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There was something I remember other monks saying back in Candlekeep. It was "May you live in interesting times." Then they'd laugh as if they had just made a huge joke. I just thought they were weird then, but now I think I'm starting to understand the joke. My life, as it currently stands, would probably make for a decent story to read about in a book. But living it is not so fun. I'm losing count of how many times people have died around me, whether fighting on my side or against me. Why do I, of all people, see so very much death?

Edwin asks me where the Adventurer's Robe is that he was wearing. I direct him to the mule. But then he says its not there. I look myself, and realize that Dynaheir was wearing it when she died. And we just left it there, along with the Teddy Bear of Protection! Man, that was days ago! Those mercs that jumped me undoubtedly looted that stuff. I don't have anything else to say, so I just shrug and give Edwin the scroll I bought for him. I act like it's nothing. Maybe he'll be secretly impressed.



He better be. I've given him the only level 2 spell he knows.

I give Jaheira the scimiar we've been saving for her. She just looks at me as if I'm crazy. She says she prefers the crossbow and can we please get her some more bolts. So we stop by Thunderhammer Smithy yet again. I sell the scimiar.



Then as I'm standing there, trying to figure out what to do next, Imoen shows me a green ring on her palm. I look at it as if it was an alien artifact. Why is she showing this to me? She clears her throat, and I look at her. She tells me it's Joseph's. Oh. Right.



We should probably return that. We pull Bjornin away from admiring the Sukien Holy Armor and start on our way to Nashkel yet again.



The city changes, but the fools within are always the same.



On the way we are ambushed by a pack of wild dogs. Fearing the worse, both Edwin and I panic at the same moment and quickly flash in some Mirror Images.



Branwen completes a desperate prayer to her god, and we feel the rhythm of the Chant course through us.



But when all the dogs are dead, and our mule wanders back over to us from where it had been avoiding the fight, all is quiet.



Some days must be good days, right? They can't all be ambushes of overwhelming numbers and ferocity. Can they? We keep on down the road.



When we arrive it is dark. The entire journey took 12 hours. I wish we had horses. Joseph's wife's house is locked. We will have to spend the night at the inn and try again in the morning.

Why is it that Imoen always seems to just disappear whenever we enter an Inn? Does she have to really go or something?



Edwin suddenly yells out "Yes! I get it now!" We try not to look at him directly.

The next day, we walk down the length of Nashkel's fine street to Joseph's wife's house. On the way, we see that fat guy Oublek again, and stop to chat.



What bounties are currently unclaimed?

Our captain of the guard is still on the loose. Keep your blade ready if you get anywhere near him. Very dangerous, he is. There is also a bit of foolishness with a local artist named Prism. Stole a couple of emeralds, he did. We seek their return, though Prism's fate is of little concern.

I look at Imoen, by my face and cock of my eyebrow asking her if we still have Prism's emeralds. She shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders a bit. It must have totally slipped our minds to turn them in instead of selling them for cold, hard cash. This captain of the guard is worth looking into, though.

At Joseph's wife's house...



We found this Greenstone ring, but I'm afraid we think he's dead.

He's... he's dead. My Joseph is dead.

We're very sorry for your pain. Here, have this ring to remember him with.

Thank... you. Thank you for bringing me the news.

As we all smile and make conciliatory noises, I realize that I have never seen this woman before in my life. I am insane.




You are a valient companion. Don't let these foolish thoughts deceive you.

I thank you for your encouragement, but these cursed itches and irritations of doubt will not leave me alone.

As we travel, I find my condition harshly and horribly reminding me of some weakling princess, born in an ivory tower: you have saved me, befriended me, and now my mind softens and oft wanders to the thoughts of hearth and family instead of my hammer and helmet. 'Tis disconcerting.

Thinking of hearth and family is not a sign of weakness, Branwen. The most fearless of soldiers are those who fight for their hearth, and home, and the loved ones.

Syvishtar, 'tis not an ordinary doubt. My future course and fortune depend on whether I am resolved to be stalwart or resigned to become soft. Will I recover my former self again, or will I fade and mellow, like a mountain does when it diminishes to a hill?

*sigh* Um, nevermind.

