Considerably shorter chapter than usual warning! This is my lazy work; edited Bioware writings and my own sole entry. Sorry, but the information in Irenicus' diary is so utterly pivotal to the next direction the story shall take that I can't just shove it in alongside a 'normal' chapter and have done with it. Still, I wrote two chapters yesterday, so I'm allowed a shorter one today!
More importantly, this final chapter marks the end of Book One of Tide of Destiny. This rather modest piece of work has just hit the 200 page mark, which doesn't sound too long when you think about it, and I've realised that I'm starting to get a little burnt out. Whilst I still have many, many ideas for how to round this piece of fic off, realising those ideas is starting to seem more like a trial, especially as the plans are rather disjointed. The last few chapters have been mildly disappointing in terms of logical thinking, most especially this Yoshimo/Irenicus' journal fiasco, which was a rather messy piece of plotting. I need something of a break.
However, before you go off and start pleading me to not stop (*snort*), this doesn't mean I'm going to stop writing. I've had thousands of ideas for BG fics in my head, and since I did some eliminating of the impossible or plain too controversial, there's one fanfic which stands out as something I'd like to do, and something I can do. Tide of Destiny's prequel. Baldur's Gate, the original, treated with my usual flair and, erm, bastardising of the storyline. Feel free to moan if I'm heading off in the wrong direction.
Chapter 79: Sneak Peek
First Journal Entry of Jon Irenicus:
No doubt these texts will prove to be an embarrassing legacy, but I must order my thoughts herein, lest they spill from my accursed mind.
Spellhold was easy to gain control of. Once recovered from my torpor I made short work of what defences there were. Coordinator Wanev conveniently removed himself, suffering a peculiar reaction to a spell of mine. I forget what it was; perhaps something I heard in the temples of Suldanesselar... does it even matter now?
With Imoen gone, taken by those Cowled fools, I clearly needed to adapt my plan. Returning to the mainland was a simple enough task, for infiltration easily goes undetected by the skilled mage. Bodhi found me quite quickly, showing that her vampirism is a little more useful than I had previously thought, and our designs were rapidly changed to suit our environment. Soon, everything shall be ready. Soon, we shall be able to return…
My condition grows worse, and what I remember of my 'home' is fleeting. I see images of family whose names I cannot recall, and dream of emotions I no longer feel as vividly. On occasion I sense nature as if she is my mother, as though never removed from her bosom, but such moments are few. I bear the hallmarks of senility with the rage and power of a young elf to lament it.
Bodhi endured the curse much better than I do now, but she was more focused and, more importantly, undead. She is now thoroughly seduced by her vampiric condition, despite its previous failure to counteract the death sentence she was under. She had embraced her mortality, excited by the urgency of it, but now she is confused. Imoen's soul has restored her, but her motives remain transparent, even simplistic. She revels in her carnal nature, even as the elf within despises the creature she has become.
I would pity my 'sister' if I was capable, but emotions come to me only in violent outbursts. Ellesime has taken my ability to truly feel, and I am left with the threadbare heart of a human, or some other short-lived vermin. I will not suffer this much longer – even now, Harrian shall be brought to the chamber.
Bodhi's vampiric lair has met my needs quite well, surprisingly. Ancient crypts, full of an old and powerful magic which has lain dormant for centuries were possibly even more suitable than Spellhold would have been. It was little work to build what was needed, and I have finished preparing the necessary rituals. I am quite through with Imoen, and she shall be disposed of as soon as I no longer have need for Harrian.
Second Journal Entry of Jon Irenicus:
Victory! I am restored! Harrian has given exactly what I needed, exactly as I demanded, and now I see where Bodhi has found such fire! I feel the essence of the gods within me! Damn Ellesime's curse for the weak minded spell that it was; now I am free. Harrian did not make proper use of the heritage given him.
Now comes the time of retribution. I will not allow such a crime to go unpunished. The audacity of Ellesime, claiming my punishment was just, and the hypocrisy of 'my' people, accepting such an act while decrying mine. I will not let this rest. I will take what I intended, and those that would stand before me will fall as they should. Today is a much better day. I will act at my leisure.
Third Journal Entry of Jon Irenicus:
This should be my final entry in this journal – upon my departure, it will be far from safe to travel with such a potentially dangerous documents. I shall be dealing with dangerous and cunning people, and for them to find something which could open up a window into my mind they might take advantage of could be disastrous.
I do not appreciate being forced down the road that awaits me. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and all that, yet the idea of an alliance with the Drow almost turns my stomach. However, I will need them, and this partnership will be little more than a means to an end. Ultimately, they will fall before me, just as others shall.
Simply because they are the most obvious candidates for this role, however, will not make them easy to persuade. The drow keep to the Underdark, and apart from the occasional foray to the surface, they have not emerged with a grand army – such as the one I will require – for centuries.
Yet I shall not underestimate the need for vengeance. How could I, when all that I do is geared towards such a goal? I shall offer them to strike against Suldanesselar, an offer they can barely refuse. But they shall try. Indeed, they shall try to stand against me, even though it is a battle they have already failed.
Negotiations should take time. If I am to concede that all of the wealth of Suldanesselar shall be theirs the moment I ask for their help, they will be too suspicious. Though all I care about is the Tree of Life, I shall have to simulate a desire for the riches of the entire city, and play out a drama on the negotiating table. No matter what, I have to ensure that the drow believe this operation shall go ahead on their terms, not mine.
As such, I am assuming it will take five or six weeks until the campaign can commence. It will take work to even get into Ust Natha, then more time to get the matron mother to actually listen to my demands, let alone get us to the stage of beating out this alliance.
No matter. Time is now utterly on my side… an immortal soul sustains me far more than any false life Bodhi could have offered before. Gods, I am alive!