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

Aethor, having been a few meters away and having heard the entire discussion, shakes his head disappointingly. He strolls up to where Jonas, Meri, Alison, and formerly Trent and Justin are.

"If this Red Wizard has indeed been as much as a "good person" as a few adventurers have seem to have suggested, he would have had pardon from the Dukes to be in the area. Seeing as he did not...I sincerely doubt that he was truly as good as has been suggested. Do not forget that it is entirely possible that he was getting you to lower your defenses in order to later betray you. The Red Wizards have done it before and will likely do it again."

He closes his eyes and sighs. Looking to Alison he begins to speak yet again and in a lower voice as to not be heard by the entire crowd.

"Alison...you and I have been friends for some time now. Please, for the sake of your life as you are bordering on treason, drop this argument. If indeed this man was as good as you claimed...perhaps there is concrete evidence suggesting so. As is, no one has brought forth concrete evidence of his good actions, he lacked pardon from the dukes, and he was a Red Wizard of Thay. He had NO chance against the laws of Baldur's Gate. These laws are meant to protect the innocents of Baldur's Gate...if you truly and honestly wish to see his name cleared...find concrete evidence of his good deeds. And I do not mean eye witness accounts...they are often flawed and can be subject to illusions...he was after all a Red Wizard."

*Seems a bit taken-aback by Justin's double-outburst, and then listens to Trent/Kaden without comment, and then listens to Aethor with a bemused look. She finally answers*

Defend him? I didn't defend him. I didn't even know the guy. I was just saying that I would be reluctant to kill someone who I didn't know for sure was guilty. The Flaming Fist can do what they want.

I'm just glad we have calm, even-tempered, and rational commanders like Sir Justin Crownsilver to make sure nobody is accused without due cause. Now, if some raving madman were in charge, I would think differently, but I am absolutely certain that the red wizard who was executed fully deserved his punishment.

I deeply apologize if anything I said or did gave anyone reason to believe I thought differently.

[Blinks in shock... instinctively wincing as Alison further prods the angry nobleman. She gives the woman a look... pleading for Mercy or sense to find her... before she talks herself into more trouble than she can get out of.

She gives Jonas a nervous glance unsure if she can do or say anything to defuse this... or if she should... Instead what escapes her lips is more of a barely audible, whispered, prayer]

Mercy of Ilmater...

[She simply looks at Alison aghast as she finally reaches her 'apology'. She murmurs another prayer, and can do little more than wait for Alison's barbed words to be her own demise in this.]

*The Harlequin is seen striding quickly out of the city shortly after her public comments to Aethor.*

Jonas quietly observes as tensions escalate, his brow slowly furrowing and the corners of his mouth turning down into a frown.

"Mercy of Ilmater..."

At Meri's words, Jonas sets off after Alison. Unencumbered by heavy armor like the paladin, she is quite a bit quicker, therefore Jonas is forced to jog to catch up with her. Clank, clank, clank, go his heavy greaves as he approaches the young woman. Despite the depth of his emotion on the topic, he tries to remain calm and confident in his words.

"Alison, look. I think I understand what you're trying to say, but the case of the Red Wizards is not quite like those individuals of classically 'evil' races who rise above the urgings of their blood and become something more. Red Wizards -choose- their path, and even those who may not be evil at heart have willingly chosen to follow evil masters. Therefore they constitute a risk to this city, considering the events of the past. So many died in that battle. Slavery is another mark against them that many cannot forgive. As you heard, Meri can attest to what that is like. Tensions are made higher by the fact that Amn has allowed the Thayans to set up their enclaves for trade. Granted, not all Thayans are Red Wizards, and your average Thayan I have no qualm with unless they prove to be malicious. I have known exactly one Red Wizard I did not want to kill, and he had a pardon by the Dukes. Even he had little nice to say of his former brethren. Please, Alison, think carefully over all of this?"

[Meri sighs watching Jonas light off after the woman, and glances to Justin. She finally breaks her silence offering a reassuring murmur before nodding to the crowd, and wishing them well. She then turns, brow furrowed in thought, and makes her way back to the Orphanage.]

Some must learn from the mistakes of others. Quick action kept things from getting out of hand. May Mercy keep you all.

[Her brow furrowed further as she walked past the burned fields. The wolves were already among the sheep. She offered a prayer. Things would get worse before they got any better...]

Mercy of Ilmater, be with us in the days to come.

rokranon wrote:
"Please, Alison, think carefully over all of this?"

*Alison looks at Jonas with amused exasperation*

Think carefully over what? Jonas, I said my piece, which was thoughtful and well-reasoned as always. What is it you think I'm going to do? Nevermind, don't answer that. I have to leave the city before I'm executed for tolerance. Catch me later!

