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Misery & Happiness 24


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#1 Guest_IriaZenn_*

Posted 07 August 2006 - 07:59 PM

Chapter 24- The Drow

Ly felt bad for the previous night, sure Haer̀Dalis may have been annoying but that didn’t mean he should die. His latest poem was actually good. If she remembered correctly, it went something like this:

"I once knew a Red Mage of Thay
Who dreamed of lichdom some day.
He said he knew how to do it
But he still managed to screw it
up in the funniest way"

She knew that he had known about Edwin’s transformation but not how he knew. Though if she recalled correctly Anni’s bedroom had been right next to his. She shrugged, it really didn’t matter, she had no room to complain when it came to spying on people. Speaking of spying on people, she was busy watching Haer’dalis’ raven. The girl was with Dawnmaster Talus preparing the poet’s body for burial.

Anni shed quiet tears as she went through the rites, she had never known what god Haer’dalis worshiped so she stuck to what she knew. This was the second friend she was burying Dynaheir being the first, but she had Minsc’ knowledge of her to help. When it came down to it, she really didn’t know anything about him but Anni was supposed to be the leader, she should have known more about him. Maybe if she hadn’t fallen asleep so early and listened to his stories, or asked him about himself maybe she would have known.

-Stop it Annalesca. You never had time to get to know your companion. I was always at your throat commanding you to do things. I was the one who never let you get close to your friends. Remember your teachings, from death, life.- Bhaal chided gently. Her hands jerked as she continued with her duties

“Stop calling me Annalesca. It’s Anni to everyone.” She whispered.

-My darling daughter, I will call you by the name I gave you. The common simians may call you Anni but not I. (No your name is special.)..... Please tell me I did not just speak like that gender-confused friend of yours.- Anni burst out laughing, ignoring the look from the priest.

“You can’t even call him my lover, that’s what he is. Much, much closer than a friend.” She snickered at the disgust she could feel from Bhaal.

-I suppose he is your lover. Though I would be better appeased if he was a warrior, someone who would do well in your upcoming fights.-

“I have Minsc. I’m his witch if you did forget. He will protect me with all his might.”

-Yes I can see he’s protecting you very well inside of his little cell.-

“I just need to find a way to prove his innocence.”

-Start by asking the cleric to leave. Then aim a dart into the shadows to your upper left. Right where the shadows are darker than the rest.-

“Excuse me Dawnmaster Talus, could leave me alone with my friend for a while.”

“Of course, call if you need further assistance.” Anni smiled as she watched the cleric leave, after he left she followed Bhaal’s instructions on where to stand.

Ly watched as the girl rid herself of the cleric, and watched her move around the body making small adjustments. She wasn’t prepared for the dart that came her way. It barely missed her head, in her startled state she lost her footing and tumbled to the ground. She also wasn’t prepared for how hard the ground was when she fell on it, she hadn’t fallen in a while, well except the past night but it wasn’t her fault that the roof collapsed. Maybe she needed to lose weight . . . Whatever the problem had been. She was staring into the eyes of another. Anni stood with her staff against her neck, and she could tell it was the sharpened end. The look in the girl’s eyes made her want to go back to the shadows, right now. Not later. Now.

“Who are you? Are you the drow that Minsc spoke of?”

“Unless that beautiful giant of yours met another, I am she. I am Ly.”

“Did you killed Haer’dalis?”

“Why would I kill one of your party members when I’ve been following you for weeks? I doubt the best way to get close to you is to kill the ones you love or at least care for.”

“Why would you want to get close to me?” Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the drow. “Are you working for Irenicus?”

“Fuck no! I’m working for Gaelan Bayle through him Aran Linvail, the Shadowmaster of Athkatla.”

“So you know how to get to Imoen then?”

“Yeah, you just need five thousand since I paid ten since it seems you keep giving money to the churches and since I’m probably at fault for your friends death, to kinda even the score you know?”

“Oh. I really have no idea what to say.” Anni stood still with her staff at the drow’s neck and thought of her next move.

-Ask her what she saw. Get some proof of her word.-

“Tell me what you saw yestereve. I need proof that Minsc is innocent.”

