"God is a thought who makes crooked all that is straight."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
Ralis left the temple to discover Jaheira and the others are no longer standing outside the temple. He then had a feeling that they must have gone to the nearest tavern. Asking people for directions to the nearest tavern, he eventually found a tavern not far from the Temple of Helm. He found them in that tavern.
"Ralis. What's going on?" Nalia greeted him.
"We're preparing to investigate the Cult of the Unseeing Eye. Aerie, Anomen, Nalia, Neera, Korgan, and Jan, you come with me. Abdel, Jaheira, you two stay here with Viconia," he replied.
Viconia, Abdel and Jaheira frowned at Ralis in confusion.
"Why should we stay here?" Abdel questioned him.
"Because we will be working with a paladin. If I take Viconia with me and Keldorn finds out she is a drow, guess what happens. I need you two to stay here with her and make sure she doesn't get into any more trouble." Ralis said.
Viconia sighed in frustration.
"He's right. Most paladins aren't merciful to those that are evil, that includes drow," Jaheira told Viconia.
"... Very well," Viconia reluctantly gave in.
"We'll be back soon," Ralis promised them before leaving the tavern with Korgan, Anomen, Aerie, Neera, Nalia and Jan.
They rejoined Keldorn, Althirion, Minsc, Yoshimo and Neera outside.
"I take it that these are the rest of your companions?" Keldorn asked Ralis, pointing the small group of people behind Ralis, standing 29 inches in front of the tavern's door.
"Yes. This is Korgan, Aerie, Anomen, Neera, Nalia and Jan," Ralis introduced them.
"'Tis a pleasure to be able to fight alongside you, Sir Keldorn," Anomen said gallantly with great respect.
"Likewise, young Anomen, I look forward to it," Keldorn nodded.
"All right, people, let's go find out whether this cult is of evil intent or not," Ralis said, and before he could walk ahead, Anomen stopped him by grabbing his right shoulder.
"Ralis, I am terribly sorry, but you are not qualified to lead the group on a campaign such as this," Anomen said.
Ralis frowned as he turned his entire body to face Anomen.
"What? We can discuss leadership roles later. We have a job to do," he told him.
Anomen wasn't going to let this slide. He wanted to impress Keldorn, the most respected paladin of the Radiant Heart, and show that he too has what it takes to become a honorable knight like him.
"Yes, you are correct, my comrade, we do have a job, but today, I must take charge," Anomen said.
Ralis frowned at him again in annoyance.
"Look, just because you slaughtered 20 Skullgnasher giants, which I don't believe you did, does not give you the right to assume command of my group," he retorted.
Anomen crossed his arms.
"Hmph, fine. Have it your way. But if your poor skills do not bring favorable results, I will be forced to take action," he told Ralis, and Ralis ignored him, turning his attention to Keldorn.
"Where's the sewer entrance?" Ralis asked Keldorn.
"There's one in front of the Temple of Talos. It is this way," Keldorn pointed out the direction.
Many yards ahead, Ralis saw a large temple with two large metallic spheres with several blue lights circling around inside them.
"Well, let's get moving," Ralis said and led the group.
As Keldorn followed, he cast his eyes on Anomen walking beside him. He has never met the young man before, but he could sense that he is determined to be the best knight of the Radiant Heart he can possibly be, but he had a feeling that Anomen is developing his own idea of what it means to be a knight, and he felt obligated to try and set Anomen on the right path.
"Young Anomen, it seems that you have been too long away from the fold. Perhaps this is the perfect time to continue your lessons," Keldorn said to him.
Anomen smirked at him. "I assure you, noble Keldorn, that I am well versed in the statutes and moral laws of the Order."
"I doubt it not. However, perhaps it is time to re-memorize the virtues of chivalry and honesty," Keldorn replied.
Anomen cast a concerned stare at Keldorn.
"I know what you are about, Keldorn. Let me worry about training, and you worry about your own affairs," he said almost in an annoyed tone.
Keldorn shook his head. "I am not "about" anything. I have no ulterior motive outside the betterment of a squire. Best you listen to the wisdom of those who have gone before you. Ralis is not a knight, but I have faith in his abilities," he advised Anomen.
Again, Anomen didn't take Keldorn's words to heart.
"I shall take, Sir Keldorn, what path I deem appropriate. I have not bothered you, so I find it rude that you found time to bother me," he said, his expression darkening.
Keldorn felt a little sad.
The young man seems too arrogant to listen to reason... I won't lose faith in you, young Anomen, I'm sure you'll learn your lesson when the time is right, Keldorn thought, but out loud, he said: "Very well. I see that you are not yet prepared to learn."
Then he cast his attention on Ralis as they passed by a few noblemen and neared the sewer entrance door a few yards in front of Talos' temple.
"What say you, young Ralis? What sort of virtuous path do you follow?" He asked.
"The same kind you do, the only difference between us is I follow my heart and instincts in what is righteous."
"That is commendable. So tell me, where do you hail? I was born and raised in Esmeltaran, a city to the east near Lake Esmel," Keldorn asked as he and the rest of Ralis' companions walked down the street towards a manhole, and waited for him to open the door that leads down into the sewers.
"Well, I hail from the Baldur's Gate region of the Sword Coast," Ralis said as he grabbed the door's handle and lifted it open, revealing a staircase that leads down into pitch blackness. "I am an orphan. I've was raised by Gorion, a monk in the library fortress of Candlekeep all my life. Back then, I didn't know my real parents, but today, I know one of them, at least" Ralis said as he led everyone down the stairs.
Aerie casted a spell that caused a bright orb of light to descend down the stairs with them, and Yoshimo closed the door behind them.
"Who were your father and mother?" Keldorn became curious.
Ralis groaned in disgust as soon as the foul odor of sewage hit his nostrils. "... I know very little about my mother. All I know is she died giving birth to me. My father... is Bhaal," he slowly admitted.
Keldorn gasped in surprise. "What...?! Surely you jest? The Lord of Murder himself is your father?!" Keldorn was shocked.
"Indeed, though it is hard to believe. I'm not proud of my heritage, but yes, I am, and since I am one of his children, I inherit some of his powers. My foster father, Gorion knew of my origins all along and raised me as best as he could so that I may become a man who fights for justice rather than become a power hungry warlord or something like that," Ralis said as they continued descending down the stairs.
Standing on the roof of a nearby building, the half-orc blackguard, Dorn Il-Khan watched Ralis and his companions descend down into the sewer entrance. Then he turned his head to the right, casting his scowling, hateful eyes on the large, majestic building known as the High Hall of the Radiant Heart.
By the time their feet reached the murky, dirty floors of the sewers, Keldorn said: "Overcoming evil in your heart and blood is not an easy thing to do, young Ralis. Again, I commend you for coming this far in your endeavors, helping Ajantis put an end to the iron crisis," Keldorn said.
"My Bhaalspawn brother and his foster father who was the regional boss of the Iron Throne was behind the crisis. my brother murdered Gorion in an attempt to get me because he knew I'm a spawn of Bhaal as well. He had motives far more evil than his foster father and his subordinates. He wanted to ignite a war between Baldur's Gate and Amn so that all the bloodshed may cause him to ascend as the new Lord of Murder. He had manipulated the authorities of Baldur's Gate and was nearly elected as a Duke. I had no choice. I killed him, and ended the chaos he wrought," Ralis explained to Keldorn as they headed down the semi dark tunnels.
