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

Many winters before the great people succumbed to the temptation of the soft life of the city dwellers in Ten Towns, we still remember the call of the endless tundra. We remember the howl of the harsh winds off of the glacier and the savage beasts that threaten us and make us stronger. Our former tribe that craved the softness and protection of stone and wood call themselves the Tribe of the Wolf, but we remembered and we stayed, we are Tundra Wolves. We do not need walls to protect us, the great sky is our ceiling, the heat of battle warms us and the death of our enemies sustains us. We run the tundra, to follow the herds. We hunt the evil creatures that threaten our families and our land. We are strong, and wild, and noble. We remember, we are Tundra Wolf.

Two young boys began their lives in the tribe of the Tundra wolves very close to each other. Their parents were friends so the boys naturally spent time together, playing the brutal games that young Tundra Wolves play. Michar and Kair were not high born as far as the clan structure dictated but they were still Tundra Wolves and learned all the basic skills that are taught to the people. A few years before their trials of manhood it was obvious their paths would diverge. Kair was always distracted by friends that no one could see, and his connection to the ancestors was obvious. The tribal shaman quickly took the boy to study the ancient ways and learn to guide the people of the tribe. Michar on the other hand, tall, and strong even before he took the trials, would be a fine warrior like his father. They both took the trials that were required of them to become men of the tribe, and they both remained close friends.

Aiva and Juka were the closest siblings among Laars’ children. They were well looked after as children of one of the tribes great hunters and revered elders. Juka was trained from a very early age as a tracker, having taken a great interest in the other trackers from the age of 5. It was not long before he was able to follow anything that walked, in any environment, and he soon began taking his only sister Aiva out with him. She wanted to learn to hunt and fight like all of her brothers and with her constantly getting into fights with them it was not hard to convince her father to allow it. He always assumed she would grow out of this phase, but he would be very wrong. It was on one of these excursions near the camp that Aiva and Juka came upon Michar and Kair hunting as well. The four tribesmen quickly joined forces to increase their chances of a good kill. It did not take long for the four to appreciate each other’s skills, and how each complimented the other, but it would be Michar’s particular appreciation for Aiva herself that would lead down a strange path for all of them. The four made a point of hunting together whenever they could, and the relationship between Michar and Aiva quickly grew.

Michar took it into his head to talk to Laars and ask for his daughter to take as a mate. He knew what the answer would be but his honor demanded he face the elder. Michar is low-born, and the elder would not let his daughter go to a warrior that had no chance at leadership or a chance to sit on the council of elders. He refused, despite Juka’s support, and told Michar that the only way he could have Aiva is if he proved himself, by gaining exceptional glory in battle and bringing back proof of his worth. He consulted his friend Kair, who was now an elder student of the spirit guide of the Tundra Wolves. Kair thought for a time, and told Michar it would take a week before he could answer. Kair used his new influence as one of the spirit guides to have some hunters go to their soft cousins in Ten Towns and get a map of Faerun. When they returned, much annoyed, but loyal to their duty to those who speak to the ancestors. Kair met with Michar outside the village and laid the map out on the ground. Used to Kair's eccentricities Michar just watched as the young spirit guide whispered over the map. Finally Kair cast a stone straight up into the air, asking the spirits to show them the path. Michar crossed his arms and watched stoically. They heard the stone fall on the dry animal skin and both looked to see where it landed. After a brief discussion about where they were on the map and how far away the little spot the stone marked actually was, Michar decided he would not go that far without Aiva, no matter what her father said.

Two nights later Kair stood watch near Laars tents while Michar attempted to find the one that Aiva slept in. His first attempt was wrong and he awoke one of her brothers. The warrior saw Michar, realized what he was about, and quickly decided to beat the younger warrior. Aiva's brother was the stronger warrior, and he beat Michar into bloody unconsciousness. Michar was dragged to Aiva's father's tend and dropped roughly on the ground. After summoning the elder they roused the rash young warrior. It was explained to Michar that Aiva no longer wanted him. Juka could barely keep his tongue as his father explained that Aiva wished to be mated to another. Michar's friend was torn by loyalty to his family, and loyalty to his friend. Michar simply walked away without another word. Little did he know, if Aiva had been present she would have disappeared into the night with him.

