Disclaimer: Use only in an open, well-ventilated area. If you begin to
feel any of the following symptoms, seek a fresh air outdoors: Shortness of
breath, wheezing, watery eyes, headaches, stomachaches, coughing, erectile
dysfunction, impotency, and patriotism.
Jon Irenicus heavily shook one of Dislexic's packets of Tonic and squirted it in his mouth: Yeuch! I can't believe you drink this stuff once a day!
Dislexic: Boo says stuff that is good for you rarely tastes good.
Irenicus: Boo?
Dislexic: My hamster. A Dwarf Siberian hamster with grayish brown fur.
Irenicus: Figures. Now something interests me about how the story is progressing..."
Dislexic: Shoot.
Irenicus: It seems that Kincaid and Viconia are once again pulled into the adventurer's life and will be leaving the comforts of Sphere... or home if you will. Does this mean that there will be less of a lemony scent in their scenes?
Dislexic: I can answer that question by asking you another one... can you pass me that magazine there?"
Irenicus: Which one? Ahh... The Right Stuff?
Dislexic: That's the one... ahh, here we are. Jon, you never saw Bastard! have you?
Irenicus: No, they didn't have Anime in Suldanessalar.
Dislexic: Well they have it by the armful here. I'm just not sure what to order. You can only see Cool Devices so many times without wanting something new, y'know?
Irenicus: Speaking of, do you plan on writing a fanfic for that too?
Dislexic: Feh. It would never get past the censors. By the way, with regards to the Blackrazor and it's presence in the story, that too will be explained in time.
Irenicus: I was wondering about that too. This Kincaid character of your is good, correct? Why then, would he have such an evil blade in Chapter 1?
Dislexic: Be patient and find out.
Irenicus: Also, Kincaid's massive hit points were point out as well... interesting math work, that.
Dislexic: Did he factor in the familiar's hit points?
Irenicus: I think he skipped that one.
Dislexic: oh, in any case, all shall be revealed in time. Tea quantities providing, of course.
Staff of Midnight.
Near microscopic runes cover much of the surface of this pitch-black staff. Its surface does not even seem to reflect light. As a weapon, the Staff of midnight draws on the magical energies of its wielder, making it impossible for any but one proficient in magic to wield. Many scholars speculate how any mage could make full use of this staff, for the magical energies that flow through it are more focused on melee combat then actual spell casting. It would seem that whoever were to wield this staff would not only need to be a mage, but a knowledgeable fighter as well. Apparently, it's maker, the sword saint-turned-mage Jered Kincaid was such a person.
Statistics
Armor Class: +3 bonus
Saving Throws: +2 bonus to saves vs. death, breath and wands.
1 additional attack per round
Dispel Magic
50% chance with each hit magic will be dispelled on target
Thaco: +4
Damage: 2d4 +5, +6 magical damage, +1d4 +3 cold damage
Damage type: Crushing
Weight: 5
Type: 2-handed
Proficiency type: Quarterstaff
Requires: 15 strength, 15 intelligence.
Speed Factor: 1
Usable by:
Mage
Gloves of the Tundra Yeti
Fashioned from the hands of a strong Tundra Yeti, these gloves have been magically enchanted to grant its wearer with the strength the creature once possessed. In addition, these white-furred gloves also give the wearer a degree of protection from the harsh, cold elements that the Tundra Yeti live through each day.
Statistics
Sets users strength to 18/98
Grants 30% protection from cold, magical of otherwise.
Usable by:
Fighters
Thieves
Clerics
-------------------
Chapter 6
And so it begins
Bhaal is dead, yet I am still alive. I never thought for a moment that I should deserve the same judgment as he. I am my own person; I should not be held accountable for his actions, should I? The world does not seem to hold my point of view. Who can blame them? They are frightened, all of them. They fear death, and rightly so. To die is to end, a thing no one would look forward too. Sane, that is. For them, I am the epitome of their fear, or rather, the son of it. Bhaal, Lord of Murder, was my father. For that reason, I deserve all of their hate. All of their fear.
Why? Do they not do deeds worse then my own? The human race is by no means one of goodly weal. The Zhentarim, an organization that requires no introduction, is largely comprised of humans. Some would say exclusively. Murder, rape, thievery and other crimes are committed daily, if not hourly, by members of this race. These people who lead lives filled with greed and hatred are none other then the people who condemn me for the blood that flows in my veins.
It makes sense, I suppose.
And then my thoughts turn towards Viconia, the renegade drow by my side. From a distance, I can only imagine how completely opposite we would appear. She is dark where I am light, and vise-versa. She has strengths that I do not, and weaknesses I do not possess. My hair is the hue of her skin, and her hair, mine. From a distance, we could not be more different, but in truth we have more in common then anyone will ever know. We are both outcasts, renegades. We are kindred, she and I. I would not have it any other way. Not with any other woman. Not with anyone at all.
Jered Kincaid
****************
Icewind Dale.
The cold, icy wind swept across the snow-covered dale. With it came the chilling sting that met any open eye viewing the landscape. The stars provided semi-adequate light, unhindered by clouds that would be present in a warmer climate. As the wind picked up some snow here and there it sparkled momentarily in the starlight, giving the otherwise barren planes an ethereal glow. The beauty found here was not lost to the human who viewed it. A longing sigh escaped his lips, and then crystallized in the air before his face.
Jered Kincaid stood on the wooden attached to the Sphere, just around the front door. He leaned against the smooth, cold surface of his new home. A home he was leaving behind far too soon for his liking. Just less then a month ago Amylessan the Unspellable had fallen to his blade, and he had on the freedom of a peaceful life. Or so he thought. The man let fall his head with a groan. He had thought the same when Irenicus fell... when Serevok fell.
He tightened his grip on the staff he held, something he had spent the all of the previous day in the forge to create. His thoughts turned dark with bitterness. Again it comes for me, he thought, very well... I shall have to bury it.
Again he raised his eyes and gazed upon the beautiful scene that would. Given several days, be to his back.
"I hope we are not gone for long." He murmured as much to himself as to his elven companion.
"It is too early in the night to feel nostalgic, my mrann d'ssinss. Or perhaps you feel it is not too early to call this wild quest off?" The sultry, feminine voice responded.
Kincaid turned to smile at his lover suggestively. "Don't tempt me." He said in a mock-warning tone.
Viconia raised a dangerous eyebrow, meeting his challenge. "Consider yourself tempted."