“Look it was this really creepy guy who was wearing someone else’s skin, it couldn’t have been his, it didn’t fit right in the face, I can’t explain how but I just knew that wasn’t his real skin. I think he might be a skin dancer, a creature that wears the skins of others. I couldn’t stop your friend’s death but I managed to follow him back to the tanner’s.”

“Why couldn’t you stop it?”

“It saw me and said ‘beautiful drow skin to add to my collection it will go well with my Avariel shirt’ and started after me but he found the poet first. I was too scared to come back until I heard people screaming ‘Skinner!’. I don’t like things that want to wear me. One of my biggest fears, one of the ways my god keeps me in line.”

-Ah yes, I remember that how a few of us kept our chosen in line. “Don’t do this or I’ll skin you alive and let you stay that way.” Hehehe.-

“Okay, say I believe you, now what?”

“You can take your pointy stick-“

“Staff.”

“Staff away from my neck and let me get up and we’ll get Minsc out of prison.”

-I believe that you can trust her. Now ease up on your staff.- Anni did like Bhaal told her and let Ly climb to her feet.

“So let’s go get the gang, and I’ll tell them.”

“No first we finish with Haer’dalis.” Anni said solemnly.

---

Anomen and Jaheira walked cautiously through the graveyard, the last visit here had not been pleasant, but it was daylight and surely there wouldn’t be a repeat of the last incident. Nevertheless they were prepared if something happened, but they weren’t prepared for the sight that greeted them. Anni was there in bright robes of rose red, yellow and pink, while next to her was a drow dress in nothing more than a top that barely covered her small breasts and left her flat stomach for all to see, she also wore a skirt that was more a piece of cloth, it was down to mid-thigh and split on the sides. The drow didn’t make any attempt to hide from anyone but had a more of a “come look at me” look. Anomen stopped and took in the appearance of the woman. He had seen prostitutes wearing less that didn’t affect him like this woman did. Jaheira bumped into him when he suddenly stopped walking.

“Anomen, do not stop like that, you are like a steel mountain in that armor. Is there something wrong? Oh I see.” She smiled at the look on his face. “Do not look so shocked, you are a young man after all.”

“What? I never . . . I mean-”

“Move tin monkey. I want this ceremony over as quickly as possible.”

“Why Edwina do you actually care for Haer’dalis and are uncomfortable at his funeral?” Jaheira asked.

“Of course not. I could care less. (I will miss his musing, just not the ones about me.)”

“So the wizard does have emotions for others. I wonder what other changes we will see in this new wizard of ours?”

“I am not your wizard, druid!”

“No, you are Anni’s. Love changes everyone.” A soft very un-Jaheira like smile crossed her lips. Edwina looked at her in surprise and started to sputter.

“I am not in lov-“

“What are you guys waiting for? Get over here.” Anni yelled from the grave sight. Edwina flushed as she turned away from her companions and walked to Anni’s side.

“Anni confessed that she loved Edwin, how can he not love her back?” Anomen asked quietly.

“Some people have a harder time resigning themselves to their emotions. I would know. Let us be done with this.”

---

After the funeral they retired to Ly’s guild house. She explained to them that after they had killed Mae’var she had been given the place for all her hard work and on the condition that she spy on Anni and the gang. When asked why they would need spying on, she simply shrugged and replied she just followed orders like a good little drone. She wasn’t very forth coming with information of how long she had been spying on them, she skirted the issue and would play with the ring on her hand. She explained that she wanted to journey with them, instead of spying from the shadows, she really hated spying.

They discussed the fact they had no thief with them, they would need someone to help with traps until they could free Imoen. Anni had suggested that they might need Ly after finding Imoen, she had a feeling that not all would be right with her. They tentatively agreed that they might need her. She had also mentioned the fact she knew one of the prisoners at Spellhold and that they would be able to help them. At that point Anomen had a confession to make.

“My younger cousin, Yuri was arrested and placed there I believe.”

“You mean Yuri Imlach, the most accident prone wild mage in Athkatla.”

“You know of my cousin?” Anomen was surprised, surely Yuri couldn’t be that accident prone.

“Of course, he works with the Shadow Thieves. He-“

“Yuri does no such thing! He comes from an honorable family.”

“Wow is this awkward. Yu never told you did he?”

