Anderick Goodmane

[MadSeer]

Anderick, younger brother of three, was born surrounded by magic. Both his father and mother were respected wizards amongst the community, and his two older brothers likely would be as well, following eagerly in the footsteps of their parents. However, young Andy was a different mind. At a young age he would brawl rather than practice; sleep rather than study and get in trouble with the City Watch for causing disturbances with his friends. Suffice to say, he wasn't exactly what his parents expected. But the old man, being unsuccessful himself at teaching anything about the Art, and discipline, to his son, signed him up to the Neverwinter's Academy when he was of age.

Mortran (his father) had to use of much of his influence to keep his youngest at the Academy, as he would rather skip class and get in trouble with the other students. It however all went to hell one day for poor Andy. As the years passed, and all he could muster was a few sparks, or an unwanted explosion, when trying to create simple orbs of light, his "fellow" mages would start picking on him, making use of mischievous enchantment and transmutation magic to make it unbearable. Unable to fight back with spell, it came down to what he was good at; his fists. Superior in every way to his comrades in actual fights, he easily fought back. Hard. More than one found their way to the infirmary, either from heavy bruises and even broken fingers for one or two. He was, of course, expelled and nothing his father would say (if he would even consider it at this point) would change that. To his family, he was nothing more than a disapointment. And he knew this. It however came to him that, maybe, he just wasn't meant for that. And he had heard plenty of tales about other, much more interesting, career choices...

More years passed, but it was clear to Anderick what he had to do. Simply leave, take the road with a sword and a shield and find fortune in it. So he eventually did, with the intent of leaving most of his days in Neverwinter behind him (even now he keeps mostly quiet about his days at the Academy, blaming his expulsion on his incompetence as a mage rather than the brawl when it is brought up as it's not something he was ever proud of).

He made his life as an adventurer, traveller and past-time mercenary. Surviving with meager means, but surviving. That is, until he came across a peculiar half-elf (some would rather say pervert, to a limit) going by the name of Seadin. They both had a similar mind, except that where Andy was good with the sword, his companion was the discreet type. Without being a duo extraordinaire, they went through a few mercenary contracts, and that eventually lead them to Baldur's Gate.

Today, Andy's thirst for adventure is still as strong. And his goodheart, even if sometimes foolish, leads him down the right path. With Tymora by his side, he is as confident as he is a skilled warrior. And below his uncaring and undisciplined appearance actually lies a man of determination and purpose.

[MadSeer]

Anderick's Journal: Day 1
Seven thousands three hundred and eighty one. You're still a long way buddy, and it looks like no one actually needs mercenary work done. Or they're all going to the Fist. Gotta be it. Not that they seem to be doing anything more than guard duty in Baldur's Gate. I don't know how they stand to do that, especially with that captain of theirs. I'd just end up throwing insults at him all day long. Getting sidetracked again, focus.

Training's going well. Not that I'm bragging, but I haven't run into many swordsman that could match my own skill. It's all feeling just natural now. Boy would the old man be proud. Not that you'd give a damn. And now you're lying, you would. Wait, do I write to myself in third person … is this how journals work ? Maybe I should just—sidetracking again. That's it for now.

[MadSeer]

Anderick's Journal: Entry 2
Why do I always end doing what the half-elf says ? I spoke with a wizard named Kane and went through my first lesson. Slayed some wyverns, went over the basics of the different schools. I think it can work. I bought a few books in Candlekeep, should help me. But with the theory I learned in Neverwinter, it should make it that much easier to learn the rest. I just have to figure out how to make an orb of light without burning myself with it. How hard can that be. It's just to ---

The rest of the page has been burnt, as well as a few others.

[MadSeer]

Anderick's Journal: Entry 3
Well, the last few days have been full of success for you. Learning magic, disassembling a smuggling operation, getting the farmlands rid of some of the werewolves and signing my death wish. Besh's going to kill me. But I had to do it. But perhaps walking out wasn't the smartest move. So much to do yet so little time. I guess I just had to let her know whatever the outcome. It just means I'm a fool if I was wrong, and life won't wait for me. Well maybe you'll get a severe beating, but what the hell. It was worth it.

