Things have gotten very interesting lately. The woman that Ralis and his companions believed was named Hexxat is not Hexxat at all, but Clara, who was under the mind control of a vampiress who truly goes by the name Hexxat. She expects Ralis and his companions to reunite with her at the Copper Coronet in two hours. In the meantime, since they are still in the Graveyard District of Athkatla, Ralis, Abdel, Althir, Anomen, Aerie, Minsc, Jaheira and Yoshimo must help Korgan recover the Book of Kaza. They just walked out of Dragomir's tomb 6 seconds after Hexxat left, but the problem is, they had no idea which tomb entrance leads to the lower tombs.
"Any idea how to go down to the lower tombs? Jaheira asked Ralis, their leader.
"I have no clue," Ralis shrugged at her.
Yoshimo rubbed his chin in thought of which entrance might lead to the lowest levels of the tombs.
"This may be just a wild guess, but I believe the lower tomb entrance will be an entrance that hasn't been used in a long time, like... covered in dust and spider webs, maybe?" He told his companions.
They looked at him in silence, thinking over his suggestion.
"That does make sense. Who would an occasionally used tomb entrance look brand new?" Abdel agreed.
"Then we find a tomb entrance that looks like what Yoshimo suggested. Let's go, time's a wasting." Ralis said, remembering that they got Nalia waiting for them near the city gates.
They eventually found the entrance they are looking for, and it definitely has lots of dust and cobwebs on the door. Inside, they got this intense feeling of danger in the air, as if something could jump out at them at any time. They cautiously drew their weapons and moved on. They eventually found themselves on an organic bridge that appeared to be made out of webbing. The pit down below the organic bridge is so dark, it appears bottomless.
In the middle of the large room is a large dome shaped structure that might be a spider colony of some kind. It had a musty odor that permeated the entire room. The bridge took them south of the entrance dome shaped structure. Behind them is a path that leads to another tomb. They decided that going inside that dome shaped structure is likely a bad idea, so they headed to the exit behind them that leads to the southern dungeons (which have an Egyptian style).
They found themselves in a room where in the center of the floor there's an ancient mural of a man or woman with his/her arms crossed and wearing a blue and yellow striped headdress. What really caught the eyes of Ralis and his companions is that there are the dead bodies of mummies, skeletal warriors and wights everywhere in the room, as if someone came into this room before Ralis and his companions arrive, triggered some kind of trap alerting the monsters in the room and that someone managed to kill them all. "What gives?" Korgan frowned in confusion.
"If I recall, the monsters are supposed to be waiting to ambush us, not lie dead on the floor," Yoshimo said.
"Someone got here before us..." Althir said.
"Someone...?" Korgan couldn't believe that someone else is after the Book of Kaza...
But what if it is true? His eyes widened and he ran on ahead.
"Korgan, wait!" Ralis yelled.
"He might fall into a trap! We should go after him!" Aerie exclaimed.
They gave chase.
For a dwarf wearing chain mail armor, he was a good several feet ahead of Ralis and the others as he dashed down hallway after hallway, noticing more and more corpses of mummies that have been killed by an unknown tomb robber. When Korgan found the place where the book was kept, he saw that someone really was after the book, and they have it! It is no longer in the dungeon! Korgan's eyes widened in surprise.
"This tomb looks to be looted!" He exclaimed.
At that moment, his companions caught up to them. Korgan got so mad that someone beat him to the book that he grabbed the handle of his axe and gripped it tightly, his arm muscles tensing up with rage. "The rank, stinking bastards beat us here! Those scoundrels'll dine me sup of cold steel afore I'm through with 'em!" He growled through gritted teeth.
At that moment, three live mummies stepped out from behind the Book of Kaza's large pedestal, shambling towards Korgan and the others.
"Ssssssstinking meat... cursed with life. There are lawssss even here, rulessss. Final resssst musssst be maintained... defilers will die... it is the way of all flessssshhhh. Kaza'sss tome isss gone! Nevaziah'sss ssssstudent ssshall be thy doom. Join me in death," the mummy in the middle of the other two spoke.
Korgan held his ax up, ready for battle. "Those grog-blossomed prickmedanties 'ave crossed me one time too many!" He snarled, then looked back at his companions.
"We've got some undead to dispatch now, and then some live dead to find and bury!" He told them.
Althir, Ralis, Korgan and Minsc charged at the three mummies. Aerie casted Protection of Evil on Ralis and Anomen casted Protection of Evil on Althir. Ralis cut first with Kondar as he breezed past the mummy who with its long, lanky arms tried to punch him. He skidded across the floor for a few feet, skidding to a stop behind the mummy, then he jumped at the mummy's back, impaling both Kondar and Albruin's blades into it. Althir came at the other mummy at top speed with his blades readied. When he came close to strike, he sliced at the mummy's legs, stunning it. The mummy is too slow for Althir's quick reflexes, it tried to kick Althir in the back, but he instinctively back-flipped up in the air, over the mummy's head, then he let his swords go to work before he landed on the ground, and the mummy collapsed lifeless, its head full of slash marks. Minsc isn't as agile as Ralis and Althir are, but he and Korgan are a force to be reckoned with.
Together, they dismembered the last mummy's legs before it could attack with its slow reflexes, causing it to fall forward. It used its hands to save itself from hitting the ground with its head. Then in a rage, Korgan raised his war axe over his head, then brutally cut the mummy's head off, and he didn't stop there. Fueled by his anger at the men who beat him to the Book of Kaza, he constantly slammed his war axe down on the mummy's back, creating unnecessary damage to it and and causing old blood to spray into his face from the wounds. Minsc couldn't help but wonder if Korgan can go into berserker mode like he can.
When Korgan calmed down, he wiped some of the blood off his face with his right hand.
"Thrice over their graves I'll be dancing, I swear! Stolen from under me! I do the work of ferreting out where the blasted book will be, and those crackgnats take it away!" He walked over to Ralis, and he and the others covered their noses because the mummy blood on korgan's body smells very rotten. "We must away! This tomb looks not a day defiled! If we get back to Pimlico's before those fools do, mayhap I can catch them and retake what should be mine! Shagbag needs a killin'!" Korgan growled with primal fury in his eyes.
Two hours later, in the slums of the Center District a mile east from Delosar's, Shagbag and his partners Crazyface and Scrooloose were walking down alleyway, gloating over their recently won prize.
"This'll be well worth the coin, Shagbag. Pity that we lost so many of our friends back in that dungeon, but the way I see it, the sacrifice was worth it," Crazyface said, looking all wild eyed.
"Yeh. Shame it all no dwarf tossin' in tha graves 'til next moon..." Before Shagbag could finish what he was saying, he saw a dwarf standing in front of him a few feet away.
The dwarf is shrouded in the night sky shadows, but Shagbag recognized the long blue beard and helmet with the long, pointy horns.
"Korgan...?" Shagbag whispered in disbelief.
"I see little has changed yer candor, Shagbag. Still a lant-gulping dirtchute," Korgan hissed, unsheathing his war ax.
Shagbag grinned. "Speak of the undersized broadarse and what should waddle in? I was just remarkin' ta Crazyface and Scrooloose that shame it all no dwarf tossin' til next moonsday. Shame it is."
Korgan grinned. "Ye know, there's nothin' that ails ye that I can't fix with me fists, Shagbag, or me ax," Shagbag scowled and drew his longsword, pointing it at Korgan even though he is 8 feet away.
"Yer likes frighten me not, midget. Bugger off. I've got some high life to live with me and the boys!"
"I'll nae allow that. I don't like being a bastard, but ye leave me nae choice," Korgan said, and while he said that, Ralis, Yoshimo and Anomen appeared alongside him.
Shagbag gave Korgan an incredulous frown. "Allow? Perhaps yer new gang of bowelhives would like t' know that rockrunt here took it upon himself, whiles we were out and about, to up and dirtnap three of the crew. No reason. None. Seems he were slighted or some other, and up and kills Stitch, Hogbelly, and Cutter. Allow? Rich coming outta you, runt."
Korgan looked back at Ralis, Anomen and Yoshimo behind him. "Bespawl all that! Nonsense! Steel was drawn with cold intent, Shagbag, and ye're well aware of the trespass!" He exclaimed.
Shagbag stepped a foot closer, still pointing his sword at Korgan. "This time, speck, ye're knee-deep in it."
"Pray if ye've a god, cur," Korgan growled back.
Korgan engaged Shagbag, Ralis and Anomen fought Crazyface and Yoshimo battled Scrooloose. It was no contest. Eventually Shagbag and his allies fell. Korgan left Shagbag's body a very bloody pulp in the end. He took the book from his pockets- thankfully it isn't damaged, then he rested his right foot on Shagbag's mangled corpse and took a deep breath and sighed.
"That's one fine mess that I done cleaned up. They did the killin', but I ends up with the gold, the book, and the satisfaction o' kickin' their tails. A good day," Korgan smiled triumphantly.
"Well, now that we got your book, now what?" Ralis wanted to know.
A few minutes later, they sold the book to Pimico for 1230 gold pieces and 200 silver pieces. Then Ralis went searching for Hexxat. He found her at the bar of the Copper Coronet, sitting in a chair and still wearing the cloak but without the hood over her head. Ralis also noticed that her physical beauty had attracted the attention of some of the men in the Coronet, though none made attempts to flirt with her. Ralis approached her and she noticed him right away.
"You came. I'm glad," She said, smiling, showing her fangs.
Ralis smiled back. "Surprised?" He asked, though some part of him does not fully trust Hexxat.
