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Once again I lead a half-dead company. Best not to think of it too much. Best to just clean this place out and get back to civilization.

In the first chest, right by the door, we have...



potions of Healing and Cold Resistance. Those would have been useful during the fight. I'm sad, but Yeslick cannot be stopped. He rips open another chest.



Another healing potion and some money. Then there are some piles for Yeslick to pick up. One pile of Splint Mail +1, Varscona +2, and some Ice Arrows indicates a Black Talon Elite mercenary once stood here before Yeslick hit him into chunks.

Another pile of Studded Leather Armor +2, Fire Arrows, and a Long Sword indicate another merc.



But this merc also has two strange potions on his corpse.



I haven't seen Potions of Acid Burst before. I'll have to try them out. Next we find Faldorn's corpse. We gather her things together solemnly. After that, Yeslick finds a chest he can't open. I will have to memorize a Knock for that one.



Opposite the hall from that room, there is a bookshelf with some very interesting items on it.



The scrolls are of Detect Invisibility and Icebolt, which I stuff away. The book is fancy, but not magical. Finch might be interested in it.



Davaeron's corpse is next. It is a treasure trove. There are scrolls for the spell I know Grease, Shield, Protection from Petrification, Protection from Evil, Remove Magic, and Dimension Door. There are 50 poisoned throwing daggers. There is a green scroll case, and the Key to the River Plug.



There are also three letters from Reiltar to Davaeron.



I've heard this name before, Sarevok. He is Tazok's superior? I've missed killing that guy. Sarevok is also the captain of all the mercenaries I've been killing. I think I might just have to kill him too.



I hate slavers. These guys are real assholes. I'm going to have to check out the western noble estates as soon as possible. Maybe I can burn them all down. That might be fun. And tauting Yeslick through a letter? Man these guys are really chapping my ass.



Well, in case there was any doubt, this letter lays out the entire plan. Poison or control all the iron on the Sword Coast so that the Iron Throne can get rich. Bastards, bastards and bandits and thieves! These guys have been sending tons of mercenaries after me too. I think the only way to get some rest is to kill them all. I need to pay them a visit.

On Davaeron's corpse is also a sling +2, an ioun stone, and a mage robe. I can't identify the last two. We are going to have to rest first.

There is a pile near Davaeron with a magical Cloak, an Amulet of Protection +1, some Boots of Ensured Speed, and a Dagger of Disease. I don't remember anyone matching that description in the fight. There must have been an assassin around that I never saw.

I'm not sure I trust these boots. Why aren't they called Boots of Speed, like I learned in Candlekeep? They might be cursed. I'll try them on after Yeslick memorizes a Remove Curse.



This dagger looks nasty. I don't even want to hold it.

There is a second chest that we cannot open. I will have to memorize a second Knock.



Morgan's corpse is next. I look at it and find some Darts of Stunning +1, a Robe of Fire Resistance, and an unidentifiable Ring, Quarter Staff, and Wand. I must memorize more Identifies.

A third chest defies Yeslick. A third Knock I must memorize.



We find another shrine to Cyric here. These Iron Throne types sure love the Mad God.



The last room in this little compound contains... a mage?!



Who are you? What was your role here?

I told you, I'm just Davaeorn's apprentice! I studied under him, and that's it! I didn't know anything about anything! Well, I know a little, but just ask and I'll tell you!

What was the purpose of this installation?

The mine? Um... I... I think they were going to try and look like the saviors of the day, riding in with their stores of iron to equip the troops, or something like that. With the bandit raids and the rumors about Amn, the Iron Throne figured that the Dukes of Baldur's Gate would think they needed arms and ore quickly in case of Amnish attack. They... they figured they could get exorbitant prices, or better yet, sanctions against competitors and an easing of trade laws for themselves only. A quick way to install themselves as an underground power on the coast. That's all I know about it, I swear!

The iron shortage! Who is behind it?!

Who is behind it? Um... well... the Iron Throne, I guess. Davaeorn ran this place for the regional bosses in Baldur's Gate. They used some strange potion to taint iron already stored, used Mulahey to keep new ore from being mined, and had the bandits raid any incoming trading caravans. It doesn't take long for perceived shortages to embellish real threats. You know all of this if you are the one who killed Mulahey. Can I go now?

Get out, you cowardly weasel!

Oh thank you thank you thank you! I promise not to get involved with people like this again, no matter how good he fringe benefits are! Yes sir, I'm reasonably sure I will be careful from now on! Thank you; goodbye.

In one bookshelf in this room there are scrolls of Larloch's Minor Drain and Blur. On the other there are scrolls of Horror, True Strike, Orb of Air, and another Larloch's Minor Drain, which I know. Thunderslap and Contagion I do not know.

There is a long, dark tunnel at the end of the area, and Yeslick goes down it to see what's there. Turns out there are three closed chests and some sort of ooze.



