, almost fell into the room. He apparently had had his ear glued to the keyhole and had been surprised by Abazigal. Even as the man stumbled into the room, Abazigal quickly shut the door and stood with his back against it.


LOL! Busted! ;)

Great stuff, can't wait for more!

---Weyoun
TnT Enhanced Edition: http://www.fanfictio...rds-and-Tempers

---
Sith Warrior - Master, I can sense your anger.

Darth Baras - A blind, comotose lobotomy-patient could sense my anger!

---

"The New Age? It's just the old age stuck in a microwave oven for fifteen seconds" - James Randi

#7 Guest_Maidros_*

Posted 25 October 2003 - 01:48 PM

Ah, and so it begins. :shock:


Yes, it begins.

LOL! Quite an assortment of cheerful misfits, no? And I think it was a good idea for the 'odd looking humanoid' to change shape before he stopped by. ;)


It would certainly have been more impressive if he had come in his original shape, but then the Bhaalspawn do not want to give the game away.

Good! Those mercenaries deserve everything they get... and I don't mean to say payment of their wages. :shock:


Well, they are going to get quite a bit of shock in the coming chapters, but large scale slaughter is not Inglor's style.

Sounds like a very difficult place to take, unless attacked from the sky... There we'd have our odd-looking humanoid for. :cry:


Remember even Sarevok advises the PC not to attempt storming the fortress (but curiously in the game, it can be done).

Being a bhaalspawn is hungry work, I suppose. ;)


The cook is probably going to have tough job, cooking for the taste of a fire giant (any idea what these creatures eat?), a dragon, a drow, a couple of elves, and a half orc - and they may all be a bit touchy.

Here it comes. ;)


Yup.

? What's pelf?


wealth.

It was pretty hard to miss. ;)


And yet everyone missed it when they were alive the first time.

Good point... Pretty impressive speech too.


He is trying to convince them to group together.

LOL! Busted! ;)


I do not envy the intruder. Getting caught like that is, um, a little too dangerous to say the least.

Great stuff, can't wait for more!
---Weyoun


Thanks.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Regards,
Maidros




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