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Ember's Tale 82: Adventurers for Hire


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#1 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 11 September 2007 - 07:42 PM

Chapter 82: Adventurers for Hire


The Copper Coronet was part of a dense cluster of buildings that had, over time, become one solid mass where the houses all shared walls with their neighbours. With no space left on the ground, the houseowners had started to build platforms on the rooftops; they had grown together just like the structures below them, giving the entire block a second level that was sturdy enough to support even a few extra houses. Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.

The platforms were not a safe place to be at night, when thugs and thieves used them as a convenient meeting place, but by dawn, the area was empty. While the life that blossomed in the nooks and crannies of the rooftops was hardly more than one could find in any alley, the platforms offered an escape from the early morning bustle of the streets below. The stillness was one of the things Ember sought when she and Minsc climbed the rickety ladders that led to the rooftops the morning after their reunion with Edwin, but there was also another reason for her to choose that spot for meditation: in all of Athkatla's poorer districts, the platforms were the best place to go to watch the sun rise.

It was a beautiful morning. Puffy white clouds were building in the distance, promising a rainy afternoon, but for now the air was mild, even pleasant; on the platforms, the smells of the city were less pervasive than they were at street level. Reluctant to leave after her meditations, Ember and Minsc decided to stay a little while longer, and sat down to talk about forests and hamsters and other mornings they'd seen as the sun climbed above the walls of the city.

When they finally left the platforms - Boo was getting hungry, Minsc claimed - and returned to the inn for breakfast, they found Anomen sitting at a corner table, polishing his shield with a large, soft cloth. Just like Ajantis used to do, Ember mused. The young cleric looked as if he'd been up for hours; he was already wearing his chainmail, his hair and beard had been groomed, and he looked fully awake and alert. Are they trained to do this when they become squires, or are habits like this a prerequisite for joining the Order?

"Look, our new friend Anomen is awake, too! Minsc will bring breakfast for him as well," Minsc announced, and headed towards the kitchens.

Ember went to the table where Anomen sat. "Good morning," she said. "Do you mind if I join you?"

The Helmite stood up and bowed slightly. "Good morning, my lady! By all means, have a seat." He gestured at the chair beside his.

"Minsc went to get some breakfast. He's bringing some for you, too," Ember said as she sat down.

"That is most kind of him," the cleric replied, and continued polishing his shield. It looked old and showed signs of having been repaired several times, but there were no traces of rust, and the metal gleamed in the faint light that drifted in through the inn's small windows. The shield's only adornment was a simple emblem on its center field: two golden rings, looped through each other, on a field of dark blue.

"My lady, is the wizard truly as skilled as he claims to be?" Anomen asked.

"Edwin? Yes, he actually is," Ember replied, "as long as you don't need a divination spell, that is. He's very intelligent... sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence."

"Aye, perhaps. I find him to be exceedingly abrasive and arrogant."

"As I understand it, he's like every other Red Wizard in that respect."

"Minsc refers to him as an evil wizard."

"Their homelands are enemies, and Edwin was a direct rival of Minsc's first witch," Ember said. "As for him being evil... compared to Minsc, maybe he is. Compared to people like Lehtinan or Rejiek Hidesman, he is not. I wouldn't have let him come with us if I didn't think he cared about Imoen. And I really believe he'll be helpful. He's saved our lives in the past with his magic."

"It troubles me, my lady, that someone who professes to detest thieves - as you claim he does - could so easily enter into employment with them. Why would any man embrace the ways of his foe so willingly?"

"Out of necessity, perhaps?"

Anomen scoffed. "Necessity, or convenience? Even before I was accepted as a squire of the Order, I strove to uphold its ideals. Such moral hypocrisy... I find it repugnant."

"I understand," Ember said. She watched him as he continued to polish the shield, running the cloth over every surface with smooth, practiced movements. "The Order is very important to you, isn't it?"

"Aye, my lady." The cleric smiled. "I can still remember the first time I saw an array of the Order's knights, when I was but a child clinging to my mother's arms. The sunlight glinted off their immaculate suits of armour, and their bright banners moved gaily in the breeze, but what truly struck me was the look of honest pride in the eyes of each knight. From that moment on, my greatest wish was to become a paladin... to ride forth to glory under the Order's pennant." He fell silent, then looked down at his shield and closely scrutinized its top edge.

But he didn't become a paladin. He became a cleric. Ember was tempted to ask why he'd chosen a different path, but something in his change of manner warned her not to delve. Instead, she said, "I haven't told you this, but we travelled for a while last year with another squire of the Order."

Anomen looked up at her. "Indeed? What was his name?"

"Ajantis Ilvastarr, from Waterdeep. We hunted bandits with him along the Sword Coast road. He felt exactly the same about Edwin as you do, by the way."

"Ah, I see! He is now Sir Ajantis; he passed his Test and was knighted late last summer."

Ember smiled. "I am glad to hear that."

"Little Ajantis is a sir? Oh, joyous day!" Minsc exclaimed. Ember turned to see the large ranger behind her, his arms laden with fresh bread, butter, and boiled eggs. "It is a joyous days for other heroes, too. Look what the nice lady cook found for us!" he said happily as he put the food on the table.

"Thank you, good Minsc," Anomen said, and helped him arrange the plates so that all three of them could easily reach everything. "My lady, it occurs to me that we know far less of each other than we should. You do not know of my journeys ere we met, and I am not familiar with your deeds on the Sword Coast. If you would share a tale or two with me, it would be greatly appreciated."

"Well..." Ember chewed her lip thoughtfully. There were several stories she could tell him, but which ones would be wise to share with a squire? Definitely not the bandit camp. Not Candlekeep. Not our hunt for Sarevok. Nothing pertaining to the bounty; it raises too many questions. And not about how we found Edwin; it'd only upset Minsc. "Have you ever heard of a sculptor named Prism?" she finally asked.

"But of course! His renown was well-earned; two of the sculptures at the Orders' headquarters were done by him. As I understand it, he died under tragic circumstances last summer."

Ember nodded. "We were with him when he died," she said, and began the story about the artist who worked himself to death for the sake of a woman he had seen only once.

---

Finding employment was not as easy as Ember had hoped it would be. The town criers of Athkatla were found on almost every street corner, making announcements about gossip, scandals and wars in a distinctive sensationalist manner, but after two days of listening to them, she had not learned of a single matter that might have offered any income.

