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

Posted: **Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:20 pm**

So today I had a rather humorous encounter with a would-be Bandit.

I'm walking up the trade way, North of Beregost, when a Horned Man jumps out of the bushes. He pulls a knife, and then demands that I pay a toll.

I proceeded to drop a Meteor Swarm on his head. Then his friends emerged from the bushes...

...only to receive a Maximized Dimitry's FInal Flare. Which turned all of the would-be Bandits into SOUP.

The rest of them fled for their lives like the cowards they were.

Ah, some days I do ENJOY being a PSYCHOPATH....

Posted: **Tue Mar 17, 2020 11:48 am**

One of the inherent benefits of being a deranged Psychopath is the ability to be completely devoid of any emotion when it comes to killing.

In the chaotic, dangerous world in which we live, however, that is a skill that is greatly needed in dark, trying times.

My continued psychic excursions into the Far Realm are slowly, but surely, grating upon the last fragments of my fractured sanity.

I fear it is not long now before I begin to lose myself to the Chaos.

I fear it is not long before the Madness begins to truly take root.

And, honestly...

....I like it. I like it a lot.

Which both excites and terrifies me at the same time.

I have lived among these..."Civilized folk"..for far too long. These diseased, depraved degenerates that dare to look at me and judge me.

Call me "Lunatic."

These holier-than-thou miscreants. These hypocrites. They continue to chide me. Laugh at me. Assume I am an imbecile, or incapable.

It is time these stuck-up people all learned a very valuable lesson:

Just because someone is InSANE......does not mean they are INCOMPETENT.

I think it is time that I, Salim el-Faddir, show these people what I'm capable of....if I were to give a damn.

Power is dangerous in the hands of motivated people.

Especially in the hands of people who are ambitious....AND don't give a sh-t about people or care about such insignificant little trifles like collateral damage.

People like me.

Thankfully I spend so many of my days completely out-of-my-mind on various narcotics to keep myself docile. Keep me from becoming too homicidal.

Maybe it's time I cut back, and let loose some frustration.

Might be good for a few laughs......hehehehe...

Posted: **Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:42 am**

I had a nightmare last night. Which is not something that usually happens to me.

One of the perks of smoking as much devilweed and consuming as many mushrooms as I do is that I tend to have...rather pleasant dreams.

Dreams that are incredibly vivid. And my own skills with Oneiromancy...that's Dream Magic by the by...tend to enhance the experience.

Tonight my dream was quite fascinating. I was sitting in the Elfsong Tavern again, the same as the last dream. And this time I was approached by another Elderly man.

But this man was not dressed in red robes with a warm smile like the last one.

This one was dressed in regal robes, but with a grim demeanor and a scowl upon his countenance.

...leaning upon a rather wicked looking Black Staff.

The man approached me, staring daggers at me. He placed his staff firmly upon the ground and his dark eyes met mine.

"Salim El-Faddir. The Archmage of Anarchy." the man stated. It wasn't a question. It was a statement. He knew who I was. No question about that.

"Speaking!" I replied. "And to whom do I have the pleasure of addressing?"

The room seemed to become....darker. Almost as if the man was quite literally capable of sucking all of the light out of the room. He was truly an imposing figure. Much like the Old Sage, I could feel the power emanating from him as if he were a living wellspring of Magical Energy.

"You speak to Khelben Arunsun, Jester. And I am not happy."

I laughed. I actually laughed really, really hard.

"Mate, that obviously means that you're lying. If you were really the Blackstaff you'd know the truth: He is NEVER Happy!!"

The man merely scowled even harder, and then slowly began to approach me, using his trade-mark Blackstaff as a walking stick. He leaned over and stared me in the eyes. Close enough that I could see the gray in his beard.

"If you think I'm ever going to let an IDIOT like you into the Harper's, Salim, you are an even bigger Fool than your Tarot Card depicts..."

"Khelben, ol' boy...if that's who you really are...why in the Nine F---ing Hells would I actually want to do that? To put that kind of target on my back?"

