"Welcome to Faerun!" - Speech

'Im in Faerun?' - Thoughts

"We're in Faerun" - Telepathic Speech

"Ignis!" - Spells

I was frozen in shock for a good few seconds. This can't be right…. Right? I-I don't even know anymore, I was already so confused just by the fact I was here at all. Now Gale was a chick!? It was just too hard to believe…. I bet I looked so stupid with my eyes bulging out my face and my jaw dropping this low, I just couldn't believe it, what else would be different? I was already formulating a plan of action while I was here too, but this… this changes a lot.

"What's with that face? And close your mouth!" Shadowheart said, almost disgusted actually. Her words pulled me back to my senses.

"Sorry I-uh….. Let's save this… person," I stuttered, quickly changing the subject. I put my left foot on the stone wall behind the swirling whirlpool that was a portal. I grabbed Gale's very delicate and soft hands- and I'm getting ahead of myself let's just pull.

"Hello! A helping- oh!" Gale said before…she I guess? She yelped in surprise. It wasn't too difficult to get her out, I guess not having RNG dice rolls makes some things easier, also probably some things harder. But, anyway, luckily for me, I was quite strong and was easily able to pull Gale out from the portal easily I gave one final hard tug in surprise when I saw her face, it definitely caught her off guard too since she fell face-first on the floor. Surprisingly her purple robes held her backside well… I need to stop thinking about this.

"Ooft!" Gale said on her knees while rubbing her head, she soon stood up and wiped the pale-sandy dirt off her purple robe, which was very nice by the way, it looked like silk or something similar.

"Hello! Im Gale of Waterdeep, apologies I'm usually better at this," She said before she gave me a very embarrassed smile, them she very forcefully grabbed my hand and gave it a quick shake. Now that wouldn't be so awkward but my hands were at my sides and it came off as just even more awkward and forced. I looked at my hand and then at her, she gave me a very awkward smile and an even more awkward look to the side.

She was, well, no surprise very beautiful. Her skin looked like it hadn't seen a harsh sun or work for her whole life, almost as pale as mine. Her brown hair practically glowed in the sun, it was long too, about to her upper back, and the top half was tied in the back while the lower half was left to hang wherever it pleased, it looked like she only did that to get the hair out of her face. Speaking of her face, it held a certain aristocratic look to it. Her nose was prominent and was wider than both Shadowhearts and Lae'zels, which honestly isn't saying much, it complimented her face very well though. Her soft pale lips were just a shade or two darker than her face and she had worn no makeup of any kind. She gave off the impression that she didn't do anything to her appearance yet still somehow managed to look amazing. Lucky bastard… She also surprised me with how short she was, and she was by far the shortest person I've met here, if I had to make a guess I'd say she was at most 5'3(160cm), which I suspect was mostly due to her boots. Her robes were very similar to the game as well, they were dark purple and ended right about where her calves started. The symbol of Mystra hung freely from her ear, just like in the game. She also had that weird tattoo that started at her neck and went down to her heart, I didn't look down at where it went though, I am a gentleman after all…

That doesn't mean I wasn't tempted though.

"It's fine, not the greatest introduction but not your choice I take it? Anyways, are you...alright?" I asked Gale.

"A bit shocked! But friend, it's a relief and a pleasure to make your acquaintance! Say, but I know you, don't I? In a manner of speaking. You were on the Nautiloid as well," Gale said, surprisingly despite her awkward introduction, her voice just oozed charisma and both her tone and accent pulled me in. It's still weird to hear everyone talk in a British accent, including me. But she talked just like Gale and sounded just like him, just in a feminine tone I guess.

I looked at Shadowheart and then back at Gale before answering her question. Shadowheart looked less than happy, more cautious than anything. Damn, does she like anyone? Well honestly I'm glad to have someone like Gale, I'm tired of all this gloom and seriousness.

"We were, yes, why do you ask?" I responded to Gale.

"Then I can only assume you too were on the receiving end of a rather unwelcome insertion in the ocular region?" Gale said with a silly smile on her face while leaning forward and pointing to her head. It made me crack a smile.

"You could say that," I said with the smile still on my face.

