Natalie Sharpe

[thorandike]

Name: Natalie Sharpe
Race: Human
Alignment: Neutral Good
Profession: Priestess of Lathander
Height/weight: She is a strong, muscular girl but not large.
Hair: Golden brown, often shaggy and held out of her eyes with a headband.

Recognizable Features: Heavy armor, flail and yellow cloak of the Morninglord.

Known: Sister of Thomas Sharpe, priest of Helm.



Day 1
The three of them thought the vague threats and ensuing attack in the Fields of the Dead was over. Natalie had stayed with Dennis that night, concerned with the pain and coldness in his chest in the aftermath of the attack. She watched him as he slept, exhausted herself but unable to sleep with image of him lifeless on the ground. What if her gifts had failed her? He could have been lost without ever knowing how she felt about him.

Day 3
What a long day, she thought to herself before slipping into dream-filled sleep. First fear… then anger… brief sadness and then… bliss.

Day 4
It was midmorning when Natalie returned to the Inn in Beregost. She had awoken just before dawn as always and slipped quietly from the room. She was joyful to have completed the Ritual of the Dawn in the Morninglord’s temple this day. She was passing through the room on her way upstairs when she spotted a face nearly as familiar to her as her own across the way. She glanced towards the stairs, contemplating slipping past when her brother looked up from his breakfast and waved her over with a broad smile.

“I knew I would find you here, sis. I assume you worked things out with Dennis?”

“Aye,” she answers. Thomas makes a note of her happy smile and a slight blush to her cheeks as she answers. “We talked for a while and then… well, it was too late to walk all the way back to the Gate. We decided to stay here instead.”

Thomas nods. “That is about what I predicted would happen.” With a mischievous twinkle in his eye he holds out his hand with his palm up in a give-me gesture.

Natalie just laughs. She is in too fine of a mood this day to rise to his bait or be annoyed by his smug smile – not today. “You’ll get the gold, brother, but I am not making another such wager in the future.” She glances up as Dennis crosses the room towards them. “Be nice and don’t even think about mentioning the gold.”

She pushes a chair out from the table with her foot and beams a bright smile as he reaches them, “Have a seat. I was just about to order some breakfast and I know you are always hungry.” With that she flags down the passing serving girl and orders a large breakfast for the two of them.

She enjoys the pleasant company of her two favorite men as they discuss their respective plans for the day. As she eats every bit of her breakfast, she tells them that she will be staying here in Beregost for a few days. She intends to speak with her fellow priests of Lathander to see if they have any insight into the current situation with the Herald of Darkness or the goddess Shar. Perhaps the temple library has some information that could turn the tables on the evil trying to take root.


She does not know that these plans will not come to pass.

Days 5-7
… darkness… she doesn’t know if her eyes are open or closed, the dark is so complete. For a cleric of the Morninglord, the sunrise had been a part of her life for so many years that the absence of light was agony... she can't shut out the screams and moaning – or even tell the other voices from hers any longer… pain… despair… her stomach cramped, but hunger was the least of her aches. Her sobs and screams burned in her parched throat… her head was spinning from lack of sleep… spinning, spinning.. from pain to despair to grief and back again... She couldn’t hold a thought for more than a few moments before she was overcome once again. Thomas. Gone… killed by the evil being that had threatened them all. Why? Why Thomas? He had always been the better one… the most noble… wise… and now he was gone. She wouldn’t even be able to take his body home to their parents…. Darkness. It was in her mind, in her soul. Lathander could not reach her here… she would not be saved… she would die. She tries not to hope that her death will come soon but is powerless to stop that wish in the dark.

She tries to say a prayer for Dennis’s safety, but her exhausted and weakened mind could not string together more than a few words. Before the despair overcomes her once again, she can do no more than whisper his name in the darkness of this hell.

[thorandike]

Day 8

Dawn is coming, She could feel it. She was still weak but the familiar feeling of warmth brought by the approaching sun brought her some hope. With her slightest stirring Dennis was awake and watching her with a concerned expression. She gave him a grateful smile – he had risen several times during the night to relight the candles, keeping the room brightly lit so that she wouldn’t be frightened. He had been so patient each time she had woken gasping for air and crying out in a panic.