"No, but I wouldn't have been surprised if you hadn't shown up, either," She replied.
"Have you taken care of business?" Ralis asked her, wondering why she wanted him to wait two hours.
Hexxat saw his companions sitting at a dinner table nearby, watching him interact with her. She also noticed Anomen looking at her with severe distrust in his eyes.
"My employer is aware of the situation. He'll be in contact in due course, I'm sure. Until then, I may do as I wish," She explained.
Ralis narrowed his eyes at her. "And what do you wish?" He asked curiously.
Hexxat cast a seductive gaze at him. "The question is what you wish."
"Someone of your great skills could be very useful to me. You can join me and my companions if you like," He admitted.
Hexxat smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."
Just then, Salvanas, a middle aged elf man with braided brown hair, black eyes and looks like he's done a little thieving in his life approached Hexxat from her right (since Ralis is standing to her left) and started flirting with her.
"Hello, darling. I'm Salvanas, and I've had my eyes on you for quite a while. I've a weakness for dusky skin, darling. Chult is a hot place, and its daughters carry that heat in their veins," he said suavely as he placed a finger on Hexxat's clavicle, rubbing it gently a couple times then trying to ease his fingers down to her heaving bosom, but she brushed his fingers off her chest.
"They really don't. I certainly don't," Hexxat rebuffed him.
"Do not deny your passion, my exotic flower-" Salvanas tried to ease his way into Hexxat's personal space.
"It's your passion I'm denying." She gently shoved him away.
Salvanas did not give up. Ralis could tell by the look in his eyes that he really wanted Hexxat.
"We are meant to be together as one, our limbs intertwined, our sweating bodies pressed close to one another..." the elf man said.
Ralis felt like gagging- he didn't want to imagine the erotic scene playing in Salvanas' mind, so he turned away.
Hexxat decided to play around with Salvanas' erotic fantasy with her vampiric nature.
"Your blood, pouring down my throat..." She smiled seductively, finishing the empty spaces of his fantasy for him.
Salvanas nodded while having a wide grin. Surprisingly, unlike most of the men here, his teeth looked clean and healthy. "Now you're talk- Wait, did you say blood?" He suddenly felt turned off.
Hexxat stood up out of her chair, facing Salvanas.
"You are right, Salvanas. This was meant to be. I would drink you dry and feel your heat inside of me," she cooed, rubbing her abdomen seductively.
It all sounded very erotic to Salvanas' ears, but there's something very disturbing about it. "You speak metaphorically, of course-" He slowly started to back away.
Hexxat smirked. "Of course. Let me show you the metaphorical fangs I'd use to pierce your throat." Hexxat smiled, showing him her vampire fangs.
"A-A-And I would be a metaphorical delicacy for you, I am sure. But such an action could..." Salvanas bright his right hand up to his neck and rubbed it gently. "... kill the mood," he concluded nervously.
Hexxat leaned forward toward Salvanas, so he can see a little more of her bosom, using her charm to turn him on and frighten him at the same time.
"I can kill much more than that. Would you like to see?" She winked at him.
Salvanas' face turned pale. "Er, no. No, I don't think so. Excuse me, madam," he walked away.
Ralis giggled. This was the funniest thing he has witnessed in a while. In fact, it's been a while since he saw something funny.
Afterwards, Nalia returned to the Copper Coronet and found Ralis and the others, deciding to turn in for the night before going to her keep at dawn. They had a long evening, so they deserved some rest, so they rented rooms and turned in for the night. Jaheira was in her hotel room. She hated sleeping in hotel rooms, she preferred sleeping in a bedroll in the middle of the forest, but she can't be picky right now. Jaheira sat on the side of her bed, in deep thought until she heard someone knocking at her door. She stood up, walked over to the door and opened it to find Abdel standing outside her room.
"What are you doing here, Abdel?" She asked.
Abdel sighed and gently brushed his jet black hair with his right arm. He wanted to say something to her, something that doesn't hint the fact that he is interested in her.
"I...I..." He said, trying to think of a good explanation, which he should have done minutes ago.
"What's the matter? Lost your tongue? Well, come back when you've found it," Jaheira said in a tone that almost hurt Abdel's feelings, and she tried to close the door on him, but Abdel stuck his right foot in, preventing the door from closing on him.
"Wait, Jaheira," he called.
Jaheira opened the door again. "Can I come in first?" He asked.
Jaheira considered it for a second then nodded at him, stepping aside, allowing him to step in, then she closed the door.
"Remember back in Irenicus' lair, you said that I'm nothing more than a mercenary that takes away the lives nature gave?"
"Yes, I did say that. If you want an apology from me, think again," she said harshly.
Abdel shook his head. "No, no, I'm not here for an apology. See, you think you know me. Well, I'm here to tell you that you don't," Abdel said.
Jaheira crossed her arms, glaring at him. "And what is there to know about a sellsword like you?"
Abdel turned his back on Jaheira, looking at the lit candles on the dresser near her bed. "I kill because I've been paid to kill. It's nothing personal, it is only business. I kill to earn money, just like a tiger, a dragon, or even a owlbear kills other animals for meat. What I do is no different from them," he said.
Jaheira scowled sharply at Abdel, approaching him and standing in front of him so he can look into her beautiful but intimidating eyes.
"Animals kill for food, to survive. That is part of nature. You kill for trinkets, metals- things that are of no value to nature! Don't compare your "civilized" ways to the ways of nature, you shortsighted fool!"
"I need gold to buy armor, weapons, rent a room to rest in, and even buy food. I kill to survive too. So you see, even though I am part of civilization, I am no different from what is natural. You understand nature more than you understand civilization so much, you look at what's civilized in a negative light. We are just two sides of the same coin, you and I, Jaheira, even though we are different, we may have something in common. We just need to learn about each other more," Abdel argued back.
His words made her speechless. As a druid, she always believed that one day all humans will respect nature, contrary to what shadow druids believe, but she never even imagined that nature and civilization may have some similarities, she was always focused on the obvious differences. She never realized this, but maybe she too is shortsighted.
"You... your words have had some kind of effect on me I've never felt before, Abdel. I don't know what to say or even what to think. I need to be alone now," Jaheira said softly.
Abdel nodded. "Okay... Good night," he said as he opened the door, then he walked out, shutting it.
Meanwhile, Ralis was alone in his room, in the bed without his armor, about to fall asleep. He closed his eyelids for a second, then he sensed a presence in his room. He opened his eyes and saw Hexxat looking at him from the foot of his bed.
"I've a favor I must ask you, Ralis," she said.
Ralis was nervous. He had a hunch that because she rejected the advances of Salvanas, she has some other man of interest, possibly himself.
"I've been expecting this. Look, Hexxat, you're lovely, in a faintly terrifying way, and I like you very much- as a friend. What I'm saying is, I'm sorry, but I'm not really interested," he said nervously.
Hexxat crossed her arms. "Are you quite finished?"
Ralis nodded in reply.
"Good," Hexxat said with an approving nod, then she walked over to the left side of his bed and sat down. Then she handed him a strange looking brown sack. "I need you to hold on to this for me."
Ralis gently took it into his hands qith a puzzled frown. "A sack? Why?" He wanted to know.
"This was Dragomir's secret weapon- a way to easily transport his coffin wherever he traveled. It gave him an incalculable advantage in the campaigns he waged. He had his trusted lieutenants hold the bag. In the event that he was struck down, the means of his regeneration would be close at hand," Hexxat explained.
"And you trust me with it? I'm honored," Ralis said.
"You should be. My life is literally in your hands now," Hexxat said.
Then she stood up on her legs and walked out the room. Ralis couldn't help but look at how firm and shapely her posterior is under her clothing as she walked out his room. No wonder she caught Salvanas' attention. He peered into the bag and found that there is a coffin inside wide open space inside, as if the bag takes whatever he puts in it in a small dimensional plane, so that the bag will never get full.
Interesting. He placed the bag down on the floor and fell asleep.
Ralis found himself in a strange, morbid dream. It is different from the dreams he used to have before he was aware of his heritage as a child of Bhaal- there are no metaphoric images or messages urging him to give in to his taint or anything like that. In this particular dream, he found himself in Candlekeep... But it is not the Candlekeep he once knew. It is in ruins. Everything is in ruins. It is nothing but a damaged, barren, library fortress now, and there is not another soul to be seen. The sky is dark orange as well, lighting the entire environment in a disturbing shade of orange. He looked at his surroundings in confusion and bewilderment.
He realized where he is standing. He is in the inner grounds of Candlekeep, south from the library, where four of the twenty sages used to sing tunes of Alaundo's prophecies. There is supposed to be two water fountains there, but they are gone, there is nothing but two square shaped empty patches if soil where the fountains used to be. Just then, he heard footsteps coming from behind him. He turned around fully alert and saw a face that he hasn't seen since he escaped Irenicus' hideout- Imoen! But there's something wrong with her. She doesn't seem to be fully aware, she seems to act half conscious.
"A dream... A dream of many things, of friends and family. These things always mean something... don't they?" She said to him, looking at him in a way that sends chills up and down his spine.
Ralis tried to speak to her, but he couldn't, it's almost as if someone or something glued his lips shut. He couldn't make any kind of noise even with his lips sealed. Imoen walked past him and he followed her, wondering where she is going.
They headed to the front entrance of the library. Ralis clearly remembered that there were supposed to be four water fountains in front of the library entrance, and two more on both sides of the stairway bridge leading to the library's doors, but they too are large, square empty patches of soil, and the walls of Candlekeep look old and decrepit, as if they've seen a war break out years ago. Imoen took a few steps on the bridge, looking at the doors as if she is trying hard to recall a certain event. Then she looked back at her stepbrother.