They came to a "T" shaped junction and decided to go right. Ralis sighed. "I regret my actions, because I promised his lover that I would redeem him instead of killing him," he said forlornly.
"Ralis, don't blame yourself for what needed to be done. You've done the right thing," Keldorn placed a comforting hand on Ralis' right shoulder as the walked.
"So you're saying that if your brother, sister or best friend turns evil, you have no qualms about staining their blood on your blade? Even if you made a promise to their friend or lover that you would try to redeem them?" Ralis asked Keldorn.
"Whatever it takes to uphold justice, young Ralis. In the fight for good, all kinds of sacrifices must be made, even those that would give us nightmares for years," Keldorn said.
"And hesitation may sometimes mean doom for everyone," Althirion added before Keldorn could say something similar.
"That is correct," Keldorn nodded at Althir. "If I must end the life of my best friend, brother or sister who has turned to evil, I will do it, if it is required," Keldorn said to Ralis. "Evil forces always look for ways to exploit our moral weaknesses, anything that would give them an edge. By Torm, if we hope to remain victorious against them, we must be willing to make any kind of sacrifice necessary," he added with conviction in his voice.
Ralis sighed forlornly, casting his eyes down at the murky, dirty puddles of water under his walking feet. "...You and Althirion make it sound so easy to do something like that with no regrets or remorse," Ralis said.
"The biggest regret we would have is by allowing our enemies to achieve victory. We can't let that happen at any cost," Althirion said.
Ralis sighed. If only it were more simple...
Ralis's concerns made Nalia think over similar issues.
"Keldorn, tell me... you've served in the Order for a very long time. Do you still truly believe that what they do is relevant? That it's worthwhile?" She asked Keldorn suddenly out of curiosity.
He nodded. "Of course I believe that is the case. I could not serve if I lacked the faith that was so. Why do you ask such a thing?"
Nalia struggled to put her thoughts and feelings into words to describe her point. "It... it just seems pointless to me. I don't mean to offend, but it seems that no matter how much evil gets vanquished, there is still so much horror in the world, it doesn't get any better."
Keldorn nodded in agreement. "Aye, sometimes it is enough to make the soul weary, child, just to think of it," he said solemnly.
"And some of the worst acts are committed by those people who aren't even considered evil, nobles and clergy, for instance..." Nalia said, but she didn't want to put paladins on the list of examples. "Gross injustices against people who don't know any better," she continued.
Althir glanced over at Nalia, surprised that she doesn't have a narrow, short-sighted view of life after all.
"True, the Order can only do what it can, Nalia. We try, and perhaps the fact that we try and do not give up is just as important as the good we do accomplish," Keldorn said unwavering.
"I... I suppose. It just seems hopeless sometimes, like nothing will ever change," Nalia said sullenly, wondering what could she say without offending Keldorn or his beliefs.
"'Tis only the impatience of youth, Nalia. Things will change in time. But only if truly good folk such as yourself do not despair and give up completely. The world needs your courage," Keldorn said.
Nalia couldn't help smiling. "Thank you, Keldorn. I think I needed to hear that."
"Hey, I remembered something. We have to rescue Haer'Dalis from Mekrath!" Aerie reminded Ralis.
"That's right, I forgot! Keldorn, we need to take a quick detour and find Mekrath's laboratory," Ralis said.
"Very well. I follow your lead," Keldorn nodded.
"Yoshimo, Nalia, I need you two to scout ahead for traps or secret passages," Ralis called to them.
"I'll do my best," Nalia said.
"Fleet of foot and all that," Yoshimo nodded then stepped ahead of the group with Nalia and began scanning for traps or secret passages.
Two minutes have passed, and so far, they haven't encountered any hostile creatures yet, but they did see and hear rats.
"Young lovely, we must be wary here... any traps we encounter, it is up to us to find and disarm them before they bring harm to the rest of the party," Yoshimo advised Nalia.
"I think that goes without saying," she gave a quick nod of agreement and continues scanning the near pitch black floor ahead.
"But I have seen many traps intricate enough to fool even the most able. I remember one I encountered years ago... it worked as a pressure plate via springs set into wood. To disarm it, you need to pull the wood back just enough to slip a dagger between the plate and the springs. It requires finesses and patience, my young one," Yoshimo said.
Nalia felt annoyed now, believing that Yoshimo doesn't have much faith in her skills. "If I had wanted your tutelage, surely I would have asked for it!" She snapped.
"I cannot bear to have you angry with me. I just do not want to see you hurt. A friend can do no less," Yoshimo reassured her.
Nalia sighed, feeling guilty about her outburst now. "I know, Yoshimo. I'm not angry with you, really... I'm just nervous. I would feel very guilty if I set off a trap by accident," she said.
"You will not, Nalia... I have confidence in you!" Yoshimo said in an encouraging tone.
"I will try not to disappoint," Nalia nodded with a confident smile.
Even though he and Nalia were busy searching for traps, Yoshimo now wanted to have a little chat with Keldorn.
"Most Holy Paladin, vengeance of the righteous gods, you are a married man, are you not?" Yoshimo asked him.
He gave a hand signal to show that he found a trap a few feet ahead.
"Truly, I am married. I've a beautiful wife and two daughters. They are the joy of my life," Keldorn nodded as he, Ralis and the others waited for Yoshimo and Nalia to finish disarming the trap.
"Are they? It is strange that you've never mentioned them to Ralis before," Yoshimo said as he and Nalia searched for a vulnerable spot in the trap.
"I assure you that they are. My wife is a charming woman, and my daughters are becoming likewise. That is all I will discuss of my family, thief, so begone," Keldorn said.
"Hey, Keldorn, don't be so distrusting to Yoshimo. He may be a thief, but he's a thief with a heart," Ralis said to Keldorn.
"Well put, friend Ralis," Yoshimo said approvingly, continuing trying to disarm the trap with Nalia.
"I'm with Ralis. Yoshimo seems like a cool guy. A charming and cool guy," Neera admitted.
Anomen grunted in disapproval.
"Even Neera, the pink haired half-elf agrees. I am flattered," Yoshimo beamed with pride.
"Finally! Someone who does not call me an elf!" Neera sighed in relief.
Another minute later, Nalia found a secret passage.
"Psst! Over here!" Nalia whispered, signaling everyone to approach the wall she is touching. Placing her hands on the wall, she could feel a cool breeze of air touching her hand. "I feel a breeze," she whispered.
Yoshimo touched the door as well. Frowning in suspicion, he realized what Nalia just found. "A secret door," he said.
"We need to push it open then!" Minsc declared.
"And hope there aren't any turnip hating creatures on the other side," Jan said, holding his custom made crossbow gun ready.
Yoshimo, Ralis and Nalia pushed at the wall on the left side, causing the door to rotate open, revealing a hidden passageway.
"I believe we just found the entrance to Mekrath's secret laboratory," Ralis smiled. He led his group down the stairway ahead.
They crept down the spiraling staircase until they found themselves in a small dining room. To their left is the kitchen, to their right leads to what seems to be a small library.
