Albertus Magnus' Accounts

[The Seer]

Prologue

And so it begins… the latest journal in a long series of volumes. And this time on my explorations of the Sword Coast. Many years have I spent on the high road, but even more have I spend in hoary chambers studying the esoteric arts of magic. Too long has it been since I have ventured forth into the world, and now, in the autumn of my life, I feel I must venture out one last time. Now, while I still have some strength and vigor in my frail, old body. The destination will be the Sword Coast, one of the few remaining places I have yet to behold with my own eyes. My mind is filled with anticipation, my old, worn spell book is by my side, and I wonder which splendors I will have gazed upon and which enigmas I will have encountered before this journey comes to an end.

~ Albertus Magnus ~

[The Seer]

Journal entry I

The journey from Athkatla to Baldur’s Gate was rather eventless. The sea was calm and the zephyr was mild and warm. Some of the crew members on the ship found some amusement in the fact that an elderly man would risk venturing out to sea at this time of year, but once we reached port, I dazzled some of them with a “water walk” spell, walking on the water in the harbor for a short period time. It was quite satisfactory to see their faces; to suddenly observe their newfound adulation for this old chap. One should not judge a book by its cover.

After a long stroll through the city, I found myself some suitable accommodations. The city itself was not so well-kept and clean as Athkatla, but what does it matter when I found a room fit for a king in which I could restitute after many days on sea. Even the mightiest of heroes need rest.

I quickly found out that Baldur’s Gate has some hospitable residents. One acquaintance in particular was very helpful and kind. Oh, I forgot her name, alas. I hope our paths cross again…

After a few days inside the gates, I ventured outside to explore the area surrounding the gate. I spend the better part of a day in the farmlands after which I decided to trek south across the bridge at dusk. After having reached halfway across the bridge, I decided to stop for a moment to enjoy the view and to adjust some of my clothing when a young lad wearing a Flaming Fist uniform came running and arrested me for holding my staff in my hands. I suppose it would have been all right, had it been strapped to my back?
I regarded this over-zealous individual for a short moment and my appraisal of the situation told me to go along with it.
So, shortly after, I found myself in a jail cell in Baldur’s Gate. Without questioning, it had apparently been decided by this inexperienced whelp that I was a potential thread to the security of Baldur’s Gate; a weapon-bearing individual, if one may call a staff a weapon, whose intentions allegedly was to cause damage.
While mildly annoyed, I convinced myself that someone who did not have peas for brains would sort this out in a matter of short time, and correct I was. Shortly after, a senior member of the Fist released me back to the streets of Baldur’s Gate.
The only logical deduction to make is that the most incompetent Fist members are stationed outside the city walls… and for good reason, I’ve learned. Those stationed on and around the bridge must be the ones lowest on the pay roll. Those who are in need of the training and discipline. I shall be more wary of them in the future.

I will linger around Baldur’s Gate for another couple of weeks before I venture south to Candlekeep where I hope to find some more free-thinking individuals who are better judges of character. Candlekeep, the only place on the Sword Coast I have been to before, back when I was little more than an apprentice. I am exited about what I will find once my journey brings me there…

~ Albertus Magnus ~