“My cousin is not a Shadow Thief.” Anomen paretically growled in Ly’s face.

“Right and I’m not a drow. I’m just a heavily tanned golden elf.” Sarcasm laced her voice. He had to be held back by Anni and Jaheira to keep him from launching himself at her. Anomen repeated himself and Ly rolled her eyes. “Yell all you want, would you like me to parade all the ones here who knows him? Where do you think he’s been able to acquire a licence for magic? From the thousands your father never gave him after Cahan’s death? Whom do you think has been there for him these past years, where do you think he’s been living? Whom do you think help him find out if Yusef was truly in love with Moira and not just using her? How do you think he’s been living for the last sixteen years? You never bothered asking him!” Ly was standing, her chair knocked to the ground, she was nose to nose with him. “I’ve been the one there for him, the Shadow Thieves have been his family, we have provided for him while your father spent every piece of gold that should have been his. Didn’t you wonder why money stopped rolling in when you turned eighteen? The Radiant Heart had stopped paying for Yuri, they finally found out that he wasn’t living with Cor and hadn’t been for years. He’s been living here in this very guild under Mae’var’s thumb until another wizard replaced him. He was free to do Aran’s bidding then. One order being, go to Spellhold and watch the mage Irenicus.” She fairly shouted into his face. Sensing what was going on, members of the guild rushed forward to grab her and stop her from doing something stupid, something she would regret.

“She is correct. I replaced a wizard named Yuri when Mae’var hired me. (Too many wild bursts for Mae’var’s tastes.)” Anomen sat down with a thunk, his head in his hands, he was shaking his head over and over.

“No, it can’t be. Yuri went to live with one of his uncles, the one on his mother’s side. He wouldn’t lie to me.” He said half to himself.

“He didn’t lie. Aran Linvail, the Shadowmaster is his uncle. His uncle was making a power play most of Yu’s childhood and teen years. I was asked to guard Yu. We became best mates along the way. He must have told you about me.” The guild members ease off of Ly, letting her back on her feet, they moved back but still hovered nearby.

“He mentioned a drow friend but never told me the name. We saw so little of each other after Uncle Cahan died in the fire, he was supposed to live with me and Moira but he ran away. Another person in my life I was held back from because of Cor.”

“He was happy here. He was accepted for his skills with inventions and magic. We only had to rebuild the guild twice because of him.” She smiled in memory.

“To slip so far from grace, from honor, to thievery. If only I could have protected him.” It was Ly that had to stop her guild jumping him this time. “And to be replaced by the Thayvian of all people!” Jaheira had to hold back Anni and Edwina.

“Anomen if you have forgotten, Imoen is a thief. She’s been stealing drinks from Winthrop for the two of us since we hit puberty. It doesn’t make her any less of a woman because of it.”

“No it just made you drunks.” Jaheira muttered. She received a black look from said drunk.

“I was more suited to Mae’var tastes, I had no problem with my craft. (Do not tell me I comforted him! What is wrong with me? Must be this female form, yes that’s it.)”

“I apologize. I did not mean to harm anyone’s feelings.” Anomen lifted his head out of his hands. Ly shooed her people out of the room and sat back down.

“Anomen I can understand your feelings but you must realize Aran only did what he could for Yuri. He is a good man, one that is offering to provide transportation to Brynnlaw. It’s where Spellhold is, where Yuri and Imoen are. I’m sure he’s taking good care of her.” She smiled slightly. -Very good care of her.- She thought to herself. Before any more could be said, a young man ran into the room with several others screaming. “What’s going on?”

“Bodhi, she’s attacking!”

“Clara gather the apprentices and get them out of her. Josh, send a message to Renal, and you go to Aran quickly!” She barked out the orders. “That’s our cue to play kiddies.” Ly unsheathed her short sword. The blade was almost as black as her skin. “Anni and Edwina stick with me. The rest of you follow Ellie back toward the fight. Keep them from entering the inner sanctum!”

“Wait why are we going with you?” Anni asked.