The human chuckled and pushed himself off of the Sphere. Straightening his clothes and dusting off a handful of snow, he asked. "You have all you will need?"
"I do" She replied, running a mental check of her inventory. She wore to two Holy symbols of Shar, one on each wrist, boots of frost protection, Armor of the Hart (Another surviving relic), Girdle of Fortitude and the (newly made by Kincaid) Gloves of the Tundra Yeti, which seemed to imbue her with considerable strength. She kept the two-headed Flail of ages at her side, along with the Sling of Seeking. In her hair she wore an Ioun Stone Kincaid had gifted to her long ago in the Temple of Amaunator, which would slowly heal her wounds over time. In her backpack she carried three changed of clothes and a good deal of food enspelled to prevent rotting. She wore a bag of holding at her waist, and inside, along with other things, was a more meaningful gift from the man she loved. An onyx spider figurine, Kitthix.
Kincaid nodded slowly and reached out to touch the Sphere with his hand. The gigantic object let out a subtle glow and chimed twice, indicating that it was now locked. Unlike a mage tower, fortress though it may be, Kincaid's Planer Sphere was literally impregnable, sealed from all sides from both forced and magical intrusion.
Kincaid took some small relief in knowing that they would not be robbed while away from home.
"Well, I for one am not looking forward to this bothersome diversion. Best that we get it over with quickly." Viconia said briskly as she strode past him and began her decent down the mountainous slopes.
Kincaid could not agree more.
*****************
Athkatla. The Copper Coronet.
"This one here is more annoying then deadly." Imoen pointed out as wrote down the symbols and a small depiction of another spell. Valygar, who was studiously paying attention over her shoulder, could not read the actual runes, of course. Doing so would cause severe pain, sometimes blindness or even madness and death (depending on the spell's power). Only a mage, a person who had trained his mind to cope with the incredible energies that accompanied magic, could look upon the runes of a spell. Even then, an inexperienced mage could suffer the same effects if the spell were too powerful. "Many young mages use it, however. Simply put, the spell will render its target immobile."
Valygar frowned. "Immobile? You mean like... frozen in time?"
The mage shook her head. "No, it would take much more powerful magic to do that. The target stays conscious of his surroundings, but can't move. This has happened to you before, hasn't it?"
Valygar nodded ruefully. "Indeed. More then once, as I recall. And every time it happened I know I'd soon feel Kincaid's staff giving me a good whack." He slammed his fist into an open hand for emphasis.
Imoen chuckled despite herself at the image that brought to mind. The Staff of the Magi was a magic-canceling weapon that Kincaid had always kept with him. Aside from it's many other charming features, the staff would dispel all magic on whatever it hit and the wizard would often use it to free his fellow comrades from the effects of enemy wizard's spells. A painful cure indeed, from the unnaturally strong man, despite it's effectiveness.
"Is there any way to break free from it?" The ranger asked rather eagerly. Any defensive trick against magic was welcome knowledge to him.
Imoen paused as she tried to find the right words to describe what she thought. There was indeed a way to avoid the holding effects, a mental feat of no mean skill level. Mages, clerics, and others who work magic and understand (in some small extent) it's make-up always stand a better chance at warding off its ill-effects then those who train their minds and bodies in the more linear arts, such as swordfighting. "It's... you have to block it with your mind... sort of... It's so hard to explain. Think of it as a mental parry."
Valygar raised an eyebrow at the expression and leaned back, visualizing the action in his head." Hm... interesting. In some strange way it makes sense."
"Ah! There you are, child." Spoke the familiar voice of a half-elven druid. "We must speak, for there is precious little time."
The mage and ranger regarded the approaching druid warily. Jaheira was girded for adventuring. Her Gnasher club hung ready at her side off of her Girdle of Bluntness. Her hair was mostly hidden under a helmet and her quiver was stuffed full of arrows, slung around the Gorgan Plate Mail that she wore.
"So... where's the party?" Imoen asked slowly.
"Calimshan, it would seem. The harpers have discovered several dead there, murdered in the same fashion, and have asked-" The inflection Jaheira gave that word let both Imoen and Valygar know exactly how they had 'asked'. Namely, they had commanded. "-me to investigate there further and leave Athkatla to Yar." Jaheira stopped then and let out a long-held-in sigh. Valygar and Imoen both sympathized. Soon enough, however, Jaheira stiffened and returned to her normal, strong-willed self. "In any case, there are few Harpers in Calimshan who are equipped for this level of work, and so I am needed there."
Valygar looked suspicious. "Just like that? They want you alone, who worked side-by-side with a Bhaalspawn to be their main agent in a strange land?"
The half-elf looked somewhat taken aback. "The Harpers actually put more trust in me for that. Though they did ask me of Kincaid's whereabouts. I feel sorry for him."
"What did you say?" Imoen pressed urgently.
"The truth, of course." Jaheira replied easily. "I know nothing of where Jered Kincaid is. They know the truth when they hear it, mind you."
Valygar frowned at this blatantly honest ignorance and looked to Imoen for answers. "Where DID he go to, anyway?" The dark-skinned ranger asked slowly.
Imoen shook her head. "It is best that neither of you know." She said. "For his safety, it would even be better if I didn't know either."
The ranger's brow furrowed for a moment, then he made a noticeable 'Ah!' face and nodded in understanding.
The pink-haired mage smiled at Jaheira. "We'll be ready in a few hours, right Val?"
The ranger nodded, stood, and straightened his clothes but Jaheira looked slightly hesitant. "I came to tell you of my leaving and to bid you two farewell. I do not think you should come with me, you will be needed elsewhere."
Valygar started to protest but Imoen beat him to it. "What? Isn't that what you came here to tell us, talking about precious little time? What is here for us, aside from an investigation we are not allowed to interfere with?"
Valygar nodded in agreement, the Harpers would not add them to their ranks for the sake of solving the mystery behind these recent murders. A lone agent, such as Jaheira, would be a different story, but the Harpers as an organization were an entirely different matter. "Indeed. What point is there in our remaining here?"
Jaheira shook her head. "No, not necessarily 'here'. I want you to look into Amkathran, investigate there while I am gone." Jaheira paused and looked at Imoen directly. "You know the spells that allow you to walk upon magic's silvery paths, correct?"
Imoen smiled. "Yes, I can teleport."
Jaheira offered a small shrug and a defeated smile. "Yes, well you can put it that way, I suppose. Keep those spells memorized in case you need them to leave quickly."
Imoen nodded and Jaheira returned the gesture, then to Valygar before turning away.