The jelly is not a threat to us. Yeslick takes it out.



Opening the first chest is impossible, because it's locked. Opening the second chest, however is easy, and a sight for sore eyes.



1000 gold, a scroll of Knock, and a scroll of Anti-Magic Shell!

The next chest is another treasure trove of spells.



It has Melf's Minute Meteors, Detect Invisibility, and Globe of Invulnerability. That must be what Davaeorn was using. I know it, I just can't cast it yet. I put those all in my spellbook.

I use the scroll of Knock to open the first chest. Beautiful things are inside.



The most beautiful of which is the Green Bag of Holding!



We desperately need this, for the mule is once again full with the equipment of all our dead compatriots. I shove a couple dozen odds and ends inside right away. After that, we prepare to rest. We need to in order to finish looting this place.

In the night, I dream of blood. When I wake, I have a second Cure Affliction ability.



I turn to my left and cast Knock on our first unbreakable chest.



15 gold? That's it? The othe chest with 1000 gold didn't even have any lock on it, and this unbreakable chest only has 15? BAH I say!

The second chest is more reasonable.



I can deal with 300 gold, no problem.



The last chest has potions of Explosion, Firebreath, and Master Thievery. We pocket them all. Then I turn my attention to the magical equipment I need to identify. The first is the robe. It is the Robe of the Evil Archmagi.



Another nice robe I can't use. Bah. The ioun stone at least I can use.



I decide to check out the staff next, and if I was sitting in a chair I'd have fallen out of it. It's like it's my birthday!





Eagerly, I look through the other equipment, starting with the ring. It isn't as cool though.



There is no such thing as power over fire. I scoff at this ring! I take a look at the cloak next. It is the Cloak of the Assassin.



Nice. Someone is sure going to love that. Last we have the wand.



Is there anything magic can't do? Except I'm not sure who can actually use it. I go through and double-check everything, making sure that we didn't leave any treasure un-looted. Then we take the elevator out.



We stop on the first level of the mines and go talk to that old miner again.



Yes, we talked to Rill. You don't have to worry about your friends. They'll all be safe. Here's the key, now let's do it.

Well, then I guess that's it then. As soon as I open the plug, we're going to have to run for our lives, 'cause otherwise we'll be washed away just like the Orothiar dwarves. Ready then? Here we go!

We flood the mines and make a run for it.







*His arm wraps around your waist, and another slides along your cheek.* Syvishtara, if you only knew how I longed to do this...

Why, I know. What you dont know is how I longed to do this... *slip your arm around his waist*

We were thinking along the same lines, it seems. But I could not risk it, not if it could hurt you... and myself.

*Xan kisses your cheek* I am glad it did not.

We stand like that for a while, until we are interrupted by a gruff voice.




That was deftly done, Syvishtara, 'twas.

I can't help but smile. I'm glad to hear a little feedback on the arcane energy-throwing that I do sometimes, ya know? But it looks like Yeslick isn't finished.



Nice to be appreciated. I'm glad we got you out when we did.

I can only thank ye fer that. I swore I'd hold on fer as long as I could, but... I worried I did not know how long that could be. This old dwarf's not as young as he used ta be. An' if Rieltar's bullies'd had their way, ol' Yeslick'd have gone ta meet his kin with nothin' but sorrow ta give 'em. An' I'll be damned if'n that's gonna happen!

Well, you can't ask for a more devoted member of the family.

Not jus' me family, Syvishtara... me *clan*. We were one big community, aye? Workin' together an' livin' together. I ain't no human or halfling or flighty elf, as can only remember a meere hundred names in me head or so. I remember 'em *all*. An' if ye asks if I wishes they hadn't o' died, then I'd say 'yea'. *sigh* But that were a good century ago...

It was a great tragedy that befell them, Yeslick. I'm sorry.

Way o' th' world, boy. Way o'the'world. We dwarves, we stand tall an' proud, unmovin' an' unbreakable as a mountain... but even the mountain'll get rained on, an' tunneled through, an' worn down ta stone-dust in time. 'Tis all we can do ta stand defiant in the face o' fortune... an' take what it gives out.

I suppose I can understand that. I've been rained on enough lately.

Ye sound as though yer world has fallen in... listen ta me, Syvishtara. Where there's life, there's will, sworn word, an' yer god... an' all three can hold ye ta yer road, no matter how yer heart quakes. Trust in this, boy - there may be no hope, but ol' Yeslick is not goin' ta his grave until his kin rest easy.

Yeslick and Xan need to have long talks together.

That's what I must do, too.

Death, truly? Even... murder? So young, an' already ye're nursin' a grudge against yer clan?

Yes. My foster father was slain... and I want the head of the man who killed him.

