**Chapter 5 (lvl 7, 72 days)(It seems that once I got the ability to Animate Dead, the chapters began to fly by. Compared to my absolutely grueling first chapter experience, at least. Things are much better going with an
AC of -5 and 52 hit points. There's still quite a few areas down south I have not touched, and I am already almost level 8, the level I would have started
BG2 at if I had created a new character. Who can say how powerful the Usurper will be by the end of the Tales of the Sword Coast? And who can say how annoying small spaced areas with many map-transition doors will be if I have to keep relying on minions?)
Day 74
I'm back in Beregost. I had another strange dream, involving a bone dagger, a statue of myself, and a mocking voice. And when I awoke, I had a knowledge of how to remove poisons. I have so many questions, and so few explanations. What's worse, my plan to end the bandit menace and therefore gain entrance into Baldur's Gate has proved to be a bit more difficult than I originally thought, what with Tazok running deep into the Cloakwood and all. I hardly know the countryside that I've so recently become a part of. I think I'll take some time off from my divine vengeance and go trekking for a while. Besides, I have the feeling that Tazok isn't going anywhere.
Day 77
I've been wandering the hills west of Nashkel, simply learning the terrain. I've fought a number of unusual creatures, among them some tasloi and a few vampiric wolves. I met an old hermit who told me, among other things, that my coin was on its edge. That sounds ominous, although there is no way to tell if he was just off his gourd, or if he was a prophet in truth.
Then, I ran across a dead caravan and an Officer Brage, who seemed most definitely off his gourd, a few arrows short of a quiver, a few items short of a quest, if you know what I mean. I managed to take him with me to the temple of Helm, and in their gratitude for his return they gave me a thousand gold pieces. That brought me up to 27,000 gold pieces, and nothing to spend it on. I'm beginning to think that this area I live in is back-woods podunk hicksville. I need to get out of here.
Day 78
Today was a very good day.
I was exploring the countryside, generally hunting and scavenging, when I stumbled upon what could only be an archeological dig site. The apparent leader of the dig hired me on as a bodyguard, since they had a problem with petty theft and missing persons. I agreed, hoping perhaps to see some action. I summoned my skeletons, and set them about the place to guard its workers.
While I was guarding, I was approached by the dig leader's 'partner', although if I ever had a partner like this I would label him 'mortal enemy' I think. He offered me 900 gold to go along with this guarding gig until the dig team had finished with the excavations, and then to kill everyone and take the magical artifact that he was absolutely convinced they would find and bring it back to him! Intrigued by the double-cross, and wondering how it would all turn out, I agreed to his plan.
When the diggers finally breached the inner sanctum of the dig site, the old archaeologist took me with him into the cave. I was trailing somewhat behind everyone else, and heard some strange conversations from the diggers up ahead. Apparently the air was not to their liking. It was so far from their liking that they apparently decided to murder me in order to make things better. As if it would. As if they could. I beat down all the pathetic diggers rather quickly, using spells of Command to make them fall down as if asleep and then mashing them to a pulp. The old archaeologist himself was rather apologetic about the whole thing, and seemed to think I had earned my payment as a bodyguard. I accepted his payment, and then killed him too. Looking over my handiwork in the bowels of this dig site, I smiled. Then I was able to quickly locate the artifact and pick it up.
No sooner had I picked up the artifact than I heard the beginnings of a battle back outside the cave's entrance. My skeletons had begun to fight something, and judging by the sharp crack of bones that I heard, it was a strong opponent indeed. I sped back out of the cave to give my pretties protection and backup, and ran out into the daylight just in time to see the first skeleton fall. Its opponent called itself a Doomsayer. It was hard to focus on, as it seemed a blur of many... versions of itself. However, all the versions in the blur had the same fiery sword, and they all shouted the same incomprehensible gibberish. I tried to make sense of what the Doomsayer was saying, but all I ever got was something about eternity and death. I fought beside my minions, but one by one they fell to the creature's fiery sword, while failing to hit the correct version of his many blurred forms.
Even though I called more ane more of the dead to replace the ones who fell, and cast a Defensive Harmony over the entire group, all of the skeletons were eventually destroyed. It was down to the Doomsayer and myself. I tried to hit it with my staff a few times, but its fiery sword bit through my magical defenses and my armor too quickly for comfort. I took to feinting and dodging, letting the Doomsayer try to follow me around the clearing. It seemed slow, stupid, and I used every trick I could to keep its fiery sword away from me, as I pelted it with magic missiles from my wand. 9 magic misiles later, I hit the Doomsayer with a mortal blow to the face, and my wand broke.