[MadSeer]

Anderick's Journal: Entry #4
The Nighthunters. Who do they think they are ? They hate the drow: who doesn't ? But if they start bringing humans into their personnal conflicts, it will get ugly. As far as I'm aware, it doesn't look like there's much reasoning to be done with them, at least not with Rysdan and his friend. Perhaps Wthyran will listen, or Bella. Doubtful, but I have to try. Gotta wish they'd stop bringing and blaming others for their problems. And I certainly wish it doesn't come to blows. I've prepared myself nonetheless. They're good swordsman and probably better archers, I have to be careful.

[MadSeer]

Anderick's Journal: Entry #5
I have lost what I thought to be a trusted friend today. Perhaps even made an enemy. All I can hope for now is that the next time we meet, it won't be on opposite sides of a battlefield. I wouldn't have the heart to raise my blade against him. Is it worth it ? To strike down a friend for a cause you believe in ? It probably is not, but I do not back down. I'm doing what is right, how painful it might be. And this is it. Nymas is a drow, but if Seadin trusts him, then so do I. A friend of a friend they say. But it looks like this saying goes both ways -- to the Black Arrow I probably am just like the dark elves. It saddens me that between the plague and the werewolf, all they can think of is their petty quarrel with their dark cousins.

[MadSeer]

Anderick's Journal: Entry #6
Hedge wizardry - I hear it's generally frowned upon by "proper" wizards, but it works. I'll admit my teachings at the Academy helped, I found and used the bits I could recover from my memory and put them in practice. I barely fail second level spells now. At this rate I might learn my way around a fireball in the work of a few tendays. My swordsmanship's taken a small hit, progressing in both arts is hard. However, increased with magic my swordarm might just become one of the best on the Coast. Who knows, I might even take the title from Seadin.

Entry #7
You hear many tales of dragons in Neverwinter. Black Dragons, smaller, but breath acid that would melt a dwarven shield. Red Dragons, giant beasts with an even bigger ego, but with the power to back it up. I had read books talking of the metallic dragons, like the noble Gold Dragons. I had seen a Bronze dragon some time ago. It was sickly, and dying. But I never thought I would have to fight a Red wyrm. Adult, at the prime of it's age. Scarrigglozz was it's name. Taller than Neverwinter castle. Were it not for Cat's aid I would be dead, but we vainquished it, and I - or rather my alter ego - wears it's scales. It's amazing what a few well paid bards and a few stories in taverns will get you. The Harbinger, some recognizes him. Soon the name might even known all across this side of the Coast. That brings me to Cat. I don't ... get her. She's dangerous, but is she an enemy, or a friend ? She summoned forth a Balor. How ? Yet she follows Rillifane Rallathil - one of the Seldarine. She "understands" the Bloodpaws, Malarites. It doesn't make sense. I need to ask about the druidic circles of the area. The Shadowleaf and the circle of the Ancient One.

Entry #8:
I can still hear her. The woman - a sweet voice, twisted by the horrible treatments of Bhal'hal. Her pains, her fears. She told me all, she forced the voice into my head, her soul is in pain. It was unbearable. This evil, the remnants of this drow, must be destroyed. But how do you destroy an evil that even the undead fears ? A death knight at the head of an entire skeletal army is frightened by this being. A death knight! They represent the epitome of evil. How can something like that be killed ?!

[MadSeer]

Entry #9
One problem resolved is quickly replaced by another. Bhal'hal was vainquished, utterly destroyed. But now I hear an orphan girl was kidnapped by the Bhaalists to force an exchange between her and the cursed boy. They don't let go easily. I have to go out there and do my job. Where could they hide her ? Do they have a secret hideout in Baldur's Gate ? Secret entrance to the temple ? Some of the well-informed low lifes of Baldur's Gate might know something. I'm not big on the street-wise, but Seadin is. I think it's time for him and myself to tackle another problem and spill the guts of the bad guys.

[MadSeer]

Entry #10
It came too close. I underestimated them and I paid for it. I wasn't prepared for wizardry and it hit me in the face as hard as an orc raiding party. I don't know how I was able to survive, but thank Tymora I escaped. I don't want to know what would've become of me had I not. I need to stop being careless, however good of a swordsman I am some day it will be the death of me. Maybe sooner than I would think.