The next day Michar said his farewell to Kair, who had to remain with his people. The young warrior vowed to make a name for himself in the lands to the south, where the stone marked. He gathered his gear, and said goodbye to his family and friends. He turned west and started the long trek that would lead to Luskan and finally south to Baldur's Gate.

Our legend tells of the lone Tundra Wolf that left the clan in search of honor. He left his beloved tundra behind. He turned his back on his people, his heart filled with sorrow at a love spurned. He was not angry, or vengeful, but he vowed to return a better warrior and hunter than any in the clan.

The lone wolf traveled west on the caravan road that brought the rich merchants to the Reghed. He was used to raiding along the road, but now it was leading him into the unknown. He was not prepared for what he found when he reached the great city of Luskan. He entered the city, dizzy at the sights and sounds of the largest gathering of people he had ever seen.

The lone wolf was amazed to see the amount of food and drink that could be found everywhere. He was astonished at the riches that people wore freely. At every turn was luxury and excess. His awe was tempered by the grim reality of 'civilization'. Everywhere food and drink were wasted, stale and rotting in the streets. People were assaulted and even murdered for their riches. Luxury was only available to those with coin to pay for it.

The wolf saw the worst of 'civilization' in the first few days. Among the People, insults are meant for war or sport. The 'civilized', however, throw insults with malice and no expectation of retribution. He had experienced hate among the People. He had experienced the hate of that that feel superior, and he had come to believe that a person should be judged by his own actions and words, not their birth. He had expected 'civilized' people to be different. He was wrong. The people of Luskan hated him for his past, his people, his looks, and much more. They hated each other for various reasons. They hated outsiders, and others they do not know.

The wolf was disheartened and did not abide in Luskan long. He gathered what coin he had earned by lending his strength to the work on the docks, and set out on the road south along the coast.

Our Lone Warrior's clan has stories from his grandfather's grandfather's time. They tell of a mighty berserker that lost himself to the Tundra Wolf, let the spirit of the great beast from which we sprang take him to new heights of savage fury. The legends tell us that in the heat of battle the Great Wolf would overpower the berserker, enter his heart, and change his body. Many enemies of the clan fell to the fangs and claws of the huge white beast that rampaged the battlefield.

This Power is ancient in our clan. The shamans tell us the power comes from our connection to the beast. It is said that our people are the children of the Great She-Wolf, and carry the savage spirit in our hearts. The power has not been seen in many, many summers, and it may all just be fabled legend.

Finding Luskan to be the best example of the cesspit that is civilization our Lone Wolf set his feet on the road south. He decided that he would try his luck in the jewel of the west, the City of Splendors, Waterdeep.

The Lone Wolf traveled south along the coast, stopping to explore when the mood suited him. He found the lands to be both wild and strange. The people, he felt, were soft and suspicious. He encountered a party of uthgardt one night and feasted with them at their camp. He believed he had finally found kindred spirits in his fellow savage warriors. He soon came to realize that their ways were more barbaric than his own people. He left their camp early in the morning and continued on to Waterdeep.

When the Lone Wolf arrived in the City of Splendors, he was surprised to find it less than splendorous. The city was larger than Luskan, and no more civilized. He did not expect to stay long, but decided to give the place a chance.

The Lone Wolf found work at the docks, and occasionally lending his fists to the local taverns. It was his work as a bouncer that finally made him leave Waterdeep. One night at a dive near the docks a group of local farmers were getting out of hand. One was being quite loud, talking about killing his demon-spawned daughter. The whole group was disturbing the patrons so the Wolf set to with fists and boots to remove the group. The loud, and very drunk farmer thought he could take the large tundra warrior. The Wolf made short work of the man, breaking his nose and arm in the fight. The farmer took offense to be thumped by a foreigner so pressed a suit with the local magistrate.

When it was all said and done our Lone Wolf had to leave the jewel of the coast. He set his feet on the road south to see honor elsewhere.