"Becuse I know you, Salim! You will do ANYTHING 'just for the laughs!' You're a Hedonistic Degenerate with no regard for the innocent or care for the damage that you cause to satiate your ENDLESS appetite for Chaos!!"

"Heh. You DO know me..."

"Far too well, Salim. When the man you call "M" contacted you and made the offer to join...I am fairly certain that every Harper Agent who has ever died in the line of duty began to spin in their graves sure as if the very thought of it was so Foul that it could Animate the dead."

"Well, I guess that just means there's a bit of UNlife in the boys, eh?"

"ENOUGH!!! THESE ARE LIFE AND DEATH CIRCUMSTANCES, SALIM, THE HARPER'S ARE NOT A LAUGHING MATTER!!!"[/i]

Everybody in the bar was staring at us, as the old man continued to chide me. Continued to scream at me. His face was full of rage.

So I did the first thing I always do...which gets me into trouble sometimes, admittedly:

I made a Joke.

"So....two Archmages are standing in a Bar, when..." I began.

I didn't have time to finish.

FWOOOOOOOSH!

A blast of Fire emanated from the Blackstaff that engulfed me completely. Fortunately, being a Pyromancer myself, I'm usually quite immune to Fire. But the flash was bright and blinding. I was staggered by the sudden burst of light and heat. I covered my eyes with my arm.

And when I brought it down again, the Blackstaff was gone. I was alive, but, the message that he had sent was clear:

I was not WELCOME within his little Scout Troop of Do-Gooder's.

...which was perfectly fine with me. I had other plans. Plans that did NOT involve becoming a Target for the Thayans and Zhentarim. I awoke in my bed, gasping for air.

Gods-be-damned...I really need to quit drinking....

Posted: **Sat Mar 21, 2020 9:31 am**

After the dream with the Blackstaff came to an end I had awoken gasping for air. Even though it was only a dream it just felt so real. Granted, that's one of the things about traversing the Dreamscape as I have so many times: You learn how to make dreams and illusions more..."Real."

Too real, sometimes in fact. Sometimes when I get hit in a dream: I wake up feeling it for real. I haven't woken up with any actual injuries, at least none that I can see, but I have certainly more than once woken up still feeling the residual pain from injuries I have received in my dreams.

It would appear that if a dream is "real" enough that an injury in the mind can have a lasting effect on the body. Your mind, in essence, can make it real. Sort of like the Astral Plane.

In the Astral Plane, it is possible to create from nothingness. Manifest matter into being. Transmute thought...into something real.

What if that's all "reality" truly is, I wonder? A shared delusion?

Do all minds work in unison to dream our reality?

Are we the dreams of Gods, who have developed our consciousness? Or are we the ones who dreamt the Gods into being, out of our necessity to explain our existence and the machinations of our reality?

All fun to think about I suppose.

The Dream that I would have the following night would be just as interesting as the one featuring the Blackstaff. The dream seemed to take place immediately after the other. Almost as if the dream were the next chapter in the Saga that was my Insanity.

I dusted myself off after the sudden flash of light and fire and made my way towards the door. Of course, as I left everybody in the bar watched me leave...perks of being the most charismatic and interesting bloke in the joint I suppose. As I opened the door and stepped outside I did not find myself on the streets of Baldur's Gate, near the gutter where I had passed out one too many times after a night of heavy drinking and debauchery.

I was in a cavern. A large, dark, seemingly endless cavern. And as I looked all around me I saw that the ceiling was made of stone. I was underground. Not so far underground that I was in the Underdark, it would seem. But underground all the same.

I gazed about when suddenly, from the shadows, stepped yet ANOTHER old man.

He was the definition of disheveled. His eyes were manic, bloodshot and insane. He wore tattered robes and his tangled gray hair and beard stood on end as if he had just finished licking a lightning bolt.

This one I knew. Or at least knew OF. And considering I had already been visited by two Archmages, well, I might as well get a third out of the way.