"Jaheira!" Imoen called after her. "Keep safe. find out who's behind these killings.... but keep safe."
*********************(oohh.... pretty stars)*****
Kayorin Irnghast knelt behind a large boulder in an outcropping of rocks, the ruins of some long-since-fallen tower. Once it had been taller by far then the nearby trees that surrounded it. Now it lay in weatherworn rubble. A testament to the fact that all things must end at some time. Kay and his three companions had been eyeing the most unlikely pair of travelers they had seen in several tendays. One was a tall, shaven barbarian of a man with a blue tattoo on his face and what appeared to be a small, furry animal on his shoulder. The other was a gray-bearded dwarf with several scars on his unpleasant face. Both were armed with apparently well-used weapons. Though they did not appear to be easy targets, Kay was confident that would prevail.
Not very confident, mind.
"Kay, I'm not sure, those two look no strangers to battle." Whispered the voice of Ithkarr, a whip-thin archer of considerable skill, behind him.
"It doesn't have to get violent, worry not. Besides, I'm not for three days without food." Kayorin grumbled. Life had not been kind to the group of bandits. Most cities turned the suspicious lot away at the gates, and few villages would suffer their presence for more then a few days, strangers as they were. Slowly making their way north in hopes of finding a home for themselves in one of the wealthier, more open cities, the four barely survived on what precious little gold they could intimidate out of passing merchants and travelers.
Sometimes those travelers were dangerous, but Kay knew they had to take the chance.
The swordsman turned to his friend and said. "Keep yer aim on the big guy, he looks trouble, think Erran an' me can handle the dwarf if worse comes to worse."
The archer nodded and gave several signals to the other two bandits hiding amongst the foliage on the opposite side of the road. Erran Yarrendale, a stocky, powerful fighter with one eye forever closed behind a scar that crossed half his face, returned the signals. Adel, predictably enough, could not be seen anywhere, but there was not doubt that the sneaky thief would make himself useful, though only if need be.
Kay steeled himself for the confrontation ahead. Most people did not take pleasure in having their money taken from them in any fashion. As he emerged from his hiding place and approached the pair on the road, Kayorin noticed the lack of surprise on their faces. Kayorin didn't like that.
"Ho, travelers! Hold a moment." The bandit called out.
Minsc looked as though he would respond, but Korgan beat him to it. "What do ye want, groundling?" The surly dwarf grumbled by way of greeting.
"Myself and my companions work hard to keep this road safe for friendly travelers like you and-" Kay started to say as politely as he could.
"We ain't friendly, ye son-of-a-dog-loving psycho bitch." Korgan easily returned. It would seem he was in a happy mood.
Minsc gave the dwarf a withering look. "That is no way to talk to friendly road caretakers. But Boo looks upon you with suspicion, little man. Where are your companions that you speak of?"
Kayorin made a wide, sweeping gesture. "Why, they are all around us. They're just a bit shy, you see. As I was saying, we work hard to keep this road safe, and would appreciate any charity you could offer."
Korgan patted his cold, glinting axe at his side and growled. "What do ye say about the charity of leaving with the use of yer legs?"
Kay made a tsk-tsking sound. "As I may have pointed out, my companions are all around us and, believe me, we are many-"
"Ye smell more like four." The battle-ready dwarf cut him short. "Who ever taught ye to ambush upwind smellin' like a green dragons mating fluids?"
Minsc and Kay both made disgusted faces, only Kay's was mingled with fear and anxiety. This is not going well, he thought.
"Please, little dwarf. Boo is too young to have to hear such language." Minsc said scoldingly, holding his fingers over the tiny rodent's ears. "Though he says he is glad you caught on to what these men intended and is happy he would not have to explain it to you."
Korgan glared at his companion while unhooking his axe with his free hand. Alarmed, Kayorin gave the signal for Ithkarr to fire and drew his own blade. An arrow flew overhead and bounced harmlessly off the ranger's well-made plate mail. A muttered curse could be heard from behind the boulder the arrow flew from and in an instant Kay was joined by Erran, his two-handed warhammer held ready.
"Look ye here, ye two." The gruff warrior spoke slowly. "We'll give ye one last chance. All we're askin for is yer gold, an' whatever pricey things ye might have on ye."
"Remember," Kay added quickly, still hoping for a peaceful solution. "We are four and you are but two, and my friends next arrow will not miss its mark."
"Ye're wrong, ye bug-shit-eatin' zombie rapist," Korgan bellowed, bringing his axe to bear and nudging Minsc, who already had Lilarcor ready in hand. "There are four of us as well. Meself, me friend, his rat..."
"And ME!" The sword chimed, much to the amazement of the two fighters.
"An' now we'll be seein' what yer guts be lookin' like!" The dwarf yelled as he charged the two bandits. Minsc rushed to follow, shouting a battle cry that died in his mouth as he tripped over something and landed hard on the ground.
"Ohf!" Said Lilarcor. "If I had lungs I'd be wanting air in them after that fall."
Minsc's warrior instincts took over immediately and he rolled to the side, just as Adel, who had tripped him, came down, pouncing with his dagger leading. The large ranger brought his legs up and kicked him off, hard, sending the thief flying several yards. Up came Minsc, Lilarcor flashing in front of him as Adel scrambled to his feet and drew a second dagger. This one little more then a knife.
"Ohh baby... only four inches?" Lilarcor whistled.
Adel gave the sword a look one would give a dog that had just soiled his best pair of boots. "You'll feel it."
The thief flipped the knife end-over-end and caught it at the blade, another flick of the wrist send the weapon flying straight at the large ranger. Fortunately, Minsc was quick on his feet and easily ducked the projectile, another arrow whistled over his head he did, missing by scant inches.. Coming up, he was surprised to find himself facing nothing at all, though he noted an empty bottle on the floor, and the arrow embedded in the ground.
Not far away, Korgan worked furiously against the measured strikes of the two bandits. Erran backed up his bluster with years of battle experience, feinting here and there before making a real strike, using his height to his advantage against his smaller foe, he worked to force Korgan into Kayorin's flashy blade work. Korgan paid the swordsman little heed, every now and then he'd throw a furious swing his way. Not incline to being hacked to bits, Kay easily backed away momentarily, allowing Korgan to focus more on the braver of the two.
