D the Stampede presents
Shards and Shadows-a Neverwinter Nights 2 Novelization
Prologue-The Harvest fair
One
"So many years ago today," Daeghun said, staring into the fireplace. Then, noticing he wasn't alone in the living room, he turned to face Darius and said, "Ah, my foster son is up and dressed, I see."
"That I am," Darius replied, "Even I can't sleep through West Harbor setting up for the Harvest Fair, after all. The village council have you running the archery competition again?"
"Indeed I am," the taciturn wood elf replied, his frown deepening slightly, "the human need to celebrate remembrance baffles me, but at least something productive may come of it. I need you to trade my furs to Galen for the duskwood bow I ordered from him last season." And with that the conversation was over apparently, because Daeghun walked out the door. Growling in annoyance, Darius followed.
Two
"There you are, Darius," Amie exclaimed as he approached her and Bevil, "The fair's already started."
"It's the biggest fair in years," Bevil added, "Everyone from the outlying farms is here and there's even a few folk from outside the mere. That means a big audience."
"A big audience, all to watch us win. This year's our last chance, what with you leaving tomorrow," Amie said.
"What's the competition look like?" Darius asked.
"Well, the Mossfelds are once again the favorites to win the Harvest Brawl, but Amie is sure to win the Tourney of Talent for us," Bevil said.
"With those new spells Tarmas was teaching us and the ones we dug up on our own, I should have enough to impress the crowd. Anyway, I hear that Wyl Mossfeld is doing the same act again this year so that should help my chances," Amie said.
"Oh gods, not the pixie impressions again," Bevil groaned.
"Right, let's get signed up for the Harvest Cup with Georg, then," Darius said.
Three
Georg, who was a big man with a shaved head, was deep in a hushed conversation with Orlen, one of the bigger local farmers, "The blight, it's spreading, Orlen?"
"It's no blight, Georg. There's no mold, no rot. It's like the corps don't want to grow. Like they haven't the guts to face the sun," Orlen replied.
"What do the druids say?" Georg asked.
"That's just the rub, Georg. There's been no sign of the druids, not head nor heel. Used to be they'd warn me of troubles long before I noticed the signs myself, but this time, rotten silence," Orlen said, "You think we should say something, everyone's gathered for the fair, even from the outlying farms."
"No, they ought to be free from cares, at least for a day. We'll go round tomorrow, talk to the households one by one," Georg said.
"Right you are, Georg. tomorrow, then," Orlen said, ending the conversation and walking away.
Georg, noticing Darius and friends, turned to them and said, "A-ha! Been wondering when I'd see the three of you! Last year for you to compete, right?"
"Only for me, Georg," Darius replied as he wrote his name in the Harvest Cup registry.
"Better make it count, then. Another victory speech from that muttonhead of a Mossfeld and I think there'll be a riot," Georg said as Bevil and Amie wrote their names down.
"Don't want that," Darius agreed with a grin, "So I guess we better get started."
"If you have any troubles, you know where to find me," Georg replied, "And good luck in the Brawl!"
Four
"So where to first, Darius?" Amie asked as they walked away from Georg.
"Well, first off, I have to trade these furs to Galen. Something about him having a new bow for Daeghun," Darius said, "Then you can go ahead and win the Tourney of Talent for us." Then, as they reach Galen's tent, Darius found his way blocked by Galen's guards. So, looking them over and realizing that they were new, Darius asked, "What seems to be the problem, gentlemen?"
"A piece of half-drow trash is trying to enter our boss' tent," One replied while they both put their hands to their sword hilts menacingly.
"Galen!" Darius shouted, "Your guards are preventing us from doing business!"
Exiting the tent hastily, Galen exclaimed, "Yarek, Kalas, what are you two doing, interfering with a customer?"
"But, he is the bastard son of a dark-elf!" the one Galen called Yarek exclaimed.
"That may be, but his foster father is one of the best rangers there is. Always provides me with fine furs that sell well back in Neverwinter. So let Darius by." Galen said. The guards stood aside, grumbling the whole time.
Once inside the tent, Darius set down the load of furs on the table in the middle of the tent for Galen's appraisal. After his examination of them, Galen said, "Fine furs as always. You have no idea of the demand in Neverwinter, er, relatively speaking, of course. I can offer a hundred and fifty-eight gold."