So what happens now? I am weak as a kitten, scared of my own shadow and afraid of what I might become. At least the screams and moans that had echoed inside of her head for those endless days were now mere whispers. They must have something important to say, if only I could make out the words. She listens for a moment but the voices had faded again.

“Dawn is nearly here. Will you walk me out to the farmlands?”

[thorandike]

The Voyage Home

Part 1
The sea air was cool and damp as they stood at the rail of the ship watching the shore growing smaller in the distance. Natalie felt the chill and stepped closer into his warm embrace. She felt the cold more sharply these days, but then she felt fragile in so many ways that the cold was the least of her concerns. This trip had been good for her though. She was feeling a little stronger and some of her former confidence was slowly returning.

Leaving the city hadn’t been the magic cure that she had been hoping for though. Without the tea that Thomas had given her she was still not sleeping well. She was comfortable with neither the nightmares that haunted her sleep and caused her to wake up screaming and gasping for air several times a night, nor the heavy sedatives in the tea that would allow her to sleep mostly uninterrupted. For Dennis’s sake she drank the tea, but knew she was trading one problem for another.

Dennis must have felt her sigh because he asks, “Are you sad to be sailing back to Baldur’s Gate so soon?”

“No,” she answers, wrapping her arms tighter around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder. “Well… perhaps a little bit, but it was time to leave. Hiding out on Norland isn’t fixing anything.” What she wasn’t saying, and indeed it was understood without speaking, was that it was time to get out of Norland before Dennis’s secret became too hard to hide any longer. “It didn’t go too badly though, did it?”

[thorandike]

Part 2
The visit had been a short one. They’d arrived two days ago and taken the long way to the village where the Sharpes lived. First they stopped at the neighboring village and taken Thomas’s letter to his beloved Emma. Natalie was still unsure of how she’d felt now that she’d finally met the girl who could potentially cause her brother so much trouble. Sure, she was pretty and had seemed sweet and her eyes had that same dreamy look as her brother’s when she gave her his letter. Still… she was a Denton and that meant trouble.

From there they had gone to find Natalie’s parents. How surprised they had been by the unexpected visit! Natalie smiles as she remembers the delight on her father’s face as she walked into the store. He’d even closed shop early! Natalie tried to ignore the hard stare that her father gave Dennis as she made the introductions. Dennis had just put on a friendly smile and said “Maybe you can teach me a few selling techniques, could use the advice with the Company I have.” This was all the opportunity her father needed to launch into a lecture on his favorite topic.

She gave her parents the letter that Thomas had written. It seemed to reassure them that the man their daughter had brought home was known to Thomas and he at least somewhat approved.

It had been exhausting, but she’d managed to keep the conversation on safe topics through most of the night. She had a long conversation with her father about the difficulties he was having at the store and spoke with her mother about the gifts that Helm had given Thomas. Dennis had been unusually quiet but Natalie did what she could to make him feel comfortable.

She’d hardly needed the tea to sleep that night, but without Dennis at her side she didn’t want to wake the house with her nightmares. That would be very difficult to explain and with Dennis in Thomas's old room where he couldn't help her, she drank a strong bit of the tea. She marveled at how quickly she’d grown accustomed to his warm presence each night before sleep overtook her.

[thorandike]

Part 3
The trouble came on the second day. She should have seen it coming, but was taken by surprise as her mother stood up after the mid-day meal and given her a critical look. “What are the two of you hiding, Natalie? I can feel secrets in the air and I don’t like it.” In the silence that filled the room, Natalie could feel two things clearly. She could feel Dennis looking at her and she felt the sharp sting of the declaration she had made to him not long ago that Sharpes don’t lie.

Quickly considering her options, she did the only thing she could think of… She’d told them that she’d recently been held prisoner by a crazed necromancer and they’d come here to give her time to recover. Glossing over nearly every detail, she’d told them a story that twisted the truth to be hardly recognizable. It did have the intended effect, however, as her parents were completely focused on her health and wellbeing instead of on Dennis.

The consequence was that naturally they were very reluctant for her to return to such a violent and unpredictable city. She tried to reassure them that she was capable of defending herself but they weren’t convinced. In the end, she’d had to promise not to venture out anywhere without Thomas there to protect her. She’d worry about getting out of that promise later.

Later that afternoon Dennis had pulled her aside "You don’t have to put yourself on the line like that for me love, and I think they know there’s a secret about me anyhow."

