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

((To be edited))

Meeting in the Misty Forest




Laisren and Deacon at the Duchal Palace

Having returned with Deacon from their summons by Dukes of Baldur's Gate, Laisren stands atop the platform of Menelmen'iilor and looks down upon the village, his arms folded across his chest. A gentle breeze blowing, he watches the elven children play below. A pained expression betrays his scarred features when suddenly his ears catch the sounds of footsteps falling behind him. He doesn't need to look to see who it is, "My love", he says with a hint of emotion tinging his words.

"Laisren, what troubles you?", his wife Saline asks in an empathetical tone. Laisren turns his face to regard her, his one good eye still carrying a sense of emotion, the other having been turned to glass by the curse of Lloth, seemed to stare into some great abyss. He looked at her and a half-hearted smile betrayed his lips but it passed quickly. "I was thinking of a story my mother once told me", Laisren stated while turning back to regard the children.

"Twas this story my love?", Saline asks while sliding next to him, placing an arm around his slender waist and looking down to where Laisren watched. "Twas the story of a young elf of the Moonshae Isles", Laisren began without breaking his concentration upon the children at play. "He was taken as a servant by the overlord of his people's village, this was to secure his family's safety but this lord treated the boy very harshly", Laisren said stoically, seeming to be lost himself in the telling of the story.

"The lord would beat the boy for any infraction and made the boy to handle all of his errands", Laisren continued. "Then, one day the elven boy caught a extraordinarily large fish down by a stream and the lord demanded the boy prepare it for his dinner", he said without breaking rhythm but smiling once when watching a girl below begin play keep away from one of the other village boys. Laisren continued telling the story,

"So, the boy went on to cook the fish. He then brought the fish to his human overlord. The Northlander asked the boy, Did you taste the fish? The boy shook his head no, receiving a beating about his head and neck for this by the Northlander. How am I to know it is safe to eat?, the Northlander yelled at the boy. So, the boy slowly tasted the fish and suddenly a surprised look overcame his face. The boy knew then what this extraordinary fish really was. It was the Salmon of Knowledge, a fish said by the bards of his people, that when eaten offers all of the knowledge of one's world.

The Northlander looked at the boys expression. So, is it safe, or not?, he asked. No lord, you would not wish to eat this fish, it is rancid, the boy said. Then go fetch me another, now!, the lord did say and so the boy ran off with the already prepared fish. He devoured the whole of the fish and came to gain all the knowledge of his own world."

Laisren finished the story and fell into a silent preponderance, as if contemplating the meaning for himself. "So, what became of the boy?" Saline asked with interest. Without turning, Laisren responded, "He freed his village and his people". Saline look at her husband quizzically for a moment and then asked, "So, what does it mean my love?".

Laisren finally turned to regard Saline, "I am tired of our people being made to taste for poison Saline, I think it time we become wise", he stated, a saddened look within his one eye..........

Ambassador Durin meets with the elven messenger as soon as he hears of his arrival. In his haste he spills ale on his beard and a sizeable piece of boar haunch finds its way beneath his breastplate. He does his best to make himself presentable as he hurries to meet the messenger.

Hearing the message of loyalty from the elves and a pledge to work together to clear the northern roads, Durin quickly relays the message to King Battlehammer, who is very pleased to hear the news that they will have aid in re-opening the trade roads to increase the flow of coin into the city's coffers. He dispatches a messenger to the elves of En Dharasha Everae.

To the Most Excellent Proconsul Laisren Ua Tieman,

King Dovekin Battlehammner sends his wishes for prosperous trade and productive crafting. He is honored and pleased that you offer your support in clearing the northern trade roads. He has dispatched his ambassador, Durin Ironfaar to meet with your military leaders to discuss strategies and tactics to defeat our common foe. He does regret that his royal forces are limited as the threat of the trolls still looms and their numbers continueally press our defenses. Nonetheless, the dwarven warriors will aid and bear their share of the patrols. Together we shall grind this foe into the dust from which it came.

So decrees King Dovkin Battlehammer

The messenger returns to the forest with word from the General of the Silver Rose Order:

flipside43 wrote: Uriel replies to the messenger,

"Please tell the Ahk'aegis that we graciously appreciate his offer. We currently have patrols scouring the lands for those still missing. Coordinating with their activities would be well appreciated. They are currently operating out of the Temple of Tyr in Baldur's Gate. I will soon journey to the Temple myself. Godspeed."

Uriel bows his head as the elven messenger depart.

