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

Information:

General
Race: Gnome
Age: 297 (quite elder by Gnome standards, though it is possible for some to live another 200 years)

Physical Description
Height: 3'0" (tall by Forrest Gnome Standards, short by Rock Gnome standards)
Weight: 42 lbs (a little on the hefty side)
Skin: Earthy-toned tan - weathered and dense callouses on feet and hands.
Eyes: Light grey
Hair: Receding light grey hair, often worn in a single pony tail.
Facial Hair: Matches hair in color, but allowed to spring forth in all directions. Nine to twelve inches in length roughly.
Voice: Mid-range, even-toned, gritty, and of uneven tempo with frequent pauses.

Overall Description
Perim is skiddish and appears semi-feral upon first impression. His clothes and wares consist of various common leathers and other hides. Presently he dons a brown bear hide cape, salamander armor, and lizardmen-scale boots. A small oak shield accompanies this Gnome wherever he goes as well as several small axes. Lastly, a worn bear-skull helm adorns his head --- thoroughly patched, well-worn, and appears quite old.

Three shrunken heads dangle from weaved leather-sinew straps that are tied to his thick leather belt. Two are of kobolds and one of a goblin. They are allowed to swing wildly as he runs through the woods or during his battles. He appears quite spry despite his age, though age has taken a toll on the duration of his runs.

He has an occasional badger companion that joins him in the woodlands. This companion is rarely seen due to his service to Perim as a forward scout and his frequent departure to comfy burrows. The little badger named "Fimus" also does not care for the loud noises that Perim creates in either his snoring or occasional use of offensive spells. The little creature is quite... crotchety.

Day 6 in the new lands. Near fortified Inn.

Tall'ns most interesting. Unusual social interactions.

Observations:
1. Cloth-wearing arcanist talked at length of courtship of female tall'n.
2. She is in his employ.

Conclusion:
Mixed. Unsure of thesis or conclusion. Human socio-economic and mating rituals require greater study. When inquiring about further study, female human appeared offended.

Female Tallin is most likely a courtier. Have been informed that, within the human tall'n culture, it is considered unethical yet common practice. Not common in wilderness though some of nature displays courtship based on favors-for courtship. Far more complex among human-tall'n culture. When female human was told of possible conclusion, again showed great displeasure and confusion.

Female tall'n stated, "I am no bar wench!" I found this odd... never thought nor stated she was a bar wench. Simply formed hypothesis that goods were exchanged for courtship. Stated such. Again, she showed displeasure.

Possible use of study:
Concluding that being a hermit was a good decision these many years.

Day 9 in the new lands. In area of Waterfall.

Observation:
Woods had been serene for lengthy time. Upon last arrival, found woods with large swaths burned. Source was... most likely not from this plane. Unsure. Hypothesis based on conjecture and rumor. Fire was natural enough. Much old growth cleared for new growth. Nutrients returned.

Conclusion:
Balance restored to area.

Possible use of study:
Apply more fire to other too-untouched areas.

Day 11, Still in area near Waterfall

Met many... like-minded individuals. Rangers and druids... or so claimed. Mostly elf. All tall folk.. I... did not expect to stumble into this Circle. A most unexpected event. There was talk about shrine, combat, and the old Grove --- now closed to us.

Fell asleep unexpectedly. Age is a terrible drain on one's constitution. Thesis supported more with every progressing day.

Day 14 - The Xvarts

Advice:

Culling is occasionally necessary. Never kill all of a group, tribe etc. ... for this will make them too weak. There is a memory that goes with every society. Goal should not be to... destroy memory... or experience of group. Only seek to cull numbers and restore balance.

Memory must linger. That society must learn... must remember. Necessary for greater strength. Even the pain... especially... pain.

Day 15 - Cloakwood and the Ranged Dwarf

Met unorthodox dwarf today. Short of beard... long on interest. Preferred crossbow to axe. No clan. Quite strange for a Dwarf, yes. Enjoyed conversation.

Thought that was worth recalling at a later date:
Elves... Men... Gnomes... Tigers... All are animals found in woods. The difference is that some are wise... and some think they are wise.

