Race: Aasimar Gender: Male Alignment: Lawful Good Profession: Eldritch Paladin, Candlekeep Guard, Investigator Deity: Torm Age: 28
Height: 185cm Weight: 93.8kg Hair: Platinum, with black streaks Skin Tone: Dark
Recognizable Features: Platinum coloured hair, green eyes Accent: Cormyrian
Equipment Commonly Worn:
Crusaders Halberk or Travelers Robes. Often in Candlekeep Guard uniform. Rarely seen without his prized possession by his side, a spectacular 'Great Sword', won after a dueling match.
Known:
Holds his faith higher above all else. Greater then Law, friendship, and even life itself.
Actively seeks out evil and follows the orders of his superiors, but has been taught to make his own judgments.
Known to some:
Has a very inquisitive nature.
Dislikes waiting idle while evil continues to prosper.
To his shame, he has been known to engage in 'sneaky' behavior, justifying it by the cause of the greater good.
Prologue:
Thostar's parents were unable to have children. His mothers frequent prayers to Torm for a child were eventually granted, but In return and in gratitude to Torm, once the child reached a certain age, they presented him to the Tormish temple in Westgate, Cromyr, dedicating him to the service of Torm.
After years in Westgate, serving in the Temple, he became a Paladin, and began to lead successful investigations into suspicious groups around the region. One night in the temple, Torm spoke to him, clear as day, to travel to the city of Baldur's Gate and serve his purpose there. Leaving everything behind the very next day, he began the long journey, taking him far west to the Sword Coast. There he hoped, he would find the very center of Torm's will for his life.
"I traveled the path west, through desert, forest, mountains and rainstorms, but eventually reached the city of Baldur's Gate. It was a true relief to finally reach my destination, and perhaps traveling by foot was not the best decision. Regardless, I arrived and made a straight line toward the nearest inn, The Elfsong Tavern. After a hot meal, some ale and a good nights rest in a comfy bed, I arose the next morning and immediately made friends with an Elven Ranger, Nazgareth."
"He seemed to know a lot about Baldur's gate and the surrounding lands, so I traveled with him for a time until I got my bearings. In light of all this new information, the original question I came with still remained. Why did Torm call me to this place? Apart from the usual pests, gnolls, goblins, ogres and the like, there seemed to be no immediate threat. I headed to the Temple of Torm in search of answers."
"For what seemed like days, I remained in the temple. Praying and asking for guidance. But the clear voice I once heard no longer spoke, not even a whisper. Without guidance, and without purpose, what was I to do? Am I to run meaningless errands or attempt to cull the wolf population for a few copper pieces? I want to see that Justice is Served! What in the world am I here for?!"
"Standing up from my prayer session in the temple, It suddenly came to me. In the past when Torm remains silent it usually means he trusts me to use my own wisdom to make the right decisions. Very well, If I must make my own path, being cooped up here in the temple would not help me gain a better understanding of the people of Baldur's gate."
"Across the bridge before I headed out exploring along the trade way, I met a woman in black named "Ceci". The hair on the nape of my next stood up as I sensed this woman was immeasurably more powerful then myself. I attempted to start a conversation, but she was not the nicest woman I ever met. Certainly lacking manners and responding to questions with short one word answers or simple shrugging."
"However, a short time later, A cloaked man in black approached from the tradeway, and asked Ceci if she had completed the task he sent her on. Surprisingly Ceci responded immediately, stood up as if this person commanded some sort of power over her. "Oh yes, of course" she replied, as they set off along the tradeway. Perplexed, I figures there was more to this then meets the eye, so I followed from afar and listened in."
"Their conversation was lengthy and sinister, the Cloaked man always seemed to refer to Ceci's Master, I didn't catch the name. In summary, it seems as if the cloaked man was trying to make her leave her current master, and become one of his disciples. My eavesdropping was cut short after another adventurer came down the road and gave away my position. With a bit of diplomacy I avoided a potentially lethal situation, but regardless, I have to remember who I am, and what I am good at in order to avoid any further slip-ups."
"I did encounter the Cloaked man again however, near the Hilltop Ruins. This time he was meeting with a female elf, discussing similar things about discipleship. I started thinking, maybe this sinister behind-the-scenes recruiting was what Torm sent me to uncover. Regardless, these shady dealings need a proper explanation, lest I report them to the Fist. I went to approach The cloaked man myself, but alas, he saw me coming and evaded me."
