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

I am Trey Goldwing, AND THIS IS MY STORY THUS FAR. MY GRANDFATHER TELLS ME WE ARE DECEDENTS OF IMASK-RA. IF THIS IS TRUE OR NOT I DO NOT KNOW. BUT I DO REMEMBER A RATHECINE, HE MADE THE CALL FOR ALL THE GREATEST BUILDERS AND PORTAL LORDS TO COME AND HELP HIM, AND MY GRANDFATHER ANSWERED HIS CALL WITH MY MOTHER AND FATHER FOLLOWING. THEY HELPED FASHION THE CITY THAT LATER BECAME KNOWN AS SIGIL. MY GRANDFATHER GAVE UP HIS MORTAL FORM AND BECAME A LICH, WHEN HIS HEALTH BEGAN TO FAIL. FOR HE GAVE HIS OATH TO HELP COMPLETE THIS GREAT CITY. THEN THE DARKEST DAY THAT I STILL REMEMBER SENDS CHILLS UP MY SPINE AND TURNS MY BLOOD COLD. IT IS THE DAY SHE CAME, THE LADY OF PAIN. AS WAR BROKE OUT AND I STOOD NEXT TO MY GRANDFATHER WE BOTH WITNESSED MY FATHER, HIS SON, LAYING DEAD WITH HIS SKIN FLAYED FROM HIS BODY. THIS DROVE MY MOTHER TO THE BRINK OF MADNESS AS SHE ATTACKED THE LADY. HER SCREAMS STILL WAKE ME UP.. MY DEAREST SWEET MOTHER... THEN THE LADY TURNED HER EYES TO MY GRANDFATHER AND HE MET HER WITH EQUAL POWER, TOSSING ME ACROSS THE STREET I CAME TO A SLIDING STOP. FROM ACROSS THE STREET I WITNESSED AN EPIC BATTLE BETWEEN THE LADY AND THAT OF MY GRANDFATHER, BUT IN THE END SHE WON AND CAST US OUT OF OUR HOME... WE ROAMED THE PLANES HOMELESS, UNTIL ONE DAY MY GRANDFATHER FOUND A FRIEND CALLED IIPHEMON AND TOLD US HE WAS GOING TO THE UNDER-DARK TO START OVER. MY GRANDFATHER NODS AND WE WENT WITH HIM... MY GRANDFATHER SWEARING AN OATH NOT TO RAISE ARMS OR SPELL AGAINST THE FAMILY OF IIPHEMON. IIPHEMON SMILED AND TOOK US WITH HIM.... WE REACHED THE PLACE THAT CAME TO BE KNOWN AS DEEP IMASKAR. IT SEEMED TO BE YEARS BUT I WAS ABOUT THE AGE OF 6 THEN... GRANDFATHER FOUND A GREAT COLUMN AND WEAVED AND SPUN HIS SPELLS TURNING ROCK TO MUD AND DIGGING. HE EVEN SUMMONED A FEW ELEMENTAL. HE ALSO ENCHANTED EVERY INCH OF THAT COLUMN WORKING TIRELESSLY NIGHT AND DAY. AS WITH ALL OUR HOMES THAT WE HAVE EVER LIVED IN TIME SEEMED STOP, IF NOT STOPPED THEN SLOWED DOWN, WITHIN THESE WALLS TIME HAS NO MEANING...(83 YEARS PASS OUTSIDE = ONE MONTH INSIDE) HE CONTINUED TO SHAPE AND TOIL CREATING GOLEMS AND SERVANTS AND EVEN CREATING PORTALS TO EVERY REALM. THE FIRST BEING KOZAH (TALOS) MY GRANDFATHER SWORE TO SERVE HIM FOR A 1000 YEARS AND THAT I WOULD WORSHIP HIM. HE WOULD SEND TEACHERS TO TRAIN ME IN THE WAYS OF CHAOS, REBELLION, DESTRUCTION, EVIL, FIRE, STORMS FOR HE IS LORD OF STORMS AND The DESTROYER. HE SENT HIS PRIESTS TO TEACH ME HIS TENTHS, ALSO SENDING ME GAYO AS A GIFT. THE ELEMENTAL PLANE OF EARTH IS WHERE MY GRANDFATHER SWORE TO SERVE GRUMBAR FOR A 1000 YEARS. IN RETURN HE WOULD STRENGTHEN OUR HOME WITH HIS WILL SO THAT NO HUMAN OR GOD OR ANY THING ELSE, SPELL OR OTHER WISE, COULD CHIP ITS STONE. NEXT WAS THE PLANE OF FIRE WHERE MY GRANDFATHER BARGAINED