Aelcar's Diary

[Aelcar]

These pages contain the reflections of Aelcar since his arrival in Baldur's Gate. Notable events will be recorded here. /// Many thanks to everyone involved for the excellent RP

[Aelcar]

Entry One: Destiny

It is only a few days I arrived in Baldur's Gate, after a rather uneventful albeit long travel from Waterdeep, and I already feel the presence of the Even Handed, shaping events around me in this quest to strengthen my body and soul and be an instrument of Justice in the name of the Order. While I was protecting some travelers who had been waylaid by bandits just south of the Gate's bridge, a powerful elven arcanist entered the fray, and his help has been invaluable to make sure every last one of the victims were unharmed. His name is Sorn, he worships Jergal and his remarkable magic power is always used to pursue an ideal of Justice so pure that I cannot but respect and admire it. After several more expeditions aimed at smiting evil creatures (the Kobolds and Bladelings in their lair, and the Goblins and Gnolls in their respective caves among others), I became lucky enough to call him friend, and I am honored he calls me Ebrath (the Elven word for it) in return. This friendship is indeed a great gift, and a woe unto the enemies of good and law...I can see Tyr's hand in this, definitely. As the Reverend Father told me, my destiny is beginning to unfold in these lands...

[Aelcar]

Entry Two: Hope

After striking a mighty blow against the Gnoll Chieftain in his very lair east of Candlekeep's mighty walls, Sorn and I together with an eccentric girl name Annie, a mysterious masked sorceror called Razzaban and the lovely Anu (of whom I know regrettably little) made it safely out of the hideout after slaying a beholder guarding the very exit. Nasty creatures, those beholders...but by the power granted me by the Maimed, I can hold my ground against its evil spells, and my companions were able to dispatch it quickly in the meantime. Once breathing fresh air under a night sky once more, Razzaban dropped his mask, revealing his Orc blood. Anu and Annie wanted him dead, forgetting his good deeds, judging him for what he is and cannot change, and not for what he actually does...for what lies in his heart. I could not step aside and let it happen...not again. Never again. I protected him, and with the help of Sorn I granted him safe passage for a ship to Roaringshore. It was not ideal, but at least no life has been wasted that day, no righteous butchered for the wrong reasons. I hope for a future where this prejudice will disappear, and I will strive with all my might to make it happen.

[Aelcar]

Entry Three: Faith

One day, Sorn and I were resupplying at the Friendly Arm Inn, when we heard the earth shaking, and saw an unholy darkness looming over the edge of Cloakwood...even at distance, I could feel the wrongness under my skin. Without a second thought, we entered the forest to find a large group of adventurers fighting walking dead, wraiths and demons of all sort. We entered the fray, and despite the power of Tyr shielding me and adding divine might to my arm to strike them down, I noticed the enemies were countless and so strong that they were constantly testing my limits. When we thought we had repelled the attack, and were counting the dead and the wounded, the river turned crimson as a necromancer and a demonologist performed a cursed ritual and evoked an enormous Balor, fleeing into the depths of the forest immediately after. The ensuing battle was titanic, and I had to stare at the last part without being able to attack further, my body broken by one of the Demon's mighty blows, my life slipping away from me. Thankfully, my companions were able to finally send the aberration back where it belongs...A great victory, despite the huge cost in lives of good men. And a victory that comes with a lesson: I have to improve greatly if I am to protect the world from these creatures, or equivalent threats. I must be one with my blade, one with my mind...and my faith.

/// Thx to DM Napoleon for the awesome event

[Aelcar]

Entry Four: Perseverance

A few days after the battle in the Cloakwood, I was fully recovered and decided to lead a party into the forest to investigate the situation and see if the two arcanists were still hiding there. I met an elf called Celduil, a very pleasant companion, excellent tracker and fantastic marksman. He guided me and two planetouched, a Fire Genasi called Drukar and his companion Neko (an Air Genasi, I believe..she was masked and rather introverse) throughout the forest, but we found no sign of the evil warlocks. Persevering in our search, we reached a hidden cave deep into the forest: once we ventured inside, we found it was a minotaur lair, and the signs of magic I wrongly took for clues came in fact from their leader, a very powerful minotaur wizard. However, the Even Handed helped me once again: inside we found Dean, a powerful Morninglord of Lathander, whose wise words and blessings helped us on our way back through the maze, together with Drukar's cunning in marking the way. I hope my failure in finding the black mages will not provide them the time to open new portals or perform more unspeakable rituals...I need to go back until I am sure, the importance of perseverance cannot be underestimated.

