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

The attendees gathered in the House of the Guardian, Nashkel. Head Watchknight Wai Li gave an overview and divided the participants into groups. Captain Reine started the training with introductions. Knight-Commander Eldarian Al'maire took command of half the squadron and directed them in formation drills.
Spear: Diamond: Two-by-Two: Line: V: Captain Reine had to handle an urgent matter, so the combatants combined again. Some curious onlookers stopped to watch the proceedings. The Blightbotherers, as Captain Reine dubbed them, carefully proceeded into the wyvern-infested trenches. Each trainee took a turn at command, although Knight-Commander Al'maire was there to ensure safety. After a successful mission, the company returned for some last-moment words of wisdom from Knight-Commander Al'maire. Head Watchknight Wai Li inspected, thanked, and dismissed the Blightbotherers at the conclusion of the training program. (Credit goes to Calvinus for providing the final screenshot!)

The Red Mist arrived days beforehand. People interested in the defense of Candlekeep met with Abel, a guardian spirit, to seek his wisdom and counsel against the fast-approaching conflict. Inside Candlekeep, people armed and readied themselves. The defensive line waited for the inevitable while the offensive line completed their tasks. Pusshroud the All Devouring finally revealed himself. Abel sacrificed himself so that the defenders could have a chance at victory. The siege started in earnest with the arrival of a dracolich. The dracolich was defeated, and the combatants took a breather. Another dracolich was sighted in the distance, and the undead army made its first full push. Even a dracolich could not stand against the combined magical might of the people on the battlefield! The offensive line and defensive line combined in front of Candlekeep. Yet another dracolich tried and failed to conquer. One of the many dragons encircling Candlekeep foolishly decided to take a closer look. During the final push, a trio of dracoliches assaulted the warriors. The men and women who defended Candlekeep celebrated their hard-won victory.

A small contingent of defenders ensured that the docks were not swarmed with undead. As the undead overwhelmed the neighboring Palace District, some of the more skilled defenders fell back to the docks. The undead kept pushing, and the defenders were forced to retreat into the heart of the city. The Blight was upon the battlefield at last, but the people of Baldur's Gate prevailed!

Nëa, the Assistant Director at the White Mask Theater, started the bardic competition. Macgar Blackbrew gave what can only be described as a 'memorable' performance. The audience listened as Nëa calls for the next performer. Onna'Evatril took to the stage and offered an Elven sermon. Maddy Thunderkeg, Vendor Xon, and Terri Lalani watched Onna'Evatril's performance while Telia Santraeger and Tarina Mazir accepted a donation from Ebenezer Thatczh. Zhar Quantoul took to the stage to tell a Thayan tale. Kahanak Habilof offered the crowd a poignant poem as his performance piece; the crowd seemed moved. After the performances, the curtain was lowered while the theater prepared for the magic show. Aeili Azenci and Telia Santraeger were featured as sister witches. At one point, the pair were completely different and opposite sizes. The sibling rivalry produced some colorful results! The witches grew too big for their britches near the finale. The red witch and blue witch took their bows to the sounds of thunderous applause. Unfortunately, an altercation erupted as the performers were on stage awaiting the results of the audience vote. Peace was eventually restored, and the winners were announced. (( I didn't make it home from work in time to get Alesea's opening speech, and then I had to AFK and missed shots of Telia's performance and the dual-giant finale. Apologies! ))

The arena for the Duels to Settle Grievances was neatly arranged. Spectators listened as Koryeneer welcomed them to the festivities and listed the rules for the Duels to Settle Grievances. The first duel, in which Iolo Treetop challenged Lotrik, resulted in a victory for Lotrik. Koryeneer spoke to the crowd again while Isabella Villame manned her fortune-telling booth. The second duel featured a challenge by Macgar Blackbrew against Taran Seven over the honor of the former's future wife, Witchblade. The victory went to Taran Seven. The third duel was issued by Onna'Evatril on behalf of her wolf companion, Sadie, who had a dire grievance against Luke Darius. The non-traditional duel format of "stone, parchment, shears" was used, and Sadie's strategy of choosing parchment by raising a paw each time afforded her the victory. The fourth and final duel was issued against Luke Darius by Telia Santraeger, who also chose a non-traditional duel format: she created a magical copy of her foe and forced him to fight himself! Luke, of course, won. Once the duels concluded, a blind auction was conducted for ten high-end items. The opening bid for each item started at fifty bags. Some festival goers stopped by the fortune-telling booth after the auction ended.