"Alright," Darius agreed, "But what of the duskwood bow Daeghun ordered?"
"No worries, I have it. It's a little on the pricey side since I had to smuggle it across the Luskan border, though," Galen said.
"You bought the bow in Luskan?" Darius asked in surprise.
"No, no, no. In a small town called Ember. Good folk and fine bowyers too. They just had the misfortune of being on the wrong side of the lines when the maps were drawn," Galen explained, "Anyway, the bow is a Hundred and fifty gold."
"Here," Darius said, handing most of the gold back to Galen and receiving the bow in return.
Five
"Quick, quick, dear, this way!" Retta Starling, Bevil's mother was waving Amie over to the Tourney of Talent ring when Darius exited Galen's tent, "We've been waiting for you."
"Waiting for me?" Amie asked nervously.
"Of course, puppetry and juggling are all well and good, but everyone wants to see magic and so do I!" Retta exclaimed.
"Right, I can do this. After all, it's just the kids watching," Amie said.
"Don't worry," Darius told her, "Everyone else will gather once you've started."
"Serves me right for wanting a big audience," Amie whined. However, once she entered the ring, her nerves seemed to calm and one summoned wolf, magically enlarged Bevil and acid eaten barrel later, Retta was declaring her the winner of the Tourney of Talent and handing her some spell scrolls courtesy of Tarmas
Six
"Right then, one event won, three to go," Darius stated as he started towards where Daeghun was running the Archery Competition only to be intercepted by Orlen.
"Darius, you and Amie have the making of a fine pair of mages by my reckoning, though I know you didn't ask me," he said.
"What do you need, Orlen?" Darius asked.
"Well, I need you to examine a pig, actually," Orlen asked, sounding sheepish about asking.
"A pig?" Darius asked, motioning for further explanation.
"Aye, that great brute of Lewy Jons'. Lewy calls him his prize pig, but I know pigs. And I say I've never seen that pig before today. So he must be enchanted in some way," Orlen explained.
"Give my magical opinion? I'd be glad to," Amie spoke up before Darius could, "It's probably a transmutation or maybe a potion."
"My thanks, young lady. Lewy's pig is the big one on the end," Orlen said.
"You mean the one Lewy is standing next to," Darius said flatly as he headed over that way.
"Well, Orlen's right. This pig's been enchanted. It's a faint aura, so it's probably a potion," Amie said as she and Darius examined the hog.
"Any ideas, Amie?" Darius asked.
"Well, Retta did give me a scroll of lesser dispel. All one of us would need to do is read the words," Amie said.
"Wait a minute! Shouldn't we say something to Lewy? He's a foul old wetch, but he deserves a chance to withdraw his pig before he's shamed in front of everybody," Bevil said.
"Good point, Bevil. Let's talk to Lewy." Darius said before walking over to the man himself and asking, "So, who sold you the enlargement potion?"
"You trying to claim I've cheated, you half drow bastard," Lewy replied, "Well, I say you've been sent to slander me and my hog by that mutton-headed Orlen. Spends all year crowing about how he's going to win the Heftiest Hog Contest and now he sends you to bother me now that I'm set to beat him. Course, I could be persuaded to give you a little something if you go back to him and tell him nothing going on with my pig."
"No deal. Withdraw from the contest or we dispel the enchantment," Darius said.
"You're bluffing. You and the orphan wench are mere apprentices and Tarmas wouldn't bother with farmers and their pigs," Lewy said.
"Amie, do it," upon Darius' order Amie pulled the lesser dispel scroll out of her dress pocket and a few mumbled words later, Lewy's hog was a piglet.
"Damn you to the hells," Lewy swore at Darius, throwing a punch at him in the process. Darius ducked it and threw Lewy to the ground.
"And that's the last time someone cheats at the heftiest hog contest," Orlen said as Darius, Bevil and Amie walked back over to him, "Hate to see old Lewy shamed like that, though."
"He brought it on himself," Darius said with a shrug.
"Anyway, thanks are all well and good, but I have a little something else for you, Darius," Orlen, "Here, it's my pork jerky. tough, dried meat, but it tastes like the heavens. Good food for long trips like the one you're planning.
"Uh, thanks, Orlen," Darius said.
"No trouble at all."
