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

I took to my first task, given to me by Lady Batibat. She tasked me with a simple quest, at least so I was hoping. The City of the Dead has become unruly, and the dead must be given purpose once more. I am to use my Arcane training to bring some of the Skeletal Warriors of the past into line to remember their place, and make them once more proper guardians within their city.

The task while one would think simple, proved less so. I never quite encountered, nor learned such a spell. To make matters worse, my pride got the better of me, as I did not ask my new Mentor to scribe me the proper scroll to learn such a thing. My pride always seems to get the best of me.

I journeyed to Soubar, where I saw a rowdy bunch of adventurer's boasting and making a loud fuss, there seemed to be a fairly advanced Wizard with them. I did not bother to meet their acquaintance but I noted his appearance down. Soubar usually is less welcoming to their kind, but far be it from me to judge them merely on appearance. I made my way to the Mind-Flayer, after hearing rumor of him selling some scrolls, and fortune was upon me. I was able to acquire and scry the appropriate spell.

I had made a Rune near the entrance of the city, and it was easy enough to find myself setting foot there once more. I took to task, though the long dead seemed to have forgotten their past, as it took a great number of tries to rouse them into their former glory as Guardians. But in time, I managed to have them form rank and resume their positions once more... Their Wights are another, more deadly story.

Bravaa Blood-Wind

My Master has tasked with a new goal that sounds of some import to her own connections with the Under-dark. I am to travel to the Southern lands and trek through snowy mountains and roads in search of a cave made of pure crystal, and capture a monster called an Orglash.

Once more I must find alternative method to pursue this goal to completion. In this case I am incapable of learning the spell to do such a thing, but I did not say such in fear I would disappoint her gracefulness. I spoke with an Arcanist in the Gate under guise. She was quick to take my coin in exchange for the supplies needed to accomplish this feat, though her friend was suspicious of me I calmed their senses with a truth that it was for protection.

The Arcanist was a very beautiful Elf named Natariel, fortune brought me along her path. Her dress was also quite capturing to the gaze, she suggested a Tailor at the Windin-- I'm getting off track. With the scrolls at my disposal my last task was gathering some allies to help me on the journey there. Where one may fail, many could succeed.

But first I set off in the direction of the South to Scry a point of teleportation, as I know many of my companions would outright deny me if the journey would not be swift. I gathered a warm outfit and set off to the Southern Winter-lands.

Upon journeying in the South just outside a cave, I spotted that Male Elven Wizard again, I was invisible, and in my winter garbs so I would be unlikely to be seen, never mind recognized. He and some companions teleported away briefly after. I went inside the cavern to see if this was the one she foretold. It was not it was filled with some large humanoid Lizard creatures and only shortly after my entrance some Conjurer entered. I hid in the shadow and upon his passing I left.

Upon leaving I trekked up hill to another small cavern, each step I'd sink a little, it was exhausting but I am fortunate I've been on the road so long else I'd be dead in this winter hell. Some cavern filled with the dead.

I spent many hours in this winter-land before going to Nashkel asking a passing adventurer in my guise if they had seen a cavern of crystal. I felt like such an imbecile- all I had to do was ask someone-- anyone in this town if they knew of such a cavern and it was right at their doorstep. I made my way to the Crystal Cavern. Wave after wave of minions I sent after the Orglash only to have them decimated-- then I realized the scrolls I had scryed were incapable of the task! I had to retreat and think of another method to capture this beast. I had spent some time with Brother Balkoth and watched him turn creatures to stone, I was fortunate to have come across a scroll for such a spell, I had ample time to study it, and prepare for my next attempt.

This was a lesson in a way to rely on the help of others less, at least when it does not pertain to directions, I spent extensive time sending wave after wave of the undead as distractions as I fired off the spell, in vain for quite some time... Relying on my own talents was difficult, but with each Arcane cast, I felt more confident.

I didn't just manage to capture the Orglash, that would not be enough, not in the eyes of my Master. I found the largest, most dominant of their kind- and cast my spell, weaved to perfection until I watched it turn to bitter stone. I was successful, it's essence, mine.



Bravaa Blood-Wind

Rumor has it that many members of the Temple of-All Seeing Eyes were seen traveling the streets of Sshamath in the company of High Necromancer Batibat Kasdeya. The group took steps from the School of Necromancy into the Darkwood District at a mild pace talking lightly among-st themselves...

The topic to keen ears had something to do with thralls and servants.