The only surviving member of the archaeological expedition seemed to magically appear after the fight was over, and paid me in exchange for the strange idol. All in all, I felt as though I had learned quite a lot (5000
xp for 1 fight!), gained a respectable amount of gold, and generally helped further my own cause. It was a good day.
Day 79
I thought I had found a xvart metropolis before, but this new one beats the old cave area hands down. They even have little huts! It would be more cute if they didn't attack me on sight, then have the gall to complain when I kill them. They even tried to call their village guardian, a cave bear, to help them. I put it to sleep a few times and the dead took it, as they take all mine enemies.
Day 86
Still wandering around the wilderness, killing random monsters. I've realized how to use my staff much more effectively (lvl 8, staff at high mastery level now) and i can memorize a few extra prayers each day. I was attacked by some skeletons today, and attempted to turn them. Instead of running away from my awesome presence, they fell immediately under my control! What other evidence do I need for my own divinity?
Day 88
A flaming fist mercenary tried to stop me today, asking me to identify myself. I looked at my skeletons, then back at him, and plainly told him we were a marauding band of tarrasques. He didn't think that was funny, and I didn't like his lack of humor, and so I killed him.
Day 89
I was exploring the area where I had exited the Nashkel mines today, when I encountered a group of three women who immediately attacked me. I tried to cast sanctuary, but one of the women threw a knife at me, and disrupted my spell. I tried to cast Hold Person, but the woman in the back hit me with her spell first. I blacked out. When I came to, I was backed into the wall of a canyon that I didn't recognize, felt almost dead and exceptionally weak, and two of the three women were trying to cut my throat. Thankfully I was still on my feet, so I quickly sucked some health from one of the women and dodged left, fumbling for my healing potions. I drank as I ran, and the two women were in hot pursuit. Then to make things worse, I stumbled into a rather large pack of war dogs. I kept going. Then, to make things even worse, some idiot mage saw me running by and started blathering to me about some stupid experiment involving jellies. I suppose he didn't like my curt answer, so he seemed to order his jellies to attack me!
Well, after a while I had worn my pursuers down to just one of the girls who had originally attacked me, and so I stopped and began to call skeletons. My first skeleton was able to kill the girl, so I called the rest of them, who immediately attacked the jellies who came. I lost a skeleton to each of the two jellies, but then they were dead.
On the way back along my trail, I left a static charge on the stupid, stupid mage and ordered my skeletons to keep going. We encountered the dogs just as I heard the strangled death cry of the mage. Serves him right. We worked our way through the straggling pack of dogs, and Ogrillion that I had not noticed before, and the second of the three women. Then, I returned to deal with the woman who had blacked me out to begin with.
There were two of them! Two women, dressed as clerics, attacked my skeletons. One of them started talking to me, demanding my name. I just told her to shut up and cast a Hold on her, which worked! The remaining cleric cast a glyph of warding on my skeletons, who of course were immune to its necromantic damage, and both clerics fell to mass amounts of bludgeoning damage. I get the feeling that these women were looking to ambush me here and have been waiting a very, very long time.
Day 90
Back in Nashkel. Have 46000 to my name. I believe I know these southlands as well, or better, than someone who has lived here for all their long life. I think its time to move north, to the area around Beregost.
Day 95
I've found the ruins of the Ulcaster School, complete with a ghostly Ulcaster. However, my pack is pretty full of loot, so I'm going to have to stop by Beregost and then come back.
Day 97
Alright, back at the Ulcaster School. Time to enter that stairway that I saw right over... there. There's a lot of undead here that I'd rather not fight, so I just cast a sanctuary and went to the stairway.
I've run into some jellies so far. They don't seem to be able to hurt me, but its hard for me to hurt them as well. I had to call on the Fist of Gond to hurt the Mustard Jelly much.
This is an interesting series of twisting corridors and small rooms. I can't imagine what it was used for in the school. I hope it wasn't classrooms. The remaining area of the maze (for a maze is what it must be, perhaps to test students) seems to be infested with wolves of all types. Oh, and apparently fireball traps. One fireball trap went off in the middle of me and my skeletons, just as some dire wolves were closing in. It took out all but 1 of my skeletons and left me almost dead, so I made a strategic retreat around the corner. I'll rest up and try this again.
