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

I didn't fall into sleep that night but more of a stumbled. My body was sore, dirt and blood still clinged to the armor. There was just a noise at first. Steel clamoring, marching feet of a unit, then the smell of sweat and horseshit hit my nostrils. When my eyes adjusted to bright light I saw a colosal lanceboard paved with red and black marble. The pieces came to life: pawns, rooks, knights all clashing but no matter how many fell the game seemed to last endlessly.

Somewhere beyond the edge of a lanceboard, a woman in red plate leaned over glancing with eyes like rubies. She observed with attention and focus but did not move a single piece directly with her hand. Instead she leaned forward and whispered. Suddenly rook changed course guided by her invisible will, and pawn stepped up to oppose him. Behind her loomed an immense shadow: a mighty warrior with face hidden deep within the full helmet. His laughter shaken the board, and when he gestured, entire armies were risen.

The Red Knight then turned to me. Her voice was calm, but spoken with confidence:

- You wonder if you have been chosen. No - moved and placed. The blood within you is celestial - passed long before you drew breath. The discipline is mine yet the choice was yours alone.

Board was suddenly gone and once again I found myself upon the battlefield, charging in formation. My body was aching from a prolonged fighting, my mind was dull from blood spilling all around but suddenly I've felt attention upon my shoulders. Miraculous in nature strength entered my body and I've felt reinvigorated, focused to shout orders where they were needed and land blows where they mattered most. I suddenly felt like much time has passed and saw the same miracle inspire a descendant of the commander from whom eyes through I just seen the world. Inspire towards books and company that conveyed order and discipline. Not of force, not by destiny but cause it fit the strategy.

The vision ended with red eyes focusing one of the pieces on the board. She waits, allowing him to take a step forward.

Quick look at my companions: a battle-hardened shield-maiden donning orange armor, a Tiefling arcanist with a hat adjusted for the horns, followed by a group of cute hin ladies wielding not-so-cute tiny blades.
- All here, none left behind? Good. Get ready.

It was difficult to know if the small and sneaky ones followed the group, so I tried to make sure by doing stops on the way through the Graypeak Mountains. The Tiefling felt fishy, but he listened to commands and followed in orderly fashion. He cast some protections and stood at the ready to follow with deadly spells. The shield-maiden was as tough as steel. I gave her a single nod, followed by the take point command, and readied my own shield for support during the charge. The hog-headed demon was caught by surprise - with a shield slammed to his face followed by a nasty cut, I disarmed him and ran past to the spellcasting giant, leaving the demon to the orange warrior. One of the hins assisted me, and the giant’s head fell before he could utter a single spell.

The clamoring of steel and howls of pain were many that day, but we survived. Cleaning my blade by the fireplace, I smile at this memory and many similar ones. Group by group, some claiming uncertainty in their abilities, but all turning into a unit where their skills could shine. There was a spot for everyone in the Red Knight’s party, venturing to all sorts of places. Be it a demon wishing misfortune upon the commonfolk or men captured by pirates and turned to slavery - each adventure taught me something. A mistake here or a slip there only became an event to learn from.

I fish couple hot potatoes from the fire. Some stayed there too long and burned. After a plain supper, I lay down to sleep, smiling again at the memories.

Shrines of War with training hall behind Tempuran altar was rarely place of silent prayer. Clank of plate and swords clashing was prayer in it's own form yet at that day different noise echoed through the hall. Meeting of warriors at the side shrine of Red Knight took a form of sermon.

Ignatius was speaking to two other explaining his stance on controversial topic.

- In recent times I was asked a question if I would stand in defense of a drow. I answered simply no out of respect to one asking assuming he does not describe situation that defies reason and had no time for lengthy explaining. Let me ask you: Is it right to strike someone solely based on his race? I speak of no demons or devils which are pure manifestations of evil without a doubt.

Shield-maiden in orange would answer:
- Well, they have not attacked me on sight yet, so no.

- Let me put some scenarios before you to show you how my education and Oaths influences my decisions. In the end it's context that matters. When a drow would be found in forests of Doron Amar, his guilt is not declared and trial not held yet but the danger he poses are evident. In such ground one may safely assume espionage and ill intent. The chance of innocence is negligible and hesitation in such place might cost lives. A single spy may easily escape in woods and return with knowledge that leads to great suffering. That is why Paladin cannot show hesitation, no mercy to serve as dent in his armor to invite evil through lack of reaction.

- Would it not be better to capture the drow then?

Asked another voice.

- To attempt such in forest terrain could lead to disaster and great suffering. One should not allow mercy to dull his edge where strategy forbids delay but it is not the drow's race that compels the strike. It is strategic necessity that demands action.

Knight continued with confident voice.

- Should same happen in fields of the Gate capture and interrogation might be better tactic. Especially if one would be mounted and prepared to pursue. Drow guilt still reasonably implied but again not his race at fault but the place he finds himself in suggests guilt and warrants capture.

- Same drow in Skull Gorge or on the Pirate Island. What does the tactical thinking suggest? One found in such place is unlikely to spy on any lawful settlement. Judgement of the situation needs to differ. Neutral approach is what I advise and chose on numeral occasions letting both group I've led and drow to part ways.

Another voice agreed:

- A reasonable approach to take. You cannot hesitate in defense of your homeland, but where there is less risk, alternative approaches can be taken

One leading the speech answered:

- Behind enemy territory already in clash with opposing force to provoke battle with third party is to find yourself flanked. Such would endanger lives and be foolish if neutral solution is possible.

