Equinox Ball - Grand Ballroom A

Talathel simply nodded at the speech. Undead pirates? He would have to practice his ki. 

He looked around for Darvin and soon found him. His date's ghastly purple dress stood out in the crowd. He wandered over to them.

"Darvin, friend. I hate to pry you away from your lovely date, but I require a private word with you." 

They stepped away from the crowd for a bit.

"I did as you asked, but Nym was already very drunk. Something is bothering her, but Evalaen took her out of Jere so she could revel and not draw so much attention to herself. I believe as of now, we are all set for your presentation."

"And you?" Darvin motioned to Talathel's mug. Once again, Talathel felt the sting of his past.

"Thanks for the reminder. I am out of milk." He gave a laugh and looked for someone new to talk to.

I posted the above so as not to cause any confusion as to where Darvin's post was starting. We may think of doing from now on. On another note here is what Shandri looks like and Darvin's outfit for the evening. Unlike the mannequin, Darvin is wearing a shirt.

Darvin nodded to Talathel as he left. He took Shandri's arm and led her into the grand ballroom. It certainly lived up to the name. It had high vaulted ceilings with ornate chandeliers hanging down. It was undoubtedly just as impressive from the outside with the floor to ceiling windows lit up.

 He looked around the room until he found Shandri's father, Orlando, standing next to the punch bowl. He was finishing up a conversation and getting dangerously low on punch.

Darvin looked to Shandri, "My dear, if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to your father."

"Darvin, you aren't going to talk to him without me. You're going to need me if you want him to pay off your lien," she replied with an amused smirk on her face.

"How did you know about that?" Darvin asked dumbfounded.

"Darvin, sweetie, everyone in town knows about the lien. Also, everyone in town knows what you have been doing on that ship for the last three years. And if they didn't earlier they know now after that half-elf's outburst."

Darvin stared at her. He didn't know what to say. He thought she had no idea of any of it. Finally, he managed to stammer, "And yet you are helping me?"

"Well, it was once a nice ship. It deserves to be again. Plus, you're no good to me drunk and depressed."

Once again Darvin didn't know what to say. He had hardly spent any time with this woman. Yet she was trying to help him even though she was fully aware of his sordid past. "We only spent the one night together. Why are you going to all this trouble?"

She laughed at him and said, "Two reasons. One, I needed a date to the ball. You were obviously available. And two, there is a lot of good in you Darvin Amblecrown. I could see it that night. I can see it now. My father would call it untapped potential."

Darvin nodded, "Thank you for the kind words, they have been few and far between lately. And tha..."

"Don't thank me for that yet. We have yet to speak with him. My father loves nothing more than his only daughter, but his own money is a close second and getting him to part with it won't be easy."

He nodded to her. This woman had him absolutely spellbound. He was not overcome with lust, as would have been the case over the last three years. Granted, Shandri was a beauty, more than a few heads had turned as they walked in. Instead, Darvin looked at her with feelings of respect and gratitude.

He led her over to the punch bowl where he got his date and himself a glass, while also grabbing an extra one. Then he approached her father. Shandri held back but was close enough to hear the conversation and interject if need be.

"Lord Greycastle, it appears you are low on punch. Hopefully this helps," Darvin said as he offered the glass to Orlando.

"Thank you, but I doubt you came over here just to quench my thirst."

"Yes sir, I was hoping we could continue our conversation from earlier." Darvin replied.

Diplomacy
Roll(1d20)+8:
20,+8
Total:28

Holy balls! I'm doomed when we actually start fighting things.

What's in a Name?

As Darvin stood there panicking about the name of the brown eyed, blonde haired beauty standing in front of him, something clicked in his brain.

"Shandri Greycastle. Her name is Shandri Greycastle. Her father is one of the wealthiest merchants in the city. You jumped out of her bedroom window the morning after a good rutting as her father came looking for her." 

Darvin looked at the woman in front of him. She was quite beautiful. A little taller than him, well proportioned with dirty blonde hair and big brown doe eyes. He was a little dumbfounded he hadn't called on her again. But then again he had been an idiot for the majority of the last three years.

"Where's the monkey with the hat?" Shandri asked causing Darvin to be shaken out of his thought.

"Oh, he's back on the ship. Keeping everything on schedule." 

"Darvin, you keep telling me about this ship but you have yet to let me see it."

As she said this to him, an idea began forming in his head, "That's because, my dear Shandri, it is nowhere near ready for someone as lovely as yourself to grace it's decks. However, as it turns out I was just looking for your father. You wouldn't happen to know where he is?"

She looked at Darvin kind of skeptically but also seemed amused, "Well, if you're looking for father you're going in the complete wrong direction. You know he works in the financial district. You're walking into the industrial district."

Darvin looked around him. He was smack dab in the middle of Baldur's Gate industrial complex. Nowhere near the financial sector.

"Ah, so I am. Well, may I oppose upon the lady and ask her to escort me to her father's place of business?" Darvin asked while offering her his arm.

The Awkward Adventures of Nym and Darvin

Nym sat silently at the table starting at the doors Beranhond had exited through. "I'm dead and this is hell," she thought, a grimace crossing her face.

It was rare she found herself without words, but Nym wasn't sure what to say as she turned back to Darvin. After staring at him awkwardly for what seemed like an unacceptably awkward amount of time, she said in Elvish, raising her glass, <"To Baldur's Keep, my least favorite place on all the planes..."> She thought for a moment, and corrected herself, <"Make that second least favorite,"> and she downed her third shot.