WITH KOSSUTH HIS SERVICE FOR 1000 YEARS IN RETURN IF i RECEIVED THE TEACHING OF FIRE.....NEXT WAS ISTISHIA HE ALSO BARGAINED FOR A 1000 YEARS OF SERVICE FOR ME TO BE TRAINED IN THE WAYS OF WATER WHERE I RECEIVED MY SPEAR TRAINING. THEN AKADI WHERE HE ALSO MADE HIS DEAL FOR 1000 YEARS OF SERVICE IN EXCHANGE FOR MY TRAINING IN AIR BUT LAST OF THEM ALL MY GRANDFATHER MADE A DEAL WITH AN OLD FRIEND. HE SAID HIS NAME BEING ORCUS AND HE SENT Khavra Akti TO PERSONALLY TEACH ME IN THE WAYS OF UNDEATH AND NECROMANCY AND THOSE WERE THE LONGEST 5 YEARS I CAN REMEMBER.. UNTIL SOME LICHS AND NECROMANCER CAME BEGGING MY GRANDFATHERS HELP TO OVERTHROW THE IIPHEMON. MY GRANDFATHER, GIVING HIS OATH TO IIPHEMON, LEANED FORWARD AND SAID NO!!! IT SEEMED A MONTH AND A HALF WENT BY WHEN A WOMEN BY THE NAME OF CHASCHARA SPOKE TO MY GRANDFATHER AND ASKED FOR HIS HELP. THIS HE DID WITHOUT A WORD. PREPARING FOR BATTLE, HE LEFT AND WAS BACK IN A FEW HOURS. HE SAT UPON HIS THRONE YET AGAIN UNTIL NEWS REACHED US ABOUT IMASKARI LEAVING AND EXPLORING THE UNDER-DARK AND SOME GOING TO THE SURFACE AND WISHING TO CREATE A NEW COLONY CALLED HIGH IMASKAR??? I LONGED TO LEAVE THIS PLACE, MY HOME AND PRISON, AND MY GRANDFATHER SEEING THIS IN ME, GAVE ME HIS BLESSING, TOLD ME TO STAY SAFE AND TO SPREAD MY SEEDS, FOR WE MUST LIVE. HE SAID FOR I GIVE UP THE ONLY THING LEFT THAT MATTERS FOR YOU ARE MY LIFE AND REASON TREY. STAY SAFE AND FORGET ME NOT...

After gathering all my belongings and taking a few of my grandfathers special Items, with his blessings. I traveled the under-dark, when I came a cross something that looked like a small mushroom man, but it had arms and legs. I must of scared it for it attacked me as I greeted it, lucky for me it did not win that battle... After time went by I started to lose myself being alone started to take it's toll on me, the walls seemed to close in on me and I could not tell how many cycles has went by. Then one day sleeping I awoke to fined several Rust monsters helping themselves to all my belongings!!! Hell's know why I took of my Mithril armor and Spear that my grandfather personally enchanted for me but they eat and had their feel rotten beast's.. I was weaponless and near starvation when I came upon a noble Goblin named Twelve Toes who invited me for dinner, unfortunately I was to be dinner! But the tables wear turned and I left his cave with a full stomach lucky for me know one shall ever know that tell.....But he did tell me before attacking me, that he was driven from his goblin home near the City of Sshamath. I took no time to find the city, lucky for me I ran into a Drow mage, who needed for my skills in killing Beetles. In return he would vouched for me as a merchant, and paid me well for every pincher of them nasty beetles... Well that's my first month thus far more to come!!!