"Why are we just waiting around in this insipid city when there is work to be done? (We are wasting valuable time!)" Edwin complained as he, Minsc and Ember ate supper in the Copper Coronet. Yoshimo and Anomen were still somewhere in the city, searching for suitable tasks through their acquaintances.

"Don't complain, Edwin," Ember said. "After all, you could help us look for work instead of sitting in your room with your documents all day."

"(Nobody understands!)" Edwin huffed. "May I remind you that my research may well lead to a magical breakthrough of unimaginable importance?"

Ember rolled her eyes at the wizard, and returned her attention to her bowl of soup. According to him, he'd managed to find several leads on the whereabouts of the Nether Scrolls during his time in Athkatla, and he was utterly convinced that finding them would make him the most powerful mage in history. The night before, Ember had asked him why he was planning on keeping them for himself rather than giving them to his government as he'd planned to all autumn; he had fumed and spluttered and told her to mind her own business, only to tell her a couple hours later that it should be obvious that the great power in the scrolls would help them rescue Imoen and therefore was far more valuable in his hands than anywhere else. Ember avoided discussing the scrolls with him after that; to her, the only thing obvious about them was that he'd always intended to get them for himself.

"Don't be sad, little wizard! Boo understands! He wants to leave town, too," Minsc said, then said to Ember, "The noisy little towncriers make his poor hamster head hurt with their big words."

"(That rodent understands less than its owner, if that is even possible,)" Edwin mumbled between gritted teeth.

"We could go to a different town and look for work, perhaps," Ember said. "Crimnor is nearby, and we could easily go even as far as Amnwater or Trademeet."

"How about Imnesvale?" Yoshimo called out from the entrance. Anomen came in behind him, followed by a tall, dark-skinned man with black hair, which he wore in several small braids that hugged his scalp. A cloak lined in purple covered his suit of very fine leather armor, and a curved blade hung from his belt.

"My lady, may I introduce Lord Valygar Corthala," Anomen said, reaching one hand towards the stranger and the other towards Ember. "My lord, these are our companions: Ember of Candlekeep, Edwin Odesseiron, and Minsc."

"And Boo!"

Ember stood up. "Pleased to meet you," she said, and bowed slightly.

"Corthala, you said?" Edwin asked, suddenly curious. "The Corthala who was involved with that planar-travelling sphere a few months ago?"

Lord Corthala sighed heavily. "Yes, I am that Corthala."

"What did you do with the sphere?"

"I sent it away, to where no mage on Toril can reach it."

"Of course you did," Edwin muttered, rolling his eyes. "(Why can nobody appreciate such works of art? Barbarians, all of them!)"

Anomen coughed pointedly. "Lord Corthala is in need of adventurers to accompany him to Imnesvale," he said.

"What has happened there?" Ember asked.

"I do not know," Lord Corthala said. "I have spent much time in the village in the past, and have many connections there. A few days ago, I received a missive from the village. People have been disappearing. Some have been found, insane or dead, but others have vanished without a trace. One of the missing people is the ranger I hired to watch over the village and the surrounding woodlands. Now, they seek my aid. I seek the strength of numbers. Delryn has vouched for your abilities, and has explained your situation. You will be paid handsomely for your assistance. Will you come?"

"We must go save the village! I will crush all of the evil!" Minsc announced. "Even the small, rodent-sized evil... but that is more Boo's job," he added throughfully.

"How handsomely?" Edwin asked.

"You will be paid according to the task, mage. At the very least, five hundred gold."

"That is more than fair," Ember said. "We'll come with you, and hopefully, we'll be able to help."

"Very good. Be ready to leave in the morning. I will meet you here an hour past dawn."

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.

#2 Guest_AlphaMonkey_*

Posted 12 September 2007 - 03:31 AM

The Copper Coronet was part of a dense cluster of buildings that had, over time, become one solid mass where the houses all shared walls with their neighbours. With no space left on the ground, the houseowners had started to build platforms on the rooftops; they had grown together just like the structures below them, giving the entire block a second level that was sturdy enough to support even a few extra houses.


In a couple of thousand years, it'll be just like Coruscant. ;)

Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.


It rained really heavily this afternoon. I looked out my window at the office and saw a rat running under my car. It must've been flooded out of the storm drain nearby. :twisted:

Are they trained to do this when they become squires, or are habits like this a prerequisite for joining the Order?


Harlequin: "I think it's just a prerequisite for being Anomen." (Shakes her head) "When I was in Boot, they used to get us up that early on a regular basis. I never got used to it."

Raven: "Me neither. I like my sleep too much."

"That is most kind of him," the cleric replied, and continued polishing his shield. It looked old and showed signs of having been repaired several times, but there were no traces of rust, and the metal gleamed in the faint light that drifted in through the inn's small windows. The shield's only adornment was a simple emblem on its center field: two golden rings, looped through each other, on a field of dark blue.


I kinda like that image, actually... it does seem to fit him in a lot of ways. He's always trying to be the knight in shiny armor, the kind of guy who impresses folks with the fancy equipment and all of that. But the truth is, behind all the glitz he tries to throw in front of him, he's a little rough around the edges, but still utterly dependable when you need him. I think the way you describe the shield here reflects that. It's an old piece of equipment, but Anomen being Anomen, he's maintained it exceptionally well, and while it may not have as much luster as he might otherwise like, it won't let him down in a pinch.

sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence.


There's a fine line, though between modesty and... well, self-loathing. It's really easy for one to turn into the other... for someone who's genuinely intelligent to just not speak about it all that much, or to actually believe they're not smart.

But (thankfully?) Edwin doesn't have that problem. :D

I think a little humility would do him good. It ain't ever happening, but I still think he could use some.

Anomen scoffed. "Necessity, or convenience? Even before I was accepted as a squire of the Order, I strove to uphold its ideals. Such moral hypocrisy... I find it repugnant."


Enara: (Sighs and frowns) "I wish it were that simple... but then again, you're the knight. Me, I'm a simple sort. I just smash things. But it's always seemed to me that things in the real world are never that easy. Everyone's got an angle, and while it'd be nice if we could always boil things down to 'good' and 'evil,' sometimes you just can't. Sometimes the best you can do is pick the lesser of two evils and hope you don't get too dirty in the process."

Imoen: (Enara variant) "And the sad thing is... sometimes, you get dirty, anyway... no matter what you do."

"Ah, I see! He is now Sir Ajantis; he passed his Test and was knighted late last summer."

Ember smiled. "I am glad to hear that."