Well, that was fun. I suppose. A vampiric wolf stalked me and my dead in the deepest reaches of the catacombs, and I gained alot of potions and a strange wand. Time to head to the store again!
Day 99
I was walking along, exploring the countryside east of Beregost, when I came upon another... wait for it... bounty hunter! He actually had the gall to say he was different from all the other bounty hunters that I killed. I simply told my walking dead to attack him. Protected from Evil, enveloped in a Defensive Harmony, the skeletons charged into battle. The bounty hunter's name was Molkar, he was a fighter, and he had another fighter with him, along with a cleric and a mage. The cleric tried to cast Hold Person on my skeletons which were immune, while the mage cast Horror on my skeletons, who were immune to that spell as well.
I cast Static Charge on the cleric, and then cast Hold Person on Molkar. Thankfully, both spells worked, and Molkar and his diminuitive friend were Held and viciously beaten on by my skeletons. The cleric kept getting interrupted in his spellcasting by electrical shocks, and became a nonfactor. That left me against the mage.
I cast my second Hold Person on the mage, and at the same time Molkar was killed by my skeletons who moved on to the dwarf. The Hold stuck on the mage, who by this time was Mirror Imaged, and so I attacked with my staff. The cleric managed to get off a quick Entangle (I suppose that made him a druid then, eh?) which instantly enveloped all three of the enemy, and some of my skeletons. They were able to keep beating on their target, however, and so we worked through the rest of the rabble. When the tangling vines cleared, I was richer by 3 pieces of magical equipment, and poorer by 1 skeleton dead. And the fool dared to say he was different!
Day 101
I stopped by the High Hedge and sold quite a few items. I also bought a few exploding potions, some strength potions, and both a wand of sleep and a wand of fear, which I can use. I think I'll head on over to the Firewine bridge now, to see what's going on over there.
Day 102
I'm finally at the Firewine Bridge. So many people have mentioned this place in my wanderings I'm actually rather excited to be here. They all prophecied in turn that I would meet my doom, my destiny, and much treasure here. I think I can actually see the aura of mystery and possibility around the immediate area. Its time to dig in!
Day 105
I've explored alot of the area around the Firewine Bridge, and killed some random monsters. I just met this crazy mage named Carsa. You know, it seems all the mages that I meet are crazy. Maybe its best that I didn't become one. Anyways, this Carsa was holding a jar and kept trying not to say 'the name'. She also refused to give up the jar. In the course of our... conversation, she became so agitated that she said the name, Kahrk, and of course this Kahrk came. Turns out he was a crazy *ogre* mage, and he killed the crazy human mage. Seeing that he wasn't going to simply mind his own business, I gulped down one of the few potions that I had saved when I found them: a potion of magic blocking.
Kahrk apparently didn't see me drinking the potion or didn't know what it was, so he cast two lightning bolts and an acid arrow at me with no effect. While he was doing that, I placed a nice, big static charge upon him, and then began to summon the undead to surround him. By the time I had my customary 5 skeletons attacking him, he had run out of spells. Thankfully, he had also run out of mirror images. He attacked my skeletons with some sort of sword that he had, and managed to smash them to bits, one by one. When he had killed the last one, he turned to me, but I was ready for him. I hit him with my staff, square between the eyes, and he couldn't do anything to block it. He went down and stayed down.
I also met some guy who claimed he was the best swordsman in the sword coast, so I invited him to prove it. He was much greater than all of my skeletons, and I could not keep his sword from me by simply using my staff. So, while um... dodging around a few cacti I managed to drink a potion of fire resistance. Then while I continued to dodge (gracefully, I might add) around several rock formations, I threw exploding potions at my own feet, which would catch him in the resulting fireball. It hurt me quite alot, but in the end it killed him! He had some gauntlets of weapon specialization, so I decided to put them on and see if they helped.
Day 107
Well that was rather anti-climactic. Just an ogre mage, lots of kobold commandos, and plenty of winding, twisting passageways with traps at the dead ends. Did I miss the adventure part?
Day 109
Ha! The fools! I am a killing machine!
