Instead of going the west way, I strode up to the south door. A way west was revealed and another door to the south. Invisible once more, I went west and witnessed an argument between a Werebeast leader and an Orc & Troll, who provoked the Werebeast leader to attack. The troops won the conflict with their leader, and commented to one another that they were leaving for good. I wondered what made them desert their army as I let them pass by without conflict. It could not have been simply my presence, could it? Well, they did make some other comment, but I did not hear it. I continued west, and found myself at a dead end. After a bit, I detected a secret door and opened it to find a few more constructs. The tactics from before worked here, as well. I just got the attention of one of the smaller constructs, which made them all notice my presence, and dashed for the doorway. The large one made it to the door, and could go no further; which left the smaller ones to fume behind it. Again, I took out the smaller ones then concentrated my magic power on the large one, that fell with a satisfying noise. I remained in the area for a while to see if anything would investigate. In this instance, I need not have spent the time doing so, as I remained alone. I explored the area, and found a gem and some war supplies; some type of arrows, if I remember correctly.
Through the south door, debatably cunning Werebeasts that I saw in the form of humans originally, wanted me to heal someone that was wounded. Actually, they wanted me in their stomachs. Their fur coats are now available - if not free, then real cheap. A few spots may be scorched. The plea for help - that someone was wounded was, of course, not to be believed. I was a bit more seasoned to this place after my encounter with Samia. I must remember that here paranoia may be key to survival. Get caught off guard once too often then you may become a tasty snack, or otherwise at the end of your life. I found what looks to be quite an interesting horn, and will examine it later.
Having backtracked to the well with the western hallway where I destroyed the Golem constructs, It ended, but had a small room to the right with a door to the east. From here, there were steps from an eastern start downward to a northern door. I found the jail cells and some Orc troops with Chieftain Digdug (mentioned at the entrance of the Citadel), and a Minotaur I thought was dead from Baulder's Gate. He was tough, but my magic was tougher. I found Iltha, Garric's daughter, in the cell. Iltha and I had a short conversation. Wide western steps down. Looked like it was time to meet Lord Firkraag.
Journal Entry 10
The cell must have a special lock, as my open spell failed. To ensure Iltha's safety, I left my Fell Five at her cell door. I then cast a few protective spells including resist fear, and went down the stairs to Firkraag's lair. A Magician stood close by the Dragon; I ignored him as the head of Firkraag turned towards me.
This whole thing was set up to make my foster Father, Gorion (now dead by Serovok's hand), suffer in his afterlife. Although Firkraag did admit his interest in the conflict between Irenicus and I, he grew bored with me. He was originally interested in me for my Bhaal heritage, but no longer. During this conversation, I made sure to stand 10 feet away from Firkraag's position. It might have appeared that an arrow slipped from the ammunition pack, but that was on purpose, as you will see. I told Firkraag that he has to know that I must rescue Garric's Daughter, Iltha. He questioned me about it, but in the end, gave his Magician instructions to guard the girl as a test of his loyalty. Firkraag then told me to make my attempt to free the girl. The Mage was teleporting even as I raced to the steps. I kept glancing back at Firkraag, until I could not see him. I then looked for and, indeed, spotted my arrow I had "dropped". Satisfied, I started again for the jail cells.
When I caught up to the Magician in Firkraag's service named Conster, I did try to reason with him, but he would not have it. The Fell Five and I ended that service, permanently. I found the special key to the jail cell and released Iltha, who thanked me and hurried off in freedom back to her Father, after I told her the way back to the entrance of the Citadel was clear.
Now I will tell you why I left an arrow near Firkraag. With no need for anything but caution, I now advanced back towards Firkraag very slowly until I just spotted the arrow. I started by selecting my sequencer that had 2 web spells and keyed the sequencer upon the arrow - close enough to Firkraag, but just out of sight, I caught him with my spells before he could spot me and react to my presence. I laid it on thick from web to a few other spells to using my wand so that Firkraag could not move, nor take a clean breath. His dying cry just about set me to a panic. With cold sweat that turned into elation, I let the spells run their course. When I could no longer see their effects on the atmosphere in Firkraag's lair, I went to see my handiwork with a time stop in effect. I forgot to refresh my resist fear spell. That could have been additional trouble, if not death for me, should Firkraag have broken loose and came after me. Firkraag, no longer Lord of the region, lay dead. I found the part of his hoard that his body was not lying upon, and carried it away with me in several trips out of his Citadel. I then paid a visit to Garric and told him of the death of Firkraag; he was at once astonished and grateful. Leaving Garric's home, I found the Fairy Queen and gave her the Acorns of the Dryads who were stuck in the dungeon of Irenicus. The Queen was most pleased to accept the Acorns. Irenicus could no longer hold the Dryads captive; good work, if you can find it. Leaving the area, I went back to the City of Coins, and ended up at the Copper Coronet Inn. This wraps up my Journal entry for now. I am going to take some time to see if I can locate any more books.