Feeling a buzz from her drinks, Nym stood up and started walking toward the door, beckoning Darvin to follow. She had no idea where she was going other than 'not here' and 'away'. "You know, I have no idea if you speak Elvish or not. I hope that wasn't too rude," Nym said pushing open the main door. She snorted and giggled, adding, "After you, Lord Pirate of Daughters." She bowed deeply before skipping out the door onto the street. Pipper hopped out after her, and Nym whistled for Nesme to follow.

As Darvin caught up to her, Nym began, "Speaking of daughters, my grandmother's sister's daughter's daughter just had a daughter last Midsummer. They live in Silverymoon, and Eva is precious. I don't think I've ever seen a cuter half elf child in my life! She has a sister who just turned six a few weeks back, and she's going to be going to the Lady's College in Silverymoon in just a year. Her parents are both on the city council in Silverymoon, which I've always found friendlier than Baldur's Gate. Of course, maybe that's since they're my cousins. Well, second cousins. Third cousins? I'm not really sure, but I've always just called them my cousins. You see my grandmother and her sister are twins, so they're very close, and..."

Having no real direction, Nym wandered back toward the ship with Darvin in tow as she talked.

City Council Meeting

The sky was a gorgeous blue and the sun a warm yellow as Beranhond, Darvin, and Nym headed off to the city council meeting. The city was bustling about them as the incoming merchant ships hurriedly unloaded parcels and barrels and other goods.
"This weather doesn't at all fit the trepidation of today." Beranhond commented, mostly to break up the silence that hovered around them. Nym nodded staring off north toward Silverymoon. Beranhond smiled, suspecting that he knew what was drawing her attention away this morning. Darvin just grunted, looking down as he marched alongside Beranhond.
"Everyone seems to be in a stupor today." Tigrisclawu commented as he trotted along next to them.
"Yes, that's bound to happen on such momentous days." Beranhond said sighing. "I thought you'd stay with Evelaen on the ship."
"Oh, no, that's going to be boring. He isn't her type at all, so there won't even be any teasing."
"Yeah, that's true. I do enjoy the newfound gravitas he has."
"You mean boring. He used to be so fun when he'd bury his head in an ale barrel."
"Stop it."

The city council had moved out of its now ruined city hall into one of the merchant houses that had been claimed my eminent domain. It was once the largest private dwelling in the city and now housed offices for the council, the protectorate, and the defense coalition. A wrought iron gate barred their way and Beranhond politely negotiated for their entrance. After a moment they were greeted and quickly rushed through the paperwork before being led downstairs to the meeting room that was once a concert hall. The guards guided them to the bottom step before the podium. The council took a moment to finish its paperwork, deliberately ignoring them before finally turning their attention to the front.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Kilink, back from the dead." The lead elder, Ashaesa, said. "I'm impressed that Darvin decided to show his face in public. Our reports said that he only showed his face at night in the slums and whorehouses."
Beranhond glared upward at them before clearing his throat. "Personal attacks aside, we have come to discuss the agreement we made several years ago regarding the vessel named 'The Lady Narath'. We request a dismissal of the lien and a new license to combat the piracy so prevalent on the seas."
Beranhond paused for a moment, waiting for some kind of reaction.
"That's all? You all scatter to the wind, take up moorage in the harbor, destroy the vessel, and don't even really help the city at all and you just request a new license?"

Ruffians in the Dark!

"Oh, Darvin are you planning on leaving Baldur's Gate tomorrow?" Came an oily voice from the gangplank. "If so, we'd love if you'd remove all the garbage and refuse from our ship before you go." He said stepping onto the deck of the Lady Narath. The man scowled at the group assembled before him. "Well, what a freakshow..." He said stepping toward the table around at the assembled crew. "Is this the going away party you're hosting, Captain, before you finally remove yourself from our ship?" The man grinned and showed a set of stained and yellowed teeth.

"Hmmm..." Beranhond said standing and glaring down at the man. "Please explain yourself."
The man looked Beranhond up and down. Beranhond easily towered a foot over the man and the silvery armor under his cloak glinted in the lantern light. He changed his tone quickly as his eyes adjusted and noticed that none of the women at the table seemed remotely perturbed by his presence. Like most bullies they are quick to change their tone when confronted.

"Don't get all pissy with me." He said quickly. "I'm here for legitimate reasons on behalf of the Waldorf Syndicate - we have purchased the lien on the Lady Narath and are technically owners of the vessel. I was sent here to remind Darvin that he only has a short amount of time to repay the lien to use before we reclaim the vessel in the name of city of Baldur's Gate." He dropped a scroll on the table quickly before slinking back. Beranhond glared at him once more as he picked up the scroll and opened it up. The man cowered a bit before continuing, "You can argue it all you want, but the syndicate is short tempered with you!" He turned his head and caught a look at Johan and gave a very slight grin, before returning to his soured expression.

"So, if you're leaving town you might as well clear out, or you can visit the syndicate tomorrow with the cash." The man took a look over Nym, Violet, and Evelaen and realized that none of them seemed at all perturbed. Realizing that his usual ability to crudely intimidate people was wasted here he scampered back and across the gangplank into the darkness Beranhond watched the man run away and then handed the document to Evelaen who quickly poured over it.

"Alright, it looks like a standard legal document. It just states the dates of which The Lady Narath was passed into our company, which dates it returned, the bounty, and the syndicate which purchased the contract." She said reading over it quickly.

Beranhond sighed and rubbed his temple. "It looks like we might have to meet with them, or the city, or both, before we go off seeking treasure. Otherwise we might not have a ship at all when we return." He turned to Darvin. "What do you know about this syndicate?"

This will probably be a brief party split time, so use the comment section here to figure out the plan and then let us know who is going where and we'll handle the next part.

