Journal of Roric Tharmen

[=Thunderbolt=]

Entry XVI

I can't believe this. I have failed again.

I posted myself outside Baldur's Gate. It was a clear and sunny afternoon as I made my way to the side of the road near the cossroad and put up my sign. Again offering protection as a proper helmite would. It was a quiet day indeed. Fewer and fewer travelers were brave enough to come to the city and those who had decide to leave had done so. The sickness, which started to resemble a full blown plague, had been raging in the docks. The whole district had been quarintined now with guards standing every entrance to the harbor. It must be a matter of time before the whole city is afflicted by it, but for now the rest of the Gate seemed to be safe of it.
I leaned against a pole near my sign, deep in my thoughts. The dreams I had been having had puzzled my mind constantly. I was then at sudden awoken from my pondering by a question.
"E..Excuse me sir. I'd like to talk to you about what this sign says."
It was a lady with a little boy. Apparently not of nobility at least, regarding their clothes and demeour. I snapped from my thoughts on the question and looked at them. I forced a fake smile on my face, I have had difficulties with it recently. She politely asked if the sign was true and I could take them to Beregost. They wanted to leave the city to some place safe from the plague, before it would spread further. Apparently they had friends in Beregost and wanted to go there, but of course had no gold to pay for the caravan ride or hire help for the journey. I struggled first at the pleed of this woman. I had not been so keen taking people with me recently. Even now my mind struggled with the images of those people I failed on the Trade Way. I could not say no to the woman and his son. After all the odds were different now and there were only two people instead of six. I agreed and soon after we departured towards Beregost. I was determined to keep my eyes open this time, for the whole damn journey.
We made it through the Coast Way without incident. I spotted some bandits on the distance scouting the road for easy prey. I didn't persue them as I didn't want to leave the woman and her son too long behind me. I saw the outlaws retreat when I scowled towards their lookout. Apparently it was enough this time. We made it safe to the Friendly Arms Inn and had some rest there. The woman, Ayle she was called, was talkitive and chat with his son the whole journey. She tried to ask and talk with me aswell. I use to be talkitive, but now I couldn't say much, or I didn't want to. The whole journey I could not but think something terrible would happen to these two that were under my protection. The thought loomed always on my head when they tried inquire repetitively about my past, what I did and if I had family in the Gate. Luckily she caught soon that I wasn't going to answer, since all she got was grunts or a word or two. We departured towards Beregost after short rest. They wanted to stay longer, but I insisted we moved on. I wanted them safely to Beregost so I didn't have to be resposible for their safety. We left towards the town and to my great relieve, in silence. She didn't aks more questions.
We made it safely towards Beregost the first part of the journey. There were no incidents despite a few oversized and crazed beetles that lurked on the roadsides. When we came to the more dangerous, goblin infested, part of the Trade Way, I told the pair to get close to me and keep their eyes open. Immediatly the pair fearfully came closer and kept their eyes on the bushes and hills rolling by. Just what I wanted. We made only a few miles when I heard something on the bushes nearby. I drew my sword and kept my eyes on the surroundings. I could make up small figures rushing in the bushes, trying to hide from my keen eyes. I gave the pair a glance over shoulder, whispering to them.
"Stay put, I'll deal with these."
The scared pair nodded, looking around them for anything unusual. I approached the bushes condifently with my sword visible. I saw the goblins stopping their movement and hissing between themselves quietly. I shouted at them to come foward. By the gods what a fooI I was!

Immediatly as the goblins realized they were spotted, they stormed. What I hadn't notice was another group had lurked behind us. They must have had followed us a good while. As the ambushers I was engaging stormed, so did the other golbins that had tracked us. The group had sneak up on Ayle and her son Jorl. Moments later as I was busy with the runts daring to challenge me, I took a look over my shoulder to the boy and lady.. All too late. They cried in fear as two goblins growled and rushed at them. Paralyzed by fear they collapse on the road, holding each other, they died to the blades of the greedy golblins. I looked at the dejavu and felt the same feeling as on the road there near the woods of Trollbark. I got angry.. So angry. I brutally killed the remining golbins that attacked me and walked to the few goblins remaining, busy plundering the corpses of Ayle and Jorl. I was so angry I had failed again. I quickly dealth with the cursed goblins and fell on my knees to the dead pair. I lingered there a long moment. It was all quiet around me. Tears started running from eyes. I had failed again. I failed these people and I failed Helm, again.
I gathered myself after a moment of silence and loss. There was nothing unusual around me anymore. We were close to Beregost, so damn close. I knew I could not leave their bodies here on the road, so I picked up their bodies and made my way towards town. I kept my eyes on the ground as I carried the child and the woman. I reached the outskirts of Beregost after few hours. I looked towards the town, I could see the rooftops in the distance. Whatever came of me, I don't know, but I didn't want to enter that town carrying my failure. I heard people coming from the direction of the town. I left them there on the outskirt and walked away.