Maybe it's because I didn't play BG1 as much as I've played 2, but while I came to like Anomen quite a bit, I never really warmed to Ajantis. True, they're different people, but yeah... (Shrug)

"(Nobody understands!)" Edwin huffed. "May I remind you that my research may well lead to a magical breakthrough of unimaginable importance?"


Won't help you much if you starve to death in the meantime.

But then again, Edwin's never been very good at prioritizing. :D

"(That rodent understands less than its owner, if that is even possible,)" Edwin mumbled between gritted teeth.


Omega Boo: "Honey, we'll see you calculate a ten-jump hyperspace course in under 8 seconds. You do that, then we'll talk. Until then, up with the shut, sweetheart."

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.


I know Val's a lord, but yeah... who ever really thinks of him as one?

Harlequin: "Seriously... I mean... for us, he's just... you know... the Sarge..."

#3 Guest_Theodur_*

Posted 12 September 2007 - 08:39 AM

The Copper Coronet was part of a dense cluster of buildings that had, over time, become one solid mass where the houses all shared walls with their neighbours. With no space left on the ground, the houseowners had started to build platforms on the rooftops; they had grown together just like the structures below them, giving the entire block a second level that was sturdy enough to support even a few extra houses. Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.


Liked that description… always thought that Coronet was a really, really strange… structure. And I only discovered that temple on the roof on my 5th walk through the game!

The stillness was one of the things Ember sought when she and Minsc climbed the rickety ladders that led to the rooftops the morning after their reunion with Edwin, but there was also another reason for her to choose that spot for meditation: in all of Athkatla's poorer districts, the platforms were the best place to go to watch the sun rise.


Deep in the slums, not really a great place where to commune with nature, one would think. ;)

"That is most kind of him," the cleric replied, and continued polishing his shield. It looked old and showed signs of having been repaired several times, but there were no traces of rust, and the metal gleamed in the faint light that drifted in through the inn's small windows. The shield's only adornment was a simple emblem on its center field: two golden rings, looped through each other, on a field of dark blue.


No wonder knights are such sought-after husband material, I bet they love to do dusting and house cleaning as well.

"Edwin? Yes, he actually is," Ember replied, "as long as you don't need a divination spell, that is. He's very intelligent... sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence."


I suffer from the same terrible curse. :twisted:

"It troubles me, my lady, that someone who professes to detest thieves - as you claim he does - could so easily enter into employment with them. Why would any man embrace the ways of his foe so willingly?"


It’s perfectly fine to detest your employer. I know I do!

"Ajantis Ilvastarr, from Waterdeep. We hunted bandits with him along the Sword Coast road. He felt exactly the same about Edwin as you do, by the way."


The boring people just can’t appreciate Edwin’s intelligence. And god knows, Ajantis is as boring a person as you can get. :D

"Well..." Ember chewed her lip thoughtfully. There were several stories she could tell him, but which ones would be wise to share with a squire? Definitely not the bandit camp. Not Candlekeep. Not our hunt for Sarevok. Nothing pertaining to the bounty; it raises too many questions. And not about how we found Edwin; it'd only upset Minsc. "Have you ever heard of a sculptor named Prism?" she finally asked.


Wonder if someone will recognize her as the one who defeated Sarevok and point out that to Anomen.

"(Nobody understands!)" Edwin huffed. "May I remind you that my research may well lead to a magical breakthrough of unimaginable importance?"


Uh-huh… yeah, I’m sure it will. All the gender-confused people are counting on you.

"My lady, may I introduce Lord Valygar Corthala," Anomen said, reaching one hand towards the stranger and the other towards Ember. "My lord, these are our companions: Ember of Candlekeep, Edwin Odesseiron, and Minsc."


Oh… hey Valygar! *mutters something about another boring wizard hater* :D

"Corthala, you said?" Edwin asked, suddenly curious. "The Corthala who was involved with that planar-travelling sphere a few months ago?"


Seems he has done his personal quest already, how convenient.

"What did you do with the sphere?"


"I sent it away, to where no mage on Toril can reach it."


…what did I say just now? Boring… utterly boring. ;)

"Very good. Be ready to leave in the morning. I will meet you here an hour past dawn."


The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.


He seems to be more willing to act like a real lord, rather than the mud-covered stalker in the game. :lol:

#4 Guest_Ananke_*

Posted 12 September 2007 - 05:10 PM

Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.

Tree? :D

But... um. At least now I know where that cow in the slums goes to graze! (And this does rather neatly answer my question from I don't know how back about the Nature Ember finds in Athkatla...)

Also, the description is very clear, and I can see it all. In a word, I love it. :)

When they finally left the platforms - Boo was getting hungry, Minsc claimed - and returned to the inn for breakfast, they found Anomen sitting at a corner table, polishing his shield with a large, soft cloth. Just like Ajantis used to do, Ember mused. The young cleric looked as if he'd been up for hours; he was already wearing his chainmail, his hair and beard had been groomed, and he looked fully awake and alert. Are they trained to do this when they become squires, or are habits like this a prerequisite for joining the Order?

Perhaps they should invite him sometime, when they get to know each other better? No reason why he couldn't polish the shield on fresh(er) air! ;)

"My lady, is the wizard truly as skilled as he claims to be?" Anomen asked.

"Edwin? Yes, he actually is," Ember replied, "as long as you don't need a divination spell, that is. He's very intelligent... sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence."

I don't think so, really... I think he would be one of those people convinced of his own intelligence.

"Minsc refers to him as an evil wizard."

Try casting Holy Smite on him and seeing what happens. :twisted:

Anomen scoffed. "Necessity, or convenience? Even before I was accepted as a squire of the Order, I strove to uphold its ideals. Such moral hypocrisy... I find it repugnant."

I think, Anomen, that someone might point out that technically, eventually, if you stay with Ember, you will enter into employment of thieves, too... :)

"Aye, my lady." The cleric smiled. "I can still remember the first time I saw an array of the Order's knights, when I was but a child clinging to my mother's arms. The sunlight glinted off their immaculate suits of armour, and their bright banners moved gaily in the breeze, but what truly struck me was the look of honest pride in the eyes of each knight. From that moment on, my greatest wish was to become a paladin... to ride forth to glory under the Order's pennant." He fell silent, then looked down at his shield and closely scrutinized its top edge.