"Let's split up. Nalia, Aerie, Jan, Keldorn, you four come with me," Ralis instructed.
"Got it," Nalia nodded.
"I stand ready," Keldorn nodded.
"Yoshimo, you go with the others to make sure no one gets caught in a trap," Ralis whispered.
"Hai (Yes)," Yoshimo said with a quick nod and led Minsc and the others to one of the rooms behind the spiraling staircase.
Nalia and Ralis headed for the door ahead of them.
"Nalia, see if that door is booby trapped," Ralis whispered.
Nalia checked the door to discover that it is. She had no problems disarming the trap on the door. Ralis opened the door and found himself in what appears to be Mekrath's bedroom.
"I believe this is the wizard's bedroom," Nalia whispered.
"I have a bad feeling about being here..." Aerie shuddered nervously.
Ralis looked ahead and saw an exit out the bedroom to the left from Mekrath's king sized bed. "This way," Ralis whispered, slowly approaching the exit.
They walked down a narrow hallway until they found themselves in Mekrath's lab. There are three rows of two desks set around the room, with lots of equipment sitting on top of each desk like beakers, flasks and other lab equipment, some of the containers are holding different kinds of multicolored liquid. Ralis peered ahead and saw a wizard with dark blonde colored hair, dressed in dark blue robes mixing fluids in a beaker standing in front of a desk in front of the rows of other desks.
"Thief, bring my spellbook and jar of mustard jelly ooze to me," Mekrath ordered to Haer'Dalis, who stood in the corner of the room.
"Yes, my master..." Haer'Dalis said in a droning, unemotional tone just like Clara when she was controlled by Hexxat.
"Oh no...! That poor man!" Aerie gasped in horror.
"He is under the mind control spell of that mage... If we manage to defeat the mage, we may be able to free him," Keldorn whispered.
To Ralis, Haer'Dalis looked somewhat like an elf with long, bright blue hair because his ears are long and pointy like an elf even though he is taller than elves naturally are, but little did he know that Haer'Dalis is actually a tiefling, like Raelis and her troupe (excluding Biff), even though he has no horns protruding from his forehead, or a tail of any kind. Tieflings are a planetouched, native outsider race that are sometimes, but not always descendants of demons, devils or succubi who have mated with humans. However, unlike half-fiends, not all tieflings are evil, but they can be devious by nature. Haer'Dalis carried the spellbook and jar of dark yellow ooze that was once the animated jelly of a mustard jelly monster to Mekrath.
"Thank you, my obedient slave," Mekrath smiled deviously.
"I live to serve your needs, master," Haer'Dalis droned, his eyes wide and showing no emotion.
"Enslaving a man to unwillingly serve his commands... This wizard reminds me so much of why I hate nobles..." Nalia said through gritted teeth.
"Let's put a stop to this," Ralis entered the room. "Hey!" He called to Mekrath, startling him.
"What is this? Intruders within Mekrath's domain? What brings you here, foolish man...? Speak quickly! I've no patience for trespassing fools!" Mekrath sneered.
Ralis noticed his ears, recognizing that Mekrath is an elf.
"I am here to free Haer'Dalis, your captive! Give him to me now!" Ralis demanded.
Mekrath frowned incredulously. "Give you the thief? Now why should I do such a thing when he has made me such a perfect little slave, hm?"
"Thief? This man is no thief! He's an actor!" Ralis retorted.
Mekrath chuckled. "Perhaps he is at that, it matters little to me. He broke into my sanctum as a thief, I captured him, and it amuses me to keep him as my slave," Mekrath said.
Ralis frowned, realizing that Raelis didn't tell him the entire story.
"Huh? I thought you kidnapped him because of the gem he had," Ralis said.
Mekrath frowned. "His gem...?" It took him a few seconds to remember. "Ah... THAT gem. I see what game you are up to, little man, and it shall not work! I'll not be divested of my gem by thieves and fools!"
"Game? What the hell are you talking about?" Ralis questioned the mage further, not knowing what he is implying.
"I tire of this constant barrage of thievery! You shall not get your hands upon my gem, little man. Now you shall suffer the other one's fate! Come, my faithful salamanders!" Mekrath called, and from the other room behind Mekrath emerged three salamanders, armed with a spear made out of polished steel that look sharp enough to pierce through armor with ease.
Salamanders are natives of the Elemental Plane of Fire. Their heads and torso is copper colored and have a humanoid appearance, but the lower parts of their bodies resemble the body of a snake, just like yuan-ti abominations, with orange coloring to dull red at the tail end. Their entire body is covered with wispy appendages that seem to constantly burn but never actually burn to a crisp.
"Eliminate those intruders!" Mekrath pointed at Ralis, Nalia, Aerie, Keldorn and Jan.
Ralis and Keldorn charged at the salamanders without hesitation with their swords drawn. Keldorn's sword is a magically enhanced broadsword named "Hallowed Redeemer". Jan turned over the desk to the left at the back row, causing the beakers and flasks to fall to the floor and shatter, causing the multicolored liquids they contained to spill out on the floor and Jan took cover behind the table he turned over, pressing buttons on his Flasher Launcher that would enable the weapon to fire three bursts of crossbow bolts. No weapon in the Realms has ever been able to do such a thing, firing three crossbow bolts in less than 3 seconds. It normally takes people 4 seconds to reload a crossbow.
Aerie and Nalia turned over the desk on the opposite row from Jan and took cover. Nalia readied her shortbow. Ralis crouched as the salamander he is fighting attempted to stab at his neck, then he slashed at the creature in three rapid strikes with Kondar and Albruin, and the third salamander, who isn't fighting Keldorn attempted to double team Ralis with his ally. Mekrath smirked, seeing how Ralis and Keldorn have their hands full and decided to summon an undead skeleton to make the fight more difficult for them.
Keldorn parried the strike of the salamander, then twisted the blade of his sword as the salamander's spear remained locked on the balde of Redeemer hoping to twist the spear out of the salamander's hands. Nalia and Jan peeked out of the overturned desks they took cover in and fired. Nalia's arrow hit the shoulder of one of the salamanders Ralis is fighting, causing it to shriek in pain. Jan had his Flasher Launcher aimed at Mekrath. Just when Jan pulled the trigger, the Flasher Launcher made a clicking noise, but never fired a single crossbow bolt. Jan cursed in Gnomish and ducked back into cover, pulling out one of his mini tools off the leather belt around his forehead and began repairing the malfunction in his weapon. Aerie stood up and casted a magic missile at the salamander Nalia wounded, killing it.
Mekrath began chanting the spell that will summon a skeletal fighter into the battle. Keldorn twisted his sword clockwise, hoping to catch the salamander off guard, then when the salamander left himself open, Keldorn drove his sword into the creature's chest. Ralis attempted to bring both of his swords down on the salamander's head, but the salamander parried holding both end of his spear in his hand and holding it up to block the strike. Jan, knowing he wouldn't have time fixing the glitch decided to press a button that enables his Flasher Launcher to shoot his Flasher Master Bruiser bombs. Then he took aim at Mekrath's head and fired. The flash bomb flew through the air and hit Mekrath in the face, delivering an explosion of bright light in his face that caused his eyes to burn in pain from the intense light. His spell disrupted, he shielded his eyes with his hands, screaming in pain.