Journal Entry 11
Kangaxx - Caution: Extremely Powerful Lich
While near the docks, I let my curiosity get the best of me, and entered a house near the Inn of the area. I spotted three Minotaurs, and used my staff of the Magi to good effect; the Minotaurs never hurt me. I then descended a set of stairs. The only thing of note was a sarcophagus. Upon examination, a golden skull with red glowing embers where the eyes should have been spoke with me. Kangaxx was the name. It wished to employ my help in obtaining its freedom. I thought to myself: here we go again. I got as much information from Kangaxx as I could. I recalled there was a similar tomb from a path that led to it from the sewers in the Temple district, so I headed that way. With defensive magic active, I examined the tomb under the Temples. A Lich appeared and fought against me. I just about countered every spell it threw at me and laid it to final rest with a few of my own spells. When I went to look at what the Lich was protecting, I found one of the segments of Kangaxx's body. I could actually feel the evil coming from what looked like golden bones. I went back to the docks, meandering here and there, wondering where the rest of the bones of Kangaxx could be. Seeing a Monastery, I entered to see if there were any books. Success, but they were all the ones that I had already read. Leaving the Monastery, thugs sought my life. I explained to them that, in no uncertain terms, their lives were over. They complied when various parts of their body impacted upon my staff. I made a few trips to the Shadow Thieves headquarters to sell their equipment. While the equipment was not worth very much, it adds up over time. Who knows what I will come upon and wish to purchase? For example, in Trademeet, I found a robe of the good Archmage - in the smithy shop! I wear it now, and the magic helps me survive. In talking about magical items, the horn I found in the lair of Firkraag is called the Horn of Blasting. It seems a fairly dangerous item, I believe: you can determine how far away you want the effect of the horn to sound. If you sound it too close to yourself, you may end up feeling its effects, as well. If you are the one who finds my Journal and the horn, remember to use extreme caution; sound the horn only a fair distance away from yourself. Some time soon, I would like to test it out - in a non-hostile area free of any ears to hear. As well, a nice distance away from myself. Perhaps I will take it to Watcher's Keep, which is remote and I have not noticed anyone about - until you climb to the top, which is where the Knights of the Vigil have placed themselves. I've recharged my Wand of Cloudkill already. It got down to single digit charges, so I restored it back to 50 charges. As to its use, I wish I had thought to use my farsight spell while Firkraag was choking to death in part due to the wand I mention. I was too intent on dealing death to that creature, that the sight of another Dragon going down in defeat never entered my blood-misted mind. When I had gone "toe to claw" with the Shadow Dragon, I had only Yoshimo fighting with me, using his bow on that first Dragon I had met and destroyed. The Shadow Dragon was my first encounter with the most ancient of creatures on this world. My power was such at that time that I could actually go toe to claw with the Shadow Dragon. However, it did very nearly kill me. As you can see, I am a bit more cautious in my approach to overcome such a powerful foe, although I now have much more powerful magic in reserve, had my new tactics failed. As to the Wand of Cloudkill, I have gotten too close to the area effect of a cloudkill before, and I left it immediately. Firkraag suffered more in his last few mortal moments than all the suffering he intended for Gorion and I both put together - and then some more. Perhaps double. I am not sure what I did with the monster-summoning wand. That was the only other wand that could be used far away from close melee conflict. Of course, there are exceptions. I could have brought the wand of lightning to Firkraag's lair and keyed the wand upon the arrows firing blind. A reaction sound would have told me that I hit my target, and I could have continued to use lightning to defeat him. Or not - by that time, Firkraag might have gotten loose from my web spells.
Journal Entry 12
I started talking about magical items, then somehow got on the tactics subject, hum? I would guess that the number of people who might read my Journal is quite low. Does it even matter who might read it - or even what the Journal contains - I don't know. Just as the exposition of a Villain may undo him, the same might be said for the Hero. That is, if you, the reader, can call me that. Yes, Iltha was saved from the Dragon known as Firkraag. What of the lives lost in my campaign against the Dragon? What of the undead - defeated, although still undead? The Vampires will have to range a lot farther in their need for life's blood. My inability to locate their coffins and end their undeath will have serious consequences to a lot of folk; this does not sound like the result of a Hero, although the Dragon would no doubt have continued its evil ways. Does the hurt that I am responsible for in the ending of so many lives balance out the diminished evil of the end of Firkraag? Again, I don't know. Of course, I would like to think that it does.