"Do you remember these doors? I remember..." She held her head as if she has a headache. "I think..." Then she perked up, finally remembering. "Yes, this was my home for so long, but it is too late to go back. They wouldn't have you now. They wouldn't have me. Had no use..."
Ralis had no idea what is wrong with Imoen. Is she losing her memory of her past? If she is, is she struggling to retain those memories?
"Someone else does. He wants something, I... I don't know why. Those in the cowls don't even know. Why don't I know?" Imoen shook her head slowly, walking away from the library entrance, walking past Ralis and heading for the outer grounds areas of Candlekeep, and he followed her.
Outside the entrance to the outer grounds of Candlekeep, Ralis and Imoen found almost everyone they knew from Candlekeep, Gorion, Elminster, Tethtoril, Winthrop, Jondalar, Canderous, Hull, Fuller, Parda, Karan and Abdel standing before them, but motionless like stone statues. Imoen looked back at Ralis for questions she doesn't know or is forgetting.
"Do you remember Gorion? Or the others? I think I do. They were... no... wait... They were the guidance, and there was much more to learn, but it's too late now. They are so far away..."
Ralis noticed that Imoen's eyes dilated when she looked straight into his eyes.
"You are far away... Too far away to help... Why? Memories should stay... but he digs deeper... pushes everything aside..." She turned her attention to Gorion and the other "frozen" people she knew in Candlekeep. "I don't remember any of you," she said indifferently.
At that, Gorion and the others exploded into bits of clay, which shocked Ralis. What is going on? Why is Imoen having trouble remembering her past? And who is digging into her memories? She walked past Ralis, returning to the inner grounds of Candlekeep, and he had no choice but to follow and see where she is going.
She went right, heading towards the lone statue of Sarevok himself, clad in his intimidating demonic armor and helmet. Imoen winced her eyes, as if her head hurts from remembering the past, or trying to.
"Do you remember Sarevok? Or any other? I... I don't know... They sought your death and mine. They seemed so important at the time, but I.. I don't remember them at all. Something else is... Something else is more dangerous... Closer... I can feel it..."
At that moment, Sarevok exploded into bits of clay. Imoen then looked at Ralis in bewilderment.
"Do you remember... me? I can almost see... I want to, but I... too late. You will come too late..." She said in a daze before something made her body freeze as if she had been petrified.
Ralis heard new footsteps behind him and turned around. There he saw Jon Irenicus approaching. He walked past Ralis, his eyes focused on Imoen.
"She resists. She clings to her old life as though it actually matters. She will learn," he said coldly and indifferently to Ralis even though he wasn't looking at him.
"What is this place? What is this all about?" Ralis found that he is finally able to speak and demanded Irenicus.
He touched his waist for his swords and found that he does not have Kondar or Albruin, or even Avenger with him. Irenicus turned around, facing Ralis, looking at him with those cold blue eyes of his.
"It is a portrait of what has happened, and what may happen. Do you cling to the past, or can you see through the pain? You feel the potential within, don't you? Will you cringe from what you know you want? What you can take as your own? You know what you want. It is you, after all, which brought us to the dream. Nothing is real... yet," Irenicus said.
Imoen exploded into small balls of pebbles like the others and Ralis involuntarily blacked out.
He woke up, breathing heavily. He looked around, realizing that he is still in his hotel room at the Copper Coronet. The candle wax on the dresser to his right has melted, so there is very little light in his room besides the sunlight from the windows.
"Bad dream?" A familiar voice asked Ralis in the darkness.
He gasped in alarm. "Who's there?!" He demanded.
"Relax. It's just me."
Ralis recognized the voice.
"Althir. What are you doing, coming into my bedroom unannounced? I thought I had my door locked," he sighed with relief.
Althir stepped out of the shadows, pulling his gray hood off his head and revealing his black hair. "I am a rogue... in more ways than one," he said coolly.
Ralis chuckled. He understood what Althir meant. He is an expert pickpocket, lock picker, good at hiding in shadows, and he travels alone.
"Why are you here, anyhow?" Ralis asked.
"I'm here to talk to you about your heritage," Althir pulled up a chair and sat down near Ralis's bed.
Ralis frowned at him. "What do you know about my heritage?"
"I know that you are one of the sons of Bhaal," Althir admitted.
Ralis frowned. "You overheard my conversation with Yoshimo, didn't you?"
"I knew about it all along," Althir corrected.
Ralis' eyes widened. "What...?! How...?!"
"I am one of Gorion's old acquaintances," Althir said.
Ralis gasped. "You...?!" This is too much for him to bear. How many people has Gorion befriended in his life?!
"I also knew Khalid," Althir added, changing the subject slightly as he pulled his gray hood off over his long black hair.
"You knew Khalid as well?" Ralis was in disbelief over Althir's claims.
"I knew him and Jaheira before they got married. We've... crossed paths several times before," Althir said.
"If you're friends with Khalid, how come you weren't with him and Jaheira when Gorion and I were headed to the Friendly Arm inn back in the year of The Banner?"
"I was never friends with Khalid. We had opposing beliefs, and the reason I never joined Khalid and Jaheira to meet you at the Friendly Arm is because I didn't trust them- they are too incompetent to watch over you and tame your subconscious urge to murder. I spoke to Gorion about this after we raided a temple of Bhaal in Icewind Dale years ago, and also on the day while you were away buying your weapons and armor for your journey out of Candlekeep, but he argued that my "renegade attitude" would be a bad influence for you. Hmph... I tried to show Gorion the moral flaws that Khalid and Jaheira both posses, but he wouldn't listen to me," Althir said gruffly, closing his eye, standing up out of his chair and turning away.
Ralis stood up out of his bed. "Your renegade attitude? What do you mean?" He asked him.
Althir gazed into Ralis's eyes with all seriousness. "What is it that you desire, child of Bhaal?"
Althir's question caught Ralis off guard.
"What do you mean?" He was confused, very confused.
"You hear the calls every night you fall asleep, do you? Do you feel the urge to accept the unholy powers that lie within your very being, or do you have the will to resist it?" Althir's gaze felt like it pierced Ralis' skin.
It wasn't a pleasant feeling, looking into the eye of a half-elf that wears a red eye patch over his left eye.
"I will not be like Sarevok. I don't know if I can actually reject my powers, but if I can't, I will not use them for evil. I will channel them into a force for good. " Ralis said.
Althir scowled at him. "Just as I feared. You have grown naive under Khalid and Jaheira's tutelage. You're too ignorant to see the dark truth about your unholy powers."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Ralis scowled at him.
"You cannot undo the evil in what has always been an evil power. You will end up deluding yourself that you are fighting for good when you are only causing harm to others. Evil actions are caused by corrupted powers. You may not realize it, but you'll slowly lose yourself to that corrupt power no matter how you plan on using it. It is best to rid ourselves of that kind of power before we use it, being ignorant of its raw, unchecked potential," Althir said coldly.
Ralis felt his anger rising. What a hypocrite! "Is that so? Well, if you believe that evil can't be redeemed, then why did you try to command Dragomir to repent?! Huh?!"
Althir turned his back on the young human, showing the painting of the phoenix flying up from fire on the back of his gray clothing.
"Answer me, damn it!" Ralis snapped.
Athir pulled his hood back over his head.
"That is a different matter. I've said enough to you," Althir grumbled, then headed out the door.
"What is his problem...?" Ralis couldn't understand the motives of the half-elf.
He is not evil, Ralis knows that, but his attitude is questionable.
Several minutes later, Ralis and his companions stepped outside the Copper Coronet, ready for more adventures, heading southwest towards the bridge that will take them over the Alandor River to the southern half of Athkatla. Nalia is with them as well since she chose to sleep at the Coronet that night as well. Hexxat wore Dragomir's Cloak, which protects her from the sunlight of the rising sun, which can apparently be harmful to vampires.
"We should get going to the city gates so we can get to my land as quickly as possible," Nalia instructed.
Aerie, walking behind Jaheira noticed the rising sunlight shining on her hair. To her, it is such a beautiful thing to see, she just had to compliment Jaheira.
"This... This light makes your hair look really pretty, Jaheira," Aerie said shyly.
Jaheira looked back at Aerie with a glare that made her recoil in fear for a moment. "Don't be a fool. It does nothing of the sort," she said harshly.
Aerie felt terrible; she meant no offense to Jaheira. "But-" she stammered.
Jaheira turned around, placed her hands on Aerie's shoulders and glared into her eyes so seriously, Aerie felt like a child being punished by her parent.
"Put your silly romantic notions aside, Aerie. This isn't some childish fantasy, or some grand adventure. Anyone of us could die out here at any moment," Jaheira said.
"She's right. Listen to her," Althir said to Aerie.
"B-B-But some priests can raise us from the dead, right?" Aerie asked meekly.
"Sometimes they don't come back!" Jaheira yelled in Aerie's face. "Bringing someone back from the dead is not an easy thing to do, child! Sometimes some people, no matter how much you love them and no matter what you try to do... they get taken away," Jaheira said, lowering her voice as she continued speaking. Her voice became a sympathetic whisper when she said, "You're young, Aerie. You'll figure it out soon enough."
A few minutes later when they headed north, Anomen had something to ask of Ralis.
"What is your plan for the vampire, Ralis?" He asked.
Before Ralis could reply, Hexxat said: "I no longer breathe, but my hearing is fine."