life as I know it became more complex as every new meeting of Drow either became a test of skill or test of magic.. But a few became what I like to call friends like Neron and Kiwi...It is funny all my life, all I had was lessons and teachers. Grandfather whom tested every part of me from my mental to physical was always pushing me to become something greater that what I was I hate to say this I hated him for it then but now I understand all the lessons where for me at this point of my life so I could live and survive...
My first encounter with another Imaskari was with Haji Manodallia I believe that was his name he took me under his wing and showed me the under-dark like I never seen it before it is beautiful but deadly we hacked though a thousand Goblins and perhaps 100 Umber Hulks it would be a tale to tell if I could only remember the way home?!!! But let us not forget the most weird one so far Odelle is what the name it goes by if I remember the Drow wizard telling me...Odelle who seem to be a mute gives of a powerful enchantment I'll look farther into this.. But Neron a powerful warrior and priest he personally has sent more creatures to their deaths than any other drow I have seen so far.. But Kiwi come in close second this
Drow Warlock, was as weak as a new born. After a few trips with me I watched with pleasure, to see this Drow become a force to recon with...
more later I am tired...

I believe with all my heart that loneliness is truly hell. I find myself drifting in a void were my memories keep going back to that time when my mother and father died. The rage I feel is unbound I even found myself enjoying the torment of a goblin that tried to attack me as I played with it a little, testing its threshold of pain, with its strengths along with it's weakness....I know not if Grandfather would approve or disapprove but I do know that we wouldn't want me to waste my time with this pursuit of my powers and abilities.... The only thing that keeps me sane is my friends and the hunt how I long the hunt I wonder if this is what our people lost before the down fall? Grandfather said we became to lazy and depended to much on slaves and the portal wars are another story indeed. During my solo hunt I testing my metal against several foes when I came across several dead Humans some in robes but mostly in Armor when I heard a faint whisper of a name I didn't know what the human males said but I helped it with the power of Kozah and healed it wounds and with spell of language I was able to understand its speech. His name was Tomas a Paladin of Torm I believe...Why I helped him I do not know but I wished to know more of the surface world and of these Paladins he told me of his God Torm and of his duties: Salvation may be found through service. Every failure of duty diminishes Torm and every success adds to his luster. Strive to maintain law and order. Obey your masters with alert judgment and anticipation. Stand ever alert against corruption. Strike quickly and forcefully against rot in the hearts of mortals. Bring painful, quick death to traitors. Question unjust laws by suggesting improvement or alternatives, not additional laws. Your fourfold duties are to faith, family, masters, and all good beings of Faerûn. I agreed to some, but the rest I laughed at. Then he asked me whom I fallow I answered proudly Kozah, he seemed confused like he didn't know the name? As he regained his strenght he asked me more questions like were I am from? I told him that I am from Deep Imaskri and that I am Trey Goldwing. Then he asked me do I not fear the Drow?
I scoffed and laughed and said I trade with them! I fear them not. At that moment he jumped up, I seen anger in his eyes, I raised me Spear and looked Deep into his eyes, I simple said think child of Torm, before you is your Destroyer and fury of my god raising my weapon attack me and I'll strike you down where you stand you'll be a corpse like these friend of yours! He attacked calling the power of his lord and I responded like wise the victor was I, for I am writing this tale and he is food for the beast's that dwell in the darkness I took his symbol of his lord a pair of gauntlets and I shall offer them to my god as a token of his greatness....I am tired so shall I rest now.....

I woke from my dream today. I was dreaming the first time I met
Kaltyra Grey'fang she was shape changed herself into a Dire Wolf and whom I though was her master was pouring acid on a young Drows face how she played with with Gayo... I miss my Hound but Heart-Eater did eat his heart...
