Charraj Cain, Wizard and Ex-Investigator

[Charraj]

Oh brother. Something big is going down with my parents in Calimshan. Better check it out.

[Charraj]

Finally sorted out that mess in Calimshan with my parents. All's well that ends well, but there's no WAY I'm going back to Calimshan after what happened. My parents are on their own from now on.

And since they sold everything in Neverwinter to make the move to Calimshan, I have no house to go back to in Neverwinter. My childhood home, gone just like that. Feels bad.

So, with nowhere else to go, I find myself back on the Sword Coast. Looks like I'm going to have to make a home here again. Let's try to do it right this time, Charraj.

Hm. I wonder if the Dukes are still mad at me?

[Charraj]

Catam's dead.

Apparently he was killed fighting some Bhaalist bloodmage. I'm told that he's not coming back.

That idiot. I told him that I wouldn't be there to save him anymore.

Even when we were both sparring in the Weavemasters together, he could never beat me when I was using my magic. He should have known better than to fight a bloodmage.

The Weavemasters. He's the one who introduced me to the Weavemasters. He was a Scout before I even joined. But we went way back, even before the Weavemasters, didn't we? He was one of my first friends when I first arrived at the Sword Coast.

We traveled together, fought together, and saw so many things. I remember when he, Nathaniel, and I defended Kaltyra and her baby.

We split ways shortly after Istari Tower was disbanded. I stopped fighting, but he kept on struggling. Necromancers, Red Wizards, dragons, he never stopped trying. Even when I told him that it would get him killed, the idiot never listened.

Now look where we are.

I'm still alive, and Catam's dead. I didn't realize until now just how much things have changed. Catam's dead, Randall's dead, the Weavemasters are scattered, Kaltyra's vanished, Jonas and Aethor aren't here. Nothing's the same anymore. Catam isn't out there somewhere protecting us anymore.

And I just wanted to make a home here and settle down. If I'd gotten back here sooner, I wonder if I could have stopped that bloodmage?

Ah right, I don't get involved anymore. But Catam kept on fighting.

He never criticized me or judged me for "retiring." But I think he would be pleased if I did more.

Someone needs to tell Nate that Catam's gone. That the three of us won't be fighting together again.

Damn, I need to stop writing. Got something in my eye.

[Charraj]

Saw Nate yesterday. Told him about Catam. We're going to try to do right by him, honor his memory properly.

Seeing Nate just reminded me again of how the three of us used to do everything together. I'm glad Nate's still here. He's a good friend. I'm not sure I ever told him that, so I told him yesterday.

I wish I'd told Catam.

[Charraj]

Got approached a few days ago to help with evacuating the village of Kheldrivver. Ameris asked me to set up a Teleportation Circle; apparently, someone told him about the one I set up back during the Amn-Gate War.

I know it's what Catam would have wanted me to do, so I agreed.

I refused to teleport the villagers anywhere near Baldur's Gate, though. There were a couple of good reasons for this, but it all boils down to the fact that the last thing I need is the Dukes angry at me all over again.

So anyways, the evacuation was today. A paladin named Eldarian had told me that everyone was meeting up at Boareskyr Bridge, so that's where I went. I waited around for a while there before I realized that I had been misinformed. I hightailed it over to Kheldrivver on foot. Got there late, was one of the last people there. Thanks, Eldarian.

There was a small army of adventurers there; I don't think I've ever seen so many people working together towards a single goal like that. It was pretty chaotic, but we managed to organize things relatively quickly.

(Note to self: avoid miniature dwarves who refer to themselves in the third person.)

I was also told that there would be no undead attacks, that the undead horde had moved on. Hah! I was not surprised at all when the village was attacked in the middle of the evacuation. I'll say this, though: the adventurers didn't let a single undead monster through to the courtyard. Somehow, the evacuation was completely successful.

I had to use magic today. A lot more than I'm comfortable with. But there were a lot of people at risk. And I know that Mystra teaches us, "strive to use magic less as your powers develop, for often the threat or promise of its use outstrips its actual performance." But you really can't threaten or bluff the undead, you know? With so many people in danger, and a foe that literally could not be reasoned with, I don't think I had much of a choice.

