Quilik opened his eyes. He knew what had happened, he knew what was going to happen, he just didn't know where on Toril he was. He was chained to a wall, with bruises all over his face. His left eye drooped from being swollen, and one of his gauntlets was missing. The area he was in was dark, dank and musty. A human skull rested by his foot. He kicked it away and began to struggle on his chains.
"That won't do you any good. The chains are magically enhanced. The more you struggle, the tighter they get," a voice said from the darkness. Quilik looked up wearily. A glint of steel flashed at him, and even though it was almost pitch black, he swore that he could see an evil smile floating directly in front of him.
"Who are you?" Quilik asked. Charming, yet undeniably evil, laughter erupted from the smile.
"Who am I? You of people should know, Bhaalspawn," the voice said. Quilik shook his head.
"Just because you know my heritage, doesn't mean I know you," he said. The laughter died, and the shadow seemed to get nearer.
"Your words ring true. Seeing as how you don't know who I am, you leave me with no choice but to spoil your surprise," the shadow said. Suddenly, light filled the room, and standing before him was a young human man.
The man wore a black cloak with what appeared to be multiple tentacles growing out on the left shoulder. Covering his chest was a scale armor that seemed to be blacker than the abyss. His eyes were black, with no glint, but they seemed to have seen millenia, despite the apparent youth of their owner. Twin katars rested on his folded wrists, and strapped to a girdle on his waist rested a scimitar and a scaled long sword. The scimitar was long, thin and serrated. On the pomel, inside a saphire gem, rested a single, small eye. The scaled longsword was red, and a spiked handguard.
Quilik stared blankly for a moment.
"I've never seen you before in my life."
The young man gawked for a moment, then raised his voice into the air.
"Damn you Jasper!" he shouted. Quilik continued to stare. The youth shook his head.
"Forgive me. My name is Kakrin, and I have some very…interesting plans for you," he said, and he began to laugh. The charming laugh became a high pitched cackle, then a shriek of anger. Quilik heard a thud and the snapping of bone. Blackness clouded over his eyes as he faded from consciousness.
***
Jaheira willed herself to stay awake through a bedraggled Aerie's endless babbling and whining. The party had been sitting at one of the tables south of Hendak's counter for what seemed like a millenia listening to Aerie's complaining. Finally Jaheira's patience snapped.
"For the love of Mielikki, woman! Shut up! We have more important matters to discuss," she screamed. Aerie looked up.
"Oh? Like what?" she asked. Minsc squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. He didn't like it that Boo was being disturbed during all this, but a warning glance from Anomen told him to keep quiet. Jaheira sighed heavily.
"Quilik went missing last night. He left a note saying that he wouldn't return and that he would likely be dead within the month. I want to know if any of you will join me in a search for him," she said. The companions sat wide-eyed, unable to speak due to the shock of the statement. Finally, Minsc spoke.
"Minsc and Boo stand ready," he said, standing up.
"Quilik is a good man, and I'll not let any of ye stand aside whilst he is in peril," Anomen said, lifting his heavy mace high in the air. Everyone looked at Aerie.
"Do you really need me to actually say yes? Of course I'm coming," she said. Jaheira slapped her hands to the table.
"Then it's settled. I think we should head north towards Waterdeep. Quilik always said that before he…died that he would visit the City of Splendors. Take very little with you, for we must make haste," she said.
Suddenly, she felt a twitch in her abdomen. Her stomach started to toss. Quickly, she turned her head away from the table and began to vomit. Anomen walked towards her.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Jaheira nodded. Anomen raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure?" he asked. Jaheira glared angrily up at him.
"I'm sure!" she snarled. Anomen whispered something in her ear. She nodded. Anomen began to weave his hands in arcane gestures and began to chant. An orb of energy appeared in his hands and began to float towards her. Jaheira absorbed the energy as it spilled itself around her body. And it was then that Anomen knew.