"Is there a problem Anomen?" Ralis asked him.
"She cannot remain with us," Anomen said, giving Ralis a serious look.
Ralis sighed. "I'd ask why not, but I suspect the answer would either bore me or anger me. I know she is a vampire, but I am not going to cast her out of my group just because of what she is," he said.
"We are both reasonable people, Anomen," Hexxat said to the wary young man. "Surely we can work together?"
Anomen made no reply, he just simple scowled in suspicion at Hexxat.
"She is making an effort to show she will not harm us, Anomen. Can't you do the same?" Ralis reasoned with Anomen, hoping that he will listen to his heart instead of his guidelines as a junior knight trying to become a paladin.
Anomen visibly felt conflicted. Though it is highly unusual for him to be with someone who accepts the company of a vampire, he decided against his judgment to trust Ralis.
"For you, Ralis, I shall try," Anomen sighed.
At that moment, Boo squeaked at Minsc.
"Are you sure...? She's- well you know." Minsc whispered to Boo. "She SEEMS nice, yes, but still- vampire." He continued whispering to Boo.
"My ears are burning," Hexxat said to Minsc.
Minsc looked at her and saw no signs of burning ears, especially with the cloak's hood obscuring her most of her face, hair and ears.
"No, they aren't," He said.
"You mentioned a vampire," Hexxat added.
"I was talking to Boo," Minsc said.
Hexxat smiled.
"Boo is his miniature giant space hamster..." Ralis whispered to her, pointing at Boo.
"Ah, I see. And what did Boo say?" she asked Minsc curiously.
"Boo says you aren't what you seem," Minsc admitted.
Hexxat smirked. "Few people are. Your miniaturized giant space hamster is wise," she commended.
Minsc's eyelids opened wide in surprise. "You... RECOGNIZE giant space hamsters?" He is in sheer disbelief.
"Of course," she nodded.
Minsc smiled. "Boo is right. You aren't a normal vampire."
"I try not to be. They're rather unpleasant creatures, as a rule," Hexxat said.
"Maybe it's all right that you're with us after all," Minsc said, feeling somewhat at ease but glancing over to Anomen, who gave him a disapproving frown.
"You thought otherwise?" Hexxat asked him.
"Well. You're a vampire," Minsc simply said. Need he say more?
"I understand. And what does Boo think?" Hexxat asked him.
"Boo thinks... you're all right." Minsc was a bit hesitant to admit that.
"Has Boo steered you wrong yet?" Hexxat asked him.
"No! Never!" Minsc exclaimed.
"Perhaps you should listen to him now, then," Hexxat advised.
"Yes, I'll do that," Minsc nodded.
Then they continued walking. Hexxat looked behind her to see if Minsc is close enough to hear her speak to Ralis, then she said to him: "Thank you for telling me about the madman's hamster, Ralis."
"I didn't realize that you'd use the information to take advantage of him," Ralis admitted.
Hexxat raised an eyebrow at him. "Take advantage of him? Not at all. I merely seek to ensure relations between me and your friends don't turn sour. Some have... issues with my nature, I'd rather Minsc not be one of them," she said.
Ralis smirked. "Just make sure he doesn't find out you can't tell a giant space hamster from a dormouse," he warned her.
"But I can," she said and that made Ralis' eyes widen.
"You can?" He repeated in disbelief.
"A dormouse can't speak," Hexxat said.
Ralis stared at her in awkward silence for a few seconds and moved away.
"Y-you act like you want to befriend everyone, but we know what you're really after," Aerie said accusingly at Hexxat.
Hexxat looked back at her. "Are you addressing me, Aerie?" She asked her.
"Do you think w-we don't know what you do at night, when we're sleeping?" Aerie stammered a bit, looking almost as upset at Hexxat's presence as Anomen is.
"Should I care?" Hexxat asked indifferently.
"I've seen you, I've seen the stains. You... you kill people. Innocent people," Aerie narrowed her bright blue eyes accusingly at Hexxat.
"Occasionally. If I have to," she replied with little shame.
"You don't deserve to travel with us. You... you don't deserve anything at all," Aerie said with disgust at Hexxat.
She looked like her feelings were hurt when Aerie said that.
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Hexxat said sympathetically.
"I- what?" Aerie felt confused.
Why is a vampire showing remorse to her?
"I would like to be your friend, Aerie. But I am what I am. When you are ready to accept that, please, come speak to me again. For now, I bid you good morning," Hexxat said honestly.
She can't help that she is a vampire, and she doesn't feed on the blood of other people because she enjoys it, she does it to survive, simple as that, and she hoped Aerie would understand that she is not the evil creature she thinks she is. Ralis wanted to believe her, but because she's a vampire, it's too good to be true. He trusted Hexxat to some degree, but whether she can be fully trusted remains to be seen.
At that moment, a gnome messenger approached them.
"Hello, are you Aerie?" He asked.
"Yes, I am," Aerie nodded.
"I have a message for you from Quayle. He said that he needs your help from the moment, he wants you and your friends to return to Waukeen's Promenade," The gnome said.
Aerie's eyes widened in fear. "Oh no! Is he hurt?!" She exclaimed.
"No, he's fine, he just wants to ask you a favor that's all. Have a good day," The gnome left.
Even though there is no sign that Quayle is in trouble, Aerie still felt anxious to see what he needs. They returned to Waukeen's Promenade.
As they headed for the Promenade's front entrance, Jaheira suddenly felt very nostalgic. She has been to Amn before, but that was years ago. She sighed.
"It has been some time since I have been this far south. I recall seeing Gorion here some years ago. He was a bit out of place away from his books, but..." Jaheira sensed something. She can't stop thinking about Dynaheir, Gorion, or even Khalid, and she wondered if there's something wrong about that. "Hmmm. I cannot help but speak of the dead lately. I did not wish to cause you distress if I have," she said to Ralis, remembering that he is not in a good mood with what happened back in Baldur's Gate concerning Skie's murder, and Imoen being abducted with Irenicus by the Cowled Wizards.
"Not at all. Memories serve us well," Ralis shook his head.
Jaheira nodded in agreement.
"They do at that. Do you... recall his tales?" Jaheira asked.
Ralis nodded, smiling at the memories as they entered the promenade with a few other people.
"Yes. He told me mostly about the adventures of many heroes of Faerun, like the high king of Corwell, Tristan Kendrick, the paladin king of Damara, Gareth Dragonsbane, and Drizzt and the Companions of the Hall... There's so many to name, those are the only ones that are fresh in my memories," Ralis said, drowning in his own nostalgic memories.
Jaheira smiled. "They could last for days, a snippet at a time here and there. He built a history, so you felt like you were there."
"Yes, and when it was over, you felt like it was yours," Ralis said.
"Yes. His story became yours, and you took it with you. You are not of his blood, but there is much of him in you," Jaheira said feeling the need to crack a smile.
Ralis noticed and he smiled as well. "And much of Khalid's manner is in you, despite your differences," he said.
"True enough. You are wise to see as such. Well... enough of this for now. Talk such as this can get maudlin if indulged too often. I have a... a good feeling from this, though," Jaheira said.
It's still early in the morning, so not all the shops in Waukeen's Promenade are open yet. As soon as they came near the tent where Kalah used to make his illusions, Aerie ran in. She ran up to Quayle, who welcomed her with open arms and hugged him.
"Uncle Quayle! It is good to see you again!" She exclaimed.
"Aerie! It is always good to see you!" He said warmly.
"Is... is everything all right? You sent somebody to ask me to come?" Aerie asked.
"Yes... I did ask you to come. With Ralis and his friends over there, I think you can help me. Or one of my friends, rather."
"I'd be happy to. Which friend are you talking about?" Aerie asked him, releasing her arms around him and standing up.
"No one you know of my dear. A lass I met in my earlier days, when I happened to find myself in the Outer Planes. That's a long story I won't get into. She is here in Athkatla and has herself in a bit of a bind. She wrote me a letter asking for my help... but you and Ralis may be able to help more than I." Quayle said.
"I'd be happy to help her, Uncle Quayle. That is... if Ralis thinks we have the time," Aerie looked back at him.
I'm sure it wouldn't hurt," Ralis admitted.
"There's no rush on such a thing. If you find the time, her name is Raelis Shai. She can be found at the playhouse beneath the Five Flagons Inn in the Bridge District. If you can't help her... well then you can't help her. But Raelis is a dear heart, and it would do an old gnome's heart good if you could try." Quayle said, adjusting the single glass lens covering his right eye.
"I'm sure we can find some time to at least speak to her, Uncle Quayle," Aerie assured him. "I hope so. It's been good to see you again, dear one. Be safe," Quayle said as Aerie left his side to rejoin Ralis and the others, then they left the tent.
They headed for the city gates, which is found in the Guards District, the district where mercenaries, adventurers are most welcome because Amnians generally don't see adventuring as a legitimate, profitable profession. Actually, Athkatla has 6 outer gates, and all of them have names. The gate named "Alandamer's" is north between the Wave District and Temple District, the gate named "Meirtyn" is to the northeast in the Trades District, that district is southeast from the Government District, the gate named "Heroes" is at the Guards District, Sparandar is at the Graveyard District, Julkoon is at the Center District to the south several blocks south from Waukeen's Promenade, and Oloemandur, the 6th gate is in the Scepter District, which is the district below the Docks District in the southwestern part of the city. Ralis and his companions are heading towards the gate named "Heroes".
After crossing the bridge to reach the Bridge District, they heard the sound of a man calling for help then groaning nearby as if someone is punching him in the stomach. Soon they came across the source of the noise, four thugs beating up one man in an alleyway.
