Well, I am actually writing again. I must apologize to all those people that have been waiting for an update on my Harry Potter 'Surviving Without Sirius' story. I am about two thirds writing up the latest chapter but since the sixth book have felt lost as well as losing my inspiration. I have recently finished playing Neverwinter Nights and have decided to write up a story based on the game. That is what this story is based on. Hopefully people will read, but probably not, oh well. This story will be done from a first persons perspective.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything regarding Neverwinter Nights. I am using the characters and events in an attempt to make an interesting story for people to read.
l---l
The Frozen North: the name given to the stark and unforgiving frontier that lies beyond the High Moor of Faerun. A bleak wilderness where barbarian clans and tribes of giants roam the lands and fierce dragons rule the skies. But amidst the frozen savagery stands a bastion of civilization: the city of Neverwinter, Jewel of the North. Behind the city's high walls those both hardy and brave carve out an existence from this bleak land under the guidance and protection of the legendary hero Lord Nasher Alagondar.
Yet there are some things that all the courage in the world cannot stand against. A virulent plague swept through the city, a terrible affliction that began in the Beggar's Nest. Soon all of Neverwinter would feel the touch of the Wailing Death. The disease could not be cured. Panic ensued and the streets soon erupted into violence. The Jewel of the North had was brought to its knees.
To save Neverwinter Lady Aribeth de Tylmarande, Paladin of Tyr, and Lord Nasher's right hand, put forth a call for a champion. A rush of would-be heroes answered her call. Some answered her call for the promises of glory and grandeur, while others by the lure of gold. Those with the greatest potential were initiated into the Academy to train and study under the greatest minds in Neverwinter, all in the hopes that a champion might emerge to save the city from the Wailing Death and whatever sinister force might be behind it.
Training in the Academy has been difficult. I feel that I have learnt much in my short time that I have been here and can only hope that I can in some way contribute to aiding Neverwinter in her time of need. Today is my final day in the Academy. I need to speak to my instructors regarding my final tests before I can leave and see how I can best help Neverwinter. I was on my way to see my instructors when and was about to leave my dormitory when I was stopped by a person that I had never seen before. This person was probably a new student.
"Finally, you're up. I was afraid you were going to sleep all day. I guess the instructors work you pretty hard here at the Academy." The newcomer said to me.
This person was speaking to me as if he had known me for years. He came across a little forward in my opinion and I believe that these feelings made their way to my face because he soon introduced himself.
"My name's Pavel, I'm one of the new recruits. I just arrived here at the Academy this morning. You're Lothar Lorathion, aren't you?" he said and now I had a name for this brazen person.
"I am, but how did you…." I did not even finish my sentence because Pavel continued to speak.
"Is it true what they say about you? That Lady Aribeth herself ordered the Academy to send you an invitation to come here for training? I've never heard of anyone being invited to train at the Academy before. Usually people are begging to get in. It must be a great honor for you." Pavel said in very excited tones.
"Well Pavel, it really is both an honor and privilege for me to serve Neverwinter in her time of need." I replied trying to hide my embarrassment at this praise I was receiving.
"You're pretty modest for someone who's got such high expectations on him. It wasn't quite so easy for me to get into the Academy. My brother Bim and I were working on one of the nearby farms outside the city when we heard Lady Aribeth put out a call for heroes to come to the aid of Neverwinter. We knew the city was suffering, but we didn't realize just how bad things were until we got here. We arrived just before they sealed the gates and quarantined the city. Thank the Gods I got accepted into the Academy! I wouldn't want to be out there on the streets with the plague – not with the city guards barely able to keep the order anymore." Pavel went on without even being out of breath.
"I don't know very much about the plague, what can you tell me about it?" I asked and only too late did I realize what I had done. I had just given Pavel another opportunity to speak.
The Wailing Death is a plague worse than any recorded in the entire history of Neverwinter. The whole city has been quarantined; nobody is allowed in or out. The Neverwinter militia do their best to enforce the quarantine, but people don't like being trapped inside the walls of a plague-infested city. Daily more bodies pile up in the streets and the citizens move one step closer to panic and open rebellion. Can't say that I blame them. It's only been a few months and already the dead number into the thousands." Pavel went on only pausing to take a breath.
