“Damnation seize my soul if I give you quarters, or take any from you,
Forgive my honest intentions, I did mean to kill you.”
If I sat around in the city of Baldurs socializing until my wits end, I fear I will grow old and will no longer have strength to lift my sword. Unlike Roaringshore, one cant simply gut a mans innards out and cheer and laugh about it. Perhaps you could in the Lower part of the city, but here it's still considered a crime. Where in the Shore, if gave a man or woman status and reputation. Ah how I miss seeing all the posing and tough spats when working those long hours at the Goblet. Me bones ached for the thrill that I paid for a boat to take me to Roaringshore ,only to take another skiff to what they call the Pirate Islands. Rival pirates most certainly, quite aggressive they be. It was perfect to satisfy my desire.
Alone I was, no allies, no crew. I knew it was going to be a challenge but I was growing as hungry as my blade. I clashed with other pirates, taunting back and forth, taking a cut and giving them all the same, a few bolts nearly hitting their marks. My magical trinkets was running thin, my supplies of potions nearly empty, but I had no choice but to press. I couldn't turn around now, not after I was so close. Close to battle with a Pirate Captain. Soon as his cold brutal eyes seen me, he roared a raging cry, intent to gut me where I stood. But where he made his mistake was ...I too was there to gut a man and take what valuables he owned. After all, I too was a Pirate. Our blades clashed , the ringing and screams of metal echoed around us. Both of us spat cures, each trying to find an opportunity, an advantage, taunting over and over, neither of us intended to fight fair, this was no duel, nor sport, this was a fight to death with no other purpose than to see if we would stand victorious and plunder the corpse before our boots. The fight could have went either way, but in the end, the Captain was bested, his crew had been previously diminished in numbers. It was his coin purse I made off with a long with what ever else on his person I deemed mine to claim, and it was his blood my sword drank the life of.
I soon returned back to the city of Baldurs after washing up and cleaning myself of blood sweat and dirt. I pulled out my hat and dipped the brim like I so always do and smiled devilishly. I needed to look casual, after all, here in Baldurs Gate, it would only be proper, if a dishonest man acted properly.
“We drink to get drunk, we get drunk to fall asleep, when we fall asleep, we commit no sin, when we commit no sin, we go to the Heaven's."
“You fall because you are human,
and rise because you are divine.”
"Wot is the Joybringer?
*She gasps* Lliira!
"What is whom is Lliira?" *He looked lost*
She's the goddess of reverie, festivals, dance and happiness!
"Milil is the Lord of Song, the protector of all minstrels and bringer of good music. *She explains.* Sharp tongue is one of his weapons - and like I say in one of my s--- you know what? ....I'll sing it for you!"
"From the heart of this bard, music takes hold,
More precious than silver, more valued than gold,
My light is the grace that I bear,
But the Song is His gift, a breath of fresh air!
He is the Lord of All Songs, the rhythm of Gods,
The perfect crescendo is wholly his sign.
Strike the chord, let the strings vibrate fast,
Silence shall never last!.."
Another day, another moment, I learn about Gods I never knew. What drives their worshiper's, what compels them. I been finding myself intrigued and interested oddly. I've met men whom spoke the name of Gods from their own mouths, yet never once had their God bothered to help them. Was their prayers false? Did they lack sincerity? Should one be a favored soul or a chosen? I've seen the impossible , possible because of a Gods intervention. But why do some Gods tend to only help a chosen few while ignore the others? I did learned something quite new this day. That cleric's are far more connected to their Gods. Tho it is true sometimes the mere speak of the Gods name just might bring their attention upon you. But not always in good intentions. Now I remember why the priestess of Ilmater always grasped her locket when I so much as speak of an evil Gods name. The woman's efforts to fend off bringing unwanted attention.
Such tales of a minstrel able to call forth the protection and assistance of whom they devoted their hearts too, against the Storm Lord himself. I've heard tales of men near death by the hands of a crazed God, only to be taken away in the comfort of a God they call the Guardian. I know now my lack of understanding with religion has made me ignorant of divine world that was always present. Yes I have seen Gods, Called upon some, through act or guidance, tho silence was always the reply. I've fled from Bane himself when I was caught witnessing a sacrificial ceremony many years ago, tho I'm a fool to think I really escaped him. I was allowed to flee upon his own instruction. Tho once ...years ago..I did feel the presence of one God. The sensation was strange to me..as if the God knew I belonged to him. Perhaps I am a man lacking the knowledge or faith which prevents me from experiencing more.
“We drink to get drunk, we get drunk to fall asleep, when we fall asleep, we commit no sin, when we commit no sin, we go to the Heaven's."
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary.
To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”
"In regards to religion..a man wonders *He looked at her sincerely* "Wot compels ya to become a Priestess? Or wot was yer reasoning?" *He holds up a hand* "Not to pry into yer personal life in all, just..curious what makes a person wish to become such."
I was raised in a monastery devoted to the Broken God. I believe that His ideal has meaning to me and I do believe in alleviation of suffering, in helping all who hurt and in taking care of children. This led me to serve Him as novice first, and then priestess.