"What are they doing?!" Aerie exclaimed.
They are beating up an innocent man!" Minsc exclaimed.
"Hey!" Ralis yelled at them, running down the alleyway to confront them.
"Boys! We got intruders!" One of the thugs armed with a morningstar exclaimed to his partners.
"Kill them all, for you well know that we must leave no witnesses!" The third thug exclaimed.
"They have confidence... but what they lack is skill," Yoshimo said, drawing his shortbow, taking aim and fired at the thug armed with a short sword. The arrow lodged itself into the thug's neck and he went down like a rag doll. It wasn't a challenging fight, the thugs lost to eleven adventurers in 24 seconds, they had no chance of winning. Then the man they assaulted, a man with dark blond hair cried out:
"Help...! Help me please!"
Ralis, Aerie, Minsc, Nalia, Anomen and Yoshimo ran up to him. The others stayed on guard for a possible ambush.
"Who are you? What happened?"
"My... my name is Renfeld..." He groaned. "I have been poisoned. I beg you to take me to... friends... they have a building not far away from here... please, I beg you!" He exclaimed.
Minsc gasped in horror. "Poisoned and dying! The tragedy of it sings in my skull! We must hurry and deliver this man to safe harbor, Ralis!" He exclaimed.
"No need, Minsc. Here, my friend can attempt to heal you with magic." Ralis offered, signaling Aerie to cast the Slow Poison spell on him. Before Aerie could wave her arms and say a single incantation word, Renfeld refuted the plan.
"It is... no use, I am afraid. I have already attempted to neutralize the poison inside me... I... do not know.. what has been done to me. Please... I must go to my friends..." He said weakly, beads of sweat appearing on his face.
Nalia knelt down and touched his head feeling intense heat from him.
"He's burning up. We have to get him somewhere fast," she instructed Ralis with an urgent look in her eyes.
"Where is this building, then?" Ralis wanted to know.
"It is a large building... a large orange building in the Wave District. There will be a man guarding the door... his name is Rylock. Please, take me to him..." Renfeld said in a raspy voice. "Very well. We'll take you there," Ralis agreed.
Renfeld smiled. "Th-thank you... I... do not have long to live... You must take me there quickly..."
"Minsc, grab him and let's go," Ralis ordered.
"Got it," Minsc effortlessly picked up Renfeld and placed him on his left shoulder because Boo is resting on his right shoulder.
"I cannot understand why you are wasting time on a man who is obviously drunk, Ralis," Anomen said disapprovingly.
"He has been poisoned, Anomen! Not drunk!" Ralis retorted.
"Why make such a bother over yon corpse-in-waiting? Pfeh... loot the body, I say, and leave it for the crows," Korgan suggested.
"He ain't gone yet, Korgan," Ralis said, gritting his teeth.
As soon as they reached the docks of Athkatla, which is in the northwestern corners and north edge of the Center District, Ralis and his companions were welcomed by the scent of the ocean breeze not far off, and the faint smell of seafood.
"Ahhh... perhaps this is a good time to tell you of something, Ralis, seeing as you are leading us into the docks and everything," Yoshimo said.
"Something I should know about this district, Yoshimo?" Ralis became curious.
"This is Shadow Thief territory... which I have had a couple run-ins with over the past few months. They don't tend to appreciate independent operators like myself. So the last time they caught me operating in the city, I was told to either report to the head of the guild in the docks, Renal Bloodscalp, or suffer the consequences. Apparently Renal needs an outsider to deal with a problem and was willing to trade my punishment by the guild for a service. Failure to go to him... might be a bit messy," Yoshimo said.
Ralis glared at Renfeld on Minsc's left shoulder. "You didn't tell us your friends are Shadow Thieves," He scolded Renfeld.
"Not... Shadow Thieves..." He moaned in reply.
Ralis felt like slapping himself for mixing up the names Rylock and Renal. Rylock is not a shadow thief, and neither is Renfeld.
"For now, I'm pretty safe with you, I'd think, but it's up to you. If we go and see Renal, we might be able to talk him into a reward, and it'll avoid future complications," Yoshimo added. "Agreed. Let's go." Ralis nodded.
Even though Renfeld said he's not with the Shadow Thieves, their building is orange, just like how he described the building that he needs to be brought to, and the windows are pitch black, nothing can be seen. They headed for the entrance and Ralis knocked on the door. A slot opened up on the door at Ralis' eye level and two eyes belonging to a thief inside eyed him cautiously.
"Aye, you're the guy Gaelan Bayle mentioned. Come in," The thief closed up the peeping slot on the door and let Ralis and his companions in. He felt that he should have known Gaelan is friends with the Shadow Thieves. Anomen, Nalia, Althir and Korgan stayed outside.
Inside, he asked a Shadow Thief to take him and his companions to Renal Bloodscalp. The thief led him upstairs to where Renal is speaking to his most trusted members. Even though he has the appearance of a shady character, Renal looks like an easy man to get along with... as long as he remains on his good side, that is. He wore a red hood over his head and wore enchanted black colored leather armor, and he seems to have a tendency crouch a bit than stand perfectly straight up. Renal is adept at breaking and entering into buildings, he is a master killer and he has also proven his ability to direct lone assassins or teams. He also loves to collect knives from old empires and far-off lands, and he deeply hates spiders.
"Still no evidence can be found about Mae'Var's betrayal. We need to find an outsider to do the job for us," one of his lieutenants said.
"I know, but if we-" Renal started to say, but at that moment, he saw Ralis, Abdel, Minsc, Jaheira, Hexxat, Yoshimo and Aerie approaching him. His eyes were more focused on Yoshimo, though. He smiled.
"My, my, if it isn't the freelancer, Yoshimo, come to see me at last. I had nearly thought the streets of Athkatla had opened up and swallowed you whole, dear lad," he said as he approached Yoshimo and gave him a friendly handshake.
"I am so pleased that you gave any thought at all to my well-being, sire. It is always good to be remembered by one's peers," Yoshimo replied.
Renal nodded with a smirk. "Well now, that would imply that you were one of my peers, as opposed to a ragtag independent infringing on our territory. You are just too much, Yoshi," he said in a jesting tone that made Ralis believe that Renal and Yoshimo go a few years back. Yoshimo shook his head, chuckling.
"Yoshimo, if you please, sire. Where I come from, such a pet name is only used by... well, let us just say that you and I have not become so familiar just yet, hm?" he said.
Renal understood what Yoshimo meant, and simply nodded in agreement.
"Point taken. Have you finally come to pay your debt for your recent activities, or are we to simply trade barbs until I am forced to do something hideous?" he asked, deftly walking over to a desk where he keeps his weapons and torture tools.
"I have come as you have commanded, sire. You have a task for me?" Yoshimo replied.
"I thought I did, but it appears you have done something better. Your traveling companion over there is of interest, and you have brought him before me. My thanks," Ranal said.
"You're interested in me?" Ralis had no idea what Renal has in store for him.
"You... will not endanger him, sire? It would be a poor treatment of my honor if my companion was brought to danger because of my debt," Yoshimo said with worry.
Renal smiled, shaking his head in denial.
"No, no. Nothing like that, I assure you. Now let me speak to your companion for a moment," Renal said.
Then Ralis and Renal looked at each other. Ralis was waiting for an introduction, but it never came. He wondered why Renal was looking at him in silence.
"...Um, are we going to introduce ourselves? You know, get acquainted?" Ralis asked, feeling rather uneasy.
"You'll have to excuse me if I stare, as you're not quite what I was expecting. From what I've been told, I was expecting someone... larger... like him," Renal pointed at Abdel.
Ralis glanced back at Abdel then back at Renal.
"What exactly have you been told of me?" Ralis wanted to know.
Renal crossed his arms, smiling in a shady way. "Oh, I've been told many tales of your exploits. Some bits of your activities here in Athkatla as well as further north. you must understand, naturally, that an organization like mine thrives on information above all else. He who is ignorant quickly becomes a target, and all that."
"So who exactly are you?" Ralis asked.
"My name is Renal, as I'm sure you've been told. Renal "Bloodscalp"... a little nickname I've earned over time. Rather grisly, but it keeps the fearful in line. That aside, I am not the "leader" of the Shadow Thieves as you perhaps mean, but I lead enough that it makes no difference to you, but this is irrelevant."
The reason why he goes by the nickname "Bloodscalp" is because he has a grisly habit of scalping his assassinated targets, usually leaving the scalps at the scene of the assassination.
"You're right, it isn't. What is it that you want from me?" Ralis asked, cutting to the chase.
"Right to the point, eh? Refreshing. I am sick of underlings who shift from foot to foot. I find a bit of directness to be a nice change. Gaelan recommended you, and I trust his word. I am in need of mercenaries to perform a particular task, and you are just the one to do it," Renal said.
"What's in it for me?" Ralis asked.
Renal raised an eyebrow. "You are interested in acquiring more than the simple goodwill of the Shadow Thieves, I see. I do not blame you... I would feel the same way. Working for Mae'Var will give you plenty of rewards on its own, and I have no qualms about adding a healthy dose of gold on top of that. Does that satisfy?"
"A little. Give me the job details," Ralis instructed.