Skills to use:
Streetwise or history about the Waldorf Syndicate. Only Darvin, Johan, Violet, and Odin will really have anything to add here as Nym, Talathel, Evelaen, and BH are out of the loop.
Nature, while wonderful, isn't useful inside the city. Streetwise is the way to go.
Diplomacy works within conversations and for gathering info. Otherwise just RP the situation.

Dan, would you mind handling the syndicate?

Dinner Party - Evelaen's Story

All of stories are occurring at the same time, so feel free to continue to message/comment on the previous posts.

Evelaen took a drink of water and then smiled around the room. "I know we only met each other today, but I feel like I know all about you. Beranhond's stories about you were quiet in depth and detail. After all, we had a long time to talk on the journey back here from Saerloon. She took another sip.
"I was born to a wealthy family in Saerloon. My father served as a legal adviser to the merchant and mining councils. I naturally was heavily involved in the upper crust of the city. It might surprise you, as Saerloon is known for its thievery and dark underbelly, but the upper crust of the city, though not that different in many ways, loved their over the top festivities. At the age of thirteen my family put together my cotillion where I was shown off of to the noble classes and my family prepared for my marriage."
She caught the surprised look in Nym's eyes.
"I was married by fourteen to a wealthy family in the city. My husband is nice enough, but honestly, an arranged marriage to a man who is mostly concerned with making moe money and having more stuff isn't exactly what I was looking for in my life."
She shifted slightly, starting to draw vertical lines on the piece of paper she had kept in front of her for notekeeping.
"Needless to say, my marriage was a bit of a sham, partially because I was keeping a second, much more private life, as a sorceress. I took to haunting the streets at night after my husband fell asleep fighting with the local brigands and crime elements. It was late one of those nights that I met Etheldred, though, at the time he was going by the name 'Iacobes' which really didn't seem to fit."
She bit her lip, drawing the liens a bit nervously.
"Well, to tell that part of the story quickly, he was trying to provide medical aid to a fallen comrade, and I helped him to fight off the local brigands. On the way to my home we got to talking and telling stories... to make a long story short I left my husband at our house a week later and took to ship with him."
"Beranhond still has some nervous moments about the fact that I'm married, but I try to tell him that my husband probably doesn't even notice that I'm gone. Besides, I know that if I wasn't around he'd probably wind up going back to being a farmer."

Dinner Party - Violet's Story

As Beranhond finished his story, Violet began to fidget a lot, obviously not sure exactly how to tell her story. Odin patted her knee and stood up, nearly banging his head on a beam before sitting back down again and beginning to talk.

"I was in my armorsmithing apprenticeship on Llewellyn when the druid temple was destroyed. In fact, I was working the forge that day when Master Aerilon, my mentor, started hearing the destruction and rushed in to tell us that we needed to flee. I quickly and efficiently banked the fires and put all of my tools in order before grabbing the small bundle of things that was my belongings. I expected that whatever was happening would soon be over, and I hoped to return and help rebuild as soon as possible."

He gave a chagrined smile to the group, "Of course, my decision to spend time packing up meant that I was one of the last to leave the village. As I walked through the door and started toward the water, I heard cries of anguish coming from the direction of the druids' meeting hall, and saw what looked like a small bundle of dark purple cloth until it moved. It was Violet, dragging herself across the ground out of the tunnel. One of her legs was not working correctly, and was causing her extreme amounts of pain."

He put his large hand back on Violet's knee, "I picked her up as gently as I could and carried her out of the town and into the jungle to a small cabin where she could recuperate and heal from her wounds."

Violet added in a haunted voice, "That was the most frightening and painful day of my life. My leg was badly infected, and I was forced to use my magic to remove my leg and cauterize the wound so that the infection wouldn't spread and kill me." She shuddered and withdrew into herself.

After another squeeze of her knee in support, Odin continued, "Once she was stabilized, I crept back back out to check on the village, but didn't get far before I saw the smoke billowing above the jungle canopy. Realizing there was nothing I could do for Llewellyn, I foraged for foodstuffs and firewood, and took care of Violet for a week before she was able to travel. I had studied medicine in Evermeet several years, and I was able to put some of that training to good use."

"We traveled slowly overland to Caer Calidyrr, where we were able to find passage back to Baldur's Gate. I was able to set up this shop and start anew with my tools and inventory after losing everything at Llewellyn. And I have been here ever since," Odin finished.

He looked at Violet questioningly, "Violet, I'm sure your friends would be interested in your story, as well." 

Violet responded to his prodding by laying her much smaller hand over his hand and giving it a small squeeze. She gathered her courage, and went on from where he left off, "With Odin's help, I was able to get an first artificial leg made and begin my rehabilitation. Of course, after my failure to stop the high priest of the Dark God, word began to spread that I'd lost my touch as an assassin, and work began to dry up. It didn't help that I walked with the help of a crutch and had to rely heavily on magic to see the job done, where before I'd been able to count on a quick stab if everything else fell through."

Violet sighed, "I took a series of small jobs, and though I was successful in them, it was obvious that I would not be able to return to my former renown. I began looking for alternative sources of income. I eventually settled on treasure hunting, as it uses a large cross section of the skills needed in my former profession, and have been happily building my new life here with Odin ever since."

Violet continued, "I kept an eye on the events here as I could, and sent what information I found to Beranhond in an attempt to give the party a chance to reconvene, but mostly, I've just tried to get the edge back in my skills and be prepared for whatever comes."

Dinner Party - Beranhond's Story

Beranhond was surprised at the variety of journey's that his companions had taken. Darvin's story hadn't surprised him too much as, sadly, much of the evidence of his last few years remained scattered around The Lady Narath.
Talathel's journey of renewal was uplifting and reminded him of a fervor that had wandered away along with the voices of the Gods.
Nym's story of finding peace, and perhaps a bit of reprieve from the darkness that had followed her, gave him a bit of hope as well. Yet, all too soon he felt it was time for his turn to share his story.
"Well." He said clearing his throat."I can fill in a few gaps that the rest of you don't remember..."