As I searched the caves and being no ranger I quickly became lost until I found other humanoids...I wished to know who they were and so I tired to hide myself using my magic cloaked my body. I studied them for hours getting closer and closer until they noticed me but they couldn't see me I think? They seemed to be guarding a Temple of some kind it seemed to be a coil snake of some kind as I grew closer, dare I say humans. They noticed me, They screamed a battle cry as five attacked me with their stone axes. How they seen though my spell of Invisibility was not clear until they were died, I noticed these humanoid creatures have slightly scaled, gray skin complete absence of eyes or eye sockets they are blind... Hoping to see more of this place I slipped into down several hall and a stairs that seem to go down forever, then I came a cross what some call a mindflayer. I seen them before and even kill a few. This one was different it sensed my mind. It fled quickly an returned with at lest twenty of those humans with stone axes then at once a hairless human walked though the stone wall one of the Humans sniffing the air and then spoke and it was in under common, think Kozah, it said great Maedar what does your mother the great queen need in a flash it snapped and told it to hold it tongue, then at lest 10 more steeped out of the walls from all directions all holding long-swords except a few two I could see held some kind of magical power and the other three were divine casters, then the hissing sound of one coming down the hall way hood cloak covered it head but from the curves I could easily tell it was a female she gave orders and they all jumped telling the mindflayer to go see the queen at once, then the blind ones to contue the search for the intruder, and one of the Maedar to go feed the Grimlocks which I shall now call them blind axe wielders from here on out. I choose to fallow the male Maedar as he walked down and turned the corner and walked though the wall. Searching I found a opening a crack that I crawled no squeezed through (note to self stop eating so many goblins).............. That is were I found them hundreds of these Grimlocks all screaming females males and even children.. Then I noticed statues hundreds of statues, the Maedar slipped a knife from his belt and cut his hand tossing the blood on to what seemed twenty statues as each blood drop hit you could hear crackling like the sound of Ice cracking when it hits water then I could see the statues moving but it was not a statue at all but a human a true human the Grimlocks attacked at once tearing the flesh from the humans as I could there screams the same screams of my father and mother made... but one of the Humans came out fighting tossing several Grimlocks a side and attacking the Maedar. Maedar just gazed at the human and it froze I could see it was stunned then and seemed very weak as it collapsed on the floor, Venomous gaze I thought to myself. It spook and said let Ilstandss feed on it mind before you devourer it at least ten stopped and watched the human stunned and weakened with the look of hunger as drool dripped from there mouth's... As some stared to sniff around where I was hiding I though it wise to leave this area. I crawled on my belly for what seemed for hours until tell I heard arguing.. I continued toward the noise as I seen several females and males the females looked to be twenty and males I don't know how many but they all had swords and females had bows and short swords and in the middle was a Women I could barely make out but it stat upon a throne carved from some kind of stone with two Basilisk laying on either side of her and a singing of several cockatrice in the back. As I looked harder, I could see her hair moved, she was yelling at the mindflayer. It return her speech with a slurping sound that came from it's four-tentacled octopus-like head with it two duergar body guards. My queen a voice interrupted the argument the emissaries are here, with a nod the fight was over. Then I seen something that I have not seen for a wile it appear mostly human, but as it spoke I could tell it had forked tongue, other than a few patches of scales on their skin it seemed human. this one must serve as diplomats yuan-ti a pure blood with it two body guards Abominations, almost completely snakelike except for its arms and humanoid head. I continued to look, the reek of death, over came me as I watched purple and black creature with a female head with a barbed stinger at the end of its tail, slither by me. My studies told me it was a Black Naga, But last of them was some thing all to real she was Black as soot hair white as snow and bore the symbol of Lolth as she entered with six other females and 8 males a few bore the symbol of the city of Sshamath. They seemed to talk about unimportant