The Ahk'aegis implores Villis Mendel and Feralyn to go to this Temple and aid the General in this mission. They are to take only one, perhaps two others that are the most skilled and well trained in such matters.

The elves of En Dharasha stood round the circle of runes that elegently displayed upon the marble of Dal'Hara. They waited anxiously, to see the likeness of their people, to feel their kinship, to offer their fears and their hopes. That these fears and hopes might be realized one, or the other, they did not know. So many gathered, the Villis Mendel and Feralyn stood as stout examples of their peoples strength. Lady Luthien stood as a radiant being, inspiring others with her beauty and awe. The dirgeinger Iliana beside her drew upon the chords of elven rememberance, that their history has not always been so glorious.

There were the new faces bearing the excitement and anticipation of the future. Amber Wynde, the freeflowing youth who had seemed to cause those around her to smile and the one Syren, spoke in anxious riddles. There was also the old veteren elves, grizzled and hardened. The likes of Anicel and Lomir amongst them, reminding others that their peoples freedom came with great cost. There were the beings of nature, Valge, Deacon and Nai whose tempered benevolence ebbed and flowed, much as points along a great flowing river.

Finally, between them all stood the Ahk'aegis. They stood there as the representation of all their people had been through and all that they were. Saline's wild beauty and charm, tempered within a lifetime's furnace of expectations and doubt. Laisren her loved one, stoic and scared, whose last eye now shown with a tremendous hope he had only recently come to know. They clapsed each others hands tightly and waited anxiously for their future. They waited to offer all they had come to know. They waited for their own judgement. They waited for the new path of their destiny..........

The elves moved briskly under the cover of night. Their scouts had reported an open road before them and they pushed a brisk pace now that they were out of the forest. It was their hope to cross the river south of Daggerford and circumvent the human town before dawn. There were many eyes for which they would avoid, for as they came to know, there were many who would wish them ill.

Laisren looked around as he walked, his steps falling heavier with the pack upon his back. He knew that these anxious moments were critical to his people but he could not help his mind wandering back to the one who had sent them on this mission, the moon elf Ambassador Myndailar. He thought of the man's sharp features, the keen glint within his eye and the openness of this words. These things did not coincide Laisren knew but he also knew his people could ill afford to turn down even that which lead to the unknown.

His mind ran with the possibilities. Why?, he asked himself. For what purpose would this one so openly offer his assistance. Laisren had known men who offered much for less return but never for free. There was something about this man that he did not trust. He thought of his cunning master with his tricks and his father with his promises that never were to be realized but he could not attest how they might apply to this man. A human wife, waterdeep, and an ancient site of his people left for the forest to feed?

An empty feeling sat within the pit of his stomach but he pushed on all the still. He drew strength from those around him, the ones born of strife and forged in the furnace of war. His wife walked beside him, an equally large carrying bag upon her back and staring off into the distance. Saline had an intense look upon her hazel green eyes. Laisren knew how important this was to her, as her own people the wild ones of the Moor were the first to feel the effects of their enemy should these omens come to pass. Laisren gritted his teeth and turned back to face the road. He hated to see her look this way.

His one true eye still could see like a hawk off into the far distance and the spell he had cast would allow him to see with both his eyes within the utter darkness. But, it was the future that he could not see clearly. He did not know what awaited him within this ancient wood. He heard the words of his mentor ring within his head, "Fight, or die, whether the end to this life is slow, or quick, only you can decide!".

Then suddenly he saw a figure appear within the mist ahead, "Ahk'aegis there is a blockade ahead................."

The elves of Dharasha moved before the giant stone bridge of their Dwarven allies. Long had the elves of Dharasha and the dwarves of Clan Helzak shared strong relations and with the fall of Triel the alliance between these northern guilds was never more important. The dwarves absence from the battle had the Paladins of the human city calling out in protest but when the dwarves came to entreat the allies as to the bandit blockades dashing the Dwarven relief force, the Elves had known all to well the truth of this matter.

The Elves and Dwarves had been in communication on this matter for sometime since, with the bandits still patrolling the roads and grinding trade to a halt. The elves felt ever more threatened with their mortal enemies the Orcs now firmly entrenched across the High Moor from them and the whispers of Zhentish power growing while the Dukes turn a blind eye. So, finally they met to discuss these matters.

The elves left visibly upset with talk of Dwarven priorities being called elsewhere. Some of the elves spoke of outsiders and the need for strict self reliance. In the end, they moved back to their forest and it will be there that they now must stay, as the roads grow more dangerous, it seems they must now look to each other only for support.