Beranhond stepped away from the attack, the swing of the sword missing him, and he slipped aesahaettr deftly between the guard's ribs.
"Darvin, Johan, we need to advance." He yelled to the two who were fighting rear guard. A sudden blurry shape charged forward from where Johan had once stood.
"What the..." He said, blocking another strike with his shield. Darvin stepped forward and attacked with his swords, disarming one of the guards.
"Well done Darvin!" Beranhond said encouragingly. "We just might win this yet and see what is hidden..."
Beranhond's words were cut off as a large black shape moved down the stairs started chanting.
"Retreat, get out of here!" Beranhond yelled, shoving another guard aside with his shield and then starting to move back toward the entrance.
Before he could move too far toward the exist the chanting stopped and the room filled with darkness and a sharp shock of pain ran through Beranhond's body. He dropped the ground screaming and saw that the other two were also collapsing to the ground in pain.
Beranhond raised up his symbol of Narath, hoping to shield the attack, or at least to minimize some of the pain.
Eth... the darkness is making it's move. Came Narath's voice into his head. He pushed up the symbol again the waves of pain emanating from the darkness. The symbol cracked and broke, and a flash of light exploded out from the light.
Eth, I'm buying you a few moments of escape by distracting the darkness. Return to Baldur's Gate and get the Paladins out of the region... all those relying on divine powers are likely to fall under the sway of the rising darkness. A shimmering wall of light emerged from the broken holy symbol, and Beranhond quickly ran over grabbing Darvin and Johan and dragging them to safety.
The ride back unlike any experience that he had experienced. Darvin and Johan rode as in shock, before Johan suddenly peeled off and rode off in silent, unresponsive to Beranhond's calls.
Beranhond returned Darvin to the Lady Narath, leaving him in the same unresponsive stupor that had overtaken him since Candlekeep.

"At that point, I knew that I needed to find Ceilith. Yet, I was completely unprepared for what was to have occurred. I made my way to the front and found the Tormish Paladins over confidently involved in an assault on the forces of darkness. I assisted them as much as I could, but..." Beranhond swallowed. "My divine powers had failed me and I could cast no spells, call on no abilities, and serve no divine healing. The paladins too suffered similarly. In fact, as the battle went on more and more of the forces turned sides, becoming zombie's and ghosts and ghouls, until Ceilith and I stood at the rearguard, a few paladin's who had once had training as soldiers and warriors the only remnant of the expeditionary force." Beranhond took a heavy sip of the wine. "I thought we might have a chance to escape, but a massive dark shape burst through the line and slammed Ceilith to the ground." He looked down at the oaken table. "I managed to fight off the shape for a moment and to hoist Ceilith up onto a horse. We escaped, along with a few of the paladins, to south of the battlefield. When we stopped and I checked Ceilith's wounds I found that it was beyond my non-magical aid.

"It's alright Eth.." She said coughing up blood. "I'm going to go and join the fight in heaven at Torm's sides."Her hands going up to his face. "I adored every moment I had with you even if I could never understand why you fought against contentment with every fiber of your being.
Beranhond couldn't hold back his smile. "Oh stop... I wasn't that bad." He say ruefully.
"Yes you were." She said before coughing again. "But, when I die, make sure I'm dead... I don't want to come back as one of them. I know what I'm asking you might be morbid, but please, take me back to Tantras and bury me in my family's plot.
Beranhond eyes shot open. "I can't..."
"Please..." She said coughing. "Even if it's just my head. I don't want to come back as one of them." She looked up into his eyes one final time. "Fight the good fight Ethelred. I'll give your parents your best..." she said before sliding into death.

"After her death, I followed her wishes, building a pyre and burning her ashes before leaving Baldur's Gate and returning to Tantras and her ancestral land. I held a small funeral with her family and then attempted to give my report to the Tormish command." He fiddled with his fork, trying not to dwell on the memories.  "Yet, although they politely listened to my report on the destruction of the druids, the vunerabilities of divine energy, and the rise of the darkness they seemed not interested. Apparently since my previous visit a new faction had arisen that decided to refocus on the war with Thay. The incidents out west were deemed unimportant and I was politely thanked but summarily dismissed."
"I returned to my family's land, tilling the land for a season as I reflected on the new reality of the world. Although I prayed and sought conversation with Narath she was absent. Word soon flooded into the Citadel that Gods and Goddesses across the world were seemingly absent from the world. It was at that moment that I realized that I was once again needed out west. My journey back was smooth..."
"Really, smooth?" Evelaen interjected. "That's how you are describing us meeting?" She rolled her eyes. "Beranhond can tell an epic story quite well, but I fear he will mangle the story of our meeting with a lot of unnecessary 'thee's and 'thou's." She laughed heartely. "I don't want it sounding like something that came out of a chivalrous court. So, let them ask their questions and then I'll finish up the story of our journey."

Dinner Party - Darvin's Story

Darvin had listened to everyone else's stories and felt a slight pang of guilt. He had not gone off and bettered himself, in fact, he had probably made himself much worse. He began to speak,

"Beranhond, Johan and I went to Candlekeep. We ended up in a battle with six guards. I have no idea what happened. There was a flash of light...and then nothing. I woke up back on the Lady Narath. I don't know how I got here. I decided the best thing for me to do was wait for the rest of you. So, I've spent three very long years waiting for you."