Erran's hammer swung low, parallel to the ground. Korgan hopped up and brought his axe down as he fell, but the warrior's hammer quickly came up to stop the blow. The two weapons clashed hard enough to send sparks flying as the bandit and the dwarf struggled against each other's strength. Korgan bore down with all the power in his knotted arms, but as Erran fell to one knee, he managed to bring his other foot up into the dwarf's face while keeping his balance. Korgan stumbled back and took another powerful blow in the chest as Erran followed up with a lateral swing. Kayorin lunged immediately thereafter, but his sword was quickly swatted aside by Korgan's axe and he took a fist in his stomach for his efforts.
Korgan leveled a glare at Erran as he brought his axe to bear. "Is that all ye got?"
Minsc's senses heightened as he searched for his invisible foe. Looking for footfalls, listening for the sound of the thief's steps, trying to feel is presence in the wind, but this thief was no rank armature and could not be so easily found. Minsc was no armature either, however, and began making fast, sudden strikes in the air that would be difficult to dodge. Minsc turned with the speed of lightning and struck immediately behind him at where the thief would attempt a backstab time and time again, but each time he only cut air. Adel was either very good, of very patient.
"He's over there. No, there. No, no no... he's right there." The sword chimed before each strike.
Finally, Minsc paused to regard his talking blade. "Boo says you are guessing."
The sword flashed. "Yeah, well I don't see you coming up with any ideas."
Minsc looked thoughtful. "I don't need to, not while I have a miniature Giant Space Hamster to come up with ideas for me. Perhaps you could use a miniature Giant Space Butter Knife to help you."
Lilarcor made a sigh, then flashed again. "Say, I just thought of something. If I were a knife the best time for me to kill a suspecting foe would be..."
Minsc peered at his blade expectantly, then his eyes widened and he spun, swinging the two-handed sword around behind him. This time he was rewarded with the spray of blood that accompanied the newly decapitated, newly visible body that fell to the ground the next moment.
"... when he was standing there like an idiot talking to his sword." Lilarcor finished. "Hah hah! Good swing. Lots' of power behind that. Now let's to kill something else. I don't care what, just pick and slash. Kill kill kill!!
Minsc was already off running in the direction of the hidden archer when Lilarcor began ranting. This time, the ranger took an arrow in his left shoulder, right between the chest and shoulder plates. Minsc fell back a step and quickly examined the wound. Neither critical, nor deeply imbedded, the wound hurt nonetheless and made it difficult for the ranger to use his arm. Undaunted, the ranger continued to advance, while his archer foe cocked another arrow.
Korgan parried another sword slash, the leapt aside as Erran's hammer came down in a hard, downward stroke. The battlerager threw himself into a whirlwind attack, throwing blow after blow at Erran, far too quickly for even the seasoned veteran to parry. Frostreaver cut deep into the man's right thigh, the came around and sliced his right arm off at the elbow. The warrior howled in pain and launched a desperate strike with his remaining arm, still clutching on to his heavy axe. Before the blow could land, however, that arm, too, was lopped off by the whirling dwarf's axe. Erran fell to one knee, rendered helpless and suffering from the agonizing effects of Frostreaver's freezing acid bite.
Kayorin screamed in rage and swung hard at the dwarf with a series of skillful slices and thrusts. Korgan kept low and parried whatever got close, waiting for the perfect time. Kay made a fatal mistake as he stepped forward with an overhead strike. Korgan did not try to sidestep, but rather leaped forward, too close for the flawed attack to do any good. The hilt of Kayorin's sword clinked against the back of Korgan's plate mail armor at the same time as he felt the full force of the dwarf's Power Attack. Frostreaver cut open his midsection and sent him flying back, leaving a trail of blood (and a few guts too) in his wake. Kayorin did not move.
Minsc was there soon after, his bloody sword dragging across the dirt road. Behind him lay the body of the thin archer who could not put up much resistance against the might of the skilled ranger. "Ahh... another glorious battle for Minsc and Boo in the name of justice, truth, and toll- free highways the world over."
******************
Minsc and Korgan were far out of sight down the road when Kayorin opened his eyes. He knew he was dying, the wound was too severe and no cleric could help him. His eyes stared blankly at the sky, waiting for piece to find him.
He was still waiting when a figure obstructed his view. Kayorin's eyes widened in fear that any man should feel when seeing such a person. Despite his impending death, Kay felt fear grip his dying heart as though he had more to lose. His lips moved, but no words could be formed. The last thing Kayorin ever knew, was the feeling of a ritual stone short blade plunging into his heart, ending his life more quickly then his wounds would have granted.
The figure stood up, holding out a wrist that bore countless scars, it cut into it with the same blade, letting the blood the flowed forth drop in a circle around the body.
-------------------------
I need scissors... 12! my stomach is holding perhaps too much tea, but that's okay, because my grip on reality is a little loose, right now. I must first apologize for being so late with this chapter, I was depressed momentarily, you see. It happens. It affects us authors more then you would know... or perhaps you would. I know it is difficult, especially for me, but I must remain true to the story. worry not, my faithful readers (all 4 of you), for I shall continue to follow up with updates and interviews with cast&crew along with their gamographies and outtakes. Also, expect to see me in The Making of Balduar's Gate 3: The Treasure of Black Isle.
I hope you enjoyed that little fight scene there. I was just going to call it a short chapter, but I forced myself to write in that part, keeping myself awake until the ungodly hour of 5:26 pm. God! What kind of people stay up this late?!!
And what is that bright object in the sky? Why does it burn my skin? I need tea! 45!
Irenicus: Say... there's another question one of your reader's had here. It had to do with Imoen's ability to reach Kincaid in the Planer Sphere. He said he wants to know why the cowled wizard's would need Valygar to enter the Planer Sphere in the first place if Imoen, being a wizard, would have such easy access.
Dislexic:.....
Dislexic:.....
Dislexic: DAMNIT! I CAN'T TAKE THIS CRITISM!! *grabs a baseball bat and swings hard at computer* AIIEEE!!!
Irenicus: *Grabs bat in mid-strike* Think of everything you have on there! The poetry! The Video Games! The naked cg pictures of Nina Williams!
Dislexic: *calms*... yes.... you are right.
Irenicus: *Turns to reader* sorry... he hasn't had his nap yet.
Dislexic: *composes self* anyway... to answer your question, faithful reader, you may recall that Teos, the Apprentice mages, and Lord Kethorn's cronies had no trouble going in and out of the Planer Sphere once the wards were dropped. Also, Imoen merely cast a sending spell, much like a phone call it is merely a spell that allows one to speak with another far away. It is conceivable that such a harmless spell would be allowed through the wards, granted that they were active in part of whole at the time. Also one should note that one cannot travel through that particular spell, nor can one effect the area where one is 'sending' too in any way other then communication. I am now going to sleep.