Renal blinked. "Ah! yes, the details. How shall I put this? One of my guild houses to the south is run by a rather ambitious fellow named Mae'Var. Good thief, but I never liked him. Now I know why. I've had some hints that he is getting too big for himself. Thinking of taking my place, I suspect, but I've had no real evidence to say that is so. I know what you're thinking: Why not kill him? Yes, yes, I could do that. But without proof of betrayal, this would anger the other guild masters and then I'd have a war on my hands and, well, let's just say that's the last thing I want. So... where was I? Oh yes. Your part in this. I would like you to go to Mae'Var and join his guild. I will give you papers saying you were being transferred by the Shadowmaster. You will spy on Mae'Var from the inside and find me the evidence that I need," Renal replied.
"Once he is damned with proof, you can take care of this nuisance. One less headache for a busy man such as myself to be concerned with. You'll need to reassure Mae'Var naturally. He won't know who you are, but I am confident that you are more capable of this. What say you? Interested?" Renal asked as he approached Ralis and offered a handshake of agreement.
"Yeah, I'm in," Ralis shook Renal's hand.
Renal grinned. "Excellent. I knew this would work out for the best. You remind me a bit of myself when I first arrived here. In case you are wondering, Yoshimo, this will ease your "freelance" activity debts. So long as you help Ralis, they will be overlooked... for now."
"You are too good to me, sire," Yoshimo bowed respectfully at Renal.
Renal gave Ralis his transfer papers, and Ralis suggested giving Yoshimo and Hexxat transfer papers as well because he needs companions with him for this mission who are experts in lock picking. As they headed for the building' exit, Minsc muttered: "We do the bidding of thieves now? Ehhh... this churns my belly like a hamster running endlessly within a wheel. This can't be a good sign, Ralis."
"I know, Minsc, I don't like it either, but in desperate moments like this, we can't always judge the morality of our allies," Ralis assured him.
"This is an excellent opportunity, Ralis... for us all. Remember, though, that you must act is a loyal guild member at all times or our cover will be destroyed," Yoshimo reminded him.
Ralis nodded, then read his transfer paper. He didn't like what was written. "By the way, Renal, can you give transfer papers to Yoshimo and Hexxat, and give me some new papers that state I'm a rookie thief that is to be transferred?"
Renal raised in eyebrow in amusement. "I can do that," he said.
Minutes later, Ralis and his party split up. Yoshimo and Hexxat went with him to Mae'Var's guild while Abdel, Althir, Korgan, Jaheira, Aerie, Minsc, Anomen and Nalia stayed at a tavern called The Sea's Bounty which is many blocks down the road, close to the boundary of the Bridge District. Minsc brought Renfeld to the other orange building and found Rylock, and Rylock paid Minsc 900 gold pieces for his good deed. Before Ralis got 6 feet close to Mae'Var's thief guild, he heard a familiar voice call him.
"You there! Unwashed one! I would have a word with you!"
Ralis recognized the voice. It belongs to a crazy necromancer he once met on the Sword Coast months ago. He turned around and saw a red-haired wild-eyed man in green robes. Ralis immediately recognized him.
"Xzar?!" Ralis couldn't believe it.
Xzar frowned in a wild manner.
"Hm?! How did thee know my name?! Are you clairvoyant?!" He demanded.
"No. You, me and Montaron traveled together a while back in the Sword Coast. Remember?" Ralis replied.
"You know this unstable man?" Yoshimo asked him.
Ralis nodded disdainfully at Yoshimo to show that he is not happy to be acquainted with, AND related to this man, who happens to be a Bhaalspawn, another one of his half brothers. Long story short, while Ralis was in prison for allegedly murdering Skie Silvershield, Imoen, Khalid, Jaheira, Minsc, Dynaheir and Coran teamed up with a group of adventurers to stop the Zhentarim and Xzar from taking over the remnants of the Iron Throne and Xzar himself trying to succeed where Sarevok failed in becoming the new Lord of Murder.
"Yes. may act like he has a lot of screws loose, but he'll surprise you," Ralis replied to Yoshimo then he turned to look at Xzar who is looking rather perplexed at Ralis, but can't seem to focus his wildly darting eyes on him. "Do you remember me at all, Xzar?" Ralis asked.
Xzar looked Ralis over carefully while stroking his chin and frowning.
"Hmm. Mmm. I remember working with someone rather inept who resembled you. If Monty were here, he would certainly be able to remind me. No matter! I can tell that you are not a Harper. 'Tis written all over your face," he said.
Ralis frowned for a second, then started wiping his face with his right hand to make sure nothing is literally written on him.
"What Harpers? What are you talking about?" He asked Xzar.
"The Harpers who live in that big orange building over there. Or were you too idiotic to know they were Harpers? I require your inadequate services for a job," he replied with a wild frown then scratched his shaggy, uncombed red hair, causing a few flakes of dandruff to fall out.
Ugh. I can't believe this idiot is another one of my half brothers, Ralis rolled his eyes.
"Are you asking me to kill Harpers for you? If you are, I'll decline," Ralis warned him.
Xzar smirked at the remark. "Tempting as that may be, that is not the job at all."
"Well what is it then?" Ralis felt his patience being tested.
"My friend Montaron has been taken captive by those irksome Harpers. I would have you enter their building and find Monty for me."
"What do I look like, a charity case? What's in it for me?" Ralis asked Xzar because he suspects Xzar will cheat him out of a reward.
"I... well... gold and information," Xzar replied.
"Information?" Ralis had a hunch what Xzar meant.
Xzar leaned towards Ralis, as if preparing to part with top secret information. "I know certain information... the mage who captured you, Irenicus- I know where he is. Do my task and I shall tell you..." He said with a low, unsettling chuckle.
Ralis's eyes widened. This is too good to be true...! "You know where to find that bastard?! Tell me! Tell me now you mad wizard!" Ralis yelled, reaching out and strangling Xzar.
Yoshimo and Hexxat urged Ralis to stop as they pried his hands off around Xzar's neck. After Xzar was freed, he exclaimed after taking a few deep breaths, "No! Never! I will take the secret with me to the grave if you don't do the job! Give me Monty, and you can have your irritating little thief back, "friend"!"
Ralis huffed in frustration. "Fine. I'll do it," he said while fuming, even though he knew Xzar shouldn't be trusted, especially after hearing what he did in Baldur's Gate a month ago.
"Excellent. Go into their building once you have found him. Short... halfling.. thie-"
"I remember how he looks," Ralis said, then he turned around and headed for the orange building with a perfect view of the ocean beyond the harbor gates which allows ships to come in Athkatla or out into the vast ocean known as the Sea of Swords. Ralis knocked on the door, and soon afterwards, Rylock answered the door.
"Yes? Is there something you need?" He asked.
"Yes. Could you tell me what manner of place is this?" Ralis asked.
Rylock cast a wary glare at him. "This is a private residence... private, as in "it's none of your business"."
"Could I speak to the person in charge, then?" Ralis asked.
Rylock rolled his eyes once and considered it. "That depends, but I don't know who you are or what you want," he said.
"My name is Ralis, that's Yoshimo and that's Hexxat. We would like to take a look inside," Ralis said, running out of good alibis.
"You need to take a look inside? And exactly what would you be looking for?" Rylock crossed his arms suspiciously.
"We are new building safety inspectors... we, uh, can't have all the buildings in Athkatla collapsing, you know. It's not safe," Ralis said with the most honest smile he could manage.
Judging by the suspicious scowl on Rylock's face, he's not buying it.
"Safety inspector, eh? I don't suppose you'd have any kind of documents proving that, would you?" He asked.
Ralis gently shook his head. This guy is hard to dance around!
"All right, so I'm not a safety inspector. The truth is I'm looking for a friend who I think might be inside," Ralis said, using new strategy.
"A friend? What kind of friend?" Rylock asked.
"It's my brother... I think he may have snuck in here on a dare, and he hasn't come back out. Do you know anything about that?" Ralis asked innocently.
Rylock shook his head. "Sorry, friend, but this compound is closed to outsiders. I can't help you."
Ralis felt his anger rising. Xzar is his best shortcut to learning where Irenicus and Imoen is, and Rylock is blocking his path to the ultimate goal!
"I thought you Harpers were supposed to help people!" Ralis huffed angrily.
Rylock played his facial expression very good, feigning confusion instead of surprise.
"Eh? Harpers? What are you talking about?" He asked. looking genuinely confused, or at least acting confused.
"I'm saying that this is the Harper's headquarters here in this city. That's what it is, isn't it?" Ralis asked then blinked, realizing he made a big mistake revealing his knowledge that this is a Harper base.
Rylock went almost frantic, going: "Shh! Keep your voice down! That's supposed to be secret! Where did you hear this? Who told you?"
Apparently Ralis' slip of the tongue had the unintended side effect of making Rylock nervous. Ralis knew it was a bad idea to implicate Xzar, who unbeknownst to him is a Zhentarim agent. He wished that Jaheira was here to back him up instead of drinking ale with the others at the Sea's Bounty tavern.
"I have a friend, she's a Harper too. A half-elf by the name of Jaheira. Do you know her? I would bring her to you personally to show that I'm not lying, but she's in the Sea's Bounty tavern, and I'm in a hurry."
"The druid? You know her?"
Ralis nodded in reply.
"Okay, I believe you, but I can't let you in just because you have a Harper as a friend. Listen, if you do a small task for us, I'll let you take a look around. Deal?"
"All right. What should we do?" Ralis rubbed his hands together.
"You look like you're good with a sword. There's a house just north of here, near the center of the district. The owner of the house, a mage named Prebek, performs vile experiments... creating beasts which threaten the city. Destroy them, and we'll allow your wish," Rylock promised.
"Okay. We're off," Ralis said.