"I've had my ups and downs, mostly downs during that time. I've spent most of my nights in the various establishments of Baldur's Gate most of you would not be caught dead in. One night at the 'Brick and Mortar' I did meet a girl named Gwenna. She was quite lovely with dark hair and a light brown complexion. We had a whirlwind romance. I was so desperate to belong to something again I ignored all the warning signs. How she always batted her eyes at other men. She had been so impressed with the Lady Narath that I didn't worry about it. We decided to get married. Guybrush told me it was a bad idea but I did it anyway. Two days after we wed, there was a lien placed upon the ship. The next day she ran off with an obnoxious bard named Murray. People told me they were headed east. That's the last I've heard of her."

"Since then I have been consumed by loss. The loss of her. The loss of my friends."

Darvin looked around at the group. He became misty eyed but maintained his composure.

"I thought you all were dead. I have consumed more alcohol than I care to know. Whored so many times I lost count. Since that day I woke up here, I've been trying to find where I fit in this world. Nothing was fulfilling."

"I am very grateful that you are all here again. Had you not arrived soon, I believe I would have hung myself from the yardarm."

Darvin looked around at the group. Silence had set over them. He had not meant to drop his harsh reality on them, but it had just flowed forth. Guybrush patted him on the shoulder.

"Tis a very tragic tale, Captain."

Dinner Party - Talathel's Story

Talathel cleared his throat and began. "There is not much to tell, for I don't believe I have been adventuring. When our group disbanded those years ago, I did not know what to do. So, I set off in search of Kalael. Of course, I had no leads, no ideas. So, I wandered. I would stop at monasteries of the Old Order, but many have been slow on getting information since Kalael has gone missing. In some places, I fear the Old Order may become absent all together.

"I found myself without a purpose, and so I sought one. I traveled throughout Faerun, doing the occasional good deed.  I tried to join with other companies, but apparently elven monks are not in high demand. Eventually, it was probably around the Bloodstone Pass that I realized that I was a purpose in and of myself. My purpose was to connect to Faerun. And so, I continued to wander. I lived off the land. In Mulptan, I sold what I could. I found my pleasure not in a wine cup, not in riches, not even in the helping of others. I found pleasure in simply being.

"This is not to say that I neglected my fellow beings. I would stop in villages and help the needy. In Skuld, I helped in the search for a missing child, for instance. But, I did not want to stay in one place long. Doing so would seem to deny me the pleasure of existing in this realm. There is much to experience.

"I continued along until I reached the coast. To be honest, I was not sure what to do. I could continue along the same path as before. I could try and find passage to the Moonshae Isles. I may have been leaning that way. I had seen Faerun, and maybe could return to my home and live out my days content. But then, I spied The Lady Narath. I am so grateful to see all of you again. And grateful for this stew! Hot meals have been few and far between for me. But, like Nym, I have found myself content, even if not comfortable.

Dinner Party - Nym's Story

When her turn came, Nym smiled down at her wine, swirling it gently as she began, "Since we last were together here, my life has been quite quiet... which is how I've liked it." She looked up at the group, and continued, "I was burned quite badly in Llewellyn, so I went home to heal..." "In more ways than one," she finished in her mind. 

Her eyes glazed slightly as she stared into the middle distance remembering her life over the past three years. A soft smile spread across her face as she continued, "I've been able to rekindle friendships from my childhood, and... other times." She blushed slightly, thinking if Illuvaen and how their relationship had deepened and intensified in the last few months. Her hand absently went to her necklace, a simple silver chain decorated with a small moonstone, which had been a gift from Illuvaen shortly before she left for Baldur's Gate.

"Do you remember when we were sucked into the Dream Plane?" Nym asked, looking at Darvin and Talathel. "We were attacked by that monologuing purple worm? ...I am sad to say the entire plane collapsed roughly two years ago. Luckily, many of our friends escaped before its destruction. By happy chance, Illuvaen found me in Silverymoon just this last fall." She blushed a deeper shade of red and tucked her messy, long hair behind her ear. 

"Apparently, when we returned here, Illuvaen's mother took control and ruled the land as ruthlessly as the shadowcasters." Nym frowned, feeling guilty that they hadn't been able to destroy the crystal. "Along with Illuvaen, about 100 members of the resistance survived the collapse and now live throughout the Silver Marches. Dohn Aeskmi, the ex-monk, lives in Silverymoon, as does Miss Stake." Nym looked thoughtful for a moment, adding, "You know, they have very strange names. I never thought about it before..." She shook her head, laughing, and added, "I even received a letter over winter from Druuv, the arctic goblin who helped us, telling me she and some of her people had escaped the collapse. They're living north of the Marches in the Spine of the World mountains near Mithral Hall." Nym's brow furrowed, and she added, "I'm not sure what happened to the shadowcasters or the half elf queen, though... They could be in Faerun as well."

Nym was quiet for a moment before adding, "I've been happy. Truly happy." She smiled, thinking of Illuvaen, her father, her friends, and the forest all waiting for her in the Silver Marches. Pipper scratched on Nym's leg, stretching and yawning to get her attention. She picked up the fox and set him on her lap, rubbing her fingers through his soft, white fur.

Dinner Party - Johan's Story

Johan sips again at the wineglass, the tasteless fluid seeming like colored water rather than priceless Elven spirits. He leans back, rolling his shoulders in a broad shrug. "Well, after we parted, I traveled south, to Beregost. Slunk around for a bit, until I had a bit of a run-in with the local watchmen after a stretch of being quite...parched. Their leader, Captain Kerp, took a shine to my fighting spirit, and offered me the job. The pay was shit, and the position was as plain and boring as goblin snot, but it meant I spent quite a bit less on sun balm, and, well..."