Halaster F---ing Blackcloak.

The Mad Mage of Undermountain.

Posted: **Sat Mar 21, 2020 1:59 pm**

"Salim, old boy! How the hells are you!? A pleasure to finally make your acquaintanceship!! My name is --- " the man began.

"Halaster Gods-be-damned Blackcloak!" I responded. I merely stood there, my mouth agape. I"m fairly certain that my jaw was so close to the floor that my beard could have been used as a Broom.

'I see my reputation proceeds me! Good to know that people haven't forgotten who I am!"

"How could we ever forget? You're Halaster. The Mad Mage of Undermountain. You're one of the most feared names in Faerun.."

"I know. One of." the man sighed "The fact I'm not THE most feared name in Faerun still brings me some measure of disquiet. What can I say? I hate competition." the Mad Mage sneered.

"And what is it you wish of me, Mad Mage?"

"Why I wanted to meet the self-proclaimed Archmage of Anarchy. I wanted to see what you were all about. And I have to say, old boy, I'm rather impressed.. You've gazed into the Far Realm, boy. Far, far too deep into the Far Realm. And you know what that means?"

"Enlighten me, oh Mad one."

"It means you might just be the only son-of-a-bitch in Faerun who's even crazier than I am. Not going to lie, my insatiable curiosity compelled me to seek you out. Especially when I had heard a whisper-on-the-wind that the Archmage of Anarchy had been petitioned to join the bloody HARPERS!"

"I know. Bloody hilarious, innit?"

"I will admit, the whole thought has given me more than a few chuckles. What can I say? The fact that you joining their ranks would do nothing short of giving old Blackstaff a stroke is a great source of humor to me."

All I could do was smile. And nervously chuckle. I didn't know what to say.

"I like you, Salim. You remind me of...well...a very young and stupid version of ME. And you know what they say: Imitation is, indeed, the most sincere form of flattery."

My heart nearly stopped.

I knew what it meant if Halaster "liked you."

It meant that you were doomed to become part of his "Collection."

I reeled back. The look of fear on my face was quite apparent. Primarily since part of the downside of a man who shares his thoughts and opinions freely: I am a horrible liar. I cannot hide my emotions, sometimes. It makes me a terrible gambler.

Halaster simply smiled that wicked, toothy smile of his. A look on his face of pure derangement.

Is this what shall happen to me, should I live to be as old as the Mad Mage?

The fact that my bloodline is that of an Uvuudaum, one of the Chaos Lords of the Far Realm, means that I just might. A scary thought.

Assuming, of course, I was going to live at all. The Lord of Undermountain was infamous for his random spouts of violence and his random outbursts of destructive rage.

But, just as the duality of insanity implies, he was also known for being quite civil. Even quite collected at times.

But still completely, irredeemably, unspeakably EVIL.

"Oh please, boy. If I were going to kill you I would have done so already."

"But...this is all a dream. You can't kill me, here. Because you are not real."

"How astute. You are correct. I am not real. Merely a dream. A projection of your subconscious manifested into an image that you can see, hear, and speak to."[

"So why appear as Halaster? I don't know him, not personally. And I've only heard descriptions of the man, I've never seen him. Which means you aren't a memory. So what exactly are you!?

The "Mad Mage" began to smile, even more wickedly. His eyes, as I looked, appeared to possess a faint glimmer. An almost...alien glow. It was then that the "Mad Mage's form began to shift. I could hear the cracking of bones as his body began to twist and contort before assuming the form of something truly hideous. Truly monstrous.

It was a creature possessed of a beak, not unlike a bird's. Though it was as a floating-orb. Several tentacles and eyes covered the monstrous, bulbous creature.

It was possessed of 3 large eyes that rested upon its head, which glowed as motes of pure Gold. From its body radiated an aura of malevolence and darkness the likes of which seemed to darken the area all around it.

I knew of these beasts, but only through the ancient tomes that I had scoured. I had only heard rumor of these malevolent entities, I had never come face to face with one until now.....