[Aelcar]

- Entry Five: Balance

Last cycle I had a very interesting experience. I was traveling south along the Trade Way towards Beregost, which is now my base due to easier logistic solutions (in the specific: better supply routes and easier access to various dangerous areas, where my presence is more likely to be needed), and I met once more with a spellsword named Aiden. I fought goblins side by side with this silent warrior several times, as well as Xvart and Wyverns (for whom he seems to have a predilection...maybe some old hatred?). He is good natured, pure hearted and definitely very powerful, mixing near impenetrable arcane wards with an impressive martial prowess: a welcomed ally, for sure. We once more fought the Xvart in their village, and helped some adventurers in distress to kill their leader (a big magic bear...maybe a druid) and recover a fallen comrade's body, which we brought back to the temple of Lathander. Aiden asked me to join him in prayer for the dead's soul, and immersed deeply in a prayer to Sune; I joined him, asking Tyr to support our request. The gods smiled on us, and the fallen came back to life, thanking us wholeheartedly after moments of confusion. The more I reflect on Aiden's behavior, the more I am striken by the fine balance between kindness and battle rage within him...As odd as it might seem, he would make a fine knight.

[Aelcar]

- Entry Six: Fallen

The Goblins are restless these cycles...I can hardly travel on the road to Beregost without being attacked, nor (even worse) without stumbling into dead travelers' bodies, torn apart from rusty blades or scorched by their shamans' spells. May Tyr have mercy, and protect those who thread this dangerous path and are not prepared for it. May he favors me, his weapon, with the chance to be there for them...After beholding such a sight, I could hardly stand by and allow this to go on, so I decided for a retaliation strike at the heart of the Goblin tribe living in the area; with a little luck, and the Maimed's favor, I hoped I could do enough damage that it would take a while for them to rally once again and retake control of the area outside the abandoned mine they use as a stronghold. I have been there before, and I knew where to strike. After a rather successful attack, I withdrew and was on my way towards town to repair my armor and other equipment (the goblin chief is a wizard, and I used my mantle to protect myself from his magic bursts...will have to substitute it...) and get some rest, when I met a strikingly beautiful elf lady called Alicia (Moonshadow, I believe). We fought together before, but I never really had a chance to talk with her at length, therefore this was our first "real" meeting. During the conversation, she told me she was a Paladin of Tyr before, like me...but she lost her faith. She said Tyr is blind, and she does not follow Him anymore. I replied that a god needs not eyes to see, and that I hope she will indeed find whatever it is she is looking for...but I am sure that, even though she has fallen, she is most likely (from what I saw so far, at least) still upbringing good and justice, and that in the end that is His will. I wonder how it must be...to fall...what solitude and pain and fear...anger...
I spent the rest of the day at the temple, praying for the restoration of Faith to the Fallen, and that they could find comfort, and their own way home.

[Aelcar]

