Callused Knuckles and Open Wounds

[quantumkaos]

Name: Quagmire "Q" Harrington
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Alignment: Lawful Nuetral (more towards chaotic good now)
Profession: Former pillow case maker. Now brawler/adventurer.
Height: 6ft 9in
Weight: 285lbs
Body Build: Incredibly chiseled and large.
Hair: Red hair with a red beard.
Skin Tone: Paler than most.
Skin Texture: Knuckles are awfully callused but cannot be seen through his gloves. His face has a smooth look to it, but has many obvious wounds from the many fights he has gotten into. Broken nose, split eyebrow, split lip. Always has some sort of bruise on or around his face.
Handedness: Left handed outside of fighting.

Recognizable Features: His red hair. His horribly grown beard. His pale blue eyes.
Accent: Deeper than average voice. Lower class farmboy accent.

Equipment Commonly Worn: Usually just a simple outfit, backpack and gloves.

Jewlery Decorations: Seems to wear a necklace. But covers most of anything he wears on his hands due to the gloves.

Known:
Is a brawler and fighter through and through. Lives for a fight, but also is smart enough to know when he should retreat to live to fight another day...sometimes. Is incredibly protective of his friends.

Known to some:
Apparently has a thing for halfling women.

Unknown to most:
Has an unheard of amount of strength but doesn't show it too often.

Unknown even to himself
Has a born talent of knowing how to channel Ki energy to his fists. He just assumes he's strong and good at fighting.

A brief history:

TO BE CONTINUED

[quantumkaos]

A Deal with Death

I never really thought that I would amount to anything. I never thought I would find myself here...

Then again, who would have guessed my father's pillowcase making business would go under due to that bandit raid. Who would have guessed I'd be forced to move out of my parent's home so they could afford to feed my little brother and sister.

I guess it's true when they say everything happens for a reason... I just wish these "reasons" were more easy to interpret...


I remember the night as if it were any other night. Makro and I were making our usual jaunt to Beregost to pick up some things. Nothing too unusual...unless you count that Jaspen McGee fella losing his badger for the umpteenth time.

As we left Beregost towards the Gate, we crossed the bridge only to be approached by a large group of people. As usual, curiosity struck Makro and we decided to hold our ground for a bit to see what was about to transpire. It wasn't too common that such a large group of people was gathered on the trail.

Before we knew it, we had a horde of undead coming up to us from Beregost. We held them at the bridge...wave after endless wave it seemed. Had I been more prepared...more experienced, maybe, just maybe I'd have been able to help a little more.

We did succeed in holding them back however. I stayed back to the rear of the line to stick close with Makro. He's gotten my ass out of a few binds so I have faith and trust that gnome with my life. Maybe tonight was the night I'd be able to return the favor.

We all ventured into Beregost and found the town completely vacant. It was odd, really. Makro and I had just been there it seemed a mere hour prior. Something must have happened recently. I certainly hoped everyone was ok...

It was then when...that...thing showed up...that lich. Kept rambling on about some ritual. I had no idea what he was talking about. Those damn undead, or "bleakers" what Makro calls em, are always spouting useless riddles and hyperboles. I have to admit, I must have spaced out because before I knew it, I was being helped up. Something had caught me unawares and knocked me on my ass. No matter though, I was still breathin' that's all that mattered. As long as I can find out what the hell was going on...and if the villagers were safe... I swear if they are dead, there will be hell to pay...

As we made our way to the southern path, the lich showed up again. This time he seemed more assertive in insisting us to leave. He offered to pay us off. Can you imagine that? A lich, trying to pay me off?! He has another thing coming to him, that's for sure. The thing that nearly blew me away though? Were the so called "warriors" that sold out to the damn thing. Offering us gold or gems. Who the hell does it think it is to offer such crap to me?! And to top it off, watching the people who had originally come there without ill intentions to be ...bought...that easily???

Seeing this brought great sadness to my heart. What helped me stay strong was to see the small group who didn't sell out. My paps always taught me that the brave hearts of the few, will always conquer a cowardly army.

As we made our way to the valley. We fought our way through several waves on the undead. Until finally we made our way to the top of this hill. I can't quite explain it...but it had many beams of light coming out of it. I knew something big was happening. Something important. It was only smart to investigate it...but of course, like many things when many idiotic people are involved...it was destroyed.

I tried to run, Makro right behind me as well. But all I remember was a bright flash, an intense heat and when I opened my eyes, I was in a throne room...surrounded by liches.



I knew this couldn't be good... and the only thing I could think about was what evils those morons must have unleashed.

Once again, I spaced out. I guess I tend to do that when the undead are involved...just too many riddles. All I know is that they told me that they were going to use us when the time was right.. I wish I knew what that meant...only thing I knew for sure, was that it wasn't going to be for good.

