Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

Wesmille Groston, Rain Dog, Alexandra Keenan, Michael Dunn, and Olrich Gaelin entered The Wood of Sharp Teeth after various clues and information led them there. Their travels brought them to the cavern known to be inhabited by savage orcs. A sad discovery was made once the group finished interrogating an orc. On their way to deliver the unfortunate results, a warband of orcs returned to the cave! Thankfully, nearby adventurers flocked to the sounds of battle, and the orcs were thwarted... this time.

Rain Dog, Michael Dunn, Eleanor, Alexandra Keenan, Olrich Gaelin, and Wai Li traveled through The High Moor until they reached the site of a long abandoned Temple of Helm in search of a cipher. Klait Goldwind joined the group, who then proceeded through an abundance of thick, sticky webs. The source of the webs was revealed, and a fierce battle ensued! Once the room was searched and cleared, prayers were offered to Helm. The devotionals caused a portal to open by the statue. One by one, the exploration team entered the portal, and they were transported to a dark labyrinth. Joined now by Sveta Asperan, the group made their way through the twists and turns until they reached a sentry golem. The massive object did not impair passage. An irritable Spectator brought Alexandra Keenan and Sveta Asperan to the edge of a heavily warded hallway. Others in the group kept pace behind them. (A dream sequence... where for whatever reason, the entire group danced and worshipped a haystack in a farm field.) The Spectator kept a careful watch over the proceedings as the warded hallway became passable again and the contingent pressed deeper into the darkened tunnel. The first sign of true trouble was soon spotted by Michael Dunn, Alexandra Keenan, Klait Goldwind, and Rain Dog. Wai Li and Sveta Asperan initiated contact with the undead host while the others cautiously watched. Eventually, the entire group entered the room and came face to face with the skeletal army. Their speaker, Hypaspist Periklas, negotiated terms for the cipher, as its code would translate a tablet already held by The Everwatch Knights. The team calmly and quietly discussed the proposed solution. Just kidding - they bickered! Reine Arlynson volunteered for the task. Once the deed was done, Reine caught her breath as the cipher was secured and the group made ready to depart. On their way out, the group realized that the golem and Spectator sentries had no further purpose in the ruined temple and needed a new home. With some clever investigation and logical deduction, prayer was once again employed to activate the golem. The entire party was whisked from the ruins and to the basement of The House of the Guardian in Nashkel, where they reported what happened to High Watchpriest Jaumet Ubina.

Participants gathered outside The House of the Guardian in Nashkel in anticipation of the next session. The company marched east along Uldoon's Trail until they reached a expanse of suitable land in The Greenfields. Eleanor and Wai Li bade the group pause at the hillside as the training agenda was revealed. The students proceeded into the colorful field and received additional words of wisdom from the two instructors. Arms and armaments were set aside at the behest of Wai Li and Eleanor. Eleanor made everyone form a line... ...and then made the participants do calisthenics! The attendees next ran twenty circular laps. Eleanor inspected the panting and wheezing troops again... ...and then made them all run greater distances. One-on-one unarmed combat sessions were next on the agenda, and so pairs formed. (From left to right: Michael Dunn and Klait Goldwind, Eleanor and Griel Nightgale, Rain Dog, Alexandra Keenan and Ramar, Iglith Motrax and Saerthal Nhaalvahir, Wai Li and Alessia De Lille)

Despite her best efforts, Alexandra lost her match against Ramar. She fared much better against Klait Goldwind, though! During the final round, the combatants were permitted use of their shields. Eleanor and Alexandra were evenly matched, and their bout ended in a draw. Rest was granted, and Wai Li and Greil Nightgale both spoke of the importance of training sessions and tactics as they apply to genuine encounters. The remaining cadets formed two separate squads for their final formation drills. Each member of the squadron took a turn issuing commands. Eleanor started her squad in a classic line. Michael Dunn marched his troops in a box formation. An ambush kept the group alert! Wai Li led everyone through another classic formation and then had them stand at attention to present arms. Alexandra Keenan called for a diamond pattern during her time in charge. The two squads met again and offered respectful bows to each other to conclude the training session.

Guests arrived on board a ship newly rechristened as The Twilight Rose. Costumed guests mingled inside the lavish party room. The musicians tuned their instruments while guests arrived and found their seats. A wide variety of succulent foods were available for guests, and a crowd surrounded the buffet table. Alcohol freely flowed at the bar. Guests with preferred seating had a fantastic view of the festivities. Some party-goers danced, and others socialized. Isabella Villame, Tarina Mazir, Alexandra Keenan, and Greil Nightgale displayed their style while Hinzel's (far right) attention was elsewhere. Greil Nightgale and Alexandra Keenan shared a dance... ...and then got some refreshments. Several guests went topside during the cruise to get some fresh sea air. After a brief confrontation, one troublemaker decided to jump overboard in full (costume?) armor! Alexandra shared a dance with her close friend, Michael Dunn, who was dressed as Rain Dog. Alexandra Keenan, Sveta Asperan, and Elyssa Symbaern watched as others danced. The blonde scribe and the red-haired knight then shared a dance. Sveta Asperan, Alexandra Keenan, and Greil Nightgale spoke in one of the private cabins below deck. Alexandra shared a dance with her dear friend Wesmille Groston. Hinzel, Alexandra Keenan, Isabella Villame, and Elyssa Symbaern exchanged a final bit of conversation as the party came to an end.

