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

With Milas patience, calming influence and declaration of unfailing love no matter what, both of them finally find peace with the situation ... along with a plan of their own.

Mila leaves Herran in the infirmary to rest, which he does not. He instead wanders the keep inquiring of all the other avowed if they know or have heard of an Isellishtra. He tells them nothing about her other then it is -very- important he gets in touch with her. He tells them he is headed for the theater and will be there for the next several days and can be reached there should they need anything ... or get word of this Isellishtra.

Herran asks nurse Abigail for a form of sleeping potion that dulls the senses inducing more of a dream like state versus actual sleep. Then he sets off for the theater where he begins work on his plan to solve the vision.

A scroll arrives by courier to Candlekeep:
(the letter continues...)

I have come into possession of a great tome, possibly, the greatest tome to surface in the Sword Coast region in centuries. Herewith, I will describe to you this artifact—as it shall be called—as well as terms to my offer.

Many weeks past, I was consigned to retrieve a great work of text and knowledge by an aspiring mage, in actuality, for entrance into your esteemed order. The mage herself...disappeared.

Nonetheless, before her total disappearance, I did set out upon this consignment, which was to turn into a dangerous and perilous quest, to discover and acquire a Draconomicon. As an bookseller of no small order, I was undeterred to acquire it. As well as I expected, as my skills are not to be disregarded, I did achieve the goal for which I set out.

To my surprise, and here I do admit, what I have acquired is beyond my own expectations. It is indeed, by all viable accounts, that I do now possess a unique example of a draconomicon by the hand of none other than Ulcaster the Mage. My statement here, great scholars, should not be lost upon you, for that I am sure.

Before you do doubt my sincerity of origin of this great tome, I have here, below, copied upon this scroll the hidden title for this tome, which through a small feat of my own, have learned via the innate knowledge of others.
Admittedly, I do not possess as great of skill in the decifering of language as your order must be capable of, so I leave you to take this information at face value.

But it is of value that I wish to know turn to. The tome, said draconomicon of Ulcaster the Mage, is truly and artifact. And, to add to its already obvious value, if not true pricelessness, is that fact that it remains locked and warded, yet to be opened, and yet to have its contents learned by any, save Ulcaster himself, if I am to judge correctly.

Any artifact of this kind would be sought after if it's existence was to be widely known, yet, I have kept it hidden and guarded well through anonymity. Until this moment, until this communique to your esteemed order.

In the action of acquiring, discovering and establishing the origins of this great artifact, I, Jon Smythe, have expended great wealth as well as personal suffering, to the extend to which I've only just recovered from what can only be called an arcane curse...a curse that I myself garnered by exploring the great depths of Ulcaster's Ruins! Tis no lie I do speak of...

To this extent, I would share with you further my story of that adventure, as well as provide you with an object that I still retain from that fateful journey.

But I digress...to you, I make this offer of the tome, the draconomicon of Ulcaster the Mage, shall you in turn provide either fair wealth or a trade of no small means, so I may recoup my losses in acquiring such a tome, as well as to fairly grant my contracted compatriots, whom without their hired help, this great artifact would not be known to exist, nor be available to your great library.

Do consider the offer, and when your order has made a decision in this matter, send word with haste to me at the Blade & Stars Inn, of Baldur's Gate proper.

Yours, humbly,

Jon Smythe...a simple bookseller

stevebarracuda wrote:A scroll arrives by courier to Candlekeep:

(the letter continues...)

I have come into possession of a great tome, possibly, the greatest tome to surface in the Sword Coast region in centuries. Herewith, I will describe to you this artifact—as it shall be called—as well as terms to my offer.

Many weeks past, I was consigned to retrieve a great work of text and knowledge by an aspiring mage, in actuality, for entrance into your esteemed order. The mage herself...disappeared.

Nonetheless, before her total disappearance, I did set out upon this consignment, which was to turn into a dangerous and perilous quest, to discover and acquire a Draconomicon. As an bookseller of no small order, I was undeterred to acquire it. As well as I expected, as my skills are not to be disregarded, I did achieve the goal for which I set out.

To my surprise, and here I do admit, what I have acquired is beyond my own expectations. It is indeed, by all viable accounts, that I do now possess a unique example of a draconomicon by the hand of none other than Ulcaster the Mage. My statement here, great scholars, should not be lost upon you, for that I am sure.