“I saw what happened when you last faced Bodhi, I have a whole guild to protect, I can’t let you rampage here. Maybe some other time but not here.” Ly lead the two women to a room and shoved them inside. “Stay in here! I don’t care what my god or Aran thinks if you hurt my people, I’ll hurt you.” She said before closing the door and locking it. She meant what she said, she truly hoped that she would be listened to, she didn’t feel like being at the mercy of her god for eternity.
---

Bodhi looked on as her fledglings swarmed the guild house, their blood hooded cloaks protecting them from the sun. Beside her was Rejiek, the skin dancer under her employ. “I told you to take out the girl’s protector, but you merely had him imprisoned. I will give you one chance to redeem yourself. Her companions must be destroyed, Irenicus is concerned about the mage she travels with, she seems to have a semblance of control over the bhaal spawn. That is your target, kill the mage Edwina.” Bodhi watched the skin dancer enter the guild in all the chaos. She didn’t feel like having another encounter with the girl so soon. The last one had almost been deadly, who knew what power the girl had hidden away. Irenicus had better kill the girl once they were done with her, if not she had her plan.

----
And Ly for you drow lovers...
Posted Image

#2 Guest_Theodur_*

Posted 08 August 2006 - 05:41 AM

"I once knew a Red Mage of Thay
Who dreamed of lichdom some day.
He said he knew how to do it
But he still managed to screw it
up in the funniest way"


And that’s about his most meaningful contribution in the game. :shock:

Anni shed quiet tears as she went through the rites, she had never known what god Haer’dalis worshiped so she stuck to what she knew. This was the second friend she was burying Dynaheir being the first, but she had Minsc’ knowledge of her to help. When it came down to it, she really didn’t know anything about him but Anni was supposed to be the leader, she should have known more about him. Maybe if she hadn’t fallen asleep so early and listened to his stories, or asked him about himself maybe she would have known.


Haer would have probably taken it as if she was smitten with him, so probably not a good idea.

-My darling daughter, I will call you by the name I gave you. The common simians may call you Anni but not I. (No your name is special.)..... Please tell me I did not just speak like that gender-confused friend of yours.- Anni burst out laughing, ignoring the look from the priest.


Poor Bhaal, Eddie is getting him to as well. ;)

Ly watched as the girl rid herself of the cleric, and watched her move around the body making small adjustments. She wasn’t prepared for the dart that came her way. It barely missed her head, in her startled state she lost her footing and tumbled to the ground. She also wasn’t prepared for how hard the ground was when she fell on it, she hadn’t fallen in a while, well except the past night but it wasn’t her fault that the roof collapsed. Maybe she needed to lose weight . . . Whatever the problem had been. She was staring into the eyes of another. Anni stood with her staff against her neck, and she could tell it was the sharpened end. The look in the girl’s eyes made her want to go back to the shadows, right now. Not later. Now.


Very nice, Bhaal being really helpful for a change!

“It saw me and said ‘beautiful drow skin to add to my collection it will go well with my Avariel shirt’ and started after me but he found the poet first. I was too scared to come back until I heard people screaming ‘Skinner!’. I don’t like things that want to wear me. One of my biggest fears, one of the ways my god keeps me in line.”


I want an avariel shirt! And a stuffed Avariel head mounted on the wall! ;)

Anomen and Jaheira walked cautiously through the graveyard, the last visit here had not been pleasant, but it was daylight and surely there wouldn’t be a repeat of the last incident. Nevertheless they were prepared if something happened, but they weren’t prepared for the sight that greeted them. Anni was there in bright robes of rose red, yellow and pink, while next to her was a drow dress in nothing more than a top that barely covered her small breasts and left her flat stomach for all to see, she also wore a skirt that was more a piece of cloth, it was down to mid-thigh and split on the sides. The drow didn’t make any attempt to hide from anyone but had a more of a “come look at me” look. Anomen stopped and took in the appearance of the woman. He had seen prostitutes wearing less that didn’t affect him like this woman did. Jaheira bumped into him when he suddenly stopped walking.


She really dresses oddly for a rogue who doesn’t want to attract attention. ;)

“No, you are Anni’s. Love changes everyone.” A soft very un-Jaheira like smile crossed her lips. Edwina looked at her in surprise and started to sputter.


That’s pretty idealistic from Jaheira, but maybe she realizes how much Khalid changed her. ;)

“You mean Yuri Imlach, the most accident prone wild mage in Athkatla.”