Journal Entry 13
Aerie, the dilemma of my heart
I wonder, as well, that both my thoughts and dreams end up about Aerie, the young Elven lady from the Circus I found at Wakeen's Promenade. My feelings are bittersweet. I do not doubt I will always love her. What I agonize over is could she ever come to love me? Those are my feelings. What are my thoughts, though? Surely, with my intellect, I can figure out what to do with these feelings and urges? My own answer to date is my lack of wisdom as well as experience. I am a young human male and I want to tie my biological star on an Elf? This sounds like another type of madness; perhaps self-delusion when I seem to find a way to make my feelings known to Aerie - only to knock them down with logic. As well: the fear of rejection and perhaps even hostility. And why does it bother me - her possible rejection or hostility towards me? It must be a basic instinctual response to my mind working in circles. Perhaps I should visit the Circus and ask her to accompany me on my travels. That may be the only way to find a solution to the dilemma of my heart - firmly locked upon this Elven woman with the sweet voice that moves me so. Even as I write this, I blush; she is a winged Elf? I saw no wings; then imagined Aerie with wings - then without clothing - for how could wings work with clothing (my baser, leering mind wanted to know)? Of course, I have yet to see her from the rear. As I thought of this, I wanted to jump up and go to her directly. I quashed that urge and sat back down to continue my Journal. I write that Aerie moves me; that she does, tragically. There are so many reasons to forget this fixation. Not the least of which, as an Elf, Aerie is an immortal. I am simply a short-lived human.
Journal Entry 14
Hypothesis of Love
I return to my Journal from a great deal of thought and analysis both of myself and any possibilities of seeing Aerie as of now or shortly here after. I have decided to ask Aerie to come with me on my journey. Quite the selfish act, I believe: the dangers are increased being near me; although she can always leave should she desire to do so. I will be sure to mention that increased danger to Aerie. In the mean time, my love will remain in my heart; my hope will be the blossom of an impossible mutual love. If she remains or not, I will always be her friend if, as I surmise, her nature remains good versus an evil one. My prediction is that I will simply become a small part in one of the chapters in her eternal existence. That will be enough for me. Should the impossible happen? Well, I will cross that bridge should I arrive at that bridge. And I? I would be her friend. I must ensure that I know if winged Elves mate for life; I could not subject her to my love if that is so. I would have to remain only a friend and deny her should she initiate any feelings of love for me. That, dear reader, may be my greatest battle. It is, however, one that I swear by all that is good I will not lose.
Aerie, my friend, should my Journal end up in your hands, forgive any assumptions I made that you might have wanted a say or the final say about, since it might or does affect you in some manner. You might have wanted the result to come out otherwise than the reality of what has happened between us. I am just now attempting to learn to be wise. Forgive me my errors regarding both you and us - that is: any relationship in whatever way happens between us. In terms of physical years, you are perhaps 5 times older than I. If you were a human, though, I would be robbing a cradle should a mutual love bloom. I would and will wait forever for your love should it become reality. Since I believe honesty is of value to us both, I confess as I write this sad tears come in pity for myself since the impossible rarely if ever comes true. Would that I had been born a winged Elf myself, then the word impossible would fade from my memory. I go to rest now, and hope to dream of you once more. I do believe I know the meaning of true love: that what I want is gladly denied to fulfill the dreams of another. I am at peace. I will do my best to see your dreams fulfilled. I hope, for but one night in your eternity, you will dream of me.
Journal entry 15
Tasks from the Shadowmaster with Goal: Rescue Imoen
The Shadowmaster was correct, as he is in most things, I'll wager. I went down to the docks at night and met Mook. A filthy Vampire ripped her throat out before I could move. I sent its mist back to its grave to recuperate. Mook's head was secured by only a flap of skin on the back of the neck. I staked her heart so she would not regenerate into an undead creature. There are many that are physically stronger than I; however, I believe the rage I felt at that time enabled me to carry Mook in my arms to the front of the Shadow Thieves headquarters where the guard took over for me. My report to the Shadowmaster was detailed but brief. He gave me another assignment in the Bridge district.