I'm grieved to learn o' it. I say this ta you, then, Syvishtara. You help me find Rieltar an' his thugs an' let me take payment in his blood, an' I'll swear, in th' name o' Clangeddin Twin-axes, in th' name o' Moradin Soulforger, an' I invoke Lady Truesilver ta witness me blood-oath here, that I'll help ye find this man... an' I'll do everythin' I can ta make sure he does not go unpunished. Deal?

Deal.

We shake on it, and then move off through the bailey and into the motte. We should get back to someplace where we can resurrect our companions. Perhaps the druids can do it? I am thinking about our next path, hoping to be able to remember the ways Faldorn brought us here, when I am interrupted by a man's voice.



Hey wait a minute what did I do?

You lowly city fools! It's bad enough your ilk pollutes the grand forests, a good reason to have you killed, but you killed one of our kin, Miranda, who happens to be my consort.

She attacked us first for no reason. If anyone should be taking this personally its us!

Well my little fool I could use the old cliche that it's nothing "personal." On the contrary it's very personal and you will suffer greatly for this outrage. May the Great Mother bless us for eradicating Her enemies.

Damnit! I don't really have any good spells prepared either. I decide that now is a good time to run. Screw this guy!



This strategy also works great against spiders.



We make it to the Cloakwood Grove, and to the giant treehouse. It is night, so we take shelter within it and make ready for bed. Xan approaches me in the firelight.




Do you mean my true name? My Elven birth-name? *smile cryptically* Guess.

I cannot guess at it, for in a way, I am convinced that I know it. You will probably think me foolish, but in my heart I have called you Estel, which in the High Elven means "hope".

Would you love me any less if I did not have a 'special' Elven birth-name?

Of course not. I would love you if you were nameless. It is only... Please, do not think me foolish, but in my heart I have called you Estel.

If... if you wish, I will make a gift of it. So you can take it as your true name.

Thank you, Xan. It is a wonderful gift.

Allow me to say the Chant of Naming, and the name will become attached to you... like my heart.

Thou art the lodestar between dark clouds,

Thou art the wind filling the lifeless sails,

Thou art the last thing a man would let go of

Thou art the only treasure I wish to possess

Estel of the swords

Estel of the songs

Estel of the stars

Estel of calmness

Estel'amin... my hope.

How strange and wondrous. What is your true name, Xan... if I may ask?

*Xan hesitates for a moment, then he covers your palm with his. His fingers tremble: by the look of him, you are participating in an important ritual.*

*You look at Xan, savoring the sensation...*

My parents called me Tahlimil - 'bonded' or 'promised to the blade.'

My father had the gift of foresight. He had a vision of the shining moonblade, lying by the side of the crib the night before I was born. He interpreted it to mean that I would take the blade when he was no more.

I hoped for so long that he was mistaken...

It is a beautiful name.

I would very much like to hear you call me that.

Then we have our first sleep in a real bed in weeks.



In the morning we search for someone who can raise the dead, but we find no one. We have no choice but to make the long journey all the way home.



Along the way dodging spiders,



wyverns,



and ettercaps too.



When we get to the Song of the Morning Temple, resurrecting our three dead party members costs 2000 gold. 800 for Faldorn and Skeezer, and 400 for Kagain. As soon as Faldorn lives again, she starts tearing into Xan.



The untimely death awaits all of us, andI am not afraid of it. Wherever it finds me, I am prepared to die. Yet it is foolish to seek one's end actively. The world is doomed as is, why speed up the inevitable?

The world is doomed only if corrupted townlings have their dark way with it. The Shadow Druids will not let it happen! Instead of howling at the moon, Xan, you should be helping us!

Me joining the cause of barbaric fanatics, who arrogantly believe that they are destined to save the world? Pardon me dearly, Faldorn, but no, I have no desire to partae in such a folly. You and your wild comrades shall perish quicker tahn the rest, thanks to your pointless struggle.

If you live long enough to gain any measure of understanding of the nation's history, you will see that Shadow Druids are not the first to claim to be the save-us-all champions, they will not be the last, and they will not succeed.

We are trying to preserve the balance, and we are not shy of any means. We are bound to succeed, even if many of us should lose our lives in the process! It's better to die trying than to die crying! Grrr!

In my opinion it's better to die later than sooner. And one way to ensure it is to join a less hopeless cause, rather than the more hopeless cause.

Why, even the mad enterprise we are engaged in now is less likely to bring our demise upon us, than the most sane of Shadow Druid's schemes.

After everyone is done arguing, I take us back to the Jovial Juggler. Stepping into its truly jovial embrace is like coming back to reality after a long journey in a dream. I feel myself relaxing in ways that I did not know I had tensed. Xan probably feels the same way, because he approaches me.




Tahlimil...