Aww... :)

"Little Ajantis is a sir? Oh, joyous day!" Minsc exclaimed. Ember turned to see the large ranger behind her, his arms laden with fresh bread, butter, and boiled eggs. "It is a joyous days for other heroes, too. Look what the nice lady cook found for us!" he said happily as he put the food on the table.

No meat? No milk? No vegetables? Oh, dear.

Although I kind of imagine that with their lifestyle, they would have to eat a lot of fat and carbohydrates, yes... And meat would probably be expensive in the city. But some people should know that there's this thing called vitamins... :)

"Thank you, good Minsc," Anomen said, and helped him arrange the plates so that all three of them could easily reach everything. "My lady, it occurs to me that we know far less of each other than we should. You do not know of my journeys ere we met, and I am not familiar with your deeds on the Sword Coast. If you would share a tale or two with me, it would be greatly appreciated."

Only if we get the Hillgnasher Giants. I want the Hillgnasher Giants!

...however, it occurs to me that your Anomen is infinitely politer than the game one (at least as game Anomen is in the beginning).

Finding employment was not as easy as Ember had hoped it would be. The town criers of Athkatla were found on almost every street corner, making announcements about gossip, scandals and wars in a distinctive sensationalist manner, but after two days of listening to them, she had not learned of a single matter that might have offered any income.

Whoa. Now there's a difference. No random people walking into you offering employment? :D

"Don't be sad, little wizard! Boo understands! He wants to leave town, too," Minsc said, then said to Ember, "The noisy little towncriers make his poor hamster head hurt with their big words."

"(That rodent understands less than its owner, if that is even possible,)" Edwin mumbled between gritted teeth.

Welll... It pains me to break it through to you, Edwin, but it rather is... I would be surprised if he understood more...

"How about Imnesvale?" Yoshimo called out from the entrance. Anomen came in behind him, followed by a tall, dark-skinned man with black hair, which he wore in several small braids that hugged his scalp. A cloak lined in purple covered his suit of very fine leather armor, and a curved blade hung from his belt.

Hello, Valygar! Perhaps, between Yoshimo and you, we'll be treated to a katana fight!

Ember stood up. "Pleased to meet you," she said, and bowed slightly.

...doesn't even say hello... no politer than in the game, I see...

"You will be paid according to the task, mage. At the very least, five hundred gold."

Does he still hate wizards?

Although perhaps the more appropriate question is whether he will live long enough for us to learn it... ;)

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.

Oh, so he has some traces of politeness, after all...


Well... and so, A Quest Begins! :) (And, between you and me, you'll probably finish it first, too. :lol:)

#5 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 12 September 2007 - 07:44 PM

The Copper Coronet was part of a dense cluster of buildings that had, over time, become one solid mass where the houses all shared walls with their neighbours. With no space left on the ground, the houseowners had started to build platforms on the rooftops; they had grown together just like the structures below them, giving the entire block a second level that was sturdy enough to support even a few extra houses.


In a couple of thousand years, it'll be just like Coruscant. :D


;)

Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.


It rained really heavily this afternoon. I looked out my window at the office and saw a rat running under my car. It must've been flooded out of the storm drain nearby. :twisted:


I remember seeing a rat in the street when I went to university.

The only creatures I run into in the streets here are reindeer. (No, I am not joking!)

Are they trained to do this when they become squires, or are habits like this a prerequisite for joining the Order?


Harlequin: "I think it's just a prerequisite for being Anomen." (Shakes her head) "When I was in Boot, they used to get us up that early on a regular basis. I never got used to it."

Raven: "Me neither. I like my sleep too much."


Ember: I kind of suspect Ajantis enjoyed it, though.

"That is most kind of him," the cleric replied, and continued polishing his shield. It looked old and showed signs of having been repaired several times, but there were no traces of rust, and the metal gleamed in the faint light that drifted in through the inn's small windows. The shield's only adornment was a simple emblem on its center field: two golden rings, looped through each other, on a field of dark blue.


I kinda like that image, actually... it does seem to fit him in a lot of ways. He's always trying to be the knight in shiny armor, the kind of guy who impresses folks with the fancy equipment and all of that. But the truth is, behind all the glitz he tries to throw in front of him, he's a little rough around the edges, but still utterly dependable when you need him. I think the way you describe the shield here reflects that. It's an old piece of equipment, but Anomen being Anomen, he's maintained it exceptionally well, and while it may not have as much luster as he might otherwise like, it won't let him down in a pinch.


Need I say that I Have (half-baked) Plans involving that shield?

I think a little humility would do him good. It ain't ever happening, but I still think he could use some.


Edwin: Only the inferior need that mental attribute!

Anomen scoffed. "Necessity, or convenience? Even before I was accepted as a squire of the Order, I strove to uphold its ideals. Such moral hypocrisy... I find it repugnant."


Enara: (Sighs and frowns) "I wish it were that simple... but then again, you're the knight. Me, I'm a simple sort. I just smash things. But it's always seemed to me that things in the real world are never that easy. Everyone's got an angle, and while it'd be nice if we could always boil things down to 'good' and 'evil,' sometimes you just can't. Sometimes the best you can do is pick the lesser of two evils and hope you don't get too dirty in the process."

Imoen: (Enara variant) "And the sad thing is... sometimes, you get dirty, anyway... no matter what you do."


Anomen: The world would be a far better place if such unfortunate circumstances could be wholly avoided. The Order strives to make such things possible!

"Ah, I see! He is now Sir Ajantis; he passed his Test and was knighted late last summer."

Ember smiled. "I am glad to hear that."


Maybe it's because I didn't play BG1 as much as I've played 2, but while I came to like Anomen quite a bit, I never really warmed to Ajantis. True, they're different people, but yeah... (Shrug)


Ajantis is too good to be of real interest. He's the model paladin squire.

"(Nobody understands!)" Edwin huffed. "May I remind you that my research may well lead to a magical breakthrough of unimaginable importance?"


Won't help you much if you starve to death in the meantime.

But then again, Edwin's never been very good at prioritizing. :D


Edwin: Besides, such matters are what cooks and serving girls are for.

"(That rodent understands less than its owner, if that is even possible,)" Edwin mumbled between gritted teeth.


Omega Boo: "Honey, we'll see you calculate a ten-jump hyperspace course in under 8 seconds. You do that, then we'll talk. Until then, up with the shut, sweetheart."


:lol:

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.


I know Val's a lord, but yeah... who ever really thinks of him as one?


It's all in the introduction. (Note that they don't know Anomen is also a lord of sorts yet!)