Confused, the salamander Ralis was fighting faltered, wondering what happened to his master. Ralis took this short window of opportunity to pull Albruin back off from the spear but leaving Kondar there, and sweep his right hand up in an arc and cut off the salamander's left arm, and then his head.
"By Torm, I'll strike you down!" Keldorn exclaimed as he charged at defenseless Mekrath and he delivered a fatal blow to the mage, running Redeemer into the left side of his rib cage.
"Torm take you!" Keldorn exclaimed.
The sight of the fatal strike made Aerie feel sick inside. Ralis looked down at Mekrath's corpse his taint taking an interest in viewing blood grow around the corpse, then he looked up at Keldorn to ignore his blood lust urges.
"It is done. That man should come to his senses soon," Keldorn told Ralis as he sheathed Redeemer into the scabbard.
Ralis turned his head to face Haer'Dalis standing at the top left corner of the room during the entire fight. He seemed to show signs of regaining his senses. He shook his head a couple times, then put both of his hands on his head as if he has a serious migraine.
"Ahhh... my head spins with sullen fire and strange, lurid emotions instead of memories. But... what is this?" He mumbled, taking a few steps forward still holding his head.
His navy blue eyes widened when he realized that he is in control of himself once again. "My captor lies dead... I can feel it!" A smile began to grow on Haer'Dalis's face as he looked down at his hands, moving his fingers and thumbs, an obvious sign that he is free now. Then he took notice of Ralis, Keldorn, Aerie, Nalia and Jan. Before anyone could say anything, Yoshimo and the others arrived into the room. Haer'Dalis' eyes widened when he saw that there are not only 5 people who played a part in his freedom, but also 6 more!
"... And the sparrow spies his glorious saviors! Oh, what grand day! Poetry overwhelms this sparrow's heart!" Hear'Dalis exclaimed as he spread his arms wide, closing his eyes and spun around counterclockwise.
When he stopped spinning, he folded his hands above his chest, took a deep breath and sighed.
"Wow, he really is happy. I don't blame him," Neera commented.
"'In a blaze of trumpets, with wicked blades held high, thus came ye fates of chaos to let this sparrow fly!'" Haer'Dalis said, reciting the poem that he feels while keeping his eyes closed and hands folded on his chest.
"And fly you shall, my friend. That is what Raelis sent us for," Ralis said.
"You are with Raelis?" Haer'Dalis questioned Ralis.
"Yes."
"Well, well, well... my hide may yet be saved. Come, let me join with you and we shall be done with the foul humors of this place," Haer'Dalis found Ralis and his group fairly interesting, he admitted that much to himself.
Ralis rubbed his chin in thought. "That's fine. By the way, do you have the gem?" He asked the tiefling.
He smiled, revealing the gem from his pockets. "Were you referring to this gem?"
"I believe that is it," Ralis nodded.
"Since this sparrow will be joining you and your glorious group, I believe an introduction is in order," Haer'Dalis said.
Ralis then proceed to introduce himself and his companions. Then he asked Haer'Dalis if he would like to accompany them in investigating the Cult of the Eyeless before they return to Raelis. He agreed, explaining that he will be an excellent addition to the group with his two magically enhanced short swords named Chaos and Entropy, that can only be wielded by tieflings.
They returned to the sewers, now ready to find the location of the cult of the eyeless.
"So, what is so special about that gem, Haer'Dalis?" Ralis asked him.
He smiled. "Ah, my raven, that is a secret that I will soon reveal, when the timing is correct." He replied with mild enthusiasm in his voice as usual.
Ralis shook his head. Ever since he rescued him, Haer'Dalis doesn't call him by his real name, instead, he calls him a "raven".
"I don't get it. Why do you call me a raven?" Ralis asked him.
"You see, my raven, this sparrow can see certain things that cannot be seen by the naked eye."
"Like what?" Minsc asked very curiously.
"Hmm, let me simply say that this sparrow can partially see the true nature of his acquaintances," Haer'Dalis looked at Ralis. "You, my raven, shine with benevolence, but at the same time, you also emit chaos within you... you are a symbolic balance of light and dark, law and chaos. You are one of a kind, my raven. 'Tis so poetic for me to meet someone who radiates such chaotic beauty in his aura!"
Ralis frowned, finding the tiefling's behavior strange. Somehow, Haer'Dalis can sense Bhaal's divine taint in him, which is why Haer'Dalis calls him a raven. Ravens are are known to be birds of ill omens, particularly death.
"I don't know if I should be flattered or offended..." Ralis said hesitantly.
A couple minutes later, they heard the murmurs of voices somewhere up ahead.
"What is that...?" Neera whispered.
"I'm guessing we must have caught up with Gaal and his new followers," Ralis whispered back.
They came to the end of the tunnel which branches off to the right. Ralis signaled his group to stay where they are standing, then he tip-toed over to the edge of the wall and peeked to see what is down the other end. There is an exit door at the end, and standing in front of the door is Gaal and the group of people he either convinced to follow him or see what is so special about the Cult of the Eyeless. Gaal is busy trying to unlock the door which can't be picked by lockpicks to open. Ralis stopped peeking and turned his attention to his companions.
"We caught up to them- Gaal and his followers. Let's see if we can blend in with the group and learn what we can about the cult," Ralis said.
"Ah, and the drama unfolds!" Haer'Dalis smiled in excitement.
"This sounds suicidal, but I'm in. Besides, suicidal is my middle name," Neera said.
"Is it really?" Aerie asked Neera.
Neera frowned at her. "No! It's a metaphor!" She rolled her eyes.
"Oh... I-I'm sorry." Aerie apologized, feeling ashamed.
"No biggie, Aerie," Neera gave Aerie a comforting pat on her back.
"Come on, let's go before they leave us behind," Ralis urged them.
"I'm with you," Keldorn nodded.
Anomen only huffed in jealousy. They followed Ralis, walking up to the group of people waiting for Gaal to open the door to the cult's secret hideout. He got the door open finally and everyone walked inside after he walked in first.
Ralis was a bit awestruck once he caught sight of the new surroundings. No longer is his nose tormented by the foul smell of the sewers, there's nothing but fresh air in the cult hideout, however, there are some odors that he can't quite identify. Keldorn, however, got a bad feeling about this place. He had a gut feeling that evil lurks somewhere in this place, but in what shape and form, he has no clue. As Gaal led everyone down the hallways, some people murmured among themselves, wondering how does Gaal know where he is going if his eyesight has been taken.
He led everyone into a room with a symbol of a large eye carved in the middle of the stone floor, and the room is large enough so everyone won't have to stand so close together. Ralis and his companions stayed behind the group of people so Gaal won't be able to recognize them so easily if he has somehow kept count of how many people decided to follow him. He stood in front of the group being flanked by two elite mage/fighter classed guards who are also blind and began his speech.
"Welcome, my friends, to the Cult of the Eyeless, where you shall find true enlightenment as faithful followers of the One God," Gaal announced with plenty of bravado in his voice.
"Who is this One God that you speak of so much?" A peasant man with a short beard asked Gaal.
He smirked. "He is known as the Unseeing Eye. The Unseeing Eye has brought us enlightenment. Only by removing our eyes can we remove the veil of lies and deceit clouding our lives," Gaal said.