In the dead of night, a heavily cloaked Jonas Rokranon makes his way with a small squad of Fist soldiers to a modest home within the city of Baldur's Gate. Within an hour, the group - along with a red-headed woman and a small red-headed child with curly hair - makes its way to Mercy orphanage.

*A white envelope bearing the Weave Masters insignia and addressed to Sir Jonas Rokranon is delivered by a courier to the temple of Torm. The letter, composed in an elegant, flowing script reads as following:*

"Dear Jonas,

I hope this letter finds you well. Please accept my apologies for absence of reply to your request. I had to depart from Baldur's Gate rather abruptly, with no time to notify anyone. Unfortunately, it seems that the rest of the Council members are currently away, and that is why no one has replied.

Of course, the facilities of the Istari Tower can be used for the reason you stated. However, I realize that the matter can be no longer relevant. In which case I would like to ask you if there is any other way we can be of aid.

Sincerely,
~Aileen Lonergan."

*a fine ivory envelope sealed with a blue wax stamp arrives at the Order. On the stamp is a hand pointed skyward. Once opened, the wax simply disappears like a fog into the air and the smell of tea permeates the room. The script however... is lackluster at best. The penmanship is blotchy and written with shaky hands.*
To the Order of the Radiant Heart,

I traveled with some of your fine lads the other day on some business with a necromancer or two. I wanted to send my heartfelt congratulations to the chaps that made sure that abuse of the Weave did not continue. I would also like to thank your Order for the assistance they offered me. I am not talking about the healing that was given, but rather the grand adventure that this here elder man misses greatly! It was a terrible shame that the necromancer's spellbook was destroyed, but I suppose I should tolerate the local laws a bit better.

Anywho, if your Order is ever in need of some assistance, feel free to send word my way. You will find me wherever tea is great and plentiful... I hear that there orphanage has some good tea... Saint Meril was it? Hrmph... What was I writing? Oh yes...

Sincerely,
Wallace T. Faulkner III
Swords of the High One

Given the recent lack of space in the temple of Torm, members of the Radiant Heart have recently been seen transporting armor, weapons, clothing, supplies, books, and stacks of papers to the temple of Helm. All business with the Radiant Heart should be taken to the temple of Helm instead.

Jonas, on the other hand, moves his office to the temple of Tyr instead of Helm like the rest of the Order, since he already spends so much time there doing low justice trials anyway. After writing a short letter to a captain of the Flaming Fist concerning a certain battlecaster, the paladin decides to spend an afternoon and evening out and about, enjoying the company of friends at the merchant campfire at the Chionthar bridge. When he returns to the temple later that night, he takes one look at all the scrolls and bits of parchment stacked up on his desk and heaves an enormous sigh, followed by the customary Rokranon response to irritations:

"I hate you, paperwork."

A nondescript rider leaves her horse and enters Baldur's Gate through the Black Dragon Gate. She makes her way quickly through the bustling streets to the Sanctuary of Ilmater, only to discover the one whom she seeks is not even there.

Ultimately, after asking around, the young woman finds herself at Mercy Orphanage, leaving a rolled up letter sealed with a phoenix crest before crashing at the Blade and Stars.

[Meri thanks the messenger and offers her blessings before she departs.

She then reads the letter and smiles brightly]

"Mercy keep you, dear brother..."

My name is Taric, a Paladin of Helm. I am still somewhat new to these lands, but have been seaking out justice and aim to protect both the week or those who are simply in need. So far I have lived true to my cause and will continue to do so. In my travel I have met many people who have spoke of the Order of The Radiant Heart, and I would be honored to join sucha brotherhood. I am from another Plane so i cannot leave a referance from there, as Helm has guided my path here. However, there are several travelers who can vouche for me, as they have seen me in person, doing what i can for every life, reguardless of race, sex, or standing.

Alas, I come to the radiant heart for two things friends, the bandits just outside of baulders gate have been up to a great evil...they intended to desease baulders gate water supply...they first deseased their dogs and then intended to send the bodys once dead into the water supply...and the beast that spewed the affliction was something....unnatural, for it's taint even afflicted my valorous being for a time...the beast was vanquished and plans burned in hopes they would not come back to such insideous plans, however i returned with another adventurer later to find another one of those abominations....i quickly dispatched it and disposed of it as well, but it is cirten that thier scheme is not yet over. I'm asking the aid of the Noble Radiant Heart to Vanquish these foul bandits and thwart their plans afore they do get our water supply. ((This is a DM even from DM Sword and he has told me it is going to be a re-accuring event should I choose to do so and can find willing people, to help raise the status of paladins amongst the player base)) ((I'm a Paladin/Divine Champion))