I was exploring east of Beregost today, when I came across a band of four adventurers. They were Lindin and Baerin, fighters, Peter a druid, and Kirian a mage. Kirian started calling out to me when she saw me, asking me if I was an adventurer. When I answered yes, she began haraunging me about my lack of style and fashion sense, and declared that I must have just slapped on my equipment yesterday. She proclaimed her and her fellow adventurers were superior in every way to me and my 'backwoods ways' as she called them. I didn't like the way she looked at me, and I didn't like the things she said about me, so I decided to reveal to her and her cronies the divinity within me.
I only had one skeleton and a ghoul following me this day, so I sent them after the fighter Lindin, who was coming our way. At the same time, I cast Hold Person at Lindin. The druid stayed in the back casting spells, all at my skeleton, who seemed to be immune to them all. The mage cast mirror image, and the other fighter Baerin started shooting arrows at my skeleton.
The Hold Person stuck on Lindin, and he was frozen. My skeleton and my ghoul attacked him, but were shortly cut down by arrows from Baerin and the two kobold commandos that the mage Kirian had successfully summoned. I cast Hold Person at the tight group of the remaining adventurers, and got both Baerin and Kirian, while the druid remained mobile.
I was out of minions by this time, and so I did what I could. I cast Fist of Gond and set about beating the living crap out of the held fighter, Lindin. Surpisingly, he was down in two quick hits. The druid Peter who was still free cast Entangle right at me, but it did not immediately entangle me so I moved to attack him, my huge enchanted fist almost dragging on the ground. Unfortunately, as I almost got within striking distance of the druid the vines entangled me and I was held. For some reason there was a cave bear near me, although I did not see where it came from. It could have simply wandered by or the druid could have summoned it at some point. At any rate, it began bashing on me while I was entangled, so I defended myself.
One round later I managed to get unentangled without killing the cave bear, even though he had hurt me severely, so I carried my fist of gond with me and attacked Peter. He was also down in two successive hits, and so I began to work on the mage's mirror images. The bear and the kobolds were just too much, however, and I had to do something about them. I was able to charm the bear with Algernon's cloak. I set him to attack the kobolds when they blinked out of existence, so the bear and I worked our way through the mirror images of the mage and killed her too.
I win! I'm the best ever! Fear my fist of gond!
There have been plenty of basilisks around here, but they do nothing to my undead. The undead are so convenient, so obedient, and have so many immunities and resistances its a wonder that not everyone is a necromancer or cleric.
Day 117
I've seen a strange tower off to the west near the coast. I've travelled there, and now I can see it just over the trees. I have been able to glean absolutely no information about this tower. I must see what I can see.
Oh. Its nothing but an abandoned lighthouse. And there was a little boy trapped inside, whose mother begged me to save him. I did. Yay me. Blast this bloody coast, and its bloody inept citizens. I'm no hero!
There are Sirines on the coast, which attack me without reason. I've learned much while fighting them (lvl 9!) I can cast a level 5 spell now, and I've finally figured out how to mimic the touch of a ghoul. It seems I am destined to have all of my enemies frozen stiff in front of me. I'm going to memorize Flame Strike.
There was also a cave near here, and I went in and explored it. I eventually found some treasure, including a book called a Manual of Bodily Health. After reading it I feel... stronger, somehow (CON 18!). My divinity must be asserting itself yet again!
Day 120
I've finally made it to the Cloakwood. There's giant spiders and tasloi, but not much else. I've prepared some delay poison and free action spells just in case.
Well, maybe something else. There was a stream, and a small bridge over it. I met an elf named Coran there, who clued me into a reward for the death of a wyvern seen in this area. I agreed to let him journey with me until we get this reward he is talking about. Unfortunately, Coran died a few minutes later of Ettercap poisoning. I'm currently pondering whether or not I should resurrect him. Anyways, time to find this wyvern!
Day 128
To tell the truth, I was getting tired of the constant, repetitive raids of xvarts, tasloi, dogs, gnolls... all of the enemies that I have faced since I first was kicked out of candlekeep. I had been secretly hoping for more difficult opponents, and I got my secret wish two days ago. I stepped further into the Cloakwood and was immediately assaulted by giant spiders, who seemed a match for my skeleton warriors. Then after i defeated them, I had barely walked two or three meters when I was assaulted by an ettercap herd. They proved to be more than a match for my skeletons, and so I had to invoke my fist of gond and pound them. While I was finishing up my fist of gond attack on the ettercaps, even more spiders showed up, and I lost my last skeleton as I beat down the last spider. Then, after I had beaten all my opponents and thought all threats were passed, I walked on a hidden trap and was instantly held by sticky webbing for over a minute.