"I didn't realize things were so bad. Can't the clerics and priests do anything to help? Surely they know of something or maybe can find a cure?" I commented absorbing all of the information that Pavel had just told me.
So many people dead, and in only a few months. This was worse than a war! It was frustrating because people would rather battle and die in battle, fighting an enemy that they can see. But to die this way? How can one battle an invisible foe such as this? Pavel wasn't finished with his talking yet. He took my silence as encouragement to speak again.
"Most people have given up any hope of finding a cure for the Wailing Death. Potions and medicinal herbs do nothing and even the city's most powerful clergy have been ineffective. I guess that's why Lady Aribeth ordered the Academy to open its doors to new recruits. The city needs a hero – someone who can save us all from the Wailing Death." Pavel said hope entering his voice.
He had a strange look in his eyes, one of hope and expectancy. He obviously was hoping to be the hero that would save Neverwinter, yet the way he looked at me was almost as if he expected me to do that. I am only a simple Paladin trying to ease others suffering and do what I can to help. What can I do?
"The word on the street is that Aribeth is actually working on a cure right here in the Academy. But that's just a rumor and is probably not even true." Pavel finished while some of the hope slipped from his voice only to be replaced by disappointment.
"That's very interesting. A cure…. hmmmmm. Well, it was nice to meet you Pavel but I really need to go now." I said putting the thought of a cure in the back of my mind to be thought on at a later time while readying myself for my tests ahead of me.
"Yeah, I guess you need to get on with your training. Well, good luck Lothar. Who knows, maybe the next time we meet those rumors of a cure for the Wailing Death will turn out to be true. Don't forget to say hi to my twin brother Bim over there by the door on your way out." Pavel concluded and shook my hand.
"Good bye Pavel!" I said trying to get away from him.
I preferred being early for appointments and my final tests were no exception. While I did learn a lot from Pavel he did take up a lot of my time. Then I realized what he had said and glanced over at the door of our dormitory to see his identical twin barring the door and looking in my direction. It seemed that I would not be able to avoid talking to this, Bim? Yes Bim, that was his name. I only hoped that he was not as talkative as his twin. I approached the door.
"Hey there! You're Lothar Lorathion, right?" Bim said and once more I wondered how these people had learned my name.
"I saw you talking to my brother, Pavel. My name is Bim. You should hurry; Olgerd is waiting for you in the room behind me. He said he has some equipment to give to you for your tests today. Good luck!" Bim said smiling.
"Thanks Bim, good to meet you." I said and shook Bim's hand.
I immediately decided that I liked Bim over Pavel. He did not speak any where near as much as his brother. I hurried through the door into the room behind him and saw the old dwarf Olgerd waiting for me.
"Hello there Lothar. Come to get yourself some supplies from old Olgerd have you? Good idea! Can't have you wandering the streets naked. Could give the Academy a bad name!" Olgerd said with a chuckle.
"Thanks for the tip Olgerd, wear clothes when adventuring. Good tip!" I said grinning down at the old dwarf.
"Damn shame this regarding the plague. Thousands dead and many more expected to die soon. This is absolutely horrible! But you've probably heard all of this already. Here's a chain-shirt for you. This one is on the house, but you need to pay for your other equipment. Don't worry you'll get a good discount here because you're part of the Academy." Olgerd said as he handed me a chain shirt.
I quickly put the chain shirt over my normal clothing and hurried off to the head instructor. I groaned as I noticed that I was running late, but maybe the head of training wouldn't notice. Upon arrival I saw, to my dismay that the head was waiting for me. He didn't look happy with his arms folded across his chest. He cast me a stern gaze as his right foot was tapping on the floor.
"It's about time you showed up Lothar! My name is Herban, but as far as your worthless hide is concerned you can just call me Sir!" Herban yelled as I stopped and stood at attention.
"Yes sir, sorry sir." I muttered sheepishly.