This spread unease throughout the crowd. "What... so we really have to remove our eyes to achieve enlightenment...?!" A woman gasped fearfully.
"Something ain't right. Why can't we see this Unseeing Eye with our own two eyes, priest?" A nobleman asked Gaal suspiciously.
"Because you cannot see what remains forever unseen to the naked eye. Your eyes are tools of deception- they cannot be trusted. Learn to let go of them. Only by removing your eyes can you see what the Unseeing Eye truly is," Gaal said.
"I d-d-don't like this place..." Aerie whimpered, standing in between Neera and Nalia.
"We'll be fine, dear..." Nalia assured Aerie.
"Yeah. We're tough... Well, not that tough..." Neera agreed.
"So, my friends, is there any of you among us who have the resolve to find true enlightenment?" Gaal asked everyone.
No one replied. They had doubts that they were afraid to question Gaal about. Ralis decided that the only way to learn more about this Unseeing Eye is by formally joining the cult.
One man stepped out in front. "I'll join," He said.
Then a woman with long auburn hair stepped forward. "I'll join too," she said.
Then Ralis stepped forward out of the crowd. "I'll join. How does one serve your Unseeing Eye?" Ralis questioned Gaal loudly.
Gaal visibly smiled, pleased to have at least three volunteers. One of them sounds more determined than the other two.
"The One God has demanded that his disciples achieve a higher state of wisdom... you must remove that which is limiting and offensive. The unholy eyes are removed from your head during the sacred initiation. If you survive and are proven faithful, the Unseeing Eye accepts you into service," Gaal said.
"What if I don't want to have my eyes removed? What then?" Ralis hit Gaal with another question.
Gaal wasn't expecting a question like that. "Hmm. It is a sign of weakness to refuse the enlightenment. Would you walk about willingly without arms, without feet?"
Ralis didn't answer immediately, thinking it over. "I do not think so," he finally said.
Gaal smiled. Even without his eyes, he found something interesting about Ralis. He knew that judging by his voice, Ralis is in his early 20's. He also sensed that Ralis is an experienced fighter.
"Still, the Unseeing Eye could use the skills of one such as yourself. An exception... could, perhaps, be made in your case," Gaal said.
Everyone murmured in confusion.
"What kind of exception?" Ralis asked.
"There is... something that you could do that the great one cannot, despite his vast power. Assist in that, and I will admit you into our ranks and into the Unseeing One's presence, yes?"
Ralis quickly thought over his options. "Tell me what I have to do, and I'll consider it."
"These holy grounds are part of a larger ancient structure... dangerous if one ventures into the lower levels. The Unseeing Eye knows of a valuable item in this area. If you were to venture below, you could prove your worth by retrieving this artifact for him. Do this, and I will allow you into our ranks and the One's divine presence," Gaal replied.
"What kind of item is it?" Ralis wanted to know.
"The item is a rod... or part of a rod, rather, that you will find atop a holy altar. I cannot tell you more than that. You must let your faith guide you."
"How do I get there?" Ralis questioned again.
Gaal approached Ralis with his right hand in his robe pocket and pulled out a key, handing it to Ralis.
"I have a key I can give you... This will allow you entrance to the inner chambers through a door a short distance back the way we came, at the sewer passages," Gaal explained.
"Very well, I shall perform this task," Ralis nodded, taking the key.
"You are worthy in my eyes, faithful one. Once you have the rod, bring it to me and together we shall present it to the Unseeing Eye," Gaal said.
Ralis nodded and left the room.
"... You two will be taken to the Altar of Enlightenment." Gaal said to the man and woman who volunteered.
Then Gaal addressed everyone else. "... As for the rest of you, you shall remain here for a while. I will allow you some time to decide if you desire to seek enlightenment," he said to the groups of nobles, commoners, peasants and Ralis' companions. Two middle ranked priests of the cult appeared and guided the man and woman out of a different exit in the room. Then Gaal and his guards left the room from the way they came in and they walked down the hallways towards the Unseeing Eye's chambers.
"Gaal, we seem to have more potential followers in our midst than we expected," The elite guard with black hair said.
"I've noticed, and I have a hunch that the newcomers who joined us behind our backs have been sent to spy on us, to reveal who the Unseeing Eye truly is," Gaal said.
"What about the one who volunteered to find the rod?" The elite guard with blonde hair asked with concern.
"I wouldn't worry about him," Gaal replied. "As long as he remains ignorant of what the rod can do, we have nothing to fear."
"Yes, but among the new people who followed us is a paladin of Torm," the black haired guard said.
Gaal gasped quietly as he stopped walking. "What? Are you sure?"
"The woman who volunteered to join the cult told me before she left to the altar of Enlightenment that she recognized a man in gold armor as a paladin," The guard explained.
"Curses! So we have spies among us! No matter. They don't suspect we are aware of their presence. But when they fine out, it will be too late," Gaal said.
"What shall we do with them?" The black haired guard asked.
"Lock them in the Pit of the Faithless," Gaal said with a sinister smirk.
Meanwhile, after the peasants, commoners, nobles, Keldorn and the others were left in the room alone, everyone had an uneasy feeling about being left alone here. The only person who seemed relaxed is Haer'Dalis.
"I can't sit here and wait for something to happen. I must find out what is going on," Keldorn said impatiently.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea..." Aerie whimpered.
"No, Sir Keldorn is right. If we sit here and do nothing, who knows what might happen," Anomen said.
"Anomen and I will go out and see what is happening to that man and woman who volunteered to join. The rest of you stay here," Keldorn instructed.
"You might need a thief of exceptional skill by your side, but I cannot force you to take me along with you," Yoshimo said to Keldorn.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but two people will make a lot less noise than three," Keldorn said.
"Sir Keldorn, Boo says that you will need all the help you can get! We are coming with you to kick some eyeless butt! By the time we are through with them, those eyeless scum will see the light and change their ways!" Minsc exclaimed, and Boo squeaked proudly.
"Yeah! ... What he said!" Neera nodded, losing her grasp on what Minsc is talking about.
"This sparrow is moved by the dramatic vibes of enthusiasm! I am compelled to join the cause!" Haer'Dalis smiled proudly.
Keldorn didn't know what to say. "... I can't say no now that I know I have so much support... Come along, then," Keldorn gave in.
They followed Keldorn and Anomen out the room, leaving the bewildered commoners, peasants and nobles alone who are trying to decide of they should join the cult or refuse to join.
Meanwhile, Ralis found a locked door near the exit that leads back into the sewers of the Temple District. He unlocked the door with the key Gaal gave him and entered. Ralis found himself in a near pitch black room. Up ahead is a short flight of stairs made of concrete. After going up the stairs he saw two burning torches on both sides, and a man standing in front of a small altar and sarcophagus doing something, possibly praying to the Unseeing Eye. The man had his back turned on Ralis. As he approached the man, the man heard Ralis' footsteps and lifted his head up.
"Mmph, be wary, my friends. Someone has come before us, I can sense it!" The man named Sassar said, turning to face Ralis, revealing that he too is blind.
Ralis frowned upon seeing Sassar's shut eyelids are bruised black, evidence that his eyes have been forcefully removed.