Seven
And so, Darius and company finally made their way over to Daeghun, "Ah, so you're competing for the Harvest Cup, I see. I know this is your last year, but the rules apply to all, even foster sons."
"I brought you your duskwood bow," Darius said, handing said bow over to Daeghun.
"A fine bow, a fine one," Daeghun said as he examined it, "Made by one who loves his craft. You may keep the rest of the gold. But you are also here for the Archery Competition, are you not?"
"I am," Darius said shortly. A well crafted bow was what was needed to get some emotion out of the emotionally stunted wood elf he called his foster father? Now that was baffling.
"You'll need to take up a crossbow from the barrel here and shoot at the practice target. You must hit it once before you can compete in the actual competition." Daeghun explained. Then after Darius hit the target with his first bolt, Daeghun explained the competition itself, "Your targets are old bottles set atop the crates yonder. You get ten shots for ten targets. Five is the best score so far, but if you remember the lessons that have been taught to you, you should be able to best that." Darius just silently took his position and fired at the first bottle, hitting it cleanly and shattering it to pieces. He followed up nine more times, hitting eight of the remaining bottles and missing the one that had been stuck between two crates. Afterwards, Daeghun congratulated him, sort of, "Very good, I think your score will stand this year, but I shall remain, awaiting those that wish to shoot for "Fun.""
Eight
"There are my apprentices, both of you," Tarmas stated as Darius and company approached, "And how are you enjoying the fair? Wild children set loose to find trinkets, grown men braining one another with clubs. Do you know their actually giving out prizes for the fattest pig. As if the creatures needed encouragement."
"Good to see you too, master Tarmas." Darius said with a smile, just to irritate the dour wizard.
"I suppose you're here for the aptly named Knave's Challenge. I don't believe I've taught you how to pick pockets and break locks, however, so you'll need to find someone who can," Tarmas explained.
"Lock breakers. Pocket Pickers. I don't know anyone like that, do you?" Bevil asked.
"Kipp," Darius and Amie said as one.
"Kipp?" Bevil asked, confused.
"That brat's the best little thief in West Harbor," Darius explained, "However, he's stupid enough to steal from master Tarmas."
"Look, there he is, just behind the tent," Amie pointed out.
"Hey you're that old wizard's prentices," Kipp said as he looked for a way to escape, "Don't go putting no hexes on me, I haven't even stolen from him lately."
"Relax, you little thief, we're asking for your help," Darius said.
"What, you mean compete for the cup?" Kipp asked.
"As our thief for the Knave's Challenge," Darius said.
"Okay. And sorry for beaning the big guy with acorns all the time," Kipp agreed.
"That was you? Everyday during drills I've been getting hit in the head by acorns! Georg had me thinking it was pixies!" Bevil exclaimed.
"Focus on winning the Harvest Cup for now, Bevil," Darius said.
"Isn't that the boy who stole my basilisk eyelash? And not once, but four times!" Tarmas exclaimed upon their return.
"That's right, my frog needed eyelashes. Then, I got him a sweetheart and she needed 'em too," Kipp replied, showing a distinct lack of intelligence in Darius' eyes.
"Sorry, master Tarmas, he's just joined our team," Darius said.
"Fine, but I will be dealing with the young artiste and his frogs later," Tarmas said, "Now I suppose you'll want to hear the rhyme."
"If it's part of the knave's challenge, go ahead and say the rhyme," Darius replied.
"Alright, but it's dreadful. Don't say I didn't warn you," Tarmas said, "I've hidden three feathers, scattered them wide, placed white in a box and locked it inside, blue followed termite tracks down where they ran, green in the pocket of same colored man."
"So we're to find three feathers," Darius stated.
"That's right, white, blue and green," Tarmas confirmed.
"Well, Kipp, get to it," Darius said.
"Huh, what are you going to be doing?" Kipp asked.
"Competing in the Harvest Brawl," Darius said.
Nine
"Brother Merring, you are running the Harvest Brawl?" Amie asked in surprise.
"In truth, I volunteered," the priest of Lathander replied, "otherwise I'd be running back and forth from the church after every bout to mend cuts and set bones to right. Better that I'm here to do Lathander's work and be sure the fights are fought in all fairness."
"Right, we're ready to fight," Darius said.