Isabella Villame, Erza Aldren, Alexandra Keenan, Maddy Thunderkeg, and Elyssa Symbaern waited in the foyer of the Ducal Palace prior to the session. Representatives of various factions queued to gain admittance to the session. Alexandra Keenan and Isabella Villame announced themselves to Quincy, the Palace Receptionist, as the delegates for Candlekeep. The Grand Narlhelm informed the assembly of the new Belladonna Edict, which prohibited anyone from speaking unless he or she stood upon the circular rug. The attendees formed a neat and orderly semi-circle in front of the dais. The Grand Narlhelm heralded the arrival of the Grand Dukes of Baldur's Gate! Once the session started, The Council of Four granted audiences to speakers from prominent factions. Terri Lalani spoke on behalf of The Phoenix Company. Isabella Villame represented Candlekeep. Elvina Aira-S'effaro petitioned for The Order of the Silver Rose. Erza Aldren of The Order of the Radiant Heart Auxiliary presented Sir Diclofop Dippledop of Lantan. Greil Nightgale appealed for The Ebon Blade Mercenary Company. Cecilia Lafayette presented for The Song of the Morning Temple. Vendor Xon spoke on behalf of The Elder Circle. Aaron Lyonaler represented The Order of Lions. Elyssa Symbaern served as the delegate for Doron Amar. Ameris Santraeger made a plea for The Temple of Ilmater. Reine Arlynson petitioned for The Everwatch Knights of Helm. Kahanak Habdilof attended as an ambassador for the Thayan Enclave. At the conclusion of all the presentations, surprise guest Velsaert the Sage high-fived with Duke Belt and then spoke on dragons.

Alexandra Keenan spoke to Martin Ravel, Carda Banks, and Annah Saraewo as scholars and friends of Candlekeep prepared to journey into The Graypeak Mountains. Michael Dunn, Tarina Mazir, Elyssa Symbaern, Carda Banks, Martin Ravel, Saerthal Nhaalvahir, Alexandra Keenan, and Annah Saraewo prepared to depart Candlekeep. Michael Dunn (and Rain Dog!) briefed the group on hand signals and general procedures. After teleporting to Soubar, the research team secured passage from Nobby, a local boatman. Long but uneventful travel finally brought the group near their intended destination. Michael Dunn effortlessly moved through the unknown terrain as he scouted for the team. The first signs of trouble were observed in the distance: skeletal warriors. The threat was quickly dispatched... ...and the remains were searched. Shortly after the undead fell, a new threat was observed in the distance: a fire elemental. Tarina Mazir communicated with the creature and secured safe passage for her companions. Signs of a great battle came into view; the bodies of slain creatures and men intertwined upon the field. Half of the group scouted ahead while the others stayed behind to tend to Alexandra, who was experiencing complications. The group moved together past the remnants of battle. Some of the bodies were searched for clues. An orb that pulsated with magical energy prevented further explorations. Saerthal Nhaalvhair determined the orb to be a magical anchor, and he successfully unbound it. The adventurers finally beheld the charred remains of Little Milton. Bodies belonging to a trio of clashing forces littered the village. The team spread out to conduct a thorough search. Martin Ravel and Alexandra Keenan explored The Laughing Harpy, the former tavern. The reasons for the carnage in Little Milton were too much for the scribe. A mysterious magical firestorm burned within the center of the ruined town. All the team could do was stand and watch as the inferno blazed and smoke billowed. Saerthal Nhaalvahir unbound the last of the magical anchors. When the magical storm subsided after the anchors were undone, the team explored Little Milton again. Eerie blue flames were discovered; the team gathered closer to inspect them. A pit fiend emerged and tried to prevent the team from getting too close. It was effectively thwarted. The group gathered around the flames again, and Alexandra Keenan did what she came there to do. When they could approach, the fire elementals returned to erase Little Milton and the scars of battle from the land. Farewell, Little Milton!

In search of a powerful artifact located within an ancient Shoon Imperium tower, Elyssa Symbaern, Wai Li, Alexandra Keenan, Michael Dunn, Sveta Asperan, and Reine Arlynson followed directions that were translated from a recovered tablet. Michael Dunn scouted ahead; a band of hobgoblins were observed in the distance. The tower was eventually located, but a massive guardian sought to block entry. Once the entryway was clear, the group had to solve a riddle and speak a certain phrase to gain admittance. The group cautiously traveled through the tower hallways. After the group was stumped by a complex mathematical riddle, they encountered the entity behind it, and Alexandra Keenan came face-to-face with her future nemesis: Maffs Demon. With the reluctant aid of the former Shoon Imperium mathematician, Alexandra Keenan solved the riddle and the company continued through the tower. The skeletal remains of the last Helmite expedition team were discovered... ...as well as the horror that ultimately ended their journey. A room filled with dormant golems and another riddle awaited the adventurers. The successful completion of the formula by the scholar brought the group into the innermost depths of the ancient tower. The explorers finally reached the last antechamber... ...and soon met its contracted guardian - a Pit Fiend! When the ferocious battle ended, the fiend was destroyed, and the object of the quest - a safara, which was once used for the mass teleportation of undead armies - was found and subsequently destroyed, too. Despite the overall success of the mission, Alexandra Keenan somehow knew that she would meet her mathematical foe again.

Nuptials were exchanged between Soraya and Kalidorian at the outdoor temple area of Doron Amar. Many attended the festive occasion. Xelarian Cannister looked halfway presentable as he stood alongside his friend, Soraya. Eath'aera Nodel'ivae joined the pair in the name of Hanali Celanil and the Seldarine. Vendor Xon stood alongside his friend, Kalidorian. The bonded pair are presented to the audience! After the ceremony concluded, the Councilors of Doron Amar made an announcement. Colorful lights welcomed partygoers to the reception area. Plenty of food and drink was available while guests mingled. Rose Valexe provided dancing music for the revelers. Hoihe Dacino also provided musical entertainment, and Alexandra Keenan shared a dance with her close friend, Medune Norman, to end her time at the festivities.