I am completely baffled by this whole conversation. It is totally outside my experience growing up in Candlekeep. I do not know what else to do...

*remain silent*

We walk out, and I decide that we should try to hunt down the former captain of the guard, Brage. But I do not know where to look for him. I decide that we should just explore the wilderness areas around Nashkel and we must eventually run into him. Besides, I feel like I don't know this area nearly as well as I should. I choose a direction mostly at random, and we set off!



When we reach a significant-looking area, we stop. Something tells me that we will find important things in this part of the forest. Probably because it has a name - Fire Leaf Forest. Strangely enough, though, Haiass was nowhere to be seen.



We wandered through the trees for a while until we met a man in yellow robes.



And who might you be, old man?

Well... well, welcome. I am so happy to see anyone but the undead moving about in the area! I am Ordolath and I atke my sabbaticals here... You know, sometimes it's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of Baldur's Gate...

That's all really nice, but what in the nine hells do you want from me?

Nothing special, friend, hehe. It was my poor fortune that made me forget my candle when preparing for this trip. Without my candle I am not able to write in my diary or read my books. The nights here are very dark... You just can't imagine what that means to such a book-lover like me!

So I have an offer to make you. If you will spend a few days to help me and bring me my little wax treasure, I will reward you as best I can! And do not believe the reward will be a poor one! Apart from 1000 gp, I can offer you a precious item that I'm sure you will like... So? Would you help me?

Sounds interesting, tell us where can we find your house so we bring you that... candle.

Excellent! From the first time I saw you, you appeared to be trustworthy! My house, young friend, is in the northern part of the Gates, not far from NOrthern Ward. It is a white house behind the blue mage-tower. You can't miss it. Well, please hurry. I will be awaiting your return impatiently. See you soon!

This guy must have been out here for a long time if he doesn't know that Baldur's Gate is closed and nobody can get in or out. Oh well, I'll make a note of it and hope to remember his house by the time I finally get into that city, if I ever do!

We continue to walk around, searching for anything out of the ordinary. A little kid is out of the ordinary, way out here!



'Scuse me? I ever so sowwy to bother, but could you help me? I've lose my little dog and I can't find him. He's probably ever so scared right now.

Certainly little one, I would be glad to aid you. How will I recognize him?

You will? Oh thank you so vewy much! I just know he'll be alright now! Poor Rufie isn't used to strange places an' people. You're sure to know him when you see him, cuz he's just the cutest little thing. Here, take this as well. His favorite chew-toy it is. He'll know you're a friend if you have it in your hands. Thank you so much again!



This looks strangely familiar...



Wow, I wonder if the dogs will look the same, since the toys look the same! A few minutes later, we come across some kind of cliff face in the forest.



We can't seem to find a way around, so we have to take another route. And it's a good thing we do, because otherwise we wouldn't be able to mee the fastest dart thrower in the west!



I have no desire to fight a pair of idiots, nor am I going to give you any of our money. Get lost.

HEAR THAT ZAL! Seems they don't take you seriously. Guess it's time to show what for, huh? Sorry guys, but you're in for a world of hurt.



Edwin starts off with a very strong showing.



But the fastest dart thrower in the west had a bead on me, and I began to feel it!



Bjornin makes sure the tide of battle is in our favor.

Branwen's Chant takes effect just as Imoen hits Zal with some missiles of her own - magic ones!



Edwin follows suit.



And Branwen finishes him off.



Finally, some bandits that were easy to kill! I'm so relieved.



She likes 'em so much, she can carry 'em. We give her Vax's and Zal's scalps. Vax has some very interesting equipment on him.



There are fifty of these poisoned daggers!





Was Vax some kind of idiot-savant ninja?

Zal was certainly trying to be the fastest dart in the west.



And he had five of these...



And one of these...



Strangely enough he also had a really amazing spear.



I feel like these guys should have put up more of a fight than they did. Oh well, no biggie. I give the spear to Bjornin and pack the rest of the stuff away on the mule. They will certainly be useful to some of our buddies back in the Jovial Juggler.

There is one more thing - a pair of boots. But Finch's glasses don't seem to be able to identify more than three things per day, so we'll have to wait until tomorrow before we can find out what those do.

