The Journal of Galen'ael Glenstalker

[SteelForgedSword]

Galen'ael died upon the headsmans block, an axe biting his neck as blood poured down the platform.

He was cleaned of his taint before his execution and given a Mercy he did not deserve...he friends believing in him when he did not believe in himself.

On his way to his execution, gold changed hands as a group paid for his release and even gave the Fist their "Galen'ael" to execute. It's the Fist, not a temple of Helm, they are neither goodly nor evil. Even some within their own walls have greed and other designs.

And, no, it was not the Keepers.

He did not know who they were...

Galen'ael killed 13 upon the Tradeway in his madness, most of those human...something Galen'ael did not realize or find very important at the time...

I only know he likes his new armor, blue and his new name, that of his son...Elyl...and that he is careful with his new accent and avoids the city and those he knew..only trusting one with his secret...

I only know he was wisked away in darkness as gold changed hands by a group of Elves unknown to me, but ones I have seen walk the roads as I do...as Galen'ael died upon the block.

I only know my story is not over....and I am not sure where it will begin again...

I know I know things I am not supposed to, my Life owed to a group of Elves....

[SteelForgedSword]

A lone figure sits by a fire, far to the West in the High Forrest. His features are hidden by a green hood as he stares at fire; his thoughts lost in the flames.

He flexs his hand staring at it intently; the dark taint of the Shadow Druids has left it's mark upon him. On the outside he seems normal, but the inside is scared and hollowed.

A large Panther nuzzles his hand as if reading his thoughts and she roars a question at him. He raises a solitary eyebrow at her and a small smirk crosses his face.

"Aye, my girl, maybe it is time we left this place of quiet and return to the world of Elves and Men..."

He sighs deeply and looks across the clearing to his meager belongings; few and always packet. He rises from the fire and cracks his neck.

"Indeed Kiana, Father always said debate is for the magistrates and action is for those of us who know nothing else. We start walking tonight; for old friends and familiar fires.

They walk far into the night and his thoughts are heavy....

Thoughts of friends, of home, of his Druid and Ranger kin, of the Grove he helped build so long ago...

He mumbles to himself before he falls asleep as the sun rises..

"I owe some my thanks and some the Leaf Lord's Justice...I have time aplenty for both..."

[SteelForgedSword]

I draw closer to Baldur's Gate everyday and as I sit in front of my fire, my thoughts begin to catch up with my heart.

Impulsive I am; always have been. My nature, is to act without hesitation to achieve what I set my mind too...no matter the price.

This is attitude led to my taking the mantle of power Faerynn gave me; without hesitation. I did it for the Grove I said...to act where others would not as we sat idly by as Necromancers, Drow and the rest polluted and destroyer the Land.

The human's...fools as ever, "Look at the Drow, how cute, they're just misunderstood."

Tolerance is Treason now, as it was then.

For years I built Alliances with the Fist, the Weavemasters and CandleKeep...I walked the halls of the Dukes themselves preaching alliance against our common enemies...all of it a failure...this is why I did what I did.

But, I underestimated the taint that infected me, it drove me mad and lead me to slay 13 adventurers upon the Tradeway in my madness. I blacked out...and awoke in the Fist Prision.

I confessed my crimes when my mind was my own, the taint taking hold of me...only the prayers of Merielle, the Living Saint of Illmater and the strength of my friends saved my life and restored my spirit. I was forgiven by Silvanus and Illmater.....

I escaped the prison against my will...who would want to truly die? A bribed guard, a doppleganger in my place and I still draw breathe today thanks to some Elves of some affiliation I still do not know who......

I choose to return to Baldurs Gate to face that which has not forgiven me...

The Grove.

For years I built the grove and tutored those in the ways of Nature and still my students run the Grove; Toshiro and Callen...they have shown wisdom I have not, and chose not to cross the Line...

I almost destroyed that which I loved the most, I have no true thought of how much misery I truly must have caused, how much death and chaos...that I wished to save I probably left in shambles..

Such is the Chaos of Life, the river in which we all struggle, I may have been forgiven by the Gods, but I must answer to those who are left...or survived, out of love and loyalty if for nothing else...

I have much to answer for and I wish to walk in the light again....I must write a letter to Callen and Toshiro...I have much to say to them.

I will meet what comes, I have no other choice. I have all the power of the Great Druids themselves, the Wisdom to Teach, and the Heart of a selfish human boy......

-Galen'ael.