things until the the drow yelled no more slaves until unless you help liberate the city of Sshamath from those heathens wizard and Lolth regains control them making me Valsharess and only then shall we help you in your plans on the surface... As I lesion to them argue they seemed to part what I saw was a Imaskari Portal seeing my grandfather portals this one had a simple design this place must of been a outpost of some kind, the second thing I noticed it has the ability to teleport anything anywhere that they see in Faerûn... As I seen the portal I was thing of a way home but then fear over came me as I stared eye to eye at a Grimlock screaming at me I crawled in that tunnel as fast I could until I reached a river of some kind and squeezed out and looking back I couldn't find the hole that birthed me!! But I knew where I was the goblin territory.... I must tell the City of Sshamath of the danger that awaits them... But for now I am hungry hmmm Goblins

As I mediated, clearing my mind of all things except the tenths of my lord focusing on them and them alone...For he is the embodiment of Conflagration,
Destruction, Earthquakes, Rebellion, Storms, Vortexes...... I couldn't help but remember my teacher and a high priest of Kozah (Talos)... A Talossan if you will by the name of Tessa Cloudburst a storm-soul genasi with the power of lightning and thunder amongst her powers and she showed me how to shape the storms and to use it powers. To shape the power with in me and become part of it... Over the next few years my training, it was intensives, I was always intimidated by her looks. She generally looked human except that she was silver in color, she has crystalline spikes in place of hair. She remaindered me of the Lady of Pain, I think this was on purpose... We battled over and over as I Called Down the Thunder, Then The Fury, until I was beaten with in a inch of my life she would heal my wounds, saying we must destroy so we can rebuild so that to can be destroyed. Running from my classes, and showing no fear but out of all my teachers, she was the one I feared the most... The free loaders eating my grandfathers food and drinking my Grandfathers wine, while he had to plan and work for there masters, he would be gone for months at a time and only after he completed his agreement and contract with there lord did they leave... Tessa Joked (I think she Joked) on killing me if my grandfather didn't complete his task...Of destroying some city called Myth Drannor, haa my grandfather took his time and then unleashed a few Nycademons... This deed pleased my lord and Orcus and praised him and gave him gifts for his creativity...
Hummm I battled many Elite Goblins today........Elite what I laugh at that, but as I visited there chief and kindly asking him to open a trade agreement, he spat at me so I offered him to my lord as a meager sacrifice.

As I practiced my powers of fire calling forth the very elemental that the weave of magic how it connects to all the planes, I could help think of my time when I stood before my grandfather on that day when I had my Test of Fire........
Grandfather would whisper in my ear of the the elemental lord not being a true god but actually an elemental primordial, a being whose power rivals that of a true deity. Sarrukh tell of great battles during this time between the primordials and the Elder Gods led by Ouroboros the World Serpent. The war turned in the gods’ favor when the primordial Ubtao the Deceiver assisted the elder gods in slaying, imprisoning, or driving away the remaining primordials. He spoke as if he was there and witnessed these deeds and Battles but what does this have to do with my test of fire, I asked. Grandfather just nodes and said even the gods can be destroyed my child and even with there great power's even a meager child can rival the gods or even the Dawn Titans remember your lesson's and my teachings child!!! As I entered the room with my spear in hand and the armor and shield that my grandfather made for me, I seen my teacher Szat Ember a Efreet twelve feet tall, and massive and solid, well-muscled, black skin that is always burning his body of basalt, bronze, and solid flames. Szat just said your test is to survive he point to a hour glass tall as a door and as wide, when the sands run out and you still live then you have passed. You may use only the powers of fire or your might as he laughs at that thought.. Do you understand? As soon as the words left my mouth the test began I was assaulted by four elemental small in nature but still they cased me one struck my armor and the flames bounced off me thanks to grandfather for I didn't even feel the heat of the flames, I returned the creature with a thrust of my spear and it hissed as I struck it, I cased a spell of elemental shield of fire giving me extra protection in