Thus far...

Well, where do I start? Often I hear this story from the begging, you know when they were born and all. I would like to start there but to tell you the truth I really don’t remember the day.

My earliest memories are from the age of six or so. They are memories of living on the streets of Waterdeep. I can not tell you my parents’ names for I can’t recall ever meeting them. No… better yet let’s just say I grew up with the streets as my parents. Not that I am complaining mind you, a young lad can learn a lot picking pockets and stealing food to survive. Whatever, I don’t mind.

Growing up in the gutters, performing tricks for coin, or sneaking into basements for warmth in the winters, I learned to survive no matter what. By the age of fifteen I was running errands for some people I am trying to forget. While this may seem wrong to many, I had regular meals and people who protected me. In the end it is all good.

Around the age of 25 I was taken in by a temple to Tyr. And it is there I learned that there is no justice in this realm that you don’t make for yourself. Oh don’t get me wrong, they were nice to me for a while. Until I figured out how they were using me to strike at those who used to befriend me. Whatever, I learned a lesson.

There is something else that happened around that time. Ale, oh blessed nectar of the gods. And with ale comes bars, and with bars comes adventurers. I would listen to their tales of the road and revel in the songs of glory. It is around this time that I also figured out what I really enjoy in life. Ale, women, ale, the open sky above me with the road at my feet. And ale. Oh, there was one other thing I learned that I like, it was in my last night in town; I like a good fight. Of course as it stands now there are four dead, found at the docks, IT WAS SELF DEFENSE. The fact that they were town guard does no go well for me though. Alas, this put me on the road, so it is all good.

I found myself hired on a caravan as a guard to Luskin. Humans can’t tell how old elves are, so I lied about my age. I fit in well and traveled a few months with them. Well until the time we were attacked and nearly slaughtered to the man. The greed of others never seems to amaze me. So a new road had to be taken.

I traveled for many years, finding no place to my liking, until. Until I found the Border Kingdoms. Oh what a place. No real government to speak of, just a bunch of small kingdoms. Well that is what they call them, some of these so-called kings have complete reign over forty people. Battles from skirmishes to all out wars are common place. I witnessed one town change rulers four times in a week. Change can be good.

One kingdom knows me best. Lord Sotac the Kind has three beautiful daughters, three daughters I know very well. Sotac the Kind has declared that I am to be killed on sight. Sometimes when I am sneaking back out of his kingdom at night I think he will kill me soon. But one quick look back to his daughters and I remember it is all worth it. Ah, women.

Over the years I have made a minor name for myself here. I am usually recognized quickly when I come into town. Some towns give me welcome, for I have done a great service for them. Others just see me as another traveling sword, a man to be used or ignored. A few, well… a few see me as a marked man, as someone who stood in their way and defied the will of their people. Like I said, I love it here.

Character sheet: Maiyr [Wood Elf Fighter]

We found the place the fiend went; it had made a home below an old grave of a hero. A large pile of rocks with a fallen dwarven hero underneath. There has to be some kind of irony here.

We started working our way down, found some traps. I don’t want to go first anymore. This group I travel with argues a lot, I am finding that I am not very patient for it. I get tired of it and walk away; Darvin is always first behind me. My human shadow.

More traps, and then some rats. Large and smelling fiendish, cool we must be on the right track.

The rats fall easily, Sprockets makes illusions. During the fight she produced a large cat, taller than me. It fought and helped scare the rats. Nosila warned me when it first arrived, Sprocket has quite a talent. Only problem, I hate cats.

Argue and wonder, we found the bridge guarded by two more of the fiend’s pets. They cast some sort of spell that made me run. I hate when that happens. Why can’t they fight sword to sword like men? When I got back it seems the two women had defeated them. Won’t live this down.

Found its home, bones and stench everywhere. Finally a good battle, we slay the fiend. I never had fought a fiend before and almost feel guilty; it was wounded when we got there. Just wasn’t even enough, almost unfair.

The beast had cast some spells on us, I am weakened and Darvin is well into unconscious. At least he isn’t following me.

Let’s see, we returned to town and talked to Lord Taricz. I mentioned ale, he offered to hear our story over some. I think I ... no, yes I did buy some healing salves from town. It is all very blurry.

A remember a bit about a horse and a halfling, and that’s about it. I think I drank too much.

The next day, or was it two days later…. well, at one point I got a chance to walk around town and see what was new. Nothing really.

Lord Taricz friends arrived an we are going to go to Pommeville and fight some lich. Now this should be a fun fight.