#6 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 12 September 2007 - 07:48 PM

The Copper Coronet was part of a dense cluster of buildings that had, over time, become one solid mass where the houses all shared walls with their neighbours. With no space left on the ground, the houseowners had started to build platforms on the rooftops; they had grown together just like the structures below them, giving the entire block a second level that was sturdy enough to support even a few extra houses. Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.


Liked that description… always thought that Coronet was a really, really strange… structure. And I only discovered that temple on the roof on my 5th walk through the game!


I remember the houses, but I tend to forget that one of them is a temple, and I also forget that there is at least one merchant up there :D

The stillness was one of the things Ember sought when she and Minsc climbed the rickety ladders that led to the rooftops the morning after their reunion with Edwin, but there was also another reason for her to choose that spot for meditation: in all of Athkatla's poorer districts, the platforms were the best place to go to watch the sun rise.


Deep in the slums, not really a great place where to commune with nature, one would think. :D


She'll take what she can get, and there's enough that it's not really worth a long and risky walk to the parks in the wealthier districts.

"That is most kind of him," the cleric replied, and continued polishing his shield. It looked old and showed signs of having been repaired several times, but there were no traces of rust, and the metal gleamed in the faint light that drifted in through the inn's small windows. The shield's only adornment was a simple emblem on its center field: two golden rings, looped through each other, on a field of dark blue.


No wonder knights are such sought-after husband material, I bet they love to do dusting and house cleaning as well.


:)

"Edwin? Yes, he actually is," Ember replied, "as long as you don't need a divination spell, that is. He's very intelligent... sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence."


I suffer from the same terrible curse. :twisted:


Oh, you poor thing ;)

"Ajantis Ilvastarr, from Waterdeep. We hunted bandits with him along the Sword Coast road. He felt exactly the same about Edwin as you do, by the way."


The boring people just can’t appreciate Edwin’s intelligence. And god knows, Ajantis is as boring a person as you can get. :lol:


I dunno.. I've seen worse.

"Well..." Ember chewed her lip thoughtfully. There were several stories she could tell him, but which ones would be wise to share with a squire? Definitely not the bandit camp. Not Candlekeep. Not our hunt for Sarevok. Nothing pertaining to the bounty; it raises too many questions. And not about how we found Edwin; it'd only upset Minsc. "Have you ever heard of a sculptor named Prism?" she finally asked.


Wonder if someone will recognize her as the one who defeated Sarevok and point out that to Anomen.


No, because she's not The One who Defeated Sarevok. That person's in Spellhold :)

"Corthala, you said?" Edwin asked, suddenly curious. "The Corthala who was involved with that planar-travelling sphere a few months ago?"


Seems he has done his personal quest already, how convenient.


Isn't it?

"What did you do with the sphere?"

"I sent it away, to where no mage on Toril can reach it."


…what did I say just now? Boring… utterly boring. :)


;)

"Very good. Be ready to leave in the morning. I will meet you here an hour past dawn."

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.


He seems to be more willing to act like a real lord, rather than the mud-covered stalker in the game. :)


With those colours on his clothes, I never really saw him as mud-covered.

#7 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 12 September 2007 - 07:55 PM

Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.

Tree? ;)


I've seen trees grow on rock faces before. A mere building should be able to accumulate enough soil :)

But... um. At least now I know where that cow in the slums goes to graze! (And this does rather neatly answer my question from I don't know how back about the Nature Ember finds in Athkatla...)

Also, the description is very clear, and I can see it all. In a word, I love it. :)


Thanks :)

When they finally left the platforms - Boo was getting hungry, Minsc claimed - and returned to the inn for breakfast, they found Anomen sitting at a corner table, polishing his shield with a large, soft cloth. Just like Ajantis used to do, Ember mused. The young cleric looked as if he'd been up for hours; he was already wearing his chainmail, his hair and beard had been groomed, and he looked fully awake and alert. Are they trained to do this when they become squires, or are habits like this a prerequisite for joining the Order?

Perhaps they should invite him sometime, when they get to know each other better? No reason why he couldn't polish the shield on fresh(er) air! ;)


Well, they're about to leave town for the first time, which should give them a better chance to notice that they do meditate/pray for spells at the same time of day :)

"My lady, is the wizard truly as skilled as he claims to be?" Anomen asked.

"Edwin? Yes, he actually is," Ember replied, "as long as you don't need a divination spell, that is. He's very intelligent... sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence."

I don't think so, really... I think he would be one of those people convinced of his own intelligence.


Hmm, you're probably right.

"Minsc refers to him as an evil wizard."

Try casting Holy Smite on him and seeing what happens. :twisted:


Heh, I'm trying to avoid explicit mention of the good/evil labels :D

Anomen scoffed. "Necessity, or convenience? Even before I was accepted as a squire of the Order, I strove to uphold its ideals. Such moral hypocrisy... I find it repugnant."

I think, Anomen, that someone might point out that technically, eventually, if you stay with Ember, you will enter into employment of thieves, too... :(


Anomen: The lady has already all but informed me of that fact :(

"Little Ajantis is a sir? Oh, joyous day!" Minsc exclaimed. Ember turned to see the large ranger behind her, his arms laden with fresh bread, butter, and boiled eggs. "It is a joyous days for other heroes, too. Look what the nice lady cook found for us!" he said happily as he put the food on the table.

No meat? No milk? No vegetables? Oh, dear.

Although I kind of imagine that with their lifestyle, they would have to eat a lot of fat and carbohydrates, yes... And meat would probably be expensive in the city. But some people should know that there's this thing called vitamins... :P


Minsc: Minsc has only two arms to carry things with!

And one meal need not reflect an entire lifestyle (and I wanted eggses the day I wrote that :) )

"Thank you, good Minsc," Anomen said, and helped him arrange the plates so that all three of them could easily reach everything. "My lady, it occurs to me that we know far less of each other than we should. You do not know of my journeys ere we met, and I am not familiar with your deeds on the Sword Coast. If you would share a tale or two with me, it would be greatly appreciated."

Only if we get the Hillgnasher Giants. I want the Hillgnasher Giants!


We'll see! :)

...however, it occurs to me that your Anomen is infinitely politer than the game one (at least as game Anomen is in the beginning).


What, with less bluster? Don't worry, I'll try to fit some in.

Finding employment was not as easy as Ember had hoped it would be. The town criers of Athkatla were found on almost every street corner, making announcements about gossip, scandals and wars in a distinctive sensationalist manner, but after two days of listening to them, she had not learned of a single matter that might have offered any income.