I have the feeling that the Cloakwood is going to be tough. I've gone to stay in the Friendly Arm Inn for a few days to recuperate.
Day 129
On my way to the Friendly Arm Inn I met a strange wanderer by the name of Arkvisti ( new mod I installed). He claimed to be a wandering peddler, and so I decided to check out his wares. I was surprised to actually find that he had a quality set of splint mail! He told me that it had cold resistance and it would even make me move faster, so I bought it from him for a hefty sum. I also bought an ammo belt from him and some Potions of Major Healing. With my Bag of Holding, Gem Bag, Potion Bag, Scroll Case, and Ammo Belt I will be able to carry quite a few items from now on, without taxing my strength too much. In addition, I am now no longer equipped with Ankheg Platemail, and no longer smell like Ankheg. Thunderhammer told me there would be no smell, but there is. I can tell, now.
Day 130
I decided to stop by the High Hedge once more and speak to the mage there. He had an item that I had not noticed before, a delightfully grisly contraption called The Claw of Kazgaroth. It seems to suck some of my blood out of my own arm when I wear it on my hand, but it gives me quite a few bonuses in return. I feel much more protected with it on my hand. Yes, much more protected. Mustn't let the Claw be injured, no, no... mustn't. It feeds from me and yet it gives so much in return. I am a shimmering shape now. The claw, it protects. The Claw, it defends.
I've stopped by the Temple of Lathander and noticed a mage named Pelltar there that I've never seen before. He's offered me a job. I think of the Cloakwood, and Tazok, and this corpse of Coran that I keep lugging around with me. Then I think of the spiders, tons and tons of annoying spiders. I think I'll take the job. Perhaps I'll be able to pick up something along the way to help me against spider-kin.
This town is named Restenford, and it seems similar in size and style to Beregost. There's talk of banditry here, of course. That is what Pelltar hired me to look into. He didn't hire me to look into all the houses, but that's what I'm doing now. The weak always leave their valuables out in plain sight. They are fitting offerings for the Usurper.
Hrm.. there seems to be a guard named Welcar patrolling the road near the warehouses. I wonder if I will have to kill him.
Hrm... there's guards in the warehouses too. What is so valuable in this town that needs so much guarding? I will have to find out.
Ach! Who rigs their barrels with exploding arrow traps? That not only hurt me, it killed the guard next to me. These people must have an intense dislike for thieves. At least I got some magical leather armor for my trouble. I wonder what it does...
I must say my equipment is looking better and better. Here's an inventory of my equipment. On my head, a Helm of Infravision that I got from an unfortunate bounty hunter. I'm wearing Gauntlets of Dexterity on my hands, in addition to one Ring of Holiness. On my other hand, of course, is the Claw of Kazgaroth. I am wearing Frozen plain armours, a splint mail, from the wandering merchant, and draped over that is Algernon's Cloak. On my feet are Boots of Grounding, and I am wielding a very good Quarterstaff (+1) and a very good Sling (also +1), though they don't tell any stories about them in the taverns. I have a Bag of Holding, Potion Bag, Gem Bag, Scroll Case, and Ammo Belt, making my pack nice and tidy. I am currently not wearing anything on my neck.
I've gone into the Tavern of the West Wind in order to get information. Apparently there are talks of some undead and also talks of dopplegangers? What are dopplegangers, I wonder.
I drunk... big drnk. I slep. Even gods sleep. big gods lik me. i big!!!
Day 131
I'm taking a stroll around the town at midnight. I called upon my divine strength in order to rip open the wooden chest of a commoner here, and he had the gall to call the Guard. I simply declared myself under sanctuary and they did nothing to me. Do they really think to apprehend the Usurper? They must be mad!
I found the guard barracks. It was full of sleeping guards, and the foot lockers of said sleeping guards. One guard was awake, so I Commanded him to sleep. He fell to the floor, and I set about trying to open the lockers around me. The stubborn guard refused to stay down, and I kept having to Command him again, and again. Finally, fed up with his stubbornness, I let him chase me outside to a secluded location without anyone around, and I called down my divine wrath upon him in a colum of flame. He is nothing but a charred pile of ash now. He should have stayed down.