"So then, my first investigation had begun, and if needed be, the perpetrators will brought to Justice. I just need more evidence. My next step would be to question the dark woman, Ceci. If only I could find her..."
"I spent more than a Tenday, traveling the lands, looking for the one named Ceci, but to no avail. All the effort searching for this elusive woman made me weary, and I had to rest. I stopped by the campfire and sat down. Watching the flames for a while as the sun slowly set behind the clouds I noticed another woman. She approached as I sat, and began conversation. Randriana was her name, a mercenary, whom appeared well trained and experienced. I told her of my quest, and she offered to continue the search in areas I could not yet Travel... for a price..."
"I figured I had no choice, my own efforts reaching a dead-end so far, so for the first time, I employed the services of a mercenary. Half payment now, half when she brought me proof of contacting Ceci. A simple business transaction, no skullduggery required. While Randriana was working for me, I could concentrate on other things."
"Time passed however, and the man in black along with Ceci seemed to have vanished. I grew stronger, and became more knowledgeable of Baldur's Gate and surroundings. Eventually I managed to contact Randriana again, and finding out her efforts were also unfruitful, I became even more concerned."
"There was some news even more troubling however. Randriana mentioned there was a great many strange meetings along the tradeway, and suggested a link... This is the stage that I first found out about an assassin group called the 11th hour. According to Randriana's source, this group is here at the sword coast hunting down some kind of Red Wizard in the area. She did not recover the name of this Wizard, but having dealt with their kind before, this Red Wizard probably deserved their wrath."
"The Cloaked man, Ceci, The Strange Tradeway meetings and the 11th hour... Could all of these be linked somehow? Information was coming in drips, and I was frustrated. I needed some solid information! I told Randriana to ask her sources about the 11th hour. I needed names, but I knew they would not come easily... or cheaply. So she traveled off while I continued my search for Ceci. I hope this has not become an obsession, but how could someone have just disappeared like that? Little did I know, the answers were not far away."
Travel to Beregost was something that no longer had to be feared, and I frequently ran errands for Maltz, detouring via Candlekeep occasionally. My search for the elusive Ceci was placed on hold while I dedicated myself to further training. Stopping once again by the campfire at night, I rested while watching the river flow. Suddenly, I got the shock of my life when I saw Ceci casually walking along the bridge toward my direction. It was her that found me.
She passed by without a word before I shock myself out of the daze. Getting my act together, I shouted out to her, she stopped, turned and looked, wondering what I had to say. While I spoke to her, I tried to quell the excitement in my voice, which would give away that maybe this was the most important discovery I've had in months.
I barraged her with a series of questions I had been dieing to get answers for. "Ceci, a while ago, you met with a cloaked man along the tradeway. Who was he? What did he want? What is he plotting? Where is he now? Is he linked to the 11th hour?" Knowing full well the manner of this woman, I had no idea how forthcoming she would be. Though I would have never expected what she said next.
"I do not remember." Ceci replied.
What foolishness is this? Here I am, looking for this cloaked man for months, and yet she simply does not remember? I tried again several times. The answer was always the same, leaving me with a few options for a conclusion.
Option 1, she is telling the truth, some sort of memory loss may have occured.
2. She is lying, may have joined this man, and is hiding secrets.
3. The event was so un-important it was not worth remembering.
I had absoutely no idea, but I did not sence that she was bluffing, so I thought I would recount the events to her in an effort to refresh her memory. Still nothing however, and my concentration with her careless attitude was wearing thin. It seemed that she did not remember any events that happened in the past few months sinced I saw her.
With no futher leads, and my main contact gone cold, I hung my head down and waked back across the bridge in the darkness. Was not this the investigation Torm sent me here for? I thought I had reached a dead end, and yet again I began to question my purpose here. But that was before I met Aileen.
Back in Baldur's Gate, I plodded over and sat down near the fountain to ponder my next move. As I observed the water flowing, I began to think. It seemed my task had ended even before it began. Perhaps it was not Torm's will for me to uncover that riddle, rather a little episode part of a much larger picture. Never the less, a small failure would not defeat me, but if I am to stay here, I should at least try and obey Torm's other calling, of Duty and Obedience. Time for me to find an organisation that can use my skills.
