Much has changed in Faerun since we escaped the foul domain
of Ascerak. While the immediate threat
to Waterdeep has been turned back, the diabolical goals of Lolth's ritual have
become manifest. The world itself is
seemingly being torn apart and with it our group and my loyalties.
Across all of Faerun, portals to the Abyss and fouler
dimensions have opened, spilling demons in vast numbers across the
countryside. The nations of Faerun have
(for the most part) put aside their petty squabbles and united to stem the
tide...barely. The losses have been appalling,
cities razed to the ground; entire tracts of land simply vanishing into
swirling vortexes of Chaos. The just and
honorable death of the Chronepsis has been replaced with the foul wrongness of
Faluzure.
No nation has been spared and I must decide where I should
lend my sword and banner. What of the
loyalties to my comrades and friends, my duties to Waterdeep...where will my
efforts affect the greatest benefit in a world turned upside down?
It is this uncertainty that has me organizing my thoughts in
my new journal.
Where we stand now:
My comrades - From the start, we were an unlikely band of
misfits.
Jax, a wizard doomed to die at 30.
Leif, a shaman so distraught by his father's death that he
was able to manifest him from beyond the grave.
Krux, an outcast from a monastery on another plane of
existence.
Diovanni, the son of a noble paladin who was never quite
good enough for his father.
Brolgar, a dwarven mercenary cast out of his homeland.
Riddick, a drow, last of his family line, hunted like a dog
by his dark race.
And I, a disgraced soldier, who gave up his honored place at
the Arkosian Academy for a love that was never returned.
Along the way, we befriended other outcasts:
Solomon Kong, a "warforged" warrior from a
different world who stood as a statue for centuries before we released him.
Azten Anlagg, a doomed prisoner of the Drow who had the
courage to take up the fight against his captors after we freed him.
"Landon", a badly mistreated Drow who gained his
freedom by overcoming his mistresses and was essential for our escape from the
Underdark.
This unlikely group of heroes has overcome enormous odds to
repeatedly turn back threats to Waterdeep and play a pivotal role in defeating
the last Drow invasion of the surface world.
We are now close friends, bound by staring down the Unblinking Eye and
coming out alive. We have become an
effective fighting unit and I would lay down my life for any one of them.
Unfortunately, we are at a crossroads.
Brolgar died valiantly in the war with the Drow.
Jax, Leif, and Diovanni have gone home to Waterdeep to
defend it against the Abyssal onslaught.
Brother Krux has been elevated to the head of his monastery
and left for the Astral Plane to deal with political intrigue that threatens
the existence of his Order.
Solomon Kong never recovered from the foul magic of
Ascerak's lair. The most powerful mages and clerics of Waterdeep were employed.
We even gained the aid of Artificers from his home world of Eberron. Unfortunately, his diminutive, donkey-headed
form couldn't recover. We interned him in Waterdeep with a monument that
emphasized the noble warrior he was.
That has left Riddick, Landon, Azten, and I to determine how
we deal with Lolth's Curse. While all of
us have reason to hate the Drow; Riddick, Landon and Azten have very personal
reasons.
I find a return to Waterdeep to be very enticing. The Lords of the Shining City have honored me
with titles and responsibility. They
helped me move beyond the disgrace of the Arkosian Academy and to realize my
potential. But that seems like a
defensive move.
Of all the cities in Faerun, they have the most resources to
mount a defense against this Abyssal threat.
I feel my duty is to protect all the people of Faerun. The best defense is a good offense and we
must find where to strike to end Lolth's Affliction.
My decision weighs upon me. I've found myself withdrawing
from my comrades while I mull over my possible paths and responsibilities. I've taken to using the surprisingly wise
Josesphus as a sounding board. I hope that my friends don't find me crazy
confiding in a doorknob!
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