"Well recruit, don't just stand there with that dopey expression on your face! Are you ready to begin your final test or not!" Herban said in his harsh tones small amounts of spittle flying from his mouth.
"Sir! I'm ready Sir!" I answered fighting back the desire to ask him if I could hold an umbrella when he spoke to me.
"Go speak to my assistants, Corporal Dendy and Corporal Hewwet. Corporal Dendy will test you on your melee weapon fighting while Corporal Hewwet will test you on your ranged attacks." Herban said in a tone that indicated that I was dismissed.
I approached Corporal Dendy who was waiting on the west side of the room.
"Well Lothar, if you're here that means that you are ready for your final test. To pass this test you will attack me and have to successfully land one blow. Ready? Go!" Dendy said and started the test.
Corporal launched his attack and I was momentarily caught off guard by his ferocity. I tried to land a blow but was initially unsuccessful as he easily dodged away and under my swings. Only when I feigned another swing and struck forward instead, did I manage to hit him.
"Well done Lothar! This concludes your test on close combat. Go to Corporal Hewwet on the south side of this room to complete the ranged part of your test." Corporal Dendy said massaging his newly bruised ribs where my blow had landed on his chain mail.
I put my short sword away and hurried over to Corporal Hewwet to begin my test on ranged weapons.
"Hey there Lothar. Here on the weapons rack I have all kinds of ranged weapons that you can use. I've got short bows, long bows, crossbows and many more. Just pick one that is your preference and then try to hit the target at the far end of the range. You need to get a bull's eye in order to pass this test. Go to it!" Corporal Hewwet said and indicated to a large weapons rack to his left.
I stepped up to the weapons rack and examined the various weapons. Although I did have a passion for long bows, I knew that the best weapon to choose for range and damage would be the crossbow. Selecting one that felt the easiest to use I fitted it with a set of bolts and took careful aim at the target on the other side of the range. Funny how easy this seemed when I was practicing, yet now the target seemed to dance in front of my eyes. I released my first loaded bolt and unfortunately missed the bull's eye. I barely even hit the target. I took a steadying breath and reloaded the next bolt. Once more I took careful aim and pulled the release trigger. The bolt flew straight and true as it sank into the middle of the bull's eye.
"Nice shot Lothar! You managed to hit the bull's eye on only your second try! You have successfully passed this portion of your final test. That means that you have passed altogether. Congratulations! Your days at the Academy are finally over. Hurry to the assembly chamber to join the other graduates of the Academy. Lady Aribeth is bestowing blessings on all those that have successfully passed their training. Best wishes in the world Lothar." Corporal Hewwet said shaking my hand.
"Thanks. I only hope that I can do something to help Neverwinter. See you later." I said and hurried off to the assembly chamber.
I was just about to leave the room when I realized that I still had Corporal Hewwet's crossbow. Turning around I ran back, replaced the crossbow in its original position. I was about to apologize when Corporal Hewwet only smiled, gave me the thumbs up and nodded. I smiled back and ran on towards the assembly hall.
I entered the assembly hall and was relieved to see that the graduation had not yet begun. This was something that I really did not want to be late for. There was a light chatter in the hall and a sense of excitement. I made my way towards the rest of the graduates when Lady Aribeth started speaking.
"Congratulations one and all! Your training at the Academy is now complete. Tyr's blessing be upon you." Lady Aribeth said and proceeded to start blessing each of the graduates, finally stopping when she came to me.
"Greetings, I have been forward to meeting you Lothar. The instructors here at the Academy speak very highly of your skills. I am the Lady Aribeth de Tylmarande." She said with a smile that seemed to warm my entire body.
"It is an honor my lady." I said, not really knowing what else to say.
"Perhaps after the graduation ceremonies we can speak in private. Neverwinter can use a good man like you." Lady Aribeth said still with that enchanting smile on her face.
"You flatter me far too much my lady." I replied fighting the burning sensation that started in my cheeks.
"We should arrange…. wait! What was that? Did you feel it, Lothar? Brace yourself! We are under attack!" Lady Aribeth said as the smile faded only to be replaced by one of shock and then determination.