Jon Irenicus heavily shook one of Dislexic's packets of Tonic and squirted it in his mouth: Yeuch! I can't believe you drink this stuff once a day!
Dislexic: Boo says stuff that is good for you rarely tastes good.
Irenicus: Boo?
Dislexic: My hamster. A Dwarf Siberian hamster with grayish brown fur.
Irenicus: Figures. Now something interests me about how the story is progressing..."
Dislexic: Shoot.
Irenicus: It seems that Kincaid and Viconia are once again pulled into the adventurer's life and will be leaving the comforts of Sphere... or home if you will. Does this mean that there will be less of a lemony scent in their scenes?
Dislexic: I can answer that question by asking you another one... can you pass me that magazine there?"
Irenicus: Which one? Ahh... The Right Stuff?
Dislexic: That's the one... ahh, here we are. Jon, you never saw Bastard! have you?
Irenicus: No, they didn't have Anime in Suldanessalar.
Dislexic: Well they have it by the armful here. I'm just not sure what to order. You can only see Cool Devices so many times without wanting something new, y'know?
Irenicus: Speaking of, do you plan on writing a fanfic for that too?
Dislexic: Feh. It would never get past the censors. By the way, with regards to the Blackrazor and it's presence in the story, that too will be explained in time.
Irenicus: I was wondering about that too. This Kincaid character of your is good, correct? Why then, would he have such an evil blade in Chapter 1?
Dislexic: Be patient and find out.
Irenicus: Also, Kincaid's massive hit points were point out as well... interesting math work, that.
Dislexic: Did he factor in the familiar's hit points?
Irenicus: I think he skipped that one.
Dislexic: oh, in any case, all shall be revealed in time. Tea quantities providing, of course.
Staff of Midnight.
Near microscopic runes cover much of the surface of this pitch-black staff. Its surface does not even seem to reflect light. As a weapon, the Staff of midnight draws on the magical energies of its wielder, making it impossible for any but one proficient in magic to wield. Many scholars speculate how any mage could make full use of this staff, for the magical energies that flow through it are more focused on melee combat then actual spell casting. It would seem that whoever were to wield this staff would not only need to be a mage, but a knowledgeable fighter as well. Apparently, it's maker, the sword saint-turned-mage Jered Kincaid was such a person.
Statistics
Armor Class: +3 bonus
Saving Throws: +2 bonus to saves vs. death, breath and wands.
1 additional attack per round
Dispel Magic
50% chance with each hit magic will be dispelled on target
Thaco: +4
Damage: 2d4 +5, +6 magical damage, +1d4 +3 cold damage
Damage type: Crushing
Weight: 5
Type: 2-handed
Proficiency type: Quarterstaff
Requires: 15 strength, 15 intelligence.
Speed Factor: 1
Usable by:
Mage
Gloves of the Tundra Yeti
Fashioned from the hands of a strong Tundra Yeti, these gloves have been magically enchanted to grant its wearer with the strength the creature once possessed. In addition, these white-furred gloves also give the wearer a degree of protection from the harsh, cold elements that the Tundra Yeti live through each day.
Statistics
Sets users strength to 18/98
Grants 30% protection from cold, magical of otherwise.
Usable by:
Fighters
Thieves
Clerics
-------------------
Chapter 6
And so it begins
Bhaal is dead, yet I am still alive. I never thought for a moment that I should deserve the same judgment as he. I am my own person; I should not be held accountable for his actions, should I? The world does not seem to hold my point of view. Who can blame them? They are frightened, all of them. They fear death, and rightly so. To die is to end, a thing no one would look forward too. Sane, that is. For them, I am the epitome of their fear, or rather, the son of it. Bhaal, Lord of Murder, was my father. For that reason, I deserve all of their hate. All of their fear.
Why? Do they not do deeds worse then my own? The human race is by no means one of goodly weal. The Zhentarim, an organization that requires no introduction, is largely comprised of humans. Some would say exclusively. Murder, rape, thievery and other crimes are committed daily, if not hourly, by members of this race. These people who lead lives filled with greed and hatred are none other then the people who condemn me for the blood that flows in my veins.
It makes sense, I suppose.
And then my thoughts turn towards Viconia, the renegade drow by my side. From a distance, I can only imagine how completely opposite we would appear. She is dark where I am light, and vise-versa. She has strengths that I do not, and weaknesses I do not possess. My hair is the hue of her skin, and her hair, mine. From a distance, we could not be more different, but in truth we have more in common then anyone will ever know. We are both outcasts, renegades. We are kindred, she and I. I would not have it any other way. Not with any other woman. Not with anyone at all.
Jered Kincaid
****************
Icewind Dale.
The cold, icy wind swept across the snow-covered dale. With it came the chilling sting that met any open eye viewing the landscape. The stars provided semi-adequate light, unhindered by clouds that would be present in a warmer climate. As the wind picked up some snow here and there it sparkled momentarily in the starlight, giving the otherwise barren planes an ethereal glow. The beauty found here was not lost to the human who viewed it. A longing sigh escaped his lips, and then crystallized in the air before his face.
Jered Kincaid stood on the wooden attached to the Sphere, just around the front door. He leaned against the smooth, cold surface of his new home. A home he was leaving behind far too soon for his liking. Just less then a month ago Amylessan the Unspellable had fallen to his blade, and he had on the freedom of a peaceful life. Or so he thought. The man let fall his head with a groan. He had thought the same when Irenicus fell... when Serevok fell.
He tightened his grip on the staff he held, something he had spent the all of the previous day in the forge to create. His thoughts turned dark with bitterness. Again it comes for me, he thought, very well... I shall have to bury it.
Again he raised his eyes and gazed upon the beautiful scene that would. Given several days, be to his back.
"I hope we are not gone for long." He murmured as much to himself as to his elven companion.
"It is too early in the night to feel nostalgic, my mrann d'ssinss. Or perhaps you feel it is not too early to call this wild quest off?" The sultry, feminine voice responded.
Kincaid turned to smile at his lover suggestively. "Don't tempt me." He said in a mock-warning tone.
Viconia raised a dangerous eyebrow, meeting his challenge. "Consider yourself tempted."
The human chuckled and pushed himself off of the Sphere. Straightening his clothes and dusting off a handful of snow, he asked. "You have all you will need?"
