TALES OF VICONIA (including I WAS A DARK ELF WEREWOLF)
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Everyone knows that Viconia was designed, originally, to have more involvement in the Underdark part of the story. This was, indeed, the original plan...but that was back before we knew exactly how the Underdark was going to fit into the overall game. We ended up having so much other stuff for Viconia (like the romance) that it really didn't become necessary.

At any rate, Viconia's presence in the party was supposed to help and hinder when entering the dark elves' city. Once in the city, Viconia would disappear shortly afterwards...and the party would be approached within minutes and arrested as imposters. They would be transferred to a drow prison to await sacrifice to Lolth...where, a day later, Viconia would arrive and free the party. At first, she would claim to have recognized the party arriving and suspected what was going to happen, saying this was her first chance to rescue the player. The player could choose to see through this rather obvious lie, where Viconia would spit and say fine...she had hoped to re-ingratiate herself with Lolth and the drow by surrendering the Child of Bhaal to one of the lesser and more ambitious houses (the one that we later made part of the quest with Drizzt's foe, whatshisname). Viconia, however, has just heard of the long-ago fall of her own house and realized that she had no protection, no name...the Matron Mother would sacrifice her to Lolth, as well.
Viconia knows, however, that the Matron Mother of the minor House hasn't told anyone of the party's presence...she's kept it a secret. If she releases the party, she will direct them to kill the Matron Mother to preserve their secret and continue their mission. The party can tell her off afterwards, at which she will spit an epithet at them and find her way on her own...she always has. If they express any kind of understanding, she will be suspicious, but grateful (in her own way...Viconia has a hard time saying 'thank you').

If there was a romance underway, the whole thing might have worked out a bit differently. After releasing the party and confronting the Matron Mother, the Matron would express shock at Viconia's actions. She would say that she planned to restore Viconia's standing amongst the Drow and invite her into her own house...why throw that away? Viconia would say nothing and begin the attack.
Afterwards, however, the player could question Viconia about this. Viconia would be reluctant to speak, but would confess that the thought...the very possibility...of going back to the life she knew took her over, made her do something rash. She realizes, though, that she never enjoyed life amongst the drow...and now truly no longer belongs here. It is a realization that does not sit well with her. The player can turn her out here, as well.

(There was also some talk that Viconia would betray the party but not change her mind unless the romance was active...with the small number of NPC's, though, that didn't seem like a good idea).

The mini-quest is actually something that was fully-written but cut. Some of you might have wondered why a priest of Beshaba, of all things, would be burning a drow. Sure...rabble-rousing might be reason enough for a Beshaban...but there was originally something more specific. In the Beshaban priest's original dialogue, he named Viconia a murderer and a 'monster'. Viconia denies this, of course...and she's not lying, so far as she knows.

Viconia had two dialogues that would take place after resting in the city. The first time, she would express fatigue and wonder at the head-aches she has been having. Short dialogue but expressive her disturbed state. The second would have her waking up in horror and finding blood all over herself. She thinks she knows what has occurred, though. On the way to Athkatla, Viconia was attacked by wolves...she drove them off but was bitten, and thinks she may have contracted lycanthropy...the player could kick her out in disgust, and she would be furious at the lack of assistance. Or the player could offer to help her...all she can think of, however, is going to the priests of Oghma for help. They can only direct the party to Ribald (yes, the guy in the Adventure Mart). Ribald will be quite amused by the whole thing...and while he knows a remedy to relieve Viconia's condition, he doesn't have any wolfsbane. This would require another short quest (which had not been written) to acquire.

In the mean-time, if the party remained in the city, an Athkatlan guard would approach and try to arrest Viconia for murder, saying that she was witnessed killing several people nights before. The party could let Viconia be taken away or fight to help her. Either way, Viconia will turn into a werewolf and kill the guard. In disgust, Viconia would leave the party and wait in the graveyard...if the party can get the wolfsbane and get a remedy, she will re-join. Otherwise, Viconia miserably remains in the graveyard for up to two weeks before disappearing permanently.

And that's that.

NEXT EPISODE: While I'd be tempted to recount the whole Suna Seni thing, that's already been done. So, instead, I'll present 'Mazzy in Trademeet', 'Jan's Missing Inventions' and 'Keldorn's Old Friend'.