Before you do doubt my sincerity of origin of this great tome, I have here, below, copied upon this scroll the hidden title for this tome, which through a small feat of my own, have learned via the innate knowledge of others.

J UR NAL
GR AT WI AR UL AS T R

∫¬π†∞•º◊∏»‡
fl‡†ø∆∂√≈¬π

Admittedly, I do not possess as great of skill in the decifering of language as your order must be capable of, so I leave you to take this information at face value.

But it is of value that I wish to know turn to. The tome, said draconomicon of Ulcaster the Mage, is truly and artifact. And, to add to its already obvious value, if not true pricelessness, is that fact that it remains locked and warded, yet to be opened, and yet to have its contents learned by any, save Ulcaster himself, if I am to judge correctly.

Any artifact of this kind would be sought after if it's existence was to be widely known, yet, I have kept it hidden and guarded well through anonymity. Until this moment, until this communique to your esteemed order.

In the action of acquiring, discovering and establishing the origins of this great artifact, I, Jon Smythe, have expended great wealth as well as personal suffering, to the extend to which I've only just recovered from what can only be called an arcane curse...a curse that I myself garnered by exploring the great depths of Ulcaster's Ruins! Tis no lie I do speak of...

To this extent, I would share with you further my story of that adventure, as well as provide you with an object that I still retain from that fateful journey.

But I digress...to you, I make this offer of the tome, the draconomicon of Ulcaster the Mage, shall you in turn provide either fair wealth or a trade of no small means, so I may recoup my losses in acquiring such a tome, as well as to fairly grant my contracted compatriots, whom without their hired help, this great artifact would not be known to exist, nor be available to your great library.

Do consider the offer, and when your order has made a decision in this matter, send word with haste to me at the Blade & Stars Inn, of Baldur's Gate proper.

Yours, humbly,

Jon Smythe...a simple bookseller

Hoihe examines the scroll, nodding a few times then out loud he speaks: "We must discuss this at the meeting!" He then takes the scroll to the Guide's office and leaves it there. Soon afterwards, he takes out his own piece of parchment and begins scribbling. He asks for an acolyte to deliver it to Baldur's Gate, to this Jon Smythe.

"Greetings, esteemed bookseller under the name of Jon Smythe!

I, Seeker Hoihe Dacino of Candlekeep, Aribahamutdarastrixarytiss, Ariornternesjvorastrix, Jilgbisai and the navigator of the whistling wanderess have read your letter. However, as much as I itch to reply with a "yes", I fear it is not my decision but of the Avowed as whole. On the first of Uktar we are going to hold a meeting as is custom. There we shall discuss this matter. I ask you to be patient until then."

Selande is summoned via Sending by Selengil to Candlekeep where Selengil is in the Guide's office speaking with the Guide. Selande stands patiently outside until Selengil calls her to come in and meet the Guide. They're introduced and Selengil begins explaining to the Guide how Selande has been protecting him in the recent weeks.

Selengil has spoken with Selande about becoming a Protector before, but didn't give many details, so he arranged for her to meet with the Guide along with him. She spoke with the Guide directly about the Protector's role in Candlekeep and he asked her a few well aimed questions. Through this questioning, he learns that Selande partially shows interest in becoming a Protector so that she can remain close to Selengil. Selande recognizes that he's a very intuitative man, but for some reason he didn't ask questions that she was certain he had concerns with.

Guide Wendel tenatively accepted Selande as a Protector until such a time that either of them deemed her unsuitable for the position, something she will strive to see never happens.

Guide Wendel instructed Selengil to introduce Selande to other Avowed and Protectors. He also pointed out that Selengil could use reminders of his social graces, a task Selande agrees would benefit everyone. A final word from Guide Wendel instructed the two elves to not be caught together in haybales (or something similar, but I didn't screenie it ).

Later that day, Selengil introduced Selande to Zessirix - a fellow Protector. Selengil being Selengil, mused at the thought that they could both be competeing for the Captain vacancy among their ranks. Zessirix took Selengil's words directly, drawing her bow and offering a sporting challenge to Selande. Selande turned down the offer, citing that her training once pitted her against many of her comrades and that she didn't wish to relive those days.

Throughout the evening, Selande discussed many of the various happenings of the day at the campfire with Lillith and Selengil, and as the topics cycled, so did her thoughts. She addressed several questions to Lillith about her role as a Protector, hoping that the Reader would know. Selande now keeps a running list of questions for Guide Wendel, for when they meet again.

