Neverwinter Nights- The academy
Disclaimer: As much as I would like to own Neverwinter nights and its characters I don't (but maybe some day… I am saving up looks hopeful). All credit goes to Bioware.
(Authors note: okay this is my next chapter in my plot to take over the world by killing them with bad humor and sadistic thoughts. Sorry if this chapter makes you more confused… the way I write things often does, but I'll try not to shifty eyes. Anyway this chapter will probably have language, violence, (though it'll be mild in this chapter… err I think) etc though I haven't decided yet, and now I've finished with my note the size of an essay without further ado I give you the next chapter of Neverwinters hero.)
I stared up at the grand stone walls of the academy, my new home for the next few weeks. The lessons where overall undemanding, and I sailed through my lessons with ease. Then again as I am… or was a villager of sanctimonia, a proeliator of divinus- basically a fighter of the divine. Trained since birth to "protect the innocent, destroy all evil, be righteous in the face of ev…" you get the picture. Yes I know I don't seem like it but that's a product of the devils blood in me. My temper gets me into a lot of trouble sometimes, and well one time it took me way too far. In any case what I did is not of concern. I only know that to be re-accepted I must prove myself worthy- and now I have to work twice as hard because I proved that once again I can't control my temper by innocently breaking the bloody bastards arm. My tribesmen where sure to know of that already through my link with them. If I weren't trying to redeem my past I'd make that guard pay for what he made me do. But that won't get me anywhere, even if it would be a lot of fun to kick the crap out of him. In any case I'm unlikely to ever be reaccepted. The exile made me kind of bitter, and sadistic. Just a tad, and now I'm not sure I'm capable of good. Oh sure I protect the innocent when I have to, but I like to hurt them a lot more. But what's a bit of sadistic cynicism between friends eh? I really don't care about my tribe but it's the only place that I can live comfortably according to my own customs which I grew up with in accordance with the tribe, and "the mission" allows me to kill more people, so I suppose I'd better try.
In any case that's enough about my past. It was beginning to distract me from the final test as corporal Dendy stood once more and charged at me. This would not seem a fair fight to a casual observer; him stampeding at me in full armor, longsword trailing swiftly with him, while I stood there unarmed, with no armor but the incredibly strong gauntlets made out of a metal blessed by the gods (or so I was told, not that I ever really paid much attention, given I would have only been 12 when I was given them so what can you expect.), covering my forearms and hands, and my black outfit hanging loosely on my skin, etched with the sacred silver designs of my tribe. But I was trained proficiently in martial combat and Dendy's attack where laughable. Dendy's sword struck at my chest. Blocking with my gauntlets in rapid succession as he struck I could see the sparks of heat coming off the gauntlets yet still they remained unmarked. I span around kicking him in the gut. Having seen his surprise at the blow I took advantage striking at his hand to disarm him, listening to the clatter of cold steel and it struck the floor, and moving with a sudden agility you would not expect from someone as tall as me stepped round his back grappling his throat with one arm, and using my other to hold his own arms pressed against his chest. He was neutralized. What did I tell you- absurd ease. This is one of the instructors who are training the great defenders of Neverwinter? I had to stifle a laugh. What kind of heroes are they training here; I remember thinking as the man squirmed against my grasp like a helpless, little toddler?
Panting slightly from his exertion, and the "accidental" chokehold I used when he tried to free himself, Dendy told me that I had passed the final test (as if I didn't already know), and instructed me to the graduation chambers where Lady Aribeth was bestowing blessings. Maybe I'll finally learn exactly what I'm supposed to be doing here, and why I should give a damn what happens to this city. These are not my people I'm trying to protect. No. These are the people that discriminate against me, spit on me in the streets, because they think that my people are some kind of obsessing murdering, cult. We seldom make ourselves known to outsiders, and so people do not understand the truth of what we do. My order is in short a group of assassins. But we punish only the guilty. The select few innocents who know people from my tribe would tell you that. I don't know why I continue to use the word "we". Its not a "we" anymore.
Lady Aribeth stood about 15 feet away, surveying the graduated of her academy. The last hope of for her city, and when they all green whelps that is probably not a good thing. It was some time before she noticed me standing in the corner, where a nice shaded place concealed me from most of the graduation hall, and their annoying gazes that seemed to follow me everywhere. Apparently it had leaked out that I was invited here by the just defender of Neverwinter, and since I've been getting attention that I definitely do not want. Attention leads to conversation, which leads to argument, and of course inevitable snapping of certain bones, which does not help me to become accepted in a society where I'm already despised by 90, who are ignorant enough to believe that I'm a murderous fiend. Well I suppose I myself am, but the principal still remains. They've judged me before I even have a chance to beat them into last week. And it's not like I'd kill them… just hospitalize them so I really don't see what all the fuss is about. And they only hate me because of my order. My order are not murderers like myself. Hmmm I'm supposed to be a holy warrior aren't I? Well that's what happens when you get cast out into the cold. You become a bitter, sadistic, violent bastard. But this really confuses me. Sometimes I can feel virtuous and honest- which I suppose is because of the goodness and virtues instilled in me since birth- and want to actually help people for crying out loud. Then others I'm the total arse-hole who desires nothing more than to watch them fall to the ground writhing in agony- a product of my experience outside the land of my people. Do I have split personality or something? I was stirred from my thoughts by the soft thuds of the Paladin footfalls, as she strode with purpose towards me. I came out of the corner slightly as I saw her approach.
She gazed levelly at me as she spoke in voice calm, and soothing, but at the same time demanded awe and respect. "Congratulations Leonal. You have completed your training at the academy, and are ready to help defend Neverwinter" (I was ready before. These instructors are so bloody thick they couldn't teach a rabbit to hop). "I have been waiting for you to graduate, so that I could bestow upon you a blessing and ask a favour of you" she continued "however I notice you did not come to receive one". (Why the hell would I want a blessing, and do I look like I do "favours") However I kept this out of my voice as I remembered my previous thought on insulting Nashers right hand man… err woman rather. "My lady I prefer to remain unseen in the shadows"
"Yes I noticed" she replied with an absent minded glance around my chosen area of gloom. "I know that it must be difficult for you to come here, and help us" (what the hell would this bitch know about my life.) "And I do thank you. However acts of senseless violence, like your attack on the gate captain will not help you to fit in" she said staring at me with a sudden piercing gaze. Though her eyes remained impartial and her voice calm I could still sense her distain in that last comment. So the Paladin disapproved. There's a surprise. I was bursting with a number of unpleasant reports, and also to point out that there's no such thing as senseless violence. "I sometimes allow my emotion to get the better of me. Forgive me" This apology nearly choked my throat. Why oh why did I come here. Aribeth seemed pleased with my answer. Can this get any worse? I'm in danger of becoming a good person… or at least seeming like one. "Well perhaps after the graduation ceremony we can speak in private. I could use your… But she never finished (and not might I add because I had broken any of her limbs). That moment a two dozen or so mages, clad in black robes appeared, and began casting excruciatingly painful spells at the students. Oh a battle with people who know how to fight. Finally something fun to do!
(Authors note: Well if you like this i'm glad, if you don't you've got common sense. Anyway like it or not. Let me know.)