Baldur's Gate was festively decorated with magical lights and drifts of snow. More people gathered when two of the Darius brothers, Marcus and Luke, tuned their instruments. Macgar Blackbrew faltered after taking a snowball to the face from Wesmille. Telia Santraeger welcomed everyone to the Midwinter Celebration. She then performed some winter-themed musical pieces. Several people started dancing when Nëa performed. Onna'Evatril literally dragged her partner to the dance. Elaborate dips were performed. Alexandra hid from Onna'Evatril took a breather by the people playing chess in the alegarden. People danced until the festival drew to a close. It is said that several people participated in the Great Snowball Fight of 1352 after the festivities came to an end, but there is no documented evidence of this incident.

We will get our revenge next year, Team Blackbrew!

(( Note! These screenshots feature my PC, Alexandra Keenan, without her ever-present hood. If you interact with her and want to remain unspoiled as to her appearance, then please do not look at these screenshots! Otherwise, enjoy. ))

Elyssa Symbaern and Alexandra Keenan shared a suite at the Helm and Cloak Inn in order to primp for the gala. The ladies were escorted to the gala by Knight-Commander Eldarian Al'maire. The ballroom of the Duchal Palace was elegantly decorated. Many guests attended and mingled with each other. Elyssa, Hoiha Dacino, Alexandra, and Eldarian were all finely dressed for the occasion. Luke Darius emceed the auction portion of the gala. Marcus and Luke Darius provided wonderful music for the event. Eventually, people started dancing! Alexandra sought a drink from the bar while others continued to dance. Telia Santraeger greeted a late arrival to the gala, Eleanor. The dancing continued! A miniature Hoiha danced with Ckal while the other guests mingled again. Who was that nicely dressed elf on the right? Could it be...? Alexandra with Terri Lalani. A small group of people stayed and mingled after the event officially ended. A gentleman escorted a lady back to her lodgings. Hinzel, Elyssa, and Alexandra relaxed after a fun-filled day.

Eleanor patiently waited as the first of the attendees arrived and took their seats. Terri Lalani joined Eleanor at the podium as attendees continued to arrive. Head Watchknight Wai Li and Captain Reine arrived; so did a delegation from the Thayan Enclave. Wai Li and Reine ascended the podium and explained the way the tribunal would work. The tribunal started with the testimony of Terri Lalani, the Administrator of the Phoenix Company. Tad gave testimony as a witness for Terri. Kerlys, Dorne, Elyssa Symbaern, Alexandra, Eldarian Al'maire, Onna'Evatril, and Luke Darius attentively listened to the proceedings.

Friends of nature gathered with Vendor Xon, and later Nai, in the farmlands outside Baldur's Gate. The group made their way north to where a flowing stream meets a cave. The people gathered together on the riverbank in preparation of the ritual. The first prayers and sacrificial leaves were offered. The participants listened as Nai called for the aid of the Oak Father, Silvanus. One at a time, the attendees spoke words of faith and hope. The druidess Onna'Evatril ended her prayer with a remarkable display of healing prowess. When everyone who wanted to speak had finished, the group made their way back to the farmlands. Vendor Xon had a variety of saplings waiting to be planted. Different methods were used to complete the task; Captain Hoiha Dacino employed enlargement magicks. Alexandra Keenan opted for a more traditional approach. The tree planters surveyed their handiwork and kept a positive outlook. More saplings were made available to some notable late arrivals. When the task was complete, Vendor and Nai thanked everyone for their participation. With love, faith, hope, and time... the farmlands of Baldur's Gate will surely flourish again!

After hearing rumors, a small handful of curious onlookers arrived in The Wood of Sharp Teeth to observe a Selûnite ritual led by a most unusual host. More werewolves approached so that the ritual site could be prepared. More interested observers found their way to the clearing, along with some celestial deer. The lycanthropes were in the midst of their ritual when a male gnome disturbed it. He was shredded in the presence of the horrified witnesses! The situation became tense as one of the werewolves stalked towards the onlookers. With the ritual disturbed, a trio of elves and their tag-along friend thought to take a different approach. They trekked deeper into the Wood. Eventually, the quartet found a long-forgotten shrine to Selûne that was guarded by more celestial creatures. The guardians granted passage, and the altar was reverently approached. The foursome offered their respects, and a boon was granted.