I've found the magic shop as well, and quite an impressive array of magical scrolls are here, including some priest scrolls. They had a Cloak of Displacement on sale and Boots of Avoidance, and so I bought them both. I think that with the blur given to me by the Claw, and the blur given to me by the Cloak, and the prescience given to me by the Boots of Avoidance, no archer will ever be able to hit me again! (+13AC cumulative bonus vs missile weapons) I also picked up a couple of Free Action scrolls and a couple of Cure Poison scrolls, for help in the future against spiders. I also picked up a set of Identification Glasses. Lastly, I stocked up my potion bag with haste potions in case I need to do some quick staff work. This took the last of my money, so I need to earn more. This Pelltar needs to pay me well, or there will be a reckoning. Oh, yes.
I'm moving on to Castle Restenford. I need to figure out what's going on around here so I can get my payment.
I'm rooting around in the castle grounds. Wary of the traps here, I have drunk a potion of magic blocking to keep me safe as I spring them. (in a previous save I forced opene a chest and got IMPRISONED. Yowch!) I've found some type of large shield and an excellently balanced longsword (+2!). It almost makes me wish I could use long swords...
There are so many guards in this town. In all seriousness it is starting to bother me. What manner of power must they defend against so strongly? I see no sign of war or carnage, and yet there is a guard always within sight.
I've spoken with the Baron, the Baroness and the Captain of the Guard, and none of them were any help at all. Do they expect me to just fix all their problems without even knowing what their problems are? I just know "bandit raids" and "cows disappearing". Do I look like I care about cows and bandits? Agh. The things I do for money. I'm going exploring. There's a road that leads north, its as good a start as any.
Well, imagine that. I called my skeletons and enchanted them in my usual manner, and we began patrolling. We immediately found a bandit backed up by an Orc, and mowed through them without trouble. There were some other wildlife such as bears and wolves in the vicinity, but nothing else. Apparently there are paths to the east and west. I will choose east. But first, I will sleep.
Day 132
Apparently there are orcs to the east. And, Krellus. He gave us a few lines of choice dialog that he no doubt spent months thinking up for just such an occasion, as he looks pretty stupid. The orcs that follow him are much more stupid, however. They tried to attack me with ranged weapons! My skeletons mobbed Krellus, and he was down quickly. Then my skeletons split up to attack the bow-wielding orcs on their own, and they were soon down. during this time I felt an excruciating pain in my back, as I was backstabbed by a thief, Gorharg, who I did not see to begin with. I tried to cast Hold Person on him but he drank a potion of Invisibility and my spell was lost. My skeletons and I simply waited around for him to appear again, and when he failed to backstab me during his second attempt we mobbed him and crushed his body beneath our weapons. These bandits were very well equipped. Krellus had a girdle of Hill Giant Strength on him (STR 19) ! Now I can carry more weight than a normal Warrior, and it will be much more easy to rip open locked things.
I wandered north a for a little while, and found a cave in the side of the cliff. I went in alone to explore and was ambushed by two orc archers. I used my sling and they tried to hit my mulitplied forms. I made short work of them with my sling, and they failed to injure me once. After I was done, I noticed some wagons sitting in the cave, and realized that the missing caravans had ended up here, with the orcs.
I kept scouting out the area and found a small cabin guarded by one orc to the northeast. In one of the chests there were some gems and some good equipment, again, that I couldn't use. I returned to my minions, patiently waiting outside for me, and began the Hunt again.
I've grown quite attached to these cold, calculating undead servants. I wish they could be with me at all times, in all seasons. The Undead are a symbol of my power, a symbol of my authority. The undead should always be with me, just as my power is always with me.
I found a signpost denoting this area as Bald Hill. Looking around, I realied this hill has few trees on it, and the name fits quite well. There's nothing else here, however. I seem to have killed everything moving in the immediate area. Time to go south to Restenford and tell what I have seen.
Going south has brought me to a part of Restenford that I have not yet seen. so THIS is where all the cows have disappeared from! Hrm... perhaps there is something for me here. I must explore.
I came upon some half-elf who called himself Sir Billybob. He was standing next to some orc corpses, and we made small-talk about killing orcs. He asked me to find out what happened to the caravans that were coming from the north, and I told him what I had seen. Then he seemed to imply that Elminster and he worked together closely and that they were all very "interested" in me. Sounds pretty shady to me. They are all meddlers. My divine essence needs to meddling to aid it, and will definitely tolerate no meddling to hinder it. And I don't care how old anyone claims to be!