I ought to feel exhilarated to hear you say that, I know. But for some odd reason, I feel like I have just been graned the last wish of the condemned. I still do not believe that we have... what we have. How close we are. How did it ever become possible?

Because we came to know each other, slowly... and came to love each other.

But did we love, or did we come to realize we love? I have been reminiscing, and still I do not know. But never mind; I'd rather speak of more... mundane things tonight.

There is a question that has been lingering in the air too long. Though now I am about to utter the words, I feel dizzy, as if in a fever of some kind...

...

*grin* If it is another kiss you desire...

Oh, there is more to it, I'm afraid.

I would share everything with you. My memories, my emotions, my life... or, rather, what little is left of it. I would stay with you... *sigh* yes, until I die. It was easy to guess, wasn't it? But I have to be sure you want it, as well. Will you have me? Will you have my joys and sorrows and give me yours in return? Will you allow me to forge the bond that will unite my world with yours? Will I have you in my arms tonight?

You are doomed, Xan of Evereska, because the answer is "yes"!

Syvishtara... you have stunned me into numb disbelief. But no. No more words tonight.

The lit rectangle of your door is more foreboding and forbidding than a magical portal, leading into the unknown danger.

*In three steps, you cross the room and slip your hands around his neck.* No, Xan. There is no danger - only me.

*Xan stands still as a statue as you press your face against the open collar of his robes, and only his pulse betrays him, beating wildly underneath the smooth skin of his neck. At last he shifts, very slowly, and kisses you on the corner of the mouth.*

If I knew that I would receive such a warm welcome...

*His kisses grow more insistent, and whatver was on his mind before is now gone. The door is locked, the candle is blown out, and you are alone with him... and the night.*

*Xan lowers his face to yours, and as your lips meet, you get the most peculiar feeling. It is as if the Magicl Weave that envelops every living being on Toril has taken a closer look at the pair of you, and now it is blending Xan and you together in a tight cocoon, breaking mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical barriers between you. A bond is forming, a link that unites your world with his, and as the pleasure builds, you are awashed with confused feelings that are only partly yours. Fear, guilt, grief, anxiety... they explode in your mind, only to disappear, replaced with other, very tender sensations.*

*The night is yours, to love and to be loved.*

Then we sleep. In the morning,



Oh. I did not... realize... that it was real. You... are here... so close...

Surprise!

And a beautiful one at that.

I woke up and there was no past, no future, no death, no danger - only you, young and asleep and so inconceivably beautiful. But I had been telling you of your beauty endlessly, had I not?

I believe I've heard the word once or twice, yes.

And now that you are finally in my arms, I would say it again and again.

You are beautiful, so beautiful I can barely believe you are here, with me. I would give anything for this to last. Cool tips of your fingers... your hair... your face... I would drink in your image endlessly, if I could. But it is time to move on, isn't it? The dream is over.

There will be another night... and another dream.

I wish I had your confidence. However... I have you, and that alone is worth a universe. Come, I can guide us through the day.

I feel happier and more at peace with Xan by my side. And now that Faldorn is alive again, I think that we can and should return to Amarande and see if he has anything to say. So we make the trip one last time into the heart of the Cloakwood and to the druid grove, doding monsters all the way. When we arrive, Amarande is waiting for us.



The mines were flooded, Archdruid Amarande.

So this blight on Toril's face is gone? A small task, but it can serve as a good example that our efforts are not in vain.

If I may, Archdruid...

I listen to you.

The mines had fallen, but to complete my quest I must go further and enter Baldur's Gate itself, find the lair of the Iron Throne, and exact my vengeance! My companions here are prepared to do just that...

You have my permission. Let the new allegiance be forged. As a sign of Shadow Druid's favor, let me bestow this gift upon you.

The gift is a Great Shield called White Oak.



Faldorn is the only one who can use it in our group. It is an impressive shield, true.



She will probably not fall to Black Talon Mercenaries in battle if she wields it. In fact, I think we're going to have to test out this shield on Wendell.

We send Faldorn in alone.



Wendell's Contagion has no effect.



Two of the druids remain neutral as Faldorn chops Wendell hard.



The druid looks stunned, and doesn't move for a few rounds. Faldorn really has him.



Wendell can never harm Faldorn, and she just keeps swinging. He falls.



That's when the other two druids join in on the fight. But they can't do anything either.



The druids try to fight, but they can't hit Faldorn. Then they try to run, but they can't move. Then they don't try anything again because Faldorn has cut them down.



From the corpses of the fallen druids Faldorn gets Potions of Mirrored Eyes, Regeneration, and Strength. She also gets 15 Masterwork Sling Bullets, 3 Slings +1, 50 Fire Bullets, another Stormcloud Kraken's Bane and the Staff of Nature.



And then, after a long and uneventful journey being chased by wyverns and spiders, we are once again back in our favorite haunt, the good old Jovial Juggler.