With that in mind, and darkness falling around us, I realize that we should make camp. So we do. When it is time to hit the blankets, Branwen asks me something.



Yes, ever since Gorion died, and I was forced to fight for my dear life. I am used to nightmares, Branwen, do not worry.

'Tis awful. I see how these deaths twine into your dreams and wear you down.

HOW DID SHE KNOW?!

Mayhap a sleeping draught...

No, Branwen, no sleeping draught will help. These are visions, not dreams.

You sound so sure, Syvishtar. So be it. but you need only to ask for my help, should you change your mind.

We sleep, and I do not dream. Not this night. The next morning, I am awakened by the sound of northwoman laughter.



Imoen also has a chance to check out the boots in the morning, and yells in delight at what she finds.



Hmmm, Branwen already moves fast with her Boots of the Forgotten Ones. Who else in our party needs to be speedy and swift? Imoen says she prefers her Spider's Boots of Stealth. I think I will take them. I need to be able to run out of danger and far enough way to cast a spell. I put them on, and then Branwen and I run ahead of the rest of the party, scouting everything faster than I have ever moved before!

I am proud to stand among such strong warriors.

We begin our day's patrol yet again. What we find this day defies all explanation.





Why would an xvart, a kobold, and a tasloi be wandering around calling themselves Larry, Darryl, and Darryl?

See Darryl, I told you these guys were the wrong generation!

And then they walked off. And so did we. Later, there were some abandoned huts, overridden with wolves.



We all started off by casting varying amounts of Magic Missiles at them.



But I don't feel like I can help out in melee until I cast Mirror Image.



Not that I needed to...



The last one is taken out by a barrage of missiles.



There is nothing else to do, since none of us have a skinning knife. We keep patrolling. Later, to my eternal torment, we find more hobgoblin archers.



Since they all decide to attack me, I decide to attak all of them in return.







The key is in the sweeping motion. We mop up the survivors.







That was a lot eaiser than I remember it being before. We might be actually learning from our mistakes here.

I find the 'great outdoors' to be chaotic and dirty. It needs a shaping will to slap the beasts into proper order.

I wish I could spend more time in the forest. It feels so alive.

I don't like the way this group is turning out. Better leadership might help.

Maybe if we had more fighting and less wandering around I wouldn't have to hear so much useless crap from people. We do more wandering and find more wolves.



Again, Bjornin is the man to take care of business.



They are not a threat.

We eventually make our way over the stream and into some more forested areas. It is there that we find Rufie. He attacks Edwin for some reason, but calms down when he sees me carrying his chew toy.



He follows us as we walk around, so we take him towards Albert.



We are interrupted by a strange woman, though.



Who are you, and what do you want?

I am Sendai, of the noble merchant house of Argrims, foremost family in Amn. Delgod, Alexander and I have come out here to hunt game. Though perhaps you would make for better sport. I assume you would have no problem with this?

Oh no, not again. More mecenaries?

What kind of monster would hunt his fellow human like a wild animal?

Of course I was not serious. What I said, I did in jest. You with your barbarian mentality would of course misconstrue my meaning.

Sure lady. We'll be going now.

Goodbye peasants. I wish you luck on your journeys, you'll probably need it.

Oooookaayyyyy. Moving on, we finally get Rufie back to Albert. The reunion is heartwarming.



Awww, the little boy has his dog back...



What in the...



nine hells? Literally!? I have no earthly idea what that just was. But it gave us a Black Opal.



Not too bad for a demon's fetch quest. I think we've got this area pretty much figured out, but before we go there's something that was tickling the back of my mind. There was some kind of hole near that old guy, wasn't there? We go back to check.

Yes there is!



And in it we find the scrolls that Vax and Xal were talking about!



The scrolls are of Chromatic Orb and Cloudkill. Cloudkill is quite interesting!



As a level 5 spell, I won't be able to cast it for quite a while, unless I get really lucky with Nahal's Reckless Dweomer. But of course I will try.

The Chromatic Orb I give to Edwin. Look at him, with almost as many level 1 spells as Xzar! These little magelings that follow me around are so cute.



With everything patrolled and everyone spoken to or killed, I can officially declare the Fire Leaf Forest to be safe from bandits!