As they left, Yoshimo said to Ralis, "Why would the Harpers set us on such a simple task? Just to gain admittance? It doesn't sound right... I smell a rat, Ralis. Proceed carefully, if you intend to."
"I know, Yoshimo," Ralis nodded.
They headed for Prebek's house which is several blocks east from the Center District docks.
Meanwhile, at The Sea's Bounty, the everyone else was relaxing, eating and drinking. She still couldn't stop thinking about what Abdel told her. She kept mentally berating herself for not realizing sooner that the best way for druids and civilized people to be at peace is through mutual understanding. Civilized people see druids as savages, and druids see civilized people as barbarians. She wanted to say something to Abdel, but she felt at a loss of words. She wanted to say something to him.
"Abdel..." She called.
"Hmm?" Abdel looked up at her while chewing a piece of roasted chicken in his mouth.
Just when Jaheira opened her mouth to say something else, a voice of a middle aged man with a very deep voice called out to her.
"Jaheira, my darling, so good to see you. Won't you come sit with me and chat awhile?"
Jaheira turned around and saw a slightly overweight 47 year old man with dirty red hair, a red mustache, all of which are turning a bit gray, green eyes, low cheekbones and wore an average tunic with patches that don't match his old tunic's color even though he sounds like a nobleman or richer than that. Jaheira frowned at him in confusion.
"I... I am sorry? Do I know you?" She asked him so innocently, it felt unusual for Abdel to hear Jaheira sound like that.
The man raised an eyebrow. "You do not remember me? Ahh, but this is understandable. It has been years since we last spoke. Far too long, really," the man said coolly.
Jaheira shook her head, as she could not remember the man clearly. "Forgive me, but I will require a little more information. Your name again?" She asked politely.
The man cleared his throat. "My name... is Ployer, Baron Ployer? Of the Calimshan Ployers? Come now, you must have some inkling?"
"Ployer... Ployer... No... no, I am terribly sorry, but your face is familiar. Perhaps if you told me what you do..." Jaheira played coy.
Baron Ployer's nonchalant demeanor quickly gave out, as Jaheira has made him frustrated enough to yell out their history in the tavern.
"My name means nothing? Nothing?! I am Baron Ployer!" He jumped out his chair in rage. "PLOYER! You ruined me! Not remembering is an even greater insult! You are why I am destitute today!" He exclaimed angrily, causing all the tavern visitors, even the bartender to look at him in shocked silence, and Baron isn't done yelling at Jaheira. "You and your Harper kin accused me of breeding slaves in Calimshan! My businesses in Athkatla were taken! I was made a pauper, and you do not even remember?!"
Jaheira smiled. "I remember well, but I wanted you to say it, and I wanted everyone to hear you. Quite the outburst, Mr. Ployer. I assume you are still at odds with your new life?"
Baron's face became red as a beet. He curled his hands into fists, seething.
"You... you... This is the type of insolence I was talking about! It is not enough that you ruin a man- you must also berate him!" He snarled.
Jaheira stood up out of her chair slowly. "MISTER Ployer, I wanted you dead instead of merely humiliated! The courts did not seem to think death was warranted, so they claimed your assets instead. That you live in poverty is gratifying, if you must live at all! I would suggest you change your tone, I am not in a mood for giving charity to old slavers!" Jaheira snapped.
Baron's angry scowl turned into a humored grin. "Haven't lost your fire, I see. Still a Harper? That scrawny lout one too? That fellow Khalid you were once with was a better complement. Is he here as well?"
"He is none of your concern. If you value your teeth, you will not speak that name again, you dirty git," Jaheira warned him.
"Er, yes. Very well. How about your friends, Jaheira? Do they count themselves among the Harpers as well?" Ployer asked.
"I bear them no grudge whatsoever. Beyond that is my business," Abdel spoke up when no one else did.
"I see. Well, if you travel with the one that harmed me, it becomes my business. The "friends of my enemies" and all that. Jaheira, you and your claims brought me shame and suffering, and today I am going to exact payment. For your slanderous accusations, I am going to..."
"Well, the slander is going a bit far. You actually were a slaver, you know. It's not slander if it's proven," Jaheira corrected him.
Ployer gnashed his teeth. "That's beside the point! What matters is you ruined me, and now I'm going to ruin you!" He exclaimed, then he snapped his fingers.
A mage dressed in black robes emerged from a dimensional door and cast a spell on Jaheira, and the tavern visitors screamed in fear, ducking under their tables or running out the tavern, and the bartender ducked behind the bar. It was so quick Jaheira didn't know what the spell was. She doesn't feel wounded but she defintely does not feel healthy.
"What have you just done, Ployer?! Speak!" She demanded.
Ployer chuckled in a sinister way. "It is my gift to you. You will be slowly destroyed, just as my family was. It is my curse, my nasty, nasty curse. A little something I had made just for you. I won't see your lingering death, but I will smile, knowing it will happen. Tonight I sleep beneath rags so I could afford this wasting death for you..." Ployer said, concluding with a sinister laugh.
"Nobody made you a slaver, you just loved the profit! Now you blame those that caught you because you cannot take responsibility? You are a weak, weak man!" Jaheira exclaimed, clutching her stomach, feeling it churn madly as if she is about to vomit.
"Ah, but I am a weak, weak man that will live, while you are a strong woman that will die. Give my regards to Belgrade when you see him," Ployer said.
As the mage opened up the dimensional door to escape, Ployer followed him, laughing, his laughs echoed in the tavern as he disappeared with the mage.
"That thrice-bedamned bastard!" Abdel growled.
"By the horns of Silvanus, I'll plant him beneath the Stones of Aisath if I... if I..." Jaheira was equally angry, but her body felt weak.
She almost collapsed to the floor but Abdel caught her.
"Are you all right? You look tired..." Abdel said.
Jaheira shook her head. "No, I...I'm fine. I just felt a little strange for a moment," she said, standing back up on her own feet. "That... that fat excuse for a slaver, he's cursed me! Damn him!"
"What can we do? Could we track him down and force him to remove it?" Aerie suggested.
"That may be our only option. If it was tailored to me, it might resist removal by normal means. I doubt Ployer would have done this if the solution were simple," Jaheira said.
"Then we should go find him. Any thoughts on where to look?" Abdel asked Jaheira.
"I have a few options. Ployer mentioned that he lived in squalor, suggesting he may be in the slums of the city. Not likely to find him quick though. The mage with him wore odd colors that might be traceable. Ask at the government building, as all magic is regulated in Athkatla. If they will talk... He also mentioned Balgrade, a merchant that helped expose Ployer. He frequents the Copper Coronet, and the bartender Bernard might know his whereabouts," Jaheira said.
"Let's go search for Belgarde, he may be our best option," Abdel suggested after thinking over the options.
"A good first step. Hopefully he can give us some idea where Ployer might... *cough*... might be."
Meanwhile, Ralis, Yoshimo and Hexxat returned to the Harpers compound. Ralis knocked on the door, and Rylock answered.
"We've done it," Ralis announced with a proud smile.
Rylock smiled. "Excellent. The Harpers are grateful. you may go inside... but I warn you to keep to the first floor."
"Why?" Ralis asked on impulse.
"The second floor is far too dangerous... anyone but a Harper who goes there will be killed, and we can't help you... At any rate... go on in, if you wish."
"Thank you," Ralis said, then Rylock welcomed Ralis, Yoshimo and Hexxat inside.
Inside they got the shock of their lives. The first floor of the Athkatla Harper HQ is a marvel to view. Six copper plates, three on both sides of the room levitating 10 feet above ground ablaze with fire on both sides lit up the room in a shade of bright orange surrounded by four pillars on both sides, and there is a large symbol in the middle of the room on the floor, seven stars forming a circle, and the circle of stars surround what appears to be a wavy mountain or a wavy wisp of smoke shaped like the letter "A". That symbol is known as Mystra's holy symbol. Also on both sides of the room are 3 circular plates that have strange symbols on them. Ralis looked around in awe.
"Wow...This is... Ha ha, I forgot what I was going to say," Ralis said.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Rylock stood beside Ralis, marveling at the room's beauty with him.
"Yeah. I've heard of the Harpers, but so far the only ones I've ever met are Jaheira and her late husband, Khalid," Ralis admitted.
Rylock chuckled. "Well, enjoy this rare opportunity while you still can. And please honor our agreement. Don't tell anyone about this place, okay? We have... dangerous enemies."
"I understand. My lips are sealed. Seriously," Ralis assured him.
"Good. In the meantime, I've arranged a Harper to answer almost any questions you have about the history of the Harpers," Rylock said, addressing the approaching brunette, then he walked away.
"Greetings to you, my friends. I am Meronia. Is there something that I can help you with?"
"Well, I want to know something, and it has nothing to do with the Harpers. A friend of mine has been captured by the Cowled Wizards... do you have any information on them?" Ralis asked.
Meronia frowned.
"The Cowled Wizards? A powerful and influential organization, which is hard to believe with the attitudes that exist in Amn against the use of magic. Not that people never use magic. It requires a license from the Cowled Wizards, and they react harshly against those who practice without their permission. If you are interested, I'm sure Corneil in the government building in the government district would be amenable to a large bribe. Such is how it works here. Their vigilance is likely just to eliminate competition, and they keep the location of their prisoners very secret. Wherever your friend is, no one will find them. But if you were foolish enough to move against the Cowled Wizards, now would be the time."
"What makes you say that?" Ralis asked her.
"They've snared the proverbial lion, a powerful wizard named Jon Irenicus." She replied.
"Irenicus..." Ralis hissed darkly.