"No sugarcoating it is there!? The insertee we speak of, this parasite- are you aware after a period of excruciating gestation it will turn us into mind flayers?" She asked while emphasizing the word 'excruciating'.

"Ceramosphosis, yes I'm well aware, friend," I said kind of sarcastically. It seems like she didn't really get the sarcasm.

"You seem quite knowledgeable, my friend! You don't happen to be a cleric, by any chance, do you? A doctor? Surgeon? Uncannily adroit with a knitting needle?" Gale said with a smile on her face. Always lightening the mood with jokes.

I turned to look at Shadowheart nearby and before I could even speak she broke me to it.

"You should know enough to understand it's beyond a cleric's skills," Shadowheart said with her arms crossed. Quite the buzzkill you are Shart…

"Ha…." Gale gave an awkward chuckle before giving us yet another awkward smile. Mostly towards me though.

"Most, no doubt. But I was hoping to be in the presence of a few. You don't happen to be one of them?" Gale asked in a hopeful tone.

"Not my area of expertise, I was hoping you would have some ideas," I said to Gale.

"It's far beyond my power, else I would've been tadpole-free by now," Shadowheart said with sass.

"Few enough can cure an ailment such as this, it's not exactly a common affliction. We're most certainly going to need a healer! And soon too. How about we lend each other a helping hand once more and look for a healer together!?" Gale said with a business-woman like smile. She said it sort of casually-like yet I could tell very easily she was steps away from begging for our help. I let her keep that smile for a second longer than I should've, a small bead of sweat began to fall from her forehead and her smile began to quiver a bit. It made me chuckle.

"You're welcome to join me, I'm sure you would be of help to us," I said before patting her on the shoulder.

"Most excellent! I almost thought you would decline my offer! Ah-I promise you I would be of most help! A parasite shared is a parasite halved!... Or something to that effect," Gale said with much enthusiasm before her confidence took a crash when neither of us laughed at her joke. The awkwardness alone made me chuckle, which brought a smile to Gale's pretty face.

"Oh! And before you think you're about to embark on a journey with a most ill-mannered a woman: thank you for pulling me out of that stone. It was an act of foresighted kindness I assure you, for I have a feeling ample opportunities will present themselves for me to return the favor!" Gale said very enthusiastically and genuine, it was obvious she meant those words and it warmed my heart a bit.

"It was no problem, really," I said to Gale's appreciation.

"Ah! And-oh before we embark on this perilous journey through these lands please let me gather my belongings! It will only take a second!" Gale said with a finger up when she remembered she had luggage. I didn't notice it before but leaned against a wall was a large backpack, comically large almost compared to Gale, along with the backpack was a staff and a large spellbook that I could feel magic coming from. I was surprised that should could even carry the damn thing, though it was obvious she was struggling a bit. The backpack was absurdly large, it had pretty much everything you could think of to survive in the wild too, at least from what I could see. It was made of hearty brown leather and thick hemp stitching, it definitely looked like it would last. Tons of things hung off the backpack as well, it made me very curious as to what was inside, the outside hung a cup, an iron wok, tent poles, a tent, a bedroll, a knife, a lantern, and a long thick rope.

And that was only on the outside.

Her staff was just a simple wooden one, it had steel reinforcements but no enchantments or any magic radiating off it at all. Her spell book was equally huge in her hands and had notes of all kinds sticking out the pages, and unlike the staff, I could feel a ton of magical energy coming from it, almost to the point of a headache. Or is that the tadpole? Andddd of course it's moving right now.

"All ready! Now let us enjoy each other's company among the read, eh? Hm, where should I start?" Gale said while putting her finger to her chin.

"Ah yes! As I said before, I am Gale of Waterdeep, The City of Spledors-ah what a marvelous city indeed! You see when I was just but a wee-" Gale started.

"What I wouldn't kill for a moment of silence, I feel she enjoys the sound of her own voice," Shadowheart whispered next to me, she was currently sitting on a nearby rock.

"I thought you two would talk until sundown, I'm sure she would enjoy that," Shadowheart continued.

Somehow, with all her might and magic Gale didn't hear her and continued talking to herself, she thought we were listening maybe. I mean I was a little bit. A little, tiny, small bit.