She pulled a long bastard sword from the sheath on her back and charged forward four mages suddenly appeared out of thin air in the four corners of the room. I was close on her heals as I withdrew my short sword. We reached the first mage and attacked. He was completely overwhelmed by our attack. While he managed to parry Lady Aribeth's swing with her sword, his attention away, he was not able to also parry my forward thrust. My blade sank deep and I felt warmth spread over my hands. Looking down I saw that it was a mixture of blood and his innards. I will never forget the dying look on the mages eyes. I had just killed my first person.
But I had no time to dwell on this because the dying screams of my comrades tore through the air as various magic's tore their bodies to pieces. I ran across the room while Lady Aribeth went in the opposite direction. While I charged forward at the next attacking mage I watched magic missiles fly over my head. At first I thought that they were directed at me, but an anguished cry behind me told me that I had not been their target. I hit the mage in the gut with my shoulder and followed through by plunging my blade through his neck as he doubled over.
All returned too normal as the sounds of battle died away. Looking at the devastation around me I saw that only three of my fellow graduates had survived the attack. Feelings began to overwhelm me when a voice called out.
"Lothar I must speak with you!" Lady Aribeth called.
I went towards her and saw that she was calm as ever, not even a scratch on her or tarnished mark on her armor.
"My lady?" I said in the most controlled voice I could muster.
"Listen to me, Lothar, there is not much time. I fear this is not random attack we have suffered!" Lady Aribeth said in a rushed and anxious voice.
"As you may already know, a number of creatures were brought from Waterdeep here to the Academy. It was believed the reagents for a spell to create a cure could be extracted from them.
"A cure?" I stammered.
"Yes, we tried to keep this information a secret. But this attack reveals our secret is well known, even to our enemies." She continued.
"But, everybody at the Academy seemed to know something about the creatures from Waterhaven, even Pavel a new recruit had heard something of it." I said focusing on the task now at hand, information was being leaked, and that was the only explanation.
"Rumors spread as quickly as the plague itself! Or so it would seem. But what is done cannot be undone; we must focus on the task at hand. Neverwinter has many enemies. Some reveal themselves openly, like the city of Luskan, while others remain hidden and strike from the shadows. Whoever is behind this attack does not want us to find a cure to end the Wailing Death. I have a task for you Lothar, are you injured?" Lady Aribeth asked me.
"I am fine my lady, the blood on me is not my own. What would you have me do?" I said looking at myself and realizing that my arms and torso was covered in blood.
"Good, you must hurry and make sure that the Waterhaven creatures are safe! They must not be allowed to fall into the enemy's hands! Go back through the hallway that led to this room and head down the corridor to the east. That should lead you to where the Waterhaven creatures are being kept." She said, her tone growing more anxious with the passing of each second.
"You are not coming with me Lady Aribeth?" I asked surprised that such an important task would be given to me alone.
"No Lothar, I believe that this attack was centered on me by means of magic. That is how the mages got into the Academy I believe. Even now our enemies may be watching me as we speak. By going to the creatures I could be providing a point of magical entry for our attackers right by them. You have to do this alone. I have faith in you Lothar, now go!" Lady Aribeth said and her tone was final.
So off I rushed following her directions to the room where the Waterhaven creatures were being kept, still not having had a chance to fully comprehend just what had happened. As I exited the assembly room nearly tripped over the corpse of a fallen Academy guard. Regaining my balance I found myself looking into the eyes of yet another mage.
"What is this? I was expecting to find Aribeth, not some wet-behind-the-ears adventurer! See how you cope with my minions!" he said and started casting a spell.
If there's one thing that I had learnt from my studies of combating mages, while in the Academy, was that one needs to attack and attack hard, especially if they are preparing to cast a spell. If your attack is good enough you can break the mages concentration and ruin his/her spell. I lunged forward with my short sword and cut the mage across the chest. The wound was only superficial and his spell was cast. I heard strange gargling sounds behind me and suddenly the mage disappeared.
"Blast it all!" I muttered as two goblins started to attack me.
