Journey of Stede

[khaevil]

At first his prospects in Baldur’s Gate seemed great. Stede had quickly found plenty of tasks to earn coin and met a woman recruiting for a pirate crew. His father had been a pirate, and Stede had often fantasized about high seas adventure. But the reality was quite different so far.
For one thing, he just assumed pirates had ships. It never occurred to him that pirate crews would form first and then acquire a ship afterward.
Also, he didn’t realize it would involve much planning. Their first caper fell apart, and the leader had been turning to the rest of them for ideas.
Stede didn’t know anything about planning a heist. Not having any better ideas of how to find criminal opportunity he tried to make contact with the thieves’ guild in Baldur’s Gate.

[khaevil]

Stede was searching the area south of Candlekeep for giant beetles, to make potions from their shells, when he noticed an amulet lying in the grass. He was excited, thinking he might have found something of value when he picked it up. Being cautious didn’t even occur to him.

Maybe it was magical, so he put it around his neck to test it out. He didn’t seem any stronger, or faster, it actually made him feel a little uneasy. He removed the amulet to put it away and, for some reason he just couldn’t let it go. He could wear it and remove it easily enough, but every time he went to put it down he just couldn’t. Candlekeep was nearby, and Stede asked there for help. They told him he needed to find a cleric of great power.

Stede spent days traveling the region. He visited temple after temple where none could aid him. Finally, at the temple to Lathander in Beregost, a man who introduced himself as the Knight-Commander blessed him. After receiving the blessing Stede just dropped the amulet on the floor, like it was nothing. So many gods had ignored him. Perhaps Lathander was worth another look.

[Azure]

... shrouded forms lingering in wait did watch the place where the stranger made his not so subtle inquiry about Them.

Their pair of eyes, hard-faced and wearing patchy leathers, steps out of the establishment and rubs a calloused hand across his stubbled jaw. Tugging his hood twice towards the nearby darkened street, he then zig-zags his way craftily through the backalleys, vaguely towards dilapidated abodes to vanish.

Several moons later, against the thrum of waves and cricket-song, a shadowy form edged through the moonlit grass to gaze for long moments upon the strangers back. Back and forth the stranger heaved his rod, over and over the lure cast out. To the point of absolute tedium and narrowed eyes for the Watcher.

Those same eyes looked over a mask to find the stranger again as he scurried tirelessly through the Docks. Performing menial tasks and offering callous remarks towards a certain light fingered scamp of a boy. The eyes narrowed more even still.

Another night passed, and a second shadow moved to watch. What tireless arm and desire for fish the stranger had. So determined was he that the Watchers whisper could not shake him from his fixation. With blank and unblinking stare, the line cast out again...

On, and on, and on the stranger fished. Until the sun rose and melted the darkness away.
A shedding of shadow that revealed no presence of the Watcher. For they, along with their interest, had long since departed...

[khaevil]

He cast his line and drifted to his internal monologue, confident that the tug of a fish would raise his alertness. He considered his situation in Baldur's Gate.

This pirate crew wasn't working out. Already too many people seemed to know the identity of members. He had even been asked if he had any association, which he denied. It was possible the only reason he hadn't been arrested yet was that so far no crime had actually been committed. Perhaps piracy wasn't a good career move. Some activity that doesn't involve an overt reputation would be better suited to a career that doesn't end tragically.

There had been a voice behind him. He had heard it, but it didn't register until now. Someone had been looking for him. He turned to look, but whoever it was had vanished without a trace. It sounded like it was someone from the thieves guild responding to his effort to make contact. Had he just blown his only shot?

Perhaps it was for the best, for the moment anyway. Making himself liaison for a pirate crew with the thieves would solidify a position among the crew, something he was pretty sure he didn't want right now. Not knowing what he would say to the guild at the moment he needed to rethink his goals in Baldur's Gate before reattempting to establish contact.

[khaevil]

The message arrived with short notice, but Stede hurried to Beregost to attend the sermon at the temple of Lathander.

The priest spoke of dark times in the region, and focused on how the congregation might help those in need. Could they possibly always be thinking "how can I make the world a better place?"

Stede recognized a man in front, it was the one who had cured his curse. The paladin asked what someone could do if they were seeking redemption.

Stede wondered if this typical, or was this somehow directed at him? It sure seemed like it was speaking to him personally.

How devoted to others they seemed was interesting. Stede even admired it. But he certainly wasn't ready to join them. Thoughts of how to exploit their charity were more prevalent than those of repentance, but thoughts of repentance were present.

Stede inconspicuously made his exit.