"Ahh..more or less born into it..I see or rather...grew up around it."
Not only. A lot of people grow in environment that they do not embrace. In my case, there was alignment between this environment, what I believe, and what He represents.
"Other then the difference in clergy yer know depending on the Gods they worship, wots the um ..benefits?"
The benefits of serving as Priest or Priestess?
"I only been told they seem to have ...A closer connecting to their God.."
The connection to the Gods is closer, yes, as in many ways we do perform rites that communions that bring us closer to Them. I do not know if I would speak of benefits. Though all religions are different.
"Closer as in ...how?"
Some Gods do promise safety, or help, or less cruel punishment for the service of priests. Ilmatari know that when they endure, He endures with us. It depends on what you wish to know. Some are visited in dreams, some are granted visions, some are allowed to hear their God, or stand in Their presence.
There are ignorant priests and ignorant people, who are all too ready to cry sorcery if a woman is only a little wiser than they are. I was once just as ignorant. Powers of arcane, Divine interventions, "witchery" I was always quick to call forth, "summon the Inquisitions" I would lean towards. Ignorance is weakness, knowledge is power, no truer words could ever been said. Tis another night that I walked upon the streets of Baldur's Gate, cobbled and dark, one of the more poorer parts of the city with heavy fogs. I had turned a corner and happened upon a humbled priestess of Ilmater. A familiar face I be knowing. Always about mercy, devoted to The Broken God. A deity of endurance, martyrdom, perseverance, and suffering. Not a God I myself would choose to follow or bend the knee too. If I wanted to ease the suffering of a dying man , I'd simply cut their throat. The last time I had attempted to heal a woman whom bit her own tongue off, bleed to death in my hands after fumbling with a healing kit.
"For now...I guess I have a place to visit..after all..in my own heart, I feel a compelling pull to that which gives me a new direction"
“We drink to get drunk, we get drunk to fall asleep, when we fall asleep, we commit no sin, when we commit no sin, we go to the Heaven's."
“The existence of Gods is evidenced by our need of a God,
but our inability to be one.”
Earlier....The Transaction...
I believe we have a brief exchange to make.
*He looks to the man * "Yer the one I waiting on? *He gestures for him to come across the bar*
*She waits and lets the men conclude business, not moving*
I believe so, I've a sword for a claw, or kama.
"Aye thats right *He reached under the bar and pulled out a wrapped item* It should be this here..
Yep, looks right.
*He nods taking the weapon* Im sure both of yer be happy..like I am ..after all I got paid heavy *He grins*
*A light chuckle* good thing then!
"Hmm...very nice sword...Sylvia will surely like this to her collection..wonder what this button does.." *A sudden powerful acidic breath like one from a black dragon shot forth spraying everything in his path with acid!*....
*He looks at the man in crimson armor* "Well well what do we have here? ..How can I help yer mate?
"Praise Tiamat." *He voiced out with confidence and pride* "What business goes on here?"
*He blinks looking lost and confused then plants his hands on the edge of the bar* "Look fella, nae sure yer know ..but this nae a temple nor church. Its a tavern...a Festhall ...we serve drinks, offer music, *He nods at the minstrels then thumbs over at the blue curtain * and cheap pleasures fer 10 gold."
*He looks to the curtain.* "Sounds hazardous."
*He ponders*"Only seen a man come out itchy before but nothin life threatening "
"No temple, but you have a huge symbol of the false trade goddess above your wine rack." *He motions to the symbol in the corner above the wine bottles.*
"Nae my doing. I just an employee here, not the owner. Why you say its false anyways?"
"The mortal gods are all false. Did you not experience the godswar? Several of the false gods were killed and replaced by new mortal gods. True gods cannot be killed."
*He looks curious at the man* "Alright..wot would yer call a True God?"
"Tiamat! The dragon gods, created by the World Shaper himself. And the elemental lords, who are manifestations of elemental reality. You cannot destroy them. The World Shaper is Asgorath. Io is another name for him. It was he who created our reality and shaped our world."His greatest creation was Tiamat, who shall rule this world."
"Lets just say,.. nae long ago I wasnt a religious man, consider my education in religion on the short end ol the stick.. *He ponders* "Asgorath? ...Wot about the one called Ao?
"Ao is a fool. *He said in a flat muffled tone that nearly echoed from behind the full faced helm* "A usurper who raises the false gods into power. When the world was shaped, Asgorath first created Tiamat to rule it. All false gods are tyrant god-kings. They seek only power, at any cost, despite their claims of other values....Ilmater and his mercy? A lie! ..He seeks power. *He motions to the symbol above the wine flasks again*. "Waukeen and fair trade? A lie!.. Power is all. They abuse the people of this world for their own gain, set fates upon people beyond their control...Fail to appease Tymora and Beshaba and you will have misfortune after misfortune if their whims deem it so. Only through Tiamat can we be free from their tyranny. Free to choose our own fates, live our lives as we choose. Overthrowing them requires power and power is only acquired through the gathering of wealth and magic. Once Tiamat has overthrown the false gods, like she did the tyrant god-king Gilgeam in my home country, we shall live exactly as we wish. Free from their whims."