A Malaugrym

Posted: **Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:41 am**

The Malaugrym Floated before me, gazing at me with those three large golden eyes. It's bird-like beaked dripped saliva at it stared me down as if I were to be its next meal.

But the Malaugrym hesitated. It knew that I was an Archmage, that I wasn't something so easily bested. And so it laughed before it's form began to shift again.

Before I knew it I was standing before a twisted reflection of myself. It looked like me but it was..different.

It was me, but as a Pseudonatural creature.

As I stared at this mutated self-visage it writhed in mania as it's form seemed to be ever-shifting.

It's eyes were insectoid, like those of a Fly. It's mouth full of long, sharp jagged teeth.

Upon its head, instead of my usual Dreadlocks, were four tentacles. Two of which ended in a set of eyes, like Beholder Eye-stalks. The other two ended in sharp spikes, like those of an Ulitharid. Better known as Ascended Mindflayers. Who instead of only tentacles have sharp spikes which dig into the skulls of their victims.

Its body was covered in eyes, all over. Every angle. Its fingers ended without fingernails, but instead with long razor-sharp talons.

Upon its face it wore the makeup of a Jester. And the most twisted, wicked smile that I had ever laid eyes upon.

Quite frankly..it was the most terrifying creature I had ever seen. And I have gazed deep into the planes. VERY deep.

Because it was what I knew I could eventually become if I allowed my "expeditions" into the Far Realm to take too much of a toll upon my mind.

This creature, this Malaugrym, was showing me to my face the very image of my worst nightmare made real.

I stood before this horrific amalgamation as a helpless deer before a ravenous wolf. Frozen. It was then that "IT" began to speak.

As it spoke its words seemed to echo all around as if thousands of maddening voices spoke in unison. An effect similar to the effects of a Gibbering Mouther. But even MORE chaotic, somehow.

I put my hands to my ears as I was hit by the wave of sound. Words that seemed to burrow their way into my very mind, as the creature made telepathic contact.

"Yes, Salim. You know what you are:

.. Abomination...

Posted: **Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:12 am**

"Abomination."

The word slapped me across the face like a Fist.

"Yes, Salim. Abomination. It's what you are. An Aberrant MUTT. A creature whose blood comes from those of the Far Realm. Those of my ilk. You are one of us, Salim. Embrace it. Give in to it. Embrace the Chaos. Let it give you strength, and nurture you like a mother would nurse a child."

"And what would you have me do, Monster?"I meekly questioned.

"Why, my boy....whatever you want! The way you always have! The way you always will. The way you are compelled to act by your very nature. Governed by your own whim...and nothing else."

"You know me far too well, creature.."I stated as I stared down the twisted visage that stood before me. As we spoke, drool and ichor spilled from its fanged teeth as it smiled its ghastly grin.

"Of course I do. I am a part of your subconscious, child. I linger within the precipice of your mind and dance upon the edge of your Sanity."

"And by what Name should I know you, creature?"

"My dear, sweet boy. What is in a name? A rose by any other name...is still a thorn-covered weed." the creature cackled.

"You are part of me, are you not? A Twisted Reflection from my own broken Psyche?"

"I suppose you could call me that. Yes. I believe the word you are looking for, when one suffers a great divide. A great split. A great..."

We both uttered the word in unison:

"SCHISM!!"

"Yes. Schism. That shall do quite nicely. Quite nicely indeed. And if you are willing to listen to me, Salim, I can teach you how to achieve your utmost potential. To unlock the hidden powers of the Lords of Chaos that linger within you. And when I'm finished with you, boy....you are going to be..."

"A God?"I questioned.

"Oh, no boy. Nothing so simple and as LIMITED as a mere GOD. Your power comes from something...older. MUCH older.."

"You speak Heresy, monster..."

"'Heresy' is a word that simply means 'uncomfortable truth' to those who choose to live with comforting lies." The monster rebutted.