I was suppose to meet Valdore for a discussion, but I think I cannot show my face around the temple again. I think I will leave him a message instead, that he isn't going to like. Mother, brother.... Father, I'm so sorry. This is enough for me now. I'm tired of failing other on my own account. I've had enough.


Tucked between the pages of this entry is a copy of a letter and a pendant in shape of a gauntlet with an open eye on it.

[=Thunderbolt=]

Entry XVII

I met a warpriest of Tempus on the courtyard of Friendly Arms Inn, called Wulfden Uthberg. He told me he was here in the coast to collect strategies and battle tactics of major orders, groups and religions of the coast. He showed me and an odd Tyran called Jerel, a large and long tome where he had recorded many entries of different groups. It was most impressive. I could swear the Tyran eyes were quicksilver, something I had never seen before. It came up that his sight was given to him back by a dragon. The tale was as unbelieveable as his eyes, so it just might be true. Wulfden read entries of his records. I requested helmites out of curiousity. He told Helmites worked in group and were one of the best considering defence. I say I wasn't suprised at all. Our interesting discussion shifted to dragons. It tempted me to showing them my dragon tooth pendant, my most priced thropy. It was long time I had even looked at it, myself. I could tell Wulfden was particulary impressed and wanted to hear the tale behind it. I invited him to talk about it over an ale. He agreed gladly. It was good chance of phase for me. Lately I had been so grim and unsocial. Since my.. Recent failed escort I had been stuck in the inn, pondering and sulking in my rented room. It was good to forget all this for a moment and let out some steam. A hearty warrior and a few Dragon Breath's would do this indeed.

I told him how we had slain the Black Dragon in the Serpent's Hills with Valkrun and Yorn. How we battled the great wyrm after defeating the nagas guarding his lair. The ruse we used that enabled me to take the killing blow to her exposed stomach. Telling the tale I could not help, but remember the days in the company. While the company were corrupt and a lie, it had some merrits. I had met Jospeh once since my return to the coast and Nihlus. I consider Nihlus my friend, something I really don't have. Others of company had vanished and most were better off so.
Our discussion sifted from my dragon accomplisments to my past and somehow my recent events came up, should have seen it coming. I told him of how I had left the Helmite service and now Tempus had my prayers. He gave me a hearty hug, welcoming me as brother. I was taken by suprise indeed by it. He told me of a quest of a certain Sunite paladin called Erza. She was organizing a raid to the Warclock's Tomb. This was the place the gnome that had brought the plague to Baldur's Gate had been held captive. To get information of the place and the surroundings. I'm stil not quite clear on details. I wasn't keen on the idea first, but I thought this man might help with the dreams I had been seeing. I still had them every night. It was agreed he tried help my resolve this mystery if I helped him with the task of this paladin. I agreed.

I explained him the whole story what had happened and what had happened after it. The dreams I was having. He was puzzled aswell. He thought it first to be some form of spell or curse casted on me, but that can't be. I don't remember anything casted on me on my captured time. He then reckoned the bandits were servants of some sinister god, that wanted Helmites, me, to break. The two versions of the dream now represented the battle in me of Helm and Tempus. He said I had a choice to make between the two, that the decision was mine when the time comes. I don't know if it was an answer, or more of a musing, yet it was good to get another opinion. I will keep this in mind.

Honoring my word we then set out to the farmlands of Baldur's Gate where a big group of adventures of all kind were gathered for the quest. We made our way North, encountering bandits and immersive number of trolls. We made it to small village of Kheldrivver, where I'm staying now. It looks like we are going to be here awhile before moving on. Apparently to scout the lands around the village and gather intel. I'm starting to wonder where I had gotten myself into.

[=Thunderbolt=]

Entry XVIII

I stayed in the hamlet of Kheldrivver for a day or so. In the morning when I woke up I was unsure what to do, so I stayed in Troll Nose Inn and Tavern for a good part of the morning. Nobody seemed interested or had anything for me to do. I had not seen Wulfden either since he went in his room after some drinks. I couldn't just loiter and it might be days since there would actually be some action, so I took my leave. After all it was Wulfden whom I agreed to help on this quest and as he was gone, so was my desire and need to continue. Perhaps later I will come back with him, albeit his consulting on my dreams had not exactly helped. I departured towards Baldur's Gate after midday.