The large party regrouped quickly after the battle and continued on its course. The town of Pommeville was only a few hours ahead. We walked somewhat somberly, although I did get to enjoy some of the bard’s amusements. Still my human shadow was behind me.

We reached the town and not a sound, sight, or smell was to be found of the humans that lived there. There was talk of which way to go, finally we agreed on going strait to the lich’s stronghold. I have never had a chance to fight a lich before.

We found two entrances, and split to go in each way. For once my shadow followed someone else; I hope the barbarian doesn’t mind.

Once inside we met the rest of the party at a set of large gilded doors. Nosila opened the doors and I could see some sparks flying from the trap she had set off. Looks like it hurt a little. In my years, I have never heard those particular curse words used in that order.

Once the doors opened the party was faced with a handful of undead, after a few arrows and bolts into their midst, the cleric stepped up and destroyed the remaining with his holy symbol. Then as the cleric and Sprocket started to argue, someone triggered another trap and a group of skeletons appeared in the altar room. I ran forward for the easy pickins.

Darvin and Nosila took the two on the left, and I took the two on the right. It was a short battle, yet the other two took some damage. Sprocket and Nosila explained to Darvin how to open the altar to reveal some steps to the lich’s hidden chambers. Despite their warnings of the poisoned needles, Darvin got his hand in the way. Wow, he looked pissed.

Then they started in again, Sprocket poked at Darvin’s ego (about who holds the lantern) and he screamed back about her proper place in battle. That is when Nosila, tired of the rant, grabbed Darvin’s lantern and headed off down the steps. Rage filled his eyes as he screamed about stealing his lantern and the fool actually then tackled Nosila down the steps. And a tumbling-flaming-argument rolled down the steps.

Rushing down the steps to help them, I found the two still arguing while they tried to put the flames out, oh and fight the team of zombies and skeletons that were waiting for them. Darvin was getting his flames out quicker so I leaped to Nosila’s side and tried to get her some room. With a bit of aid from the steps we quickly destroyed this new foe. Oh if it would have just stopped then.

Darvin and Nosila were more than worse for wear, so they took their potions and then it got ugly. Darvin began his rant about his lantern, apparently forgetting he was provoking a barbarian. Nosila quickly lost her temper and began pummeling him. It was almost amusing, except for the fact that are twenty feet from a lich who wants to kill us, and they want to make all kinds of racket and distract the party from the real threat. This will not end well.

Finally Darvin was silenced with a brutal knee to his jaw. He dropped to the floor and unconsciousness kept his tongue silent. Realizing that if he came to again he would start this all over again, no matter the circumstance, I tied him up and took him up the stairs to the altar room. I can’t decide which is more dangerous, the lich or the combination of Darvin and the two ladies.

After returning to the bottom of the steps the cleric screamed in pain and ran past me, usually not a good sign.

Some four of wraith-like creatures came from the door he was trying to open. Soon the creatures were destroyed, but not without a great deal of damage to us. Both I and the cleric had been severely drained and the party as a whole looked scared. It is times like this where many campaigns are lost. So, hoisting my swords up into the air I charged through the doors to the lich’s tomb.

Drained and bruised, I was no threat to any lich, but my attempt to inspire the fading hopes of the party were worth it. As I charged through the doors I heard a dozen screams of charge following me. The tomb had a paper on top, but I wasn’t going to stop and read now, no time to kill a lich. I kicked the sarcophagus open to see emptiness. Then a flash.

When my senses returned I was in hallway with Nosila, Sprocket, and my shadow Darvin. There on the floor, still tied up. Nosila looked at me and read the thoughts in my eyes. I tell her to step aside and let me free us of his madness. She stood above him and told me no. After slapping him to near death, she wants to protect him?

I pulled my swords and warned her to step aside. She swung once and it was on. My weakness and lack of desire to kill her, combined with her decision to only fight me with her hands made it an ugly fight. I had tried the sides of my blades, but she didn’t budge so I pulled the kid gloves off. It may have been the hardest thing I have ever done, but I hit her repeatedly with my scimitars until she fell to the floor near death. That and the next thing will haunt me for a long time.

I looked over my shoulder to see what Sprocket was going to do. She looked away without saying a word. I returned my eyes to my shadow, and with one motion I took his life. Then I moved over to the bleeding form of Nosila, and patched her up as good as I could and then poured a potion of healing down her throat. She came awake and moved away from me. I can’t really blame her.