Word spreads around Candlekeep a woman admitted herself to the infirmary. Anyone asking further would know she was alone, bleeding and scared.

Hoihe wrote:Soon afterwards, he takes out his own piece of parchment and begins scribbling. He asks for an acolyte to deliver it to Baldur's Gate, to this Jon Smythe.

"Greetings, esteemed bookseller under the name of Jon Smythe!

I, Seeker Hoihe Dacino of Candlekeep, Aribahamutdarastrixarytiss, Ariornternesjvorastrix, Jilgbisai and the navigator of the whistling wanderess have read your letter. However, as much as I itch to reply with a "yes", I fear it is not my decision but of the Avowed as whole. On the first of Uktar we are going to hold a meeting as is custom. There we shall discuss this matter. I ask you to be patient until then."[/i]

A message by scroll is sent in return to the Seeker of the Candlekeep Order, as an answer to their reply.

In a basic hand script, it reads:

Seeker Dacino and the Order of Candlekeep—

I have received your letter many weeks in the passing, but with no further word from your esteemed Order, I assume that such an artifact as a tome of knowledge attributed to the great Ulcaster does not meet your lofty standards. I admit surprise that in your Order none would take the immeditate chance to acquire such a tome by the great Mage, or even what could very well amount to a Draconomicon. Alas, maybe those of Candlekeep that find the two subjects of interest no longer live within the great walls of your Keep.

But for a simple bookseller, value exists only when a thing is most desired, which is why many say that coin itself has no value—tis only the object for which coin can deliver, that soothes over desire. So, to be clearly, my initial and first offer to your Order will now be expanded publicly, as it has become apparent that many a organization would find interest in either the secrets of Ulcaster, or that of the power of Dragons. To the ends for which they desire that, tis not my profession...

Be well in your Keep,

Jon Smythe
Bookseller of Baldur's Gate

stevebarracuda wrote:

Hoihe wrote:Soon afterwards, he takes out his own piece of parchment and begins scribbling. He asks for an acolyte to deliver it to Baldur's Gate, to this Jon Smythe.

"Greetings, esteemed bookseller under the name of Jon Smythe!

I, Seeker Hoihe Dacino of Candlekeep, Aribahamutdarastrixarytiss, Ariornternesjvorastrix, Jilgbisai and the navigator of the whistling wanderess have read your letter. However, as much as I itch to reply with a "yes", I fear it is not my decision but of the Avowed as whole. On the first of Uktar we are going to hold a meeting as is custom. There we shall discuss this matter. I ask you to be patient until then."[/i]

A message by scroll is sent in return to the Seeker of the Candlekeep Order, as an answer to their reply.

In a basic hand script, it reads:

Seeker Dacino and the Order of Candlekeep—

I have received your letter many weeks in the passing, but with no further word from your esteemed Order, I assume that such an artifact as a tome of knowledge attributed to the great Ulcaster does not meet your lofty standards. I admit surprise that in your Order none would take the immeditate chance to acquire such a tome by the great Mage, or even what could very well amount to a Draconomicon. Alas, maybe those of Candlekeep that find the two subjects of interest no longer live within the great walls of your Keep.

But for a simple bookseller, value exists only when a thing is most desired, which is why many say that coin itself has no value—tis only the object for which coin can deliver, that soothes over desire. So, to be clearly, my initial and first offer to your Order will now be expanded publicly, as it has become apparent that many a organization would find interest in either the secrets of Ulcaster, or that of the power of Dragons. To the ends for which they desire that, tis not my profession...

Be well in your Keep,

Jon Smythe
Bookseller of Baldur's Gate

Hoihe reads the reply and sends a reply.


"Esteemed bookseller,

Please forgive Candlekeep's lack of reply but I have been having problems attending a meeting with the black orc war going in the background alongside various attempts at my and other avowed's life. Such has take our attention, the attempts especially. However, I will now directly forward a copy of your letter to the Guide and request a reply from him the soonest moment available. Please, do forgive us for our lack of reply. If Candlekeep, as whole does not, I am interested ina "draconomicon", as a man related to the mighty creatures by blood.

* Grunda goes to the keep with a letter stamped with vanyas sig to ask for her gem back that she loaned to the keep *