"I just have to go over the rules first," Merring said, "First off, no projectiles or magic. Secondly, you may fight either bare handed or arm yourself with a training club from the barrel next to me. And lastly, no bets."
While Merring had been going over the rules, Darius had grabbed training clubs for Bevil, Amie and himself and given his club a few test swings, "Alright, still ready.
"Very well, your first opponents will be the Lannon twins and their older sister. And may Lathander be with you!" Merring exclaimed. The fight with the Lannons was over quickly. "That was well fought, all of you, but I'm afraid the gods haven't blessed you with much competition this year. Only the Mossfeld brothers remain."
"We're ready to fight them," Darius said.
"Then, go speak to them and I'll let you all into the ring," Merring said.
"Well, if it isn't the wizard's pet freak," Wyl sneered upon their approach, "What are you going to do, shake your wand at us."
"Stow it, mossfeld. you're not smart enough to be funny," Amie said.
"Who asked you, you ratty little orphan. Always tagging along behind the freak like a bloodfly singing his reeking praises. It's a shame the demons that burned up your parents didn't get you," Wyl shot back, going way too far in Darius' opinion.
And evidently, in Bevil's too, considering Darius found himself attempting to restrain him. "Hey," Bevil shouted, struggling against Darius' grip, "What did Amie ever do to you!"
"Nothing. She's just useless, is all. A good stiff wind would knock her over," Wyl replied.
"Only if it came from your backside," Darius retorted, actually causing Webb Mossfeld to giggle.
"You shut your mouth Webb," Wyl snapped at his brother, "And as for you freak, quit stalling."
"Ready when you are Wyl," Darius said.
"I have an even better idea, let's place a bet on the fight," Wyl replied
"Like I could trust you to pay up," Darius said.
"Come on, brothers, we'll fight these cowards anyway," Wyl said as they all headed for the ring.
Ten
"Better watch out, bloodfly!" Wyl shouted as he charged directly at Amie. And promptly received an angry Bevil's club to the face. Amie meanwhile, ran past them at Webb while Darius fought defensively against the big, strong and silent Ward. To Darius' surprise, Bevil seemed to beat Wyl easily despite his anger at the man's earlier comment since an angry Bevil was usually a sloppy fighter. But while Darius was pondering this, Ward's club slipped through his guard and clipped him on the temple, knocking him out.
Eleven
When Darius awoke to Brother Merring healing his head wound, he found that Amie and Bevil had won the Brawl while Kipp had found the three feathers for the Knave's Challenge. So, after recovering a little longer, Darius led his friends back to where Tarmas was waiting, "You're back. Does that mean the little thief found the feathers?"
"It does indeed…" Darius began to say, but Kipp interrupted.
"You didn't hide them very well," Kipp said.
"And you really don't have any survival instincts, do you?" Darius asked Kipp.
"Hm-hm! Anyway you've won the Knave's Challenge as well as the Harvest Cup itself. Best go tell Georg. You know the fellow. Large, cheery, talks quite a bit," Tarmas said.
Twelve
"Well played!" Georg exclaimed, "You've won the cup! And all four events! Nobody has done that since Cormick's team! You all win the special prize of Harvest Cloaks as well as the Harvest Cup. They'll be yours at the end of the day. Anyway, I'm off to the stage to prepare for our speeches. You should have enough time for a celebratory mug of harvest mead, eh!"
"Good idea, Georg," Darius agreed.
Thirteen
And so Darius and friends approached Lazlo Buckman, who was a member of West Harbor's Militia as well as the brewer of West Harbor's harvest mead. He was also doing an excellent job of ignoring a drunken Pitney Lannon's attempts to request more mead. "Ho, Lazlo, three mugs of harvest mead, please," Darius called out.
"Huh? Oh no, not you," Lazlo said, "Got the fern girl with you, too."
"Um, maybe we should just go up to the stage," Amie said.
"Aye, I remember last year even if you don't, young lady," Lazlo continued, "The dancing on the rooftop and that song."
"You two told me you made that up," Amie said to Bevil and Darius.
"Eh… So we did," Darius said, "Well, let's go."
Fourteen
Upon reaching the stage and realizing that Georg was giving the same speech he had for years, Darius allowed his mind to wander ahead to the next day and beyond when he would leave West Harbor and find himself adventure. Little did he know, adventure would find him that night right in West Harbor.