Goblins are easy to fight, but it just takes a luck hit from one to end your adventuring days for good. I quickly dispatched one by decapitating it and followed through by bludgeoning the other in the head with the hilt of my sword. I was not quick enough however because the last one managed to cut into my left leg. The wound was not deep, but blood still starting to ooze out nonetheless. I did not feel any pain, however, because of all of the adrenaline coursing through my veins from the fighting. I continued on my way to the room that contained the creatures that I had to protect.
I made my way into the next room and once more was confronted by the same mage.
"What? You survived? No matter, for you will fall here!" he said and once more started speaking the words of magic that made no sense to me.
Again two goblins appeared behind me and again the mage disappeared. These two goblins were even more inept than the first two that the mage had summoned because the first goblin, in his eagerness to kill me, tripped over his own feet and impaled himself on his sword. I quickly took care of the final one with a quick thrust. Running onwards I was then met by Pavel.
"Lothar! Thank the Gods that you are here! I thought that those goblins were going to be the death of me! This place is crawling with enemies, they killed my brother Bim! Please Lothar, you have to let me join up with you!" Pavel said and I felt sadness for the loss of his brother.
"Join up with me?" I asked only now taking note of what he had said.
"Two swords are better than one aren't they? Plus I would dearly like to avenge Bim's death. Fighting alongside you I just know that I can do this." Pavel said, tears shimmering in his eyes but they also had the look of grim determination in them.
"Ok Pavel, lets go then." I said gaining some respect for the noble deed that Pavel wanted to do.
Pavel and I hurried onwards towards where the creatures were being kept. Along the way we were ambushed by several dozen goblins that actually managed to hurt us a little. Then we came across the mysterious mage once more.
"Still alive? No matter, now you will die! I will crush you beneath my boot!" he yelled and started casting a spell.
I was on the other side of the room and knew I would be too late to stop him, but I had to try. As I charged forward more goblins appeared and even some skeletons. I ignored them all, my attention focused on the mage who was casting another spell. I was about to reach him when I was blasted back by two magic missiles. They burned into my flesh and I screamed out in pain. The skeletons and goblins then assaulted me. Had it not been for Pavel I am sure that I would have died. He attacked the goblins and crushed their heads in with his mace. I was seriously wounded and could feel my life force slipping away from me.
Quickly reaching into one of my pouches on my belt I produced a healing potion and drank the contents. It tasted vile but I felt that I was no longer on the point of death. I jumped to my feet again, avoided a slash at me from one of the skeletons and attacked the mage who had started chanting again. This time my attack and aim was true, because I cut him down diagonally across from his shoulder embedding my sword in him. His eyes widened and the words died on his lips. With the mage gone Pavel and I quickly finished off the walking dead, the skeletons.
Continuing to our destination we entered the stables where the creatures were being kept and saw two people battling the goblins. We joined in the fight and saw two creatures disappear before our very eyes; they must have been some of the creatures that we were supposed to protect. Finally the fighting died down.
"We came too late! The creatures are lost, the Academy students slain…. NO! This cannot be! How could this happen?" one of the men said, he was an elf by the looks of him.
"All is lost, Fenthick. The nymph has fled; the yuan-ti and the other creatures have escaped into the streets of the city. And where was Aribeth during all of this?" The other of the two, a harsh looking human, said to the elf that must be Fenthick.
"I have come from Lady Aribeth. She sent me to protect the creatures." I said finally deciding to speak up having decided that these two were not part of the invading enemies.
"You are the student she sent? Did Aribeth really think a… a whelp such as this could defend the creatures? She should have come herself! Is she really so blind, Fenthick?" the human, for whom I am developing a strong disliking to, said.
"Desther! I will have you speak no more ill of Lady Aribeth. She did what she thought was best." Fenthick said coming up in Aribeth's defense.
"Bah! I know of the feelings you and Lady Aribeth have for each other, but it does nothing to change the facts. She was wrong to bring the creatures here." The man called Desther replied.
"I will leave you and you lady love to clean up this mess, Fenthick. I must go and make arrangements to go and recover the cure Aribeth has so carelessly lost." Desther said before turning and leaving.
My dislike for this man was steadily increasing with each passing moment. I was glad to see his back as he left.