I don't know why they couldn't have just gotten another wizard to do it, though. Maybe there just wasn't enough time to find someone else.

After everyone was finally evacuated to the Trade Way, the other adventurers started talking about moving the villagers to Baldur's Gate. That's when I left. It's great if the villagers end up in Baldur's Gate, but I don't want anything to do with it. If something goes wrong, I want as much plausible deniability with the Dukes as possible.

After all, I'm trying to get them to lift my banishment now.

[Charraj]

Tried to auction off a mithral chain shirt the other day. No bites. The market seems to have changed while I was away in Calimshan. A year ago, I think I would have been able to liquidate this armor easily. Now? I have no idea what the demand is for anything.

How in the Nines am I supposed to help with the Sword Coast Commercial Exchange if I'm so out of touch with the market? Fighting isn't the only thing I'm rusty at, it seems.

I'd better get familiar again with the local economy, and fast. Even if the Dukes continue my banishment (which seems more likely with each passing day), I still need a working knowledge of the market to make a living.

Hm. Random thought: I wonder if there's any demand for private investigators these days?

[Charraj]

Holy Hellballs.

I got a letter from the Dukes. They're willing to hear me out. And whoever I can get to speak for me. Not going to lie, I'm feeling kind of lightheaded right now.

Can't stop thinking of all the ways this could go wrong.

I need to start writing letters to people.

Actually, I need to lie down for a moment.

Holy Hellballs.

[Charraj]

A few days ago, at Catam's funeral, I told a story that I heard during my travels away from the Sword Coast. It went like this:

A seeker finds a wise man and says to him,

"There are two dogs fighting inside me. One is evil, and the other is good. They fight all the time.
The good dog is like my purpose, my dreams, my respect for you and me. It is like the impulse to help others.
The bad dog has no respect, not for you, not for me. He thinks only of himself. He blames everyone else for everything and loves to wallow in self-pity.
Wise master, which dog will win?"

And the wise man answered,

"The dog that usually wins is the one you feed the most."

Catam's death reminded me how to feed the good dog. I've been pretty passive in that regard for a few years now, only helping out when it was convenient and safe. But Catam died fighting with conviction; I know I can be more active.

So last night, the Dukes granted my petition to lift my banishment. Sister Aeili, the Director, Endelyon, the paladin Eldarian, and Valerius showed up to speak for me. Valerius has been away from this plane for too long, though; I was afraid his mannerisms would blow my chances. Turns out, Duke Entar seems to know and trust him. Go figure.

I'm pretty sure Eldarian was on the fence about whether to support my petition or not. He ended up talking about Kheldrivver to the Dukes though, and saying that I deserve a second chance. Lathanderites. Gotta love 'em. Guess it makes up for him giving me the wrong information about that rendezvous.

The hearing lasted for hours. But at the end, Duke Entar had Sister Aeili remove the mark from my forehead.

After that, Sister Aeili and I went over to the SCCE bank to pick up my key. The bank is cozy and professional; just the sort of thing my parents want me to do. Still can't believe I'm a part-owner of a bank. I still laugh to myself when I think of it. In fact, I'm chuckling right now.

After that, we went to the Temple of Mystra so that I could finally pay my respects properly. We had to pass by Istari Tower on the way, but I didn't look at it. I didn't think I was ready to. Going to the Temple of Mystra was good. It made me feel like I'd finally come full circle.

I guess Sister Aeili said it best: "Welcome home."

[Charraj]

A few days ago, I made myself look at Istari Tower. I steeled myself for the emotions I thought I'd feel. Resentment, regret, anger, guilt; I didn't know what would go through my head.

As I looked at the Tower, I just ended up thinking, "Wow. It's really changed." There's red all over the Tower now of course, and the Red Wizards have put up their symbols. And who knows what the inside looks like now? But all I felt was a twinge of regret, and I guess a bit of sadness. That's it.

It's like how I felt when I saw what the new owners did to my old home in Neverwinter. Kind of nostalgic, but I knew it wasn't mine anymore. Knew I'd moved on, if only out of necessity. I guess I don't resent them for moving into Istari Tower. Not anymore, anyways.