Final example. A clearing somewhere far from any larger settlements in the deep wilderness. Meeting of drow following different path, wanting to be left alone to dance in the moonlight. There is nothing to warrant suspicion.

A voice reminded:

- There is after all the famed Dritzzt, whom we have all heard stories of no doubt

And one of calm voice continued:

- Should a Paladin witness aggression on such glade failing to stand in drow defense and failing to correct injustice of attack based solely on race will absolutely cause his downfall and withdrawal of divine graces. It will be consistent with any gods that patron Paladin orders no matter what laws set by ruling nobles might say.
So there you have my answer - whole spectrum of ways one should act.

Duty is not easy. It demands that we weigh lives like pieces upon a board, each one sacred yet sometimes sacrificed for the greater good. But so the Red Knight teaches — that strategy is not the absence of compassion, but its highest form when guided by wisdom. The Red Knight Protects, and the wisdom of the Codex guides the hand that plans before it strikes.

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They say the romance dies in war but some nights it just announces itself with an ambush maneuver finding even the Red Knight Paladin unprepared.

Alturiak 1 1362

Recent leg injury left me in care of Sister Ashiene at Ilmateri Shrine. Her compassion and healing skills cause miracles to manifest before my very eyes as bone and sinew regenerates from the ordeal of unfortunate jump. Body needs rest but spirit remains unbroken, uplifted even as I can not complain about loneliness while bound to bed. In my mind I smile to the foresight of choice for my oaths not including purity one.

I was so tired of the struggle, so weary of carrying that mask of dutiful discipline... Yes - service is hard, it is meant to be hard. I did not serve for reward or joy but out of duty and faith. You cannot train to become a Paladin - you answer the call.



Then why do I feel this relief? Why does this strange place feel so calming when only moments ago my thoughts were racing? The sense of loss is gone for now, though I know it will return with twice the force. Soon. Not now. Just a little longer in this moment of forgetfulness.

- Been missing places like this
- Missing being lost?
- There used to be a tree where this statue is. I carved name of my first love on it. I was very angry then they cut it down. It was many years ago. I was 16? maybe 17 back then. Practically a man but ... I climbed the statue and painted a mustache on riders face. I was caught and had to scrub it afterwards.
- I think i know where your no-fun-allowed behavior comes from.
- Worst thing sir Izaak learned of it. His disappointment was what hurt me the most back then. I wish I could see Izaak's disappointed look again tho.
-How long has he been dead? I heard stories of people resurrected after long time.
- We tried. Some returned. Izaak wasn't among them.

I miss simpler times: morning drills, physical exercise followed by a short prayer, then class lectures leading into an evening book read by candlelight - usually history or a treatise describing in detail the wars of old. Even later, during our adventures in the Moonshaes and Chult, decisions were easier. Consult the maps, follow the local guides, explore ancient ruins, keep watch at camp.

Today? Plane-ending threats. Evil gods reigning supreme in so many places. Raided Winding Waters. Corrupted Ulgoth's Beard. Plagued Corm Orp. Burning Triel...

I visited the Balduran Orphanage with an offering: a chessboard - the very set I played so many times during my training in the Citadel. Wooden pieces lacked ornamentation but represented figures accurately without latest fashion to carve them in fancier ways. A relic of a bygone age. I came here to remind myself why I took my oaths. So many fatherless children running amok. Refugees, children of parents who died in the line of duty. Strategy could have saved them. Each life so precious - so important to these little ones. The Ilmateri do their best, but nothing can replace a family.

My recent discussion in the shrine next door was about treachery and deceit in war - morals and honor, the rigidity of the paladin's code. If treachery could save their families, would they care, given the choice? A cunning feint. A surprise attack. A dagger in the back. It is demons and devils we stand against, not friendly neighbors whose eyes we must meet afterward. No - I refuse to believe that the reason the code was created lies merely within its rules. It is the purpose we must care about first, not the principles alone. There are no whites and blacks in this world, mostly greys. Each decision must be considered separately, each judged on its own merits, each shaped by time and circumstance. Life cannot be reduced to a set of rules to follow blindly. That would be easy. I did not choose easy.



I leave the board on the offering table, but not as a sign of resignation. Perhaps some of the older children will enjoy it. More likely, pieces will be lost - but it does not matter. It is just a game... just a game. I look around, my eyes moving from one curious little face to another. A game their parents lost. But I know what I must do.

Time to set a new board.

- When I learned there's still so many bodies to care for I came to offer our help. Donate ... time and make the hands busy. I'm only versed in simple rites that involve care for aftermath at the battlefields. Ours is duty to prevent disease so living may breathe without fear.



- For Red Fellowship dead are a tale of strategy failed. Something we reminisce to learn from it. It seemed proper to begin a path of redemption from... acknowledging my failures.

I've been rescheduling this visit for a while. I needed a one vow fulfilled before I'd gather courage to speak of another broken before my liege.
Finally arriving to the Bloodhawk Castle being rebuilt I entered the command room, face tired, almost straight from battle with cloak still bearing marks of burns from hellfire I come to seek absolution and judgement of my Order.

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- What is your life ?
- My honor is my life
- What is your fate ?
- My duty is my fate
- What is your fear ?
- My fear is to fail
- What is your reward ?
- My salvation is my reward
- What is your craft ?
- My craft is war

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