I was able to slip into Sir BillyBob's house, and read a scroll of magic protection in caution before I began to root through his assorted furniture. The chest near his bed contained a good-looking shield, and some trap went off. Thankfully it was absorbed by the magical shield that surrounded me.
Just Southwest of Sir Billybob's rather large farm I met an elf named Amos, who said if I wanted to speak to his father just to go up "those stairs". All I saw was a gaping black hole in the side of a cliff, and I didn't even know who his father was, but when you're looking for a profit you have to take advantage of all opportunities. So I went in.
Turns out it was a good idea. The stairs led to a nice hilltop cabin-and-shrine setup that I could definitely appreciate. The grand view lords over the rest of this small town. Almax is Amos' father, and he was the first person to actually be helpful in this place. He explained to me the lay of the land around Restenford, and actually pointed me in the direction of Bone Hill, and what sounds like an old haunted fort in that area. He also asked me to check on some of his druid friends near there in Reddy Forest, which seems fine to me. Druids generally have items that I can use. I sold off my loot to him and in return got a tidy 16,000 gold. Time to go back to town!
I found an Amulet of Protection at the Smithy, and bought it. It will give me something to wear on my neck, at least. I also went to the magic shop and stocked up on scrolls of protection from the Undead, Magic, and some Champion's Strength scrolls. Hrm... I saw a very large bridge to the northwest, I wonder where that leads.
Restenford is bigger than I thought, although not much bigger. There is another section to this town across the river that I didn't even notice before. Its got a large wall that protects the down, although I noticed that someone dug a tunnel under one of the wall sections. Shortly after I noticed that I ran into a gnoll. Still under the Protection from Magic scroll that I used earlier, I could do nothing except attack with my staff. Of course, that was more than enough to kill him in 3 hits.
I met a priest named Yalta here, the "spiritual advisor" to the Baroness. He explained to me about the recent Gnoll raids, and I agreed to look into them. After all, that's what I was hired to do. Apparently they are coming from the northwest.
But before I do that I want to explore up on the top of this hill. Perhaps there is even more to this little town!
Ahh, I've found a temple! Temples are always great places for me to hang out. Usually the priests think I am one of them and it is easy to slip in and out and grab all the items I can. This temple had a few expensive-looking scrolls and even a nice warhammer, all fitting sacrifices to the Lord Usurper. As I always do, I cast Sanctuary upon myself and took everything I desired to.
Before I begin the Conquest of the Gnoll Lands I should prepare my spells and rest up. Oh, and look into the rat problem near the abandoned guard house. How hard can rats be?
Ooh, I found a basement in the Tavern of the West Wind, and it held some good loot. Let me see if I can sell this stuff to its owner!
Day 133
Time to destroy these rats in the name of profit. Some day I'll probably be able to find a way to just coerce people into giving me what I want, but for now I must still fufill their quests first.
I've made it down to the abandoned guardhouse, and had the worst time trying to kill a rat. No matter what I did I couldn't seem to hit the little guy with my staff. Finally I gave up trying, and summoned the nearby dead to do it for me. Three skeletons answered my single call, and I let them take care of everything while I explored. Sadly enough they won't be able to follow me down this trapdoor that I found. Oh well.
Aha! I should not have worried. I was greeted by the chitterings of two animated skeletons as soon as I made it into the underground cave. I quickly used my power to turn them, and was about to bless them and protect them from evil when a ghoul jumped out of the shadows at them. I sat back and watched the ensuing fight, but my merriment proved to put me in danger. I didn't bother to help my skeletons, simply preferring to make sure I maintained control over them. Even though the skeletons were immune to the ghoul's fear ability and its freezing touch, they both eventually fell to its claws. Then, before I could react, the ghoul launched its fear attack at me and I blacked out (feared). I'm not quite sure what happened next (ran around like an idiot) but when I regained my senses I quickly took the ghoul under my control as well.
There were two chests in this room, both trapped. My healing potions helped me survive. There also seems to be a maze in the rocks to the south. In exploring it I've found a few poisoned daggers and some more undead who are now under my thrall.
In turning a corner I found what looks to be a kitchen, and at the same time I was mobbed by rats. My ghouls quite literally ripped them apart. I turned another corner and went down a tunnel and now I've found quite alot of magical weapons and armor. Also, some expensive-looking scrolls as well.