The temple would stand silent and dark, except for the silhouette of a woman upon her throne. The magic radiating off her, eyes closed contemplating her next steps.

"Silence does not become you. Your inaction has made you lax."

"You are losing grip on reality, perhaps you should move on and give me what is rightfully mine! What you stole from me!"

"Silence worm, you will remain caged as long as I deem. But don't worry little one you can have your broken body back once I am through" A chuckles would break out "Just in time to be executed while I escape into the nether"

"One day you will be undone.. one day you will break"

The glowing crimson eyes open wide peering into the looming darkness.

"Omodiaous let it be known through the undercity that if there is anyone brave enough to venture here, great power awaits them.. The temple of the all seeing eye will call to them. All they have to do is reach out and grab it."

The Lord of mummy's would shove off from a corner in the darkness fulfilling its mistresses words.

Hearing word of the vacancy a lone mercenary would make his way into the undercity the hand of bane with him, a small legion of undead close at his back. A Morningstar gripped firmly in his hand crushing the skull of anything that crossed his path as he went. Arriving at the temple of the All-seeing eye He would push the door open sending the undead in first then calling out into the Hall.

"You called love I'm here . . . Whos skulls going next?"

Whether it be by force or chance that the Balor protecting the temple withdrew, one thing was certain :The Temple and its throne belonged to someone new.
Morgan withdrew with all her army's of the dead leaving the temple protected only by a token force.

Where she had gone to... the heavens only know.

Near the sewer bowels entrance, a shadowy figure can be seen using a wand near all of the entrances that lead to the temple of Bhaal in the Undercity, she does the same near the caves, then she hides, somewhere.


///OOC: Anyone wishing to interact with this please send a pm rather than reply to this post.

"Silence."

"A blissful reprieve of the many event's that once happened upon this place."

A singular dusty skull is picked up and held over the head of the speaker.

"To think, I let all of my work come to this. . ."

"Back to it's beginnings."

The dusty skull would begin to float above the hand of the speaker. The darkness within it's eye sockets taking on a new hue of crimson red. Bone and marrow soon take shape as the animated limbs crawl and scrape their way towards the floating speaker and the skull. The energy upon the Temple flows back as the once silent necropolis echos with renewed groans and moans of the animated dead. Bone, Marrow and Flesh is all that is required, as the floating skull finds it's pieces and takes it's very first steps upon sacred temple grounds with a new purpose.

Batibat look's to her creation with a pleased smile as she turns behind her to witness the small horde of undead that have already beckoned from her presence. She takes a step forward past them and into the courtyard to witness the rest of the horde before addressing them with a booming voice.





______________

"It saddens me that upon my departure THIS is what has come from the roots that I have sowed and seeded here."

"The goals and revelations I set upon those who sought a similar pasture of this great city, to be left YET AGAIN vacant and forgotten."

"It is saddening, but I have no one to blame but myself for setting my city upon a half finished path, with half hearted leadership."

"No longer..."

"I did not return here to bask the the nostalgia of my past success."

"I returned..."

Batibat turns and leaves the crowed of undead as she ventures towards the temple, two strong bone golems pulling on the rusted door-frame to unviel the scared halls within as Batibat takes a slow stride towards that one relieving comfort she missed so much. With the held of an undead servent lifting her and placing her upon the throne she addresses the Undercity.

"I returned, to finish what I started."


_____________________________

The chime of the temple bell rings once again upon the Temple of All-Seeing Eyes. It's sound echoing throughout the entirety of the Undercity allowing any and all of those who still reside there to hear it's call...

A new beginning.

The Temple bell would chime slow upon the Temple of All-Seeing Eyes. The undead make their way to witness a grand reunion with the sacred halls, as the once quiet and abandoned Temple would echo of whispers and warm laughter from within.

A joist reunion would encompass the halls as pacts, vows and control is reestablished upon the vision of High Priestess. The reunion would only continue as more voices echo in after the sound and bloom of the rune of teleportation.

It would seem to not take long at all for the whispers of the return of Batibat upon the Undercity bringing forth both old and new faces upon the temple to bend the knee.

The eerie chime of the Temple bell rings across the Undercity marking another gathering within the of the Temple of All-Seeing Eyes. The undead slowly wander towards the halls to find their place along the corner stones and walls to take in the sight of the new event that is to take place. Within the gathering many of the clergy would stand-tall and look upon a new face yet to be seen within the city. Without many words it is only the chiming of the bell and the pitter patter of gathering undead footstep that echo in the Temple.