The journey went well and there was little trouble. Only some trolls as I had suspected, but nothing like the numbers we saw on our march to the hamlet. When I arrived at the city gate I saw many guards buzzling about. I asked the farmers outside the East Gate what was going on. They looked as suprised as myself. The said they had heard the plague had reached the whole city now and that districts were going to be shut down or worse. I couldn't but continue my way south towards Friendly Arms Inn. I face any foe with a sword and shield, but I cant fight off a disease. Later on when I arrived at the inn I found Wulfden, whom I told the city was soon to be in full quarintine. He disagreed saying he had got rid off the sickness when it spread to East Gate and Palace district with a group of adventurers. The docks still remained inflicted fully. To make sure, lacking better things to do, we made our way to the city to make sure. It was as he said, the East Gate and Palace District seemed to remain open to public as usual. We then departed ways with Wulfden, he had some other business to attend elsewhere.

I found myself useless once more. Since my resign from the Temple and renouncing Helmite duty I've had this same situation quite often. I use to carry me duty to those in need when I had nothing else on plate, but now I was without task or cause. At first it was horrible and I couldn't bare it, but now I've grown quite fond of it. I feel like when I left home many years ago when the whole world opened up in front of me. So I thought to wander the East Gate District, though keeping my distance from people and wearing a scarf. I happened upon Temple of Tempus. I knew it was here, but I had never visited it. I headed inside to leave a donation. The hall was quiet as I entered and no one was there to greet me. Most if not all priests must have been called to battle plague I figured. I walked towards the altar with bag of gold in my hand. I stopped in front of it and glances the open book laid on a pedestal. Couple phrases caught my eye instantly "Arm all for whom battle is needful..." And most of all "Be fearless." I stopped there, pondring the text, comparing it to the dream I had been having every damn night and now it all made sense. Instead of protecting them on my own, I should have had them armed. Then they would have a change to fight back, even if a small change. Given the odds, most would have died, but some may have survived if they had fought with courage and had arms to defend themselves. At least they would have faced a worthy death than what it was now. It was a sensation and I knew this was what the dream was trying to tell me. I knew it now!

After a moment of solace I then turned to the altar and placed a bag of gold on it and a additional bag. A priest then rushed in with a weary look on him.
-"Greetings, can I be of assistance?"
He asked me and I turned to him after placing the bags on the altar. A content smile on my face, I replied.
-"No, I was just leaving. Thank you."
I went in the elfsong tavern and rented a room. I woke up in the morning, well slept with no memory of the dream that hunted me.

[=Thunderbolt=]

Entry XIX

I returned to Kheldrivver after an discussion with an elf called Aeili in the farmlands of Baldur's Gate. She looked familiar to me and it turned out we were part of a same group that fought trolls on our way to the this village. After an discussion about the plague we came to realize this. She told me there were no new news to be told. She was going to return to the village later through teleportation, which brought up another discussion about the magic behind this mean of travel. We parted ways shortly after it and I finished my business in the East Gate District, which still was open to travelers and visitors. I had a drink in the Elfsong Tavern and pondered what I should do. Curiosity got the best of me and I desiceded to return to the village in the North. Perhaps my swordarm could be of use in there. I left after some food and drink.

The journey went without trouble, because I took a caravan there stationed just outside the Gates of the City. My legs were still weary of the walking from South to the Gate. When I arrived I came upon some adventures that I regonized from the fist large group I was with some weeks ago. They were going to report some murder, but told me of an expedition of another group to slay some trolls in a discovered cave nest not too far away. The trolls were a threath to the village on their own. After they gave me direction I made my way to the cave. I knew I wanted to go with this mission, I shared no love for trolls and there was bound to be need for fighting men. I met the group not too far away from the cave entrance. After some introductions I was accepted in the group and we continued and entered the filthy cave of Trolls. The stench was horrible and all too familiar to me. It was all over the walls and floor. I did not keep count how many we slew in the caves. Must have been close to hundred. Finally we fought our way to the center of the cave system. There we conforted a large group of trolls and a immense battle took place. In the end we prevailed. We did note some of the trolls were mutated, or corrupt. Coated with some black matter. In the end we did not make out what was causing this, but we did slay most of the trolls. They wouldn't be a theath for for the village for a very long time. We then departured towards Kheldrivver to report our success.