“You know of my cousin?” Anomen was surprised, surely Yuri couldn’t be that accident prone.


Wild Mages generally are like that. ;)

“Of course, he works with the Shadow Thieves. He-“


“Yuri does no such thing! He comes from an honorable family.”


“Wow is this awkward. Yu never told you did he?”


Somehow I sense Anomen won’t take it well.

“She is correct. I replaced a wizard named Yuri when Mae’var hired me. (Too many wild bursts for Mae’var’s tastes.)” Anomen sat down with a thunk, his head in his hands, he was shaking his head over and over.


Poor Ano, it’s not like he needed another stain on his family name.

“To slip so far from grace, from honor, to thievery. If only I could have protected him.” It was Ly that had to stop her guild jumping him this time. “And to be replaced by the Thayvian of all people!” Jaheira had to hold back Anni and Edwina.


Yes, little salt in the wounds, too. ;)

“Anomen I can understand your feelings but you must realize Aran only did what he could for Yuri. He is a good man, one that is offering to provide transportation to Brynnlaw. It’s where Spellhold is, where Yuri and Imoen are. I’m sure he’s taking good care of her.” She smiled slightly. -Very good care of her.- She thought to herself. Before any more could be said, a young man ran into the room with several others screaming. “What’s going on?”


“Bodhi, she’s attacking!”


Huh? My, that’s daring of her! :lol:

Bodhi looked on as her fledglings swarmed the guild house, their blood hooded cloaks protecting them from the sun. Beside her was Rejiek, the skin dancer under her employ. “I told you to take out the girl’s protector, but you merely had him imprisoned. I will give you one chance to redeem yourself. Her companions must be destroyed, Irenicus is concerned about the mage she travels with, she seems to have a semblance of control over the bhaal spawn. That is your target, kill the mage Edwina.” Bodhi watched the skin dancer enter the guild in all the chaos. She didn’t feel like having another encounter with the girl so soon. The last one had almost been deadly, who knew what power the girl had hidden away. Irenicus had better kill the girl once they were done with her, if not she had her plan.


Bodhi and Rejiek? Oh, they seem like a perfect match, really.

And Ly for you drow lovers...
Posted Image


I’ll leave it to Weyoun to drool over, then. ;)

#3 Guest_IriaZenn_*

Posted 08 August 2006 - 12:27 PM

"I once knew a Red Mage of Thay
Who dreamed of lichdom some day.
He said he knew how to do it
But he still managed to screw it
up in the funniest way"


And that’s about his most meaningful contribution in the game. ;)

Yep. I had to include it. Too bad Eddy didn't heard it though...

Anni shed quiet tears as she went through the rites, she had never known what god Haer’dalis worshiped so she stuck to what she knew. This was the second friend she was burying Dynaheir being the first, but she had Minsc’ knowledge of her to help. When it came down to it, she really didn’t know anything about him but Anni was supposed to be the leader, she should have known more about him. Maybe if she hadn’t fallen asleep so early and listened to his stories, or asked him about himself maybe she would have known.


Haer would have probably taken it as if she was smitten with him, so probably not a good idea.

Anni needs the attention, who knows maybe Edwin would have given in sooner.

-My darling daughter, I will call you by the name I gave you. The common simians may call you Anni but not I. (No your name is special.)..... Please tell me I did not just speak like that gender-confused friend of yours.- Anni burst out laughing, ignoring the look from the priest.


Poor Bhaal, Eddie is getting him to as well. :)

Eddie gets to everyone eventually...

Ly watched as the girl rid herself of the cleric, and watched her move around the body making small adjustments. She wasn’t prepared for the dart that came her way. It barely missed her head, in her startled state she lost her footing and tumbled to the ground. She also wasn’t prepared for how hard the ground was when she fell on it, she hadn’t fallen in a while, well except the past night but it wasn’t her fault that the roof collapsed. Maybe she needed to lose weight . . . Whatever the problem had been. She was staring into the eyes of another. Anni stood with her staff against her neck, and she could tell it was the sharpened end. The look in the girl’s eyes made her want to go back to the shadows, right now. Not later. Now.


Very nice, Bhaal being really helpful for a change!

Bhaal: Bah! I am always helpful to my children, well except Sarevok but I swear he drove himself insane not I.