- Entry Seven: Welcome

I was once again heading back in the Cloakwood...this obsession is totally unjustified and irrational, I know. But am I supposed to just let it go? What if my inaction favors a new demonic invasion? What if more abominations are summoned on this plane...and what if ,this time, we fail to stop them before they reach innocent victims...before it's too late?
No, this is my heart speaking once again. I have to think rationally: I cannot track, and alone and unfamiliar with these woods as I am it is like looking for a needle in a haystack. IF the demonologist and the necromancer are still here, which I am now starting to doubt. But I am straying from the point...My reasons are not important. What matters is what the Maimed put along my path. I had just entered the wood, when I saw a young girl, fighting hard against a lizardman warrior and a dryad. I entered the fray, and we quickly overcame the creatures (they are no match for me...not anymore, Tyr be blessed). Once the fight was over, she revealed that her name is Chera and she would have liked to accompany me in my endeavor. I warned her about the dangers, but as I spoke I could clearly see in her eyes that her determination was steadfast, her will unshakeable. Vowing unto myself to protect her as best I could, we ventured deeper into the grove...
The key moment of the cycle came after several hours of hard fight against the shadow druids and their minions. They were taking us by storm, wave after wave, and it was getting increasingly difficult to fight back: my wards and blessings were fading, my wounds were enlarging and I was bleeding more and more, the strength of my sword arm was slowly fading, my reaction time increasing as I struggled for breath. Chera helped me through it, singing ceaselessly a wonderful, inspiring music as she weaved her spell blasts against them, more often than not finishing the enemies behind me before they could strike once more. All of a sudden, when I thought we were finally victorious, I drove my sword into the ground, leaning on it with both hands and gasping for air. It was exactly then that two shadow druids and a giant spider came out of nowhere and charged me. Exhausted, a pool of my own blood expanding under my feet, I called upon the Even Handed, and I prayed him to give me the might to smite evil, and to shield me from harm at least long enough to protect the girl. As many times before, Tyr decided to look favorably on his tool, and we dispatched the attackers rather quickly. And then it happened: after the battle, while we were resting in a dry cave and recovering from the injuries, the girl completely opened up to me, and I could see from her gaze that something had changed: she talked about her family ( she is the daughter of a Barmaid); she confided me of her natural gift for magic, and how it scared her, how it made her feel different; she spoke of her passion for music, and how much she liked to sing...of her desire to work in a cosy Inn, maybe open one in the future...
It was not until I escorted her back, gave her a few hundreds gold coins to start with and waved her goodbye that I understood: that look in her eyes today, it was the look in MY eyes when I entered the Order. Her gift makes her different...a feeling I very well know. I always felt rejected and alone, until Tyr took my hand. That day, that moment, for the first time in her life, she probably felt appreciated, accepted for what she was. She felt welcome.

[Aelcar]

- Entry Eight: Vengeance

In a previous entry of my journal, I wrote about the distaste of Aiden for Wyverns I noticed while we were fighting them, but I could only speculate on the reasons behind it. Until now...
We were tending to our wounds at the temple in Beregost, with the help of the priests of Lathander, when he broke his usual silence to tell a story which deeply moved me, increased my (already deep) respect for him, and strengthened the bond of friendship between us. He told me about a proud and ancient empire, where culturally advanced people where living in an era of peace and prosperity. He told me of a darkness suddenly enveloping them, of legions of demons and dragons crushing the empire in a black vise, burning everything and everyone to a cinder. He told me of his wife and son, now lost in the dust of the past, only a scorched, time-eaten teddy bear remaining...a mournful relic, solitary memento of a tragedy whose actors are now ashes, whose cries are now a faint echo in the wind.
He swore an oath those days: that he would not rest until all the demons and dragons were destroyed, ground in the very dust they left in their wake rampaging through the empire...until he had his vendetta. As he was telling me this, a man who lost everything, forgotten and alone in a time he doesn't belong to, I felt something stirring within me. On my honor, I promised him he would not be alone in his fight anymore. I promised him to help whenever I can, to fight by his side, for he is righteous and his cause just and deserving. With the help of Tyr, the hand of justice will strike them down, and he will have his vengeance.

[Aelcar]