I mean, I still have a big issue with the Thayans. But it doesn't really have to do with the Tower, and I'm not even sure it has to do with magic.

I guess I'm thinking of Elias.

---

On an unrelated note, what is going on with Sister Aeili?

[Charraj]

So much paperwork. Still better than an arrow to the throat or a sword in the gut, but not by much.

Endelyon wasn't kidding when she told the Dukes I'd get buried in paperwork.

Sometimes I feel like they're making me do all this to keep me occupied. But that would be silly. Silly paranoid Charraj.

[Charraj]

*The following entry seems to have been written hastily, and switches between past and present tense. The writer was clearly shaken at the time he wrote it.*

OKAY. Never adventuring again. I go adventuring for the first time in months, and what happens? A gods damned COMEDY OF ERRORS.

So first, a few of us go scouting around Soubar to eliminate four orc patrols. We take out two patrols, and then find the third. While my companions get close to the third patrol, I peel off to find the last patrol. I can't find the last patrol (not exactly a great tracker to be honest), so I head back to where the third patrol was. I figure, my companions have probably already taken out the third patrol.

As I get closer to the location, I run into two men. They tell me my companions are dead. So I head off to see what I can do. Before I can leave, the two men start asking me funny questions, acting real suspicious. I hightail it OUT of there. Barely escaped with my life.

I flee into the same woods that Catam once dragged me into, filled with DRAGONS. One of the dragons breathes acid all over me, I barely escaped with my life. Again.

Escaped up north, where I promptly got jumped by some freak wyvern and poisoned. Almost died from the poison, barely had enough strength to subdue it with a spell. I was clinging to life by a thread. Barely escaped with my life. AGAIN.

Then one of my companions finds me, tells me that the "third patrol" back around Soubar was actually two Zhentarim interrogating an orc. Yeah, that's right. The two men I ran into, they were Zhentarim. I go adventuring for the first time in months, and I end up finally running into the ZHENTARIM.

Screw adventuring. I'm sticking with paperwork.

[Charraj]

Gods. Not a good time to lose my spellbook. Spent all day looking for it. By the time I found it, it was hours after the rendezvous for the Wayfork operation. I couldn't even cast a Sending spell to let Eleanor know. Trying to not think of what must have happened in Wayfork.

Good damned job, Charraj. Idiot.

[Charraj]

Okay. Got a note from Eleanor. Seems the Wayfork evacuation went all right. I wonder how they got all the villagers out? Wasn't thanks to me, that's for damned sure.

Her note didn't make it seem like she was irate with me. But I think we both know I dropped the ball on this one.

I should just chain my spellbook to my hip.

[Charraj]

Sparrow got locked up the other day. Fist accusing her of murder; murdering one of their own. Cal insists she's innocent, but he wasn't there. You ask me, the halfling might have the blinders on.

As for me? I'm wondering how well anyone knows Sparrow. She plays the hapless bird and maybe she really is, but there's more to her than meets the eye. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: she's some sort of genius savant. Bet my left pinky Cheryl knows that, too; else why keep Sparrow around? Why put Sparrow on the SCCE Executive Committee?

But does that mean Sparrow put that Fist in the dirt? Cal and I aim to find out. Well, I aim to find out; Cal's desperate to clear her name. I just hope the halfling isn't in for a nasty surprise at the end of all this. Because with a murdered Fist, an SCCE Executive locked up, and me still on probation with the Dukes, this is going to be one tough cookie to crack. And whichever way this cookie crumbles, I don't see it crumbling our way.

I knew the dame was trouble the moment she walked in.

[Charraj]

The Fist came knocking today. Interrupted our meeting, acted like they owned the damned place. Bet my left pinky it had to do with Sparrow. Cal confirmed my hunch.

The bird's case just took a turn for the worse, and all I see up ahead is a lot of hurt for everyone. We're chasing down leads, but will we clear her name fast enough?

Hells, look at me, thinking like the bird's innocent. For all I know, her hands are blood red. Got to keep a clear head about this. Don't let the Fist make me lose my objectivity.