"More of you with no eyes? So that makes you followers of the Unseeing Eye?" Ralis questioned the man.
Sassar shook his head. "No, my Lord, we are not. Or perhaps it is more correct to say that we are worshipers no longer. I am Sassar. What brings you to this place, young one?"
"The servants of Helm has bid me and a paladin of Torm to investigate the cult, but I also seek a rod deep below this place," Ralis replied.
Sassar gasped in horror, which made Ralis's heart jump in excitement briefly.
"No! You must not do this! You cannot give the rod to the beholder, my Lord! It is an artiface of immense power!" Sassar exclaimed.
Ralis was in shock. "Are you saying that the Unseeing Eye is a beholder...?!" Ralis asked Sassar to make sure his ears did not deceive him.
"Yes, my Lord," Sassar nodded.
Ralis had read about Beholders once, years ago when he and Imoen and Abdel lived in Candlekeep years ago. Beholders are evil aligned creatures of the Underdark, creatures that you would expect to see only in your nightmares. They are known as the "sphere of many eyes" or "eye tyrants", because their body appears as a very large orb dominated by a central eye and a large toothy maw, and has 10 smaller eyes on stalks sprouting on their heads like hair. Their bodies are supported by levitation, allowing them to float slowly about as they will, and they are armed with powerful level 6 to level 9 magic spells. Beholders are a hateful, aggressive and avaricious race, attacking or dominating humanoid races, including their own kin. Ralis remembered that the mystery of the anatomy of Beholders confused him greatly when he was a kid. When he was 7 years old, he used to ask Gorion does a Beholder have a stomach, intestines and lungs, and if they do, how can they have so many organs in their head shaped bodies. Gorion couldn't tell him the answer, because he doesn't know. Even the reproductive system and reproductive methods of Beholders are a complete mystery.
Ralis knew right then that Sassar can be trusted more than Gaal.
"What can this rod do?" Ralis asked him.
"When I was the high priest for the Unseeing Eye, I discovered that its purpose for coming here was to gain the powerful artifact below. The rod is an item of such destructive power that the gods themselves determined it should not be used again. It was split in two, and this half was secreted here. It is protected against intrusion by powerful magic and beasts that live in the caverns. Many of the beholder's followers have perished trying to retrieve it," Sassar explained.
"What about the other half?"
"I know, my Lord, that the beholder has the other half of the rod! If he were to acquire this half, he would be capable of wreaking terrible destruction!" Sassar said fearfully.
"If what you say is true, then I won't retrieve the rod if it can grant Unseeing Eye immense power," Ralis said.
"No, my Lord, the exact opposite is true! If you are able to retrieve this rod, you must do so!" Sassar exclaimed excitedly.
Ralis frowned. "Why? I thought you said the beholder cannot get ahold of this item?" He questioned the blind man.
"We tried to get the second half of the rod ourselves, to use its destructive power to defeat the beholder. That is the only way to destroy the creature. The beholder has failed to acquire the rod because the gods have cursed the item. This lets you determine the artifact's true worth... or threat. Are you willing to go below and retrieve the artifact, my Lord?"
"Very well, I'll do it," Ralis nodded.
"I am most grateful, my Lord. We have tried but our blindness limits us. This chamber we are in is safe... so long as the sarcophagus is not opened. I would ask that you do not try to open it yourself... I sense great evil from it. and I do wish my brethren and I to remain safe here. Be careful in the levels below, and remember that the gods will likely not allow one to take the artifact for themselves for long. Remember that! Godspeed!" Sassar said as two figures emerged from the darkness, Garuk, a dwarf, and Zaelas, a human, who are apparently Sassar's friends. They waved at Ralis.
He noticed that they are not blind, then he headed for the entrance to the sub-levels at the left side of the room.
Meanwhile, Keldorn and the others quietly followed the two priests and the man and woman who volunteered to join the cult to the Altar of Enlightenment, where new followers are taken to have their eyes removed. Up ahead they saw a giant glass orb that made the room glow in an eerie dark green light. Below it is a pit of water.
"Hide somewhere," Anomen instructed.
They hid behind a large cluster of stalagmites and watched the ceremony take place. There are 4 cultists surrounding the man and woman. They asked the man and to kneel near the pit of strange liquid first. The woman was left to stand and watch until it is her turn. One of the cultists holding a small, jet black bowl in his hand asked the man: "Do you revoke the weakness of the sighted?"
"I do," The man replied.
"Then you revoke the false power of sight and embrace the true vision of Holy Blindness?" Cultist #2 questioned the man.
"... I revoke it," the man said almost hesitating.
"Then what must be done to set things aright?" Cultist #2 questioned the man.
The man shook all doubts and fears from his mind and said: "Take my foul sight, master. Let the orbs and their poisonous sight be torn from my body! Let me be made pure!"
Cultist #2, 3, 4 and 1 nodded in approval. "So shall it be done!" They said in unison.
Cultist #1 pulled two scalpels from out of the small bowl in his hand and passed one to Cultist #3.
"Be you of pure intent, and you shall live. Cling to the foul sight, and you shall die. Let it be done!" Cultist #1 said.
Cultist #2 and 4 stood next to the man, holding his shoulders down and using some kind of tool to keep his eyelids wide open, and Cultists #3 and 1 prepared to pry his eyes out of his sockets. The man felt his doubts and fears abruptly return, and he had this intense, unshakable feeling that joining the cult is a bad idea after all.
"Wait! I changed my mind! I changed my mind!" The man exclaimed hoping that the cultists would halt the ceremony, but the exact opposite happened, they still intended to remove his eyes.
The man felt the cold steel of the scalpels on both of his eyes and then he felt excruciating pain as his eyeballs ruptured and went blind. He screamed as the cultists began scooping his eyes out.
Horrified, Aerie, Neera and Nalia looked away. Even Keldorn, Anomen, Jan, Yoshimo, Minsc were horrified. Althirion simply closed his eyes. Korgan and Haer'Dalis wasn't disturbed at all. The woman who volunteered to join the cult was so horrified at what she will soon have to endure to join the cult that she fainted. Once the cultists removed the man's eyes, they threw the ruptured eyeballs into the pit of water, and they slowly sank down the bottomless well.
The man fainted from intense shock.
"The Unseeing Eye is always here," Cultist #1 said to the tired, blind man and woman who fainted.
"He sees that both of you are not worthy, and the blood at my feet proves it," Then Cultist #1 turned his attention to his fellow cultists.
"Throw them down into the Pit of the Faithless," he instructed them.
They nodded and picked up the unconscious bodies and carried them away.
"That was horrible! That was so horrible!" Aerie cried.
"I knew it. I knew this cult is evil!" Keldorn said through gritted teeth.
"This cult has lied to and deceived those that are innocent! If there's one thing that Minsc and Boo hates most, it is liars and deceivers! Do you hear me, evil?! You shall soon feel the rage of the boots of goodness kicking your backside!" Minsc declared loudly, standing up tall and proud.
"Shhh!" Anomen pulled Minsc back down under the cover of the stalagmites.
"We'll get them, Minsc, but right now, we need to be smart, we must strike when the time is right," Keldorn assured Minsc.
"Aye, for me, the time of strikin' is anytime," Korgan said.