The elves of En Dharasha Everae were all there. Waiting to meet the ambassadors of the other Elven tribes and discuss about current problems and ways they can help each other. Mendel stood amongst them feeling very proud. Looking around he could see all those that were with them since the beginning, others who have joined halfway and other who have just recently become member of En Dharasha Everae.

The discussions went as smoothly as it could, with no arguments and promises of help from both sides. The Ahk'Aegis ( Laisren and Saline) and Faernsuora ( Luthien), which stood at the center of the Battle Arena, presented our case and listened to what the ambassadors had to say. As always Nai was at Mendel's side and next to her, Mendels adjunct Feralyn. On his right Jhaeros, Lomir and Valge stood listening intently to what the ambassadors had to say. EDE's most skilled archers, Shynt and Slade stood right next to each other and their keen eyes were observing every movement. Finally most of the newcomers Amber, Iliana, Anicel and Dae helped with the discussions with the fresh ideas.

Of course, Deacon was also there, making most of the elves smile with his jokes and think with his wisdom.

Luthien's emeral eyes gazed briefly upon the two little moon elven twins happily playing with the other kids of the village. For a long moment, she thought about the pitiful, miserable life they must have lived in the past, under the yoke of some scumbags in Baldur's Gate district that always had them pickpocket the unwary commoners and nobles alike, beating them in case their loot would have not been sufficiend.

She brushed aside these notions with a quick shake of her head. They were both there, amongst elves, under her tutelage. Seeing them grow happy together, learn how to behave like the elves they are, and being called "mommy" were small pleasures that gave her an inner strength one thousand times more intense than anything else in the world.

Then, her eyes shifted to the other elves assembled along the village's square. Laisren and Saline, two of her best friends and remarkable archers, Feralyn and Jhaeros, two of the newest recruits, deadly with bow and swords, the young half elf Anicel, follower of Shevarash, and the delicate bardess Iliana. Everyone was ready to go, ready to face the unknown and even death in the name of their people, if needed to.

Amarven, the young and somewhat naive priestess of Sehanine, stepped forward, giving Luthien a big hug.

"Do your best to bring everyone back here alive, will you auntie?"

"I will Amarven, do not worry about that. But if I were you, I would start preparing myself psychologically to be placed in charge of the spiritual well-being of this bunch of misfits, someday."

As Luthien affectionately ruffled Amarven's hair, the moon elven priestess smirked a bit.

"Oh no, that is why I keep you around for, auntie."

The duo just laughed, while the twins Lu and Ali approached Luthien.

"Are you leaving again, mommy?"

Slowly, Luthien knelt down and hugged them both.

"I am. But do not worry about me, I will be back soon enough. In the meantime, uncle Mendel, aunt Amarven and aunt Nai will take care of you in my place. Try not to get on their nerves, alright kids?"

"Sure mommy, we will!"

The group gathered immediately after. After exchanging a few farewells and hugs, they ventured forth to Ardeep Forest, destination: a ruined temple of the Coronal of Arvandor.
Amarven approached Mendel warily, while Nai was playing with Luthien's foster daughters. Drawing a deep breath, the priestess addressed Mendel.

"Do you think they will make it?"

"Well - Mendel answered - Laisren and Feralyn know their trade very well. And Luthien is the kind of elf that you would want to have at your side once hell breaks loose. Don't worry Amy, they'll be back in one piece."

Amarven retreated into the temple of Sehanine, praying for the group's safe return.

Laisren walked from the camp, a keen eye upon his surroundings and his palms resting upon the hilts of his blades. He watched the humans intensely and he knew there was something intensely wrong with this scene. It had all seemed a whirlwind in his mind. He was so intent upon his mission and the safety of his people that he hadn't a proper understanding of the significance of what had occurred.

"We have what we came for, do we not?", he thought as he looked to his partner Saline. They had grown beyond mere partners now, their souls seemed to speak more so than words and the look she gave back was the same. A grim triumph, yet they still retreat? A mission successful, yet they did not know what they had one? Something seemed amiss but there was no time to think now, they pushed to put distance between themselves and the armed humans of the camp.

They hadn't much left after the fight with their undead kin and they could ill afford another fight but every bone in Laisren's body screamed at him to go back! He watched as the other bloodied but triumphant figures of Dharasha walked around him. "What have we accomplished?", he thought and with each step he took further from the temple, the pack carrying their hard won bounty grew heavier upon his back.

His thoughts kept going back to the moon elf, Ambassador Myndailar. "What did he seek to gain this day, what had he wanted from this........."