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

I am a changed man, no longer does my mind cloud me so. I can only rest this blame upon clerics and adventurers as they are the ones who most likely removed this ailment from me. At what cost however?

To say that I am different now than I was is an understatement. According to my now destroyed writings which I would rather forget, I was a frightened and rather insane fellow who went about rambling about some Brilliant Shining Lord of Darkness. Through doing so I apparently realized I could do what adventurers do.

What was I thinking? Leaving the safety of the Gate? My only safe home where the Flaming Fist Roam, protecting everyone. By leaving it I only put myself in mortal danger at every second at every minute.

Because of this, even my mother sees me of a different sort, no longer someone she could dote over and protect, she sees now that I have the ability to do great or terrible things of my own will and not due to my own feeble mind.

Even through all of this madness, something beckons to me, a greater ideal, a higher path. I believe this path to be the way of ultimate peace. Power is what I require for this goal.

But where do I get such power? I am ever so weak in the face of many others who undoubtedly hold more power than I can imagine. There is one course I must take, I must seek power from beyond the veil of this reality.

And there I was, stunned, injured and completely terrified. Hoards of monstrosities poured in from the Cloakwood forest. I could do nothing but hide behind a rather large Flaming Fist Bruiser.

At some point I fainted and woke up, the battle still raging on, I deftly moved further away from the conflict, only to look on in horror as a giant walking tree attacked. How lucky was I that there were plenty of skilled warriors around to take it out.

But why then? All I wanted to do was go to the Inn and rest. but even that had to be ruined by a seemingly random hoard of creatures. Alas it was not so random as it apparently was a retaliation by an escaped Dark Druid, which also beget tragedy for those of the Flaming Fist. I could do nothing about it.

Why did I do it? Why do I keep doing this! If only I stayed outside the ruin. But alas my curiosity got the best of me and I entered those ruins on slight whim. But this was my undoing, undead attacked and hounded me and my friend Alexander, a paladin of sorts.

Why undead? They are so hideous and disgusting. Not to mention the horrible chilling blackness that encased me for a while. It caused me to fall into a flurry of panic for it reminded me of when those hoards of monsters poured from the forest. At this point though we had other companions, an elf of sorts and some man who fought with his fists.

What horrible luck we did have though only to fall into some trap door and into a huge underground cavern which smelled of the rot of undead in heavy concentration. The horror of it all.

We walked on through only to run into disaster after disaster. The man who fought with his fists kept getting injured, but we pressed onward.

Near the latter part we came upon undead giants who started to attack! it was a horrid affair as they shambled about with a terrible stench. I don't remember much as I must have fainted with fear. Though I wonder why my body aches so...

Oh yes.. there was a rather rude Kobold who called my hat stupid. Well I took great offense to this, they obvious never dabbled in high fashion before. Luckily one of the party members knew draconic so I wouldn't have to waste words with the creature. Though I also did my best not to draw awareness to the fact that I can understand that language...

There was some talk of a blue clothed necromancer but I didn't really give much care as I was just happy he was gone. I hope I never see that fellow. If he can ward so many undead things... oh.. body aches just thinking about it.

After it was over the kobold led us out and Alex bestowed upon me a rather large bag of gold apparently from the giant undead we fought...

Was it worth it though?

Once again, I am beset with anger, how do they do it? How do they put themselves into so much danger with little regards to their own safety?

I thought I understood them. I really did. But no, alas I am mystified once again by their ... utter .. Nonsense!

IS it the power their wield? Does that allow them to brave whatever comes their way? It must be, they attack those foes like they were nothing.

Its absolutely infuriating! I must find a way.. I must find a source of power for myself to use!

Even if it means to call upon the powers of the Hells if I must!

It was a new day, fresh from my usual act of bargaining with adventurers for baubles and other rarities that could possibly help with my own quest for power. As I was headed to the Gate to sell some things, I noticed a glowing building and a huge swarm of butterflies.

Apparently this was the orphanage where the Living Saint of Ilmater. Not only was her visage a wondrous sight but the house and the butterflies painted a miraculous picture that was soothing and calming to me, Almost making me forget about the horrible things that happened to me of late. Hopefully this will alleviate my nightmares about the darkness and those dreaded creatures pouring from caves and the forest. I can only hope that I never have to experience something so terrifying ever again, though that is not likely as much as I am afraid to admit.

I have seen it, the power of the hells before mine own eyes. Is this what I was looking for, is this the power I crave?

Would I give everything for it? Everything but my own life?

Then why didn't I? What holding me back?

Doubt? Fear?

Questions questions but only one answer.

It was their fault, those adventurers. Their malice to such power would have only meant the death of me. How absolutely maddening.

The only power I could ever possibly get is out of my reach, because of them.

I spoke too much to them, I fear they grow suspicious of me, I can feel it, their eyes watching me, Judging me for death.

Oh, if only that mage did not cast that ward upon me.. erasing my fear, it left me vulnerable to their words and taunting. They do not understand, they are on another level than I, they have obtained power well beyond the imaginations of any.

And what do I have? Nothing but less a chance to even dream of grasping such power.

I was so close... so close... and only now that moment will haunt my dreams, the devilish creature, standing before me giving this power away and me, just standing there... too frightened to even respond.

But I have one more chance, I now know the "Name" of that... creature. I think I will be able to contact it... somehow... though it could be hopeless, it may not even respond or ... No it must work! It Must!

But those adventurers, I spoke to much to them...

I have little recourse. I must do this now or forever I will be.. powerless.

Oh yes, if I ever find that man who stuck his gloved hand inside my mouth, I will be sure to receive do compensation.

The dark dreams return, ever so horrid as I feel the scene repeating in full score as the battle rages.
I cannot sleep, the image is forever burned into my mind, Why didn't I speak? Why?

My only chance at power gone.

Nobody understands, nobody would believe me if I explained. They all just call me mad, even the ones who experienced the same horror as I, they just shrug it off like its nothing new.

When they sent that demon back to the abyss, they said it to be unable to come back for at least a hundred years.

I must find another... But what one? I know of none, and the chances of another portal to hell opening nearby for me as horrid as it is.. are very unlikely.

There must be something I can call upon, Something! There has to be!

I am left little recourse, I must.. as much as I think I shouldn't, I must call upon the powers of the Brilliant Shining Lord of Darkness. I fear it may be in vain though, but I must.. try.