"I do" She replied, running a mental check of her inventory. She wore to two Holy symbols of Shar, one on each wrist, boots of frost protection, Armor of the Hart (Another surviving relic), Girdle of Fortitude and the (newly made by Kincaid) Gloves of the Tundra Yeti, which seemed to imbue her with considerable strength. She kept the two-headed Flail of ages at her side, along with the Sling of Seeking. In her hair she wore an Ioun Stone Kincaid had gifted to her long ago in the Temple of Amaunator, which would slowly heal her wounds over time. In her backpack she carried three changed of clothes and a good deal of food enspelled to prevent rotting. She wore a bag of holding at her waist, and inside, along with other things, was a more meaningful gift from the man she loved. An onyx spider figurine, Kitthix.
Kincaid nodded slowly and reached out to touch the Sphere with his hand. The gigantic object let out a subtle glow and chimed twice, indicating that it was now locked. Unlike a mage tower, fortress though it may be, Kincaid's Planer Sphere was literally impregnable, sealed from all sides from both forced and magical intrusion.
Kincaid took some small relief in knowing that they would not be robbed while away from home.
"Well, I for one am not looking forward to this bothersome diversion. Best that we get it over with quickly." Viconia said briskly as she strode past him and began her decent down the mountainous slopes.
Kincaid could not agree more.
*****************
Athkatla. The Copper Coronet.
"This one here is more annoying then deadly." Imoen pointed out as wrote down the symbols and a small depiction of another spell. Valygar, who was studiously paying attention over her shoulder, could not read the actual runes, of course. Doing so would cause severe pain, sometimes blindness or even madness and death (depending on the spell's power). Only a mage, a person who had trained his mind to cope with the incredible energies that accompanied magic, could look upon the runes of a spell. Even then, an inexperienced mage could suffer the same effects if the spell were too powerful. "Many young mages use it, however. Simply put, the spell will render its target immobile."
Valygar frowned. "Immobile? You mean like... frozen in time?"
The mage shook her head. "No, it would take much more powerful magic to do that. The target stays conscious of his surroundings, but can't move. This has happened to you before, hasn't it?"
Valygar nodded ruefully. "Indeed. More then once, as I recall. And every time it happened I know I'd soon feel Kincaid's staff giving me a good whack." He slammed his fist into an open hand for emphasis.
Imoen chuckled despite herself at the image that brought to mind. The Staff of the Magi was a magic-canceling weapon that Kincaid had always kept with him. Aside from it's many other charming features, the staff would dispel all magic on whatever it hit and the wizard would often use it to free his fellow comrades from the effects of enemy wizard's spells. A painful cure indeed, from the unnaturally strong man, despite it's effectiveness.
"Is there any way to break free from it?" The ranger asked rather eagerly. Any defensive trick against magic was welcome knowledge to him.
Imoen paused as she tried to find the right words to describe what she thought. There was indeed a way to avoid the holding effects, a mental feat of no mean skill level. Mages, clerics, and others who work magic and understand (in some small extent) it's make-up always stand a better chance at warding off its ill-effects then those who train their minds and bodies in the more linear arts, such as swordfighting. "It's... you have to block it with your mind... sort of... It's so hard to explain. Think of it as a mental parry."
Valygar raised an eyebrow at the expression and leaned back, visualizing the action in his head." Hm... interesting. In some strange way it makes sense."
"Ah! There you are, child." Spoke the familiar voice of a half-elven druid. "We must speak, for there is precious little time."
The mage and ranger regarded the approaching druid warily. Jaheira was girded for adventuring. Her Gnasher club hung ready at her side off of her Girdle of Bluntness. Her hair was mostly hidden under a helmet and her quiver was stuffed full of arrows, slung around the Gorgan Plate Mail that she wore.
"So... where's the party?" Imoen asked slowly.
"Calimshan, it would seem. The harpers have discovered several dead there, murdered in the same fashion, and have asked-" The inflection Jaheira gave that word let both Imoen and Valygar know exactly how they had 'asked'. Namely, they had commanded. "-me to investigate there further and leave Athkatla to Yar." Jaheira stopped then and let out a long-held-in sigh. Valygar and Imoen both sympathized. Soon enough, however, Jaheira stiffened and returned to her normal, strong-willed self. "In any case, there are few Harpers in Calimshan who are equipped for this level of work, and so I am needed there."
Valygar looked suspicious. "Just like that? They want you alone, who worked side-by-side with a Bhaalspawn to be their main agent in a strange land?"
The half-elf looked somewhat taken aback. "The Harpers actually put more trust in me for that. Though they did ask me of Kincaid's whereabouts. I feel sorry for him."
"What did you say?" Imoen pressed urgently.
"The truth, of course." Jaheira replied easily. "I know nothing of where Jered Kincaid is. They know the truth when they hear it, mind you."
Valygar frowned at this blatantly honest ignorance and looked to Imoen for answers. "Where DID he go to, anyway?" The dark-skinned ranger asked slowly.
Imoen shook her head. "It is best that neither of you know." She said. "For his safety, it would even be better if I didn't know either."
The ranger's brow furrowed for a moment, then he made a noticeable 'Ah!' face and nodded in understanding.
The pink-haired mage smiled at Jaheira. "We'll be ready in a few hours, right Val?"
The ranger nodded, stood, and straightened his clothes but Jaheira looked slightly hesitant. "I came to tell you of my leaving and to bid you two farewell. I do not think you should come with me, you will be needed elsewhere."
Valygar started to protest but Imoen beat him to it. "What? Isn't that what you came here to tell us, talking about precious little time? What is here for us, aside from an investigation we are not allowed to interfere with?"
Valygar nodded in agreement, the Harpers would not add them to their ranks for the sake of solving the mystery behind these recent murders. A lone agent, such as Jaheira, would be a different story, but the Harpers as an organization were an entirely different matter. "Indeed. What point is there in our remaining here?"
Jaheira shook her head. "No, not necessarily 'here'. I want you to look into Amkathran, investigate there while I am gone." Jaheira paused and looked at Imoen directly. "You know the spells that allow you to walk upon magic's silvery paths, correct?"
Imoen smiled. "Yes, I can teleport."
Jaheira offered a small shrug and a defeated smile. "Yes, well you can put it that way, I suppose. Keep those spells memorized in case you need them to leave quickly."
Imoen nodded and Jaheira returned the gesture, then to Valygar before turning away.
"Jaheira!" Imoen called after her. "Keep safe. find out who's behind these killings.... but keep safe."