Whoa. Now there's a difference. No random people walking into you offering employment? :D


No, can you believe it?! :D


"(That rodent understands less than its owner, if that is even possible,)" Edwin mumbled between gritted teeth.

Welll... It pains me to break it through to you, Edwin, but it rather is... I would be surprised if he understood more...


:D

"How about Imnesvale?" Yoshimo called out from the entrance. Anomen came in behind him, followed by a tall, dark-skinned man with black hair, which he wore in several small braids that hugged his scalp. A cloak lined in purple covered his suit of very fine leather armor, and a curved blade hung from his belt.

Hello, Valygar! Perhaps, between Yoshimo and you, we'll be treated to a katana fight!


Well, since I wouldn't be up to the task of writing one...

Ember stood up. "Pleased to meet you," she said, and bowed slightly.

...doesn't even say hello... no politer than in the game, I see...


To give him some credit, he didn't exactly get a chance to before someone started to pester him about that infernal sphere.

"You will be paid according to the task, mage. At the very least, five hundred gold."

Does he still hate wizards?


Yes. Maybe not as much as before, but it's still there.

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.

Oh, so he has some traces of politeness, after all...


Yes. That, and brief sentences.

Well... and so, A Quest Begins! :) (And, between you and me, you'll probably finish it first, too. :lol:)


Well, I guess that depends on how much I pare it down :)

#8 Guest_Futurist_*

Posted 13 September 2007 - 04:55 AM

The Copper Coronet was part of a dense cluster of buildings that had, over time, become one solid mass where the houses all shared walls with their neighbours. With no space left on the ground, the houseowners had started to build platforms on the rooftops; they had grown together just like the structures below them, giving the entire block a second level that was sturdy enough to support even a few extra houses. Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.


A very vivid picture. I like it.

"Edwin? Yes, he actually is," Ember replied, "as long as you don't need a divination spell, that is. He's very intelligent... sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence."


Might be something in his upbrining too...


"Their homelands are enemies, and Edwin was a direct rival of Minsc's first witch," Ember said. "As for him being evil... compared to Minsc, maybe he is. Compared to people like Lehtinan or Rejiek Hidesman, he is not. I wouldn't have let him come with us if I didn't think he cared about Imoen. And I really believe he'll be helpful. He's saved our lives in the past with his magic."


Well, that much is true.

"Little Ajantis is a sir? Oh, joyous day!" Minsc exclaimed. Ember turned to see the large ranger behind her, his arms laden with fresh bread, butter, and boiled eggs. "It is a joyous days for other heroes, too. Look what the nice lady cook found for us!" he said happily as he put the food on the table.


Well, seems like he got seomwhere at least. IIRC he was kind of an ass.

Ember rolled her eyes at the wizard, and returned her attention to her bowl of soup. According to him, he'd managed to find several leads on the whereabouts of the Nether Scrolls during his time in Athkatla, and he was utterly convinced that finding them would make him the most powerful mage in history. The night before, Ember had asked him why he was planning on keeping them for himself rather than giving them to his government as he'd planned to all autumn; he had fumed and spluttered and told her to mind her own business, only to tell her a couple hours later that it should be obvious that the great power in the scrolls would help them rescue Imoen and therefore was far more valuable in his hands than anywhere else. Ember avoided discussing the scrolls with him after that; to her, the only thing obvious about them was that he'd always intended to get them for himself.


Well, they are going to be hillarious once you get them. :twisted:

"Corthala, you said?" Edwin asked, suddenly curious. "The Corthala who was involved with that planar-travelling sphere a few months ago?"

Lord Corthala sighed heavily. "Yes, I am that Corthala."

"What did you do with the sphere?"

"I sent it away, to where no mage on Toril can reach it."

"Of course you did," Edwin muttered, rolling his eyes. "(Why can nobody appreciate such works of art? Barbarians, all of them!)"


Ah, so he solved that one himself?

"That is more than fair," Ember said. "We'll come with you, and hopefully, we'll be able to help."

"Very good. Be ready to leave in the morning. I will meet you here an hour past dawn."

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.


Ah, Dragons, halflings and shade lords... coming up!

#9 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 13 September 2007 - 03:19 PM


The Copper Coronet was part of a dense cluster of buildings that had, over time, become one solid mass where the houses all shared walls with their neighbours. With no space left on the ground, the houseowners had started to build platforms on the rooftops; they had grown together just like the structures below them, giving the entire block a second level that was sturdy enough to support even a few extra houses. Birds and rats thrived under the shelter of the platforms, cats fed on the smaller animals, and droppings, leaves, and other forms of debris that accumulated in cracks provided enough soil for wildflowers and even the occasional tree to grow there, far above ground.


A very vivid picture. I like it.


Thanks!


"Edwin? Yes, he actually is," Ember replied, "as long as you don't need a divination spell, that is. He's very intelligent... sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence."


Might be something in his upbrining too...


Ah yes, the loving, caring Thayvian society...

Edwin: It merely served to enhance my innate perfection!


"Their homelands are enemies, and Edwin was a direct rival of Minsc's first witch," Ember said. "As for him being evil... compared to Minsc, maybe he is. Compared to people like Lehtinan or Rejiek Hidesman, he is not. I wouldn't have let him come with us if I didn't think he cared about Imoen. And I really believe he'll be helpful. He's saved our lives in the past with his magic."


Well, that much is true.


My rule of thumb for Edwin: he can never be so bad that my other characters won't tolerate him.


"Little Ajantis is a sir? Oh, joyous day!" Minsc exclaimed. Ember turned to see the large ranger behind her, his arms laden with fresh bread, butter, and boiled eggs. "It is a joyous days for other heroes, too. Look what the nice lady cook found for us!" he said happily as he put the food on the table.


Well, seems like he got seomwhere at least. IIRC he was kind of an ass.


I kind of liked him while I was writing him. But yes, he is very much the archetypical perfect paladin, by Helm! - and that can come across as asinine or boring.


Ember rolled her eyes at the wizard, and returned her attention to her bowl of soup. According to him, he'd managed to find several leads on the whereabouts of the Nether Scrolls during his time in Athkatla, and he was utterly convinced that finding them would make him the most powerful mage in history. The night before, Ember had asked him why he was planning on keeping them for himself rather than giving them to his government as he'd planned to all autumn; he had fumed and spluttered and told her to mind her own business, only to tell her a couple hours later that it should be obvious that the great power in the scrolls would help them rescue Imoen and therefore was far more valuable in his hands than anywhere else. Ember avoided discussing the scrolls with him after that; to her, the only thing obvious about them was that he'd always intended to get them for himself.