- Entry Nine: Belief

I consider myself rather lucky to be able to write this entry, because without Tyr's favor I would now be forever encased in stone, and what's worse, some of my dearest friends would share the same fate. But let's proceed with order...
Aiden and I were bound to the ruins of Ulcaster, where it is said a great evil lays buried. On our way there, though, we met a female warrior fighting a desperate battle against a group of no less than three Wyverns, a long gash in her right leg hinting at poison even before I noticed the color rapidly draining from her skin. Without a word, and making full use of his supernatural speed, Aiden charged in, hatred in his eyes and deadly steel in his hands (swinging a huge halberd, a weapon I am rather unfamiliar with, but which he employs with great effect) and I followed as fast as I could, laying my hands on the fighter and invoking the mercy of Tyr on her. WIth the beasts quickly dispatched and her wounds healed, Laya (that's her name) proved to be not only a skilled combatant, but also a pleasant company, as we traveled back to Beregost to get some rest, resupply and tend to our arms and armors.
As we were waiting on the weaponsmith's work to be performed, we met the two Anu sisters, also in town. These beautiful and capable twins, which I am glad to enlist among my few friends, are akin aesthetically just as much as different in demeanor. They are rather secretive, and never told me their full names (they both refer to themselves as Anu...sometimes, they look more like two facets of the same person than two different individuals), and I recognize them from one another because of their behavior: one is a divine caster, and she is strong willed, sure of herself and driven; the other, more attuned to nature, is shy and introverse, rather hesitant and charming in a very unique way. What they have in common is their pure heart, and even if in the past we have not always totally agreed on the assessment of situations and the actions to undertake (the Orc named Razzaban would know what I mean...hopefully, he is still well and on the right path), I have a deep respect for their skills, their judgement and their criticism. When we were finally ready to depart, destination Ulcaster once again, they decided to join us much to my delight.
We reached Ulcaster's ruins without much trouble, but while exploring the area for a way in (the main entrance looks completely blocked), Anu (the druid) whispered something to her sister, which in turn announced that a strange creature left tracks leading north, towards the halfling village of Gullykin. Once there, we followed the tracks further north, and we sighted in the distance a sinister building which I heard once some adventurers refer to as Durlag's Tower. Here we discovered, in the end, what left the tracks we were following...the amount of statues we found left no doubt on the kind of animals that started rushing towards us: basilisks!
We dispatched several of them, but somehow got separated: I turned around as the last basilisk fell, but I could not see the twins anymore. When we carved our way up to the tower, we discovered that one of them (the druid) had been turned to stone! My mind was racing for a solution, but before I could think of anything remotely feasible Anu (the non-petrified one, of course) rushed back, mentioning she knew a remedy to her sister's condition, and before I could stop her she was out of sight. Aiden, Laya and I started to fight our way back to join her, but even Aiden himself fell prey of the cursed stare of the vile reptiles. Desperately, shielded by the Even Handed, the valiant girl and I battled past the statue of the other Anu, and reached Gullykin, and then Beregost, where we met a noble cleric, David Longstride, which offered his help to get back our friends. Once obtained several magic wands from a Candlekeep's sage, we hasted back, mowed down the enemies with righteous fury and got our companions back to life again. It is a great feeling, to embrace again those you thought lost...to see in their eyes that despite how desperate the situation might get, they believe in you, and you in them. I regard this trust, this belief as a special form of faith, reserved to your friends and dear ones, and just like faith, it gives you strength ... it makes you feel as though you never walk alone.

[Aelcar]

- Entry Ten: Family


Another cycle literally blessed by Tyr. The last ones have been very productive and pleasant at the same time, I have to say. I met a blademaster coming from the east, his name is Nashrire, and we quickly forged a friendship in the heat of battle, clashing our blades against Orcs, Xvart and Wyverns alike. He is one with the blade, when he fights it seems like a wolf with a long, steel tooth, but elegant as a swan. I could not describe better my admiration for his craft, and his good nature. He said his master died (he was unable to explain how, though..), and he is looking for a new one...I am not really familiar with this custom, but I guess he is not very different from me, except for the fact that it is a god I serve.
This cycle, while we were passing through Beregost, we met Anu (the quiet, introverse one of the two), and she engaged in a pleasant conversation with us. She is so beautiful and charming...it was with the greatest regret I had to shift the focus of the conversation towards dark matters, in particular the demonologists hiding in the Cloakwood forest and their elven sacrifices: unable to find them myself, I asked to be included in her and her sister's hunt, and she reluctantly (fearing for my safety, no doubt) accepted. She asked me to meet her and her sister the following cycle at the entrance of the Wood of Sharp Teeth, at dusk. When I gladly accepted, she gave me one of those shy, innocent smiles that magically blow away even the darkest thought from my mind like a cloud carried by the strongest wind.
Even facing the coming darkness, and knowing it will be my destiny one day or another, I find comfort in my companions. There is nothing I would not do for them, to keep them safe. The friends I found in my short time here in the Gates are joining the Order in the special place in my heart I call home. A family.