He knew of a couple of shadow thieves who were planning on shifting to the other guild. The death of Mook gave me the incentive for caution that night. I made my way carefully to the indicated Inn without mishap, which meant I would mostly be safe from Bodhi's minions until I left the building. On the next floor I encountered two Shadow Thieves looking in on the second door to the left of the hallway. Despite my best attempt to gather information, it did not go well. I wondered what to do with the bodies when Bodhi's contact arrived and asked what was going on. My bluff almost but did not work. Bodhi's contact man died that night, as well as the two potential recruits. I made my way back to the Shadowmaster. His guild was in chaos; Bodhi had struck at them personally in their guildhall. Well, the Shadowmaster finally caught up to me. Now he knew the name of the head of the other guild: Bodhi. He sent me to deal with both her and her guild with a bunch of stakes. I will finally get down to business and the rescue of Imoen will not be far behind.
Journal entry 16
The way was clear into the tombs. I had thought that the Vampires would block access to the tombs at all the entrances, but they may have orders to make it difficult but not impossible for me to enter their lair. I found the Magician and his Golem construct help the Shadowmaster mentioned near the door to the Vampire lair. At that point, I powered up my defensive spells and already had my other spells and sequencer ready in my mind. Having advanced then but a few steps towards the Mage, he greeted me and told me his Golem was ready to open the door.
In combination with my stoneskin spell, imprisonment was used on the servants at the door; the greeting Vampire vanished after a few choice but unimportant words; he was safe from my wrath - for now. Moving in and out of the lair from the now opened door, I made note that the Mage was dead and soon after his construct had been destroyed, as well. After a short while, I retreated to rest. I was not about to spare one of them less than the greatest agony a Vampire can have: a thirst for the blood of the living and no way to quench that thirst. Being imprisoned, all those Vampires would wait until I imprisoned them all. I took a real long time doing it. By the time I got ready to stake the Vampires, a full week had gone by for the first ones I had imprisoned.
The Fell Five and I were ready for Bodhi as she appeared upon my using the last stake to end the undeath of her last minion. Bodhi is a very cold one. She boasts that she knows more than I could learn in my lifetime. In her skimpy outfit, I do have to wonder at what exactly she thinks to do by revealing such dead "assets" to me. In any event, I shortly learned that Bodhi simply wanted to test my skills. That I remain alive seems to suggest that I passed that test. While she was fighting with my Fell Five, I commented thusly: "Careful, my Fell Five - not so fast - I want to enjoy this!" Where upon Bodhi snarled and sent one of my Skeletal Warriors crashing into the ceiling and raining bone bits on everything. I have to give Bodhi credit: she does have power and knows how to use it. I? I knew her weakness and exploited it. Having released my sequencer spell on her, I then turned around and left her to deal with the other four of the Fell Five. Once I rounded the corner, I went down the hall a bit more than 30 feet and turning around once more, I started casting my delayed blast fireballs just short of the doorway. All 7 of them were cast before she rounded the corner on me. I called out "Watch your step!" Too late, she had already run into them as I put some distance between Bodhi and I. Watching behind me as I ran, the fireballs exploded. I wish I could describe her face at that point when I could see it once more. After the flames died down, she said that she was finished with me - for now. She faded into gaseous form and left.
Bodhi is correct in her statement; she does know more than I do. I envy her. She has most probably had the time to read more books than days I have lived in my 20 years of life. Yes, I envy Bodhi as well as despise her. I object to her evil application of that vast store of knowledge. There is the one thing I regret when a Vampire ceases to exist. Their knowledge may cease to exist, as well. Therefore, it is possible that I will have bouts of extreme sadness after the stake is driven into Bodhi's heart. I now come to a confession. Since I first met Bodhi, I have had a secret dream that I have never shared. I had been looking frantically for a spell or to myself create some procedure to copy knowledge from one mind to the next. Having shed tears of frustration on more than one occasion, there has been no success in this endeavor. This idea of knowledge transfer has been abandoned. Such a procedure might be crossing the line from good to evil. If someone wishes to share his or her knowledge that is one thing. To simply take that knowledge would be evil. The end does not justify the means. In this instance, I believe that wisdom has prevailed. I will no longer seek to create or obtain such knowledge. Bottom line? It may be that the best path to knowledge will always be a book. I suggest most important of all those books that reveal the truth of reality.
I came away from the tomb with a Mace of Disruption - a most powerful tool against Vampires and other undead creatures. With a single touch it could blast a Vampire out of existence. It is a pity that I myself cannot wield it. It is too bad that I cannot just carry it, since that alone prevents a Vampire from dominating the carrier of this weapon. Well, I think this would be a great weapon for Aerie. I will keep it in storage. This had been quite a night. As I end my Journal entry, I go to rest. I will report to the Shadowmaster later. That is, if he doesn't have me killed for delaying my report. I suppose it is quite easy to kill someone while they sleep. In regards to torture? I am too tired, or I might care.