He chuckled, gesturing with the glass without taking a drink. "I never had a problem with energetic and boisterous prisoners once they'd spent a night in the cells under my watch, and good old Kerp either didn't notice, or didn't care."

Johan fished into a pocket of his coat, pulling out a rough map of the Sword Coast. On it were dozens of scratched circles in ink, dotting all over the coastal waters and coastline itself. "I've been keeping my ear out, as rogue and rowdy undead tend to mean suddenly everyone's wearing as much silver jewelry as they can steal or buy, and buying holy water phials like they're proper healing potions." He shook his head, throwing the map onto the table with mild disgust. "I can't make rhyme nor reason to the attacks; From what I've heard, the pirates have neither a base nor a target that can be made out from their attacks alone."

He leaned back, his grin showing the glint of slightly-too-long teeth, and reaching under his coat, withdrew a small hip flask. Johan took a single bracing swig, before recorking it and stowing it away again.

Dinner Party! (On the Lady Narath)

Darvin's suggestion that they retire to the Lady Narath was met with some amount of support and/or enthusiasm from Nym and Johan, (who had not seen the ship recently) and some reticence from Beranhond, Talathel, Evelaen, Violet, and Odin (who knew that the ship was somewhat in disrepair). Eventually, Darvin's pulling and prodding was able to get everyone to the ship, and as they ate the native food of Thindol, which was a fish stew with carrots and a thick broth served with crackers and bread.

Violet and Odin arrived shortly after the rest of the group, having spent several minutes gathering up a bundle of maps and other materials to help show what they were after. Once they were all ensconced below decks and eating, Violet began by laying out a very old wanted poster.

"You may remember stories of the Pirate Queen Jennah the Bold?" Violet looked around the room, seeing some nods. "Well, as you may remember, she's been dead for about 70 years, and all of her various treasures have been found, so it's not her treasure we're seeking."

Violet continued, as if this were all very necessary information, "She had a long list of associates that supported her, hence her title Pirate Queen, as you all know. I have learned that one of Queen Jennah's wealthiest supporters, known as the Earl of Lush, was sold out by one of her crew mates, named Eelskin Jack. Eelskin Jack thought he was extremely clever to hide out in the cliffsides near Secomber, but was found and killed for his treachery. Of course, as soon as he was sold out, the Earl of Lush moved his vast fortunes elsewhere, so Eelskin Jack was also a dead end. It's too bad, too, because I was really excited to head up to Secomber and dig around in his old hidey hole before I found that out."

Violet shook her head and took a bite of soup before continuing, "No, the Earl of Lush was able to die a wealthy man and pass along his considerable fortune to his illegitimate son, Conner. Conner had been raised to be extremely careful with money, but never knew how to handle it, so soon after he was gifted the money he disappeared with it. Rumor has it that he fled with the treasure to a remote island far to the west, but before he escaped, he said goodbye for the last time to his childhood sweetheart, Amelie, who lived in Daggerford."

Another gulp of soup went down the hatch before Violet continued, "Of course, as soon as he sailed away, a group of brigands tortured and accidentally killed Amelie, trying to get the location that Conner had sailed to. It couldn't have been easy tracking this stupid treasure down, could it?"

At this point, Violet tore half of her slice of bread off and doused it thoroughly in stew before gesturing very seriously at the rest of the crew, "I have learned that before he left, Conner gave Amelie a keepsake to remember him by. If we can get that keepsake, I have a way to use it as a locating beacon and it will lead us to Conner, and therefore to the treasure."

Violet stood and swallowed the hunk of bread in one bite, "So all we have to do is go up to Daggerford and dig up a poor girl that's been dead for 30 years and hope that the small carved turtle carved from shell that Conner gave her is buried with her or at least nearby."

Odin's Fine Provisions and Sporting Goods

You are a jerk for naming it Odin's Fine Provisions and Sporting Goods, but I'll roll with it. ;)

Beranhond was the first in the door, and he was immediately taken aback by the amount of items that packed the room. he could barely get past the door before having to step to the right to get around what looked to be a large orange tent. Beyond that, he spotted a large variety of ropes and cords, and beyond that an assortment of balls of all shapes, sizes, and colors. He saw several that he had no idea what they were for. He kept on looking around the room and saw an array of sticks in different lengths and thicknesses, and beyond that...

His inspection of the room was interrupted when his gaze alit upon a very large man with grayish skin and black hair. He was sitting at a small table about 5 feet away wearing a pair of goggles and squinting at a very small woven ball that he appeared to be stitching. The sight was rather comical, as his long arms and broad shoulders seemed to wrap around his table to bring the small object up to about 6 inches from his face. He was wearing a rather nondescript craftsman's tunic and trousers except that the crest from the sign outside was proudly embroidered on the left breast. He was concentrating very closely on the ball, and his tongue was sticking out as he moved his gargantuan hands in a very delicate stitch.

As Beranhond eyed the man, the others entered the room. The man sewed two more stitches, exhaled heavily, retrieved his tongue, and set the ball down. He wiped his brow on his long sleeve, and brought the goggles up to rest on his forehead. It was obvious from the rings around his eyes he'd been working on the stitching for some time.

Standing up to his full height, he made eye contact with Beranhond and bowed, somewhat too formally, "Hello my fine lady and gentlemen. What can I help you with today? Are you interested in a bit of sport? Perhaps you would like to requisition a custom May Pole? Or are you in of some other bit of provisions? Whatever you're looking for, I'm sure you've come to the right place."

Through the city

Talathel entered the city of Baldur's Gate. After years away, he had returned. Baldur's Gate was where his adventuring had began. As he walked through the streets, he remembered the battle against the Rat Queen beneath the streets. Beyond that had been a blur, had been an alcoholic vision of various battles, journeys, inns, and friends.