*********************(oohh.... pretty stars)*****
Kayorin Irnghast knelt behind a large boulder in an outcropping of rocks, the ruins of some long-since-fallen tower. Once it had been taller by far then the nearby trees that surrounded it. Now it lay in weatherworn rubble. A testament to the fact that all things must end at some time. Kay and his three companions had been eyeing the most unlikely pair of travelers they had seen in several tendays. One was a tall, shaven barbarian of a man with a blue tattoo on his face and what appeared to be a small, furry animal on his shoulder. The other was a gray-bearded dwarf with several scars on his unpleasant face. Both were armed with apparently well-used weapons. Though they did not appear to be easy targets, Kay was confident that would prevail.
Not very confident, mind.
"Kay, I'm not sure, those two look no strangers to battle." Whispered the voice of Ithkarr, a whip-thin archer of considerable skill, behind him.
"It doesn't have to get violent, worry not. Besides, I'm not for three days without food." Kayorin grumbled. Life had not been kind to the group of bandits. Most cities turned the suspicious lot away at the gates, and few villages would suffer their presence for more then a few days, strangers as they were. Slowly making their way north in hopes of finding a home for themselves in one of the wealthier, more open cities, the four barely survived on what precious little gold they could intimidate out of passing merchants and travelers.
Sometimes those travelers were dangerous, but Kay knew they had to take the chance.
The swordsman turned to his friend and said. "Keep yer aim on the big guy, he looks trouble, think Erran an' me can handle the dwarf if worse comes to worse."
The archer nodded and gave several signals to the other two bandits hiding amongst the foliage on the opposite side of the road. Erran Yarrendale, a stocky, powerful fighter with one eye forever closed behind a scar that crossed half his face, returned the signals. Adel, predictably enough, could not be seen anywhere, but there was not doubt that the sneaky thief would make himself useful, though only if need be.
Kay steeled himself for the confrontation ahead. Most people did not take pleasure in having their money taken from them in any fashion. As he emerged from his hiding place and approached the pair on the road, Kayorin noticed the lack of surprise on their faces. Kayorin didn't like that.
"Ho, travelers! Hold a moment." The bandit called out.
Minsc looked as though he would respond, but Korgan beat him to it. "What do ye want, groundling?" The surly dwarf grumbled by way of greeting.
"Myself and my companions work hard to keep this road safe for friendly travelers like you and-" Kay started to say as politely as he could.
"We ain't friendly, ye son-of-a-dog-loving psycho bitch." Korgan easily returned. It would seem he was in a happy mood.
Minsc gave the dwarf a withering look. "That is no way to talk to friendly road caretakers. But Boo looks upon you with suspicion, little man. Where are your companions that you speak of?"
Kayorin made a wide, sweeping gesture. "Why, they are all around us. They're just a bit shy, you see. As I was saying, we work hard to keep this road safe, and would appreciate any charity you could offer."
Korgan patted his cold, glinting axe at his side and growled. "What do ye say about the charity of leaving with the use of yer legs?"
Kay made a tsk-tsking sound. "As I may have pointed out, my companions are all around us and, believe me, we are many-"
"Ye smell more like four." The battle-ready dwarf cut him short. "Who ever taught ye to ambush upwind smellin' like a green dragons mating fluids?"
Minsc and Kay both made disgusted faces, only Kay's was mingled with fear and anxiety. This is not going well, he thought.
"Please, little dwarf. Boo is too young to have to hear such language." Minsc said scoldingly, holding his fingers over the tiny rodent's ears. "Though he says he is glad you caught on to what these men intended and is happy he would not have to explain it to you."
Korgan glared at his companion while unhooking his axe with his free hand. Alarmed, Kayorin gave the signal for Ithkarr to fire and drew his own blade. An arrow flew overhead and bounced harmlessly off the ranger's well-made plate mail. A muttered curse could be heard from behind the boulder the arrow flew from and in an instant Kay was joined by Erran, his two-handed warhammer held ready.
"Look ye here, ye two." The gruff warrior spoke slowly. "We'll give ye one last chance. All we're askin for is yer gold, an' whatever pricey things ye might have on ye."
"Remember," Kay added quickly, still hoping for a peaceful solution. "We are four and you are but two, and my friends next arrow will not miss its mark."
"Ye're wrong, ye bug-shit-eatin' zombie rapist," Korgan bellowed, bringing his axe to bear and nudging Minsc, who already had Lilarcor ready in hand. "There are four of us as well. Meself, me friend, his rat..."
"And ME!" The sword chimed, much to the amazement of the two fighters.
"An' now we'll be seein' what yer guts be lookin' like!" The dwarf yelled as he charged the two bandits. Minsc rushed to follow, shouting a battle cry that died in his mouth as he tripped over something and landed hard on the ground.
"Ohf!" Said Lilarcor. "If I had lungs I'd be wanting air in them after that fall."
Minsc's warrior instincts took over immediately and he rolled to the side, just as Adel, who had tripped him, came down, pouncing with his dagger leading. The large ranger brought his legs up and kicked him off, hard, sending the thief flying several yards. Up came Minsc, Lilarcor flashing in front of him as Adel scrambled to his feet and drew a second dagger. This one little more then a knife.
"Ohh baby... only four inches?" Lilarcor whistled.
Adel gave the sword a look one would give a dog that had just soiled his best pair of boots. "You'll feel it."
The thief flipped the knife end-over-end and caught it at the blade, another flick of the wrist send the weapon flying straight at the large ranger. Fortunately, Minsc was quick on his feet and easily ducked the projectile, another arrow whistled over his head he did, missing by scant inches.. Coming up, he was surprised to find himself facing nothing at all, though he noted an empty bottle on the floor, and the arrow embedded in the ground.
Not far away, Korgan worked furiously against the measured strikes of the two bandits. Erran backed up his bluster with years of battle experience, feinting here and there before making a real strike, using his height to his advantage against his smaller foe, he worked to force Korgan into Kayorin's flashy blade work. Korgan paid the swordsman little heed, every now and then he'd throw a furious swing his way. Not incline to being hacked to bits, Kay easily backed away momentarily, allowing Korgan to focus more on the braver of the two.
Erran's hammer swung low, parallel to the ground. Korgan hopped up and brought his axe down as he fell, but the warrior's hammer quickly came up to stop the blow. The two weapons clashed hard enough to send sparks flying as the bandit and the dwarf struggled against each other's strength. Korgan bore down with all the power in his knotted arms, but as Erran fell to one knee, he managed to bring his other foot up into the dwarf's face while keeping his balance. Korgan stumbled back and took another powerful blow in the chest as Erran followed up with a lateral swing. Kayorin lunged immediately thereafter, but his sword was quickly swatted aside by Korgan's axe and he took a fist in his stomach for his efforts.