She kissed his cheek and gave him a warm smile. “Only a little longer, darling, and then we’ll be on our way back to the docks. You’re doing fine. I think they like you.”

She’d thought her parents’ misgivings were forgotten until they were saying their goodbyes. Her father had hugged her and whispered into her ear, “Don’t trust that man, Pip. There is something odd about him.” Her mother hadn’t forgotten either, because she had pulled her aside to hiss, “He has secrets, daughter. I can feel it. Find someone else.” Natalie had protested, but they weren’t convinced. She was glad that he hadn’t been close enough to hear.


Part 4
“Yes, love, I think it went rather well.” He barely glances towards the darkening sky before suggesting that they go below decks to get out of the chill air.

Later that night she lay awake, exhausted yet unable to sleep. She watches him sleep as she considers the thing that worries her most of all. She had not left the whispering voices behind with the city – they have been with her all along. She sighs worriedly. If only she could hear what they were saying. She was sure they were talking about her. Whispering… whispering in the shadows…

[thorandike]

It was after the Blessing of the Dawn and the temple had grown quiet. Natalie kneels at the altar to say a prayer.

As always, Morninglord, the choice is clear in the light of dawn.

Yesterday I was burning with anger. Anger towards the indifference I saw. Anger towards those that would speak of the unspeakable – the capture and torture of the priestesses in this land – as the acts of nothing more than a common criminal. Those women, like myself, were doing the good work of the divine, only to suffer greatly at the hands of evil. And the answer to that suffering? It’s not my job. My anger burned hotly from within, almost consuming me. It is the inaction of so many people that has allowed this evil to spread across the lands.

But with today’s dawn came a new calm. My anger has cooled into the solid resolve of one who sees the path that she must walk. I will no longer be a victim. I will no longer wait for others to bring down this evil madman. Each dawn is a new beginning and today I begin a new path - the path of justice.

I will find the Herald. This is not only a personal vendetta. In addition to the deep pain that he caused me, he has hurt those I hold most dear – my brother Thomas and my love Dennis. He has tortured the priestesses who serve this land and raised the dead to do his bidding. It is my duty as your servant to see that his evil is destroyed and to spread your righteous light throughout this land. It is said that he has lost his powers and so I must find him before he is able to regain them.

I ask for your blessing, Morninglord, for this is a dangerous path that I begin. I will need your strength, protection and guidance. I must also beg your protection of my loved ones. Help me, above all, to keep them safe. My path is set, but I know they will insist upon walking it with me.

In return for these blessings, my life is yours. I vow to do your bidding for all of my days.

May your light show the way in these dark times.

She rises from her prayer with a determined light in her eyes and a purposeful stride.

[thorandike]

“The NERVE of that man! After all we’ve been through together - I can’t BELIEVE he would be so mean to me!” The sound of her stomping feet drowned out her angry muttering as she crosses the small wooden bridge. She can be heard far enough into the distance to warn away any creatures with more intelligence than the goblins.

“First Raymond had to go and be all-” Thunk! “difficult. Well, he and I are going to have a little talk about friendship soon that is for sure.” Thunk! The flail hit the goblin in the chest and knocked it to the ground where it lay gasping its last breath.

“And then… Being grumpy is one thing, but Thomas was just-” Thu-Thunk! “MEAN. How could he? Did he think it amusing to suggest that he would ruin my wedding out of spite?” THUNK! She cracks the fire-throwing goblin’s skull with her heavy shield and steps quickly out of range of the flames.

“And then, as if that weren’t bad enough, to… to tell that nice man that he’d LET ME STAY here with him! LET me!” THUNK-whoosh-thunk-thunk! Two goblins lay in a bloody heap. “AS IF I needed his permission. I am NOT his tag-along little sister anymore!”

She looks around for something else to hit but there are no goblins left standing. Taking a deep breath she heads north wondering if she can find Dennis, leaving a rather bloody path behind her.

[thorandike]

She had missed the Blessing of Dawn by the time she had made it back to Beregost. Still, it had been a good night. She was glad to have been able to spend the time with Pledge, Raymond and Eleanor. It was good that Eleanor knew the plans Ray had been discussing for the last couple of days. She was a strong, clever woman and would be an asset to whatever route Ray ended up taking. Natalie liked Eleanor quite a bit. She smiled to herself and though how nice it was to have another woman to talk to – she spent so much time surrounded by stubborn men! One of those men had disappeared in the woodlands and she would have to try to find him after she had gotten some sleep. She was just too weary to go looking now. Kneeling at the altar of the Morninglord, she prayed.

