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

”I travelled for weeks, through woods and swamps. During my travels, I found the dead body of what I presumed was a scholar. Searching through his stuff, I found a couple of books. These gave me a good read, in the moments I rested. After travelling for many more days, I came upon a large keep. Still carrying the books I found, even though I long finished them, I requested entry, only to find out there was an admission price. The price asked was a book of value. Since I’ve finished the books I found already, I offered those, and was offered admission.

For years, I took residence in the place, I then knew was called, Candlekeep. I helped out with small chores, taking all the time I had left to read books.

In my years of reading books, I slowly developed an aptitude for the Art. I went on further practicing and perfecting the Art. After a while however, I felt that staying in one place all the time, with the same books around me, prevented him from furthering my knowledge, as well as my skills in the Art. As such, I went travelling once more… and here I am.”

A search for knowledge
Mirtul 8, 1353

"It's been years since I began my quest for knowledge, and it'll be years before I'll near it's end, if I even outlive my quest.

I've traveled far and wide since I've set out. And only now did I start registering it. Sure, I have my scattered notes, the spells I have uncovered, the memories of places visited... But no coherent journal. Now's as good a day as any to start, I reckon. But where to start? Recall all memories I've made? Or start fresh?

A fresh start might be better than wasting my time, recalling memories, recording information that might or might not be false. For who can trust memories? No, I'll start fresh.

Now .... Where shall I start my research into the forgotten knowledges and magics of the realms ... ?"

The mystery that is men
Mirtul 26, 1353

"The greatest mystery to me, is most likely men.
Books, I understand. They have no hidden agenda's, no personal feelings, no underlying expectations. Magic, too, is easy for me to understand. It has always been created for a purpose, and anyone touching upon it, does so to fulfill that purpose.

But men, I do not understand. If only their goals are the same as mine. Alas, they are not. Each craves something else, and each has different means to achieve it. But never once, have I found one with like mind, and like methods. Always something deviates. Always something's different.

But I know it my weakness. I search not to understand men, for I know I never will. I have chosen a quest to understand the other. The written word, the word with purpose. For men will ever change, but that what has been written, stays as is. As such, you can know it, understand it, and completely immerse yourself in a quest to understand it all...

As such, that's my goal."

Steve wrote:"And...what do you think of the Gods, then?" Caed says abruptly over the shoulder of Memmon, a man that Caed has not seen for some time...but does know from a few excursions with the Windspells.

It would seem that Caed's recent time back in Baldur's Gate—and particularly in the Palace District—has led to a fate bringing him over the shoulder of Memmon...who appears to be lost in his notebook writings....

"Tis some times that Men are but pawns to the Gods, knowingly and unknowingly...and perhaps that is Man's greatest folly...to think they stand of their own conscious, and act freely in World they know so little about!"

Caed's wisdom, or at least attempt at it, appears in great form here...but goes no further.

"I wouldn't know, for I'm not a devout man. You might be right, but if that is the case, then I hope that the Gods who's plan I'm part of, are appreciative of my efforts in unearthing knowledge, and that I may once serve Their plans with the knowledge I've gained.

And should you be wrong ... ? Then I hope I can serve my own goals, for my calling to knowledge will not change, whether or not a God is involved."

Steve wrote:"Where have you been, Memmon...besides with your writings?" Caed speaks, as he takes a longer look at the rest of the writing that is visible on this page.

"If the written word is your...to understand it truly better, then perhaps you can begin with interpreting the few texts and tomes that the Windspells have acquired, of late. We may have lost possession of some other...artifacts...but in knowledge, we still may gain greater footing...."

Caed takes out two tomes, old and weathered, but sturdy. In bright and clear writing, on the covers, are the titles: The Great Black, and The Five Secrets of Polvich. It is clear that Caed is looking to Memmon—a sometimes companion to the Windspells—to place his questing desires to a present challenge.