Korgan leveled a glare at Erran as he brought his axe to bear. "Is that all ye got?"
Minsc's senses heightened as he searched for his invisible foe. Looking for footfalls, listening for the sound of the thief's steps, trying to feel is presence in the wind, but this thief was no rank armature and could not be so easily found. Minsc was no armature either, however, and began making fast, sudden strikes in the air that would be difficult to dodge. Minsc turned with the speed of lightning and struck immediately behind him at where the thief would attempt a backstab time and time again, but each time he only cut air. Adel was either very good, of very patient.
"He's over there. No, there. No, no no... he's right there." The sword chimed before each strike.
Finally, Minsc paused to regard his talking blade. "Boo says you are guessing."
The sword flashed. "Yeah, well I don't see you coming up with any ideas."
Minsc looked thoughtful. "I don't need to, not while I have a miniature Giant Space Hamster to come up with ideas for me. Perhaps you could use a miniature Giant Space Butter Knife to help you."
Lilarcor made a sigh, then flashed again. "Say, I just thought of something. If I were a knife the best time for me to kill a suspecting foe would be..."
Minsc peered at his blade expectantly, then his eyes widened and he spun, swinging the two-handed sword around behind him. This time he was rewarded with the spray of blood that accompanied the newly decapitated, newly visible body that fell to the ground the next moment.
"... when he was standing there like an idiot talking to his sword." Lilarcor finished. "Hah hah! Good swing. Lots' of power behind that. Now let's to kill something else. I don't care what, just pick and slash. Kill kill kill!!
Minsc was already off running in the direction of the hidden archer when Lilarcor began ranting. This time, the ranger took an arrow in his left shoulder, right between the chest and shoulder plates. Minsc fell back a step and quickly examined the wound. Neither critical, nor deeply imbedded, the wound hurt nonetheless and made it difficult for the ranger to use his arm. Undaunted, the ranger continued to advance, while his archer foe cocked another arrow.
Korgan parried another sword slash, the leapt aside as Erran's hammer came down in a hard, downward stroke. The battlerager threw himself into a whirlwind attack, throwing blow after blow at Erran, far too quickly for even the seasoned veteran to parry. Frostreaver cut deep into the man's right thigh, the came around and sliced his right arm off at the elbow. The warrior howled in pain and launched a desperate strike with his remaining arm, still clutching on to his heavy axe. Before the blow could land, however, that arm, too, was lopped off by the whirling dwarf's axe. Erran fell to one knee, rendered helpless and suffering from the agonizing effects of Frostreaver's freezing acid bite.
Kayorin screamed in rage and swung hard at the dwarf with a series of skillful slices and thrusts. Korgan kept low and parried whatever got close, waiting for the perfect time. Kay made a fatal mistake as he stepped forward with an overhead strike. Korgan did not try to sidestep, but rather leaped forward, too close for the flawed attack to do any good. The hilt of Kayorin's sword clinked against the back of Korgan's plate mail armor at the same time as he felt the full force of the dwarf's Power Attack. Frostreaver cut open his midsection and sent him flying back, leaving a trail of blood (and a few guts too) in his wake. Kayorin did not move.
Minsc was there soon after, his bloody sword dragging across the dirt road. Behind him lay the body of the thin archer who could not put up much resistance against the might of the skilled ranger. "Ahh... another glorious battle for Minsc and Boo in the name of justice, truth, and toll- free highways the world over."
******************
Minsc and Korgan were far out of sight down the road when Kayorin opened his eyes. He knew he was dying, the wound was too severe and no cleric could help him. His eyes stared blankly at the sky, waiting for piece to find him.
He was still waiting when a figure obstructed his view. Kayorin's eyes widened in fear that any man should feel when seeing such a person. Despite his impending death, Kay felt fear grip his dying heart as though he had more to lose. His lips moved, but no words could be formed. The last thing Kayorin ever knew, was the feeling of a ritual stone short blade plunging into his heart, ending his life more quickly then his wounds would have granted.
The figure stood up, holding out a wrist that bore countless scars, it cut into it with the same blade, letting the blood the flowed forth drop in a circle around the body.
-------------------------
I need scissors... 12! my stomach is holding perhaps too much tea, but that's okay, because my grip on reality is a little loose, right now. I must first apologize for being so late with this chapter, I was depressed momentarily, you see. It happens. It affects us authors more then you would know... or perhaps you would. I know it is difficult, especially for me, but I must remain true to the story. worry not, my faithful readers (all 4 of you), for I shall continue to follow up with updates and interviews with cast&crew along with their gamographies and outtakes. Also, expect to see me in The Making of Balduar's Gate 3: The Treasure of Black Isle.
I hope you enjoyed that little fight scene there. I was just going to call it a short chapter, but I forced myself to write in that part, keeping myself awake until the ungodly hour of 5:26 pm. God! What kind of people stay up this late?!!
And what is that bright object in the sky? Why does it burn my skin? I need tea! 45!
Irenicus: Say... there's another question one of your reader's had here. It had to do with Imoen's ability to reach Kincaid in the Planer Sphere. He said he wants to know why the cowled wizard's would need Valygar to enter the Planer Sphere in the first place if Imoen, being a wizard, would have such easy access.
Dislexic:.....
Dislexic:.....
Dislexic: DAMNIT! I CAN'T TAKE THIS CRITISM!! *grabs a baseball bat and swings hard at computer* AIIEEE!!!
Irenicus: *Grabs bat in mid-strike* Think of everything you have on there! The poetry! The Video Games! The naked cg pictures of Nina Williams!
Dislexic: *calms*... yes.... you are right.
Irenicus: *Turns to reader* sorry... he hasn't had his nap yet.
Dislexic: *composes self* anyway... to answer your question, faithful reader, you may recall that Teos, the Apprentice mages, and Lord Kethorn's cronies had no trouble going in and out of the Planer Sphere once the wards were dropped. Also, Imoen merely cast a sending spell, much like a phone call it is merely a spell that allows one to speak with another far away. It is conceivable that such a harmless spell would be allowed through the wards, granted that they were active in part of whole at the time. Also one should note that one cannot travel through that particular spell, nor can one effect the area where one is 'sending' too in any way other then communication. I am now going to sleep.