"I'm afraid no one will be doing any striking today," A familiar voice said.
Keldorn and the others looked behind them to see Gaal and 8 elite guards surrounding them!
"Did you really think that we wouldn't find out what you are doing here?" Gaal said.
"Y-you are not going to get away with this," Aerie said, her eyes a bit red from crying.
"We most definitely are. Even as we speak, one man is going to deliver a rod to the Unseeing Eye. He shows promise in completing the task When that happens, we will have the way to show all of Faerun the enlightening powers of the Unseeing Eye," Gaal said.
By Torm! Ralis, please don't do it...! Keldorn's eyes widened in fear.
"We've seen how your cult operates, you deceptive snake. You are anything but benevolent," Althirion sneered.
"It's a pity that you'll never see the virtues of being a disciple of the Unseeing Eye. Not that you'll live to know anything about it," Gaal said. "Guards, take their weapons away and throw them into the Pit of the Faithless," he said to the guards flanking him.
Meanwhile Ralis is in a strange tunnel fighting a large group of mutated gibberlings. What makes them different from natural gibberlings is that they are a little more muscular than normal gibberlings, meaning they have more strength than normal. They tried to overwhelm him with their numbers, but Ralis is too swift to be felled so easily. With Kondar and Albruin in hand, he cut each of them down with amazing grace and precision. In 2 minutes 17 gibberling bodies were strewn around Ralis, pools of blood everywhere. Panting heavily, he sheathed his bloodstained swords and decided to hold his Dead Shot +2 longbow ready, notching an arrow in preparation for an ambush of some kind and continued cautiously walking down the tunnel which slopes further and further down until he came across a large broken bridge. His eyes widened.
"No! Damn it!" He sighed in frustration.
Someone or something broke the bridge- the gap is too wide for him to jump to the other end, and the pit below seems bottomless. Ralis kicked some debris off the bridge and watched it disappear down into the darkness below.
"What now? There's no other way forward!" Ralis grunted in frustration.
There is a large plank on the other side of the bridge that can provide a safe stepping stone, but it is not close enough to the edge.
Just then he heard a loud voice echo in his head!
"The bridge has fallen and ends in death. Call forth the name to summon the path. What is the bridge?" The voice asked him.
Ralis frowned. "What...? I don't know this bridge...!" He exclaimed, but he received no reply.
He scratched his head, thinking over what the voice said to him. "Death... Life... Life? Yes! Life is my answer," Ralis said.
"Life is the bridge that must end in death, though duty may hold it at bay. You have spoken of the bridge, but this alone is not enough. You are not alone on the bridge. Call forth the name to summon the path. It travels with you, and through it you travel, and yet it does leave you behind. Who is with you?" The voice questioned confused Ralis.
He looked around. "What... No one is with me!" Ralis exclaimed. Unless... it's not a person... He thought to himself.
The only thing that comes to his mind is time because there are some events in a person's life when time is with you or against you, depending on the circumstances.
"... Is it time...? Time is my answer," Ralis declared with some uncertainty.
"Time is with you, and you travel through it, and all the while it moves away. Time goes on with and without you, though duty may make it wait," the voice said, confirming the answer as correct. "The bridge is not stable, and the end changes place. Call forth the name to summon the path. Choose the most difficult step on the bridge," the voice added.
Ralis had a feeling that this may be a trick question. Whoever is speaking must be expecting Ralis to say something obvious. "I choose the current path, for it alone is my choice," Ralis wasn't sure that it was the right answer, he just said it because he had a feeling that the path that is most difficult for most people is understanding that the choice in paths are not pre-determined.
"The current step may be your first and may also become your last. The other two are abstract, this one is yours to choose and shape, though duty may force the choosing. You have summoned the path and may join in the guarding. Duty awaits you," the voice said, and then to Ralis' surprise, the large plank on the other side of the bridge moved, bridging the gap!
"Yes!" Ralis grinned and carefully crossed the plank to the other side of the broken bridge.
Later, Ralis encountered and fought a gauth, a beholder related creature (A small beholder, actually) that can consume the energy of magical objects, even magical weapons. The creature managed to drain some energy out of Kondar, which means the sword won't inflict much damage to shapeshifters for a short period of time.
Two minutes later after walking through the winding tunnels, Ralis found a pathway that forks into 3 different directions above a large underground lake! up ahead is some kind of temple, the entrance is guarded by a man dressed in a black cloak and hood covering his head. Near him are two children also dressed in black clothing. Ralis crossed the path taking him straight towards the temple and man standing in front of the entrance. The man heard Ralis coming and lifted his head up, revealing his pale face and gray colored eyes.
"Hello," he said dully.
Ralis frowned. "That's it? I am a stranger in your time-lost buried city, and all you say is hello?" he asked in confusion.
The man frowned. "What would you have me say? Shall I proclaim the wonder of your arrival? Shall I bemoan the terrible length of the ages? Should my knees buckle at the very sight of you?" The man known as the Diseased One asked sarcastically.
Ralis slowly shook his head, feeling embarrassed.
"I'm sure it would make you feel important, but I've simply no interest in you. I think you'll find we care about very little at all," The Diseased One added again in sarcasm.
"Then tell me who you are and what is this place," Ralis shrugged, feeling somewhat unwelcome for some reason.
The Diseased One chuckled. "You wish the exposition. Typical. I should really write this down so I don't have to keep repeating it. Not that we have had a lot of visitors. We are the guardians. We guard the temple. This is very important because every few hundred years, someone almost wanders this way."
Ralis could sense the irony there. This guy has some lip on him...
"We have forgotten what it is that we guard, we have forgotten how many generations we have been here, and we have forgotten what it is to have a purpose." The Diseased One added.
"I believe you must be serving some great plan. Who is this temple dedicated to?" Ralis asked, pointing at the temple.
"The temple?" the man glanced back at the temple doors briefly.
"It has been so long since we have uttered the god's name it has been forgotten by most. What loyalty do we owe a creature that would condemn us to this?"
"Can you leave?" Ralis asked.
The Diseased One shook his head. "We cannot. We cannot even die. We are born again in an endless recycling of our souls. We learn over and over again that we are condemned to a fate we no longer want."
Ralis felt sorry for this man, being shackled by his duty as a guardian. "I will try to release you somehow," he promised the man.
The sullen man shrugged indifferently. "Do what you will, there is no escape for us. We have accepted this. We teach it to the newly young, who then teach it to the old that die and are reborn. The deal which placed us here has been followed to the letter, and we are never to be released from service no matter how pointless the task. You will fail. you cannot help but fail. We know this. We expect nothing other."
"Shut up with the negative talk! *sigh* You remind me of Xan. It seems you worship suffering like a martyr of Ilmater, but you lack pride or purpose," Ralis snapped.
"I do not know this Xan or Ilmater you speak of, but even if the name of our own god is lost, so it is not surprising. We direct nothing but loathing to the temple now."
"I'll put a stop to that. Let me enter," Ralis said in calm determination.
The Diseased One stepped aside, allowing Ralis to enter the temple.