"And what 'truth' do you seek to teach me, Far-spawn?"

"That it is the GODS who are the greatest Monsters of them all, Salim. And that they need you significantly more than you need them. There are other, greater powers in the Multiverse, boy. Powers as ancient as time itself. Beings older than Life and Death. Creatures that were not "Born", but were merely..."Spawned" into existence. Creatures beyond the reach of Death."

"And you would teach me of these Eldritch Abominations?"

"I will do even more, Salim. With my help. With my guidance....you shall become one."

"You promise me power greater than that of a God?"I scoffed at the mere idea. "Nonsense."

But the monster merely smiled.

"That's the thing about Chaos, Salim. One man's "Nonsense" is another man's reality. And now...it's time for you and I...to GET REAL."

Posted: **Fri Mar 27, 2020 6:56 am**

[

"It's time to get real, Salim. You are one of US."

"And what, pray-tell, is one of YOU, exactly?"

"We are that which Lurk among the Stars. Those who exist within the folds of Dimension. There are some who would call us "Elder Gods." But no. A misnomer. We are not Gods. Nothing so limited. Nothing so...finite."

"Then what should I call you, if not an Elder God?"

"I suppose....Old one will suffice."

"Old one." I laughed.

"Indeed. We are older than any God, Salim. Older than any that are still known, at least. We have existed since time immemorial."

"And you claim I am one of you? I am Thirty-three winters old. Hardly "Ancient" by any stretch..."

"Is that what you believe? Heh. Oh, boy, you are sure in for a surprise.."

"What kind of surprise? And who are you, exactly, who have come to haunt my dreams?"

"I have always been here, Salim. Inside of your mind. Lingering upon the edge of your periphery."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"I never said it would. I could tell you who I am Salim, but you wouldn't believe me. So instead I have no choice...but to show you."

"Is this deformed visage not your true face? Or merely another approximation? Another disguise?"

"You see me as you choose to see me, Salim. Your mind chooses the means by which I am perceived. It is the same when I speak to anyone. My true visage, Salim, is so horrible that the mere sight of it would shred the last remnants of your sanity into ribbons. Your mind chooses to see me this way, considering that you've never listened to anyone but yourself. Thus you see me...as a version of yourself. The ultimate Narcissist, it would seem: Metacognitively conjuring a "Guide" in your own image. But that's alright. GODS are known for doing such..."

"You claim me to be a God. No. I'm a man. A flesh-and-blood mortal. I bleed. I am flawed..."

"Gods are flawed, Salim. And take it from me: They can certainly bleed."

"You are a liar and a deceiver. You are tempting to appeal to appeal to my narcissism, with the claim that I am of God-blood."

"You are not of God-blood, child. You are not of "Blood" at all."

"I...do not follow."

"You are not of God Blood because, Salim, you were not born......"

....you were MADE."

"Made?"] I scoffed. "Made of what? Bad jokes and Booze?"

"No, Salim. You are, quite literally.....MADE OF MAGIC!!!"

"...You're Insane...."

"And so are you! Your Insanity was preordained from the moment of your conception. Because your Insanity is a reflection of what you are, my child. A creature created from pure Magic......and Baptized in pure MADNESS."

"You're claiming I am an Abomination?"

"Not Claiming.....proving."

"Very well then. I'll humor you. Get on with it then. Show me this incontrovertible EVIDENCE."

"As you wish. Though be prepared: What I am about to show you will shake you from the very foundation. And you may not ever fully recover. This is why I am giving you something most Gods never give to those with whom they commune: I am giving you a choice."

"What choice?"

"To show you the truth. Only the truth. Only the pure, unfiltered, unbiased truth. To peel back the Veil which has been placed over your eyes and within the confines of your mind. That which keeps you from your true potential. But be WARNED. Once you know what I am about tell you you will be forever and irreversibly changed. It is a change that will be for the better. But it is also a change to which there is no reverse. If you proceed forward, Salim...""

"...Then there is no going back."