Well, they are going to be hillarious once you get them. ;)


You know, my notes actually refer to the event as 'with hilarious consequences' :twisted:


"Corthala, you said?" Edwin asked, suddenly curious. "The Corthala who was involved with that planar-travelling sphere a few months ago?"

Lord Corthala sighed heavily. "Yes, I am that Corthala."

"What did you do with the sphere?"

"I sent it away, to where no mage on Toril can reach it."

"Of course you did," Edwin muttered, rolling his eyes. "(Why can nobody appreciate such works of art? Barbarians, all of them!)"


Ah, so he solved that one himself?


Well, he did have some help, but it wasn't Ember's group :D


"That is more than fair," Ember said. "We'll come with you, and hopefully, we'll be able to help."

"Very good. Be ready to leave in the morning. I will meet you here an hour past dawn."

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.


Ah, Dragons, halflings and shade lords... coming up!


:D

#10 Guest_CrazeeFfan_*

Posted 13 September 2007 - 09:14 PM

A different Valygar to what I am used to, but a nice, and probably more well-rounded version of him than most. He can't only have his "MAGIC IS BAD!" attitude and nothing else, right? Though, I always assumed that he shunned his duties as a noble because he didn't want anything to do with his family (because of the magic thing), so I am interested to see what your interpretation of his character is like.

Maybe I'm looking too much into

One of the missing people is the ranger I hired to watch over the village and the surrounding woodlands.

. When I read that, I assumed he meant as in it was his land, though now I've thought about it, he could just be acting charitably.

I'm rambling. What's new? I loved Anomen's sheild talk, which was really sweet, and I also found Ember not deeming any of her previous quests suitable for idealistic and impressionable Anomen very amusing. Especially that she settled for such a minor one.

So, we're shade-hunting, are we? I hope they have their enchanted weapons ready. You wouldn't believe how many times I've done this quest first thing only to have all of my characters not being able to deal damage. Damn Chateau Irenicus with its regular weapons. Thank Gods for Yoshi's magical katana is all I can say. Saved my arse too many times to count...

...

Loved the chapter. You tie me to the chair whilst I cover my mouth with duct tape. It's like having verbal diorea, I swear :shock:

#11 Guest_Wyvern_*

Posted 15 September 2007 - 03:42 AM

Haven't commented in a long time - but though I'd let you know I've been enjoying Ember's tale.

Especially the way the NPCs don't sit around waiting for CHARNAME to come along and solve all their problems.

Valygar never did seem like the type of person who would sulk for months in a cabin in the woods rather than rounding up some ranger friends and tackling that planar sphere.

/me goes back to lurking in the shadows.

#12 Guest_AlphaMonkey_*

Posted 15 September 2007 - 05:00 PM

/me is a Seraph with enhanced senses!

/me lets fly an arrow from Flashpoint, his Compound Bow at Wyvern. He hits and deals 46 points of Holy damage! The attack was charged with Holy power. The smite dealt extra damage because she is an Infernal Behemoth! 3 points of that damage was due to factional control. He gains 46 Experience Points! Her armor soaked 6 points of damage.

(This is my way of saying we miss you around here. :shock: )

#13 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 15 September 2007 - 09:34 PM

A different Valygar to what I am used to, but a nice, and probably more well-rounded version of him than most. He can't only have his "MAGIC IS BAD!" attitude and nothing else, right? Though, I always assumed that he shunned his duties as a noble because he didn't want anything to do with his family (because of the magic thing), so I am interested to see what your interpretation of his character is like.


Well, he'll be more assertive, for one thing, but I hope he won't veer too far from his game persona (other than not sitting around twiddling his thumbs waiting for the PC to stop by his cabin so he can go hunt Lavok with them rather than with his ranger friends that loiter around his cabin).

Maybe I'm looking too much into

One of the missing people is the ranger I hired to watch over the village and the surrounding woodlands.

. When I read that, I assumed he meant as in it was his land, though now I've thought about it, he could just be acting charitably.


I don't think he owns the village, but he definitely has ties to it and feels a responsibility for it.

I'm rambling. What's new? I loved Anomen's sheild talk, which was really sweet, and I also found Ember not deeming any of her previous quests suitable for idealistic and impressionable Anomen very amusing. Especially that she settled for such a minor one.


Thanks :cry:

So, we're shade-hunting, are we? I hope they have their enchanted weapons ready. You wouldn't believe how many times I've done this quest first thing only to have all of my characters not being able to deal damage. Damn Chateau Irenicus with its regular weapons. Thank Gods for Yoshi's magical katana is all I can say. Saved my arse too many times to count...


Oh yes, everyone's appropriately armed. Ember and Minsc have been wielding magic since freeing the Copper Coronet, I let Anomen have an enchanted war hammer, and the other two have their katanas.

Loved the chapter. You tie me to the chair whilst I cover my mouth with duct tape. It's like having verbal diorea, I swear :shock:


:(

#14 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 15 September 2007 - 09:39 PM

Haven't commented in a long time - but though I'd let you know I've been enjoying Ember's tale.


Thanks!

Especially the way the NPCs don't sit around waiting for CHARNAME to come along and solve all their problems.


It's been a guideline of mine since I started: NPCs and townspeople are not utterly helpless without the PC around to do their work for them (and that goes doubly for law enforcement officers!) :(

Valygar never did seem like the type of person who would sulk for months in a cabin in the woods rather than rounding up some ranger friends and tackling that planar sphere.


Exactly! In the game, he's just 'I am hiding from the Cowlies and my old relative! But now that you are here... even though I don't know a single thing about you, other than you possibly having being hired to find me by Tolgerias, why don't we go enter that sphere I've been avoiding?' :shock:

/me goes back to lurking in the shadows.


Aw, hopefully not permanently! (Seraph attacks aside :cry: )

#15 Guest_Coutelier_*

Posted 26 September 2007 - 04:50 PM

The platforms were not a safe place to be at night, when thugs and thieves used them as a convenient meeting place, but by dawn, the area was empty. While the life that blossomed in the nooks and crannies of the rooftops was hardly more than one could find in any alley, the platforms offered an escape from the early morning bustle of the streets below. The stillness was one of the things Ember sought when she and Minsc climbed the rickety ladders that led to the rooftops the morning after their reunion with Edwin, but there was also another reason for her to choose that spot for meditation: in all of Athkatla's poorer districts, the platforms were the best place to go to watch the sun rise.