Inside, Ralis encountered a creature he never expected to encounter: A pit fiend! Pit fiends are the most dangerous race of baatezu, demonic residents of the Nine Hells. They appear to be giant, winged humanoids that resemble gargoyles, with huge wings that wrap around their bodies as a defense mechanism. Their fangs are large and drip with a vile green liquid, and their bodies are red and scaly, usually emitting flames when angry or excited, and from what he can tell, this pit fiend is pretty angry, judging the intensity of its burning scales.
"iHate is here! Here is hate! Attack with anger and feed the hate! The hate!/i" The pit fiend exclaimed in rage.
Ralis was confused, realizing that the creature is actually trying to encourage him to attack it. He reluctantly drew his longbow and notched an arrow ready to shoot at the demon, even though he had a gut feeling he shouldn't be doing this. He fired an arrow at the pit fiend's head as it approached him. The arrow struck the pit fiend in the head, but it did not recoil in pain, instead, the flames on its scales burned even more brighter, illuminating the entire room! Ralis tried to keep his distance form the approaching baatezu as he readied another arrow to fire. This time he aimed at the pit fiend's chest and fire. The arrow struck the target but the pit fiend did not howl in pain, again, its scales burned with greater intensity. pit fiend stopped approaching Ralis and tensed its muscles, brewing with newfound rage.
"Hate... Suffering... I feed on these... they harm me not... I feed!" The pit fiend exclaimed then charged at Ralis with a powerful punch!
"Gooohh!" Ralis was sent flying 8 feet away from the pit fiend and cartwheeled a couple times on the floor.
He dropped his longbow when he got punched, and he felt dizzy from the devastating blow. He also had major headache and a bruise on his face, but thanks to his divine blood, the bruise healed in seconds and his head stopped pounding with pain. After the headache disappeared, an idea hit Ralis- he must defeat the pit fiend with something that does not inflict damage! But the problem is Jaheira, Anomen, Viconia, Aerie, Nalia and Neera are not with him.
"Damn it!" Ralis cursed, realizing that he is neither a mage or cleric and therefore not equipped with healing spells.
The pit fiend charged at Ralis ready to punch his face in again, but this time he dodged and the pit fiend charged right past him and slammed his fist on the wall. Ralis then remembered the time when he healed Neera's wounds back when they were adventuring in the Sword Coast, which is one of his first powers as a Bhaalspawn.
"Of course!" He smiled, remembering that he can do a little healing too. Then he prepared to cast a Cure Minor Wounds spell on the pit fiend.
The pit fiend shrieked in pain when the healing spell took effect on him, and he collapsed dead. Ralis sighed in relief and went to pick up his longbow where he dropped it. Just then a loud, sickly voice echoed in the room: "Who walks in the temple of I? Speak of yourself... you are almost beyond the sight of I."
Ralis turned around and saw an old man standing in front of the stairway. His body is very transparent, so Ralis assumed that he may be the dying avatar of the forgotten god.
"I could say the same of you. Are you the chief resident of this temple?" He replied.
The transparent man nodded. "I am I. The temple is I, though it is not safe for even I. The beast does kill my form repeatedly. You have slain it for but a small time. It comes again and again."
"It cannot be permanently slain? What is it?" Ralis asked, referring to the pit fiend.
"The beast is a fell deity, for it has more power than I can muster. My legion of followers feed the creature, and I am weakened and fading. Such power the beast has."
Ralis understood everything now. The beast cannot be permanently slain because it feeds off the hate that manifests from the transparent avatar's old followers, who have forgotten him.
"The reason why is because you are no longer worshiped. Those outside feel nothing but loathing," Ralis told him.
"But they must serve, it is the letter of the agreement. They were to guard, and I would provide for their lives. This was to be for all time," the avatar said.
"Until what? There must be an end to this. It has been so long they do not even recall your name," Ralis explained.
"Then it is little wonder I cannot defeat the beast. It is their loathing and pathos, and it has become their object of worship, whether they know it or not," the avatar replied, finally understanding.
"The time has passed. I have naught here and will not again. Even the great device has waned in power and is not so epic a danger as I once thought. I weep for my children. Their hate sustains this place, though they would intend otherwise. Had they not thought of me at all, I would have perished, and soon after, so would they."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Ralis asked.
"The letter of the bargain was that I protect the great device until the end of time. The creator races were very specific. I will reinterpret the words, for it is surely the end of MY time. The intent of the bargain was that the great device would not be used again. If it is indeed the "end of time," then my last act should be to destroy it. I have not the power to do so," the avatar said, his voice still sounding weak and sick.
"What would give you the power?" Ralis wanted to know.
"Faith. The belief and conviction of my followers is the lifeblood of power. There must be a way to spur their faith. Open your mind. Perhaps you have knowledge of use," the avatar replied.
Ralis remained silent, knowing that the avatar is looking into his mind.
"Yes! I see in your mind the way to release this place. You seek the great device for another, though you owe them no allegiance and they intend to kill you." The avatar groaned in pain for a few seconds and his transparent body blinked three times.
"The cause is simple. You will take the great device, the piece that I posses, and ye shall combine it with the piece the creature already has. The assembled rod would surely destroy the beast. You must use the item upon the beast and then return it to me. Use it but once or you will perish under its power. Tell my people that you carry the piece that I give you that you might deplete it, that you go to restore its components so that it may be disposed of as a whole, not in part." The avatar paused to groan in pain for a few more seconds. "My people must know I intend to destroy it when you return... but more, they must know I intend to end their service." He paused to groan again. "This simple act of bringing together the two parts of the rod will instill a small amount of faith for an instant. If they are in my presence, such an instant will allow me to destroy the artifact."
"You don't have the power to do this? Why do you need me?" Ralis asked.
"The energies of my followers are directed at this place, not at me. Should I try to leave, I would likely lose my form, only to return in the temple some years later. You must do this. Their loathing sustains the cycle. They must have a moment of hope, such that I will be powered to free them," the avatar replied.
"I will help you, you have my word. Give me the device," Ralis said.
The avatar walked up the stairs to get the rift device piece, then came back down to give it to Ralis. "Take it, and plant the seed of hope within my followers. They may not believe you now, but when you return, they will perhaps have a spark," the avatar said.
Ralis nodded a farewell at the avatar and left the temple.
The Diseased One turned to face Ralis when he heard the door close shut.
"Have you enjoyed your visit? Of course, you found nothing, and of course you will leave empty handed. There is..."
Ralis got him to shut up when he showed him the rift device piece.
"...You... " It took a few seconds for him to register in his shock. "You have the great device! What are you doing with that? It cannot be moved! It has not been moved in millennia!" He exclaimed.
"It is the will of your god that it be taken from this place and weakened!" Ralis explained.
The Diseased One frowned in skepticism.
"I do not believe you. Nothing has changed here in ages. If you have the great device, it is only because our god is weaker than we imagined."
"You will see. It is to be destroyed when I return. And when that happens, you and your fellow guardians will be free of your duty," Ralis said, hoping to spark some hope in him.
The Diseased One wasn't buying it. "Nothing changes here. You will not return. We will not be freed. There is nothing to lend our faith to but hate and loathing. Go, it is the last we will see of you."
"It isn't. You will see," Ralis smirked at him as he walked by and left.
Now all he has to do is find a way into the Pit of the Faithless, where the other half of the device is and use the device to defeat Unseeing Eye which will cause the cult of the eyeless to disband.