He found himself, almost without thinking, at the door of Milway's. It was here that he had met Lailsan. He had not heard from her since she had gone home to the Moonshae Isles. Of course, he had been travelling. No one could get a hold of him. He wondered if she had tried. He hadn't.

He debated going in, but for what? Lailsan would not be there and he had no money. And besides, when was the last time that he had drunk rum or anything else? He hadn't missed it that much.

He waited outside Milways, waiting for some sign of where he should go next. But, the only place that stood out to him was the docks. Not finding much in terms of signs, he headed that way.

The Lady Narath had aged a bit, he thought, but was still in good shape. Darvin had treated it well. Did he have a crew of any type? Talathel stopped at the gang plank. He could see no one on the deck. He cleared his throat and shouted at the ship.

"Captain Darvin! An old friend requests an audience with you!"

A Reunion Aboard the Lady Narath, Part 1, BH style

Bernahond glared at Tigrisclawu, not entirely annoyed, but a little perturbed at the feline's behavior. Tigris had always been a bit moody, but he had started showing quite the preference toward Evelaen. He bent down and took the bird into his hand and was shocked when it started to squeak, "Visit Oden's for all of your adventuring needs!"
"Well, I suspect that's Violet's calling card."
Evelaen looked somewhat bemused at Beranhond. "It sounds more like an annoying viral advertisement."
"No, this is classic Violet. It's weird magic, vague,  off the wall, and lacking details."
"Why are we searching out this Violet character again? Was she an ex-lover or something?" Beranhond leaned down to the bird and whispered to it in the birds native language to find the shop and return to be free of the task laid upon it.
Beranhond sputtered at the suggestion "No, definitely not."
She grinned, "it's alright if she was... I'm not that jealous. At least, not yet."
Beranhond looked over her and rolled his eyes slightly. Yet, before he had a chance to respond to her teasing he heard the familiar call from a ship in the harbor.

"Beranhond! Up here! The Lady Narath has missed you!" Came the familiar voice of a half elf. Beranhond looked up at the familiar, though worn and damaged, vessel. He didn't look toward the front of the ship, worried about the state of the Narath statue, and instead looked to find the worn features of Darvin.
"Hail Darvin! Thy ship has apparently missed me for longer than I care to consider. Hast thou not found a harbor or safe passage from which thou couldst do thine repairs? I beseech thee to allow me to board promptly so that I can take inventory of the travesty that thou has wrought!" Beranhond tried to hold back a grin at the flowery speech. He suspected that Darvin thought of him as a bit pompous and decided that this was a perfect moment in which to test the man's resolve. Such flowery speech was still common in parts of the east and it was entirely possible that Berandhond's words had become overtly flowery.
"You're ridiculous, adorable, but ridiculous." Evelaen said from behind him.
"Ignore him. He's just trying to annoy you."
"Eva!" Beranhond said in feigned shock. But he burst into a grin.
"Hail Darvin, I'm glad I have found you without a journey into the dreamrealm, or one involving ghosts, goblins, and ghouls, do I have your permission to board?

A Reunion Aboard the Lady Narath, Part 1

Darvin watched the Wood Elf, whose name he couldn't remember, walk down the gang plank and disappear into the crowds on the wharf.  He always felt pangs of guilt and longing when the elf maidens would leave in the morning. Deep down he always knew that he had become a shadow of his former self, but he could always rationalize his way out of it. He had failed, he didn't matter anymore. Although, that last thought had been proven wrong when he had received notice that the leading Guild of the city had put a lien on the Lady Narath. In his depression he had neglected to pay off the debts the City Council had bestowed upon the group when the ship was put under his care.

He was lost in thought as he stared out over the crowd. A familiar looking cat caught his eye.

"No...it can't be." Darvin thought to himself. He needed to get a closer look.

"Guybrush, please bring me the spyglass," He requested to the monkey.

"Another pretty lady in the crowd this morning, sir?" Asked the cheeky monkey as he handed Darvin the spyglass.

Darvin ignored the comment and used the instrument to look over the crowd. Upon closer inspection, Darvin was sure that he had just spotted Tigrisclawu, who was having a terrible time trying to catch a swallow. Although, it was maybe the most athletic swallow that Darvin had ever laid eyes on. Eventually, the cat caught the bird and continued down the wharf where he dropped the creature at the feet of a very attractive woman. Who was standing next to a very large Paladin.

"Well, I'll be dipped in shit and rolled in breadcrumbs!" said Darvin in surprise.

"One of Greg's recipe's, sir?" asked Guybrush.

"No, you cheeky bastard. Beranhond and Tigrisclawu are down there. Sure as the sun rises they are." Darvin explained. He quickly climbed a third of the way up the rigging of the main mast and started to wave at Beranhond and his companions.

"Beranhond! Up here! The Lady Narath has missed you!"

For every season

The area surrounding Baldur's Gate had fallen steadily into a wilder and wilder state and travel was becoming increasingly difficult. Roving bands of brigands and outlaws harassed the few merchants and traders willing to brave the treacherous journey.

Outside of the once fair and prosperous city a small enclave had formed at the top of the hill guarding the path into the city. The people living their were called by a variety of names, though they themselves claimed no title or allegiance. The city officials generally let them be as they helped to guard the passage into the city and, for the most part, kept the peace.

Rumors floated around the city that the leader of the encampment was a former Paladin of Torm. Others said that it was a foul mouthed halfling, yet others swore to their dying day that it was an elf lord from a distant kingdom. Regardless, it was common knowledge that the leader of the encampment had been part of the alliance that had led the charge against the forces of the darkness years ago...