"Yes ... that might interest me. Can I hold possession of the books, as to study them further? For study rarely concludes in mere minutes. So I fear I'd need more time with the books than the time granted in the middle of these streets."

Donny wrote:He scratches his chin in thought at the request, while looking at the books, afore finally responding:[/color]

"Yes ... that might interest me. Can I hold possession of the books, as to study them further? For study rarely concludes in mere minutes. So I fear I'd need more time with the books than the time granted in the middle of these streets."

He would look at Caed expectantly, awaiting his response. A glimmer of enthusiasm can be seen in his otherwise rather stoic expression.

"Understandable. Perhaps it then is better if you stay in the vicinity while I commence my studies. If these books, and the holders of them, are indeed targeted by assassins, then it might be better not to risk it."

My favorite district
Hammer 15, 1354

"I have been studying them for longer now, and found them slightly easier to understand. The people in the streets are all the same in their own unique ways. All looking for the same things, endlessly on.

What truly baffles me is the grand differences between the different social statuses. Where the nobles would take a lot of effort to appear a certain way, the complete opposite seems to be true to the sailors walking around the docks. Commonly intoxicated by the fine brews of the surrounding taverns, these men seem to hold little value to the social status they have, or the public opinion people would form, should anyone see them that way. Quite on the contrary, really.

I do think that the docks district is my favorite district of the Gate, so far. The beggars trying to find the odd coin, the dock workers moving cargo perhaps worth more than a lifetime salary of all the workers combined. But also the children with nobody caring for them, left to fend for themselves between the rabble and thugs of the docks, most likely turning into the exact same kind in their later life.

I watch it all, like some sort of show. Watch as their days unfold, every day different, yet the same.

I watch as I sometimes see a shadow swirl, or at least I think I do. And at times I hear the rumors, the people murmuring of the things they say happen in the shadows. Most likely their imagination. The rumors of people disappearing, watchers in the night... I guess they never looked around, seen the people walk around intoxicated, past the edges of the docks. One slip and fall, and you have another rumor of people disappearing.

It all interests me to no end. Like a spectator to the game people call life. Each district a new game, with new players and new troubles. Each city with their own districts. Each lands with their own cities.

I still think the docks is my favorite district... "

A return to places of old
Alturiak 9, 1354

"I have once again taken up residence at Candlekeep, for the first time again in many years. Once more taking up the chores of an acolyte. Unfortunately I get to do little other than laundry, trash service and cleaning rooms and bedding. The only breaks of the slightly dull existence I get, are the occasional chances I get at studying in the library, or the odd times I get to deliver a message to the gate.

The latter is what brings me here, once more, to perhaps my favorite spot. A chance to once more look at the dwellers of the docks. The people with so little regard for expected standards. At times perhaps, dare I say, little more than animals in their daily doings.

So different from the life of Candlekeep, or even from the so closeby Palace District, where all act with so much more pretence.

But no, here in the docks, there is little of such pretence. Sure, the sailors boast with the biggest stories of their travels, and making other attempts to make the women swoon to their manliness, but is that really pretence? Is that not just another of those animal-like urges I wrote about earlier? The urge to be the biggest, the baddest, the strongest, the fastest. To be the strongest wolf of the pack? The biggest monkey in the jungle?

But no, in the Palace District, there are no such monkeys. There, they pride themselves in doing the least amount of work. Looking prettiest, men and women alike. Who has the palest skin, the finest manicured nails, the prettiest wig ... and that's just the men!

I found I care little for the so-called 'Nobles'. No, the docks is still my favorite district. One I enjoy coming back to, whenever I can."

Research and study
Marpenoth 7, 1354

I have no time to sit here very often anymore, which is a shame. I so enjoyed watching the people of this place squabble ...

My current assignment has me researching day in day out. So every moment I find, I'm working on my research. After my initial search, I figured the best way to continue on is to pick a place with the most lore. Suffice it to say, that is not the Gate.