[Aelcar]

- Entry Eleven: Cage


How long have I been here? The last thing I remember was fighting some dark-shaped, demon-blooded cultists, and then...then I woke up here. Where is here? Where are my friends? I pray Tyr they are safe. No...they must be, or I would feel it. This comforts me, and enables me to fully concentrate on the task at hand. We started this quest to seek and destroy the demons, to strike at the source. Well, it looks like I found them. They will soon find out their mistake, when my blade will cut through their blackened heart! There is only darkness in this place, a force field around me, confining me in a sort of small holding cell. A strange demon is observing me, its shape too deformed for a sane mind to describe, its yellow eyes fixed on me. If they think I will falter, they are mistaken! My armor is faith, it cannot be breached. My blade is light, it cannot be blocked. My quest is just, I cannot be stopped. Anu, my friends...rejoice, for this night will end in a dawn of victory. They think I am just another prisoner, but I will kill them all. I am the Hand of Justice coming for them...I thank you Tyr, for this chance to test my faith! Your tool will not break, I will not fail You. Let them come, and let the trial begin...

[Aelcar]

- Entry Twelve: Eternity

Is it day, or night? No way to tell here...there are no cycles in this place, only a continuum, eternal...just as the punishment for the poor souls trapped here, and the aberrations that keep them captive. For all I know, in my plane time could be standing still, I could be encased in an instant, a heartbeat. I still remember my last moments there, the cultists appearing...I can hear my voice shouting warnings to stay away from them...One of them pursuing Anu, its demonic weapon tearing armor and flesh, her scream of pain...I can still recall the exact moment in which I charged the being, the acrid, sulfur smell, as my blade imbued with the holy justice of Tyr connected with it, cutting straight through its dark robes, its demonic skin, and then...this. The force field does not allow me to wander, and it's so dark that even my infravision has trouble to pierce the tenebrae. And then, there is the demon...It's still looking at me, silent, motionless. It does not react. In all this, I do not feel tired, nor hungry, nor thirsty. Could this be the end for me? Trapped forever in this unlife, with the enemy so close, yet so far... Could this be my eternity?

[Aelcar]

- Entry Thirteen: Price

Blood. Blood everywhere. They dragged me across a dark room, and the only thing I could see was a trail of blood behind me and ahead.
Darkness and blood. Two demonic minions are speaking their foul language, yet I cannot make out anything of it...probably infernal?No idea. My thoughts are hazy, and it was even more difficult to focus back then. I tried to fight them, even unarmed and in my weakened state, but one stepped on my left arm, cracking my elbow. That pain was nothing compared to what they did after. They kept on dragging my body until we reached a strange device, difficult to describe. They claimed it fuels the "Master" with the blood of their captives, and that elves make the best fuel, so they were pretty disappointed I stepped in the way last time...this is all I learned, and my inquiries gave them a good reason to stab me in the guts, which would have killed me in seconds if it werent for the healing powers Tyr granted me. A sign...even in the darkest hour, The Maimed did not abandon His faithful servant. They cut my neck and drained so much blood from me that I passed out, and since I woke up again, I can feel the taint in my once pure body, a curse running through my veins, weakening me...Yet, it is not over. I am fighting still. This is indeed a nightmare, but I have no fear. A Paladin is born to be the Banishment of Nightmares, the ray of light penetrating the darkest night, the hero fighting till the end. In good days and bad ones. And more often than a reward, it is a price to pay that waits for the hero, when the end comes. Thank you, Tyr, for this chance: for the time has come, and I am prepared to pay the price. I am prepared to fight. To the end.