We soon found ourselves back in the valley. An anger that I had never felt before started enveloping my very soul. All I could think about were the cowards that sold out... the cowards that could have stayed and fought...the cowards that caused this to happen to Makro and Myself...they will pay.

I turned to Makro as he looked back to me. We both turned to watch the sun rise.. I took a heavy breath and let out a sigh. Perhaps this was the last sunrise I'd ever truly appreciate.

I turned back to Makro and he gave me the same look I imagined I was giving him.



Those fools are going to pay...

[quantumkaos]

Trouble in the Mines

It amazes me how offended an individual can get when they make a stupid mistake and are called out for it..

Makro and I were down in the bugbear caves. He was helping me gather some ore for that Otto fella in Baldur's Gate. It was the typical job, a little exploring here, a little killing there and a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Before a rainbow comes, sometimes, a storm will have to pass.

On our way out of the cave we came across a dwarf venturing through the cave. I'll be honest when I say I didn't feel like talkin' to the guy. I just wanted to turn this ore in and get my gold. I was in a hurry and had a lot of things to do. As we were walking out, the dwarf thought it'd be a good idea to use his delicate hands to spring a trap on one of the chests...releasing a deadly poison through the air.

Now, this is a story in itself, but lately I have noticed a few changes going on with me. Languages I never quite fully understood starting to be easy to understand. My punches are growing stronger, more deadly... Even my speed, I am faster...so much faster than anyone I know. But as that poison went airborne, I noticed it didn't affect me in any way...unfortunately, Makro was not so lucky.

Naturally, we were a little upset and called the dwarf a fool.

Seeing how dwarfs are known for their... excellent communication skills. He proceeded to say a few derogatory comments towards me... Nothing good was going to come of this, so I just clenched my fists and waited for the festivities to take place...



I could tell by the way the dwarf looked that he was ready for battle, he had one of those spells on that Merry sometimes casts on us that gives our skin the semblance of stone. He seemed to be wielding his axe as if it were light as a feather, so I assume his strength had to have been enhanced as well.

Makro came to my side, on a side note, that gnome is quickly becoming one of my best friends in this place. I know he will stick by my side through thick and thin. We started exchanging insults back and forth, each one getting more personal.

Eventually the dwarf told me to stick to my mother's teat if I was afraid of a trap or two. So, naturally, I told him I'd much rather stick to his mother's teat... I believe that set him off.



He ran up to me and began swinging. I had already been injured in the lower levels as was Makro. I would also assume the poison Makro had inhaled wasn't going to turn the battle in our favor either...

The dwarf was incredibly strong, but incredibly stupid. He was wildly swinging his axes, not even focusing on hitting me where it mattered...my fists. With each uncoordinated swing he made, I was able to hit him in his face five fold. His axe was definitely cutting me up, but I was so filled with adrenaline I didn't even notice.

Makro was on the side, swinging at him repeatedly with his weapon.

As I looked down at my body in the midst of the struggle, I realize how injured I was, I knew that I couldn't take another hit like he had just landed.

The dwarf raised his axe over his head and swung down. Thankfully, with the speed I have started to acquire, I dodged it with ease, strafing to the side and reaching down, pulling his feet from under him. As he was falling, in midair I delivered one final strike to his neck. Dropping him unconscious.



As he lay there moaning, Makro and I shared a chuckle. It's funny, really, when people see me, they see a man with no weapons. I guess they must think I am an easy target, but they couldn't be so wrong. My fists and do more damage than a great sword being wielded by a skilled mercenary...and for some reason, they just keep getting stronger.

We didn't want to kill the guy, much less leave him for dead, after all, he was a dwarf and must have had something stuck up where the sun don't shine. We tossed him a few bandages and waited for him to come to. As he woke up, we told him to pick his battles more intelligently...then left.

So much for being subtle.

[quantumkaos]

The Legend of Rick Dagless, Lucien Sanchez and Thornton Reed the Ogre Slayer.


It's nearly impossible to begin a story with, "It was just a normal day..." When you reside near Baldur's Gate... However, as of late; it seems, anything that happens out of the ordinary is considered a "normal day". It's those times of silence that gets people nervous.

It's refreshing to know that the aforementioned silence was not part of this normal day, in fact, quite the contrary.

It all started the same way I'd assume most adventures near Baldur's begin...crossing the bridge. The thing is, that's exactly where the adventure started.

As I walked across the bridge to meet with Merry, Makro, Kemi and Quinn. I heard a "Hello!" I turned around to greet this friendly voice with the same enthusiasm, but no one was there. I looked around, but other than the group I was making my way towards, there was no one else in sight.



"Hello!" There it was again! I peered into every place my line of sight would let me. That's when Quinn let me know that...the statues were talking to us...