[MadSeer]

Anderick was a whiny man. Complaining all around as soon as the smallest inconvenience showed up. Everytime a sign of trouble would appear he would release a « Not good » or even the famed « This is bad ». Such occasions might've been when facing Scarriglozz, the red dragon or even Bhal'hal. But now, for the first time, he was truely scared. For the first time he missed Neverwinter, he wished to be home with his family even if they despised him. He wanted his old, calm and boring life back. After all, twenty one winters was too young to die...

[MadSeer]

Entry #11
Timely rescue if I've ever seen one. I don't know what the Banites wanted with me, but the fact they kept me alive means something. I hadn't been stuck in there for long but I've never been so glad to see the sun before. I have to be doubly careful now. I can't let that happen a third time, skill might've saved me the first time and luck the second time, but Tymora's blessing might not extend to a third escape. And I can't place Roxanne in harm's way.

[MadSeer]

He was sitting there, looking down at a small object in his hand. Any passerby would barely notice him, he was sitting on a tree stump, a few distances away from the Lion's Way. The only sign of his presence was the glittering of his Red Dragon scales under the heavy rain. Maybe it was just him, but he thought this night was particularly dark. He had left Roxanne's side at the inn, he needed some time alone to think. He now had a chance to be part of something bigger, the opportunity to place a serious opposition to the threats of the Sword Coast.

He would get things done his way, the right way. But he needed allies. A team. His first choice was obvious to him, but a two-men wolf pack doesn't go far. He would not place Roxanne in danger again, but these two were the only ones he would truely give his entire trust to. He clenched his fist over the item and stood up with conviction. He would find companions suited for this. With the heart and bravery to take on foul enemies like Zor'than and his Banite lackeys, or the drow raiders.

"Time to get to work, Andy."

[MadSeer]

Entry #12
Would she go so far as to put an end to a child's life to save him ? Sometimes I wonder if fanatics of their faiths are not just simply crazy people. They speak of visions, of deities speaking directly to them, yet options like this one are considered. Perhaps the boy is cursed, maybe the Bhaalites will be after him for the rest of his days and maybe, if they do get their hands on him it would be the catalyst of terrible events. But whom has the right of life and death over him ? I heard Merielle speak, he is only eight years of age. Willingly killing him, even if it's for the supposedly noble goal of giving him to the comforts of Illmater, would go against every principles I can think of. Two wrongs don't make a right. It never does.

[MadSeer]

Anderick's legs were burning, he barely felt them anymore. He didn't know for how long he had been running: minutes, hours … days ? It was too dark for him to see anything but the vague shadows of the trees as he dashed past them, branches and bushes lashing at his face. He had to flee, to run away. Something – someone – was after him. He glanced over his shoulder, he stubbed his toe on a rock, he fell down and his head hit the ground. He turned on his back and only saw a dark figure with a smile lined with sharp teeth and …

« Agh, gah … uh … gods. » Anderick woke up in a startle, sitting back against the head of the bed and reaching for his chest, where he was stabbed by the Banites. For a moment he felt the searing pain of the blade. He pulled the sheets back and turned, sitting on the edge of the bed. He hung his head, rubbing his forehead and let out a deep sigh. He couldn't – he wouldn't – let it get to him. Bane's greatest weapon was fear, he inspired it in the heart of his enemies to demoralize them, make them weaker. But he was not weak. He had been bested and it cost him his life, he had been turned into nothing more than a sacrifice. Rescue arrived too late to prevent the dark deed, but early enough to have his soul restored to his body. He had to stay strong and improve. It was time to take his apprenticeship seriously. Though he was no mediocre swordsman, his awesome fighting prowesses would not be enough to fight the dark powers. Elias was as powerful as a wizard could be, and Anderick was set on learning from him.

[MadSeer]

The adventurer was strapping the last of his bags to his horse; tent, rations, lantern, rope, sword, grappling hook, he was ready to leave. It would be a nice change of pace to travel back to Neverwinter. Reuniting with the family, for the better or the worst, but it would be refreshing to go home. First, however, he had told his friend, Jonas, that they would fight side by side against the Bhaalites. The man hopped on his horse and headed south, on the Trade Way.

The warcamp was set; Flaming Fist soldiers, Triadic knights and, like Anderick, many mercenaries working for the good guys just waiting for the action to start...