We were rewarded with gold. I then realized I was a mercenary again. I fought for gold. I thoughts months ago I was done with this business, but look at me now. To my suprise it doesn't feel bad now. Maybe I could continue my sellword career. After all it did gave me grand battles to fight in. I should make a mental note of not doing bodyguard work. I have had too much of that with failure. By the time we were rewarded a militiaman came running to the guard-captain handing our rewards. A whole tribe of trolls were destoryed and laid dead in a field not long from the village. Something foul was at work in that field and had killed all the trolls there. The captain quickly mustered volunteers to go and find out the cause of these sudden deaths. A promise of payment and battle had me going again. I was second in the line to sign up for the mission. Ultimately we mustered a large group of volunteers and departured towards the fields, with no idea what was horrific sight would await us there.
After a treck we arrived at the scene. Hundreds of decaying trolls laid on the fields, rotting away. The smell were like after a grand clash of two large armies. So many rotting dead and bones. Something foul was admist the dead, a foul fog lingered in the fields. We tried burning the bones, we tried to bless the ground, but ultimately the trolls rose and attacked us in great numbers. The battle went on for a long time, and we did not know what to do. Ultimately we beat them, or at least the undead trolls did not raise again as we dripped the corpses with acid. The fighting had taken us from the fields. We made our way back to figure out what was the cause of this affliction. I did not know what the others tried to do there. I kept my eyes on the bones and tried to keep myself ready for anything. We had bruned most of the bones, but some remained. At sudden the bones started acting wierd. Some slowly lift up to the air, moving slowly towards other bones to form something. I have never seen something so scary in my life. We had no choice, but to retreat from the fog and prepare ourself. Some thought it best to run, but for me it was not an option. I won't run from a fight.
The bones started to form huge figures in front of us, four of them rose slowly towards the sky infused with dark and powerful magic. I started to wonder if I would ever make out of this alive. It took a moment for the large bone figures to build themselves, but it felt like an eternity. Once they were ready, they attacked with a fury I had never witnessed before and I had fought dragons. I charge at one of the things. My sword was useless against the bone structure of the creature. I felt useless, but I just kept on hacking the monster with all my might. A priest had encanted my sword with some holy spell. It hurt the creature slightly, but nothing that would have killed it. Mages and priest released all their might against the creatures. I had never seen such a display of the Art. As the battle went on we began to realize we could not win. I was exhausted, but I tried to fight as long as I could. I coulnd't but drop my guard in my fatigue for a moment, then the creature struck me and all went dark around me from the force of the hit.
Next thing I know I woke up in the outskirts of the village. Guards and the Captain were checking some of the group memebrs. Apparently the fight did not go well at all and they had come just in time to pull us off from that field of death. I was a bit unclear to me what had happened after I was knocked down, but I was glad I was alive. Suffice to say the captain and his men were not content, at all. Not about our mission and not about the creatures we had desperately fought. After a regained myself I left towards the local inn, Troll Nose. We failed so we recieved no payment, rightfully so as we failed.

[=Thunderbolt=]

Entry XX

I returned to the Friendly Arms Inn after a long night of rest in the Troll Nose Inn. Still feeling weary from the dreadful battle with the skeletal beings I felt I could lay low for a few days away from troubles of the North. My journey went smooth with little trouble.
When I arrived I met a face I had not seen in a very long time, Yorn. I was minding my own business at the inn's courtyard when he approached me. It took me sometime to regonize him from his rough stonelike face. I have hard time to distinguishing earth souls from another. They have very similar features. However Yorns mudlike texture made me recall him almost instantly. After a short, yet joy filled reunion we headed to the inn to exchange our past and present. He told me he had led a adventures life since the break down of the Shields. It came up that we both were looking for work, and we certainly missed the days in the shields. While it was a shock that we worked to the agents of Zhentarim unwillingly, there were still good and honest people in the company and Yorn was one of them. A thought came into my head that moment whilst the conversation. Why not work together again? Now that I knew Yorn and Nihlus was around the coast, we should defenitely start to work in a group. Hells we could be more attractive to hire as a group. We both agreed it was difficult to get work on our own. It is something to consider, something I will have to give some extensive thought. I will only work alongside people I can trust these days. We talked in leght into the night, before parting ways. We made a promise to stay in contact.