/// Thanks to DM Fugue for the event, and incredibly immersive scenario. Cheers

[Aelcar]

- Entry Fourteen: Echoes

I have to keep fighting. Not only for me and the friends I must protect, but for her as well,now. Echo. Or maybe I should say them...I woke up, and she was there, unconscious. I tried to move towards her, but in addition to my body being shattered by this torture, I am attached to the machine fueling the "master" with my blood by needles directly in the spinal cords...I cannot move too much, and the little I can results in excruciating pain. In this occasion, finally, after some time (a cycle?three?a lifetime? Hard to say in here...) since her arrival I managed to speak with her (I will say her, yes...yes, I'll stick to her for now). We talked about faith and religion, about her wish to be whole again...about Eli, her cat, with which she has a deep sentimental bond (I heard of such things about arcanists...I believe they call it "familiar", it becomes part of them)...and it looks as though all her personalities are quite worried about a particular one, named Vanna (she is the embodyment of hate, for what I can understand), which they are afraid might resurface in this place. And if I look around, I must say there can be no place more attuned to hate than this one.
Just like me and my companions, she was attacked by some strange, dark clad figure rambling in abyssal; she tried to hide within her magic, but the creature saw through the illusion and captured her nonetheless.It is indeed hard to deceive infernal creatures...deceit runs through their veins.
While we were talking, three minions came to check if we ate well (most of all her. Their interest goes towards the Elven blood, first and foremost), then started conversing in that infernal language of theirs. The only thing I could make out of it, is that one of them was clearly the leader, a sign of a well structured hierarchy. Moreover, I caught a glimpse of their weapons...a most unusual metal. I have no idea concerning its properties, but Echo says it's exceptionally durable and made to burn through flesh with ease. Somehow, I have no doubt about it.
Great Tyr, this lack of understanding is killing me faster than my wounds! Random symbols, a generally chaotic feeling coming from this..cult...and yet, a perfectly structured chain of command, and very precise rituals (I saw them cleaning the floor wherever the blood is not spilled with a maniacal accuracy)...this is the kind of aberration of a society that Archdevils love to create.
But enough speculation! I need to work with what I know, and one thing is by now clear: they need us relatively unharmed to fuel this unspeakable blasphemy they call "Master". If I ever manage to get my hands on a blade, they will be introduced to the feeling of regret, and clearly shown the error of their ways... I intend to make sure of it. Another important point is their obsession with Elves: Echo confirmed me what I already suspected, that I could have been safe just staying away from elven blood, which is all that interests these monsters. I am, however, very glad I am here: my duty as a Paladin, and as a friend, is to protect them, die for them if necessary. I happily did it, and I will do it until my last breath.
I later meditated and prayed for guidance, and I felt the hand of my god comforting me, his voice soothing me, his breath giving me life. Cursed, wounded, crippled, my left arm hanging by my side uselessly, I felt...reinvigorated, stronger, my resolve an impenetrable fortress. I will succeed. I will complete my mission.
After a joke on my appearance (I was in fact longing for a shower, my armor polished and a new mantle, at the very least...), Echo displayed disbelief towards my lack of fear, given the situation. The thing is...not many truly understand what being a Paladin means. Often, even Paladins themselves overlook this simple, yet fundamental aspect of our god-given status: we shall have no fear. It is not a form of "suppression", like Vanna's fragment in Echo...fear is just utterly taken away from us. Fear can be misleading in crucial situations, and get in the way of our actions...yet, it is overcoming fear that defines the Hero. Therefore, the Paladin's fate is to be created to be a hero, without the chance to really be one. We often fight against impossible odds, yet we cannot afford to fail, therefore there is no place for fear in us. This is the fate we embrace, the sacrifice we made upon becoming our god's tools, vessels of his or her will.
Echo thinks that everything ends, all ideas and beliefs are just that, echoes, and fade when noone listens to them anymore. This is certainly true, and THAT is why we have to be ready and willing to pay the price, even with the most precious currency available to mortals: life. This leading by example, this willingness to commit to an ideal, a mission, grants the deed immortality. Such an echo will never fade, and as the wheel of time turns, others will listen to it, and then their sons and daughters, and their families as well...endlessly.