A Tale of a Drunken Druid (Jeygh Ermystir)

[Sir_Carnifex]

Race: Human
Age: 36
Class: Druid/Barbarian
___________________

Jeygh Ermystir spent his childhood in the woods along the Sword Coast. He, being of a druid grove, was taught the druidic ways and worship of Silvanus. Thought he was a true follower of Silvanus, his interest was split with his desire to become a good warrior. Though he did succeed in this endeavor, he was never a disciplined fighter.

He spent much of his younger years defending the grove from whatever dangers threatened. As he honed his skills, he began to wonder what lay outside of his own little world. Along with a group of his closest friends, he set out to explore, first the outskirts of the forest, then farther and farther away from his home.

It had been some time since he had first left the grove and his little band had become quite a powerful force by that time. Before returning home, the group agreed to search out one last adventure -- to descend deep into some caves that were rumored to be haunted. Fully prepared for anything they thought they might meet, the adventurous friends entered the darkened tunnels, set upon finding the source of the whispered tales. They, however, never expected what they did find.

Some ways down, the party entered into a large hollowed cavern. Jeygh, who had fallen a short distance behind while adjusting his pack, peered inside to see his friends facing a beholder. Before his very eyes, every one of them was instantly turned to stone. Horrified, he fled the cavern, completely in shock about what had happened.

Jeygh hurried to a nearby settlement in the hopes of getting aid and somehow rescuing his party. While sympathetic, the townsfolk told him that none of them was prepared to engage in a fight with a beholder. Most informed him that it was entirely useless to return. One particularly kindly old man made the mistake of offering a drink to the shaken young druid, "to help calm the nerves". Jeygh had never had an alcoholic beverage before, but he took the man's word and gladly accepted the offer. To his surprise, he found himself feeling much better after his first tankard. That was soon followed by a second and a third.

Jeygh's memory of the past incident was kept vague so long as he stayed well-supplied with beverages. Forgetting soon became his priority and he forgot about training with his weapon. And, while he still worshiped Silvanus, that too, was shoved more into the background. The skills and powers that he had before soon waned from lack of devotion to them. His spear remained unused except as a staff to keep himself from falling, and his druidic magic only served to ease the pain of his reeling head.

After having lived within the small town for some time, the druid left because the populace tired of his constant state of inebriation and uselessness. But before he departed, he filled his pack with all the drinks he could find or beg. He had no idea where he was going, but somehow soon found himself stumbling into Baldur's Gate.

His supply had diminished during his journey and he needed more. Ahead of him was a sign that read: Lucky Aello's Discount Store. Jeygh flung the door open and entered. He returned outside shortly, his pack once again full and his small amount of coin spent. As he pulled out a bottle to guzzle, he spotted a Flaming Fist officer coming his way.

"Perhaps he would lend me some coin for a room," he thought as he lurched his way towards the Fist member.

[Sir_Carnifex]

A tall man wearing leather armor stood looking down on a dwarf and conversing with him. In this case standing for him meant wobbling from side to side as he rested his upon the butt end of his spear. One could argue that there was not much conversation either, as his words were badly slurred to be difficult to understand. Suffice to say, he was trying...

"Ye look like ye've had a bit to drink, lad." The dwarf was saying to Jeygh.

They were not too much further into the discussion when a large bear came rumbling - and stumbling - out of the Cloakwood. Or was it a bear? Jeygh rubbed his eyes and looked curiously at the bottle of liquor he held in his hand as the bear rapidly changed shapes to an elf, then a boar, then wolf, and back to an elf again. Jeygh shook his head to clear it. This was real and not imagination stirred by his heavy drinking. He just knew it. Obviously the elf was a druid of some sort.

Who was he?

From where did he come?

What is his purpose here on the road outside the woods?

These were all questions that were probably going through the minds of those who stood around, but not Jeygh. Instead, he was thinking about a certain peculiarity the druid had - an addiction to some sort of beverage. That was definitely what he had, Jeygh knew.

The druid looked at the group, but to Jeygh in particular.

*Hic*

Jeygh could sense the rest of the bystanders groan inwardly as they realized they had come across not one, but two drunken druids. He ignored them and addressed his fellow druid instead. The two shape-changed into bear form so the others would not understand them.

The druid wanted to visit the shrine of Silvanus so Jeygh guided him there. The other druid dropped to his knees in front of the shrine and implored Silvanus to take away the gift that he had - the fluid inside a bottle that he carried - and take back his life. Pouring a little of the liquid at the base of the shrine, he then gave Jeygh his 'gift' and vanished from sight. Jeygh knew Silvanus had accepted the druid's request and stood by watching while keeping inquiring people back a ways.

After some moments in silence, he returned to his original form and took a swig of the sweet drink that he had been given. To his surprise, the bottle refilled itself when he had finished.

Surely Silvanus has looked upon me favorably this day!

* * *

Thanks to DM Eldur for the mini event.

[Sir_Carnifex]

Jeygh gave a mighty roar while he impaled the last of the goblins along the road with his new trident. He struggled to shake off the dead thing from his weapon. Before when he had struck with such force, he would pull out the spear from the other end, but he could no longer do that. Enraged that the goblin remained stuck, he swung his pole arm like a club and sent the green-skinned corpse sailing into the nearby woods.

He paused to look at the weapon once more. Surely this was yet another gift from Silvanus.

* * *

The near-perpetual drunk had been kneeling at the shrine of Silvanus when he received a call that he was need in the Sharpteeth Woods. Hurriedly, he rushed down the road. His state of inebriation did nothing to keep him from barreling forward with furious speed.

Arriving in the woods, he came upon more members of his Circle, gathered to investigate something disturbing deep within. Likely the number was far less than what he perceived, for he was sure he saw Daelthrien and his twin standing there. He shook his head. It couldn't be the drink.

Hardly had they begun to speak of anything when a large force of orcs beset them. Jeygh roared and charged into the midst.

That was the last he remembered, other than blurry visions of dying orcs in front of him, large devil creatures, and the din of shouting and yells all around him. The only thing he could distinctly recall was the last battle with the massive demon the orcs had summoned. Again and again he thrust his spear into the legs of the abomination, attempting to cripple it. Daelthrien was tossed aside, and there was a flurry of spells being cast everywhere. The thing fell.

Jeygh regained his strength, gulping down the never-ending contents of his flask. His mind went blank once more and the next thing he knew, he was destroying the wandering goblins north of Beregost with a new weapon, and a new power.

Silvanus was pleased with him.