I reached the end of the caves, and so I had my ghouls turn on each other. All went well until it was time to dispose of the last ghoul. I invoked my Fist of Gond and began to pound him, but before I could finish him off he blinded me. I'm now stuck in a cave full of nothing and I'm blind. I hope I can remember the way back...
Well, that was uneventful. After a good night's rest my sight has returned. Time to go back to town and see if there's a reward for rat-killing.
Well, I told Zahrdahl the bait dealer that I killed all the rats I could find and he seemed relieved. He told me to tell him if I did anything else, and that it would be good gossip. But when I mentioned this to the innkeeper, he seemed surprised and said that Zahrdahl couldn't walk very far with his bum leg and hardly ever talked to anyone on account of his stinkiness. Seems strange to me but I don't know what to do about it. Perhaps I could feed him lies and see what he does with them...
Day 134
I've rested up and stopped by Lazarius's store again, picking up some Cure Critical Wounds scrolls and a few others. Time to go after these Gnolls!
Its early morning on the way to Tri-top and all I've found are a few worgs and wolves, who have all fallen to the pounding from my Fist of Gond.
I spoke too soon. I stumbled across a cave with the bodies of what looks like adventurers strewn around its mouth. There was quite a large family of wolves in the cave and they didn't seem to much care about the Glyph of Warding that I threw at them, so I've gone outside and cast Sanctuary on myself in order to gain the time to summon the dead.
Bah, there was no treasure in the wolf cave after all the wolves were dead. I'd hardly expect to be able to use anything that wolves enjoyed keeping around, but one could hope!
It is a dark and stormy night. And while the thunder rolled, and the rains washed away my tracks, I and my dead stumbled into a gnoll encampment. I imagined myself the embodiment of the Gnoll's worst fears as my dead beat them down two by two, and I healed the skeletons when they were weak. Was I the fulfillment of some Gnoll prophecy? Did they speak of their coming doom by my hand around the campfires at night, weeks before I arrived? Did they scare their children into behaving by threatening that I would get them? One can only hope, but I will never know, for now the are nothing but corpses rotting in the rain. The Usurper has come, and all is undone. As dawn approached I entered a cave, and met the final chieftain backed up by an ogre. I simply lured them out to meet my waiting dead and they were killed. The Ogre had an amulet and a club that I need to get identified.
When I went back into the cave, a Gnoll Veteran ambushed me from the shadows, but I laid a static charge upon him and he was dead before he could leave the cave. I went back and emptied the chest of loot, and I'll take it back to the store to get identified. My Glasses of Identification are spent.
Well that was a tidy 8000 gold, although I wasn't able to wear the Shield Amulet due to other magical equipment. I think that next I should head towards Bone Hill, there seems to be undead near there that people are whispering about. I'll also have to check on those druids in the Reddy forest...
I've easily found that the Reddy Forest is north of the former Gnoll camp, and found Martin the ranger. After asking him why he plays with rocks, I finally told him about Almax's message. He seemed rather eager to speak to me and send a message to Almax, so here I go again. There had better be something good in this or there will be a reckoning. Another reckoning.
I explored the rest of Reddy forest, and came upon a stranger by the name of Volcifar. He looked like a thief, but he was carrying a sling. I stopped to talk to him and he seemed to have a rather distasteful attitude towards Adventurers and adventuring in general. I eyed his sling, wondering what it was, and then I decided to find out. I cast Static Charge upon him and in two discharges he was dead without harming me at all. I was in luck! The sling is the Sling of Seeking (+2) and I realize that I can use it in a very strong, powerful way. Now that I have the Girdle of Hill Giant Strength I will most likely be able to do alot of damage in a very short time with this sling. I have *got* to try it out!
I found a gibberling and threw a good bullet (+1) at him. He died instantly (14 damage!) and I didn't even do anything special. I am going to really like this sling, I think.
I met a girl named Locinda who had just finished killing some wolves with what looked like a crossbow. She complained about her life and then asked for a healing potion as if I was some sugar-daddy. I told her it would be 50 gold, and she said she didn't have that kind of money, so of course I told her to get lost. She told me to burn in Hell. I would have chased after her but she eluded me.
Went back to town to deliver Martin's message and sold Volcifar's equipment. NOW perhaps I can journey to Bone Hill undisturbed. But first let me stop by Martin and tell him another message.
Finally things are paying off! Martin gave me a Cloak of Elvenkind in gratitude! I don't want to use it but I think it will bring a good price in the shop, eh?