Day 16 - Area of Waterfall, Goblin Caverns and the Wolven Druid

Met a fellow druid today; she preferred wolf form. She was more... feral than I. Perhaps she has shared form too long. Unknown. Spoke some broken Common. Exchanged thoughts much. She... disapproved... of techniques I use.

She spoke of Orcs with great disdain. Understandable. She stated they had burned large swaths... too large... swaths of forest. I respected position, but stated that though they have destroyed too much, some forest must be burned. Allows new growth. Fire cleanses disease of old forest. Several smaller burns should be preferred to single large burns. She... disagreed.

Different philosophy perhaps. Perhaps more simple in mind. Unknown. Left... less-than-friendly terms I think. Understandable, but saddening occasion. For my position justifies hers... as her position justifies mine. We maintain the cycle.

Unfortunate.

Day 18 - Gnomish Kin Inn and an Orc

While running parallel to road called "Trade Way" spotted large group, yes! With interest peaked, approached group cautiously so I may observe tall folk in natural habitat. They are strange creatures and quite worth the study.

Instead... discovered Orc. Orc druid... nestled in group of tall folk. Most unexpected! Somehow tolerated in these lands, I approached with theory that either it is relatively safe... or... other tall folk were somehow entranced by what I hypothesized was Orc enchantress. Calculating chance to be slim and curiosity great... approached!

And so began long philosophical discussion, yes! And learned new metaphor: "Wolf with wings." Female Orc Druid used it to describe something preposterous. I pointed out that dragons are merely lizards with wings. Drew smile and chuckle, yes!

She asked about leanings on faith. A most uncomfortable topic as it usually draws heated debate and conflict, yes. There are three religions among "adventurers:"
1. What the "best weapon" is.
2. Who is best wizard. (usually sorted out with long wands cast by those short-of-anatomy).
3. Their god and why he/she/it is best.

Told her of god, and why I had slow warming to the idea. Unorthodox logic... unorthodox morale compass by some. Yes. Understandable response from most. HOWEVER! She was most-open-minded. Unexpected. Originally assumed, once we walked into wilderness, that I was being led to ambush and would have to kill the Orc preemptively/defensively. Was certain Orc must be destroyed to protect self. Hypothesis was wrong!

Most pleasant conversation. Explained that maybe I was a pair of wings that grew a wolf.

Most unexpected proof of incorrect theory! Requires more study. Orc druid. Preposterous!

Day 35 - See the Forrest for the Trees

Found many areas, thick with overgrowth. Still must decide which area truly needs rebirth. Difficult. Also, many factors to consider. Many unwanted interlopers. Many who would oppose ; would endanger themselves, my person, environment for their perception of "right."

It is understandable. Some are short on knowledge. Some have closed minds. Perhaps afraid if they open mind... brain falls out. Possible theory. Absurd. Ridiculous as some of their "logic." I do not doubt their intent. I judge it as... noble. But I find methods questionable... one-dimensional.

When one takes only one path so long, they think it is only path. Must learn to forge new path. Must learn to let some paths become overgrown.

Day 121 - Bones to Pick

Have traveled much. Lands here are diverse.

Discovered island off coast from what they call "Ulgoth's Beard." Strange. Not a single beard in the town besides my own. Perhaps my beard is named "Ulgoth" and I have been unaware of its sentience and name. It is also unknown when the facial hair became self-aware and a town was named in its honor. Ridiculous hypothesis. Enjoyable conjecture.

Back to the topic. On island off the coast of Sentient Beardville, discovered culture of aquan-lizard-based bipeds. Interesting sociology. Interesting use of anchors... --- Perturbing discovery was the large skeleton on coast. Skull retains shape similar to bovine creature but skeletal structure and density more similar to a bear. Would liked to have observed creature in its life. Must have been a truly frightening amount of strength. One never knows. Perhaps was giant sloth. Unknown.

Hypotheses:
1. Magical incarnation.
2. Extreme Mutation or Defect.
3. Unknown species of giant bovine-sloth-bears.

Hypothesis "2' is difficult. I have found similar skeleton deep within Orc Lair many miles away. Either multiple were magically constructed or some unknown species dwells... or once-dwelled... in area.

Will continue search.