Beranhond sat up in shock, breathing heavily, sweat pouring from his brow. He looked about the room, trying to remind himself that he wasn't in the midst of the long ago battle.
"What's wrong Eth?" Came a woman's voice from beside him.
He rubbed his eyes and turned to look at her, smiling slightly despite himself.
"It was that dream again... of Candlekeep, and of my visit to the aftermath of the Temple of the druids." He said in a tired voice.
"Oh, Eth, I'm sorry." She said putting her hands around him and pulling him down into the mattress. "At least we made it safely to Baldur's Gate and can start looking to see if there is any sign or words of your friends.
"Yes." He said letting himself be pulled back into the comfort of the sheets.
 As Evelaen fell noislessly back to sleep Beranhond's mind couldn't help but reflect on all the changes since his last trip to Baldur's Gate. It had been filled with the worst kind of adventure - after the disaster at Candlekeep he'd worked with the Paladin's of Torm to stem the tide of darkness from reaching into the continent. Yet, it had been for naught, as the dark God arose, and changed the balance of the land. All across Faerun word had spread that the Gods and Godesses were distant, beyond hearing, and their miracles and blessings seemingly less potent. Beranhond's own faith had been shaken after...
No, he thought, I'm not going to think about that right now.
He looked over at the dark haired, dark eyed, Evelaen, and pushed her hair out of her eyes. It had been an unexpected event that had brought them together, but she had become one of the few sources of comfort in the troublesome world of Faerun.
The next morning Evelaen and Beranhond packed up their meager belongings, said goodbye to the surprisingly polite innkeeper and headed off into the partially ruined city that was Baldur's Gate. Along the way Beranhond pointed out the changes that had occured to the city - especially noting the square where he had once upon a time had the ability to cure the multitude, and the entrances to the underground where they had to fight giant rats. Evelaen humored Beranhond as he narrated nostalgia, even asking a few follow up questions to show her willingness to listen.

Finally, after some backtracking around blocked streets they found their way to the wharf district.
"If Darvin is anywhere, he'll be here, and I know that Violet told me that she'd leave word for me at the docks if she was ever in the area."
 

It's Time...

Darkness. Pounding. Pain. The moment before you open your eyes in the morning. These were the sensations Darvin was experiencing. He opened his eyes and looked around the room. Moonlight was pouring in through the cabin window. His head hurt. He noticed an empty bottle of rum lying on the ground. And then he noticed another one. This was a typical morning for Darvin Amblecrown, formerly mighty pirate, these days.

Darvin remembered setting off with his friends for Candlekeep three years ago. He even recalled fighting a battle, however, he could never remember how it turned out. He ended up in Baldur's Gate. He wasn't sure how he got back there either. His friends were nowhere to be found. Based on all of this, he had assumed that the ending of that battle had not gone well. That had weighed on the half-elf tremendously. He had never been as close to a group of people as he had been with his fellow adventuring friends. Slowly though, it all unraveled. First, with the death of Thjdolf five years ago. Then the Candlekeep disaster, as it came to be known in his head. And finally, with the dissolution with his ill-conceived marriage two years ago. It had lasted for 3 days and then she left him for a bard. Darvin had always hated bards. (For the record, my real life marriage is going great. No need to worry.)

The culmination of these three event had led him into a life of depression and alcohol. He had spent the last two years drinking the nights away on the Lady Narath. Slowly but surely the crew had disappeared. Either embarrassed for their captain or upset that they weren't getting paid. The only one who remained was Guybrush, his monkey First Mate. Darvin noticed his friend sleeping in his small cot in the corner of the room. It was also at this point that Darvin noticed the Wood Elf in bed next to him. This had become more and more frequent lately. Baldur's Gate had many seedy establishments. Darvin had discovered one called "The Naughty Wood Elf" which employed those very beings. He spent many nights drinking there and then bringing a random elf-maiden home. He looked at the woman laying next to him. 

"What the hell is her name again?" He thought to himself.

"Nefertari? Nefertiti?" In the end it didn't matter. She would be gone right after sun-up. They always were. It was probably better that way. 

He got out of bed and made his way to the deck. The moon was low in the sky and sunrise would be soon. Darvin made his way to the rail and looked out of the harbor toward the open ocean. He started to reminisce on his times with his old friends. How he had met Talathel in a bar in Secomber. Two lost souls who found purpose through each other at just the right time. He thought of his large cleric friend, Beranhond, who was as bumbling as he was righteous. He sadly and fondly remembered his friend Thjdolf, who had died under mysterious circumstances. He thought of Nym as well. The half-elf maid they had discovered in a sewer. He shook his head when he thought about his ill-fated and ill-advised romance with her. He wondered what had become of them. He missed them terribly. It made his head hurt even more.

He heard the cabin door open behind him and Guybrush climbed up onto the rail beside him.

"Morning Cap'n." Said the monkey.

"We can't keep doing this, Guybrush," Darvin sighed as he looked out over the sea before them, "I wish our friends were still alive..."

"Aye Cap'n." The monkey nodded sadly.

"We can't do this anymore," Darvin said again, "It's time...it's time we move on. It's time we find out what happened to them and where they are. It's just time..." 

"It tis, Cap'n, it truly is." They both continued to stare over the vast Sea of Swords in front of them.

All right. Your guys' move. 

Spiral Battle in Candlekeep

Here is the map of the area for the battle. Once we get everyone's initiative, the conflict will continue here.

You can access the combat spreadsheet here. 

The order of combat will be as follows:

1. Johan
2. Beranhond
3. Ceilith
   
4. Darvin
5. Ragnar
6. Baddies

I have shifted Ceilith and Ragnar's turns to be right next to the people controlling them in order to speed up combat a bit. All of the enemies will take their turn at the same time.