"Correct."

"Then to know myself fully, I must abandon that which I was?"

"Correct."

"But to know myself will grant Transcendence"?

"Epiphany beyond your imagining."

"But it will also shake me to my core?"

"Through horrors you cannot conceive."

"It is the burden of a Scholar. Epiphany requires sacrifice...."

And then, we spoke in Unison:

"Knowledge ALWAYS has a Price..."

"Get on with it, then. Because you know how I'm going to answer."

"Indeed I do. For you are burdened with the greatest strength and simultaneously greatest weakness of every TRUE scholar."

"The overwhelming NEED to know the Truth. Regardless of the pain it brings."

"That is the burden of Truth, Salim. The Pure and Simple Truth is RARELY Pure..."

"...and NEVER Simple."

"Indeed."

The creature proceeded to reach forth and touched me upon the brow. And what he began to show me changed me forever.

Posted: **Fri Mar 27, 2020 9:44 am**

"In the beginning, Salim, the multiverse was Chaos and Void. Within the darkness there lurked monsters of unspeakable horror. Creatures who were not of a physical body, but manifestations of the Chaos of Creation.

One of those creatures. A creature who watches the whole of creation. A creature to whom Past, Present, and Future are all One and the same.

He who Watches from Beyond the Stars. The Darkness of the Void.

A creature known...as Bolothamogg."

Bolothamogg is the guardian of what you call the Penumbra. A primal force of Chaos. He who Cages the Multiverse...and ensures that none can leave it.

Or, more specifically, can get inside.

Bolothamogg is the progenitor of all those that the Scholars of your world have come to know: As the "Elder Evils." Creatures long-forgotten to most of the Tomes of Man.

To be specific he is the father of the Progenitor of the entire Aboleth race:

A creature known, only: As the ELDEST.

The Eldest, from the confines of the dark depths of the subconscious of his mind, spawned forth Seven creatures of incredible power and malevolence.

Creatures who took the form of Stars, which now dance among the night sky within the deepest reaches of Realmspace in an eternal Waltz among the stars, and whisper Dark Secrets and Forbidden Eldritch Lore to those who are brave enough...or insane enough...to gaze upon them.

Acamar, the Devourer

Delban, the Star of Ice and Hate.

Hadar, the Crimson Hunger.

Khirad, the Star of Secrets.

Nihal, the Serpent Star.

Zhudun, the Corpse Star.

And, last of all:

Caiphon, the Dream Whisperer..

Posted: **Fri Mar 27, 2020 5:59 pm**

"The Dream Whisperer...wait...are...you...?"

"No, child. Though let us say that I am....permitted...to speak on their behalf."

"A Spokesman?"

"More like.....Emissary."

"And what does this...Caiphon...want with the likes of me?"

"To put it plain, Salim: Another Emissary. In the physical world.

"You wish me to bridge the gap between Dream and Reality?"

"We do."

"But why me?"

"Because your unique Heritage gives you a great boon, Salim. It gives you the ability to survive the process...by which you may ASCEND."

"Ascend? Ascend into wha-----"

I did not even have time to speak...before I found myself being hurled into the Sky.

Faster, and Faster, and Faster I flew. Until I was flying so quickly that it was as though the stars around me straightened into beams of light. I was traveling fast.

I was traveling VERY FAST.

I was traveling...at the Speed of LIGHT.

I went Far.

And then...I went even Farther.

I went so Far that I escaped the very bounds of Toril itself. And then just as quickly as I had accelerated I came to a sudden stop.

As I opened my eyes I gazed around at my surroundings. And as I looked I was both amazed, and horrified, by the sight that lay before me...

I knew for certain that I wasn't on Toril anymore....

...because I was looking at it.

I tried to scream. But there was only the void of infinite silence. Because I could not BREATHE.

Because I was floating in the Infinite Darkness of

Realmspace.

Posted: **Fri Mar 27, 2020 7:59 pm**

"Well....you're really f---ed now, aren't you? Eh hehehehe..."