“It saw me and said ‘beautiful drow skin to add to my collection it will go well with my Avariel shirt’ and started after me but he found the poet first. I was too scared to come back until I heard people screaming ‘Skinner!’. I don’t like things that want to wear me. One of my biggest fears, one of the ways my god keeps me in line.”


I want an avariel shirt! And a stuffed Avariel head mounted on the wall! :D

;)

Anomen and Jaheira walked cautiously through the graveyard, the last visit here had not been pleasant, but it was daylight and surely there wouldn’t be a repeat of the last incident. Nevertheless they were prepared if something happened, but they weren’t prepared for the sight that greeted them. Anni was there in bright robes of rose red, yellow and pink, while next to her was a drow dress in nothing more than a top that barely covered her small breasts and left her flat stomach for all to see, she also wore a skirt that was more a piece of cloth, it was down to mid-thigh and split on the sides. The drow didn’t make any attempt to hide from anyone but had a more of a “come look at me” look. Anomen stopped and took in the appearance of the woman. He had seen prostitutes wearing less that didn’t affect him like this woman did. Jaheira bumped into him when he suddenly stopped walking.


She really dresses oddly for a rogue who doesn’t want to attract attention. ;)

She wants someone's attention at the moment...

“No, you are Anni’s. Love changes everyone.” A soft very un-Jaheira like smile crossed her lips. Edwina looked at her in surprise and started to sputter.


That’s pretty idealistic from Jaheira, but maybe she realizes how much Khalid changed her. ;)

Yes, and she misses Khalid very much.

“You mean Yuri Imlach, the most accident prone wild mage in Athkatla.”


“You know of my cousin?” Anomen was surprised, surely Yuri couldn’t be that accident prone.


Wild Mages generally are like that. ;)

Yuri: Well at least I haven't turned myself into a woman and that was a regular mage!

“Of course, he works with the Shadow Thieves. He-“


“Yuri does no such thing! He comes from an honorable family.”


“Wow is this awkward. Yu never told you did he?”


Somehow I sense Anomen won’t take it well.

Nope not at all.

“She is correct. I replaced a wizard named Yuri when Mae’var hired me. (Too many wild bursts for Mae’var’s tastes.)” Anomen sat down with a thunk, his head in his hands, he was shaking his head over and over.


Poor Ano, it’s not like he needed another stain on his family name.


“To slip so far from grace, from honor, to thievery. If only I could have protected him.” It was Ly that had to stop her guild jumping him this time. “And to be replaced by the Thayvian of all people!” Jaheira had to hold back Anni and Edwina.


Yes, little salt in the wounds, too. ;)

Edwina: He should be proud that I was the replacement, after all there is no greater mage in the world than I! (Except perhaps Mother.)

“Anomen I can understand your feelings but you must realize Aran only did what he could for Yuri. He is a good man, one that is offering to provide transportation to Brynnlaw. It’s where Spellhold is, where Yuri and Imoen are. I’m sure he’s taking good care of her.” She smiled slightly. -Very good care of her.- She thought to herself. Before any more could be said, a young man ran into the room with several others screaming. “What’s going on?”


“Bodhi, she’s attacking!”


Huh? My, that’s daring of her! :lol:

In broad daylight no less!

Bodhi looked on as her fledglings swarmed the guild house, their blood hooded cloaks protecting them from the sun. Beside her was Rejiek, the skin dancer under her employ. “I told you to take out the girl’s protector, but you merely had him imprisoned. I will give you one chance to redeem yourself. Her companions must be destroyed, Irenicus is concerned about the mage she travels with, she seems to have a semblance of control over the bhaal spawn. That is your target, kill the mage Edwina.” Bodhi watched the skin dancer enter the guild in all the chaos. She didn’t feel like having another encounter with the girl so soon. The last one had almost been deadly, who knew what power the girl had hidden away. Irenicus had better kill the girl once they were done with her, if not she had her plan.


Bodhi and Rejiek? Oh, they seem like a perfect match, really.

Don't they?


And Ly for you drow lovers...
Posted Image


I’ll leave it to Weyoun to drool over, then. :)


You don't like Ly? ;) Just remember she aims to please. :shock:




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