As the last of the remaining undead finally find their place the teleportation glyph at the end of the room shine brightly and out from the blinding light a small halfling would step out from it's glooming energy. As the hin enters the Temple halls and looks upon the many gathered would they and the stranger in the center bend the knee and kneel upon her entry. With the High Exarch looming nearby and the clergy of Balkoth, Grimwald and a skeletal sergeant present keeping a keen eye to assure the masses are showing respect... the ceremony would begin.

Batibat would slowly take her stride over to her throne and look upon the masses first before addressing the man in the center...

A great march would give way to the familiar chiming of the temple bells of the undercity. Upon the streets a tow of skeletal labors would be put to work carrying a plethora of items and materials from the city entrance and into the temple halls. The march of mercantile goods would go on for some time before the last of the items are brought into the temple and added to the pile.

Before long a flash of light would emit from the halls as the teleportation circle within is activated and the chart is coursed with the best quality of hoard held carefully in hand.

//Special thanks to DM GrinningDeath for the event.//

The eerier chime of the temple bells upon the Undercity would cascade off the cavern and ruined city walls once again to mark the presence of a new occurrence. The doors to the Temple of All-Seeing Eyes would begin to slowly open giving off the screech of jagged stone as the doors scrape along the floor in motion. A Gorgonian Chant would begin to echo from the voices of acolytes as the High Priestess Batibat and her clergy take stride outside of the temple and into the high arched courtyard overlooking the Western District. With a halted stride, deep hymn, and lowered heads, an outstretched mortal arm of the High Priestess would lift skyward with a magical gem-cluster in hand as she speaks and channels her prayer in spell of her words.

"My, All Seeing Eyes."

"Come forth and hear my call."

"Break free from your mindless wander, Break free of your abandonment, Break free - and see my vision."

"It is time to rebuild and repurpose this place, what was once your home. It is upon this hour that we make admen's and come together as one. Drop your weapons and take a-hold of the artificers hammer!"

"Let us take the time to clear the streets of their rubble and open up the pathways yet to be discovered! Lay the stones and bricks of the foundations to our new homes, and light the furnaces that shall bring the warmth of creation to our city!"

"Let the cogs to the wheel of reconstruction run their course and allow both mortal and gods to marvel at what will become a Bastion of Bone!"

With a light tug of the ropes atop the Temple of All-Seeing Eyes the beckoning bells would chime and call towards the ears of the people and the dead alike. A gathering within would take place and the temple guardians would slowly move towards the halls to take their place awaiting what was to come. As more and more begin to crowd the temple under the echo of the chiming bells the the teleportation circle within the hall begins to pulse and flash as a portal opens within, and the light step of a small band of skeletal legionnaires and Myrkul banner-holders take stride from the other side. When the final skeletal knight emerges from the portal so do five humanoid individuals cloaked in black and crimson coloring. One of which was of course the High Priestess Batibat Kasdeya holding not one but two very powerful relics pulsing with dark energy. As Batibat would take stride towards her throne she would not sit but instead stand and look upon the dead and the people a-like before allowing her voice to boom across the halls and onward for all to hear.

"My All-Seeing Eyes and citizens of the Undercity. It is upon this time that we rejoice once more in the success of our pursuit towards the reconstruction and re-evaluation of our great halls. I and those who follow me have continued to progress our effort tirelessly to achieve the goals appointed and deserved for you and I. For it is in these moments that another chapter in that progress has been achieved. It is only a matter of time now before the great dominion is set upon these ruined halls and the ascension of the All-Seeing Eyes and the Undercity is made bare for all to marvel!

For those who still lack faith in me, for those of you who still have yet to TRUELY and WHOLE-HEARTED believe in my vision. It is not to late to give me your faith. The Undercity WILL rise, the Undercity WILL prosper, and with YOU the people both living and unliving... The Undercity will flourish and triumph over all who have stood against it.

Mark my words now and hold them to the truth of our future. With my All-Seeing Eyes I have gazed and glimpsed into the path laid out before us, and in that premonition of the future... Our banners have never been held higher."

As Batibat finishes her speech she would hold up two large gemstone relics and chant a spell allowing the relics power to cascade over the Undercity in a marvelous display of Necromancy. As the power of the relics and her magic in unison flow and bask over as many undead it could extend to, a proud smile would grow on her face as she speaks her final words to the dead under her grasp.

"Stand-fast and witness my vision, My All-Seeing Eyes."