It was a familiar voice, though it was distorted somehow. Because it was not being heard, by my ears.

It was being spoken, telepathically, into my mind.

I was choking. I was gasping for air but to no avail. I was in the cold and the dark. I could feel my blood freezing. I could feel my lungs collapsing. I could feel my body decompressing. Like a Deep-sea Fish that is brought too close to the surface of the ocean.

My eyes were bugging out of my skull. I was flailing about, helpless, gazing out in all directions at the infinite nothing which surrounded me. I could see Toril itself, my home, Floating in the far, far distance. How did I come this far!? How was I brought here!?

But then I remembered something: This was a dream. Only a dream. Only. A Dream.

And in dreams, breath is only an illusion.

I closed my eyes, and I began to concentrate. I concentrated as hard as I could. I concentrated on every fiber of my being. And I began to imagine:

"AIR!!!" I screamed. For this was MY DREAM. And in my dream....I truly AM a God, as the Emissary had claimed.

My lungs began to fill. And I began to breathe again. I could feel my body warming. Feel the oxygen pouring back into my body. I opened my eyes, again, and there before me stood the Old One. The Emissary who had previously made my acquaintance. Floating in Realmspace alongside me.

"Well done, old boy!" the Emissary spoke to me, inside of my mind.

I was floating, helpless. But the Emissary seemed to adopt a new form, shifting its shape before me into that of a creature I had never seen before. A great Worm. A creature that, it seemed, could propel itself through Realmspace in a manner that I did not quite seem to understand.

But this was a creature that I recognized from my studies of the entities of the Outer Realms.

This creature: Was an Aboleth.

"You could have killed me!"

"But I didn't."

"But you COULD HAVE!!

"But I didn't."

"Gah!! Are you bloody insane!?"

"....."

"Right, Forget I asked! GAH!! Why the HELLS would you do that?!"

"To force you to adapt..or die. The way Nature intends. The way Nature demands."

"But, why...?"

"Because that's what I offer you, Salim. True power over Nature.. And the Nature of Nature is that Nature is cruel. And only the strong shall survive."

"Nature!? I'm a SORCEROR! Do I look like some bloody tree-hugging DRUID!?!?

"Oh, I don't know: The scraggly beard, the tattered clothes, the constant smell of Devilweed in your immediate area, your predisposition for excessive sex and random nudity..."

"Fine, point made!! But I'm a Sorceror, not a Druid! What, you going to give me power over Plants and such? Gonna turn me into a master devil weed grower? Because mate I already have a friend for that, his name is "Shrubby", I'd be happy to introduce the two of you..."

"Why, Salim........How do you think I found you?"

"...Oh f-ck me....YOU'RE SHRUBBY!!!!!?!?"

"Guilty as charged, my brother!!"

"But...how did you know I was going to pick Shrubby!? Out of all the people I interviewed, there's no way you could have....unless..."

"You mean....unless I was.......all of them?"

"All of them! You were all of them!!!"

"When I heard the stories of a man who wanted to, as he put it, "Trip so hard that he reached the Far Realm"...well...I thought it was funny. Initially...you were nothing but a minor curiosity. But then I started to watch you. Then I grew fascinated, and so I created several...samples...and brought each of them to you in a different form until you found the one you liked the best. So that I could STUDY YOU.

"But why me?"

"Because Salim: you are a MASTERPIECE!!"

"Explain."

"You are perfect!! You are beyond perfect!! Don't you get it!? Don't you see!? You are a native of the Far Realm!! A native of Realmspace!!

"You are not Natural!!

You are BEYOND Natural!!

You are...

Pseudonatural!!"

Posted: **Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:40 am**

"Pseudonatural...?"

We were still floating in the vacuum of Realmspace. Adrift in the endless sea of cosmic emptiness. "Schism", as I had learned to call him, began to shift again back into the twisted form in which I knew him. He assumed a Lotus position and commenced to "Float" in the air.