Thirty children* and their escorts arrived at Pathfinder Hall to start a new chapter in their lives. (From L-R) Aaron Lyonaler, Alexandra Keenan, Ameris and Telia Santraeger, Anne, Tarina Mazir, Richard, Guardsman Jim, Michael Dunn and Rain Dog, Guardsman Warren, Eldarian Al'maire, and Greil Nightgale - the people in Pathfinder Hall gave the children a warm welcome! * Spawning thirty kid NPCs would have been a nightmare! Use imagination.

At the behest of Guide Laitae Lafreth, a small contingent of Candlekeepers traveled down the coastline near their library in order to retrieve some items that had been stolen before ever reaching the fortress. Felix Burrmeister, Laitae Lafreth, Alexandra Keenan, Isabella Villame, Tarina Mazir, Elyssa Symbaern, and Wesmille listened to what Captain Morris had to say. As might be expected, hostilities erupted. The scholars battled the sailors! One sailor smarter than the rest surrendered.

Guests mingled in the White Mask Theater before the auction. Priestess Ember Parel of Sune greeted the attendees; the opening performance was staged behind her. Telia Santraeger, Luke Darius, Fingal Darius, and Marcus Darius performed a dramatic show for the audience. Priestess Parel addressed the audience again, and the auction was underway! The ladies were auctioned first, with Elyssa Symbaern - voted the Most Comeliest - setting the pace. Alexandra Keenan was next to be auctioned, and the bidding got fierce! The White Mask Theater was packed with people. Onna'Evatril was the last of the ladies to take to the stage. A musical intermission was provided by Fingal and Luke Darius, who performed the humorous tale called, "Fingal, where are your trousers?" The gentlemen were next to be auctioned, starting with the other Most Comeliest, Eldarian Al'maire. Luke Darius was the following man up for bid. The last to be auctioned was Aeric. Telia Santraeger offered a poignant closing performance. When the auction officially ended, the unofficial festivities started! Luke and Marcus Darius provided dancing tunes to the remaining crowd.

People waited in Soubar for guarded caravans to take them to the tournament grounds. The site came into view once the wagons slowed to a halt. Registrations took place while spectators socialized. Captain Greil Nightgale, leader of The Ebon Blade Mercenary Company, addressed the crowd before the start of the upper tier matches. Combatants Natalya and Ariel, Destroyer of Worlds, met on the field prior to their bout. Natalya emerged as the victor! The next match was between Dral Winterward and Iolo Treetop. The latter was the victor. Hinzel made quick work of his opponent, Ramar. Dame Sveta Asperan prepared for her round against Iolo Treetop, who ultimately won. Hinzel faced Natalya and defeated her to advance to the final round. The championship match featured Hinzel against Iolo Treetop. Hinzel was declared the tournament champion and received a monetary prize. (( I missed the free-for-all; apologies! ))

Some people initially gathered in Nashkel for the next session of The Everwatch Training School. Head Watchknight Wai Li quickly informed the attendees that help was needed in Kheldrivver. Once everyone was prepared, they gathered outside in order to teleport. The group safely arrived in Soubar. However, due to some miscommunications, the force had to return to Baldur's Gate. Finally, the small group that left Nashkel joined with the main group outside of Baldur's Gate. The people socialized while three separate divisions formed in accordance with the action plan. The flying unit - Terri Lalani, Michael Dunn, Isabella Villame, and Alexandra Keenan - got some well-wishes from Medune Norman. With the three groups formed and ready, it was nearly time to march. The flying unit was a small but elite team chosen to take to the skies, drop fire bombs, and herd trolls towards the other two units. When the largest unit departed, the other two awaited their orders to do the same. Finally, the flying unit made their way north until they reached Soubar. Once they arrived in Soubar, they drank magical potions that sent them into the skies! The quartet swooped through the skies to get their bearings and to move closer to their targets. They decided to fly below the cloud cover to get a better idea of how many trolls held the area. Upon returning to the high skies, the foursome was beset by winged creatures - harpies! Another winged threat soon joined the fray - an enormous red dragon! When the skies were thought cleared, the flying unit rained fiery death upon the trolls below them. Unfortunately, the airborne enemies were not content to let these actions go unchecked, and another mid-air fight ensued. The red dragon seemed to enjoy toying with the flyers. The foursome dropped all their bombs, and then they bid farewell to the clouds. The flyers combined with the main ground forces. Everyone battled against the trolls that kept rampaging through the lands. More and more trolls flooded through the region. The flyers did their job well - perhaps too well. The fighters took a moment to reform their lines after holding off many enemies. The rest was needed, because the trolls made a final, ferocious charge. The defenders rallied with all their might! All three forces successfully rejoined; the liberation of Kheldrivver was a resounding success.