Now, one might become afraid, or confused. But what can I say? I've seen an illusionist explode a gnome and have the gnome come right back as if nothing happened, so I'm up for anything.

We had quite the interesting conversation with the statues. Asking them questions like why they hadn't talked until now. Or what it was like being a statue...you know, the normal questions you'd ask a talking statue.

They began to explain how they never spoke because no one had ever talked to them. We explained that we weren't necessarily used to talking to bridge statues but now that we knew they could talk, they were more than welcome to always say hello as we passed.

We then ask them for their names, but alas! They did not have names! They explained that since they were statues, they didn't really require to have names. We told them that if they were going to talk to us, they needed names. So our group split in two, and approached the left and right shadow. Quinn and I approached the western statue and began thinking...



I spoke with Quinn regarding what we should name it and if he had any ideas. We both sat there in deep thought for a moment when the first name had come to me.

"Rick!" I exclaimed. "Rick will be the first name...but what of the last?"

Quinn began thinking... Sizing the statue up and down. After a few minutes he replied..



"How about...Dagless..?"

Our eyes both lit up with satisfaction and we shook hands on it. As we turned around it appeared the other group had named the eastern statue, Thornton Reed the Ogre Slayer.

Our entire group was rather impressed at the names, when suddenly...

"Oh, I see how it is... you can give them names, but not me?"

...the bridge was now talking to us...

It started complaining and complaining how people walk all over it and it never gets the respect it deserves. We proceeded to explain that it was great respected and appreciated by us, so appreciated in fact, that we were going to give it a name too.

Makro approached and started scratching his chin.

"How about... Lucien Sanchez?"

We all cheered for the name, and both the statues and bridge appeared to enjoy it.

We said our good byes as the night continued. But we will never forget the Legendary Lucien Sanchez, Rick Dagless and Thornton Reed the Ogre Slayer.

Strange things keep happening here it seems, and it doesn't feel like it will be letting up any time soon. Ah well though. I will just live my life as usual. And I look forward to joining my friends at the campfire...across the Lucien Sanchez.

[quantumkaos]

More Trouble in the Mines...

You know, sometimes I wonder if trouble just finds it's way to Makro and I when we are together. I honestly thought taking a break from it all and heading with Makro to Icewind Dale would give the Coast time to settle and calm down.

Boy were we wrong...

Upon our arrival back to the Coast we figured we would catch up with a few of the local merchants. They always enjoyed our assistance when it came to running errands for them. We always came through and never shorted the work we'd promise them.

Although we had been gone for such a long time...it seemed not much had changed. Still the familiar faces albeit one two new ones. The merchants remembered us by name, even greeted us with our favorite corn ale. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss that hospitality.

While at the Gate, we decided to help Maltz and that Dwarf. We figured we were going to be heading towards Beregost anyway. So it couldn't hurt.

A days walk later we were already outside of the mines to gather that ore. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. So we strolled right in. As we got to the door leading to the lower level, we had the...joy...of bumping into two orcs in full plate armor and weapons drawn...



Now... I am not one to jump to conclusions...but I believe Makro and I had a feeling there was going to be trouble...I believe our suspicion stemmed from when one of the orcs said "Give us your belongings or die.".

Judging by their battle scars and battle hardened armor, I could tell these two brutes would most likely pummel us into dust. I figured diplomacy would be our only option...and even then, our chances for survival would be slim to none.



I tried talking them down and it appeared to be working. Unfortunately, those two damn orcs had it out for Makro. I never quite understood it, but something about a short guy always gets under the skin of bullies. Whatever their problem was, it seemed to get stronger.

Eventually they gave me the option to walk away and leave Makro to his fate. Now, I am not one to jump headstrong into a losing battle...but this was Makro we are talking about here. No way in the hells will I let him fight these two idiots by himself...even if it meant our demise.

As soon as I noticed the first Orc raising his Scythe, Makro charged him. Before I even had a chance to swing, the scythe sliced across my stomach and I dropped...

Before blacking out, I could see Makro taking both of them on. Swinging wildly but skillfully. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain.

As the darkness overtook my sight, I remember seeing him fall beside me...



Now, I couldn't tell you how long we were both laying there in our own blood.. but the next thing I remember are these two guys helping us up. We must have been clinging to our souls with every ounce of strength and willpower that we had.



They helped us up and explained the situation. I don't quite recall what those orcs looked like..but apparently they hit me pretty damn hard...

Makro and I were lucky to be alive. Next time, we may not be given a second chance.

Most of the time, you can pick and choose your battles.

As you go through life, you make rules for yourself, not associating yourself with losers, not allowing yourself to get cornered into an futile situation...And sometimes, when you have no choice but to stand your ground...the rules go out the window.