"I need to speak to you Lothar." Pavel said suddenly speaking up for the first time since we had arrived in the stables.
"Yes Pavel? What is it?" I inquired.
"I owe you my life, Lothar. Without you, I wouldn't have made it out of here. I- I could have died just like my brother. You've got what it takes to be a great hero Lothar, maybe even a legend. But this isn't the life for me, I know that now." Pavel said in a serious voice.
"You just have to stick with it, Pavel. I'm sure you'll do well." I said trying to bolster his spirits.
"No Lothar, all I could think about in there was how afraid I was of dying. I just wanted to curl up in a corner and just close my eyes to everything. Those aren't the thoughts of a hero. Thank you again, but I don't want to risk my neck for fame and fortune. I am no hero. I just want a nice, quiet life. I doubt our paths will cross again anytime soon. Goodbye Lothar, and good luck." Pavel said and without another word turned his back and left.
"Good bye Pavel." I quietly said actually being sad to see the retreating back of Pavel.
Oh sure, he could talk your ears off, but he had a good heart. I felt bad on his part, because now he had to go home and tell his family that his brother had been murdered just as they had been accepted into the Academy. I was about to also take me leave when Fenthick spoke up.
"You must forgive Desther. The strain of the Wailing Death hangs heavily on the Helmites. As their leader Desther has worked long and hard to help ease the suffering of Neverwinter and this recent setback has upset him greatly. How rude of me, forgive me, I am Fenthick Moss, priest of Tyr and companion of the Lady Aribeth. You must be Lothar, the student Aribeth told me about." He said.
"Yes, I am Lothar, a pleasure to meet you." I said and we shook hands.
"Desther and I arrived with reinforcements shortly after the attack began. We found Aribeth in the south assembly chamber, hard pressed by dozens of mysterious assailants. We managed to drive off the attackers and Aribeth told us she had sent one of the students ahead to defend the creatures needed for the cure. While Aribeth tended to the wounded, one of the mages who had arrived with the reinforcements teleported Desther and I to this room. Alas, we arrived to find the cages upturned and the creatures escaping." Fenthick said and I couldn't help but think that Pavel would enjoy speaking to him.
"So what happens now?" I asked him.
"A few straggling goblins is all that remains of our attackers, but I am afraid that we have lost the battle. The creatures are gone. We have no clue as to who planned the attack, and I doubt any prisoners we take now will really know who is truly behind the attack. But discovering their identity is secondary. Our primary concern is to try and recover the creatures so that we can find a cure for the Wailing Death." Fenthick said answering my question.
"Then I would like to offer my services in the aiding of this task Fenthick." I said with a curt bow.
"From all accounts you are a capable man Lothar. Aribeth told me the instructors at the Academy spoke very highly of you. I do not know what role you are to play in this Lothar. That is for my Lady Aribeth to decide. You must meet her in the Halls of Justice in the coming week. By then hopefully we will have gathered more information regarding these assailants and can tell you more. We all need to do our part in this Lothar." He continued.
"So, then I will meet you at the Halls of Justice in a week. If you'll excuse me, I need to have my wounds seen to." I said smiling a little and suddenly feeling all the pains of the battle assault me.
"Not a problem Lothar, you battles admirably. See you in a week. May Tyr's blessing be upon you." Fenthick said as I turned to leave.
So many things were running through my mind. Unknown enemies trying to stop a cure being found for the Wailing Death? It boggled the mind. And then it hit me as well as the actions of the last few hours. I felt dizzy and my stomach lurched. I ran to grab the nearest container and was able to lay my hands on a vase. I emptied the contents of my stomach into it and felt a little better. I felt ill; I couldn't believe that I had actually killed people. No training in the world could have prepared me for the feeling of emptiness and loathing I felt for myself at this moment. Hopefully next week would shed more light on the situation at hand.
l---l
A/N Well that's the end of this first chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it, any that read it that is. I'm going to carry on writing. This is a rather interesting challenge, one I have not attempted before so I'll just carry on even if nobody reads it.
Cheers
Lost in A World of Pain