"Oh, yes. Pseudonatural. Guess what, Salim?" Schism asked as its voice became musical and sing-song."You are an ALIEN!!"

Posted: **Tue Mar 31, 2020 11:54 pm**

"Alien!? What do you mean 'Alien!?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. Salim, you are not a natural creature to the Prime Material. Or, rather...not completely."

"What do you mean? I was born to a mortal mother in this world! How am I alien to it!?"

"Your blood carries with it the taint of the Far Realm. The corrupting nature of the Far Realm can irradiate all who come into contact with it. And that taint can linger within the blood from generation to generation to generation. It dilutes itself with time. But in the presence of powerful Magicks, those bloodlines can be reawakened."

"And how was mine awakened, exactly?"

"Because of where you lived, Salim. You are Bedine. Born of the Anauroch. And you do know what turned the Anauroch into a Desert, do you not?"

"I have..heard stories. Creatures who could drain the very life of the Desert. Monsters of pure malevolence."

"Indeed. They are known....as the Phaerimm.

Posted: **Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:45 am**

The creature's form began to shift again until a Phaerimm floated in the air before me. A monstrous creature. With a long tail and numerous tentacles that flailed about, covered in a giant maw.

"So what does this have to do with me? You are saying I am part Phaerimm?"

"Yes."

"But I thought you said I was part Malaugrym? Or...Uvuudaum?"

"Yes. And yes AGAIN."

"You are saying that I have...traits...of ALL of these foul creatures!?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying. Your Aberrant bloodline is tainted by all of those...and even more."

"Nonsense! No such creature as me should EVER exist in this world!"

"Precisely my point, Salim. You are, to put it plainly...a Thing that SHOULD NOT BE."

I reeled from the revelation. But how? How COULD I be such a monstrosity? How could all of these eldritch horrors from beyond the darkness of the stars all be a part of me? How? Why? It had to be a lie. A trick. A deception. Yes. That was it. This creature was lying to me. I could feel it..

"It is no lie, Salim."

I was taken aback. But then I remembered: The creature was Telepathic. It could read my mind. More importantly, it could sense my doubt.

"Explain, monster. NOW!! I DEMAND IT!!"

"YOU DO NOT DEMAND OF ME, BOY!"

I trembled at the monster's thunderous, echoing voice. At first it was a demand. But as I knew this..creature..was so far beyond me. So far far beyond my ability to comprehend that I merely nodded, and conceded. The shock of the monster's revelation still plain upon my visage.

"Now then, child. If you are willing to sit back, relax, and more importantly...LISTEN...you MIGHT just learn something about yourself..."

I nodded. And I relented. I motioned to the creature to continue.

The creature's form shifted, once again. This time, however, it shapeshifted into a creature that I had come to recognize, having dealt with a few of them in the past. Namely a rather shady scroll merchant in Soubar.

An Illithid. But it was more than that. It seemed...evolved somehow. Different. Advanced. I then remembered what I had read about in my Lore Tome involving such creatures.

This one was an "Advanced" version of your usual run-of-the-mill Mindflayer.

This one was called:

An Ulitharid

Posted: **Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:14 am**

"The Phaerimm were, well, let us just say that they took great glee in experimentation".

The type of experimentation that, unfortunately, took the once lush, verdant land of the Anauroch and degraded it into ruin."

"In the Phaerimm's infinite hunger for Magic, and their insatiable need to control all life that they could not destroy, they unleashed horrible terrors upon your world. They captured, and enslaved. Bent people to their wills. Crushed their minds. Turned them into "Playthings."

"Slaves." I chimed in.

"Thralls. With no will of their own. Completely under their mental control.

Complete subjugation of the will.

Domination.

And what happens, Salim, after the Thralls of a Mindflayer outlive their usefulness?"

"They become FOOD"

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

Salim el-Faddir: Archmage of Anarchy

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Re: Salim el-Faddir: Archmage of Anarchy

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Re: Salim el-Faddir: Archmage of Anarchy