Tarant: Hmph... not going to start with all that 'oh look, the sun is rising' rubbish. Once you've seen one sun rise you've seen them all.

Imoen: Ahhh... you said the same thing about The Great Wall of China.

"Edwin? Yes, he actually is," Ember replied, "as long as you don't need a divination spell, that is. He's very intelligent... sometimes, I wonder if he might not have been a nicer person if he hadn't been so aware of his intelligence."


Ah... vanity. That's why I think I'd like to team up Edwin with Aerie more often, since they're at opposite ends of the spectrum with regards to that. It's a fine example of balancing your virtues.

"Little Ajantis is a sir? Oh, joyous day!" Minsc exclaimed. Ember turned to see the large ranger behind her, his arms laden with fresh bread, butter, and boiled eggs. "It is a joyous days for other heroes, too. Look what the nice lady cook found for us!" he said happily as he put the food on the table.


Imoen: Little Ajantis? Well... I guess compared to you...

"Thank you, good Minsc," Anomen said, and helped him arrange the plates so that all three of them could easily reach everything. "My lady, it occurs to me that we know far less of each other than we should. You do not know of my journeys ere we met, and I am not familiar with your deeds on the Sword Coast. If you would share a tale or two with me, it would be greatly appreciated."


Tarant: Or for something more entertaining than listening to Anomen's tales, I could smash your head in with a lead pipe.

"But of course! His renown was well-earned; two of the sculptures at the Orders' headquarters were done by him. As I understand it, he died under tragic circumstances last summer."

Ember nodded. "We were with him when he died," she said, and began the story about the artist who worked himself to death for the sake of a woman he had seen only once.


Tarant: Ellesime... to be honest I was kind of disappointed when I finally saw her for real.

Ember rolled her eyes at the wizard, and returned her attention to her bowl of soup. According to him, he'd managed to find several leads on the whereabouts of the Nether Scrolls during his time in Athkatla, and he was utterly convinced that finding them would make him the most powerful mage in history. The night before, Ember had asked him why he was planning on keeping them for himself rather than giving them to his government as he'd planned to all autumn; he had fumed and spluttered and told her to mind her own business, only to tell her a couple hours later that it should be obvious that the great power in the scrolls would help them rescue Imoen and therefore was far more valuable in his hands than anywhere else. Ember avoided discussing the scrolls with him after that; to her, the only thing obvious about them was that he'd always intended to get them for himself.


Edwin: And why should Edwin share? He's put all the effort in to actually finding them. Finders, keepers I say.

"My lady, may I introduce Lord Valygar Corthala," Anomen said, reaching one hand towards the stranger and the other towards Ember. "My lord, these are our companions: Ember of Candlekeep, Edwin Odesseiron, and Minsc."

"And Boo!"

Ember stood up. "Pleased to meet you," she said, and bowed slightly.


Tarant: Why are you bowing to him? I guess I'm not really up on all the etiquette. Don't really care either.

"What did you do with the sphere?"

"I sent it away, to where no mage on Toril can reach it."

"Of course you did," Edwin muttered, rolling his eyes. "(Why can nobody appreciate such works of art? Barbarians, all of them!)"


Edwin: Always standing in the way of progress...

"You will be paid according to the task, mage. At the very least, five hundred gold."

"That is more than fair," Ember said. "We'll come with you, and hopefully, we'll be able to help."


Edwin: She has got to learn how to haggle...

"Very good. Be ready to leave in the morning. I will meet you here an hour past dawn."

The lord bowed to Ember and left the inn.


Off to see the Shade Lord then! Good chapter... I also like that the NPC's don't spend months standing in exactly the same spot waiting for someone to come and speak to them :oops:

#16 Guest_Cel_*

Posted 28 September 2007 - 06:15 PM


"Little Ajantis is a sir? Oh, joyous day!" Minsc exclaimed. Ember turned to see the large ranger behind her, his arms laden with fresh bread, butter, and boiled eggs. "It is a joyous days for other heroes, too. Look what the nice lady cook found for us!" he said happily as he put the food on the table.


Imoen: Little Ajantis? Well... I guess compared to you...


Anyone (except possibly Sarevok) is little in Minsc's world. I'm just waiting for a good moment for him to mention little Anomen :oops:

"Thank you, good Minsc," Anomen said, and helped him arrange the plates so that all three of them could easily reach everything. "My lady, it occurs to me that we know far less of each other than we should. You do not know of my journeys ere we met, and I am not familiar with your deeds on the Sword Coast. If you would share a tale or two with me, it would be greatly appreciated."


Tarant: Or for something more entertaining than listening to Anomen's tales, I could smash your head in with a lead pipe.


Anomen: :roll:


Ember nodded. "We were with him when he died," she said, and began the story about the artist who worked himself to death for the sake of a woman he had seen only once.


Tarant: Ellesime... to be honest I was kind of disappointed when I finally saw her for real.


I'd forgotten all about Prism by the time I first saw her, but yeah, she didn't even live up to the hype she got in SoA.

Edwin: And why should Edwin share? He's put all the effort in to actually finding them. Finders, keepers I say.


Edwin: I could hardly have said it better myself! (But I could, of course. If I wanted to.)

"My lady, may I introduce Lord Valygar Corthala," Anomen said, reaching one hand towards the stranger and the other towards Ember. "My lord, these are our companions: Ember of Candlekeep, Edwin Odesseiron, and Minsc."

"And Boo!"

Ember stood up. "Pleased to meet you," she said, and bowed slightly.


Tarant: Why are you bowing to him? I guess I'm not really up on all the etiquette. Don't really care either.


She'd look pretty silly if she curtseyed without a skirt.

"You will be paid according to the task, mage. At the very least, five hundred gold."

"That is more than fair," Ember said. "We'll come with you, and hopefully, we'll be able to help."


Edwin: She has got to learn how to haggle...


Ember: That's five hundred just for going to the village, you know.

Off to see the Shade Lord then! Good chapter... I also like that the NPC's don't spend months standing in exactly the same spot waiting for someone to come and speak to them :)


Thanks! And yes, my NPCs show some more initiative than usual. Some even solve their problems completely off screen :)




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