"-And, ohhh I thought I would never make it out of that wretched place alive. Ahh but the joys of youth, only as a child could you get away with summoning a Quasit in a counselor's ballroom and get away with it with only a slap on the wrist!" Gale continued as I led the way. I decided to get Astarion next, then Lae'zel. I also thought about telling Gale about my Bag of Holding but I was really amused by the size difference between her backpack and her. It was honestly quite funny.

"Joy's of the youth? You hardly seem old enough to talk about youth like that?" I asked the wizard questioningly.

"Ohhh flattery will only get you so far young man, although in your case it is appreciated heavily! By any chance, I never quite caught your names, I think that proper introductions would be appropriate given the circumstances don't you think?" Gale said, quickly switching the subject.

'I guess even in this life woman don't like talking about their age,' I thought.

"Reynard, a pleasure to meet you," I said along with a pat on the shoulder.

Gale gave me a very bright smile before speaking, "The pleasure is all mine, young man, and you? My dear shadowy friend? Care to give your name?" Gale said with enthusiasm. Too bad Shadowheart shattered it.

"Shadowheart, and can you please give us a moment of silence? I'm starting to get a headache," Shadowheart said rudely. I wanted to say something like 'Hey that was rude!' but I doubt we were that close. Yet, anyway.

Gale seemed to look defeated and looked down at the floor, noticeably less cheerful.

"Yes, my apologies. A pleasure to make your acquaintance…" Gale said solemnly.

I gave a kindhearted look to Gale and patted her on her shoulder.

"We can talk plenty more once we find our bearings," I said to Gale, she seemed to appreciate my words but just gave me a fake smile and nod. Now I kinda feel bad…

Back at the crossroads at the portal I chose to go left, and we've been walking this path for a while, it was definitely the correct way but was it always this… far? I guess the game shortened the path for gameplay reasons but now that I'm really walking it was quite long. It was a really refreshing walk though, the air held a nice breeze and the temperature was just cool enough to be enjoyable and just sunny enough to feel warmth along with the coolness. Nothing like my past life where every day was scorching hot. We walked along the pathway diligently, it was a mix of patches of stone roads and sandy-dirt, we soon came close to a landmark I was looking for. The shovel!

"Now who left a perfectly exceptional spade out here in the dirt?" Gale asked.

"Well… there was the Nautiloid crash, I'm sure that would scare anyone," I answered

"Hm, I suppose so!" Gale said cheerfully, accepting my answer.

I picked up the shovel, I bet anyone who left this here would be pissed, this is quite the exceptional shovel. The leather handle felt just right in my hands, it was broken-in but not yet used. The oak shaft was clean of any dirt or blemishes of any kind, it felt strong and sturdy. The tip of the shovel felt like well-forged steel that could cut through dirt like butter. Whoever made this was a real craftsman. I decided to test it out and start digging the patch of dirt that the shovel was found in, it sliced through the dirt like nothing. It took only a few digs before I felt the Thunk! Of a found chest. Shadowheart was not having it though.

"What are you doing!? We have parasites in our heads that are going to turn us into mind flayers and you're DIGGING," Shadowheart yelled, clearly confused and frustrated by my actions,

I had already finished digging however and allowed both my companions to see my hard work.

"There was a chest," I said before opening it, inside was a scroll, a pile of gold, a healing potion, and a dagger,

"See?" I asked Shadowheart, she gave me a defeated look before she picked up the gold and dagger.

"You got lucky this time," Shadowheart said.

"A scroll! I have to examine this, pardon me, Reynard, I must investigate this scroll!" Gale said in excitement before practically jumping to get the scroll. She got down on both knees and plucked the scroll right out of the chest, guess I'll take the healing potion.

"Marvelous! A Sleep spell! Ohhh I must copy this in my spellbook immediately!" Gale said before opening her spellbook and writing down things I couldn't recognize. Anyway, she was able to do it while walking so we continued on our path around the destroyed Nautiloid, the path was surprisingly very calm, I couldn't see or hear any monsters, goblins, or even a trap or something anywhere, It was peaceful.

But not for long of course. We soon ran into a certain white-haired person near a cliff's edge. However just like Gale, this time it was a little different.

I swear, someone is messing with me.