Another day has begun. Once again you have blessed us with the rising sun, marking the new day and the possibility of new beginnings. May this day be filled with your Light.

I will continue your work on this day, working to push back the forces of evil that threaten the people so that their peace and safety will be restored. New life will grow in place of vanquished evil.

I ask you to bless my friends Eleanor and Raymond as they prepare to welcome new life into the world. I pray for their children to be healthy, strong and vibrant, and to lead long, full lives.

Shine your Light upon my friend Pledge so that he might find his way upon whichever Path will be his own.

Bless my brother Thomas, as he continues his righteous path in serving Helm and also as he seeks to make his bonds to his love Emma more permanent.

Guide my family into acceptance of my choices. Help them to see that this new life I have chosen is the right one for me, that I am on the right path, that my judgment is good. Help me to show them that they have taught me well to see the good that lies within others, to judge on actions and deeds, and to listen to my heart. Now I follow their teaching and their example.

Lastly, I ask you to shine your Light upon my love, Dennis, as always. His thoughts have been troubled lately and we have been through much in a short time. Help me to ease the burdens that weigh upon him, so that we might begin each day anew with happiness and contentment. I wish to be a comfort to him, to bring him joy and stand by his side as a partner in life.

In return for these blessings, my life is yours. I vow to do your bidding for all of my days.

May your Light show the way.

[thorandike]

She stood on the docks watching the ship leave the harbor. Waving one last time, she thought she saw the tiny figure of her brother waving back. He had been so excited this morning to set sail. He would see his ladylove Emma again in a matter of days, so long as the wind was favorable. She had given him the letters and thanked him again for agreeing to speak with their parents on behalf of her upcoming marriage. Thomas could be persuasive when he set his mind to it and Mother had always listened to him. Now she could only wait and pray.

For a moment she felt the familiar joy of independence, now that her big brother wasn’t watching over her shoulder. She remembered the feeling well from her childhood, as he would go off to study at the monastery while she stayed at home working in the store with their father. Those were days filled with fun… and mischief. Without her brother’s watchful eye – tattling, she had called it - she had been able to roam free.

With a far-away look, she fondly remembers the warm summer evenings of her childhood, running barefoot through the fields with her friends and only coming home when it was pitch dark – having missed dinner more often than not. Mother would start to scold before Father stepped in to say that children should act like children not little priests all of the time. Natalie closes her eyes for a moment, wishing above all else that her Father would speak with words of understanding for her once more.

Turning back towards the city, she feels instantly lonely without the near-constant companionship of her brother. They had grown close since arriving in Baldur’s Gate all those months ago. A small frown wrinkls her forehead as she considered that between her living in Beregost with Dennis and he living in the city with Emma, she would not be able to take his presence for granted any longer. Before they left home, she would have been shocked at the sadness that she felt by that thought.

With one last look over her shoulder at the ship that was now just a speck in the vast sea, she says quietly, “May Helm protect you, brother, and Lathander bless you each day.”


((http://www.bgtscc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1844))

[thorandike]

Upon the table in their house, Natalie leaves a basket filled with food for Dennis to take back to his camp. There is a letter on top of the basket.

Dennis,
I have been staying with Raymond and Eleanor and so have missed you when you return to town. I hope you have been taking care of yourself and getting enough rest.

Eleanor had the babies a few days ago. It was an eventful day… and an extraordinary birth. Eleanor is fine and the babies are well. The boy is healthy and Eleanor says the girl is as well. It is hard for me to tell, since the child is in an unusual form at the moment. I have been babysitting the babies while Ray and El seek the advice of others about her. I am enjoying looking after the babies.

Otherwise all is quiet here. I have not been able to spend much time either here at home or at the temple. I have not yet spoken with Kelddath Ormlyr, the Most Radiant of Lathander. I will, of course, let you know how that goes when I am able to meet with him.

No word yet from Thomas. I know it is much too soon to hear from him, yet I check the docks every day for ships from the Moonshae Isles.

I am well and keeping busy, so don’t worry about me.

With love,
Natalie