"He's caused them all sorts of problems, I understand," she continued.
Just then an armored Harper wearing some kind of necklace, the same necklace Meronia and Rylock wears approached her left side.
"That's an understatement," the armored Harper, Berinvar said. "This man, Irenicus, is extremely powerful... the Cowled Wizards have likely bitten off far more than they can chew by taking him captive. Our sources say the wizards are terrified of his power. Where you friend... or this Irenicus... might be, however, I do not know," he said to Ralis, Yoshimo, Hexxat and Meronia at the same time.
"Hey. I noticed you're wearing a necklace the same as the others here. Is there a purpose to that?" Ralis asked Berinvar.
"It signifies us as Harpers within the city, merely and nothing more than that," he replied.
"Thanks. I wasn't trying to pry, I was just curious," Ralis said apologetically.
"As you wish. I've got things to attend to anyway," Berinvar sad, then Ralis, Yoshimo and Hexxat walked away from the Harpers, heading for one of the pillars.
"These Harpers here seem very sensitive with the trinkets around their necks," Hexxat said.
"As you are with yours," Ralis added.
"I have a hunch that by wearing the same necklace the Harpers wear here, you will be protected from the dangers of the second floor," Yoshimo concluded.
"We can't just ask a Harper to borrow his or her necklace. I need to get one somehow. You two stay on this floor, and try not to act suspicious," Ralis instructed.
"What are you going to do, hmm?" Hexxat asked him.
Ralis was walking away, but he turned around to respond to Hexxat.
"Something suicidal," he simply replied and walked away, his footsteps echoing throughout the room along with the footsteps of nearby Harpers doing their own business.
He walked down a narrow hallway full of abstract artwork on each side of the walls. He past by several Harpers. They only glanced at him, they didn't speak to him. Ralis formulated the plan in his mind. He would catch one Harper in the restroom, knock him out, take his amulet, go upstairs to the 2nd floor without anyone noticing and find and free Montaron. It didn't take him long to find the men's restroom. He just stepped inside and waited for one Harper to step inside. As soon as one stepped in, Ralis punched him out and later reemerged from the restroom with the Harper necklace in his hands. He didn't put it around his neck yet, it would blow his cover. He returned to the wide open space of the first floor. No one is around, not Rylock, or Myronia or Berinvar, no one. He put the Harper necklace around his neck and walked up the stairs which is near a 21 feet tall stone statue of Mystra.
As soon as Ralis came upstairs, he was confronted by three blurry shock white spectral spirits of Harpers.
"You bear the mark of one and the same. Here you are welcome and may rest in safety," one of the Harper specters said.
"Thank you. Am I free to ask a question, my good spectral Harpist?" Ralis politely asked the guardians.
"You may," The one to Ralis' right nodded.
"There was a thief captured not long ago. Male, halfling. What happened to him?" Ralis asked.
"A thief? A thief that despoils Harper soil is forbidden from touching it again until penance given. They are above the soil, that they might see it and know loss," Spectral Harper #3 replied.
"As they take flight from the law, so we have given flight but nowhere to flee. A gilded cage for a form free to soar, that they might know loss in confinement," Spectral Harpist #1 added.
"No possessions held or worn, a form that carries its own feathered coat. To show that material things come and go, and that some do not need them at all," Spectral Harpist #2 said.
Ralis thought he was imagining things, but he heard the faint sounds of various birds squawking and chirping.
"Okay, thank you, I should go," Ralis said.
"Those who Harp are never truly alone," all three specters said in unison as they walked away from Ralis.
After the specters left, Ralis decided to find the source of the chirping birds, as if there is some kind of aviary nearby.
If I guessed those spirits' riddle correctly, those that intrude the Harper base are polymorphed into birds so that they will be above the soil, so that they will feel regret for the wrongdoing they tried to perform. The perpetrator would desire to be human, elf, half-elf or halfling again the longer he spends his or her life as a bird, Ralis thought to himself as he headed for the nearest door to his left, and walked down a fairly short hallway until he came to another door, and when he opened it, he found himself in a room with a big birdcage shaped aviary about 16 feet tall and 13 feet in length.
He saw all kinds of birds confined in this huge birdcage- budgies, parrots, canaries, owls, and even a boobrie (a bird that is a giant relative of the stork). Ralis entered the birdcage, opening the door and stepped inside. He looked up at the birds on the branches above his head and flying about over his head. Ralis hoped that even in polymorphed form, Montaron can still speak.
"Monty! I'm not sure if you remember me, but it's me, Ralis. I met you and Xzar months ago in the Sword Coast. I'm here to spring you out. If you can understand me, land on my shoulder," Ralis called to the birds.
None of the birds spoke to him, they just flew about, chirping and squawking, or just rested on the branches. Ralis paused for a reply, but when he realized that Montaron won't reply, he sighed in frustration.
"Come on, Monty, give me a sign here," Ralis hissed impatiently, looking up at the birds above him.
At that moment, some bird poop hit him right in the head.
Ralis slowly frowned and growled. "Har har har. Very funny, Monty, really original," he humorlessly said, wiping the poop off of his forehead and throwing it down to the ground, but still some of it stuck to his fingers. "Stop joking around and get your feathery ass down here before I have Xzar cook you for lunch," Ralis said, trying to keep his voice a whisper.
Just then, a parakeet with yellow and black striped feathers on its head flew down and landed on his shoulder.
"Ah, you must be Montaron then. Okay then, let's go," Ralis said.
He stepped out of the birdcage, closing the door, and retraced his steps back downstairs. He reunited with Yoshimo and Hexxat and they left out of the building before anyone noticed they were gone.
"You're back, are you? Is it safe for me to assume that you have succeeded in your mission, or am I to merely subject to a grueling social call?" Xzar asked Ralis as he returned.
"No need. I've found out what happened to him, yes. He was polymorphed into a bird... which I have with me here," Ralis handed Xzar the parakeet.
Xzar grinned wide. "Finally, Montaron will be returned to my side! This is excellent news... especially since some fools broke into my lab and slaughtered all my creations! They killed both of my apprentices too, it seems. Bah! It will put my work behind interminably! How excruciatingly annoying!" Xzar fumed, but somehow, he didn't squeeze Montaron in his hands.
"Yeah yeah, just give me the gold and tell me where Irenicus and Imoen are," Ralis said, feeling very impatient at the moment.
Xzar set the parakeet down on the ground and stepped back a few feet away from it.
"Before I reward you, I'll polymorph Monty into his proper form... just to make sure you're not lying. Monty must have something interesting to say..." Xzar said, then he started to do the arm gestures and chanting the incantation words to undo the polymorph spell on Montaron.
Once the spell started to take effect, the parakeet transformed into... a woman! A woman with long red hair! Xzar's eyes bulged out in surprise, and so did Ralis and Yoshimo and Hexxat.
"What in the...?! You're not Montaron!" Xzar exclaimed.
"You're right. I am not," the Harper woman named Lucette said, then she quickly reached to the belt around her waist, and threw a throwing knife at Xzar!
The knife's blade lodged itself into Xzar's neck! Xzar grabbed at the blade's handle trying to pull it out as he sank to his knees, choking and gargling as blood gushed out from the wound like a gruesome fountain. He collapsed on his knees and fell on his left side, lying on his back. He grew weak, still trying to pull the knife out of his neck, but it didn't take long for his body to grow still and lifeless.
"And death will come on wings of song, a song of long and winding guile, and in the end your end I wend, and in the end, a harp will smile!" Lucette said, reciting some kind of strange Harper poem as she watched Xzar's life end.
"I should have known! This whole thing was a setup!" Ralis hissed, snapping out of his shocked state of mind.
Lucille turned her attention to Ralis. "And you were the pawn herein! I have no quarrel with you. We made the path difficult, but not unknowable, and in the end this fool did perish, as well as he should," She said.
Ralis is mad as hell. Thanks to this woman, his only shortcut to finding Imoen and Irenicus is gone forever!
"What did this man do to deserve such a harsh punishment?! Huh?!" Ralis snarled while Xzar's body slowly turned into ash and the dust particles drifted away, carried by the wind, a sign that he was indeed child of Bhaal like Ralis and Sarevok.
"Did you not think him strange?" she asked.
"Yeah, he acted all shady and shifty, but-"
"He was spying in the Harpers, an act that should make you question his alliances. You may not have known what he was, but we did. A necromancer in the service of the Zhentarim, creating abominations for sale to the highest bidder. Far from their normal range, but not an unexpected enemy," Lucette rudely interrupted Ralis. "He could not lay low with such a flamboyant manner, and we knew of him quickly, especially after what he did in Baldur's Gate not long ago. You merely helped in the inevitable, and so you are free. you served well, if unknowingly, and your arrangement to help him is forgotten. The amulet is worthless... the blessed bear only Harper pins," she continued.
Ralis grumbled. Xzar may have been into very dirty business, but he had vital information that he needed! And as for Montaron, he's likely dead too.
"Begone, and hopefully your next dealings with the Harpers will be more pleasant," Lucette said before heading back to the compound.
"Damn you..." Ralis muttered under his breath.
"Are you okay, Ralis? your face looks... red," Hexxat said.
"I'm fine! I don't like being used like pawn in a game! Let's just get going to Mae'Var's guild and get this over with!" Ralis growled.
Thanks to this setup, he will have no choice but to possibly spend a year or two collecting the gold to fund help from someone like the Shadow Thieves to find out where the Cowled Wizard HQ is, and to mount an all out assault on wherever the their headquarters are!