Standing up from fountain, I turned and laid my eyes on the noticeboard, searching for a place of service. I was drawn to one note in particular by Maximus Angrius, an advertisement for the Candlekeep guard. Knowing that Candlekeep was a neutral area dedicated to the protection of knowledge, I doubted that a man of the Church like myself would be able to become a soldier without a personal clash. But seeing as there were no other valid offers at the time, I figured why not.
On the road to Candlekeep, I met my Elven Ranger friend, Nazgareth. I told him of how poorly my investigation was going, and that I was thinking of joining the Guard. He said he would keep his eyes open along the trade way, and would let me know if anything suspicious turns up. He also told me he spotted Maximus training with the guard, hunting Orcs in the Wood of Sharp Teeth.
Changing my direction to the wood, and finally catching up with Maximus, I introduced myself and offered my services to the Candlekeep Guard. He led me back up to Candlekeep, and after a short interview I was accepted into the ranks as a recruit. Suffice to say, I was extremely excited to be a part of the guild. I was handed the official guard uniform, and given a run down of what would be required.
I learned that Maximus served Tyr, Torm's superior, and we had much to talk about. We went on patrols with the rest of the guild, and stood guard at the Candlekeep gates, questioning and deciding who could enter and who should be refused entry. Maximus was pleased with my efforts, and rewarded me with fine Tower shield. Though I preferred to use my two handed Greatsword, it was a gift most appreciated. Those times were good, and for one time since arriving here, I felt that I was in the center of Torm's will for my life. Unfortunately, those times were not to last.
I was traveling back to Baldur's Gate, alone at night. The wind was strong, and I was wearing travelers robes to try and shut out some of the cold. Nazgareth was there, just off the path behind a hill. He wasted no time in approaching me, and telling me about a couple of shady character down the road a little from where I was. Perhaps a lead on my old investigation? A Hope... Requesting he travel with me to approach them, he agreed, but stayed out of sight until I gave the word.
I walked down the road slowly, my darkvision aiding me greatly in seeing through the darkness. Passing a rock, there I saw 2 cloaked figures, both wearing masks. To my dismay, one whispered something to the other, and pointed directly at me before approaching at an alarming rate. Going against my gut feeling, I stayed my sword and pretended I didn't see them. A figure closed in, and spoke my name. The voice was familiar, a female, but I couldn't see who it was. She told me I had some information her master wanted, and requested I have an audience with her.
Peering out of the right side of my hooded robe, I spotted Nazgareth behind a tree at the top of a hill. His bow was at the ready, and ears pricked, trying to make out what was being said. Relieved that my backup was still very much around, I accepted the request, and was led behind the rock to meet her master...
As I approached the rock, a figure stepped out and said,
"That's far enough, keep your distance".
The hair on the nape of my neck stood on end as I again sensed that the 2 were extremely powerful. I decided to play the power card. Bluffing my own strength, and trying not to give away that this might be the most important meeting since my arrival here, I used my diplomatic nature to the best of my ability:
"I will increase that distance indefinitely unless you have a good reason to pull me away from my travels. According to your lackey here, it was you who requested me."
I brought out a divine ball of light to illuminate the area. The figures squinted and raised their hands against the light as I continued,
"I do not usually consort with cloaked figures in the darkness. One would think that you're up to something sinister."
One of them replied,
"Okay, put it out. You can see that ball all the way from Beregost!"
"What are you afraid of? The fist patrols? I think you better give me an explanation."
Suddenly, I felt the weight of something heavy against my armour on the back of my breastplate. I could only assume it was the tip of a sword, pressing against the surface.
"Shut up, and put out the light, or I will put out your lights."
A sense of dread came over me as I realised my time could end very quickly. Perhaps playing the power card was a mistake, as things only seemed to escalate. However, Nazgareth, still over the hill, had his bow drawn back and pointed in this direction, almost winking as he waited for a sign from me. My courage restored, I continued.
"Ma'am, you will sheath your sword and stand down, unless you count yourself able to hold off the Divine Wrath of a Paladin!"
Finally, the second cloaked figure jumped in, "Stand down! Forgive her, let us not make enemies of each other so quickly. I will explain everything, but we cannot stay by the roadside here, let us head into the goblin ruins to talk."
I replied, "Why not in some inn in town? Why all the skulduggery, masks and black cloaks?"
"Because the information I am going to give you involves a group knows as the 11th Hour..."