[=Thunderbolt=]

Entry XXI

Today I was on my way towards Beregost from Friendly Arms Inn when I stumbled on some blood trail. I drew my sword and followed the trail with caution. It lead me to a dark altar decorated with skulls ans covered with some more blood. I dreaded the sight for a moment. It looked familiar to me as I has seen such display before. Several days ago I came upon similar scene on this same road and met an orc shaman demanding tribute for their foul god. That time I slew it, but a man named Zeno raised the filth from death for questioning. It had escaped then using magic. A thing troubling and bizzare as I could not think an orc capable of such wizardy.
I looked on the scene for a time before a voice talked to me in a low crude voice. I coulnd't locate it, as the talker was under spell of invisibility. The talker was an orc demanding tribute for Gruumsh by blood. I grunted and screamed around me. My blood boiled when I realized an orc was talking to me. Finally it revealed itself. A battle followed. The orc throw sorcery at me, woundig me greatly, but I managed to knock it down and slay it. I pondered what to do with the body while I tendes my wounds. I dragged the orc towards the shrine and thought to burn the body and altar all on the spot. My torch had soaked on the blood of the orc, probably in the battle, so I was unable to set the fire. I cursed and dragged the body to a nearby bush and headed towards Friendly Arms Inn to get fire and some help. I returned with some people, but the body was gone. We coulnd't find it, which troubles me greatly. Maybe I need to put up more notes on key places warning travelers of this peril.


Tuckes between the pages are two parchments

Be Warned Traveler! A blood thristy orc is at large on the Trade Way. I met him on the crossroad between Candlekeep and Beregost. He demanded tribute in the name Gruumsh. The beast had setup a makeshift altar with a pile of skulls and blood, most likely his later victims. I dispatched the monster, but it was ressurected by another man for questioning and it was able to escape through means of teleporation. The fact it can use such complex magic is alarming even more. Keep your eyes open, for it will no doubt prey those on the road once more.

Be warned! Orc shaman is once more on the loose on the road. He will demand tribute for their foul gods and the tribute wanted is your blood! If you cannot protect yourself traveling alone is dangerous. Arm yourself or hire able mercenary that can deal with this peril!

[=Thunderbolt=]

Entry XXII

Lately I have seen increased unrest upon the road and even around guarded areas. The outskirts of The Friendly Arms Inn has become a wild place indeed. The outskirts have always been a dangerous place, but not so as it has been lately. The inn was even temporary closed from all visitors due to a increased violance in front of the Gates. I even have witnessed threats and violence in the farmlands of Baldur's Gate, even if there would be Flaming Fist close by. Perhaps it is due to plague in Baldur's Gate and the troubles in Beregost, which I'm poorly informed, that people start to feel more arrogant or violent. Looks like a good time to all with unlawful intent to surface. These orcs that I keep running into don't help these cases either. I hear more and more rumors and news about the attacks by some orc band from travelers and adventures alike. Next time I ran into these beasts I have to make sure I have means to burn their bodies, or other means to make sure they damn well stay dead once slain. On a brighter side I ran into elven priestess Aeili right before entering the East Gate district. I soon learned that the combined force of the temples of Baldur's Gate had been able to heal a large quantity of the sicken citizens and the situation in the city had improved drastically. The docks still remained quarintined, but thousands of people were cured. Perhaps this will ease the Fists so they can focus on the unrest coming outside the city. The elf even told me orcs running wild at the farmlands, so they should certainly do so now. I have recieved no news from the town of Kheldrivver about the happenings related to the Tomb raid, but perhaps the stuation has calmed there aswell. I don't truly know.

I have been thinking on extend these past days the proposition Yorn gave to work together as a pair of sellswords. In turth I have not seen him since, even though we agreed to stay in contact. I have seen and met more and more of warriors hiring their skills, but all say that business is bad. This doesn't make sense when there's so much unrest about. Perhaps all that is needed is larger cordination. I have seriously thought of picking up where the Silver Shield left and start a company of my own. I see lot of potetntial around me and all seem to go to waste. Perhaps if all these mercenaries worked under one banner, then there wouldn't be so much competition among them. One group would be more effective and through it the lands around the coast might even prove more secure to travel, the roads in particular. I know I have to set certain standards if I go about this. I will have to know the folks I intent to hire. I have already started raising funds from my own lootstock, which is gathering dust anyway. It seems I have much work to do.

[=Thunderbolt=]

This journal with all its additions seems to be left and abandonned on the mantelpiece of Friendly Arms Inn Fireplace.

(Character Retired. If someone wants to take the journal IC for whatever porpuse, feel free. Humble thanks to all that participated in Rorics tale. )