"Alright...you obviously a very devoted follower...question is ..What brings yer to Baldurs..when yer know its filled with many of these .." *He swirls a hand in the air* lesser and false that yer say."
"Why am I here? In the early days of 1348 by Dale Recknoning, the Dragon Queen was summoned here. Not just summoned- She was liberated! Freed from her prison in the hells. She exploded out of the upper city. This - Baldur's Gate - is her Holy City."
"Its ..her Holy City?" *He lifts a brow* "Wouldnt call it Holy but go on.
"The city is holy, even if the people aren't, barkeep. Her wrath is spectacular. Ah, barkeep! You should have seen when she smote Gilgeam's body upon his temple-palace. His body lies there still, rotting. A reminder that god-kings can die, and Tiamat will free us. At first she attacked him during the godswar, but she had been weakened and was defeated. Gilgeam tore her apart before our very eyes as we attacked the capital. We had to retreat. But soon after, she returned to us. Proving that she is immortal: The Undying Queen! And this time, stronger, Gilgeam was killed and Unther was free from his tyranny!.....We are here to build a temple. Here to make the people of this holy city see the Truth about the false gods"
"And just where yer intend to build one exactly?"
"I personally find it would be amusing to kill all the Thayan dogs, demolish their disgusting tower and build a temple atop the ruins."
*He ponders* "I think it might be meaningful to build one on the very location where she ...exploded out from." *He grins devilishly* "Nae like Thayans me guess'n?"
"No. The place where she emerged would be appropriate. The Gondite buildings....
"Wots it gonna take tho ?"
"Wealth and magic." *He pauses and adds* "And support of the common folk. And the nobility who can see the value in Tiamat."
*He leans on the bar* "But yer see mate..let a bartender share with ya a bit ol talks..You see, I already been hearing about "Tiamats on Duchal lands" from as far down as the Friendly Arms inn...and truth be told....Nae a lot ol folks trust yer people, and see yall as a potential problem. How so ? *He shrugs* that I dont know. In fact just earlier when yer pass by me in the Market in the Wide, that Elven woman I was talkin with, her names Netanya.."Lady" Netanya..a noblewoman. She didnt see too happy with yer praising..and said something about she gonna verify if such praise in the city is legal.".
"Scare tactics from the slaves of the false gods. Paladins and priests of the Triad. Helmites. And others. Why does this 'lady' Netanya object to Tiamat? Is she some do-gooder? They call our Undying Queen tyrannical, and yet cannot tell us what makes her tyrannical. Indeed they are unable to refute the facts we present: That she threw down a tyrant god-king and liberated the common folk and slaves of Unther."
"Yer words could be true fella, but yer see, here's the thing..those lots..got plenty ol influence with the political figures in the city. Often times got connections or pulls. Able to influence things and decisions. Yer want to stop their resistance, yer gonna have to convince the people that matter ..like them Dukes. As as far as Netanya..well who knows. Shes a nobleman so harming her is a serious crime.
My father was a miner, and I worked with him in the mine. My brother a fisherman. I am a commoner. Samar, my fellow champion of Tiamat who I went on this pilgrimage here was a slave. Now I am a blackguard, filled with Her Dark Power. Samar is a true divine champion, and he is blessed with the breath of a red dragon!"
"Ah...now I see why yer nae like Thayans."
"The thayan dogs will die, but it will be neither cold, nor murder. It will be fiery justice. The people, however....They must be shown the value of evil. Evil is the path to self-realization, barkeep. Evil is passion and strength. The willingness push, to strive for greatness. Good is the passive, the meek. Those who nurture weakness and contentment."
"Whats yer views on Zhentrims?
"Tyrants. It's rather plain, isn't it? Until the godswar, their leader was a priest of the god of tyranny. Now their ranks are filled with slaves to the new god of tyranny or the mad lord of murder.""Fools." The tiefling lord of Darkhold seems to be more intelligent. Or at least less bound by false gods. Like the new leader of the Zhentarim, the archmage Manshoon."
Yer mean Lord Zerros? Yer meet him already?
"I have met him, yes."
"Less ambitious of a man me thinks, But true more intelligent then previous ones.
"He still seeks tyrannical power... But he may be turned to a clearer path."
"Interesting views yer have mate."
Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. I use to once think faith was life the rain that fell on the city in which it runs down the dark gutters and empties into the sea without even soaking the ground, a waste, it had its moments but then it's gone. Some may take some of the running water and celebrate its existence within their homes or temples. But to what end? . However now, I've had a different perspective of things. Like all other things in life, its a means for purpose. Because when a person has no purpose, their just blimey pitiful and becomes a waste of a living breathing soul.
“We drink to get drunk, we get drunk to fall asleep, when we fall asleep, we commit no sin, when we commit no sin, we go to the Heaven's."