case my grandfathers armor and shield do not stop the next hit....As soon as that spell finished Szat spook words I didn't understand and the room erupted in flames the stone turned molten and walls were as that of fire the very air hissed of sparks and toxic smoke... I started to choke and gag for every breath as the flames burned my lungs, but then my amulet that grandfather gave me as a child, when we traveled the planes flashed. In a second of pain went away but I was assaulted by the four elemental again hitting me over and over I could feel the beatings but not the flames then my fury erupted just how Tessa Cloudburst trained me I feel the coursing energy flow through my body and I called strength from my lord to aid me my eyes flashed and I strike the first elemental and it hissed burst-ed into nothing but ash one of the elemental back away at the sight of it friend or me but Szat word and teachings of Honor spoke to me and I struck that one also it hissed greatly. Other two hit me I fell to the molten floor and one stomped on me, I heard something snap in me as I stood up, slapped it with the edge of my spear and stabbed the other so greatly that it hiss was a scream... I looked to the last two and they too me I just waited for there attack they crossed the floor with the speed of a flaming river but as the first one to reach me I struck dead and second one I missed as I could feel the pain of its strike across my face turning me around but my training told me to use the power of his strike and I thrust-ed my spear in to it chest as it's hissed and turned to ash....
As soon as I thought I was done I sensed a column of flame erupted from above me, I tried to roll out of the way but I didn't get far, as the column struck me I felt the heat this time and it burned greatly I could smell my hair and flesh burn... I looked to Szat and he to me he drew two scimitars and they erupted in flames a smile crossed his face as he disappeared in smoke. Then at that moment I felt a stinging hit across my back, I stumbled forward and caught myself, turning to met his attack. He came at me in a fury of blades, I blocked with my shield and spear I return his attacks and then he did it again he vanished in to smoke reappearing as he thrust-ed his blade into my shoulder, I tried not to scream, but the twisting of his blade caused me to scream out in pain but my anger was greater as I blocked his other scimitar with my shield and thrust-ed my spear into his gut my teach eyed me with surprised look as he fell back I could see flames erupting from his wound he look became from surprised to anger charging me in a fury of strikes and spells as balls of fire exploded from his hands hitting my shield knocking it from my grip and me rolling across the molten floor he vanished again but reappeared as he struck me in the leg where I still carry the scare, I fall to the floor as his next strike came down straight at my head I rolled to the side hearing his sword penetrating the floor as I used my spear I stuck him again in his rubs this time as he screamed in pain leaving his sword stuck in the floor he held the one and me with out my shield. We matched attacks but I could hold him at a distance then I let lose a spell of fire-burst out which just made Szat laugh as he was immune to the fires but I used this time to fallow the wave of fire and stick him like a over stuffed lizard he yelled as I drove my spear through him and into the wall but he vanished again into smoke. with a slash across my back he reappeared but I turn meting him across the face with my spear as droplets of flame fell from his mouth... At this moment the room changed back to normal and my attacks didn't stop until I heard a yell, It was my grandfather, I looked to him he as he nodded to me, saying time is up for our test. Looked at the hourglass, the last grain of sand fell....I looked down to my teacher bested by a young student, he smiled and said you honor me young Goldwing, for you have passed, I feared you may have died here today or at leased be mortally wounded. You proven to be a better warrior than you appear or just lucky. I give you this and bows giving me a Brazier and said this will give you the power to control or summon fire Elemental.... And he shall speak my name in honor as he bowed to my Grandfather he vanished and I never seen him again.... The look of pride over took my grandfathers eyes, with his eyeless stare from his skull. He offered his skeleton hand to help me up, I took it and felt the pain as my body weakened. Wish not to show Grandfather my pain or weakness, I laughed standing up I spoke the word of healing. I could feel the energy flow though me as some of my wound were healed, but my faith or power was not great enough yet......
Humm I feel like Trog legs and mushroom soup yes yes yummy